Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §451, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

5. Special classes of registration plates. A vehicle required to be registered in a special class under this Title may display only the number plates designed for that special class of registration. Notwithstanding this subsection, the Secretary of State may issue a temporary credential in lieu of a special class of registration plate.

Sec. 5. 29-A MRSA §505, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1999, c. 790, Pt. C, §9 and affected by §19, is repealed.

Sec. 6. 29-A MRSA §505, sub-§2-A is enacted to read:

2-A. Annual registration fee.__For a farm truck, the following annual registration fee schedule applies.

A.__For gross weight from 0 to 6,000 pounds, the fee is $21.

B.__For gross weight from 6,001 to 9,000 pounds, the fee is $24.

C.__For gross weight from 9,001 to 12,000 pounds, the fee is $32.

D.__For gross weight from 12,001 to 14,000 pounds, the fee is $39.

E.__For gross weight from 14,001 to 16,000 pounds, the fee is $50.

F.__For gross weight from 16,001 to 18,000 pounds, the fee is $72.

G.__For gross weight from 18,001 to 20,000 pounds, the fee is $84.

H.__For gross weight from 20,001 to 23,000 pounds, the fee is $101.

I.__For gross weight from 23,001 to 26,000 pounds, the fee is $119.

J.__For gross weight from 26,001 to 28,000 pounds, the fee is $137.

K.__For gross weight from 28,001 to 32,000 pounds, the fee is $166.

L.__For gross weight from 32,001 to 34,000 pounds, the fee is $217.

M.__For gross weight from 34,001 to 38,000 pounds, the fee is $265.

N.__For gross weight from 38,001 to 40,000 pounds, the fee is $276.

O.__For gross weight from 40,001 to 42,000 pounds, the fee is $288.

P.__For gross weight from 42,001 to 45,000 pounds, the fee is $305.

Q.__For gross weight from 45,001 to 48,000 pounds, the fee is $322.

R.__For gross weight from 48,001 to 51,000 pounds, the fee is $340.

S.__For gross weight from 51,001 to 54,000 pounds, the fee is $357.

T.__For gross weight from 54,001 to 55,000 pounds, the fee is $365.

U.__For gross weight from 55,001 to 60,000 pounds, the fee is $394.

V. For gross weight from 60,001 to 65,000 pounds, the fee is $441.

W. For gross weight from 65,001 to 69,000 pounds, the fee is $469.

Sec. 7. 29-A MRSA §513, sub-§2, ¶A, as amended by PL 2001, c. 361, §8 and affected by §38, is further amended to read:

A. Class A special mobile equipment must be operated under an annual registration. The fee for a Class A special mobile equipment registration permit is as follows.

(1) For gross weight from 0 to 54,000 pounds, the fee is as in section 505, subsection 2 2-A.

(2) For gross weight from 54,001 to 60,000 pounds, the fee is $387.

(3) For gross weight from 60,001 to 65,000 pounds, the fee is $417.

(4) For gross weight from 65,001 to 70,000 pounds, the fee is $447.

(5) For gross weight from 70,001 to 75,000 pounds, the fee is $477.

(6) For gross weight from 75,001 to 80,000 pounds, the fee is $507.

(7) For gross weight from 80,001 to 90,000 pounds, the fee is $567.

(8) For gross weight from 90,001 to 94,000 pounds, the fee is $592.

(9) For gross weight from 94,001 to 100,000 pounds, the fee is $712.

Sec. 8. 29-A MRSA §652, sub-§2-A is enacted to read:

2-A.__Public; nonprofit organization.__Any public or nonprofit organization as described in section 951, subsection 4;

Sec. 9. 29-A MRSA §652, sub-§4-A, as amended by PL 2001, c. 361, §21, is further amended to read:

4-A. Semitrailers. Semitrailers that qualify to be registered under section 512 with an unladen weight in excess of 3,000 pounds and that are used for interstate or intrastate transportation and for which a current certificate of title has been issued in another state, regardless of model year;

Sec. 10. 29-A MRSA §704, sub-§5 is enacted to read:

5.__Delivery by lienholder.__If, in the course of recording any transaction involving a motor vehicle title, a lienholder of record maintained by the Secretary of State fails to respond to a demand by the Secretary of State for a return of the title or lien document and the Secretary of State has a receipt showing receipt of notice by the lienholder of record, the Secretary of State may revoke the prior title or lien document and reissue

title or lien documents omitting the lien of the nonresponding lienholder. The absence of the prior recorded lien on the reissued title does not itself act as or serve to discharge whatever debt may remain on the prior recorded lien.

