The bill amends Chapter 31-3 of the General Laws regarding vehicle registration by introducing a new section, 31-3-130, which creates a special motor vehicle registration plate for the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make these special plates available, which will reference the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and the Blackstone River Valley Environmental Clean-up and Education Fund.

The special plates will be displayed on the same registration number assigned to the vehicle and will replace the original registration plates, which must be returned to the division of motor vehicles. The design of the plates will be developed by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles and must be approved by the Rhode Island state police.

The bill outlines specific procedures for the issuance of these plates, including compliance with minimum prepaid order requirements and the establishment of prepayment procedures. An issuance surcharge of $40 will be applied, with $20 allocated to the general fund and the remaining $20 distributed annually to the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc. to support the Blackstone River Valley Environmental Clean-up and Education Fund. Additionally, a $10 surcharge for subsequent registration renewals will be allocated to the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc.

The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc. is required to use any Rhode Island-sourced funds for the benefit of Rhode Island-based charitable organizations and must submit an annual accounting report before the distribution of funds. There will be no refunds for early cancellation of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc. plates. The act is set to take effect six months after its passage.