The original instrument was prepared by Sharon F. Lyles. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by Ann
S. Brown.
DIGEST
SB 84 Reengrossed 2019 Regular Session Erdey
Proposed law authorizes the secretary of DOTD or his designee to designate a high occupancy
vehicle (HOV) lane on any highway in the state highway system, where adequate shoulders exist,
and may restrict the use thereof to vehicular traffic classified as a "high occupancy vehicle (HOV)"
to the extent he thinks it expedient that, in his judgment, is appropriate to provide travel time savings
and to increase the total number of people moved through a highway corridor with high levels of
travel demand and traffic congestion.
Proposed law specifies that the secretary or his designee is not authorized to designate an existing
roadway or travel lane as a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane.
Proposed law defines a "high occupancy vehicle" to mean a passenger car, pickup truck, van,
recreational vehicle, or a bus or other motorized passenger vehicle used for transporting persons such
as a carpool or a vanpool vehicle used for ridesharing purposes and occupied by a driver and one or
more passengers and to exclude a truck, tandem truck, tractor, truck-tractor, combination of vehicles,
or commercial motor vehicle carrying or transporting freight, merchandise, or other property from
its meaning; and defines a "high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane" to mean one or more lanes of a
highway or an entire highway where designated by traffic control devices high occupancy vehicles
are given at all times, or at regularly scheduled times, a priority or preference over some or all other
vehicles moving in the general stream of all highway traffic.
Proposed law provides that HOV lanes may be used by a motorcycle regardless of the number of
riders or passengers.
Proposed law requires DOTD to promulgate rules and regulations related to enforcement and
penalties of the HOV lanes. Proposed law provides further that notwithstanding any other law to the
contrary, the rules and regulations shall be in accordance with the selected implementation method
of HOV lanes.
Effective August 1, 2019.
(Adds R.S. 48:345)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways, and
Public Works to the original bill 1. Changes authority to designate HOV lanes from the assistant secretary of the office
of operations or the chief engineer to the secretary of DOTD or his designee.
2. Adds to definition of "high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane" that HOV lanes are
designated by traffic control devices.
3. Requires DOTD to promulgate rules and regulations related to enforcement and
penalties of HOV lanes and that notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the
rules and regulations shall be in accordance with the selected implementation method
of HOV lanes.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Adds the provision that "adequate shoulders must exist" for a lane to be designated
as a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane.
2. Specifies that nothing in proposed law authorizes the secretary or his designee to
designate an existing roadway or travel lane as a HOV lane.
3. Adds a provision that allows motorcycles, regardless of the number of riders or
passengers, to use HOV lanes.
4. Makes technical corrections.