6/20/06-Gov. Kathleen Blanco signed a bill June 15 to revise the safety inspection program for certain commercial motor vehicles.
Existing state law requires the state police to inspect and certify vehicles transporting general freight and commodities, as well as raw forest products. The department also is required to provide a mobile unit that functions as an official inspection station and conduct safety inspections, on a voluntary basis, at permanent weigh scales for general freight and commodities and at or near sawmills, chip mills and paper mills for raw forest products.
The new law, previously HB1308, drops the requirement that the inspections be performed for vehicles transporting general freight and commodities on a regular – or quarterly – basis, and instead offer them only at the request of carriers at a date and time convenient for both the state police and the carrier.
The new law takes effect Aug. 15.

5/30/06-A bill awaiting final approval on the Senate floor would revise the safety inspection program for certain commercial motor vehicles. The House already unanimously approved it.
Existing state law requires the state police to inspect and certify vehicles transporting general freight and commodities, as well as raw forest products. The department also is required to provide a mobile unit that functions as an official inspection station and conduct safety inspections, on a voluntary basis, at permanent weigh scales for general freight and commodities and at or near sawmills, chip mills and paper mills for raw forest products.
Sponsored by Rep. Donald Ray Kennard, R-Baton Rouge, HB1308 would drop the requirement that the inspections be performed for vehicles transporting general freight and commodities on a regular – or quarterly – basis, and instead offer them only at the request of carriers at a date and time convenient for both the state police and the carrier.
For bill status, call (225) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.

5/19/06-The House unanimously approved a bill May 18 that would revise the safety inspection program for certain commercial motor vehicles.
Existing state law requires the state police to inspect and certify vehicles transporting general freight and commodities, as well as raw forest products. The department also is required to provide a mobile unit that functions as an official inspection station and conduct safety inspections, on a voluntary basis, at permanent weigh scales for general freight and commodities and at or near sawmills, chip mills and paper mills for raw forest products.
Sponsored by Rep. Donald Ray Kennard, R-Baton Rouge, HB1308 would drop the requirement that the inspections be performed for vehicles transporting general freight and commodities on a regular – or quarterly – basis, and instead offer them only at the request of carriers at a date and time convenient for both the state police and the carrier.
A provision was taken out on the House floor that would have authorized the same change for vehicles transporting raw forest products.
The bill has been sent to the Senate for further consideration.
For bill status, call (225) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.

5/18/06-A bill awaiting a final vote on the House floor would revise the safety inspection program for certain commercial motor vehicles.
Existing state law requires the state police to inspect and certify vehicles transporting general freight and commodities as well as raw forest products. The department also is required to provide a mobile unit that functions as an official inspection station and conduct safety inspections, on a voluntary basis, at permanent weigh scales for general freight and commodities and at or near sawmills, chip mills and paper mills for raw forest products.
Sponsored by Rep. Donald Ray Kennard, R-Baton Rouge, HB1308 would drop the requirement that the inspections be performed on a regular – or quarterly – basis and instead offer them only at the request of carriers at a date and time convenient for both the state police and the carrier.
For bill status, call (225) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.