(The Center Square) — A bill that could increase trailer registration fees for truckers advanced in the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works on Monday.
House Bill 660 would raise registration fees for trailers and sub-trailers from $10 to $15, and light trailers would increase from $3 to $4.50 per year.
The bill advanced, but due to a fiscal note, has been recommitted to the appropriations committee.
Despite the bill being advanced, opposition was strident about keeping costs down for truckers.
According to the bill sponsors, the increase is needed to keep up with inflation and the cost of maintenance when it comes to upkeep on rural roads.
“I understand that we do need the funds. I do understand that the issue at hand is the revenue that comes in, but at this time, I cannot go along with this increase… These people are hurting, and it’s just no way that I can go along with this,” said Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn, R-Hornbeck.
New Orleans Democrats Rep. Delisha Boyd and Sen. Gary Carter introduced the bill. Carter clarified in the meeting the importance of the increase despite cost concerns.
“We haven’t increased it since 2002, so you think about just ordinary inflation, then you think about the extraordinary inflation that we have,” said Carter.
According to Boyd, these are the only funds dedicated to maintaining rural roads. She also said the increase is annual.
“I don’t think it gets any plainer that we need maintenance support, Rep. Tammy Phelps, D-Shreveport, said during discussion. “If we keep pushing the can down the road, when it just comes to all of our roads, like we have before, we won’t have any roads to maintain.”
A representative from the Louisiana Motor Transport Association spoke in opposition to the bill, noting to Phelps that many truckers support a gas tax that spreads across everybody instead of affecting only truckers.
“Just in the last 18 months or so, the state of Louisiana has had to put millions of dollars, I believe it’s 10 or so million, into state general funds in order to keep up with the maintenance and cost that this particular fund can handle,” said Carter.
HB660 was advanced with six in favor and three opposed during Monday’s meeting.
