Sec. 1. 23 MRSA §1965, sub-§1, ¶D-1 is enacted to read:

D-1.__Construct, acquire, install, maintain and reconstruct communications facilities and equipment within the boundaries of the turnpike for the use of the authority or the use of others or both on such terms and conditions as the authority may determine;

Sec. 2. 23 MRSA §1967, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1993, c. 612, §6, is further amended to read:

1. Property of the authority. All property of the authority and all property held in the name of the State pursuant to the provisions of this chapter is are exempt from levy and sale by virtue of any execution, and an execution or other judicial process is not a valid lien upon its property of the authority held pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The authority may not lease, sell or otherwise convey, or allow to be used, any of its real or personal property or easements in that property, franchises, buildings or structures, with access to any part of the turnpike or its approaches, for commercial purposes, with the exception of such intermodal transportation facilities, kiosks at rest areas, gasoline filling stations, service and repair stations, state and tri-state lottery ticket agencies, automatic teller machines and restaurants as it determines necessary to service the needs of the traveling public while using the turnpike, except that the authority may erect or install or permit the erection or installation of electric power, telegraph, telephone, communications, water, sewer or pipeline facilities; and provided also that the leasehold interests in such intermodal transportation facilities, kiosks, gasoline filling stations, service and repair stations, state and tri-state lottery ticket agencies, automatic teller machines and restaurants are subject to taxation as provided in section 1971. In accordance with rules adopted pursuant to section 1965, subsection 1, paragraph U, the authority may erect and maintain or allow to be erected and maintained signs that contain names, symbols, trademarks, logos or other identifiers of specific commercial enterprises.

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes the Maine Turnpike Authority to construct and install, on the property constituting the turnpike, communications facilities and equipment for the authority's use, the use of others or both. The authority is authorized to lease