ENVIRONMENT/WASTE TIRES: Increases the cap on fees collected for the Waste Tire Management Dedicated Fund Account and dedicates additional revenue for a tire buy back program (OR +$5,100,000 SG RV See Note)

HB 704 increases the maximum fee charged per tire sale for waste tire management in Louisiana, raising caps from $2.25 to $3.25 for passenger tires, $5 to $6 for medium truck tires, and $10 to $11 for off-road tires. It mandates that $1 from every tire sold be dedicated to a new tire buyback program, where consumers can sell used tires for cash. The bill creates a special fund to manage these fees and the buyback program, administered by the Department of Environmental Quality. This directly affects tire retailers (who collect the fees) and consumers (who pay the higher prices and may use the buyback program).