Sec. 1. 36 MRSA §1482, sub-§1, śC, as amended by PL 2001, c. 671, §32, is further amended to read:

C. For the privilege of operating a motor vehicle or camper trailer on the public ways, each motor vehicle, other than a stock race car, or each camper trailer to be so operated is subject to excise tax as follows, except as specified in subparagraph (3): a sum equal to 24 mills on each dollar of the adjusted maker's list price for the first or current year of model, 17 1/2 mills on each dollar of the adjusted maker's list price for the 2nd year, 13 1/2 mills on each dollar of the adjusted maker's list price for the 3rd year, 10 mills on each dollar of the adjusted maker's list price for the 4th year, 6 1/2 mills on each dollar of the adjusted maker's list price for the 5th year and 4 mills on each dollar of the adjusted maker's list price for the 6th and succeeding years. The minimum tax is $5 for a motor vehicle other than a bicycle with motor attached, $2.50 for a bicycle with motor attached, $15 for a camper trailer other than a tent trailer and $5 for a tent trailer. The excise tax on a stock race car is $5. For purposes of this paragraph, "adjusted maker's list price" means the maker's list price of the motor vehicle less any amount received for another motor vehicle being traded in toward the purchase of the motor vehicle being registered.

(1) On new registrations of automobiles, trucks and truck tractors, the excise tax payment must be made prior to registration and is for a one-year period from the date of registration.

(2) Vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan are subject to an excise tax determined on a monthly proration basis if their registration period is less than 12 months.

(3) For commercial vehicles manufactured in model year 1996 and after, the amount of excise tax due for trucks or truck tractors registered for more than 26,000 pounds and for Class A special mobile equipment, as defined in Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 70, is based on the purchase price in the original year of title rather than on the list price. Verification of purchase price for the application of excise tax is determined by the initial bill of sale or the state sales tax document provided at point of purchase. The initial bill of sale is that issued by the dealer to the initial purchaser of a new vehicle.