§523. Certain veterans

1.  Amputee or blind veterans.  On application to the Secretary of State for registration of any motor vehicle of any amputee or blind veteran who has received an automobile from the United States Government under authority of 38 United States Code, Sections 3901, et seq. or any amputee or blind veteran receiving compensation from the Veterans Administration or any branch of the United States Armed Forces for service-connected disability who has a specially designed motor vehicle, that veteran is entitled to have that automobile duly registered and a registration certificate delivered to the veteran without the requirement of the payment of any fee.

Any veteran who has lost both legs or the use of both legs and who has registered a motor vehicle without the payment of a fee as provided in this section upon certification by the Veterans Administration or appropriate branch of the United States Armed Forces must be issued special designating plates. Those designating plates must be issued by the Secretary of State and must bear the words "Disabled Veteran."

[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

2.  Disabled veterans; special free license plates.  The Secretary of State, on application and upon evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482, shall issue a registration certificate and set of special designating plates to be used in lieu of regular registration plates for a vehicle with a registered gross weight of not more than 26,000 pounds to any 100% disabled veteran when that application is accompanied by certification from the United States Veterans Administration or any branch of the United States Armed Forces as to the veteran's permanent disability and receipt of 100% service-connected benefits. A disability placard is issued in addition to the disabled veteran registration plate at no fee.

These special designating plates must bear the words "Disabled Veteran," which indicate that the vehicle is owned by a disabled veteran.

[PL 2017, c. 43, §1 (AMD).]

2-A.  Disabled veterans motorcycle license plates.  The Secretary of State shall issue a registration certificate and special designating plate for a motorcycle to be used in lieu of a registration plate issued in subsection 2 to any 100% disabled veteran if an applicant submits the following together with an application:

A. Evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482; and   [PL 1999, c. 734, §2 (NEW).]

B. Certification from the United States Veterans Administration or any branch of the United States Armed Forces as to the veteran's permanent disability and receipt of 100% service-connected benefits.   [PL 1999, c. 734, §2 (NEW).]

Notwithstanding section 468, the Secretary of State may issue fewer than 2,000 of the plates authorized by this subsection, and this plate does not require a sponsor. These special designating plates must bear the word "Veteran."

[PL 1999, c. 734, §2 (NEW).]

3.  Special veterans registration plates.  The Secretary of State, on application and evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482 and the registration fee required by section 501 or by section 504, subsection 1 for a vehicle with a registered gross weight over 10,000 pounds, shall issue a registration certificate and a set of special veterans registration plates to be used in lieu of regular registration plates for a vehicle with a registered gross weight of not more than 26,000 pounds to any person who has served in the United States Armed Forces and who has been honorably discharged or to a person who has served in the United States Armed Forces for at least 3 years and continues to serve. If a person who qualifies for a special veterans registration plate under this subsection is the primary driver of 3 vehicles, the Secretary of State may issue in accordance with this section a set of special veterans registration plates for each vehicle.

Each application must be accompanied by the applicant's Armed Forces Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214, certification from the United States Veterans Administration or the appropriate branch of the United States Armed Forces verifying the applicant's military service and honorable discharge, or a letter from the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services verifying active duty military service and length of service.

The Secretary of State shall recall a special veterans registration plate of a recipient who has been less than honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.

All surplus revenue collected for issuance of the special registration plates is retained by the Secretary of State to maintain and support this program.

The surviving spouse of a special veteran plate recipient issued plates in accordance with this subsection may retain and display the special veteran plates as long as the surviving spouse remains unmarried. Upon remarriage, the surviving spouse may not use the special veteran plates on a motor vehicle, but may retain them as a keepsake. Upon the death of the surviving spouse, the family may retain the special veteran plates, but may not use them on a motor vehicle.

The Secretary of State may issue a special disability registration plate for veterans in accordance with section 521, subsections 1, 5, 7 and 9. The special disability registration plate for veterans must bear the International Symbol of Access.

The Secretary of State may issue a set of special veterans registration plates when the qualifying veteran is the primary driver of a company-owned vehicle if:

A. The company is owned solely by a veteran who qualifies for a veteran plate under this section;   [PL 2007, c. 383, §15 (NEW).]

B. The vehicle is leased by a veteran who qualifies for the veteran plate under this subsection; or   [PL 2007, c. 383, §15 (NEW).]

C. The vehicle is leased by the employer of a veteran who qualifies for the veteran plate and the employer has assigned the vehicle exclusively to the veteran. The employer must attest in writing that the veteran will have exclusive use of the vehicle and agrees to the display of the special veteran plate.   [PL 2007, c. 383, §15 (NEW).]

[PL 2017, c. 43, §2 (AMD); PL 2019, c. 377, §6 (REV).]

3-A.  Motorcycle plates; veterans.  In addition to any plate issued pursuant to subsection 3, the Secretary of State, on application and evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482 and the registration fee required by section 515, subsection 1, shall issue a registration certificate and a special veterans registration plate for up to 3 designated motorcycles owned or controlled by a person who has served in the United States Armed Forces and who has been honorably discharged or to a person who has served in the United States Armed Forces for at least 3 years and continues to serve.

Each application must be accompanied by the applicant's Armed Forces Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214, certification from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the appropriate branch of the United States Armed Forces verifying the applicant's military service and honorable discharge, or a letter from the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services verifying active duty military service and length of service.

The Secretary of State shall recall a special veterans registration plate of a recipient who has been less than honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.

