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 615 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Freiberg
Abstract: Levies an annual tax on electric and hybrid vehicles and dedicates the avails of the new
tax to the Construction Subfund of the Transportation Trust Fund.
Proposed law levies an annual tax of $400 per year on each electric vehicle and an annual tax of
$275 per year on each hybrid vehicle operated on state highways which are required to be registered
and to pay registration license tax in accordance with present law. Further requires the commissioner
of motor vehicles to collect the tax levied in proposed law every two years at the same time and in
the same manner as the registration license tax pursuant to present law.
Proposed law defines "electric vehicle" as a vehicle powered by one or more electric motors or
energy stored in rechargeable batteries for propulsion and defines "hybrid vehicle" as a vehicle that
uses gasoline, diesel fuel, or special fuels in combination with an electric motor for propulsion.
Proposed law requires the avails of the annual taxes levied on electric and hybrid vehicles to be
deposited into the Construction Subfund of the TTF pursuant to the requirements of present
constitution. Further requires the Dept. of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to utilize the
avails of the taxes levied pursuant to proposed law which are deposited into the Construction
Subfund as follows:
(1)80% of the avails to be utilized on highway and bridge preservation projects included in the
Highway Priority Program.
(2)20% of the avails to be utilized on Highway Priority Program projects classified as capacity
projects.
Proposed law, with respect to capacity projects, requires the secretary to prioritize and construct the
following mega projects based on the completion of each project's federally mandated environmental
process and requirements:
(1)Replacement of the I-10 Calcasieu River bridge and I-10 improvements from the I-210
interchange west of the river to the I-210 interchange east of the river.
(2)A new Mississippi River Bridge at Baton Rouge with freeway-level connections from the
interstate west of Baton Rouge to the interstate east of Baton Rouge.
(3)Upgrades to US 90 to interstate standards from the I-10 and I-49 interchange at Lafayette to New Orleans.
(4)Widening of I-12 to six lanes and associated improvements where this interstate is not yet
upgraded from Baton Rouge to the Mississippi state line.
(5)A new, four lane Jimmie Davis Bridge on LA 511 across the Red River in Shreveport-
Bossier.
(6)Widening to six lanes and associated improvements to I-20 at Monroe from LA 546 to LA
594.
(7)US 90, Port of New Orleans access improvements with improved and maintained interstate
lighting in New Orleans.
(8)Alexandria-Pineville Beltway, Segments E, F, G, H, and I from LA 28 East to LA 28 West.
Proposed law requires, no later than Jan. 1, 2022, the total cost of projects in the Highway Priority
Program to include the prorated cost associated with third-party services required by DOTD to
create, implement, and maintain an online platform, through which the public will have access to
real-time project information including the project's scope, cost, and time-line for completion as well
as all means of financing for the project. Further requires the online platform to be developed in
consultation with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Proposed law requires DOTD to utilize targeted digital technologies to raise public awareness of the
online platform, to provide project updates to the public, and to seek the public's input on projects.
Proposed law requires the avails of the annual tax on electric and hybrid vehicles to be allocated to
maximize the state's share of federal funding for construction projects in each fiscal year and
prohibits a reduction in funding for the Parish Transportation Fund, the Port Construction and
Development Priority Program, or the Statewide Flood Control Program below funding levels for
these programs appropriated in the FY 2020-2021 budget.
Proposed law requires the legislative auditor to commence a comprehensive audit of DOTD no later
than July 1, 2022, to review the department's operations and organizational efficiency to ensure that
DOTD can perform all of its required operations and functions within the funding provided for in
present and proposed law and to review DOTD's use of the avails of the taxes deposited into the
Construction Subfund of the TTF. Further requires the auditor to present its findings and
recommendations to the presiding officers of the House and Senate no later than Sept. 30, 2023.
Proposed law requires DOTD to establish a rural bridge repair and replacement program for bridge
projects included in the Highway Priority Program. Further requires DOTD to prioritize bridge
repair and replacement projects within the program to those which expand public and commercial
access to rural communities. Funding for this program shall be provided from the proceeds of the
annual tax on electric and hybrid vehicles. Authorizes proposed law to be referred to as the Government Reform in Transportation Act of 2021.
Effective July 1, 2022.
(Adds R.S. 47:2811 and R.S. 48:229.2 and 229.3)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Ways and Means to the original
bill:
1. Remove provisions of proposed law that gradually decrease the existing per gallon tax
on gasoline, diesel, and special fuels beginning July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2025, from
16¢ per gallon to 13¢ per gallon, and beginning July 1, 2025, from 13¢ per gallon to 12¢
per gallon.
2. Remove provisions of proposed law that levy a new, additional tax on gasoline, diesel,
and special fuels the rate of which gradually increases over a period of 12 years
beginning July 1, 2021, at 13¢ per net gallon or gallon equivalent to July 1, 2033, and
thereafter at 26¢ per net gallon or gallon equivalent.
3. Change the allocation of the avails of the annual tax on electric and hybrid vehicles from
60% on highway and bridge preservation projects included in the Highway Priority
Program and 40% on Highway Priority Program projects classified as capacity projects
to 80% on highway and bridge preservation projects included in the Highway Priority
Program and 20% on Highway Priority Program projects classified as capacity projects.
4. Change the effective date from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2022.