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LouisianaHB 8682026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

MTR VEHICLE/TRAILERS: Provides relative to the requirement that trailers have approved safety chains while being towed by certain vehicles

Sponsored By: Jason Brian DeWitt (Republican)

Became Law

Transportation, Highways and Public Works

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Brake exemption for some recreational trailers

Sport, boat, and other nonagricultural trailers and semitrailers weighing between 6,000 and 7,000 pounds are exempt from the brake requirement. They must not be used in commerce. This exemption can save owners brake-installation costs, but it removes a required road-safety measure.

Brake rules for vehicles and trailers

On Louisiana highways, trailers and semitrailers need brakes when used in commerce, or when originally made with brakes and weighing at least 3,000 pounds. Required brakes must control, stop, and hold the trailer, work from the towing vehicle’s cab, and apply automatically after separation. Semitrailers, pole trailers, full trailers, and four-wheel pole trailers weighing 3,000 pounds or less are exempt when their total axle weight is no more than 40% of the towing vehicle’s total axle weight. Vehicles made or assembled after December 31, 1962, and later sold in Louisiana need all-wheel brakes if originally made with brakes. Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles remain excepted; the all-wheel exception for semitrailers now covers weights below 3,000 pounds, up from 1,500 pounds.

Farm towing exemptions keep safety duties

Farm vehicles and equipment used in genuine agricultural operations retain exemptions from specified brake and towing rules, excluding draglines and bulldozers. The farm exemption covers equipment transport within 50 miles of its starting point and fertilizer tending units. Farm trailers, semitrailers, and farm implements must still use connections strong enough for the load and secured as the manufacturer directs. Safety chains or devices originally supplied must remain securely attached and meet manufacturer specifications or applicable federal safety standards. Farmers keep limited regulatory relief but may face costs to meet these safety duties.

Secure connections and chains for towing

Towing connections must be strong enough for the load and securely attached using the manufacturer’s required pins, clips, or locks. The 15-foot connection limit remains, with exceptions for transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other qualifying long or heavy objects. Trailers and semitrailers originally made with safety chains or devices must keep them securely attached while moving. These devices must hold the trailer if its main connection fails and meet manufacturer specifications or applicable federal vehicle-safety standards. Exceptions cover qualifying fifth-wheel couplings mounted on truck tractors or comparable towing vehicles, exclusive private-property use, and trips solely crossing a public road between adjoining parcels owned or leased by the same person.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jason Brian DeWitt

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 1

Senate vote • 5/20/2026

Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 1. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 96 • No: 1

House vote • 3/16/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Becomes Act No. 778 without the Governor's signature.

    6/4/2026House

  2. Effective date: 08/01/2026.

    6/4/2026House

  3. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/25/2026House

  4. Received from the Senate without amendments.

    5/25/2026House

  5. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    5/22/2026House

  6. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/21/2026Senate

  7. Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/20/2026Senate

  8. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

    5/13/2026Senate

  9. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/12/2026Senate

  10. Reported favorably.

    5/11/2026Senate

  11. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

    4/20/2026Senate

  12. Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    4/15/2026Senate

  13. Called from the calendar.

    4/14/2026House

  14. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 1. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    4/14/2026House

  15. Called from the calendar.

    4/9/2026House

  16. Read by title, returned to the calendar.

    4/9/2026House

  17. Notice given.

    4/9/2026House

  18. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/14/2026.

    4/9/2026House

  19. Notice given.

    4/8/2026House

  20. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/09/2026.

    4/8/2026House

  21. Called from the calendar.

    3/30/2026House

  22. Read by title, returned to the calendar.

    3/30/2026House

  23. Read by title, returned to the calendar.

    3/23/2026House

  24. Notice given.

    3/23/2026House

  25. Scheduled for floor debate on 03/30/2026.

    3/23/2026House

Bill Text

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