Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §351, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

1. Failure to register. A person commits a Class E crime civil violation for which a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 may be adjudged if that person fails to register a vehicle that is operated or remains on a public way as provided by this Title.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §351, sub-§1-A, as repealed and replaced by PL 1995, c. 584, Pt. B, §4, is amended to read:

1-A. Residents required to register. An owner of a vehicle who becomes a resident of this State shall register that vehicle in this State within 30 days of establishing residency. A person who operates or allows a vehicle that is not registered in accordance with this subsection to remain on a public way commits a Class E crime civil violation pursuant to subsection 1.

SUMMARY

Currently, failure to register a motor vehicle is a Class E crime for which a jail sentence of up to 6 months and a fine of up to $1,000 may be imposed.

This bill decriminalizes the failure to register a motor vehicle by removing the risk of jail time, but leaves the maximum forfeiture that may be imposed at $1,000.