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LouisianaHB 8882026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

MTR VEHICLE/LICEN PLATES: Provides for the regulations of temporary dealers plates

Sponsored By: Michael Melerine (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.

Dealers can offer more customer loaners

Louisiana dealers can lend customers vehicles with dealer inventory plates during repairs or warranty service at that dealer. Dealers can also use identification-plated vehicles for dealership business, including customer loaners during service or repair. Authorized educational institution employees and licensed dealer sales representatives can use inventory-plated vehicles for business purposes without that counting as renting or leasing. These inventory-plate uses are lawful, but federal tax rules still apply when use counts as a taxable employee benefit.

Dealer identification plates last ten days

Dealer demonstration and transportation identification plates now last 10 consecutive calendar days, up from five. Day one is the first day the plate is displayed on the vehicle. The plate expires at 11:59 p.m. on day ten. Dealers can attach these plates to the rear window instead of the rear bumper.

Dealers face stronger temporary plate standards

Security and printing requirements start after public notice confirms the electronic system and approved secure stock are ready. Approved stock must have a machine-readable serial identifier, a visible anti-counterfeiting feature, and durable material meeting motor vehicle office standards. Plates must come only from the approved system; outside copying of plate numbers, images, or formats is prohibited. Plates, inks, and readable codes must stay intact and legible throughout registration; ordinary weather exposure includes at least 60 outdoor days. The commissioner must set minimum standards and can suspend or revoke stock approval; failures during the registration period violate these requirements.

Dealer printing option carries delayed plate fees

The commissioner can supply predesigned temporary plates or authorize dealers to print them through an approved electronic system. Licensed automobile, trailer, truck, motorcycle, and motorized camper dealers can apply using the required form or approved website. Dealers can issue temporary registration plates to vehicle owners, but not for apportioned trucks. The $20 fee applies per plate or piece of approved stock, only after public notice confirms system and stock readiness. Before implementation or major changes to stock, equipment, or issuance steps, the commissioner must consult dealers or their representatives.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michael Melerine

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • John R. Illg Jr.

    Republican • House

  • Joy Walters

    Democratic • House

  • Raymond J. Crews

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 248 • No: 0

House vote • 5/27/2026

Read by title, roll called, yeas 98, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

Yes: 98 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/20/2026

Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 99, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 3/30/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 16 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 681.

    6/1/2026House

  2. Effective date: 06/01/2026.

    6/1/2026House

  3. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    5/29/2026House

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

    5/28/2026House

  5. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/28/2026Senate

  6. Read by title, roll called, yeas 98, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

    5/27/2026House

  7. Scheduled for concurrence on 05/27/2026.

    5/26/2026House

  8. Received from the Senate with amendments.

    5/25/2026House

  9. Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/20/2026Senate

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

    5/13/2026Senate

  11. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/12/2026Senate

  12. Reported with amendments.

    5/11/2026Senate

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

    4/8/2026Senate

  14. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 99, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    4/7/2026House

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

    4/7/2026Senate

  16. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/07/2026.

    4/1/2026House

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

    3/31/2026House

  18. Reported with amendments (16-0).

    3/30/2026House

  19. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

    3/9/2026House

  20. Prefiled.

    2/27/2026House

  21. Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

    2/27/2026House

  22. First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.

    2/27/2026House

Bill Text

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