Page 1 of 4
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2010 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 254
BY SENATOR N. GAUTREAUX
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 33:1418, relative to hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles; to allow2
political subdivisions to purchase or lease hybrid fuel or alternative fuel vehicles; to3
provide for exceptions; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 33:1418 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 6
ยง1418. Purchase or lease of fleet vehicles; use of alternative fuels; fuel vehicles7
and hybrid vehicles; exceptions; definitions8
A.(1) A political subdivision may purchase or lease , after September 1, 1991,9
any motor vehicle, for use by any agency of the political subdivision, if that vehicle10
is capable of and equipped for using an alternative fuel which that results in lower11
emissions of oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, or12
particulates, or any combination thereof which that meet or exceed federal Clean Air13
standards, including but not limited to hybrid vehicles. Alternative fuels shall14
include compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, reformulated gasoline,15
methanol, ethanol, electricity, and any other fuels which meet or exceed federal16
Clean Air standards.17
(2) For the purposes of this Section, "hybrid vehicle" shall mean a18
vehicle that employs a combustion engine system together with an electric19
propulsion system that results in lower emissions of oxides of nitrogen, volatile20
organic compounds, carbon monoxide, or particulates or any combination21
thereof that meet or exceed federal Clean Air Act standards.22
ACT No. 436 SB NO. 254 ENROLLED
Page 2 of 4
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
(2)(3) An agency of a political subdivision may acquire or be provided1
equipment or refueling facilities necessary to operate such alternative fuel or2
hybrid vehicles using alternative fuels by any of the following methods:3
(a) Purchase or lease as authorized by law.4
(b) Gift or loan of the equipment or facilities.5
(c) Gift or loan of the equipment or facilities or other arrangement pursuant6
to a service contract for the supply of alternative fuels.7
(3)(4) If such equipment or facilities are donated, loaned, or provided through8
other arrangement with the supplier of alternative fuels, the supplier shall be entitled9
to recoup its actual cost of donating, loaning, or providing the equipment or facilities10
through its fuel charges under the supply contract.11
(4)(5) The governing authority of a political subdivision may waive the12
requirements of this Subsection for any agency of a political subdivision upon receipt13
of certification supported by evidence acceptable to that governing authority that14
either of the following situations apply:15
(a) The agency's vehicles will be operating primarily in an area in which16
neither the agency nor a supplier has or can reasonably be expected to establish a17
central refueling station for alternative fuels fuel or hybrid vehicles.18
(b) The agency is unable to acquire or be provided equipment or refueling19
facilities necessary to operate alternative or hybrid vehicles using alternative fuels20
at a projected cost that is reasonably expected to result in no greater net costs than21
the continued use of traditional gasoline or diesel fuels measured over the expected22
useful life of the equipment or facilities supplied.23
B.(1) Each political subdivision shall achieve the following percentages of24
vehicles capable of using alternative fuels by the times specified:25
(a) The percentage shall be equal to or greater than thirty percent of the26
number of fleet vehicles operated by September 1, 1994.27
(b) The percentage shall be equal to or greater than fifty percent of the28
number of fleet vehicles operated by September 1, 1996.29
(2) The governing authority of each political subdivision shall review this30 SB NO. 254 ENROLLED
Page 3 of 4
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
alternative fuel use program on or before December 31, 1996, and, if the governing1
authority determines that the program has been effective in reducing total annual2
emissions from motor vehicles in the area, the governing authority shall achieve a3
percentage of fleet vehicles capable of using alternative fuels equal to or greater than4
eighty percent of the number of fleet vehicles operated by September 1, 1998, and5
thereafter.6
C. The governing authority of each political subdivision, in the development7
of the alternative fuel use program, shall consult with vehicle manufacturers and8
converters, fuel distributors, and others to delineate the vehicles to be covered, taking9
into consideration range, specialty uses, fuel availability, vehicle manufacturing and10
conversion capability, safety, resale values, and other relevant factors. The governing11
authority may meet the percentage requirements of this Section through purchase or12
lease of new vehicles or the conversion of existing vehicles, in accordance with13
federal and state requirements and applicable safety laws and standards, to use the14
alternative fuels.15
D. The governing authority of a political subdivision may reduce any16
percentage specified or waive the requirements of Subsection B of this Section for17
any agency of a political subdivision upon receipt of certification supported by18
evidence acceptable to the governing authority that either of the following situations19
apply:20
(1) The agency's vehicles will be operating primarily in an area in which21
neither the agency nor a supplier has or can reasonably be expected to establish a22
central refueling station for alternative fuels.23
(2) The agency is unable to acquire or be provided equipment or refueling24
facilities necessary to operate vehicles using alternative fuels at a projected cost that25
is reasonably expected to result in no greater net costs than the continued use of26
traditional gasoline or diesel fuels measured over the expected useful life of the27
equipment or facilities supplied.28
E.B. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any vehicles operated29
by law enforcement agencies or used as emergency vehicles.30 SB NO. 254 ENROLLED
Page 4 of 4
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
F.C. As used in this Part, "political subdivision" means a parish,1
municipality, and any other unit of local government, including a school board and2
a special district, authorized by law to perform governmental functions.3
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: