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LouisianaHB 6762025 Regular SessionHouse

WATERWAYS/OBSTRUCTIONS: Provides for the removal and salvage of abandoned vessels in waterways (EN INCREASE SD RV See Note)

Sponsored By: Jessica Domangue (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Transportation, Highways and Public Works

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Abandoned vessels face removal and sale

The law covers abandoned vessels, equipment, and other objects in Louisiana waterways, on their banks, and in listed drainage areas. When there is no immediate danger, owners must submit removal plans within 30 days after receiving certified-mail notice. Plans must call for removal as soon as possible, considering safety, cost, and efficiency. The authority must approve or reject plans within 30 days of submission. If owners cannot be identified or located, a parish journal notice must announce removal after 30 calendar days at their expense and disposal if not removed. If owners miss the required removal periods, third parties can remove objects at their own expense. They can discard them or transfer ownership by sale, exchange, or another means for any price or consideration.

Private property entry still requires consent

The abandoned-vessel law does not give authorities or other parties permission to enter private property without the property owner's consent.

Vessel lenders get abandoned-property notices

Authorities must notify affected lenders at the same time they notify owners about abandoned vessels or objects. Written notices must go by certified mail. This covers holders of properly filed and perfected ship mortgages shown in the vessel's title record. It also covers holders of security interests in the vessel or object.

Vessel ownership and salvage rules change

For vessels with neither Coast Guard documentation nor a Louisiana title, the last known registrant is presumed to be the owner. That person can present evidence to challenge the presumption. Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries must set procedures for finding vessel ownership records, security interests, and ship mortgages. It must also set procedures for salvage titles and sales of recovered abandoned vessels. Registration and titling rules cover abandoned, salvaged, towed-and-stored, court-transferred, and previously undocumented vessels or outboard motors. Required notices must warn new registrants that they may be treated as owners and held responsible for abandonment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jessica Domangue

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/3/2025

Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 5/7/2025

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2025

Read by title, substitute title adopted, lies over in the same order of business, substitute for HB No. 301 reported by the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 216.

    6/8/2025House

  2. Effective date: 08/01/2025.

    6/8/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    6/5/2025House

  4. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

    6/4/2025House

  5. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    6/4/2025Senate

  6. Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    6/3/2025Senate

  7. Received from the Senate without amendments.

    6/3/2025House

  8. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    6/1/2025Senate

  9. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

    6/1/2025Senate

  10. Reported favorably.

    5/29/2025Senate

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

    5/12/2025Senate

  12. Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    5/8/2025Senate

  13. Read by title, returned to the calendar.

    5/7/2025House

  14. Called from the calendar.

    5/7/2025House

  15. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    5/7/2025House

  16. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/07/2025.

    5/6/2025House

  17. Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

    4/30/2025House

  18. Read by title, substitute title adopted, lies over in the same order of business, substitute for HB No. 301 reported by the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works (9-0).

    4/29/2025House

Bill Text

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