B.__The investigating officer may cause the registered owner of the vehicle to be served with a summons for a violation of this section.

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

D.__The following are defenses to a violation of this section.

(1)__If a person other than the owner is convicted of operating the vehicle at the time of the violation in violation of subsection 2, then the registered owner may not be found in violation of this section.

(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 investigating officer with a copy of the lease agreement containing the information required by section 254, then the lessee and 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, then that person and 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 violation occurs, then the registered owner may not be charged under this subsection.

E.__Notwithstanding subsection 2, a person who violates this subsection commits a traffic infraction.

Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §2414, sub-§1, ķA, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read: