Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Veteran Vehicle Exemption topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears brief introduction to LD 807 on veteran registration exemptions; staff follow-up suggested
Summary
LD 807, which would limit free motor vehicle registrations for certain disabled veterans and require reimbursement to municipalities, was introduced briefly and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles said it had concerns about reimbursement mechanics and suggested working with sponsors and the Maine Municipal Association ahead of the work session.
Augusta — The Transportation Committee briefly opened public consideration of LD 807, a bill from Representative Drinkwater that would limit the number of free motor vehicle registrations a disabled veteran may receive and direct state reimbursement of lost municipal excise tax revenue.
Senator Brad Farrin presented the item on behalf of Representative Drinkwater, who was not in attendance. Farrin told the committee the proposed change would, among other things, cap the number of fee‑exempt registrations linked to a 100% disabled veteran status and address municipal revenue losses when those exemptions reduce excise tax receipts.
Nut graf: The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Deputy Secretary Kathy Curtis) testified neither for nor against the bill and raised administrative concerns. Curtis pointed out excise tax is municipal revenue and the Secretary of State has no statutory authority over those taxes; she recommended municipalities report reimbursement claims to an appropriate state agency rather than routing reimbursements through the Secretary of State. Curtis also offered to work with the sponsor and Maine Municipal Association ahead of the work session to draft language addressing funding sources and administrative process.
Committee members asked for baseline data and for staff to coordinate with the sponsor and relevant agencies. The committee closed the public hearing portion and scheduled LD 807 for a work session, asking that numbers on how many veterans receive 100% disability designations and the distribution of current exempt registrations be provided.
Ending: No formal action was taken. Staff will gather counts and options for an amendment that clarifies where reimbursement would be drawn from and whether the exemption should be limited to registrations where the veteran is on the vehicle title.
