GoAL executive set to join Louisiana Committee reviewing oversized and overweight permitting

Gulf of America Logistics (GoAL) has welcomed new legislation introducing a review of the state's oversized and overweight permitting system. GoAL Vice President – Specialized Transport Jake Minner is set to represent the Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) on the review committee established under House Concurrent Resolution 53 (HCR 53).

The legislation, which took effect in May 2026, establishes a one-year period during which local oversized trucking permitting requirements remain in place, with no new or revised municipal permitting requirements to be introduced, allowing time for a committee to evaluate how permitting is currently applied across the state.

Jake Minner, Vice President – Specialized Transport at Gulf of America Logistics, will serve as the Louisiana Motor Transport Association's (LMTA) industry representative on the committee, representing motor carriers, heavy haul operators, and other businesses affected by local permitting requirements. Drawing on his experience of permitting systems in other states, he will help ensure industry perspectives are reflected as the committee reviews Louisiana's permitting framework and develops recommendations.

As more municipalities introduced their own permit rules and requirements, Minner became increasingly concerned about the growing disconnect between local requirements and Louisiana's existing permitting framework, particularly as local carriers routinely factored municipal permit costs into their bids, while out-of-state operators often only discovered those costs after obtaining a state permit, creating uncertainty for customers and carriers alike. Recognizing these challenges, he worked with the LMTA to address the issue.

“The more fragmented the permitting process becomes, the more difficult it is to efficiently plan and execute oversized and overweight moves across the state," said Jake Minner. “It adds a level of complexity that slows down project timelines and increases the risk of costly delays.”

Renee Amar, Executive Director of the LMTA, says carriers will have their voices heard and those voices will be backed by data and certainty: “By placing the moratorium on new local permits, it shows that the government is willing to pump the brakes when there are concerns and take a step back, even in the face of opposition, to look at the facts and make it clear that we are serious about wanting to move freight and help businesses thrive.”

Representing a broad cross-section of industry, local government, and state agencies, including the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), the committee will review current permitting practices, assess how systems operate and examine approaches used in neighboring states. The review will consider ways to reduce duplication, improve consistency across jurisdictions and support efficient freight movement while balancing stakeholder needs.

The legislation comes at a time when Louisiana's industrial boom is driving billions of dollars in investment across the state, creating significant opportunities for businesses that support major energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects. As project activity continues to grow, local content—the participation of qualified Louisiana businesses, workers, and suppliers in delivering those projects—helps keep more investment, expertise, and economic value within the state while strengthening the supply chains that project developers rely on.

“Louisiana has the talent, the expertise, and the businesses to support these projects,” said Mike Camara, President & CEO of GoAL. “But that can only happen when qualified local companies have a fair opportunity to compete. Too often, out-of-state competitors win the work while homegrown carriers who do everything right are disadvantaged.”

Camara said Minner's determination to tackle the issue reflects the kind of leadership that drives meaningful change. “Jake saw the problem on the ground and didn’t wait. He took it to the LMTA, took it to Baton Rouge, and got it done. That’s what a Louisiana company fighting for local businesses looks like.”