An Act To Set Limits on Fines That May Be Assessed for Nonhabitual Offenders under Maine's Truck Weight Laws
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 0322
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: MILLS
Amends: 29-A MRSA §2354, 29-A MRSA §2360

Legislative Document 
No. 322 
H.P.265 
House of Representatives, January 28, 2003 
An Act To Set Limits on Fines That May Be Assessed for 
Nonhabitual Offenders under Maine's Truck Weight Laws 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative MILLS of Cornville. 
Printed on recycled paper 
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MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2354, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2001, c. 
261, §1 and affected by §16, is further amended to read: 
2. 
100,000 pounds. 
One hundred thousand pounds, as long as 
the vehicle meets these requirements: 
A. 
The distance between the extreme axles, excluding the 
steering axle, is not less than 36 feet as measured to the 
nearest foot. 
The maximum gross vehicle weight permitted is 
reduced by 2,000 pounds for each foot the distance is less 
than 
feet 
between 
the 
extreme 
axles, 
excluding 
the 
steering axle, measured to the nearest foot; 
B. 
The minimum distance between the steering axle and the 
first axle of the tandem-axle group is at least 10 feet as 
measured to the nearest foot; and 
C. 
The maximum weight on the: 
(1) 
Tandem axle does not exceed 41,000 pounds; and 
(2) 
Tri-axle does not exceed 50,000 pounds. 
Nothing contained in this subsection applies 
the Interstate Highway System as 
defined in 
Highway Act of 1956. 
to vehicles using 
the Federal Aid 
Except as provided in section 2360, subsections 4 
for 
vehicles 
operating 
under 
this 
subsection, 
weight violations are fined in accordance with 
schedule: 
aHa-L 5 and 18, 
gross 
vehicle 
the following 
Percent over 100,000 
pounds 
1-10% 
II-ZOOt> 
21-30% 
31-40% 
Fine for 
each percent 
$100 + $20 
for each 
percent over 
$280 
+ $125 
for each 
q" 
percent over 10% 
$1,530 + $135 
for each 
percent over 20% 
$2,880 + $150 
41% or more 
for each 
percent over 30% 
$4,380 + 
$175 for each 
percent over 40% 
For 
all vehicles 
manufactured, 
modified 
or 
retrofitted with 
liftable or variable load suspension axles after October 
30, 
1991, liftable or variable load suspension axles are permitted 
only 
under 
the 
following 
conditions: 
only 
one 
liftable or 
variable load axle may be present on the truck tractor and only 
one 
liftable or variable 
load 
axle 
may 
be 
present 
on 
the 
semitrailer; liftable or variable load axles must be located on 
the vehicle so that they are legally part of the tandem axle 
group or tri-axle group as appropriate: 
and the axle weight 
rating of liftable or variable load axles must conform to the 
expected loading of the suspension and must be 20,000 pounds or 
more. 
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §2360, sub-§18 is enacted to read: 
18. 
Exception to fine schedule for owners or operators with 
no 
overweight 
violation 
for 
years. 
Notwithstanding 
the 
provisions of this section, for a truck owner or operator who has 
not 
been 
convicted of 
any 
overweight violations 
during 
the 
preceding 3 years, the maximum fine for an overweight violation 
may not exceed $1 per pound for violation of a weight restriction 
on the total load, nor 50¢ per pound for violation of a weight 
restriction on any axle. 
For purpose of this subsection, the 
calculation of overweight pounds must take into account and give 
credit for all allowable tolerances. 
SUMMARY 
This bill sets limits on the fines that may be assessed for 
owners 
and 
operators 
who 
have 
not 
been 
convicted 
of 
any 
overweight violation during the preceding 3 years.