An Act To Amend Maine's Motor Vehicle Statutes
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1175
Committee Amendment CA_A_H191 (House)
Amends: 29-A MRSA §1921, 29-A MRSA §2061

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to H.P. 807, L.D. 1175, Bill, "An Act To 
Amend Maine's Motor Vehicle Statutes" 
Amend the bill in section 2 in § 1905-B by striking out all of subsection 1 (page 1, 
lines 20 to 25 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'1. Reguirement. All factory-installed brake lights or equivalent replacements on a 
motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer must be present and operating properly and must emit 
a steady red light when a slight pressure is placed on the brake pedal, and the light 
emitted must be visible for a distance of at least 100 feet behind the vehicle. 
For 
purposes of this section, "steady red light" means a red light that is either immediately 
constant and not pulsating or that pulsates for a short period and then becomes constant.' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of sections 3 and 4 and inserting the following: 
'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 'llith in which there is a 
television viewer, screen or other means of visually video device, other than an allowable 
device, that is receiving a television broadoast that is or showing video content visible to 
the operator. This seotion does not apply to a law enforoement offioer using a video 
oamera or other video equipment for laY,' enforoement purposes. For the purposes of this 
section, "video content" includes, but is not limited to, television broadcasts, recorded 
video and video streamed through electronic or other means. For purposes of this section, 
"allowable device" means: 
1. Global positioning, navigation or mapping system. A device displaying video 
content for the purpose of a global positioning, navigation or mapping system; 
2. Closed-circuit video monitor. A closed-circuit video monitor that is used to 
assist the operator while backing up or parldng; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITIEE AMENDMENT "~,, to H.P. 807, L.D. 1175 
3. Device when vehicle is stationary. A device that is capable of operation only 
when the vehicle is stationary and is automatically disabled whenever the wheels of the 
l 
vehicle are in motion: 
4. 
Device to enhance operator's view. 
A device that is used to enhance or 
supplement the operator's view of the roadway or to assist the operator in object 
detection; and 
5. Part of vehicle's instrumentation. A video display unit that is part of the 
vehicle's instrumentation or is used for the purpose of vehicle control. 
This section does not apply to the use of a video device in the performance of official 
duties by a law enforcement officer or the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, 
as defined in section 2054. 
Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §2061, sub-§I, as amended by PL 1999, c. 183, §1O, is 
further amended to read: 
1. Prohibition. A person commits a traffic infraction if that person occupies a camp 
trailer, mobile home, vehiole being towed by a V/reoker or by a motor vehicle using a to'N 
bar-; semitrailer or trailer while it is being moved on a public way.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment: 
1. Modifies the provision of the bill regarding brake lights that requires that all 
factory-installed brake lights must be operational and meet certain standards; 
2. Replaces the provision of the bill that prohibits a person from operating a motor 
vehicle if certain video equipment is visible to the operator. The amendment clarifies that 
video equipment relating to operation of the vehicle and video equipment used by law 
enforcement and emergency personnel may be visible to the vehicle operator; and 
3. Removes the provision of the bill that repeals a law prohibiting persons from 
riding in a towed vehicle or trailer. It instead amends the law to remove the prohibition 
on a person riding in a vehicle being towed by a wrecker or by a motor vehicle using a 
tow bar but preserves the other prohibitions in current law. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: OS/22115 
Mac 
LD 1175 
LR 493(02) 
An Act To Amend Maine's Motor Vehicle Statutes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'ff C H -I q D 
Committee: Transportation 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost impact - General Fund 
Minor revenue impact - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Eliminates and establishes Class E crimes. 
Increases the number of civil violations. 
Minor net impact to General Fund fine revenue. 
LR0493(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1