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The Official Newsletter of Louisiana's Trucking Industry |
June 5, 2026 |
UPCOMING EVENTS |
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THIS WEEK |
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ASSOCIATION UPDATES
INDUSTRY UPDATES
MEMBER PROGRAMS
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NEW MEMBERS |
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LMTA License Plates |
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Get your Louisiana speciality plate through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) today! - DETAILS |
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THE GOWN IS TATTERED: LOUISIANA’S TRUCKING INDUSTRY IS ON LIFE SUPPORT: From Executive Director Renee Amar - As I look across the landscape of our industry today, I don’t see the vibrant, humming engine of Louisiana’s economy. I see a patient on a gurney, the heart monitor flatlining while those sworn to protect it argue over who gets to keep the equipment. Our truckers — the backbone of every small business and every household in this state — are withering away, and those in charge are too busy checking their reelection polls to notice the internal bleeding. |
ASSOCIATION UPDATES |
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2026 Truck Driving Championships - Volunteer Registration Closes Friday! |
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The 2026 Louisiana Truck Driving Championships will take place Friday, June 19 – Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. Testing, pretrip, the course and the awards banquet will all be held on the Cajundome's campus. Competitor registration for this year's Championships has closed. If you were interested in this year's competition, consider volunteering this year to get a unique view of the event. The application to become a volunteer will close this Friday, June 5. There is a mandatory Volunteer Meeting at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 18 in the Cajundome Arena. During this meeting volunteer jobs, shirts and hats will be distributed. If you are planning to attend Saturday's Course Competition in ANY CAPACITY, please read our notice regarding tailgating & spectator areas. Tailgating, onsite cooking, and outside catering will NOT be permitted this year. MORE INFO:
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CAPITOL CORNER: LMTA's Legislative Overview - 2026 Session Wrap Up |
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The 2026 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature has officially concluded, with lawmakers filing a staggering 2,612 bills. While the volume of legislation was substantial, our review of the session reveals a significant missed opportunity to address some of Louisiana's most pressing business and insurance challenges. Despite years of concern from employers, truckers, and job creators, meaningful reforms aimed at reducing lawsuit abuse and improving Louisiana's costly insurance environment once again faced major hurdles. For Louisiana's trucking industry, these issues are not theoretical. They directly impact insurance premiums, litigation costs, workforce recruitment, and the overall cost of doing business. Truckers continue to deliver the goods that keep Louisiana moving, yet many of the reforms designed to create a fairer and more predictable legal climate never received a hearing or failed to advance through the legislative process. That said, LMTA and our industry partners did secure several important victories. Legislation addressing workers' compensation modernization, overweight permit reform, workforce development, and protections against emerging climate-change litigation all advanced through the process and, in many cases, now await final action by the Governor. Likewise, several proposals that would have created additional burdens for motor carriers were successfully defeated or stalled before reaching the Governor's desk. As we close out the 2026 session, the need for meaningful legal and insurance reform remains clear. Louisiana continues to stand apart from neighboring states in litigation costs, insurance expenses, and workers' compensation outcomes. While progress was made on several fronts, much work remains to ensure our state is competitive, fair, and supportive of the industries that drive our economy. Renee Amar LMTA Executive Director renee@lmta.la | (225) 287-0117
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2026 LMTA Annual Convention - Additional Activities Added This Year! |
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Spouses & Family Activity: Oyster Shell Decoupage Get creative and bring a little bit of the coast home with you! Using recycled oyster shells from local restaurants, you’ll design and decorate your own colorful, one-of-a-kind piece of art. All materials are provided, so just bring your creativity and enjoy a fun, hands-on experience with family and friends. REGISTER NOW Casino Night: Poker Tournament & Roulette Test your luck and skills at this year’s Casino Night, featuring a limited-entry poker tournament designed for all experience levels. With just 27 spots available, the action will take place across three poker tables, creating an exciting and competitive atmosphere. In addition to poker, take a spin at our featured roulette wheel, adding an extra layer of excitement and chance to the night. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just in it for fun, this is a great opportunity to unwind, connect with fellow attendees, and enjoy a little friendly competition. Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly. REGISTER NOW Child Banquet Tickets We’re excited to welcome your whole family to the banquet! Child tickets are available for younger attendees to enjoy the evening alongside you, including a kid-friendly meal and access to the banquet festivities. REGISTER NOW Childcare Services (Multiple Evening Events) Enjoy your evening knowing your little ones are in good hands! Childcare will be available during Friday evening and throughout the Banquet and band hours on Saturday evening. This service provides a safe, supervised environment so parents can relax and take part in the festivities. REGISTER NOW Raffle Tickets Don’t miss your chance to win big while giving back! Our Half & Half Raffle is a fun way to support LMTA’s programs—with half the pot going to one lucky winner and the other half supporting our advocacy, safety, and outreach efforts. Tickets will be available throughout the convention - buy early, buy often, and increase your chances of taking home the prize. Every ticket helps fuel the future of Louisiana trucking. REGISTER NOW Hotel Information A link to the room block and discounted convention rate at The Lodge in Gulf Shores will be emailed to registrants upon completion of registration. The block closes Friday, June 12th, 2026.
