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Louisiana Law Centralizes Oversize Permitting

[ June 26, 2026   //   ]

Louisiana has moved to streamline the movement of oversized and overweight freight with the enactment of House Bill 746, now Act 566, legislation that makes the state’s Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) the primary authority for issuing heavy-haul permits statewide. The measure was authored by state Rep. Charles Owen and was signed into law May 29.

The legislation is designed to eliminate a patchwork of local permitting requirements that carriers, logging companies and specialized transport operators have long argued created delays, administrative burdens and uncertainty when moving oversized loads across multiple parishes.

Under Act 566, local governments and political subdivisions are prohibited from issuing special permits that exceed or conflict with state requirements. The law effectively centralizes permitting authority within DOTD, creating a single statewide framework for oversized and overweight movements.  

Industry supporters say the change should reduce permitting delays and improve route planning by removing inconsistencies between local jurisdictions. Companies transporting construction equipment, energy-sector components, timber products and other heavy cargoes often must cross several parishes on a single trip, requiring compliance with varying local regulations.

The legislation also establishes a temporary moratorium on new local heavy-haul permitting requirements while state officials and industry stakeholders review the broader regulatory framework. Supporters contend the pause will prevent additional layers of regulation from being added as Louisiana transitions to a centralized system.

Transportation and logistics interests have argued that the previous parish-by-parish approach increased costs, created route uncertainty and complicated compliance efforts. By consolidating permitting authority, the state hopes to improve freight mobility while maintaining safety oversight through DOTD.

HB 746 received unanimous support throughout the legislative process, passing the Louisiana House 102-0 on final passage and later clearing the Senate 36-0 before being signed into law as Act 566.  

The measure comes as Louisiana continues broader efforts to improve freight efficiency and support industries dependent on heavy-haul transportation, including energy, manufacturing, forestry and port-related cargo movements.

Carriers seeking oversize and overweight permits will continue to work through the Louisiana DOTD Truck Permit Office, which administers statewide route approvals, operating requirements and related restrictions.

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