SECTION 1.- Section 2 of Chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out paragraph 6 and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

“A person who, before the first day of the twelfth month next following the effective date appearing on the certificate of registration, for any reason other than suspension or revocation surrenders his or her number plates and registration certificate and does not apply for registration of another vehicle but who, on or before the first day of the month next following, which date shall be at least 1 month prior to the expiration date appearing on said certificate of registration, files in the office of the registrar a written application for a rebate shall be entitled to a pro rata rebate of the total fee paid in excess of $15for the registration of a vehicle of which the plates and registration certificate have been surrendered as aforesaid.  The registrar shall calculate the amount of such pro rata rebate to be paid by making the following calculations. 

(1)determine the total fee paid;

(2)subtract $15 from the total fee paid in subdivision (1);

(3)determine the number of months left until the expiration date appearing on the certificate of registration;

(4)multiply the amount under subdivision (2) by a fraction of the numerator of which is the number of months left under subdivision (3) and the denominator of which is the number of months in a year: 12; and

(5) if the amount in subdivision (4) is greater than 0, pay to the person the amount in subdivision (4).

No such rebate shall be paid except upon a certificate, filed with the comptroller, setting forth the facts, and signed by the registrar or his or her authorized agent; and provided, also, that the rebate shall be paid out of the fees received for the registration of motor vehicles and trailers without specific appropriation.  The registrar, at his or her discretion, may assign to the vehicle of any person who surrenders his or her registration certificate as herein provided, and who desires to register another vehicle, the register number of the vehicle described in the surrendered certificate.”

SECTION 2. - This act shall take effect on January 1, 2018.