Sec. 11. 29-A MRSA §852, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1999, c. 97, §1, is further amended to read:

1. Initial application fee. The fee for an initial application for a license under this subchapter is $150. The fee is not refundable. When a new or used car licensed dealer applies for a motorcycle dealer an additional type of license this application fee is not required.

Sec. 12. 29-A MRSA §954, sub-§5, as amended by PL 1995, c. 645, Pt. B, §13, is further amended to read:

5. Transporter. A garage owner, body shop, finance company, bank, motor vehicle auction business, recycler or repossession company licensed by the Office of Consumer Credit Regulation or any public or nonprofit organization as described in section 951, subsection 4 may be issued transporter plates and a license to transport a vehicle owned by or in the custody of that owner or business.

A. The holder may use this plate only if the vehicle is accompanied by the owner or the owner's employee.

B. A transporter plate may not be:

(1) Used in lieu of registration plates;

(2) Loaned to another;

(3) Used for personal reasons; or

(4) Used on a towing vehicle.

Sec. 13. 29-A MRSA §1002, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

7. Demonstrating a loaded truck. A dealer must obtain a written permit from the Secretary of State to demonstrate a loaded truck, truck tractor, trailer, semitrailer or combination of vehicles bearing dealer plates.

A permit is not required to demonstrate a vehicle or combination of vehicles without a load.

A permit may be issued to a nonresident dealer when reciprocity has been established.

A permit may not be issued to allow demonstration for a period longer than 7 days. A permit to demonstrate can not be issued to the same individual or company more than once to cause use for a period of more than 7 days.

A permit may not be issued to a vehicle or combination of vehicles that is being rented or leased.

The processing fee for a permit to demonstrate is $1.

Sec. 14. 29-A MRSA §1256, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

B. This license only authorizes the holder to operate a motor vehicle between the holder's residence and school unless accompanied by a licensed driver who meets the requirements of section 1304, subsection 1, paragraph E, subparagraphs (1) to (4).

Sec. 15. 29-A MRSA §1256, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

B. This license only authorizes the holder to operate a motor vehicle between the holder's residence, school and place of employment and other places necessary in direct connection with that employment unless accompanied by a licensed driver who meets the requirements of section 1304, subsection 1, paragraph E, subparagraphs (1) to (4).

Sec. 16. 29-A MRSA §1612, 2nd ¶, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

Notwithstanding this section, a trailer or mobile home dealer, licensed pursuant to section 954, who certifies to the Secretary of State that the dealer does not haul trailers or mobile homes on the public roads and highways of the State is not required to file certification of liability insurance or surety bond. The Secretary of State may not issue temporary plates or dealer plates to a trailer or mobile home dealer exempted from filing certification of liability insurance or surety bond under this paragraph.

Sec. 17. 29-A MRSA §2382, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1999, c. 580, §13, is further amended to read:

2. Permit fee. The Secretary of State, with the advice of the Commissioner of Transportation, may set the fee for single trip permits, at not less than $3 $6, nor more than $15 $30, based on weight, height, length and width. The Secretary of State may, by rule, implement fees that have been set by the Commissioner of Transportation for multiple trip, long-term overweight movement permits. Rules established pursuant to this section are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

Sec. 18. 36 MRSA §1482, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 1995, c. 645, Pt. B, §23 and affected by §24, is further amended to read:

C. For the privilege of operating a motor vehicle or camper trailer on the public ways, each motor vehicle, other than a stock race car, or each camper trailer to be so operated is subject to excise tax as follows, except as specified in subparagraph (3): a sum equal to 24 mills on each dollar of the maker's list price for the first or current year of model, 17 1/2 mills for the 2nd year, 13 1/2 mills for the 3rd year, 10 mills for the 4th year, 6 1/2 mills for the 5th year and 4 mills for the 6th and succeeding years. The minimum tax is $5 for a motor vehicle other than a bicycle with motor attached, $2.50 for a bicycle with motor attached, $15 for a camper trailer other than a tent trailer and $5 for a tent trailer. The excise tax on a stock race car is $5.

