Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2057, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:

1-A.__Registered owner's liability for vehicle failing to obey a traffic-control device.__A person who is a registered owner of a vehicle at the time that vehicle is involved in a violation of subsection 1 commits a traffic infraction unless a defense applies pursuant to paragraph C.__For purposes of this subsection, "registered owner" includes a person issued a dealer or transporter registration plate.

A.__A law enforcement officer may cause the registered owner of a vehicle to be served with a summons for a violation of this subsection.

B.__Except as provided in paragraph C, it is not a defense to a violation of this subsection that a registered owner was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.

C.__The following are defenses to a violation of this subsection.

(1)__If a person other than the registered owner is operating the vehicle at the time of the violation of subsection 1 and is convicted of that violation, the registered owner may not be found in violation of this subsection.

(2)__If the registered owner is a lessor of vehicles and at the time of the violation the vehicle was in the possession of a lessee and the lessor provides the law enforcement officer with a copy of the lease agreement containing the information required by section 254, the lessee, not the lessor, may be charged under this subsection.

(3)__If the vehicle is operated using a dealer or transporter registration plate and at the time of the violation the vehicle was operated by any person other than the dealer or transporter and if the dealer or transporter provides the investigating officer with the name and address of the person who had control over the vehicle at the time of the violation, that person, not the dealer or transporter, may be charged under this subsection.

(4)__If a report that the vehicle was stolen is given to a law enforcement officer or agency before the violation occurs or within a reasonable time after the