An Act to Improve
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 2053
Committee Amendment CA_A_H797 (House)
Amends: 29-A MRSA §2054

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "f-^ " to H.P. 1377, L.D. 2053, "An Act to Improve
Safety by Allowing the Use ofVariable-message Signs on Public Service Vehicles"
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substitrting the following:
'An Act to Improve Safety by Allowing the Use ofVariable-message Signs on Certain
Vehicles'
Amend the bill by inserting after the title and before the enacting clause the following:
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, vehicles that assist with traffic incidents and improve roadway safety that
are equipped with variable-message signs mounted on the vehicle are prepared to begin
using variable-message signs immediately; and
Whereas, a delay in allowing vehicles that assist with traffic incidents and improve
roadway safety to use variable-message signs could allow for a greater number oftraffic-
related injuries to occur; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislahire, these facts create an emergency within
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore,'
Amend the bill by strikmg out everything after the enacting clause and mserting the
following:
'See. 1. 29-A MRSA §2054, sub-§l, ^K is enacted to read:
K, "Safety service patrol vehicle" means a vehicle, eauiooed with a variable-messaee
sjen. used or contracted by the department or the Maine Turnpike Authorifry to assist
with traffic incidents and improve roadway safety.
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §2054, sub-§l, ^L is enacted to read:
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A, " to H.P.1377, L.D.2053
L, "Variable-messaee sign" means a traffic control device on which a message can be
displayed and changed manually. electronically, mechanically, electromechanicallv or
by other means to provide information about traffic coneestion. traffic accidents.
maintenance operations, adverse weather conditions, roadway conditions or organized
events or other necessary roadway safety information.
Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §2054, sub-§12 is enacted to read:
12. Variable-messaee signs. A variable-messaee sien may be used on a wrecker.
police vehicle, fire department vehicle, safety service patrol vehicle or highway
maintenance vehicle in the manner wescribed in this subsection. The variable-messaee sign
may not exceed the width of the vehicle on which it is mounted and may be displayed only
facing traffic behind the vehicle. The operator of a vehicle under this subsection may use a
variable-messaee sien as follows.
A. The operator of a wrecker may use a variable-messaee sien on that vehicle while it
is stationary and engaged in repair, loading or unloadine a vehicle or oerfbrmme a
vehicle recovery. A variable-messaee sien mounted on a wrecker must display amber
lights that create rieht or left arrows or the words "slow down" or "move over."
B. The operator of a police vehicle, fire department vehicle, safety service patrol
vehicle or highway maintenance vehicle may use a variable-message sien on that
vehicle to provide information about traffic coneestion. traffic accidents. maintenance
operations, adverse weather conditions. roadway conditions or organized events or
other necessary roadway safety infonnation. The variable-message sign must display
right or left arrows or the words "slow down." "move over." "accident ahead." "crash
ahead" or other similar language. Other messages not described in this paragraph may
be displavedon a variable-messaee siea if the additional messages are established by
rule and in line with standards in accordance with the latest edition of the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices published by the United States Department of
Transportation. Federal Hiehwav Administration.
The Commissioner of Public Safety or the commissioner's desienee may adout rules
as necessary for the purpose of implementine this paraeraoh. Rules adopted pursuant
to this oaraeraoh are routine technical rules as^defined in Title 5. chapter 375.
subchapter 2-A.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.'
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section
5 number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
This amendment strikes and replaces the bill and changes the title.
1. It adds an emergency preamble and clause.
2. It defines "safety service patrol vehicle" to mean a vehicle, equipped with a variable-
message sign, used or contracted by the Department of Transportation or the Maine
Turnpike Authority to assist with traffic incidents and improve roadway safety.
Page2-132LK2864(02)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'i\^' to H,P, 1377, L,D, 2053
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3. It requires a variable-message sign on a wrecker, police vehicle, fire department
vehicle, safety service patrol vehicle or highway maintenance vehicle to be displayed
facing traffic behind the vehicle and prohibits the variable-message sign from exceeding
the width of the vehicle on which it is mounted,
4. It allows the operator of a wrecker to use a variable-message sign on that vehicle
while the vehicle is stationary and engaged in roadside repair, loading or unloading a
vehicle or performing vehicle recovery.
5. It limits the messages on a variable-message sign on a wrecker to amber lights that
create a right or left arrow or the words "slow down" or "move over."
6, It allows the operator of a poUce vehicle, fire department vehicle, safety service
patrol vehicle or highway maintenance vehicle to use a variable-message sign on that
vehicle to provide information about traffic congestion, traffic accidents, maintenance
operations, adverse weather conditions, roadway conditions or organized events or other
necessary roadway safety information,
7. It limits the messages that may be displayed on a variable-message sign mounted to
a police vehicle, fire department vehicle, safety service patrol vehicle or highway
maintenance vehicle to right or left arrows or the words "slow down," "move over,"
"accident ahead," "crash ahead" or other sunilar language approved by mle.
8, It allows the Commissioner of Public Safety or the commissioner's designee to
adopt routine technical rules as necessary for the purpose of implementing these provisions.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT