LMTA's Legislative Overview - 2026 Session Week 7
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THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL WITH LMTA
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THIS WEEK’S NEWS
This week saw important progress at the Capitol on legislation impacting litigation exposure, independent contractor relationships, and the long‑term health of Louisiana’s trucking industry. Key bills advanced out of committee without objection, reflecting strong legislative consensus on these issues.
COMMITTEE ACTION
- House Natural Resources Committee – HB 804 by Rep. Brett Geymann (SUPPORT)
- HB 804 by Rep. Brett Geymann advanced out of the House Natural Resources Committee without objection this week. This is an important bill for truckers as it seeks to prevent lawsuits based on climate‑change liability theories.
- These types of lawsuits are already being filed in other states and often target not only energy producers, but those involved in commerce and transportation. As litigation theories expand, truckers can be pulled into costly and speculative lawsuits. HB 804 is intended to stop that trend before it takes hold in Louisiana, helping avoid increased liability, rising insurance pressures, and operational uncertainty for motor carriers.
- Senate Labor Committee – HB 185 by Rep. Michael Melerine (SUPPORT)
- HB 185 by Rep. Michael Melerine also moved forward this week, advancing out of the Senate Labor Committee without objection.
- HB 185 clarifies how independent contractor status is applied in workers’ compensation cases following a recent Louisiana Supreme Court decision. The bill reaffirms existing statutory standards and provides important clarity so that long‑standing independent contractor relationships — particularly critical to the trucking industry and owner‑operators — are not unintentionally disrupted through expanded judicial interpretation. This clarification is limited to the workers’ compensation context, helping restore predictability and stability for employers and contractors alike.
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LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK
Several additional bills of importance to the trucking industry are scheduled — or expected — to be heard next week, and LMTA will remain actively engaged.
- HB 1089 by Rep. Dennis Bamburg – CARE Account
- HB 1089 by Rep. Dennis Bamburg will be heard in the House Civil Law Committee on Monday at 9:30 AM. This bill establishes the CARE Account, which seeks to address the use of life care plans in litigation. Life care plans are often used to project long‑term medical costs and can significantly inflate damage awards. HB 1089 aims to bring added structure, transparency, and accountability to this process — an issue of direct importance to truckers facing ongoing litigation exposure.
- HB 746 by Rep. Chuck Owen – Heavy Haul Local Permit Bill
- HB 746 by Rep. Chuck Owen will be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee. This bill pertains to local permitting for heavy haul loads, a critical operational issue for motor carriers moving oversized and overweight freight. We are currently awaiting the specific day and time of this hearing and will update members once it is scheduled.
- HB 380 by Rep. Travis Johnson – Transportation Career Pathways
- HB 380 by Rep. Travis Johnson is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Education Committee. This legislation would expose high school students to the wide range of careers available in the transportation industry through a partnership between LCTCS and local high schools. Workforce development remains a top priority for LMTA, and this bill represents an important step toward building the next generation of transportation professionals.
LMTA will continue to closely track these bills and will keep members informed as legislation advances and action becomes necessary.
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