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LouisianaSB 722026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

MOTOR VEHICLES: Provides for electronic titles and registration of motor vehicles. (gov sig)

Sponsored By: Valarie Hodges (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Transportation, Highways and Public Works

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Electronic signatures count in vehicle transactions

The motor vehicle office must accept electronic records and signatures for covered sales, leases, transfers, titles, registrations, and financing. Accepted records equal original paper documents and handwritten signatures, generally need no notarization, and can serve as evidence in proceedings. State-certified paper copies also serve as evidence; specified insurer transfers after damage payments can use electronic signatures without notarization. Transactions must follow state electronic-transaction law and federal IAL2 identity-check standards when federal law or rules require them. These rules start January 1, 2028, or earlier when the statewide system is certified fully operational; previously lawful electronic transactions remain valid.

Five-day lien releases after vehicle loan payoff

Lienholders using Louisiana's electronic system must process an electronic title's lien release within five business days. The clock starts after full payment and when the lienholder considers the payoff funds collected. This includes lienholders using public tag agents, but does not cover paper titles. The deadline starts January 1, 2028, or earlier when the statewide system is certified fully operational.

Vehicle owners get digital titles and choice

Louisiana must offer secure paperless titles with real-time online access, electronic transfers, and dealer assignments without paper titles. Digital titles have the same legal effect as paper titles and are recognized in other U.S. jurisdictions. The state cannot require one proprietary app when an approved alternative is available, or grant exclusive resident-facing service rights. Louisiana remains the only title issuer, and providers must meet state security, privacy, technical, audit, and compatibility standards. These rules start when the digital title system is certified operational or January 1, 2031, whichever comes first.

Dealer protections limit some vehicle transaction lawsuits

Dealers and authorized officers gain protection from civil liability based solely on electronic records, signatures, or remotely notarized powers of attorney. They must use approved systems, act in good faith, follow state requirements, and lack actual knowledge of fraud or unauthorized access. The protection does not cover intentional misconduct or gross negligence. It starts January 1, 2028, or earlier when the statewide system is certified fully operational.

More vehicle lenders must use tag agents

Federally insured banks originating more than 25 vehicle transactions yearly must designate a public tag agent for electronic lien confirmations and releases. The law lowers the prior threshold from more than 250 transactions yearly. It also extends the designation requirement to finance companies, lending institutions, and other lenders. Bonded public license tag agents can charge customers service fees, but the law sets no amounts.

Electronic vehicle filing brings new business duties

Louisiana must create a statewide electronic system for vehicle titles, registrations, and liens, including lien releases. This requirement starts January 1, 2028, or earlier when the motor vehicle office certifies the system is fully operational. People who regularly file covered documents for business must use it starting January 1, 2029, or earlier upon certification. The department can allow exceptions and must set rules for access, security, privacy, audits, and approved providers. The system supports electronic processing but adds a required filing method for businesses.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Valarie Hodges

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Kellee Hennessy Dickerson

    Republican • House

  • Paul Sawyer

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 140 • No: 0

House vote • 5/18/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 94, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 94 • No: 0

House vote • 5/11/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 454.

    5/29/2026Senate

  2. Effective date 8/1/2026.

    5/29/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/25/2026House

  4. Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/21/2026Senate

  5. Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.

    5/21/2026Senate

  6. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/18/2026.

    5/18/2026House

  7. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 94, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    5/18/2026House

  8. Received from the House with amendments.

    5/18/2026Senate

  9. Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/13/2026House

  10. Reported with Legislative Bureau amendments.

    5/12/2026House

  11. Reported with amendments (10-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/11/2026House

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

    4/7/2026House

  13. Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.

    4/1/2026House

  14. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    3/31/2026Senate

  15. Read by title. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.

    3/30/2026Senate

  16. Reported favorably.

    3/25/2026Senate

  17. Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

    3/9/2026Senate

  18. Prefiled and under the rules provisionally referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

    2/19/2026Senate

Bill Text

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