Louisiana House Bill HB217

Louisiana 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/27/19
• Refer: 3/27/19
• Refer: 4/8/19
• Report Pass: 4/22/19
• Engrossed: 4/29/19
• Refer: 4/30/19
• Refer: 5/27/19
• Report Pass: 5/31/19
• Enrolled: 6/4/19
• Chaptered: 6/11/19
• Passed: 6/11/19

Caption

Increases certain special permit fees and dedicates the proceeds of the fee increase into the Construction Subfund of the Transportation Trust Fund (EN +$8,584,000 SD RV See Note)

Impact

If enacted, HB 217 would significantly alter existing laws related to permit fees and requirements. The bill establishes a new financial framework for special permits, mandating a structure that could lead to enhanced safety and compliance on state roads. Increased fees for vehicle permits might discourage excessive loads but are often seen as necessary to maintain infrastructure quality. The bill also indicates that revenues exceeding $20 million will be redirected toward infrastructure improvements, thus enhancing the construction and repair of state roads and bridges.

Summary

House Bill 217 focuses on amending Louisiana's regulations regarding special permit fees for vehicles, specifically addressing timber harvest season permits and overweight vehicle permits. The bill proposes to increase certain special permit fees, which will generate dedicated funding for the Construction Subfund of the Transportation Trust Fund. The fee changes would support various transportation infrastructure projects by enhancing revenue collection, ultimately aiming to facilitate better transport regulation in the state.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HB 217 appears to be favorable among lawmakers who prioritize infrastructure funding. The unanimous support reflected in the voting history—99 yeas to 0 nays—suggests a strong agreement on the necessity of updating fees to better meet current economic demands. However, concerns may arise regarding the burden these new fees could place on truckers and businesses dependent on transporting goods, especially within the timber industry.

Contention

Despite the favorable outlook, some points of contention may revolve around the fairness of increased fees, particularly for small-scale timber operators who might find these financial obligations challenging. The decision to impose stricter weight regulations, alongside heightened permit fees, may lead to some dissent from industry stakeholders who argue these changes could adversely affect competitiveness and operational costs.