HLS 10RS-3769 REENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 1479 (Substitute Bill for HB 1425 by Representative Monica)
BY REPRESENTATIVE MONICA
MTR VEHICLE/TRAILERS: Requires trailers with a certain gross weight capacity to be
equipped with a safety device
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 32:384 (D) and (E)(1)(b) and to enact R.S. 32: 384(E)(1)(d) and2
(F), relative to trailers and towed vehicles; to require trailers with a certain gross3
weight capacity to be equipped with a safety device; to provide for applicability; and4
to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 32: 384(D) and (E)(1)(b) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.7
32:384(E)(1)(d) and(F) are hereby enacted to read as follows:8
ยง384. Trailers and towed vehicles9
* * *10
D. Every trailer and semitrailer with a loaded gross weight capacity of up to11
six ten thousand pounds shall be equipped with safety chains or other a safety device12
approved in accordance with Subsection E of this Section. The safety chains or other13
approved safety device shall be securely attached to the towing vehicle when the14
trailer or semitrailer is in motion on a public road or highway and shall be of15
sufficient strength to hold the trailer behind the towing vehicle in case the connection16
between the two vehicles detaches.17
E.(1) The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state18
police, shall have the authority to approve safety devices other than safety chains to19
be used when towing trailers. or semitrailers. The approval of a safety device shall20 HLS 10RS-3769 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 1479
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be in writing. Any such device shall be inspected by the office of state police before1
written approval is given. The following criteria shall be considered in making the2
determination of whether or not to approve such safety device as an alternative to3
safety chains:4
* * *5
(b) The method by which the device is attached to the trailer. or semitrailer.6
* * *7
(d) The safety device shall have a stamp or a permanent label attached to the8
safety device and be applicable to the size of the load capacity of the trailer.9
* * *10
F. The provisions of this Section shall not be applicable to trailers when the11
trailer is not in motion on a public road or highway and is used solely for farm12
purposes.13
Section. 2. Any trailer sold or manufactured in the state of Louisiana after January14
1, 2012, shall have a safety device required by this Act.15
Section 3. The provisions of this Act shall be applicable only to trailers registered16
in the state of Louisiana.17
Section 4. The pendle hook device shall be exempt from the provisions of this Act.18
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Monica HB No. 1479
Abstract: Requires trailers with a loaded gross weight capacity of up to ten thousand
pounds to be equipped with a safety device. Provides for applicability.
Present law requires every trailer and semitrailer with a loaded gross weight capacity of up
to six thousand pounds with safety chains or other safety device approved by the Dept. of
Public Safety and Corrections.
Proposed law increases the requirement for trailers to a loaded gross weight capacity of up
to ten pounds with an approved safety device.
Present law requires safety chains or other approved safety devices to be securely attached
to the towing vehicle when the trailer or semitrailer is in motion and requires the safety HLS 10RS-3769 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 1479
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are additions.
chains or safety device to be of sufficient strength to hold the trailer behind the towing
vehicle in case the connection between the two vehicles detaches.
Proposed law retains present law but removes all references to safety chains and semitrailers
under proposed law.
Present law requires the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police to
have the authority to approve safety devices other than safety chains to be used when towing
trailers or semitrailers. Requires the approval by the office of state police of the safety
device to be in writing.
Present law further requires the safety device to be inspected by the office of state police
prior to the approval by the office of state police. Provides for certain criteria to be
considered when making the determination of whether or not to approve the safety device
as an alternative to safety chains under present law.
Proposed law provides that the safety device will have a stamp or a permanent label attached
to the safety device and be applicable to the size if the load capacity of the trailer.
Proposed law provides that the provisions under proposed law shall not apply to trailers
when the trailer is not in motion on a public road or highway and is used solely for farm
purposes.
Provides that any trailer sold or manufactured in the state of La. after Jan. 1, 2012, shall have
a safety device required by proposed law.
Provides that the provisions of this Act shall be applicable only to trailers registered in the
state of La.
Provides that the pendle hook device shall be exempt from the provisions of the proposed
law.
(Amends R.S. 32:384(D) and (E)(1)(b); Adds R.S. 32:384(E)(1)(d) and (F))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Added that provisions under proposed law shall not apply to trailers when the
trailer is not in motion on a public road or highway when being used for farm
purposes.