An Act To
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0513
Committee Amendment CA_A_S242 (Senate)
Amends: 10 MRSA §1163, 29-A MRSA §456-A, 29-A MRSA §468, 29-A MRSA §519, 29-A MRSA §521, 29-A MRSA §523, 29-A MRSA §524-A, 29-A MRSA §670, 29-A MRSA §1304, 29-A MRSA §1352, 29-A MRSA §2301, 29-A MRSA §2356, 29-A MRSA §2358

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ''A " to S.P. 168, L.D. 513, Bill, "An Act To 
Amend the Motor Vehicle Laws" 
Amend the bill by inserting after the enacting clause and before section 1 the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 10 MRSA §1163, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2003, c. 337, §5, is further 
amended to read: 
7. Disclosure at time of resale for failure to make effective repair. A motor 
vehicle that is returned to the manufacturer under subsection 2 may not be resold without 
clear and conspicuous written disclosure to any subsequent purchaser, whether that 
purchaser is a consumer or a dealer, of the following information: 
A. 
That the motor vehicle was returned to the manufacturer under this chapter; 
B. 
That the motor vehicle did not conform to the manufacturer's express warranties; 
and 
C. 
The ways in which the motor vehicle did not conform to the manufacturer's 
express warranties. 
The certificate of title of a vehicle subject to the disclosure requirements of this 
subsection is subject to the branding requirements of Title 29-A, section 670.' 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 1 the following: 
'Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §456-A, sub-§8, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 623, §4, is 
amended to read: 
8. Weight limit. A lobster plate may be issued for a motor vehicle that does not 
exceed 9,()00 10,000 pounds. A motor vehicle that exceeds 6,000 pounds is subject to the 
fees in section 504. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
/" ... 0«." 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT'~ "to S.P. 168, L.D. 513 
Sec. 3. 29-A MRS A §456-B, sub-§8, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 623, §4, IS 
amended to read: 
8. Weight limit. A Maine Black Bears plate may be issued for a motor vehicle that 
does not exceed 9,()00 10,000 pounds. A motor vehicle that exceeds 6,000 pounds is 
subject to the fees in section 504. 
Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §468, as amended by PL 2003, c. 652, Pt. B, §1 and affected 
by §8, is further amended to read: 
§468. Specialty plate 
The Secretary of State may not issue a specialty license plate tHHe&s until the sponsor 
has met all of the requirements of this section and the proposed specialty license plate 
legislation as required in subsection 7 is authorized reviewed by the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters and approved 
by the Legislature. For the purposes of this section, "specialty license plate" means a 
specially designed registration plate that may be used in place of the regular plate and 
registration for fundraising purposes. The Secretary of State shall administer a specialty 
license plate in accordance with the following provisions. 
1. Sponsor. A person must register with the Secretary of State as the sponsor of a 
specialty license plate. 
2. Names, signatures and payment. The Secretary of State may not manufacture 
an authorized specialty plate unless the sponsor pays ia a6Ylmee for the mlmufaeture of at 
least 2,000 pairs of tHe speeialty plate aRS proyises a list '.vith 2,000 aames, sigFlatlires 
8flS SUffent plate numhers of supporters who intend to purshase the spesialty lieense 
plate. A paymeRt of $40,000 fur 2,000 pairs of plates at $20 per pair fffi\st be deposited in 
the Speeialty Lieense Plate FURS estahlished under seetion 469. The Seeretaf)' of State 
shall proyide one $20 eresit to p"fChase a pair of speeialty lieeRse plates for eaaH Rame 
8fld sigsature pro't'ided.~ 
A. Provides to the Secretary of State a list with 2,000 names, dated signatures and 
current plate numbers of supporters who have signed a statement declaring they 
intend to purchase and display the specialty license plate; and 
B. Collects from each supporter who signs the statement an amount of $25 for each 
set of plates and provides to the Secretary of State the sum of these contributions in 
the amount of $50,000, which is nonrefundable. 
