The bill amends Chapter 31-3 of the General Laws to establish special motor vehicle registration plates for the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub. The administrator of the Division of Motor Vehicles is empowered to create these plates, which will reference the not-for-profit organization and be displayed in place of standard registration plates. The special plates will be designed by the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub in conjunction with the Division of Motor Vehicles, with the design subject to approval by the Rhode Island State Police.

The bill outlines that the special plates shall be displayed on the same registration number assigned to the vehicle and that the original registration plates must be removed and returned to the Division of Motor Vehicles. The registration certificate for the special plates must be carried in the vehicle and will be in effect for the special plate.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the special plates will require a minimum pre-paid order, and the initial order will be handled by the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub. The administrator of motor vehicles will develop prepayment procedures and any other necessary procedures to implement this section.

The bill introduces a $40 issuance surcharge for the special plates, with $20 allocated to the general fund and the remaining $20 directed to the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub to support its mission of providing no-cost trips for WWII and Korean War veterans to visit memorials in Washington, DC. A $10 surcharge will also be applied for subsequent registration renewals, with funds similarly benefiting the Honor Flight Hub. The organization is required to use Rhode Island-sourced funds for local charitable organizations and must submit an annual accounting report before the distribution of funds. The bill specifies that there will be no refunds for early cancellation of the special plates and will take effect six months after passage.