Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §523, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1995, c. 645, Pt. B, §10 and affected by §24, is further amended to read:

2. Disabled veterans; special free license plates. The Secretary of State on application and upon evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482, shall issue a registration certificate and set of special designating plates to be used in lieu of regular registration plates for a vehicle with a registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds to any 100% disabled veteran when that application is accompanied by certification from the United States Veterans Administration or any branch of the United States Armed Forces as to the veteran's permanent disability and receipt of 100% service-connected benefits. A disabled disability placard is issued in addition to the disabled veteran registration plate at no fee.

These special designating plates must bear the words "Disabled Veteran," which indicate that the vehicle is owned by a disabled veteran.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §659, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

B. Require the applicant to file a bond executed by the applicant that is:

(1) Either accompanied by a deposit of cash or executed Executed by a person authorized to conduct a surety business in this State;

(2) In an amount equal to 1 1/2 times the value of the vehicle as determined by the Secretary of State; and

(3) Conditioned to indemnify a prior or subsequent owner or lienholder against any expense, loss or damage, including reasonable attorney's fees, by reason of the issuance of the certificate or on account of any defect in or undisclosed security interest in the interest of the applicant to the vehicle.

SUMMARY

This bill does the following:

1. It allows the display of a disabled veteran registration plate on a vehicle registered for up to 9,000 pounds; and