HLS 21RS-723 REENGROSSED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 593
BY REPRESENTATIVE TRAVIS JOHNSON
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
MOTOR VEHICLES: Provides relative to passing a parked emergency vehicle
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 32:125(B)(introductory paragraph) and 327(B), relative to
3 passing a parked emergency vehicle; to provide relative to the Department of
4 Transportation and Development displaying certain lights; to provide for an effective
5 date; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 32:125(B)(introductory paragraph) and 327(B) are hereby amended
8and reenacted to read as follows:
9 §125. Procedure on approach of an authorized emergency vehicle; passing a parked
10 emergency vehicle
11 * * *
12 B. When any vehicle making use of any visual signals as authorized by law,
13 including the display of alternately flashing amber green, amber, or yellow warning
14 lights, is parked on or near the highway, the driver of every other vehicle shall:
15 * * *
16 §327. Special restrictions on lamps
17 * * *
18 B. No person shall drive or move any vehicular equipment upon any
19 highway of this state with any lamp or device thereon displaying a red or green light
20 visible from directly in front of the center thereof. This section Section shall not
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 21RS-723 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 593
1 apply to any vehicle upon which a red or green light visible from the front is
2 expressly authorized or required by this Chapter or by regulation of the department.
3 Additionally, this Section shall not apply to any department vehicle displaying green
4 lights.
5 * * *
6 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
7signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
8by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
9vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
10effective on the day following such approval.
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)]
HB 593 Reengrossed 2021 Regular Session Travis Johnson
Abstract: Provides relative to the procedure for approaching authorized emergency
vehicles and exempts Dept. of Transportation and Development (DOTD) vehicles
from restrictions on lamp use.
Present law provides that when a vehicle is parked on or near the highway flashing amber
or yellow warning lights, other drivers must yield the right of way by making a lane change
or slow to a reasonably safe speed if a lane change is not possible.
Proposed law retains present law and extends to vehicles flashing green lights.
Present law prohibits a person from driving a vehicle on the highway with a lamp or device
on the vehicle displaying a red or a green light visible from directly in front of the center of
the vehicle.
Proposed law retains present law but excludes DOTD vehicles displaying green lights from
the restrictions in present law.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 32:125(B)(intro. para.) and 327(B))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.