Louisiana 2023 2023 Regular Session

Louisiana House Bill HB501 Comm Sub / Analysis

                    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 501 Original	2023 Regular Session	Huval
Abstract:  Creates the "Electric Line Worker" special prestige license plate.  Provides for the
creation, issuance, design, implementation, fees, deposit, distribution, and promulgation of
rules applicable to this license plate.
Proposed law  requires monies deposited in the Higher Education Initiatives Fund from the "Electric
Line Worker" special license plate royalty fee be used solely to assist students that cannot afford to
purchase the required climbing tools for the La. Community and Technical College System Certified
Lineman programs.
Proposed law requires the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections issue a special prestige license
plate to be known as the "Electric Line Worker" license plate, provided there is a minimum of 1,000
applicants for such plate.
Proposed law requires that the secretary work in conjunction with the communications manager and
the administrator of Governmental and Regulatory Affairs of the Southwest La. Electric Membership
Corporation (SLEMCO) to select the color and design of the plate. Further requires the design
include the words "Electric Line Worker".
Proposed law specifies that the license plate be issued, upon application, to any citizen of La. in the
same manner as any other motor vehicle license plate.
Proposed law requires the department to collect an annual royalty fee of $25 in addition to the
standard motor vehicle license tax and a $3.50 handling fee for each plate to be retained by the
department to offset a portion of administrative costs.
Proposed law requires monies received from the royalty fees be forwarded to the Higher Education
Initiatives Fund.  Specifies that the monies received from the royalty fees be used to assist students
that cannot afford to purchase the required climbing tools for the La. Community and Technical
College System Certified Lineman programs for the purpose of aiding prospective students desiring
to work in the Electric field for companies such as SLEMCO, Entergy, the Association of La.
Electric Cooperatives, American Electric Power or Southwestern Electric Power Company, or
CLECO.
Proposed law requires the secretary to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations to implement the
provisions provided in proposed law. Directs the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, to create the "Electric
Line Worker" speciality license plate when the applicable statutory provisions are met and its system
is updated to accommodate the creation of new plates.
(Adds R.S. 17:3129.6(C) and R.S. 47:463.225)