Louisiana Motor Transport Association

www.lmta.la | www.lmta.foundation

lmta@lmta.la

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Senate Floor Holds Key Bills as Committee Activity Continues Ahead of Memorial Day Recess

This week at the Capitol was marked by continued movement on key legislation impacting Louisiana’s trucking industry, alongside extended Senate floor holds as lawmakers work through a crowded calendar heading into the Memorial Day weekend.

The Legislature also took up the redistricting bill again late in the week before wrapping business for the holiday, reflecting continued attention to broader policy issues alongside regular session priorities.

Senate Floor Status:

• HB 380 (Johnson) – (SUPPORT)
  • Provides relative to partnerships between community and technical colleges and local school systems to expand transportation career pathways and workforce development opportunities. The bill passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. 
  • • Co-Authors: B. Amedee (R-51), R. Barrow (D-15), G. Boudreaux (D-24), R. Broussard (R-37), J. Carlson (R-43), B. Carpenter (D-63), G. Carter (D-7), K. Carver (R-89), S. Cathey (R-33), K. Edmonston (R-88), B. Freiberg (R-70), K. Jackson-Andrews (D-34), S. Jenkins (D-39), C. Johnson (D-21), J. Luneau (D-29), C. Martinez (D-60), E. Price (D-2), V. St. Blanc (R-50), S. Taylor, G (D-57), Womack (R-32)
  • Why it Matters: Supports transportation career pathways by expanding partnerships between community and technical colleges and local school systems to increase awareness of and access to driver training and logistics programs. This effort strengthens the driver pipeline by creating earlier exposure to transportation careers and building long-term workforce development capacity for the industry.

• HB 804 (Geymann) – (SUPPORT)
  • Creates the Louisiana Energy Protection Act and would prohibit climate change-related lawsuits against Louisiana’s energy sector and related industries. The bill is currently holding on the Senate floor awaiting final consideration.
  • Why it Matters: Creates the Louisiana Energy Protection Act to shield Louisiana’s energy producers, consumers, and related industries from climate-change liability lawsuits. These climate-liability theories are increasingly being filed in other states and can expand beyond energy producers to businesses involved in commerce and transportation, exposing motor carriers to costly and speculative litigation.

• HB 1006 (Carter) - (OPPOSE)
  • Provides relative to deadlines associated with motions for summary judgment in civil proceedings. The bill is currently on the Senate floor awaiting final consideration and is subject to call.
  • Why it Matters: Extends the deadline to oppose a motion for summary judgment by five days, which benefits plaintiffs while compressing the time defendants have to review oppositions and prepare reply briefs before hearings. This shortened response window particularly disadvantages motor carriers in complex cases involving extensive records, multiple parties, and expert testimony, and disrupts the balance of the current process.

Senate Committee Action:

• HCR 53 (Schamerhorn) – (SUPPORT)

  • Requests a study of Louisiana’s overweight and heavy-haul permitting practices. The resolution was reported favorably out of the Senate Transportation Committee without objection and continues through the legislative process.

  • Why it Matters: The resolution initiates a study of overweight and heavy-haul permitting practices—an issue with direct operational and cost impacts for motor carriers statewide.

• HB 437 (Melerine) – (SUPPORT)
  • Provides relative to expert witness compensation in civil litigation by prohibiting outcome-based compensation arrangements. The bill was deferred in Senate Judiciary A on a 4–3 vote.

    • Voting With LMTA: Senators Edmonds, Mizell, Seabaugh

      Voting Against LMTA: Senators Carter, Jenkins, Luneau, Miller

  • Why it Matters: The bill would prohibit outcome-based compensation for expert witnesses, promoting fairness and transparency in litigation - an issue with significant implications for trucking-related liability exposure.

Additional Notes:

• Legislative activity this week reflected a mix of floor positioning and committee deliberation as lawmakers continue advancing priority legislation.
• LMTA remained actively engaged across both chambers, advocating on behalf of Louisiana’s trucking industry and coordinating with key stakeholders.

Looking Ahead:

With lawmakers heading into the Memorial Day weekend, the Legislature now enters a critical stretch where floor time and prioritization will determine which bills reach final passage. Key LMTA-supported measures remain in position for action, particularly on the Senate floor.

LMTA will continue advocating on behalf of Louisiana’s trucking industry and keep members informed as developments unfold.