An Act To Prohibit the Use of a Mobile Telephone When Operating a Motor Vehicle Except in Hands-free Mode
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0185
Committee Amendment CA_A-SA_A_S51 (Senate)

SENATE AMENDMENT" A" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 60, 
L.D. 185, Bill, "An Act To Prohibit the Use of a Mobile Telephone When Operating a 
Motor Vehicle Except in Hands-free Mode" 
Amend the amendment in section 1 in §2116 in subsection 4 in paragraph A in the 
last line (page 2, line 12 in amendment) by striking out the following: "$250" and 
inserting the following: '$75' 
Amend the amendment in section 1 in §2116 in subsection 4 by striking out all of 
paragraph B (page 2, lines 13 to 25 in amendment) and inserting the following: 
'B. A person who violates this section after previously having been adjudicated as 
violating this section within a 3-year period commits a traffic infraction for which a 
fine of $150 must be adjudged. 
For the purposes of this paragraph, an adjudication has occurred within a 3-year 
period if the date of the new conduct is within 3 years of the date of a docket entry of 
adjudication of a violation of this section.' 
Amend the amendment in section 2 in subsection 3 in paragraph A in the last line 
(page 2, line 40 in amendment) by striking out the following: "$250 may" and inserting 
the following: '$250 may $75' 
Amend the amendment in section 2 in subsection 3 by striking out all of paragraph B 
(page 3, lines 1 to 14 in amendment) and inserting the following: 
'B. A person who violates this section after previously having been adjUdicated as 
violating this section within a 3-year period commits a traffic infraction for which a 
fme of not less than $500 may $150 must be adjudged, and the Secretary of State 
shall suspend the license of that person 'Nithout right to hearing. The miniml:lm 
periods of Heense suspension are:~ 
(1) Thirty days, if the person has 2 adjlldieatiofls for a violatiofl of this seetiofl 
within a 3 year period; 
(2) Sixty days, if the person has 3 adjudications for a violation of this section 
\vithin a 3 year period; and 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
It ~t S~ 
SENATE AMENDMENT" A "to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 60, L.D. 185 
(3) Ninety days, if the person has 4 or more adjudications for a violation of this 
section within a 3 year period. 
For the purposes of this paragraph, an adjudication has occurred within a 3-year 
period if the date of the new conduct is within 3 years of the date of a docket entry of 
adjudication of a violation of this section.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment reduces the penalty for a first offense of using a mobile telephone or 
handheld electronic device or text messaging while operating a motor vehicle from a fine 
of $250 to a fine of $75. It also reduces the penalty for a subsequent violation within a 3-
year period from a fine of $500 and a licens,e )uspenSion to only a fine of $150. 
SPONSORED BY: 
Q ~ 
(Senator KATZ) 
COUNTY: Kennebec 
FISC·H .. \'OTE REQrilillD 
" 
... ~ 
(See unached) 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/23/15 
fb/ac 
LD 185 
LR 148(04) 
An Act To Prohibit the Use of a Mobile Telephone When Operating a Motor Vehicle Except in Hands-
free Mode 
Fiscal Note for Senate Amendment "R' to Committee Amendment "A" (S-SI) 
Sponsor: Sen. Katz of Kennebec 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor revenue decrease - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Lowers penalties from $250 to $75 for first offenses and from $500 to $150 for subsequent offenses. 
The incremental impact of reducing penalties will be a reduction of the minor General Fund revenue increase that 
had been expected from the bill as amended by committee A. Overall as amended here, a small net revenue increase 
is still expected. 
LR0148(04) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1