An Act Authorizing the Operation of Low-speed Vehicles on Certain Roads LR0883(02)
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 0393
Committee Amendment CA_A_H357 (House)
Amends: 29-A MRSA §101, 29-A MRSA §102, 29-A MRSA §1301, 29-A MRSA §1925, 29-A MRSA §2089

Act 
C~ITTEE AMENDMENT .. B 
. 
Authorizing the Operation 
to H.P. 313, L.D. 393, Bill, "An 
of Low-speed Vehicles on Certain 
Roads" 
Amend 
the bill by 
striking out all of section 
and 
inserting in its place the fOllowing: 
'Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §101, sub-§32-A, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 
660, §l, is amended to read: 
32-A. 
Low-speed vehicle. 
"Low-speed 
vehicle" 
means 
a 
4-wheeled automobile that is able to attain a speed of at least 
miles per hour but not more than 25 miles per hour and does 
not exceed 1800 pounds in unloaded weight. 
"Low-speed vehicle" 
does not include an ATV as defined in Title 12, section 7851. 
A 
low-speed vehicle must be originally manufactured and maintained 
in accordance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as 
a low-speed vehicle pursuant to 49 Code of Federal Regulations, 
Section 571.500 f~998}, as amended. 
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §102, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, 
§2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read: 
§l02. 
Public way use authorized 
Any 
vehicle 
may 
be 
operated 
on 
a 
public 
way 
prohibited or 
restricted by this Title, 
by 
special 
municipal ordinance, or by rule of the department. 
Page l-LR0883(2) 
unless 
law or 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
.~. 
~, . 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT . .fl .. to H.P. 313, L.D. 393 
1. 
Operation of low-speed vehicles: 
beginning June 
1, 
2003. 
Notwithstanding subsection 2 t 
beginning on June 1. 2003, 
the 
registration 
and 
operation 
of 
low-speed 
vehicles 
in 
accordance with section 501, subsection 11 and section 2089 are 
authorized for use on islands that have public aid roads and do 
not have motor vehicle access by bridge or causeway and on public 
roads in: 
A. 
Bar Harbor: 
B. 
Biddeford, including Biddeford Pool: 
C. 
Boothbay Harbor: 
D. 
Brunswick: 
E. 
Cape Elizabeth: 
F. 
Damariscotta: 
G. 
Kennebunk: 
H. 
Kennebunkport; 
I. 
Kittery, 
including 
Kittery 
Point 
and 
the 
Kittery 
shipyard: 
J. 
Lewiston: 
K. 
Mt. Desert; 
L. 
Ogunguit; 
M. 
Old Orchard Beach, including Ocean Park: 
N. 
Portland; 
O. 
Saco; 
P. 
South Portland; 
O. 
Southwest Harbor: 
R. 
Tremont; 
S. 
Waterville: 
T. 
Wells; 
U. 
Wil:2S;;SlU!1lti and 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~~. 
~ 
~. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "ft' to H.P. 313, L.D. 393 
V. 
York, including York Beach and York Harbor. 
This subsection is repealed on September 1, 2003. 
2. 
OJ?eration of low speed vehicles: beginning September 1, 
2003. 
The registration and operation of low-speed vehicles in 
accordance with section 501. subsection 11 and section 2089 are 
authorized beginning 
September 
1, 
2003. 
A municipality 
may 
prohibit the use of low-speed vehicles by municipal ordinance or 
restrict the 
use 
of 
low-speed vehicles 
in accordance with 
section 2089 subsection 2.' 
Further amend the bill in section 2 by striking out all of 
subsection 11 (page 2, lines 7 to 12 in L.D.) and inserting in 
its place the following: 
'11. 
Low speed vehicles. 
The Secretary of State may issue 
a 
registration for 
a 
low-speed vehicle upon application and 
payment of an annual fee of $25. The registrant must provide a 
certificate of title required by section 651, proof of financial 
responsibility required by section 1601 and evidence of payment 
of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482. A low-speed 
vehicle registered under this section is issued a registration 
plate with the word "low-speed" instead of "Vacationland." 
The 
Secretary of State may issue a 
facsimile plate for a 
day 
period. ' 
Further amend the bill by inserting after section 2 the 
following: 
'Sec.3. 29-A MRSA §1301, sub-§8 is enacted to read: 
8. 
Vehicle used for eXamination. 
An 
applicant for 
a 
license may not use a low-speed vehicle to demonstrate ability to 
operate a motor vehicle as required under subsection 4.' 
Further amend the bill in section 5 in subsection 10 in the 
2nd line (page 
2, 
line 32 
in L.D.) 
by inserting after the 
following: "subsection 11." the following: 
'A low-speed vehicle 
must be equipped in accordance with section 1925. ' 
Further amend the bill by striking out all of sections 6 and 
and inserting in their place the following: 
'Sec. 6. 29-A MRSA §1925 is enacted to read: 
§1925. 
Egyi»ment regyirements for low-speed vehicles 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
,,. 
~,~. 
~ .. 
", 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT '~' to H.P. 313, L.D. 393 
1. 
Eqyipment 
regpired. 
A 
low-speed vehicle 
registered 
pursuant to section SOl. sUbsection 11 must be equipped with: 
A. 
Brakes for each wheel: 
B. 
Headlights that comply with section 1904: 
C. 
An odometer: 
D. 
One exterior rearview mirror: 
E. 
