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5/5/2026
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Senate approves President Lawson bill to extend fee waivers and special license plates to more disabled veterans
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STATE HOUSE — The Senate today approved legislation from Senate President Valarie J. Lawson to expand the eligibility for disabled veterans to receive disabled veterans license plates and have their vehicle registration and license fees waived.
“The General Assembly has worked over the years to make Rhode Island more welcoming to veterans, including creating a series of special license plates and fee waivers relating to vehicle licensing. This legislative change was requested by the East Providence Veterans Advisory Committee, who rightfully point out that our current eligibility for disabled veterans leaves out many Rhode Islanders whose sacrifice deserves recognition,” said President Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence). “This is one more way we can show our appreciation for those who bear the scars of their service and sacrifice for our nation.”
Rhode Island currently waives motor vehicle registration and license fees for veterans who have either lost, or lost the use of, a hand, foot or limb during war time service; received a Veterans Affairs combined service-connected disability rating of 100 percent; are rated “individually unemployable” due to a service-connected disability; or received a grant from the VA for a specially adapted vehicle to accommodate their disability.
President Lawson thinks these definitions don’t cover enough veterans.
This bill (2026-S 2418) would expand the eligibility to veterans who are 75 years of age or older with a combined service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or higher. This rating signifies that a veteran’s service-related disability has a severe and substantial impact on their daily life. Typically, veterans with a 70 percent disability rating have multiple service-connected conditions.
The bill now goes the House, where Rep. Jenni A. Furtado (D-Dist. 64, East Providence, Pawtucket) has introduced companion legislation (2026-H 7096).
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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