An Act To Exempt Classic Auto Dealers from Dealer Plate Restrictions
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 1677
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: WESTON, ASH, DAGGETT
Amends: 29-A MRSA §903

Legislative Document 
No. 1677 
S.P.609 
In Senate, December 17, 2003 
An Act To Exempt Classic Auto Dealers from Dealer Plate 
Restrictions 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to 
Joint Rule 203. 
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on December 16, 2003. Referred to the Committee 
on Transportation pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218 . 
Presented by Senator WESTON of Waldo. 
Cosponsored by Representative ASH of Belfast and 
Senator: President DAGGETT of Kennebec. 
Printed on recycled paper 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted 
as emergencies; and 
Whereas, Public Law 2003, chapter 496 requires that a motor 
vehicle dealer be denied renewal of the dealer license if the 
dealer sold fewer than 4 motor vehicles in the previous license 
year; and 
Whereas, because of the often low-volume annual sales of 
classic autos, motor vehicle dealers who sell only classic autos 
will be denied renewal of their dealer's license; and 
Whereas, to ensure that motor vehicle dealers that sell only 
classic autos may continue to do business, it is imperative that 
this legislation take effect immediately; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts 
create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of 
Maine 
and 
require 
the 
following 
legislation 
as 
immediately 
necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and 
safety; now, therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §903. sub-§3, as amended by PL 2003, c. 496, 
§1, is further amended to read: 
3. 
Plate reduction. 
Upon renewal of a dealer license, the 
number of plates allowed a 
motor vehicle dealer who fails to 
sell, through retail sales, a minimum of one vehicle per month or 
vehicles within a 
12-month period must be 
reduced to 
one 
dealer plate, and the motor vehicle dealer may not be issued a 
dealer plate under section 1002, subsection 1, paragraph B. 
Upon 
a 
2nd application for 
renewal 
of 
a 
dealer license, 
a 
motor 
vehicle dealer must be denied renewal if the Secretary of State 
determines that the dealer sold fewer than 4 vehicles, through 
retail sales, in the previous license year, at which time all 
dealer credentials issued previously must be returned to the 
Secretary of State. 
A motor vehicle dealer who is denied a license renewal under this 
subsection may not reapply until the license has been expired at 
least one year. 
A motor vehicle dealer who holds 
a 
vehicle auction business 
license under section 1051 is exempt from this subsection. 
A motor vehicle dealer who engages only in the sale of classic 
autos is exempt from this subsection. 
Page l-LR2319(1) 
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Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the 
preamble, this Act takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill exempts dealers engaged exclusively in the sale of 
classic autos from the minimum sales requirement of 12 vehicles 
per year in order to obtain a renewal of a dealer license . 
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