The bill proposes the creation of special motor vehicle registration plates for the not-for-profit entity Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is authorized to issue these special plates, which will replace the original registration plates of the vehicle and must be used in the same manner. The design of these plates will be a collaborative effort between the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub and the division of motor vehicles, with the final design requiring approval from the Rhode Island state police. The special plates will be subject to a minimum pre-paid order requirement and will not be produced until this requirement is met, along with the submission of proper paperwork.
In addition to the regular vehicle registration fee, there will be a $40 issuance surcharge for the special plates, with $20 allocated to the general fund and the remaining $20 distributed annually to the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub to support its mission of providing no-cost trips to World War II and Korean War veterans to visit memorials in Washington, D.C. A $10 surcharge will also be applied for subsequent registration renewals, which will go to the Honor Flight Hub. The organization is required to use the funds for the benefit of Rhode Island-based charitable organizations and must submit an annual accounting report before funds are distributed. There will be no refunds for early cancellation of these plates. The act will take effect six months after passage.