An Act To
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1562
Committee Amendment CA_A_S391 (Senate)
Amends: 29-A MRSA §520, 29-A MRSA §551, 29-A MRSA §603, 29-A MRSA §652, 29-A MRSA §664-A, 29-A MRSA §667, 29-A MRSA §701, 29-A MRSA §1606

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A " to S.P. 599, L.D. 1562, Bill, "An Act To 
Amend the Motor Vehicle Laws" 
Amend the bill by striking out.all of section 3 and inseliing the following: 
'Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §S17, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2009, c. 435, §4, is further 
amended to read: 
2. Plates. The Secretary of State shall issue distinctive plates that expire at the end 
of a 6-year period for state plates and a 1 O-year period for municipal plates within the 
semipermanent plate program. Notwithstanding section 501, subsection 11, the Secretary 
of State shall issue distinctive municipal plates under this subsection to a low-speed 
vehicle owned by a municipality' or loaned by a dealer to a municipality. Vehicles owned 
by the State may display a marker or insignia, approved by the Secretary of State, plainly 
designating them as owned by the State. 
The Secretary of State may issue environmental 01' sportsman registration plates to a 
state-owned vehicle assigned to the Depaliment of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or the 
DepaJiment of Conservation with authorization from the department's commissioner. 
The Secretary of State may issue environmental or spOIisman registration plates to a 
state-owned vehicle assigned to the Baxter State Park Authority with authorization from 
the Commissiorier of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in the commissioner's capacity as a 
member of the Baxter State Park Authority. A state-owned vehicle issued environmental 
01' spOIisman registration plates must display a marker 01' insignia designating the vehicle 
as state-owned and is exempt from registration fees and the contribution under section 
455, subsection 4. 
The Secretary of State may issue agricultural education plates to a state-owned vehicle 
assigned to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources with authorization-
from the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural R~sources. 
A state-owned 
vehicle issued agricultural education plates must display a marker or insignia designating 
the vehicle as state-owned and is exempt from registration fees and the contribution under 
section 456-F, subsection 2. 
Page I - 124LR24S4(02)-1 
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COMMITIEE AMENDMENT" A'to S.P. 599, L.D. 1562 
The Secretary of State may issue lobster plates to a state-owned vehicle assigned to the 
Department of Marine Resources with authorization from the Commissioner of Marine 
Resources. A state-owned vehicle issued lobster plates must display a marker or insignia 
designating the vehicle as state-owned and is exenipt from registration fees and the 
contribution under section 456-A, subsection 2. 
Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §520, sub-§l, as amended by PL 1999, c. 790, Pt. C, § 17 
and affected by § 19, is further amended to read: 
1. Registration fee. The annual registration fee for special equipment, based on 
gross weight, is $10 for equipment weighing one to 2,000 pounds; $15 for 2,001 to 5,000 
pounds; and $20 for over 5,000 pounds. 
Registrations under this section may be issued for 2 years for a fee twice that of the 
annual registration fee. 
Sec. 5. 29-A MRS A §521, sub-§14 is enacted to read: 
14. Disabled veterans parking. A person qualifying for special designation plates 
pursuant to section 523, subsection 1 or 2 may request disabled veterans parking 
registration plates. 
Disabled veterans parking registration plates must bear the words "Disabled Veteran," the 
American flag and the International Symbol of Access in compliance with subsection 2.' 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 5 the following: 
'Sec. 6. 29-A MRSA §551, sub-§6 is enacted to read: 
6. Penalty. A violation of this subchapter or of any rule adopted pursuant to 
subchapter is a traffic infraction for which a fine of not less than $250 for the first offense 
and not less than $500 for a 2nd or subsequent offense may be adjudged.' 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 21 the following: 
'Sec. 22. 29-A MRSA §603, sub-§3-A, as amended by PL 2007, c. 703, §22, is 
fmiher amended to read: 
3-A. Expedited issuance of document. An applicant requesting the immediate 
expedited issuance of a document described in subsection 1 must pay an additional fee of 
$10 and state the reason for the request. The Secretary of State shall determine if an 
immediate expedited issuance is warranted and process the request accordingly. 
