Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2073, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

§2073. State authority to regulate speeds

1. Authority to regulate. Except as provided in section 2075, subsection 2 and notwithstanding section 2074, subsection 1, the Commissioner of Transportation, with the approval of the Chief of the State Police, may on those portions of a public way not located in a municipality:

A. Restrict the maximum rate of speed on a public way where a speed limit will minimize the danger of accident, promote the free flow of traffic, conserve motor fuel or respond to changes in federal laws;

B. Increase the maximum rate of speed on a public way where higher speeds are warranted to promote the normal and reasonable movement of traffic; or

C. Make an adjustment of maximum rates of speed. An adjustment under this paragraph is exempt from the provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act.

The commissioner may set minimum and maximum speeds for those sections of the interstate system located in a municipality. The commissioner may not set maximums that exceed 60 miles per hour or, on the interstate system or other divided controlled-access highways, 65 miles per hour.

The commissioner may not set maximums for the Maine Turnpike.

2. Municipal request. If a municipal request to the Department of Transportation to change a speed limit is denied, the municipality may request the department to hold a public hearing within the municipality to provide the department with the views of the public on the requested speed limit change. The department shall:

A. Hold the hearing within 30 days of the request; and

B. Inform the municipality of a final decision on the requested speed limit change within 30 days after the hearing.

3. Prohibition. A person may not operate a vehicle in excess of maximum speeds fixed pursuant to this section, as long