The Secretary of State shall deposit the $50,000 provided under paragraph B in the 
Specialty License Plate Fund established under section 469. 
l. Fee. The Seeretary of State shall establiSH a fee for eaeh pair of 1m authorizes 
speaialty plate of $20. 
3-A. Credit receipts. The Secretary of State shall provide 2,000 credit receipts to 
the sponsor to provide to each supporter that contributed $25. The credit receipt may be 
used only to obtain one set of specialty plates. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ''A "to S.P. 168, L.D. 513 
3-B. Registration fee. The fee for the specialty license plate is in addition to the 
regular motor vehicle registration fee required by section SOland the excise tax required 
by Title 36, section 1482. 
4. Minimum number manufactured. The Secretary of State shall manufacture a 
minimum of 2,000 specialty license plates for each specialty plate authorized under this 
section. 
5. Design approval. A sponsor must submit a proposed design for a specialty 
license plate for approval or modification by the Secretary of State. The joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters shall review 
the final design for a specialty license plate prior to manufacture of the plate. 
6. Duplicate plates. The Secretary of State shall issue a specialty license plate in a 
3-number and 3-letter combination sequence. Vanity plates may not duplicate vanity 
plates issued in another class of plate. 
7. Deadline for Secretary of State approval. The sponsor must submit to the 
Secretary of State the names, signatures, payment and proposed design for the specialty 
license plate by September 1 st. The signatures must have been collected within 2 years 
of submission to the Secretary of State. If the design is approved pursuant to subsection 
5, the Secretary of State shall submit proposed legislation seeking authorization of the 
specialty license plate to the following regular session of the Legislature. 
8. Weight limit. A specialty license plate may be issued for an automobile or 
pickup truck that does not exceed 6,OOG 10,000 pounds. 
9. Limit on authorization. The Secretary of State shall retire and cease to issue any 
plate authorized after January 1. 2007 upon the occurrence of the earlier of: 
A. When the number of sets of the plate issued falls below 4,000 for more than one 
year; and 
B. Ten years after the date of authorization. 
10. Additional versions or classes of the specialtv Dlate. All requirements set forth 
in this section must be followed for each additional class or version of a specialty plate. 
Sec. 5. 29-A MRS A §468-A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 652, Pt. B, §2 and 
affected by §8, is amended to read: 
§468-A. Recognition license plates 
The Secretary of State may not issue a recognition license plate tmless until the 
sponsor has met all of the requirements of this section and the proposed recognition 
license plate legislation as required by subsection 8 is authori~d reviewed by the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters and 
approved by the Legislature. The Secretary of State shall administer a recognition license 
plate in accordance with this section. 
1. Definition. "Recognition license plate" means a specially designed registration 
plate that may be used in place of the regular plate and registration for recognition 
purposes only and is not used for fundraising purposes. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
" 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT '.:4 "to S.P. 168, L.D. 513 
2. Sponsor. A person shaH register with the Secretary of State as the sponsor of a 
recognition license plate. 
3. Names, signatures and payment. The Secretary of State may not manufacture 
an authorized recognition license plate unless a sponsor ',Ulder sHbseetion 2 pays in 
advanse for the manefaeture of at least 2,000 pairs of the reeognition lieeHse plate and 
provides a list with 2,000 Hames, signatures and eurreHt plate numbers of supporters .... Alo 
intend to purehase the reeognition lieense plate. A payment of $40,000 for 2,000 pairs of 
plates at $20 per pair must be deposited iH the Speoialty LieeAse Plate FUAd established 
uAder seotioA 4@. After 2,000 pairs of plates are pureaased or 5 years all-ve passed from 
tae date the plate is Imthori~El, waiohever oeGers first, tae Se6fetary of State shall 
reimburse $20,000 to the spOHsor oHae plate from tae Spesialty LioeHse Plate FUAd.~ 
A. Provides to the Secretary of State a list with 2,000 names. dated signatures and 
current plate numbers of supporters who have signed a statement declaring they 
intend to purchase and display the recognition license plate; and 
B. Collects from each supporter who signs the statement an amount of $25 for each 
set of plates and provides the Secretary of State the sum of these contributions in the 
amount of $50,000, which is nonrefundable. 
