Special Narragansett Towers plates depend on minimum orders

The law authorizes the motor vehicles administrator to make special plates available for the Friends of the Historic Narragansett Towers. The plates must refer to the Friends of the Historic Narragansett Towers and use the same registration number as the vehicle’s regular plates. Production depends on meeting the minimum prepaid order requirements for each plate type and submitting the required paperwork. The Friends handles the initial order. The law took effect upon passage.

The law sets surcharges for issuing and renewing the special plates and directs how the money is used. The surcharges apply to Friends of the Historic Narragansett Towers plates and their later renewals. The $40 issuance surcharge is added to the regular registration fee. Half of the issuance surcharge goes to the state general fund; the other half goes to the Friends for cultural and performing arts programs about the Towers. The Friends must use Rhode Island-sourced funds for the benefit of Rhode Island-based charitable organizations. A $10 surcharge goes to the Friends with each later registration renewal.

The law requires annual accounting before funds are distributed and bars refunds for early cancellation. These rules apply to the Friends’ plate funds and to owners of the special plates. The Friends must submit an annual accounting report before the money is distributed. Owners who cancel the special plates early receive no refund.