LMTA

Maintain the current size and weight limits on the state and national highways. Many trucking companies haul full truck loads of goods and are compensated by the single load and not by weight. Therefore an increase in weight does not result in increase compensation, yet they incur increased operating expenses (lower fuel economy, increased maintenance costs, reduced tire and engine life, increased registration fees, etc.) and have fewer revenue producing trips. More importantly, the public image of the trucking industry suffers while the shippers who require us to haul heavier loads remain in the background unscathed.

Dedicate motor carrier taxes and fees to the state Highway Trust Fund.
Over $40 million in truck registration taxes and other fees are collected annually from the trucking industry and deposited into the state General Fund as opposed to the state Highway Trust Fund. Proponents of higher truck registration and operating taxes fail to mention this fact as they go around the state accusing the trucking industry of “not paying its fair share.” The constitutional dedication of highway user fees and taxes to the Highway Trust Fund should be our utmost priority.

Support truck equity for the application of all taxes and fees
– “A truck is a truck.”
There are 5 different classifications of truck registration taxes in the statutes. Weight should be the only determining factor in the amount of registration tax paid. For a typical 80,000 lb. vehicle the tax would be as follows for the different categories:

Current Louisiana Truck Registration Fees

Gross Weight in pounds	Commercial (For-Hire/Private)	Gravel	City Use	Forestry	Farm
6000 or less	10.00	10.00	10.00	10.00	3.00
8000	28.00	28.00	20.00	20.00	3.00
10,000	36.00	35.00	25.00	25.00	10.00
23,000	87.40	80.50	57.50	57.50	10.00
37,000	222.00	222.00	111.00	103.60	20.00
80,000	504.00	480.00	240.00	224.00	30.00
88,000	563.20	528.00	264.00	246.40	40.00

Oppose truck lane restrictions and speed differentials between cars and trucks on highways in Louisiana.
Truck lane restrictions and a speed limit differential were imposed on trucks with 10 wheels or more traveling on the Atchafalaya Basin. LMTA strongly opposed this executive order for the following reasons:

The Governor did not have the authority to impose lane restrictions by Executive Order. This authority rests with the Legislative Branch of government.
All research on the issue of truck lane restrictions and especially speed differentials indicate that these traffic management strategies actually increase the potential for accidents.
The real answer to improving safety and compliance with the traffic laws is consistent, persistent, highly-visible enforcement of the general traffic laws on all vehicles traveling on any roadway in Louisiana – especially on elevated highways with little or no shoulder.

Oppose any increase in operating taxes (fuel, registration, etc.) unless there is a marked improvement in the management of our Highway Trust Fund and a greater return for our investment in the transportation infrastructure.
Statistical information indicates that only 45 cents of every Highway Trust Fund dollar turns into concrete, asphalt and bridges. There should be restrictions on the Highway Trust Fund to ensure that the majority of the funds are used for highway and bridge construction and maintenance as opposed to administrative costs.

Fully implement the ACS PrePass system throughout the state.
LA-DOTD originally opposed the PrePass system at weigh scales throughout Louisiana, but has since partially implemented the project. This $6.5 million project basically privatizes the automation of the weigh scale operations. As a result of the department’s actions or lack of action, the cost of this program has been inflated by over half a million dollars and full implementation has been delayed for over two (2) years.

Renew, extend or make permanent the sales tax exemption for interstate trucks used 80% of the time in interstate commerce.
This sales tax exemption, which must be renewed every 2 years, has resulted in an increase in the number of trucks sold and registered in the state and the number of motor carriers opening terminals in the state. This ultimately increased employment opportunity improved our ability to move freight efficiently and contributed to our overall economic development.

Clarify the relationship between owner operators and motor carriers.
This action is motivated by the lack of clarity in the law, and by inconsistent decisions which report owner operators as employees on some occasions, and as independent contractors on other occasions (where the facts seems virtually identical). Hopefully, this action will merely clarify the ability of carriers to establish an independent contractor relationship with owner operators (as is frequently done by contractors and principals throughout the State). Issues to consider include:

A lack of clarity in the law which makes it difficult to assess risk;
The impact on insurance rates because of apparent multiple exposures; and
(Perhaps most importantly) Employment issues.