The Secretary of State shall deposit the $50,000 provided under paragraph B into the 
Specialty License Plate Fund established under section 469. 
3-A. Credit receipts. The Secretary of State shall provide 2,000 credit receipts to 
the sponsor to provide to each supporter that contributed $25 _ The credit receipt may be 
used only to obtain one set of specialty plates. 
4. Registration fee. The fee for the recognition license plate is in addition to the 
regular motor vehicle registration fee required by section 501 and the excise tax required 
by Title 36, section 1482. 
5. Minimum number manufactured. The Secretary of State shall manufacture a 
minimum of 2,000 recognition license plates for each recognition license plate authorized 
under this section. 
6. Design approval. A sponsor must submit a proposed design for a recognition 
license plate for approval or modification by the Secretary of State. The joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters shall review 
the final design for a recognition license plate prior to the manufacture of the plate. 
7. Duplicate plates. The Secretary of State shall issue a recognition license plate in 
a 3-number and 3-letter combination sequence. Vanity plates may not duplicate vanity 
plates issued in another class of plate. 
8. Deadline for Secretary of State approval. The sponsor shall submit to the 
Secretary of State the names, signatures, payment and proposed design for the recognition 
license plate by September 1 st. The signatures must have been collected within 2 years 
of submission to the Secretary of State. If the design is approved pursuant to subsection 
6, the Secretary of State shall submit proposed legislation seeking authorization of the 
recognition license plate to the following regular session of the Legislature. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
',", '., 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT'~ "to S.P. 168, L.n. 513 
9. Weight limit. A recognition license plate may not be issued for an automobile or 
pickup truck that weighs more than 6;()00 10,000 pounds. 
10. Limit on authorization. The Secretary of State shall retire and cease to issue 
any plate authorized after January 1, 2007 upon the occurrence of the earlier of: 
A. When the number of sets of the plate issued falls below 4,000 for more than one 
year; and 
B. Ten years after the date of authorization. 
11. Additional versions or classes of the recognition plate. All requirements set 
forth in this section must be followed for each additional class or version of a recognition 
plate.' 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 6 the following: 
'Sec. 7. 29-A MRSA §519, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2005, c. 80, §1, is further 
amended to read: 
3. Use of registration plate. The registration plate may be used on only one motor 
vehicle with a registered gross weight of not more than ~ 
10,000 pounds. 
Sec. 8. 29-A MRSA §521, sub-§13 is enacted to read: 
13. Altering placard. A person who alters or causes to be altered the expiration 
date of a disability placard issued pursuant to this section commits a traffic infraction and 
is subject to a penalty of not less than $100 nor more than $500. 
Sec. 9. 29-A MRSA §523, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2005, c. 573, §3, is further 
amended to read: 
2. 
Disabled veterans; special free license plates. The Secretary of State, on 
application and upon evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 
1482, shall issue a registration certificate and set of special designating plates to be used 
in lieu of regular registration plates for a vehicle with a registered gross weight of not 
more than ~ 
10,000 pounds to any 100% disabled veteran when that application is 
accompanied by certification from the United States Veterans Administration or any 
branch of the United States Armed Forces as to the veteran's permanent disability and 
receipt of 100% service-connected benefits. A disability placard is issued in addition to 
the disabled veteran registration plate at no fee. 
These special designating plates must bear the words "Disabled Veteran," which indicate 
that the vehicle is owned by a disabled veteran.' 
Amend the bill in section 7 in subsection 3 in the 5th line (page 2, line 13 in L.D.) by 
striking out the following: "9,000" and inserting the following: '9;GOO 10,000' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 9 (page 3, lines 20 to 26 in L.D.) and 
inserting the following: 
'Sec. 9. 29-A MRSA §524-A, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 683, §1, is 
amended to read: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to S.P. 168, L.D. 513 
6. Weight limit. A Wabanaki plate may be issued for a motor vehicle that does not 
exceed 9,OOQ 10,000 pounds. A motor vehicle that exceeds 6,000 pounds is subject to the 
fees in section 504. 