Sec. 23~ 29-A MRSA §652, sub-§15, as amended by PL 2003, c. 490, Pt. D, §3, 
is further amended to read: 
15. 
Other vehicles. 
A vehicle required to be registered under section 109, 
subsection 3 for which a current certificate of title has been issued in another state; aHd 
Sec. 24. 29-A MRS A §652, sub-§16, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 490, Pt. D, §4, is 
amended to read: 
16. Low-speed vehicle. A low-speed vehicle loaned by a dealer to a municipality~~ 
and 
Sec. 25. 29-A MRS A §652, sub-§17 is enacted to read: 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 599, L.D. 1562 
17. Off-road vehicle. An off-road vehicle. 
Sec .. 26. 29-A MRSA §664-A, sub-§l, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 437, §20, is 
amended to read: 
1. Vehicle sold by dealer. A vehicle that is sold by a dealer must be accompanied 
by a properly assigned and valid certificate of title or celiificate of salvage at the time of 
its sale. A dealer may retain and process celiificates of title and certificates of salvage at 
the dealer's primary facility if in the case when the dealer displays a vehicle at an annex 
facility the dealer maintains a copy of the celiificate of title or celiificate of salvage at the 
annex facility. 
Sec. 27. 29-A MRSA §667, sub-§4, as amended by PL 200 I, c. 361, §§23 and 24 
and affected by §38, is fUliher amended to read: 
4. 
Repaired or rebuilt vehicle. If a salvage vehicle is repaired or rebuilt for 
operation on a public way, the vehicle may only be titled or registered for operation or 
offered for sale in this State if: 
A. 
The identification number of the vehicle and its component parts are inspected 
and verified; and 
C. 
If necessary, a new vehicle identification number is assigned. 
Upon demand of the Secretary of State or. a transferee, a repairer or rebuilder shall 
produce receipts of purchase of the vehicle or for component palis used in the repairing 
or rebuilding process, or both. If new parts are not used to rebuild a salvage vehicle, the 
rebuilder shall produce the vehicle identification number of the vehicles from which the 
palis were taken and the celiificates of title or the certificates of salvage for the vehicles if 
not already surrendered. 
The repairer or rebuilder shall disclose, in writing, to the 
transferee of a repaired or rebuilt salvage vehicle the fact that the vehicle was a salvage 
vehicle and shall disclose what repairs were made to the vehicle. 
The SecretaIY of State may refuse to title any vehicle declared to be salvage in another 
jurisdiction. 
Sec. 28. 29-A MRSA §667, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2001, c. 361, §25 and 
affected by §38, is fllliher amended to read: 
5. Distinctive. The following legends apply to celiificates of title issued subsequent 
to issuance of celiificates of salvage for vehicles. 
B. 
The legend "rebuilt salvage" must appear on a celiificate of title for a rebuilt 
salvage vehicle if: 
(I) Two or more vehicles with different frames are joined; 
(2) A salvage vehicle has 5 or more component palis replaced; 
(3) A celiificate of title with the legend "rebuilt salvage" issued by the Secretary 
of State or by any other jurisdiction accompanies an application to the State for a 
subsequent celiificate of title; or 
(4) A total vehicle loss has been repaired by the use of a front or rear clip. 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A " 
to S.P. 599, L.D. 1562 
C. 
The legend "rebuilt" must appear on a certificate of title for a rebuilt salvage 
vehicle if: 
(1) A salvage vehicle has at least one, but less than 5, component parts replaced. 
Notwithstanding section 602, subsection 2, for the purposes of this subsection, 
airbags are not considered a component part; or 
(2) A certificate of title with the legend "rebuilt" issued by the Secretary of State 
or by any other jurisdiction accompanies an application to the State for a 
subsequent certificate of title. 
D. 
If a salvage vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued by this State 
with any of the legends described in this section is subsequently titled in another 
jurisdiction and later retitled in this State, any subsequent certificate of title from this 
State must also contain the legends appearing on the previous certificate of title from 
this State. 
E. 
