HP0807
LD 1175
Session - 127th Maine Legislature
C "A", Filing Number H-191, Sponsored by
LR 493
Item 2
Bill Tracking, Additional Documents Chamber Status

Amend the bill in section 2 in §1905-B by striking out all of subsection 1 (page 1, lines 20 to 25 in L.D.) and inserting the following:

1 Requirement.   All factory-installed brake lights or equivalent replacements on a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer must be present and operating properly and must emit a steady red light when a slight pressure is placed on the brake pedal, and the light emitted must be visible for a distance of at least 100 feet behind the vehicle. For purposes of this section, "steady red light" means a red light that is either immediately constant and not pulsating or that pulsates for a short period and then becomes constant.

Amend the bill by striking out all of sections 3 and 4 and inserting the following:

Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §1921,  as amended by PL 1995, c. 584, Pt. B, §7, is further amended to read:

§ 1921. Viewing of visual content restricted in vehicles

A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with in which there is a television viewer, screen or other means of visually video device, other than an allowable device, that is receiving a television broadcast that is or showing video content visible to the operator. This section does not apply to a law enforcement officer using a video camera or other video equipment for law enforcement purposes. For the purposes of this section, "video content" includes, but is not limited to, television broadcasts, recorded video and video streamed through electronic or other means. For purposes of this section, "allowable device" means:

1 Global positioning, navigation or mapping system.   A device displaying video content for the purpose of a global positioning, navigation or mapping system;
2 Closed-circuit video monitor.   A closed-circuit video monitor that is used to assist the operator while backing up or parking;
3 Device when vehicle is stationary.   A device that is capable of operation only when the vehicle is stationary and is automatically disabled whenever the wheels of the vehicle are in motion;
4 Device to enhance operator's view.   A device that is used to enhance or supplement the operator's view of the roadway or to assist the operator in object detection; and
5 Part of vehicle's instrumentation.   A video display unit that is part of the vehicle's instrumentation or is used for the purpose of vehicle control.

This section does not apply to the use of a video device in the performance of official duties by a law enforcement officer or the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in section 2054.

Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §2061, sub-§1,  as amended by PL 1999, c. 183, §10, is further amended to read:

1. Prohibition.   A person commits a traffic infraction if that person occupies a camp trailer, mobile home, vehicle being towed by a wrecker or by a motor vehicle using a tow bar, semitrailer or trailer while it is being moved on a public way.’

summary

This amendment:

1. Modifies the provision of the bill regarding brake lights that requires that all factory-installed brake lights must be operational and meet certain standards;

2. Replaces the provision of the bill that prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle if certain video equipment is visible to the operator. The amendment clarifies that video equipment relating to operation of the vehicle and video equipment used by law enforcement and emergency personnel may be visible to the vehicle operator; and

3. Removes the provision of the bill that repeals a law prohibiting persons from riding in a towed vehicle or trailer. It instead amends the law to remove the prohibition on a person riding in a vehicle being towed by a wrecker or by a motor vehicle using a tow bar but preserves the other prohibitions in current law.


Top of Page