CHAPTER 144
H.P. 380 - L.D. 525
An Act to Increase the Availability and Reduce the Cost of Escorts for Over-limit Movements on the State's Roads
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, vehicles or a combination of vehicles that are 125 feet or more in length or 16 feet or more in width require a police escort; and
Whereas, travel through this State of over-limit loads increases during the summer months; and
Whereas, delay in implementing this legislation would interfere with the smoother flow of traffic in this State; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2382, sub-§9, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
9. Pilot vehicles. Pilot vehicles required by a permit must be equipped with warning lights and signs as required by the Secretary of State with the advice of the Department of Transportation.
Warning lights may only be operated and lettering on the signs may only be visible on a pilot vehicle while it is escorting on a public way a vehicle with a permit.
The Secretary of State shall require a State Police escort for a single vehicle or a combination of vehicles of 125 feet or more in length or 16 feet or more in width. The Secretary of State, with the advice of the Commissioner of Transportation, may require vehicles of lesser dimensions to be escorted by the State Police.
The Bureau of State Police shall establish a fee for State Police escorts.
All fees collected must be used to defray the cost of services provided.
With the advice of the Commissioner of Transportation and the Chief of the State Police, the Secretary of State shall establish rules for the operation of pilot vehicles.
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §2382, sub-§9-A is enacted to read:
9-A. Police escort. A person may not operate a single vehicle or a combination of vehicles of 125 feet or more in length or 16 feet or more in width on a public way unless the vehicle or combination of vehicles is accompanied by a police escort. The Secretary of State, with the advice of the Commissioner of Transportation, may require a police escort for vehicles of lesser dimensions.
A. The Bureau of State Police shall establish a fee for state police escorts to defray the costs of providing a police escort. A county sheriff or municipal police department may establish a fee to defray the costs of providing police escorts.
B. The Bureau of State Police shall provide a police escort if a request is made by a permittee. A county sheriff or municipal police department may refuse a permittee's request for a police escort.
C. A vehicle or combination of vehicles for which a police escort is required must be accompanied by a state police escort when operating on the interstate highway system.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective May 7, 1997.
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