KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Louisiana

SCR18 • 2026

MOTOR VEHICLES: Requests the office of motor vehicles to study the privileges granted by a commercial driver's license compared to neighboring states.

MOTOR VEHICLES: Requests the office of motor vehicles to study the privileges granted by a commercial driver's license compared to neighboring states.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Michael "Big Mike" Fesi
Last action
2026-05-20
Official status
Sent to the Secretary of State
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify that the study must focus on making transportation easier and safer while maintaining road safety, although it is implied in the context of improving efficiency and competitiveness.

Study on Commercial Driver's License Privileges

This resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles to study how commercial driver's licenses work in Louisiana compared to Texas and Mississippi.

What This Bill Does

  • Asks the Office of Motor Vehicles to look at differences between Louisiana’s laws for commercial drivers' licenses and those of neighboring states like Texas and Mississippi.
  • Includes a review of license requirements, issuing procedures, vehicle size limits, and special transport rules.
  • Requests that the findings be shared with lawmakers by February 1, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Commercial drivers in Louisiana who operate vehicles across state lines.
  • Businesses that rely on efficient freight movement through Louisiana.

Terms To Know

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A special license needed to drive large trucks or buses for work purposes.
Oversize and overweight load permitting
Special permissions required when transporting very heavy or large items that exceed normal limits.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The resolution does not change current laws but requests a study.
  • It is unclear what specific changes might come from the findings of this study.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-20 S

    Sent to the Secretary of State by the Secretary of the Senate.

  2. 2026-05-18 H

    Signed by the Speaker of the House.

  3. 2026-05-14 S

    Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.

  4. 2026-05-13 S

    Received from the House without amendments.

  5. 2026-05-13 H

    Read by title, concurred in by vote of 88 yeas, 0 nays.

  6. 2026-05-12 H

    Scheduled for floor debate on 05/13/2026.

  7. 2026-04-28 H

    Read by title, passed to 3rd reading.

  8. 2026-04-27 H

    Reported favorably (13-0).

  9. 2026-04-09 H

    Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

  10. 2026-04-08 H

    Read by title. Lies over under the rules.

  11. 2026-04-08 H

    Received in the House from the Senate.

  12. 2026-04-07 S

    Read by title and adopted by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays. Ordered sent to the House.

  13. 2026-04-01 S

    Reported favorably.

  14. 2026-03-25 S

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

  15. 2026-03-24 S

    Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

Official Summary Text

MOTOR VEHICLES: Requests the office of motor vehicles to study the privileges granted by a commercial driver's license compared to neighboring states.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
2026 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18
BY SENATOR FESI
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of
motor vehicles, in coordination with the Department of Transportation and
Development and other relevant agencies, to study the differences between
Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi laws and regulations governing commercial
driver's licenses and commercial freight hauling operations and to report findings and
recommendations to the legislature regarding improving regulatory alignment and
cohesiveness amongst the states.
WHEREAS, Louisiana serves as a major transportation corridor for interstate
commerce and freight movement throughout the Gulf Coast region; and
WHEREAS, commercial motor vehicle drivers and freight carriers operating within
Louisiana frequently conduct operations across state lines into neighboring states including
Texas and Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, though federal law establishes minimum standards for commercial
driver's licenses and commercial motor vehicle safety, states retain authority to regulate
certain aspects of commercial motor vehicle operations including oversize and overweight
load permitting, intrastate licensing administration, commodity-specific transport rules, and
enforcement practices; and
WHEREAS, Texas and Mississippi drivers may operate vehicles with up to twenty-
six thousand pounds with a standard driver's license, yet Louisiana's standard license does
not cover the same vehicle weight class; and
WHEREAS, differences between state regulatory systems create operational
challenges, administrative burdens, and economic disadvantages for Louisiana drivers
compared to carriers operating in multiple jurisdictions with more advantageous state
regulations; and
Page 1 of 3
SCR NO. 18 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, Louisiana businesses, ports, distribution centers, and energy
infrastructure depend heavily on efficient freight movement and competitive transportation
policies; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of Louisiana's commercial motor vehicle
regulatory framework compared to neighboring states may identify opportunities to improve
efficiency, promote safety, and strengthen Louisiana's competitiveness as a regional
transportation hub.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
request the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, in
coordination with the Department of Transportation and Development and other appropriate
state agencies, to conduct a study of the differences between Louisiana, Texas, and
Mississippi laws and regulations including but not limited to:
(1) Commercial driver's license classifications and endorsement requirements,
including hazardous materials endorsements.
(2) CDL issuance, renewal, and administrative procedures.
(3) Commercial motor vehicle size and weight limitations.
(4) Oversize and overweight load permitting policies.
(5) Commodity-specific transport regulations and exemptions.
(6) Other commercial motor vehicle operational requirements affecting interstate
freight movement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study shall identify regulatory differences
that may affect interstate commercial drivers or Louisiana-based motor carriers operating
in multiple states and shall evaluate whether greater regulatory consistency with neighboring
states could improve transportation efficiency and economic competitiveness while
maintaining roadway safety.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Safety and
Corrections, office of motor vehicles, shall submit a written report of its findings and any
recommendations for legislative or administrative action to the House Committee on
Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the Senate Committee on Transportation,
Highways and Public Works no later than February 1, 2027.
Page 2 of 3
SCR NO. 18 ENROLLED
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, the commissioner of the office
of motor vehicles, the secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development, and
the executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Page 3 of 3