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An Act To Authorize the Use of Autocycles
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  29-A MRSA §101, sub-§6-C  is enacted to read:
 
6-C.  Autocycle.     "Autocycle" means a 3-wheeled motorcycle that has a steering wheel or handlebars, floor pedals for automotive-style controls and seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride a seat and that:
 
A.  Meets the general motorcycle inspection standards, except those standards that do not apply due to the design of the vehicle, and any other inspection standards set by the Chief of the State Police;
 
B.  Meets or exceeds the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards under 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 571 applicable to motorcycles; and
 
C.  Is equipped with:
 
(1) Safety belts for all occupants;
 
(2) A roll bar, roll hoops or an enclosed cab; and
 
(3) Brakes on at least 2 main wheels.
Sec. 2.  29-A MRSA §101, sub-§63-B  is enacted to read:
 
63-B.  Roll hoop.     "Roll hoop" means a roll bar behind the headrest of a seat in a motor vehicle.
Sec. 3.  29-A MRSA §501, sub-§13  is enacted to read:
 
13.  Autocycles.     The Secretary of State may issue a registration for an autocycle upon application and payment of an annual fee of $21. The registrant must provide a certificate of title required by section 651, proof of financial responsibility required by section 1601 and evidence of payment of the excise tax as required by Title 36, section 1482, subsection 1, paragraph C. An autocycle registered under this section is issued a registration plate with the word "autocycle" instead of "Vacationland." The Secretary of State may issue a facsimile plate for a 60-day period.
Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §1252, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 2011, c. 165, §1, is further amended to read:
 
C. A Class C license may be issued for the operation of a single motor vehicle or a combination of vehicles that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B license.
 
A holder of a Class C license may, with an appropriate endorsement, operate all vehicles in that class.
 
A Class C license authorizes:
 
(1) A full-time or volunteer member of an organized municipal, state or federal fire department and a law enforcement officer who is a member of an organized municipal, state or federal law enforcement department to operate fire apparatus as described in 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 383.3 (2005) and to operate a commercial motor vehicle as a mobile command unit. For purposes of this subparagraph, "mobile command unit" means a motor vehicle designed and used by a law enforcement agency primarily as a command and control platform for emergency response;
 
(2) A person to operate recreational vehicles for personal use;
 
(3) A person to operate commercial motor vehicles for military purposes as required in 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 383.3 (2005);
 
(4) A person to operate registered farm motor trucks bearing the letter "F" on the registration plate when the vehicle is:
 
(a) Controlled and operated by a farmer, including operation by the farmer's employees or family members;
 
(b) Used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies to or from a farm;
 
(c) Not used in the operation of a common or contract motor carrier; and
 
(d) Used within 150 miles of the registered owner's farm;
 
(5) A person, employed by a city, town, county, district or other unit of local government created by or pursuant to law that has a total population of 3,000 individuals or less, to operate a commercial motor vehicle within the boundaries of that unit of local government for the purpose of removing snow or ice from a roadway by plowing, sanding or salting, if:
 
(a) The properly licensed employee who ordinarily operates a commercial motor vehicle for those purposes is unable to operate the vehicle; or
 
(b) The employing governmental entity determines that a snow or ice emergency exists that requires additional assistance; or
 
(6) A person to operate a truck registered as an antique automobile, regardless of weight or combination weight, provided the vehicle is used for noncommercial recreational purposes or purposes pursuant to section 101, subsection 3.
Sec. 5. 29-A MRSA §1252, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2005, c. 577, §14, is further amended to read:
 
2. School bus or motorcycle.   Operation of a school bus or motorcycle, other than an autocycle, requires a special endorsement on a license.
 
A nonresident school bus driver picking up and discharging school children or driving in conjunction with school-related activities may operate a vehicle with a certificate issued by the Secretary of State.
 
A school bus certificate may be issued only after the applicant has successfully passed the required examination.
Sec. 6. 29-A MRSA §1254, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2005, c. 577, §16, is further amended to read:
 
1. Motorcycles.   The Secretary of State may issue a license specifically endorsed for the operation of a motorcycle with the same requirements as a motor vehicle license. A motor vehicle license does not authorize operation of a motorcycle unless the license is endorsed for that vehicle. This subsection does not apply to the operation of an autocycle.
Sec. 7. 29-A MRSA §2062, sub-§4, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §41 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is amended to read:
 
B. More than 2 motorcycles may not be operated abreast within the same lane, and an autocycle may not be operated abreast with any motor vehicle within the same lane.
Sec. 8. 29-A MRSA §2083, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2017, c. 51, §§1 to 3, is further amended to read:
 
1. Requirement.   The following persons must wear protective headgear:
 
A. If under 18 years of age, a passenger on a motorcycle or moped or in an attached side car;
 
B. If under 18 years of age, an operator of a motorcycle or moped;
 
C. An operator of a motorcycle or moped, operating under a learner's permit or within one year of successfully completing a driving test; and
 
D. A passenger of an operator required to wear headgear.
 
This subsection does not apply to the operation of an autocycle.
Sec. 9.  29-A MRSA §2089-B  is enacted to read:
§ 2089-B. Operation of autocycles
A person operating an autocycle on a public way shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and with this section.
 
1.  License required.     A person operating an autocycle must possess a valid Class A, B or C operator's license pursuant to section 1252.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 129th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.