LEGISLATIVE ALERT

To:  Louisiana Manufacturers, Distributors, and Installers

From:  IWFA Office

Date:       April 28, 2006

Subject:  House Bill 1312

House Bill 1312 removes the provision that allows the installation of          window film on windshields for medical or security purposes.

Present law prohibits any person from operating a motor vehicle with any       object or material applied to the front windshield of the vehicle so as to       obstruct or reduce the driver’s clear view, and from placing on the front     windshield any transparent material if the material alters the color or            reduces the light transmission through such windshield or windows.              Current law also provides an exemption to the window tinting regulations             for any person with a physical or medical condition involving the effects           of the sun.  However, a person convicted of a violent crime or drug offense         is not eligible for this exemption.  There is also a provision of a security          exemption for law enforcement and similar vehicles. 

The proposed law would restrict the medical and security exceptions to         only allow the same tinting of the windshield as is allowed for other vehicles.              The current law provides for 40% VLT on front side windows, 25%                VLT on  side rear windows, and 12 % on the rear window.

The Legislative Consultant has contacted the staff in Representative       Townsend’s office to determine the genesis of the legislation.  No              additional information was provided as to the reason for this legislative      proposal.  Historically, the reduction in allowances provided by medical exemptions has met with opposition from those citizens experiencing               health problems. 

The legislation has been referred to the House Transportation Committee.