A bill that could raise trailer registration fees for Louisiana truckers has advanced in the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works. 

House Bill 660 was advanced with six in favor and three opposed on Monday, May 12th. The bill has been recommitted to the appropriations committee due to a fiscal note.

According to The Center Square, the bill could increase registration fees for trailers from $10 to $10, and would increase light trailer registration fees from $3 to $4.50. Bill sponsors say the increased fees would help the state of Louisiana to pay for the cost of maintenance on rural roads in the face of inflation. 

“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 Senator Gary Carter, who helped to introduce the bill. “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.”

“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.” said Representative Tammy Phelps. 

“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 Representative Rodney Schamerhorn.