HLS 21RS-147 REENGROSSED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 632
BY REPRESENTATIVE DEVILLIER
TRANSPORTATION DEPT: Authorizes a special permit to include a divisible load
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 32:386(A) and 387(A) and (B)(1)(introductory paragraph),
3 relative to divisible shipments; to provide for the inclusion of divisible shipments in
4 the total gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles; to require the
5 promulgation of rules; to provide for limitation and requirements; and to provide for
6 related matters.
7Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 32:386(A) and 387(A) and (B)(1)(introductory paragraph) are hereby
9amended and reenacted to read as follows:
10 §386. Weight
11 A. The total gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not
12 exceed eighty thousand pounds, which shall include shipments considered as
13 divisible that are readily divided, broken, or dismantled, and no vehicle or
14 combination of vehicles shall exceed its licensed gross weight.
15 * * *
16 §387. Special permits
17 A.(1) No vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not meet the
18 requirements of R.S. 32:380 through 386 shall use the public highways of this state
19 without first obtaining a special permit from the department in addition to any other
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 21RS-147 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 632
1 special permit which may be required from any other agency or department of the
2 state or a political subdivision, and the special permit herein provided for shall be
3 issued at the discretion of the secretary.
4 (2) If a permit issued pursuant to Subsection B of this Section authorizes a
5 vehicle to operate on interstate highways, the secretary may allow the vehicle to
6 operate on interstate highways at night if requested by the owner or operator.
7 (3) The secretary shall promulgate rules in accordance with the
8 Administrative Procedures Act to establish a special permit to authorize any vehicle
9 or combination of vehicles to use the public highways of this state which shall
10 include shipments considered divisible that are readily divided, broken, or
11 dismantled.
12 B.(1) The secretary may issue a special permit for the operation of vehicles
13 or combination thereof having dimensions or weights in excess of the limits imposed
14 by R.S. 32:380 through 386 if the shipment is not , which shall include shipments
15 considered as divisible that are readily divided, broken, or dismantled and that do not
16 exceed the weight limits in this Section, or and exclude the operation of such
17 vehicles is otherwise prohibited by law, however, if the parts which have been
18 divided, broken or dismantled from the shipment weight in the aggregate of five
19 hundred pounds, or less, then the shipment shall be considered as indivisible.
20 Provided further, however, that the secretary may issue special overwidth permits for
21 vehicles transporting pipe. In the exercise of his discretion, the secretary shall
22 consider the following factors, as well as any other circumstances existing in the
23 particular case:
24 * * *
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 21RS-147 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 632
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 632 Reengrossed 2021 Regular Session DeVillier
Abstract: Includes divisible shipments in the total gross weight of any vehicle or
combination of vehicles, authorizes a special permit to include shipments that are
divisible, and requires the secretary to establish a special permit for the inclusion of
divisible shipments.
Present law prohibits the total gross weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles from
exceeding 80,000 lbs and a vehicle or combination of vehicles from exceeding its licensed
gross weight.
Proposed law modifies present law to include a divisible shipment in the total gross weight
of a vehicle or combination of vehicles.
Present law authorizes the secretary of the Dept. of Transportation and Development to issue
a special permit for the operation of a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a weight in
excess of the limits imposed by present law and prohibits a shipment that is divisible from
receiving a special permit.
Proposed law modifies present law to authorize a special permit for a shipment that is
divisible.
Proposed law requires the secretary to establish a special permit to authorize any vehicle or
combination of vehicles to use the public highways of this state; including divisible
shipments that are readily divided, broken, or dismantled in accordance with the
Administrative Procedure Act.
(Adds R.S. 32:386(A) and 387(A) and (B)(1)(intro. para.))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation,
Highways and Public Works to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Delete a provision of proposed law that provided an additional ten percent of the
applicable permit fees be accessed if any vehicle or combination of vehicles
includes shipments that are considered divisible.
3. Add a provision that requires the secretary to establish a special permit to
authorize any vehicle or combination of vehicles to use the public highways of
this state; including divisible shipments that are readily divided, broken, or
dismantled in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.