Whereas, it is a hardship for out-of-state disabled veterans to contact the Secretary of State to obtain a placard in order to be able to park in a handicapped parking space; and

Whereas, the tourist season will have started before the 90 days have passed for this legislation to take effect; 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 §521, sub-§11, as amended by PL 2001, c. 77, §1, is further amended to read:

11. Violation. A person other than a person with a disability or an organization transporting a person with a disability using a set of disability registration plates or a windshield placard or a person other than a disabled veteran from another state that has special designating plates that bear the words "Disabled Veteran" commits a traffic infraction and is subject to a penalty of not less than $100 nor more than $500. The disability registration plates or removable windshield placard may be suspended for improper use.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §521, sub-§12, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 151, §1, is amended to read:

12. Parking at meters. Pursuant to Title 30-A, section 3009, subsection 1, paragraph C, subparagraph (4), a vehicle that exhibits a permanent placard, a temporary placard or, a disability registration plate or an out-of-state registration plate that bears the words "Disabled Veteran" may park at a parking area with a meter without a charge and may park a length of time that does not exceed twice the limit otherwise allowed.

Sec. 3. 30-A MRSA §3009, sub-§1, śC, as amended by PL 2001, c. 151, §2, is further amended to read:

C. The municipal officers may regulate the parking of motor vehicles on any public way or public parking area, including, but not limited to, providing for the installation of parking meters, providing the fact that any