All surplus revenue collected for issuance of the special veterans registration plates is retained by the Secretary of State to maintain and support this program.

Upon request the Secretary of State shall issue special veterans registration plates for a motorcycle that are also vanity plates. These plates are issued in accordance with this section and section 453. Vanity plates issued under this subsection may not duplicate vanity plates issued in another class of plate.

The surviving spouse of a recipient of a special veterans registration plate issued in accordance with this subsection may retain and use the plate or plates as long as the surviving spouse remains unmarried. Upon remarriage, the surviving spouse may not use the plate or plates, but may retain them. Upon the death of the surviving spouse, the family may retain the plate or plates, but may not use them.

The Secretary of State may not issue special commemorative decals under subsection 5 or 6 for use on special veterans registration plates for a motorcycle.

[PL 2011, c. 356, §12 (AMD); PL 2019, c. 377, §6 (REV).]

4.  Veterans vanity plates.  Upon request and as provided by section 453, the Secretary of State shall issue veterans registration plates that are also vanity plates. Veterans registration vanity plates are issued in accordance with this section and section 453.

[PL 2013, c. 496, §11 (AMD).]

5.  Special commemorative decals for medals, badges or ribbons awarded.  The Secretary of State may issue special commemorative decals for use with special veterans registration plates to any person who served in the United States Armed Forces, was honorably discharged and was awarded a medal, badge or ribbon described in paragraphs A to BB when that person's application is accompanied by the appropriate military certification verifying that the medal, badge or ribbon was awarded to the applicant. One set of commemorative decals may be issued for each set of special veterans registration plates issued under this section. One set of 2 commemorative decals must be displayed on the front and back plates. The fee for a set of commemorative decals may not exceed $5.

Special commemorative decals may be issued to applicants awarded the following medals, badges or ribbons:

A. Distinguished Service Cross;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

B. Navy Cross;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

C. Air Force Cross;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

D. Silver Star;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

E. Distinguished Flying Cross;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

F. Bronze Star;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

G. Soldier's Medal;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

H. Navy or Marine Corps Medal;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

I. Airman's Medal;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

J. Coast Guard Medal;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

K. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

L. European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

M. Korean Service Medal;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

N. Vietnam Service Medal;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

O. Southwest Asia Service Medal;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

P. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal;   [PL 2005, c. 420, §1 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 433, §8 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 433, §28 (AFF).]

Q. Kosovo Service Medal;   [PL 2005, c. 683, Pt. A, §47 (RPR).]

R. Korea Defense Service Medal;   [PL 2005, c. 683, Pt. A, §48 (RPR).]

S. Global War on Terrorism Medal;   [PL 2005, c. 433, §9 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 433, §28 (AFF).]

T. Iraq Campaign Medal;   [PL 2009, c. 437, §1 (AMD).]

U. Afghanistan Campaign Medal;   [PL 2009, c. 437, §1 (AMD).]

V. United States Army Combat Infantry Badge;   [PL 2009, c. 437, §1 (NEW).]

W. United States Army Combat Medic Badge;   [PL 2009, c. 437, §1 (NEW).]

X. United States Army Combat Action Badge;   [PL 2009, c. 437, §1 (NEW).]

Y. United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon;   [PL 2011, c. 22, §1 (AMD).]

Z. United States Air Force Combat Action Medal;   [PL 2017, c. 8, §1 (AMD).]

AA. National Emergency Service Medal; and   [PL 2017, c. 8, §1 (AMD).]

BB. Air Medal.   [PL 2017, c. 8, §1 (NEW).]

[PL 2017, c. 8, §1 (AMD).]

6.  Special commemorative decals for branches of armed forces.  The Secretary of State may issue special commemorative decals for use with special veterans registration plates to any person who served in the United States Armed Forces and was honorably discharged when that person's application is accompanied by the appropriate military certification verifying the applicant's service. One set of commemorative decals may be issued for each set of special veterans registration plates issued under this section. One set of 2 commemorative decals must be displayed on the front and back plate. The fee for a set of commemorative decals may not exceed $5.

Special commemorative decals may be issued to applicants who served in the:

A. United States Army;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

B. United States Air Force;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

C. United States Navy;   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

D. United States Marine Corps; or   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

E. United States Coast Guard.   [PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

[PL 2001, c. 453, §2 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF).]

7.  Moratorium on decals for use with special veterans registration plates.

[PL 2019, c. 397, §11 (RP).]

8.  Wabanaki decal.  The Secretary of State may issue a set of 2 Wabanaki decals to a person who has or receives a special veterans registration plate if the Secretary of State receives an application and a statement signed by a tribal official from a federally recognized tribe within the Wabanaki Confederacy proving the applicant's membership in the tribe. One set of 2 Wabanaki decals must be displayed on the front and back plates. The fee for a set of Wabanaki decals may not exceed $5.

[PL 2013, c. 586, Pt. I, §2 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 1995, c. 645, §B10 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 645, §B24 (AFF). PL 1997, c. 69, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 734, §2 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 751, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 444, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 453, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 453, §4 (AFF). PL 2001, c. 671, §10 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 652, §B4 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 652, §B8 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 420, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 433, §§8,9 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 433, §28 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 573, §3 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 683, §§A47,48 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 376, §1 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 383, §§14, 15 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 80, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 437, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 22, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 356, §12 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 496, §11 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 586, Pt. I, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 8, §1 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 43, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 377, §6 (REV). PL 2019, c. 397, §11 (AMD).