This bill amends existing Louisiana law regarding abandoned vessels by introducing new provisions and clarifying the responsibilities of vessel owners and authorities. It requires owners of abandoned vessels to remove their property within thirty days of receiving a written notice from the relevant authority. The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption of ownership for vessels without documentation, identifying the last known registrant as the presumed owner. Additionally, if the owner cannot be located, the authority must publish a notice before removing the vessel at the owner's expense.

The legislation also allows third parties to remove abandoned vessels if the owner fails to do so within the specified timeframe, and it mandates the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to create rules for the registration and titling of abandoned vessels. These rules will include processes for obtaining information about vessel ownership, notifying new registrants of their responsibilities, and ensuring that entry onto private property for vessel removal is only permitted with the property owner's consent. The bill aims to streamline the management of abandoned vessels and enhance accountability among vessel owners.

Statutes affected:
HB676 Original: 34:843(A)(1)
HB676 Engrossed: 34:843(A)(1)
HB676 Reengrossed: 34:843(A)(1)
HB676 Enrolled: 34:843(A)(1)
HB676 Act : 34:843(A)(1)