House Bill No. 301, introduced by Representative Domangue, aims to enhance the procedures for the removal and salvage of abandoned vessels in Louisiana waterways. The bill amends existing law by requiring the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to establish rules and regulations that will facilitate the tagging and titling of abandoned vessels. Key provisions include the requirement for law enforcement to affix notices on abandoned vessels, allowing third parties to recover tagged vessels, and providing information about the owners of such vessels. Additionally, the bill outlines a clear process for obtaining salvage titles and selling recovered abandoned vessels, as well as notifying new registrants that they will be considered the owners and held responsible if a vessel is deemed abandoned.

The bill also amends R.S. 34:852.23, changing the language to mandate the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to adopt rules and regulations for the registration and titling of various categories of vessels, including those that are abandoned or salvaged. This legislative change aims to streamline the process and ensure that abandoned vessels are managed effectively while maintaining the authority of state and local governments to remove such vessels as needed. Overall, the bill seeks to provide a comprehensive framework for addressing the issue of abandoned vessels in Louisiana waterways.

Statutes affected:
HB301 Original: