CHAPTER 221

H.P. 856 - L.D. 1159

An Act To Reduce Mercury Use in Measuring Devices and

Switches

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

Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §1661, sub-§3-A is enacted to read:

3-A.__Mercury relay.__"Mercury relay" means a mercury-added product or device that opens or closes electrical contacts to effect the operation of other devices in the same or another electrical circuit.__"Mercury relay" includes mercury displacement relays, mercury wetted reed relays and mercury contact relays.

Sec. 2. 38 MRSA §1661, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 656, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

4.__Mercury switch.__"Mercury switch" means a mercury-added product or device that opens or closes an electrical circuit or gas valve.__"Mercury switch" includes mercury float switches actuated by rising or falling liquid levels, mercury tilt switches actuated by a change in the switch position, mercury pressure switches actuated by a change in pressure, mercury temperature switches actuated by a change in temperature and mercury flame sensors.__"Mercury switch" does not include a mercury-added thermostat.

Sec. 3. 38 MRSA §1661-C, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 620, §1, is amended to read: