Whereas, current law is unclear as to the use of transit plates by modular home transporters; and

Whereas, it is in the best interest of the public that this ambiguity be resolved as soon as possible; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, 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,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §462, sub-§8, as repealed and replaced by PL 2001, c. 149, §1, is amended to read:

8. Trailer transit plate. A business that delivers or services mobile homes, leases or transports storage trailers or transports light trailers, modular homes or frames for transporting modular homes may apply for a trailer transit license and plate. The transit plate may not be loaned, used in place of registration plates on another vehicle, used for personal reasons or used on the towing vehicle. Issuance of a trailer transit license and plate does not exempt the holder from compliance with any state law or municipal ordinance governing the movement of mobile homes, storage trailers, modular homes or frames for transporting modular homes or light trailers over the highways of this State and does not exempt the holder from required permits or certificates prior to moving the vehicles. Trailer transit plates issued pursuant to this subsection may only be used subject to the following conditions.

A. A storage trailer must be empty during transportation.

B. A light trailer may be transported with a load appropriate for the light trailer, provided that the load is owned by or in the custody of the transporting business.

C. A light trailer may be transported with a trailer transit plate only if the business owner or an employee of the business accompanies the vehicle transporting the light trailer.

Fees for trailer transit licenses and plates are established in section 852. Trailer transit licenses are exempt from section 951, subsection 6.