An Act To Allow Vehicles Engaged in Snow Removal or Sanding Operations on Public Ways To Use Preemptive Traffic Light Devices
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0011
Committee Amendment CA_A_H33 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 15, L.D. 11, Bill, "An Act To Allow 
Vehicles Engaged in Snow Removal or Sanding Operations on Public Ways To Use 
Preemptive Traffic Light Devices" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
emergency clause and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 29-A MRS A §20S7-A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 633, §6, is amended to 
read: 
§2057-A. Preemptive traffic light devices prohibited 
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings. 
A. "Lighted traffic control device" means a traffic control device conforming to the 
requirements of section 2057, subsection 1. 
B. "Preemptive traffic light device" means a device, including a signal prioritization 
device or a signal preemption device, capable of altering or interrupting the normal 
cycle of a lighted traffic control device or equipment associated with the functionality 
of a lighted traffic control device. 
C. 
"Signal preemption device" means a device that, when activated and when a 
vehicle equipped with such a device approaches an intersection controlled by a 
lighted traffic control device, causes: 
(1) The signal, in the direction of travel of the vehicle, to remain green if the 
signal is already displaying a green light or to change from red to green if the 
signal is displaying a red light; 
(2) The signal, in other directions of travel, to remain red or change to red, as 
applicable, to prevent other vehicles from entering the intersection; and 
(3) The applicable functions described in subparagraphs (1) and (2) to continue 
until the vehicle equipped with the device is clear of the intersection. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
l3 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'A" to H.P. 15, L.D. II 
D. "Signal prioritization device" means a device that, when activated and when a 
vehicle equipped with such a device approaches an intersection controlled by a 
lighted traffic control device, causes: 
(1) The signal, in the direction of travel of the vehicle, to display a green light 
sooner than the green light would otherwise be displayed; 
(2) The signal, in the direction of travel of the vehicle, to display a green light 
longer than the green light would otherwise be displayed; and 
(3) The applicable functions described in subparagraphs (1) and (2) to continue 
until the vehicle equipped with the device is clear of the intersection. 
2. 
Violation. 
A person commits a Class E crime if that person possesses a 
preemptive traffic light device or operates or allows the operation of a motor vehicle, 
vehicle, motorized wheelchair, electric personal mobility device, scooter or bicycle 
equipped ,with a preemptive traffic light device. 
3. Exemptions. This section does not apply to: 
A. An authorized emergency vehicle equipped with a signal prioritization device or 
signal preemption device or both maintained by a municipality, county or state 
agency or an ambulance or emergency medical services vehicle as defined in section 
2054, subsection 1; 
B. Transit route buses equipped with signal prioritization devices engaged in the 
transportation of passengers and maintained by or contracted to a municipal, county 
or state agency; eF 
C. A vehicle equipped with a signal prioritization device used by the Department of 
Transportation for the purpose of installing, maintaining or testing a lighted traffic 
control device~,;"Q[ 
D. A vehicle equipped with a signal prioritization device owned or contracted by a 
municipality engaged in snow removal or sanding operations on a public way and 
authorized by the municipal officers or a vehicle equipped with a signal prioritization 
device owned or contracted by a county or state agency engaged in snow removal or 
sanding operations on a public way. 
A vehicle under paragraph B, C or D may not operate a signal prioritization device in a 
manner that impedes or interferes with the use of a signal prioritization device by a 
vehicle under paragraph A. A vehicle under paragraph C may not operate a signal 
prioritization device in a manner that impedes or interferes with the use of a signal 
prioritization device by a vehicle under paragraphs Band D.' 
SUMMARY 
The bill allows a vehicle owned or contracted by a municipal, county or state agency 
engaged in snow removal or sanding operations on a public way to use a preemptive 
traffic light device. This amendment, which strikes and replaces the bill, clarifies that a 
vehicle owned or contracted by a municipality engaged in snow removal or sanding 
operations must be authorized by the municipal officers. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 15, L.D. 11 
The amendment also clarifies that the definition of "preemptive traffic light device" 
includes both a signal prioritization device and a signal preemption device and provides 
definitions for those terms. 
The amendment clarifies that an authorized emergency 
vehicle may be equipped with a signal prioritization device and a signal preemption 
device and must be given the right-of-way at a signalized intersection. The amendment 
further provides that a transit route bus, a vehicle engaged in snow removal or sanding 
operations and. a vehicle used by the Department of Transportation for the purpose of 
installing, maintaining or testing a lighted traffic control device may be equipped with 
and use a signal prioritization device. The amendment also provides that a vehicle used 
by the Department of Transportation for installing or maintaining a lighted traffic control 
device has the lowest level of priority at a signalized intersection. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03115/13 
~ac:. 
LD 11 
LR 259(02) 
An Act To Allow Vehicles Engaged in Snow Removal or Sanding Operations on Public Ways To Use 
Preemptive Traffic Light Devices 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment]1' [~ 
... 93) 
Committee: Transportation 
Fiscal Note Required : Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor savings - General Fund 
Minor revenue decrease - General Fliud 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Eliminates Class E crimes. 
A reduction in fines will decrease General Fund revenue by minor amounts.