Sec. 10. 29-A MRSA §670 is enacted to read: 
§670. Maine Lemon Law vehicle 
This section applies to any motor vehicle subject to the disclosure requirements of 
Title 10, section 1163, subsection 7. A manufacturer to whom the motor vehicle was 
returned pursuant to Title 10. section 1163. subsection 2 shall return the title of the motor 
vehicle to the Secretary of State with an application for a new title in the name of the 
manufacturer. The Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of title that includes the 
following brand: "Lemon Law Buyback." All subsequent certificates of title to that 
vehicle must contain the same brand.' 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 11 the following: 
'Sec. 12. 29-A MRSA §1304, sub-§2,~, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, 
§2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read: 
D. 
An instruction permit is valid for ORe year 2 years. 
Sec. 13. 29-A MRS A §1304, sub-§2,~, as amended by PL 2005, c. 577, §19, 
is further amended to read: 
E. 
Failure to complete the driving test within 2 years from issHe the date requires 
reeKamiRatieR for the of issuance of an instruction permit requires reexamination for 
a subsequent instruction permit to be issued. IR the ease of a motoreycle leamer's 
permit, failure to complete the dri'liRg test withiR ORe year from issue date of the 
permit requires aRother completioR of the motoreycle driver educatieR coorse 
required by seotioR 1352 before a subsequeRt permit is issued. 
Sec. 14. 29-A MRSA §1352, suh-§6,~, as amended by PL 2001, c. 671, §26, 
is further amended to read: 
B. 
Road examination for the holder of a valid motor vehicle operator's license on 
receipt of a certificate demonstrating successful completion of the Mote~'ele Basic 
Rider Course: RidiRg aHd StFeet Skills or other hands-on motorcycle rider course 
approved by the Secretary of State. 
An endorsement issued pursuant to this 
paragraph prohibits the holder from carrying a passenger for a period of 60 days 
following the date of issuance of the endorsement. 
Sec. 15. 29-A MRSA §2301, sub-§5, as repealed and replaced by PL 2005, c. 
433, §20 and affected by §28, is amended to read: 
5. School bus. "School bus" means a oommereial motor '/eRiole used to traHsport 
preprimary, primary Of seeoRdary sebool stadeRts from home to sebool, from sebool to 
home or to aRd from school spoRsored eveRts. "ScRoel bus" dees ROt iRclude a bus used 
as a commeR carrier or a pri'late school acti'lity bus.: 
A. School bus CMV; or 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A "to S.P. 168, L.D. 513 
B. School bus non-CMV. 
Sec. 16. 29-A MRSA §2301, sub-§5-A is enacted to read: 
5-A. School bus CMV. "School bus CMV" means a commercial motor vehicle used 
to transport preprimary, primary or secondary school students from home to school, from 
school to home or to and from school-sponsored events. "School bus CMV" does not 
include a bus used as a common carrier or a private school activity bus. 
Sec. 17. 29-A MRSA §2301, sub-§5-B is enacted to read: 
5-B. School bus non-CMV. "School bus non-CMV" means a noncommercial motor 
vehicle designed to cany more than 10 passengers, including the driver, but less than 16 
passengers, including the driver, and used to transport students from home to school, 
from school to home or to and from school-related events. "School bus non-CMV" does 
not include a private motor vehicle used to transport members of the owner's household 
or a private school activity bus. 
Sec. 18. 29-A MRSA §2356, sub-§9 is enacted to read: 
9. Subsequent violation. A person issued a summons for violating this section does 
not commit a subsequent violation of this section involving the same vehicle and same 
load until the next business day. 
