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An Act To Amend Maine's Motor Vehicle Statutes
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §558-A, sub-§2, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 530, §4, is amended to read:
 
A. A person may not violate any provision of the rules of the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police adopted under section 555 that incorporates by reference any of the following federal regulations or that is an amended version of any of the following federal regulations:
 
(1) 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 390.21 (2007);
 
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 1, paragraph C, 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 391.41 (2007);
 
(3) 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 392.16, 392.22, 392.24, 392.25, 392.33 and, 392.71, 392.80 and 392.82 (2007);
 
(4) Any section of 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 393 (2007); or
 
(4-A) 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 395.3(a)(3)(ii), 395.8(d) and 395.8(i) (2014); or
 
(5) 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 396, except Sections 396.7 and 396.9 (2007).
Sec. 2.  29-A MRSA §1905-B  is enacted to read:
§ 1905-B. Brake lights
 
1.  Requirement.     A motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer must be equipped with at least 2 brake lights, one on each side of the axis, each capable of displaying a red light visible for a distance of at least 100 feet behind the vehicle. These lights must operate properly and emit a red light with slight pressure of the brake pedal and must display a steady or pulsating to steady red light. Any factory-installed brake light or its equivalent replacement must be present and operating properly.
 
2.  Vehicles used in conjunction.     When a vehicle is used in conjunction with another vehicle, only the last vehicle must carry the lights required in subsection 1.
 
3.  Exception for farm tractors.     This section does not apply to unregistered farm tractors.
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 or in which there is a television viewer, screen or other meansdevice capable of visually receiving a television broadcastor showing visual content that is visible to the operator. For the purposes of this section, "visual content" includes, but is not limited to, television broadcasts, recorded video and video streamed through electronic or other means. "Visual content" does not include content displayed on a device that was installed for the effective or safe operation of a motor vehicle or include content displayed on a global positioning or navigation system. This section does not apply to a law enforcement officer using a video camera or other video equipment for law enforcement purposes.
Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §2061, as amended by PL 2001, c. 132, §§1 and 2, is repealed.
Sec. 5.  29-A MRSA §2104, sub-§1-B  is enacted to read:
 
1-B.  Permitting display of false registration validation device.     A person commits a Class E crime if that person permits to be attached or displayed on a vehicle registration plate a registration validation device issued for another vehicle.
 
SUMMARY
This bill:
1. Makes texting and handheld mobile telephone use while driving a traffic infraction for the purposes of Maine's commercial motor vehicle motor safety laws;
2. Makes a violation of federal regulations regarding rest breaks, logbook information and filing of drivers' records of duty status a traffic infraction for the purposes of Maine's commercial motor vehicle motor safety laws;
3. Requires vehicles operated in Maine to be equipped with brake lights;
4. Restricts persons operating motor vehicles from being able to view a television, screen or other device capable of receiving or showing visual content. For the purposes of the provision, "visual content" includes, but is not limited to, television broadcasts, recorded video and video streamed through electronic or other means. "Visual content" does not include content displayed on a device that was installed for the effective or safe operation of a motor vehicle or on a device used for global positioning or navigation;
5. Repeals the provision of law prohibiting persons from riding in a trailer that is being towed; and
6. Prohibits persons from attaching or displaying on a vehicle registration plate a registration validation device issued for another vehicle.