An Act To Amend Maine's Motor Vehicle Statutes
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1175
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: PARRY
Amends: 29-A MRSA §558-A, 29-A MRSA §1905-B, 29-A MRSA §1921, 29-A MRSA §2061, 29-A MRSA §2104

Legislative Document 
No. 1175 
H.P. 807 
House of Representatives, April 1, 2015 
An Act To Amend Maine's Motor Vehicle Statutes 
Submitted by the Department of Public Safety pursuant to Joint Rule 204. 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative PARRY of Arundel. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  29-A MRSA §558-A, sub-§2, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 530, §4, is 
amended to read: 
A.  A person may not violate any provision of the rules of the Department of Public 
Safety, Bureau of State Police adopted under section 555 that incorporates by 
reference any of the following federal regulations or that is an amended version of 
any of the following federal regulations: 
(1)  49 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 390.21 (2007); 
(2)  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 1, paragraph C, 49 Code of 
Federal Regulations, Section 391.41 (2007); 
(3)  49 Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 392.16, 392.22, 392.24, 392.25, 
392.33 and, 392.71, 392.80 and 392.82 (2007); 
(4)  Any section of 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 393 (2007); or 
(4-A)  49 Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 395.3(a)(3)(ii), 395.8(d) and 
395.8(i) (2014); or 
(5)  49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 396, except Sections 396.7 and 396.9 
(2007). 
Sec. 2.  29-A MRSA §1905-B is enacted to read: 
§1905-B.  Brake lights 
1.  Requirement.  A motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer must be equipped with at 
least 2 brake lights, one on each side of the axis, each capable of displaying a red light 
visible for a distance of at least 100 feet behind the vehicle.  These lights must operate 
properly and emit a red light with slight pressure of the brake pedal and must display a 
steady or pulsating to steady red light.  Any factory-installed brake light or its equivalent 
replacement must be present and operating properly. 
2.  Vehicles used in conjunction.  When a vehicle is used in conjunction with 
another vehicle, only the last vehicle must carry the lights required in subsection 1. 
3.  Exception for farm tractors.  This section does not apply to unregistered farm 
tractors. 
Sec. 3.  29-A MRSA §1921, as amended by PL 1995, c. 584, Pt. B, §7, is further 
amended to read: 
§1921.  Viewing of visual content restricted in vehicles 
A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with or in which there is a 
television viewer, screen or other means device capable of visually receiving a television 
broadcast or showing visual content that is visible to the operator.  For the purposes of 
this section, "visual content" includes, but is not limited to, television broadcasts, 
recorded video and video streamed through electronic or other means.  "Visual content" 
does not include content displayed on a device that was installed for the effective or safe 
operation of a motor vehicle or include content displayed on a global positioning or 
navigation system.  This section does not apply to a law enforcement officer using a 
video camera or other video equipment for law enforcement purposes. 
Sec. 4.  29-A MRSA §2061, as amended by PL 2001, c. 132, §§1 and 2, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 5.  29-A MRSA §2104, sub-§1-B is enacted to read: 
1-B.  Permitting display of false registration validation device.  A person commits 
a Class E crime if that person permits to be attached or displayed on a vehicle registration 
plate a registration validation device issued for another vehicle. 
SUMMARY 
This bill: 
1.  Makes texting and handheld mobile telephone use while driving a traffic 
infraction for the purposes of Maine's commercial motor vehicle motor safety laws; 
2.  Makes a violation of federal regulations regarding rest breaks, logbook 
information and filing of drivers' records of duty status a traffic infraction for the 
purposes of Maine's commercial motor vehicle motor safety laws; 
3.  Requires vehicles operated in Maine to be equipped with brake lights; 
4.  Restricts persons operating motor vehicles from being able to view a television, 
screen or other device capable of receiving or showing visual content.  For the purposes 
of the provision, "visual content" includes, but is not limited to, television broadcasts, 
recorded video and video streamed through electronic or other means.  "Visual content" 
does not include content displayed on a device that was installed for the effective or safe 
operation of a motor vehicle or on a device used for global positioning or navigation; 
5.  Repeals the provision of law prohibiting persons from riding in a trailer that is 
being towed; and 
6.  Prohibits persons from attaching or displaying on a vehicle registration plate a 
registration validation device issued for another vehicle.