Sec. 19. 29-A MRSA §2358, sub-§9, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 
and affected by Pt. B, §5, is repealed.' 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 13 the following: 
'Sec. 14. Grandfathered plate proposals. A sponsor who, as ofJune 1,2007, 
has registered with the Secretary of State as a sponsor of a specialty plate or recognition 
plate under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 468, subsection 1 or section 
468-A, subsection 2 may meet the requirements of Title 29-A, section 468 or 468-A, as 
applicable, that were in effect on June 1, 2007. A sponsor who registered with the 
Secretary of State prior to June 1, 2005 has until January 1, 2008 to meet those 
requirements that were in effect on June 1, 2007. A sponsor who registered with the 
Secretary of State on or after June 1, 2005 has until 2 years from the date of registration 
to meet those requirements that were in effect on June I, 2007. If the sponsor fails to 
meet those requirements within the applicable time frame, the sponsor becomes subject to 
the new requirements established by this Act.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
Except as noted below, this amendment: 
1. Removes the section of the bill that would have amended the law regarding when 
the State must begin issuing the title for manufactured housing; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT:4 "to S.P. 168, L.D. 513 
2. Establishes definitions of commercial-vehicle-class and non-commercial-vehicle-
class school buses. This revision reflects changes in the federal commercial driver's 
license requirements for school buses rated as commercial motor vehicles; 
3. Provides that a person issued a summons for operating in excess of registered 
weight does not commit a subsequent violation involving the same vehicle and the same 
load until the next business day; 
4. Repeals the requirement that a state trooper collect the difference in registration 
fee when a truck is found to be exceeding its registered weight and repeals the 
requirement that a foreign vehicle obtain a trip permit before proceeding. Currently, 
troopers calculate and collect the difference between the fee paid and the fee for the 
higher weight; 
5. Makes altering the expiration date of a disability placard a traffic infraction; 
6. Changes the name of the Motorcycle Rider Course to the Basic Rider Course; 
7. Extends the term of a motorcycle learner's permit from 1 to 2 years to allow more 
time to for drivers to complete the driving test; 
8. Changes the maximum weight limits for certain plates to conform to changes to the 
weight registration brackets made by the bill; 
9. Requires the Secretary of State to brand the certificate of title of vehicles subject 
to the disclosure requirements of the Maine Lemon Law; 
10. Makes a variety of changes to the specialty plate and recognition plate laws: it 
makes it clear that a proposed plate must be reviewed by the joint standing committee of 
the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters and approved by the 
Legislature; requires supporters to sign and date a statement declaring that they intend to 
purchase and display the plate; requires that signatures be no more than 2 years old when 
submitted; increases the plate fee from $20 to $25 and clarifies that each supporter must 
contribute $25; makes the total $50,000 prepayment nonrefundable; increases the weight 
restriction to 10,000 lbs; retires new specialty plates after 10 years or if the number of 
plates falls below 4,000 plates for more than one year; and provides that all requirements 
of the law must be met for each version or class of plate; and 
11. Provides that a sponsor who, as of June 1,2007, has registered with the Secretary 
of State as a sponsor of a specialty plate or recognition plate under the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 29-A, section 468, subsection 1 or section 468-A, subsection 2 may meet 
the requirements of Title 29-A, section 468 or section 468-A, as applicable, that were in 
effect on June I, 2007. A sponsor who registered with the Secretary of State prior to June 
1,2005 has until January 1,2008 to meet those requirements that were in effect on June 
1, 2007. A sponsor who registered with the Secretary of State on or after June 1, 2005 
has until 2 years from the date of registration to meet those requirements that were in 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT jq "to S.P. 168, L.D. 513 
effect on June 1, 2007. 
If the sponsor fails to meet those requirements within the 
applicable time frame, the sponsor becomes subject to the new requirements established 
under this amendment. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Net Cost (Savings) 
Highway Fund 
Revenue 
Highway Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 06/04/07 frac 
LD513 
LR 1032(02) 
An Act To Amend the Motor Vehicle Laws 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ";4 " 
Committee: Transportation 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
2007-08 
2008-09 
($126,700) 
($168,900) 
$126,700 
$168,900 
Projections 
2009-10 
($168,900) 
$168,900 
Projections 
2010-11 
($168,900) 
$168,9uO 
Various changes in vehicle registration categories and requirements will result in a net increase of Highway Fund 
revenue collected by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within the Department of the Secretary of State; the estimated 
amounts are $126,700 in fiscal year 2007-08 and $168,900 for each fiscal year thereafter. 
LR1032(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1