(1) On new registrations of automobiles, trucks and truck tractors, the excise tax payment must be made prior to registration and is for a one-year period from the date of registration.

(2) Vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan are subject to an excise tax determined on a monthly proration basis if their registration period is less than 12 months.

(3) For commercial vehicles manufactured in model year 1996 and after, the amount of excise tax due for commercial vehicles, as defined in Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 17, paragraph A trucks registered for more than 26,000 pounds and for Class A special mobile equipment, as defined in Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 70, is based on the purchase price in the original year of title rather than on the list price. Verification of purchase price for the application of excise tax is determined by the initial bill of sale or the state sales tax document provided at point of

purchase. The initial bill of sale is that issued by the dealer to the initial purchaser of a new vehicle.

For motor vehicles being registered pursuant to Title 29-A, section 405, subsection 1, paragraph C, the excise tax must be prorated for the number of months in the registration.

Sec. 19. 36 MRSA §1482, sub-§1, ¶D, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 79, §§ 5 and 7, is repealed.

Sec. 20. 36 MRSA §1487, sub-§2-A is enacted to read:

2-A.__Agent for collecting excise tax.__The State Tax Assessor may appoint the Secretary of State as an agent for the purpose of collecting excise tax for the unorganized territories.

SUMMARY

This bill does the following.

1. It allows the Secretary of State to suspend a driver's license or vehicle registration for delinquent accounts payable to the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

2. It allows the Secretary of State to determine the appropriate compensation for 3rd-party agents who issue driver's license renewals.

3. It places special mobile equipment and tractors into the staggered registration system. Currently, for the initial registration, registrants often pay the full annual fee for a partial year.

4. It provides the Secretary of State with the flexibility of issuing a special credential in lieu of a special plate. The credential will be used primarily to permit motor vehicles on short-term lease to be used for hire without displaying an "H" plate so long as the vehicle is covered by insurance and proper fees have been paid.

5. It adjusts the farm registration weight brackets to conform to the commercial registration weight brackets. Where the brackets have been adjusted, fees are proportional. This bill is intended to be revenue neutral.

6. It exempts the public or nonprofit organizations that make vehicles available to low-income persons from applying for a title in the organization's name.

7. It provides the Secretary of State additional flexibility to process title applications in a timely manner when a lienholder has sold its interest in a lien.

8. It clarifies language regarding the filing fee when a licensed dealer is applying for an additional type of dealer license, such as when a new car dealer seeks a motorcycle dealer license.

9. It allows any public or nonprofit organization that makes vehicles available to low-income persons to obtain a transporter plate in order to move a donated vehicle from point to point.

10. It clarifies that if the dealer is renting or leasing a vehicle or combination of vehicles to a customer a dealer plate can not be used on that vehicle and it clarifies the 7-day use law.

11. It allows a person issued a special restricted license based on work or education need to operate beyond the restriction when accompanied by a licensed operator who has held a valid license for the past 2 consecutive years, is at least 20 years of age, is occupying a seat beside the driver and is licensed to operate the class of vehicle operated by the holder of the special restricted license.

12. It allows temporary plates to be issued to a trailer or mobile home dealer to affix to a unit a customer has purchased.

13. It provides for increased fees to defray the additional highway costs caused by over-limit loads.

14. It clarifies that trucks registered for more than 26,000 pounds and Class A special mobile equipment are eligible for excise tax reimbursement. It also repeals obsolete language relating to the transition to the International Registration Plan.

15. It allows the State Tax Assessor to appoint the Secretary of State as an agent to collect excise tax for the unorganized territories.