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The Official Newsletter of Louisiana's Trucking Industry |
October 24, 2025 |
UPCOMING EVENTS |
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THIS WEEK |
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ASSOCIATION UPDATES |
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LMTA Calls for National Review of Port Access Fee Practices - Read the Full Letter |
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The Louisiana Motor Transport Association has issued a letter to state trucking associations nationwide urging a closer look at new “pay-to-access” systems emerging at U.S. ports. The move follows LMTA’s formal Request for Investigation to the Federal Maritime Commission regarding new gate-access fees at the Port of New Orleans. The recently implemented tariff replaces free entry with a paid appointment system — charging up to $75 per container and additional rescheduling fees — effectively shifting operating costs from ocean carriers to trucking companies, shippers, and consumers. LMTA is calling for a coordinated, multi-state response to ensure similar practices do not spread unchecked and to protect supply chain efficiency. |
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Help Represent Trucking on Louisiana’s Regional Planning Commissions - |
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The Louisiana Motor Transport Association plays a vital role in shaping Louisiana’s transportation future — and we’re looking for members to help lead that effort. Executive Director Renee Amar currently serves on seven of the state’s eight Regional Planning Commissions, which determine which transportation projects advance and receive funding. These meetings unite local officials, business leaders, and community representatives, making it essential for LMTA members to be involved. By serving, you can advocate for trucking, influence key infrastructure decisions, and build relationships that strengthen our industry’s voice statewide. There are eight regions in total, with one already represented by LMTA.
If you’re interested in serving as an LMTA representative on a regional planning commissions — or would like to learn more — please contact your district directly, cc’ing renee@lmta.la for awareness. If you’re unsure which district you belong to, you can look it up here: Find My District. Together, we can make sure Louisiana’s transportation future moves in the right direction. |
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Gears & Grub Lafayette - Membership Recruitment: Invite a Colleague to Join You! |
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Invite a Colleague to Join You in Lafayette!
Do you know someone in the trucking industry who isn’t yet an LMTA member but would benefit from hearing firsthand stories from Louisiana’s most experienced carriers? This is the perfect opportunity to bring them along.
On November 4, 2025, we’re hosting a special lunch discussion featuring four trucking company leaders—three seasoned owners and one bringing a fresh, next-generation perspective. Together, they’ll share lessons learned, industry insights, and advice for navigating the challenges and opportunities in trucking today.
PANELISTS
This event is free to attend—guests simply cover their own lunch.
Seats are limited and expected to fill quickly, so invite your colleagues and encourage them to register today to reserve their spot. |
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Year-Round Visibility: Become a 2026 LMTA Annual Sponsor |
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The Louisiana Motor Transport Association is excited to announce that 2026 Annual Sponsorships are now available and can be purchased online!
By becoming an LMTA Annual Sponsor, your company will gain year-round visibility and exclusive recognition at every major LMTA event, including the Seafood Gala, Annual Convention, and Transportation Conference.
Annual Sponsors enjoy:
With Gold, Silver, Bronze, and specialty sponsorships available, there’s a package to fit every company’s goals. Flexible monthly installment options make it simple to support LMTA and showcase your commitment to Louisiana’s trucking industry.
Available Packages:
For installment pricing or more information, please contact Burton Comeaux, Accounting Director – burton@lmta.la
Join us in supporting the voice of Louisiana’s trucking industry while promoting your company in front of industry leaders all year long. |
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INDUSTRY UPDATES |
FMCSA Emergency Declaration – Smitty’s Supply Inc. Incident |
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n conjunction with Governor Landry’s emergency proclamation regarding Smitty’s Supply in Roseland, Louisiana, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a 45-day Emergency Declaration providing Hours-of-Service relief for motor carriers engaged in direct assistance related to this incident.
This declaration remains in effect through November 28, 2025.
For full details, please see the document linked below |
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Last Class: Hours of Service Logbook Training with LSP - Jefferson, LA (Nov 10) |
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Stay compliant and audit-ready by joining us for a comprehensive seminar on Hours of Service (HOS) regulations and logbook requirements, presented by the Louisiana State Police (LSP). LOCATION & DATE: This training is ideal for drivers, safety managers, and motor carriers looking to deepen their understanding of HOS rules and ensure proper documentation. Topics will include:
Hear directly from LSP enforcement officers, ask questions, and walk away with the knowledge and tools to keep your operation in compliance. |
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FMCSA removed five ELDs from the list of registered Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) |
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The LMTA Foundation shares this information, courtesy of FMCSA:
On October 17, 2025, FMCSA removed the following ELDs from the list of registered ELDs due to the companies' failure to meet the minimum requirements established in Title 49 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 395.
These ELDs now appear on FMCSA’s Revoked Devices list. (ELD Name - Model Number - ELD Identifier - ELD Provider)
Motor carriers have up to 60 days to replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs. Motor carriers and drivers who use the ELDs listed above must take the following actions:
Replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs from the Registered Devices list before December 16, 2025.
Motor carriers and drivers who continue to use the revoked ELDs listed above on or after December 16, 2025 will be in violation of 49 CFR 395.8(a)(1)—“No record of duty status” and drivers will be placed out-of-service (OOS) in accordance with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) OOS Criteria.
If the ELD providers correct all identified deficiencies for its device, FMCSA will place the ELD back on the Registered Devices list and inform the industry and the field of the update. However, FMCSA strongly encourages motor carriers to take the actions listed above now to avoid compliance issues in the event that these deficiencies are not addressed by the ELD provider.
FOR MORE INFO: https://eld.fmcsa.dot.gov/ |
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Save the Date: 2026 Truck Driving Championship - June 19 - 20 | Hotel Room Block Open |
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We’re excited to announce that the 2026 Louisiana Truck Driving Championships will take place Friday, June 19 – Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. This annual event brings together the best of Louisiana’s trucking professionals for two days of skill, safety, and camaraderie. In addition to the driving competition, we will also present the Louisiana Safety Awards, including:
Applications for these awards will open in the spring of 2026. More details coming soon: Registration, sponsorship opportunities, hotel information, and the full schedule will be released in the coming weeks—stay tuned for updates! We can’t wait to see you in Lafayette for another great competition and to celebrate the outstanding professionals who keep our industry safe. Hotel & RoomsWe are excited to announce that our official room block for the Louisiana Truck Driving Championships is now open! The Hilton Garden Inn Lafayette/Cajundome is the closest hotel to the Cajundome, offering unbeatable convenience for your stay. Rooms are expected to fill quickly, so we strongly encourage you to book as soon as possible. To reserve, simply use our group code TRUCK:
Secure your room today and be right where the action is! |
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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 & 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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