Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §1741, as amended by PL 1985, c. 130, is further amended to read:

§1741. Definitions

Whenever the words "public improvement" or "public improvements" shall appear in chapters 141 to 155, they shall be held to those words mean and include the construction, major alteration or repair of buildings or public works now owned or leased or hereafter constructed, acquired or leased by the State of Maine or any department, officer, board, commission or agency thereof of the State, or constructed, acquired or leased, in whole or in part with state funds, and including the construction, major alteration or repair of school buildings, in excess of $25,000, by any school administrative unit and for which state school construction aid is to be paid, provided except that sections 1743 and 1745 shall are not be applicable to construction, major alteration or repair of school buildings. Nothing in this section may apply to the construction, improvement or repair of any and all ways, roads or bridges with appurtenances and other public improvements which This subchapter does not apply to contracts for transportation-related services and contracts for construction and maintenance that, by law, are under the supervision of the Department of Transportation.

The word "person" as used in this section and sections 1745 to 1749 shall mean means and include includes any individual, copartnership, association, corporation or joint stock company, and their lessees, trustees or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever.

Sec. 2. 23 MRSA §52, as amended by PL 1997, c. 52, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

§52. General powers and duties

The Department of Transportation, referred to in this chapter as "the department," may from time to time make and shall enforce rules and regulations relating to the planning, design, engineering, construction, improvement, maintenance and use of transportation infrastructure.__The department may from time to time make and shall enforce rules relating to the manner of conducting all investigations and hearings and the administration of its office, powers and duties.__The department shall direct the expenditure of all money for the planning, design, engineering, construction, improvement, demolition, maintenance and use of all transportation infrastructure for which state funds are provided by law. The department may obtain leases for