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4/7/2022
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Senate passes two Felag bills relating to bronze star license plates and reusable bags
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STATE HOUSE – The Senate today passed two pieces of legislation sponsored by Sen. Walter S. Felag, Jr. (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) which relate to bronze star license plates and repealing the sales tax on reusable retail bags.
The first bill (2022-S 2136) passed by the Senate creates a special motor vehicle registration plate for recipients of the United States Bronze Star Medal. Senator Felag has previously introduced the bill in the last two legislative sessions.
“It is always important to remember our veterans and service members who served our country with valor and heroism. This special license plate will serve to honor and recognize our brave Bronze Star recipients and their contributions to defending and preserving the freedoms we all cherish, which is simply the right thing to do,” said Senator Felag, Chairman of the Senate Special Legislation and Veterans' Affairs Committee.
The bill allows the Division of Motor Vehicles to make available to recipients of the United States Bronze Star Medal a special motor vehicle registration plate indicating the owner as a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.
The second bill (2022-S 2048) exempts reusable bags from the state sales tax. Reusable bags are defined as a bag with handles which are stitched and that is specifically designed and manufactured for 125 or more reuses, and is made primarily of washable cloth, other durable woven or nonwoven fabric, polyester, polypropylene, or other durable plastic.
“We have made remarkable strides lately in reducing the amount of plastic bag waste in our state but there is still more we can do to safeguard the environment. By removing the sales tax on reusable bags, it will incentivize more people to use them when shopping, cutting down even more of our plastic pollution problem,” said Senator Felag.
Both pieces of legislation have been referred to the House of Representatives for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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