One interior rearview mirror; 
F. 
A parking brake: 
G. 
Rear reflectors: 
H. 
A safety glass windshield: 
I. 
A speedometer: 
J. 
Stop lamps: 
K. 
Rear lights that comply with section 1905: 
L. 
Seat belts and child restraint systems that comply with 
section 2081: 
M. 
Turn signal lamps: 
N. 
Windshield wipers; and 
O. 
A vehicle identification number. 
2. 
Working condition. 
Equipment required in subsection 1 
must be in good working condition. 
Sec. 7. 29-A MRSA §2089 is enacted to read: 
§2089. 
Qperation of low-speed vehicles 
A person operating a low-speed vehicle on a public way shall 
comply with the provisions of this chapter as they apply to the 
operator of an automobile and with this section. 
1. 
License 
regpired. 
A 
person 
operating 
a 
low-speed 
vehicle must possess a valid Class At Class B or Class C driver's 
license pursuant to section 1252. 
2. 
Road restrictions. 
A low-speed vehicle may be operated 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~,~. 
~.",. <0> 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT '.fI .. to H.P. 313, L.D. 393 
only on a road or street where the posted speed limit is 35 miles 
per 
hour 
or 
less. 
A 
low-speed 
vehicle 
may 
cross, 
at 
an 
intersection. a road or street with a posted speed limit of more 
than 35 miles per hour. The department may prohibit the operation 
of a low-speed vehicle on any highway or segment of highway under 
its 
jurisdiction if it determines 
that 
the 
prohibition is 
necessary in the interest of public safety. A municipality may 
prohibit the operation of a low-speed vehicle on any road under 
its 
jurisdiction if it determines 
that 
the 
prohibition is 
necessary in the interest of public safety. 
3. 
Violation. 
A person who operates a low-speed vehicle in 
violation of subsection 2 commits a traffic infraction. 
4. 
Rulema:king. 
The Secretary of State, in consultation 
with the Commissioner of Transportation and the Commissioner of 
Public Safety, 
may 
adopt rules in accordance with Title 
5, 
chapter 375 to implement this section, monitor the registration 
and use of low-speed vehicles and provide for the safe operation 
of low-speed vehicles. 
Sec. 
8. 
Appropriations 
and 
allocations. 
The 
following 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE 
Administration - Motor Vehicles 
0077 
Initiative: 
Allocates funds on a one-time basis for the costs of 
revising the 
Bureau of 
Motor Vehicles' 
automated 
system to 
accommodate the registration of low-speed vehicles. 
Highway Fund 
All Other 
Highway Fund Total 
Further amend the 
nonconsecutive 
Part 
consecutively. 
bill by 
letter 
2003-04 
$5,000 
$5,000 
2004-05 
$0 
$0' 
relettering 
or 
section 
or renumbering any 
number 
to 
read 
SUMMARY 
This amendment does the following: 
1. 
Allows a low-speed vehicle to continue to be registered 
as an island vehicle for $4; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~~. 
~.tJ 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT .. (y. to H.P. 313, L.D. 39, 
2. 
Establishes 
a 
registration fee of $25 for low-speed 
vehicles, which is equal to that of automobiles, and specifies 
that the registration plate must bear the word "low-speed": 
3. 
Prohibits a person from using a low-speed vehicle to 
take a driver's examination: 
4. 
Specifies that headlights, rear lights and seat belts 
must comply with state standards for automobiles and specifies 
that required equipment must be in good working condition: 
5. 
Allows 
a 
municipality 
or 
the 
Department 
of 
Transportation to prohibit the use of low-speed vehicles on roads 
when such restriction is necessary for safety; 
6. 
Authorizes 
the 
Secretary of 
State 
to 
adopt 
rules 
relating to the registration and operation of low-speed vehicles: 
7. 
Specifies that an operator of a low-speed vehicle must 
have a Class A, Class B or Class C driver's license; 
8. 
Authorizes 
the 
registration 
and 
use 
of 
low-speed 
vehicles in certain municipalities and islands beginning on June 
1, 2003. 
For all other jurisdictions, the registration and use 
of these vehicles is authorized beginning September 1, 
2003. 
Language also clarifies that a municipality may prohibit use of 
low-speed vehicles by municipal ordinance: and 
9. 
Adds an allocation from the Highway Fund. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Net Cost (Savings): 
Highway Fund 
Appropriations/Allocations 
Highway Fund 
Revenue 
Highway Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Revised: 05/02/03 ;J!;P"ac:... 
Office of Fiscal and Program Review 
LD393 
An Act Authorizing the Operation of Low-speed Vehicles on Certain 
Roads 
LR0883(02) 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment" " 
Committee: Transportation 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Majority Report 
Fiscal Note 
2003-04 
2004-05 
$2,696 
($1,776) 
$5,000 
$0 
$2,304 
$1,776 
Projections 
·2005-06 
($1,776) 
$0 
$1,776 
Projections 
2006-07 
($1,776) 
$0 
$1,776 
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles within the Department of the Secretary of State will incur one-time additional 
Highway Fund costs of $5,000 in fiscal year 2003-04 for the expense of adjusting the bureau's automated system. In 
addition, the bureau will collect additional revenues for the Highway Fund from registration fees; the estimated 
amounts are $2,304 and $1,776 in fiscal years 2003-04 and 2004-05, respectively. 
LR0883(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1