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Public Law
124th Legislature
Second Regular Session
Chapter 624
S.P. 647 - L.D. 1675
An Act To Reduce Noise Caused by Motorcycles and Improve Public Health
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.   29-A MRSA §1758, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
 
2. Without windshield.    If the vehicle is not normally equipped with a windshield, the certificate of inspection must be kept with the registration certificate of the vehicle. This subsection does not apply to motorcycles.
Sec. 2.   29-A MRSA §1758, sub-§3  is enacted to read:
 
3.  Motorcycles; proof of inspection.      If a motorcycle meets the inspection standard, upon payment of applicable inspection fees pursuant to section 1751, subsection 3A a valid certificate of inspection and an official inspection sticker for the motorcycle must be issued. The certificate of inspection must be kept with the registration certificate of the motorcycle and the official inspection sticker must be affixed to the rear of the motorcycle:
 
 A.  On a mounting plate that must be securely fastened to the motorcycle frame or similar integral component of the motorcycle; or
 
 B.  On a rear fender or similar frame or integral body part of the motorcycle.
 
The official inspection sticker must be located so that it is completely and clearly visible from the rear of the motorcycle and may not be affixed to the registration plate.
Sec. 3.  Working group; motorcycle noise. The Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police shall convene a working group to study issues relating to motorcycle noise. The working group must include, but is not limited to, representatives from affected citizen groups, local municipalities, the motorcycle industry, motorcycle enthusiast groups and local law enforcement agencies. The working group shall investigate and research industry sound testing standards, particularly the Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J2825, “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles,” and the feasibility of incorporating United States Environmental Protection Agency noise emission labeling standards into state law. The report of the working group must include an analysis of motorcycle safety inspections and a requirement that an inspection sticker be displayed visibly on the motorcycle. The Bureau of State Police shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters, with findings and recommendations, no later than January 15, 2011.
Sec. 4.  Effective date. Those sections of this Act that amend the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29A, section 1758 take effect January 1, 2012.
 
See title page for effective date, unless otherwise indicated.