HP0606
LD 875
First Regular Session - 124th Legislature - Text: MS-Word, RTF or PDF LR 582
Item 1
Bill Tracking Chamber Status

An Act To Promote Fuel Conservation by Allowing the Use of Mini-trucks on Public Ways

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

Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §101, sub-§33-A  is enacted to read:

33-A Mini-truck.   "Mini-truck" means a 4-wheeled motor vehicle that:
A Is able to attain a speed of at least 25 miles per hour but not more than 60 miles per hour;
B Does not exceed 2,000 pounds in unloaded weight;
C Is powered by a 2-cylinder, 3-cylinder or 4-cylinder gasoline engine; and
D Meets or exceeds the motor vehicle inspection requirements of chapter 15, subchapter 1.

"Mini-truck" does not include a low-speed vehicle.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §102, sub-§3  is enacted to read:

3 Limited operation of mini-trucks; beginning October 1, 2009.   The registration and operation of mini-trucks in accordance with section 501, subsection 12 and section 2093 are authorized beginning October 1, 2009. A municipality may prohibit the use of mini-trucks by municipal ordinance or restrict the use of mini-trucks in accordance with section 2093, subsection 2.

Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §501, sub-§12  is enacted to read:

12 Mini-trucks.   The Secretary of State may issue a registration for a mini-truck upon application and payment of an annual fee of $35. The registrant must provide a certificate of title required by section 651, proof of financial responsibility required by section 1601 and evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482. A mini-truck registered under this section is issued a registration plate with the word "mini-truck" instead of "Vacationland." The Secretary of State may issue a facsimile plate for a 60-day period.

Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §652, sub-§13,  as repealed and replaced by PL 1999, c. 470, §9, is amended to read:

13. Certain automobiles, commercial vehicles and vehicles.   Automobiles and all over-the-road commercial vehicles and vehicles , including mini-trucks, that are more than 15 years old, except when the Secretary of State determines it is in the best interest of the State and the applicant to issue a title to a vehicle more than 15 years old;

Sec. 5. 29-A MRSA §2093  is enacted to read:

§ 2093 Operation of mini-trucks

A person operating a mini-truck on a public way shall comply with the provisions of this chapter as they apply to the operator of an automobile and with this section.

1 License required.   A person operating a mini-truck must possess a valid Class A, Class B or Class C driver's license pursuant to section 1252.
2 Distance and road restrictions.   A mini-truck may be operated only on a highway, road or street within 100 miles of the address at which the vehicle is registered. The department may prohibit the operation of a mini-truck on any highway or segment of highway under its jurisdiction if it determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of public safety. A municipality may prohibit the operation of a mini-truck on any road under its jurisdiction if it determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of public safety.
3 Violation.   A person who operates a mini-truck in violation of subsection 2 commits a traffic infraction.
4 Rulemaking.   The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Commissioner of Transportation and the Commissioner of Public Safety, may adopt routine technical rules in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A to implement this section, monitor the registration and use of mini-trucks and provide for the safe operation of mini-trucks.

summary

This bill permits mini-trucks to be operated on public ways, but only within 100 miles of the address at which the mini-truck is registered. The mini-truck, a 4-wheeled motor vehicle with a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour and a maximum weight of 2,000 pounds, must be registered and meet the same inspection standards as other motor vehicles in order to be operated on a public way.


Top of Page