Senate Bill No. 236, introduced by Senator Hensgens, aims to amend the structure and qualifications of the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission. The bill proposes that the commission will consist of 18 members appointed by the governor, with the chairman being selected from the state at large. The remaining 17 members will be appointed from the state's six congressional districts, ensuring at least one member from each district. Additionally, 15 of these members must maintain an active license issued by the commission for at least five consecutive years and be residents of Louisiana with good moral character. The bill also specifies representation from various sectors, including vehicle leasing, heavy truck sales, marine product sales, motorcycle sales, recreational vehicle sales, and sales financing. The remaining three members will be public members, either retired judges or licensed attorneys with a minimum of ten years of legal experience, who have never been licensed by the commission.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a dispute resolution panel composed of the three public members to handle specific disputes and complaints related to the motor vehicle industry. This panel will have full adjudicatory authority, including the power to issue subpoenas and render final decisions. The attorney general will oversee legal services for the panel, and any aggrieved party will have the right to seek judicial review of the panel's decisions within 30 days. The bill also mandates that all gubernatorial appointments to the commission be subject to Senate confirmation and allows for compensation for panel members, to be paid from the commission's administrative funds. The proposed changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
SB37 Original: 32:1253(A), 32:1253(A)(1)
SB37 Engrossed: