HASBSB44 BELLM 2298
SENATE SUMMARY OF HOUSE AMENDMENTS
SB 44 2023 Regular Session Pope
KEYWORD AND SUMMARY AS RETURNED TO THE SENATE
ROADS/HIGHWAYS. Provides relative to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. (gov sig)
SUMMARY OF HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO THE SENATE BILL
1. Makes technical changes.
2. Adds provision to rename a portion of Louisiana Highway 38 in Tangipahoa
Parish.
3. Adds provision for DOTD to erect and maintain signage provided local or
private monies are received by the department.
DIGEST OF THE SENATE BILL AS RETURNED TO THE SENATE
SB 44 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Pope
Present law allows for the secretary or his designee, when they believe expedient, to
designate adequate shoulders on any highway in the state highway system as high-occupancy
vehicle (HOV) lanes.
Proposed law provides for the removal of the requirement of the secretary to factor in
appropriate travel time savings and increase in the total number of people moved through a
highway corridor with high levels of travel demand and traffic congestion, when designating
a shoulder as an HOV lane.
Present law provides for the definition of HOV. Proposed law retains present law and
removes the term ridesharing from the definition. Proposed law further makes technical
changes.
Present law defines HOV lane. Proposed law further defines HOV lane to include adequate
shoulders of lanes designated for use as HOV lanes by the secretary or designee. Proposed
law further makes technical changes. Proposed law adds to the definition of vehicles able to
use an HOV lane to include an authorized emergency vehicle, or any other vehicle operated
by the department or its agents as authorized by the secretary through promulgated rules and
regulations.
Present law provides the department shall promulgate rules and regulations related to
enforcement and penalties of the HOV lanes. Proposed law adds authorized use to the scope
of rulemaking authority granted to the department.
Proposed law renames a portion of La. Highway 38 in Tangipahoa Parish and provides for
DOTD to erect and maintain signage provided local or private monies are received by the
department.
Proposed law makes technical changes.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 47:820.5.9(B)(intro para), 820.5.9(B)(1), (D), and (E) and R.S. 48:345)
___________________
Archana D. Cadge
Attorney