Read the full stored bill text
Printed on recycled paper
132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1531
S.P. 615 In Senate, April 8, 2025
An Act to Better Protect Animal-drawn Vehicles and Motorists on
Public Roadways
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator GUERIN of Penobscot.
Cosponsored by Representatives: DAIGLE of Fort Kent, FOSTER of Dexter, GUERRETTE of
Caribou.
Page 1 - 132LR1580(01)
1Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
2Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §1909-C, as amended by PL 2023, c. 301, §1, is repealed.
3Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §1909-D is enacted to read:
4§1909-D. Animal-drawn vehicles
51. Lights required at all times. An animal-drawn vehicle may not be operated on a
6 public way unless it is equipped with and displays, at all times, the following:
7 A. One yellow flashing lamp displaying yellow light that is visible from a distance of
8 not less than 1,000 feet and that is mounted in either of the following positions:
9 (1) On the top-most portion of the rear of the animal-drawn vehicle; or
10 (2) On the top of the animal-drawn vehicle; and
11 B. At least one of the following:
12 (1) A slow-moving vehicle emblem on the rear of the animal-drawn vehicle; or
13 (2) Microprism reflective tape that is visible from a distance of not less than 500
14 feet to the rear of the animal-drawn vehicle when illuminated by the low beams of
15 headlights.
162. Lights required when visibility is limited. An animal‑drawn vehicle may not be
17 operated on a public way unless it is equipped with and displays lights as described in
18 subsection 3 during the following times:
19 A. The time from sunset to sunrise;
20 B. At any other time when, due to insufficient natural light or unfavorable atmospheric
21 conditions, persons, vehicles and substantial objects on the public way are not
22 discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead of the animal-drawn vehicle; and
23 C. At any time when the windshield wipers of a vehicle are required to be in use
24 because of precipitation on the windshield.
253. Light specifications. For purposes of subsection 2, lights on an animal-drawn
26 vehicle when visibility is limited must include:
27 A. At least one lamp displaying a white light that is visible from a distance of not less
28 than 1,000 feet to the front of the animal-drawn vehicle; and
29 B. Two lamps displaying red light that is visible from a distance of not less than 1,000
30 feet to the rear of the animal-drawn vehicle or, as an alternative, one lamp displaying
31 a red light that is visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the rear of the
32 animal-drawn vehicle and 2 red reflectors that are visible from all distances of 100 feet
33 to 600 feet to the rear of the animal-drawn vehicle when illuminated by the low beams
34 of headlights.
354. Exception. This section does not apply to the operator of animal-drawn agricultural
36 equipment that is not transporting any livestock or a person other than the operator, except
37 that animal-drawn agricultural equipment may not be operated on a public way unless it is
38 equipped with and displays at all times a slow-moving vehicle emblem. For purposes of
39 this subsection, "agricultural equipment" means equipment drawn by the power of an
40 animal that is used solely for agricultural purposes.
Page 2 - 132LR1580(01)
15. Rules. The Commissioner of Public Safety may adopt rules establishing standards
2 and specifications for lamps and microprism reflective tape required under this section and
3 for the position and mounting of the lamps and microprism reflective tape required by this
4 section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in
5 Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
6SUMMARY
7 This bill repeals the current law relating to light and reflective gear requirements for
8 animal-drawn vehicles operated on a public way and replaces it with more detailed light
9 and gear requirements for the operation of animal-drawn vehicles at all times and additional
10 requirements for times when there is limited visibility. The bill also provides an exception
11 for animal-drawn agricultural equipment that is not transporting any livestock or a person
12 other than the operator.
7
8
9
10
11
12