An Act To Amend the Axle Weight Laws I Further amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting in its place the following: Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2357, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2001, c. 513, §l, is further amended to read: 7. Penalty calculation; fine base and fine schedule. When a weight tolerance established in this section is exceeded, the difference between the actual weight and the fine base for the tolerance must be used as the basis for determining the percentage of overload in the appropriate fine schedule and the tolerance must be disregarded. For a 6-axle combination vehicle described in subsection 4 that is registered for 100,000 pounds, the fine base for the gross vehicle weight is 100,000 pounds and the fine schedule in section applies. For a 6-axle combination vehicle described in subsection 4 that is registered for less than 100, 000 pounds, the fine base for gross vehicle weight is 90,000 pounds and the fine schedule in section 2360 applies. For all other vehicles operating under the gross vehicle weight tolerances in subsection 2, except as provided in subsection 9, and for all vehicles operating under the axle unit Page l-LR0425(2) COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 0657
Committee Amendment CA_A_H459 (House)
Amends: 29-A MRSA §2357, 29-A MRSA §2360, 29-A MRSA §2360-A

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "4,, to H.P. 477, L.D. 657, Bill, 
Act To Amend the Vehicle Gross and Axle Weight Laws" 
"An 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting 
the following: 
'An Act To Amend the Axle Weight Laws I 
Further amend the bill by striking out everything after the 
enacting clause and before the summary and inserting in its place 
the following: 
'Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2357, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2001, c. 
513, §l, is further amended to read: 
7. 
Penalty calculation; fine base and fine schedule. 
When 
a weight tolerance established in this section is exceeded, the 
difference between the actual weight and the fine base for the 
tolerance 
must 
be 
used 
as 
the 
basis 
for 
determining 
the 
percentage of overload in the appropriate fine schedule and the 
tolerance must be disregarded. 
For a 6-axle combination vehicle 
described in subsection 4 that is registered for 100,000 pounds, 
the fine base for the gross vehicle weight is 100,000 pounds and 
the 
fine 
schedule 
in section 
2354 
applies. 
For 
a 
6-axle 
combination vehicle described in subsection 4 that is registered 
for less than 100, 000 pounds, the fine base for gross vehicle 
weight is 90,000 pounds and the fine schedule in section 2360 
applies. 
For all other vehicles 
operating under 
the 
gross 
vehicle weight tolerances in subsection 2, except as provided in 
subsection 9, and for all vehicles operating under the axle unit 
Page l-LR0425(2) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~~ ... 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT . It .. 
weight 
tolerances 
in 
appropriate limit in 
section 2360 applies. 
to H.P. 477, L.D. 657 
subsection 
2, 
section 
2353 
the 
fine 
and the 
fine 
base 
is 
schedule 
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §2357, sub-§9 is enacted to read: 
the 
in 
9. Penalty calculation: tandem axle fine base for 6-axle 
special commodity vehicles registered for 100« 000 pounds gross 
weight. For a 6-axle tractor-semitrailer vehicle registered for 
100,000 pounds gross weight hauling special commodities with a 
tandem axle weight for which a Violation Summons and Complaint 
may be issued. the tandem axle weight fine provided by section 
2360 must be based on the difference between the tandem axle 
weight and 41.000 pounds. 
Sec.3. 29-A MRSA §2360, sub-§16, 1(C is enacted to read: 
C. 
For 
a 
5-axle 
or 
6-axle tractor-semitrailer vehicle 
registered for less than 100.000 pounds gross weight hauling 
special commodities with a 
tandem axle weight of at least 
47,000 pounds but not more than 48,260 pounds for which a 
Violation Summons and Complaint may be issued. the fine is 
$731 plus $136 for every 315 pounds over 47,000 pounds. 
Subsections 3 and 5 apply to tandem axle weights of less 
than 47,000 pounds or exceeding 48,260 pounds. 
Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §2360, sub-§17, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 
267, §8 and affected by §16, is amended to read: 
17. 
Exception 
to 
fine 
schedule 
for 
forest 
products 
tri-axle. 
Notwithstanding subsections 
and 5, 
for 
a 
4-axle 
single unit vehicle hauling forest products with 
a 
tri-axle 
weight for which a Violation Summons and Complaint may be issued, 
but which is less than 66,500 pounds, the fine is $220. 
If the 
tri-axle weight is at least 66, SOD 
pounds, but is less than 
70,560 pounds, the fine is $634 plus $414 for every 580 pounds 
over 66,500 pounds. Subsection 3 applies to tri-ax1e weights of 
70,560 pounds or more. 
Sec.5. 29-A MRSA §2360-A is enacted to read: 
§2360 A. 
Exception to axle fineS during the midwinter season 
1. Axle fines waived: midwinter season. The fine is waived 
and 
the Violation 
Summons 
and 
Complaint 
is not 
issued for 
violations of axle and axle group weight limits or tolerances 
provided by sections 2352, 
2353, 
2354, 
2354-A, 
2357, 
2364 and 
2365 for vehicles traveling during the months of January and 
February. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
to H.P. 477, L.D. 657 
2. Exceptions. This section does not apply to: 
A. 
Vehicles 
traveling on the Interstate Highway 
System, 
including the portion of 
the 
Maine 
Turnpike 
designated 
Interstate 95 and that portion of Interstate 95 from the 
southern terminus of the Maine Turnpike to the New Hampshire 
state line: or 
B. 
Vehicles 
traveling 
on 
ways 
restricted 
under 
the 
provisions of section 2395.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill and changes the title. The 
amendment amends the calculation of tandem axle weight fines for 
6-axle trucks hauling special commodities to clarify that the 
lower 
fine 
applies. 
It also 
amends 
the 
axle 
weight 
fine 
schedules 
to 
eliminate 
relatively 
steep 
fine 
increases 
for 
smaller violations for trucks hauling forest products, resulting 
in 
fine 
reductions 
from 
current 
law. 
The 
amendment 
also 
eliminates axle weight fine violations during the months 
of 
January and February on most state roads. 
FISCAL "OTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/20105 .;:tk?ac:.. 
LD657 
LR0425(02) 
An Act To Amend the Vehicle Gross and Axle Weight Laws 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,A, 
Committee: Transportation 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Undetermined current biennium cost increase - Highway Fund 
Undetermined current biennium revenue decrease - Highway Fund 
Undetermined current biennium revenue decrease - General Fund 
Undetermined current biennium revenue decrease - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
This legislation reduces the fines assessed for excessive vehicle weight violations by changing the methodology of 
fine calculations for 4 and 6 axle trucks and eliminates all axle fines during January and February. The estimated loss 
of General Fund, Highway Fund and Law Enforcement Agency Reimbursement Fund revenue can not be determined 
at this time due to the Judicial Department's inability to differentiate violator-specific axle and weight information. 
Reducing and eliminating certain fines for overweight vehicles will also result in increased non-compliance with 
overweight vehicle restrictions, thereby increasing damage to the state's highway system; the repair costs to the 
Highway Fund can not be determined at this time. 
LR0425(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1