Schedule Wednesday, July 8
Thursday, July 9
Friday, July 10
Saturday, July 11
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INDUSTRY UPDATES |
Notice to Carriers: Phishing Scam Targets Carriers Using FMCSA Motus System |
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FROM OUR PARTNERS AT THE ARKANSAS TRUCKING ASSOCIATION: Please be aware that a phishing scam targeting users shortly after they accessed the new FMCSA Motus registration system could be in your inbox. Scammers appear to be identifying carriers who recently logged in to update their information and then sending fraudulent emails designed to look official (see example below). In one reported case, a carrier received a convincing email within hours of accessing Motus. The email included links to a fake verification portal that requested additional company and financial information. The fraudulent site asked for fueling account information, which was then used to access company finances and issue money codes to drain funds. Carriers are encouraged to exercise caution when responding to unsolicited emails related to FMCSA or Motus. Before clicking links or providing information:
Report suspicious emails to your IT department and FMCSA support channels. Even sophisticated phishing attempts can appear legitimate, making extra diligence critical during the Motus transition period. |
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Notice to Carriers: Waiver For The Transportation Of Fertilizer Products In Select States |
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At the request of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Louisiana Motor Transport Association & LMTA Foundation are sharing an important update with the commercial motor vehicle industry. This notice applies to all motor carriers in multiple states, regardless of association membership. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has issued a temporary waiver to address ongoing fertilizer supply shortages impacting American agriculture. The waiver is active from May 26, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. on August 26, 2026. Key Relief ProvidedThe waiver temporarily suspends:
Applies ToMotor carriers and drivers transporting:
States IncludedThe waiver applies in 35 states, including Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and others. Important ConditionsDrivers operating under the waiver must still comply with several safety requirements, including:
RestrictionsThe waiver does not apply to:
Crash Reporting RequirementMotor carriers must report any qualifying crashes involving drivers operating under this waiver to FMCSA within 5 business days. FMCSA stated the waiver is intended to help ensure fertilizer products reach America’s farmers during the critical application season while maintaining an equivalent level of safety |
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Emergency Declarations |
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MEMBER PROGRAMS - Save Money |
LMTA Member Exclusive Affinity Programs
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The LMTA currently offers a variety of exclusive business partnerships and services to members of the association. Special member-only offers for our partners are listed below and can be found through your LMTA Info Hub under the "Resources" tab.
LMTA ASSOCIATION HEALTH PLAN Exclusively for LMTA members, this group health insurance program helps trucking employers reduce costs and enhance employee benefits through collective purchasing power and risk sharing. Powered by USI, it offers greater transparency, trucking specific plan options and expert guidance giving employers improved control and drivers access to specialized care.
LMTA & WEX CARD The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) is excited to announce a rewarding affinity program partnership with WEX and their MasterCard product. Whether you use a physical WEX MasterCard, a Ghost Card for recurring payments, a Virtual Card for one-time payments, or integrate WEX MasterCard to handle all electronic payments, you can help the LMTA earn valuable rebates.
APP EMBARK App Embark specializes in creating mobile apps for companies that allow employers to organize and communicate with their employees more efficiently and effectively. As part of our partnership with App Embark, LMTA members save $500 on the cost of the build fee!
TO LEARN MORE OR SCHEDULE A DEMO, SELECT THE LINK BELOW IN YOUR MEMBER PORTAL.
Please note: Since these are exclusive member only offers, you will be directed to log into your Info Hub to view the details. |
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