The legend "salvage" must appear on a certificate of title if: 
(1) A vehicle has no marketable value other than the value of the basic material 
or patts used in the construction of the vehicle; 
(2) A vehicle is sold with a stipulation that it is only to be used for the benefit of 
its parts; and 
(3) A certificate of title previously issued by the Secretary of State or by any 
other jurisdiction bearing the legend "salvage" accompanies an application to the 
State of a subsequent certificate of title. 
. 
F. 
The legend "repaired" must appear on a certificate of title for a repaired salvage 
vehicle if the vehicle is repaired as defined in section 602, subsection 12. 
The Secretary of State may apply a legend from a certificate of title issued by another 
iurisdiction to a subsequent title issued by this State. 
Sec. 29. 29-A MRSA §701, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and 
affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read: 
2. Delivery by lienholder. The lienholder shall immediately deliver the certificate, 
application and fee to the Secretary of State within 30 days of receipt.' 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 22 the following: 
'Sec. 23. 29-A MRSA §1606, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 
and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read: 
6. Company doing business in another state. A policy is not effective unless 
issued by a company authorized to do business in this State or a company authorized to 
do business in the state where the vehicle is registered or, in the case of an operator's 
policy, the state where the operator resides. 
If a vehiole is not registered in this State on the effeotive date of the j3olioy, the polioy is 
not effective unless the comnam.'. if not authorized to do business in this State. 8)(Ocutes a 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 599, L.D. 1562 
power of attorney authorizing the Secretary of State to accept service of notice or process 
on its behalf in any action on the policy arising from an accident.' 
Amend the bill by insel1ing after section 37 the following: 
'Sec. 38. Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause. In 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, chapter 5, subchapter 2 in the subchapter 
headnote, the words "operating authority" are amended to read "motor carrier 
registration" and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, 
publishing or republishing the statutes.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Pm1 letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment allows the sp0I1sman registration plate to be displayed on 
Depal1ment ofInland Fisheries and Wildlife and Depal1ment of Conservation vehicles. 
The amendment allows a special equipment registration to be issued for 2 years at 
. twice the annual fee, as is currently allowed for most trailers. 
The amendment eliminates the section of the bill that proposes to permit a disabied 
veteran who has been issued a disabled veteran registration to park in a disability parking 
space without the need to obtain a separate disability placard. Instead, the amendment 
adds the International Symbol of Access to the disabled veteran registration plate, 
allowing a person who has been issued the registration plate to park in a disability 
parking space without the need to obtain a separate disability placard. 
The amendment amends the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, chapter 5, 
subchapter 2 headnote to more accurately reflect the provisions in the subchapter. 
The amendment changes a violation of the Unified Carrier Registration System 
requirements from a Class E crime to a traffic infraction. 
The amendment clarifies that the issuance of rush titles and certain other documents 
are expedited rather than immediate. 
The amendment also clarifies that cel1ificates of title and salvage are not issued for 
off-road vehicles. 
The amendment allows a vehicle dealer with multiple places of business to keep the 
original vehicle title at a central location if a copy is available for the customer's 
inspection. 
The amendment clarifies that the Secretary of State may refuse to issue a title to a 
vehicle declared salvage in another state. 
The amendment also clarifies that the Secretary of State may carry forward a title 
legend issued by another state. 
The amendment clarifies that a lienholder must submit a title application to the 
Secretary of State within 30 days. 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·'A" to S.P. 599, L.D. 1562 
The amendment provides that proof of financial responsibility with respect to a 
nonresident can be provided by insurers authorized to transact business in the state of 
residence of the insured. 
FISCA.L :\OTE HE(jt;lRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 02126110 Mac 
LD 1562 
LR 2454(02) 
An Act To Amend the Motor Vehicle Laws 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "1+.' 
Committee: Transportation 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor cost increase - Highway Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
i---VTectional and Judicial Impact Statements 
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,: Increases the number of tratTic infractions. 
The coIIection of additional fines may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Additional costs to the Department of Secretary of State associated with adding the International Symbol of Access to 
the disabled veterans registration plate can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR2454(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I