4/10/08-Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill into law Wednesday, April 9, that is intended to reduce unnecessary idling of commercial vehicles throughout the state. It takes effect in July.
The new law, previously LD2056, applies the restrictions to trucks idling for more than five minutes in any 60-minute period. Those same trucks could idle for an additional 10 minutes in any 60-minute period when temperatures are 32 degrees or colder. Unlimited idling will be allowed when temperatures are 0 degrees or below.
Rep. Jon Hinck, D-Portland, included a provision that is intended to limit idling while trucks wait to load or unload. Owners of locations served by trucks would be prohibited from causing vehicles to idle for more than 30 minutes while waiting to do business at the location.
Violators of the business restriction would be issued warnings. Repeat offenders would face $500 fines. Truckers in violation of the time rule would be issued warnings. Repeat offenders would face $150 fines.
Exceptions will be made for situations when vehicles are stuck in traffic or when idling is necessary to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners or installing equipment “solely to prevent a safety or health emergency” that is not part of a rest period.
In addition, the idling prohibition will not apply when idling of trucks is necessary for “maintenance, servicing, repair or diagnostic purposes.”

1/21/08-A bill in the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee is intended to reduce unnecessary idling of large trucks throughout the state. In most instances, drivers idling their trucks while sleeping or resting would be exempt from the rule.
Sponsored by Rep. Jon Hinck, D-Portland, LD2056 would apply the restrictions to trucks idling for more than five minutes in any 60-minute period. Those same trucks could idle for an additional five minutes in any 60-minute period when temperatures are 32 degrees or colder.
A separate provision in the bill is intended to limit idling while trucks wait to load or unload. Owners of locations served by trucks would be prohibited from causing vehicles to idle for more than 30 minutes while waiting to do business at the location.
Violators of the business restriction would be issued warnings. Repeat offenders would face $500 fines. Truckers in violation of the five-minute rule would be issued warnings. Repeat offenders would face $150 fines.
Exemptions would include situations when vehicles are stuck in traffic or when idling is necessary to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners or installing equipment “solely to prevent a safety or health emergency” that is not part of a rest period.
In addition, the idling prohibition would not apply when idling of trucks is necessary for “maintenance, servicing, repair or diagnostic purposes.”
The panel is scheduled to hold a hearing on the bill Tuesday, Jan. 22.
For bill status, call (207) 287-1692. In Maine, call 1-800-423-6900.