PUBLIC Law, Chapter 335, An Act To Make Various Changes to the Motor Vehicle Laws

An Act To Make Various Changes to the Motor Vehicle Laws

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

Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §101, sub-§27-B is enacted to read:

27-B. Heavy duty recovery vehicle. "Heavy duty recovery vehicle" means a wrecker that:

A. Is designed for the specific purpose of recovering vehicles that have a gross, combined or actual weight of more than 80,000 pounds;

B. Has either 4 or 5 axles;

C. Has a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 70,000 pounds or more;

D. Is equipped with a recovery boom that is rated for 70,000 pounds or more;

E. Is equipped with an air brake system capable of providing compressed air to the braking or suspension system of a vehicle being towed by the heavy duty recovery vehicle; and

F. Is capable of towing a combination vehicle with a gross weight of more than 99,000 pounds.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §1920, sub-§1, ¶¶C and D, as amended by PL 2013, c. 30, §2, are further amended to read:

C. For a vehicle of 4,501 pounds to 7,500 pounds, 27 28 inches in the front and 29 30 inches in the rear;

D. For a vehicle of 7,501 pounds to 10,000 pounds, 28 30 inches in the front and 30 32 inches in the rear; and

Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §1920, sub-§1, ¶E, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 30, §2, is amended to read:

E. For a vehicle of 10,001 pounds to 11,500 pounds, 29 31 inches in the front and 31 33 inches in the rear . ; and

Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §1920, sub-§1, ¶F is enacted to read:

F. For a vehicle of 11,501 pounds to 13,000 pounds, 32 inches in the front and 34 inches in the rear.

Sec. 5. 29-A MRSA §2054, sub-§2, ¶D, as amended by PL 2017, c. 21, §1, is further amended to read:

D. Except as provided in this paragraph, a vehicle may not be equipped with or display a blue light.

(1) Emergency lights used on the following vehicles must emit a blue light or a combination of blue and white light: a police vehicle, except that a police vehicle may also use red emergency lights under paragraph F; a Department of Corrections vehicle as described in subsection 1, paragraph B, subparagraph (6); a vehicle operated by a chief of police, a sheriff or a deputy sheriff; and a vehicle operated by a qualified deputy sheriff or other qualified individual performing court security-related functions and services.

(2) Emergency lights used on an ambulance, an emergency medical service vehicle, a fire department vehicle or a hazardous material response vehicle may include one blue light mounted facing toward the rear of the vehicle so that the light is primarily visible to approaching traffic from the rear only.

(3) The taillight of a vehicle, or replica of a vehicle, manufactured prior to 1952 and registered under section 457, may contain a blue or purple insert of not more than one inch in diameter.

(4) Blue interior auxiliary lighting or dash lighting may be used on any vehicle if no portion of the beam of light is visible at a height of 42 inches above a surface parallel with the level surface on which the vehicle stands at a distance of 20 feet from any part of the vehicle.

(5) A vehicle owned by the Department of Public Safety may be equipped with blue emergency lighting and a siren, but neither the lighting nor the siren may be displayed or used except when the vehicle is being operated by a law enforcement officer.

Sec. 6. 29-A MRSA §2113, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:

1-A. Rolling coal prohibited. A person may not operate, or cause to have operated, a diesel-powered motor vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating under 18,000 pounds that emits visible smoke on a public way or parking area because of a permanent or temporary alteration to the air pollution control system of the motor vehicle. For the purposes of this subsection, "air pollution control system" has the same meaning as in section 2111, subsection 1.

Sec. 7. 29-A MRSA §2380, sub-§8, ¶¶B and C, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, are amended to read:

B. Construction equipment used on way and bridge construction projects; and

C. A load of loose hay, pea vines, cornstalks or other loosely mounded loads that can not damage structures or threaten public safety . ; and

Sec. 8. 29-A MRSA §2380, sub-§8, ¶D is enacted to read:

D. Snowplows and equipment mounted on a vehicle traveling from one work location to another work location during a snow event, or traveling from the point of purchase to a storage location, as long as the vehicle does not exceed 108 inches in total width. For the purposes of this paragraph, "snow event" means the period beginning 48 hours before a snowstorm and ending 48 hours after the snowstorm.

Sec. 9. 29-A MRSA §2382, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2011, c. 556, §22, is further amended to read:

5. Long-term permits. The Secretary of State may grant permits for up to one year for trucks, truck tractors, semitrailers , heavy duty recovery vehicles and Class A special mobile equipment. Notwithstanding Title 5, section 8071, subsection 2, paragraph A, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Commissioner of Transportation, shall establish the fee schedule by rule. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 129th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.

HP1256 LD 1769	PUBLIC Law, Chapter 335 on - Session - 129th Maine Legislature
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