Removes the fee for registration and plate transfer for a Distinguished Service Cross registration plate.

## Summary of the Bill

This bill would eliminate the fees that Distinguished Service Cross recipients currently have to pay when registering their vehicle or transferring their license plate in Rhode Island. The Distinguished Service Cross is one of the highest military decorations awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces for extraordinary heroism in combat, second only to the Medal of Honor.

Under current Rhode Island law, veterans who have earned the Distinguished Service Cross can get a special license plate recognizing their service, but they are still required to pay standard registration and plate transfer fees. This bill would waive those fees entirely, meaning these decorated veterans would no longer have to pay out of pocket for these specific transactions.

The bill directly affects a small group of Rhode Island residents — veterans living in the state who have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. It represents a financial benefit to these individuals by removing an expense associated with vehicle registration and plate transfers. The bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Finance Committee, where it is scheduled for a hearing.