WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

LD 96

An Act To Amend The Motor Vehicles And Traffic Law Governing Mandatory Driver'S License Suspension For Refusing Testing For Drugs Or A Combination Of Drugs And Alcohol

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steve Bunker

Would change how Maine handles mandatory license suspensions after drivers refuse drugs or drugs-and-alcohol testing.

Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#driverslicenses #motorvehicles #suspension
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 96

Summary — LD 96 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: An Act To Amend the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Law Governing Mandatory Driver's License Suspension For Refusing Testing For Drugs Or A Combination Of Drugs And Alcohol
Sponsor: Rep. Bunker (Farmington)
Introduced: January 8, 2025
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Status: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) — June 11, 2025

Purpose / Intent

The bill proposed amendments to Maine’s Motor Vehicles and Traffic Law to change how mandatory driver’s license suspensions are handled when a driver refuses chemical testing for drugs, or for a combination of drugs and alcohol. The stated intent (from the title and bill description) was to modify statutory provisions that trigger mandatory license suspension following a refusal to submit to drug or drug+alcohol testing.

Note: The full bill text is not provided in the materials supplied; this summary is based on the bill title, fiscal notes, and legislative history.

Key provisions (based on available materials)

  • Would amend the statutory framework governing mandatory driver’s license suspension following refusal of testing for drugs or for a combination of drugs and alcohol.
  • Would create administrative impacts for processing additional suspensions (see fiscal notes).
  • As amended (committee amendment versions), fiscal notes indicate only minor net revenue effects; the substantive text changes that led to the amended fiscal outcome are not included in the documents provided.

Because the bill text is not present in the record provided, specific statutory language changes, definitions, exceptions, durations of suspension, or related enforcement procedures cannot be enumerated here.

Who would be affected

  • Drivers who refuse chemical testing for drugs or for a combination of drugs and alcohol (potentially subject to modified mandatory suspensions).
  • Law enforcement and prosecutors to the extent the refusal/penalty rules are adjusted.
  • The Maine Secretary of State (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) — would experience increased administrative workload to process additional or revised suspension actions.
  • State funds: fiscal notes reference impacts on the Highway Fund and General Fund.

Fiscal impact

  • Preliminary fiscal note (LR 299(01)) estimated Highway Fund allocations for the Secretary of State of:
    • $112,293 in FY 2025‑26 and $108,446 in FY 2026‑27 (and similar projections thereafter) to fund one Customer Rep Associate II (MV) position and related costs to process additional suspensions.
  • Subsequent fiscal notes for committee-amended versions (LR 299(02) and LR 299(03)) indicate:
    • Minor revenue increases to the General Fund and the Highway Fund; any increase in Department of Secretary of State revenue is expected to be minor.
  • Net effect per later fiscal notes: small administrative costs offset by minor revenue increases; overall fiscal impact characterized as modest.

Legislative history / procedural timeline

  • 2025-01-08: Referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee; ordered printed.
  • 2025-03-12: Work session held; bill carried over to next session per Joint Order SP 519.
  • Committee issued a divided report; work culminated in committee recommendation(s) including at least one “Ought Not to Pass” report.
  • 2025-06-10 (House): Report “Ought Not to Pass” accepted (Yeas 73 – Nays 72).
  • 2025-06-11 (Senate): Report “Ought Not to Pass” accepted in concurrence (Roll call 452: Yeas 18 – Nays 16).
  • 2025-06-11: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD).

Notes and implications

  • The bill was defeated by narrow margins in both chambers and is currently dead for the 132nd Legislature.
  • Administrative processing of suspensions was the primary direct operational concern identified in fiscal analysis; that led to the request for a permanent MV Customer Rep position in the preliminary estimate.
  • Because the available materials do not include the bill text, readers seeking precise statutory language changes or the effect on suspension durations, appeal processes, or associated penalties should consult the bill’s full text (LD 96) or bill tracking records at the Maine Legislature for the detailed provisions and any committee amendment language.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.