Senate Bill No. 72, introduced by Senator Hodges, aims to modernize the process of handling vehicle titles by allowing for the use of electronic signatures and documents in transactions related to the sale, transfer, titling, registration, or encumbrance of motor vehicles. The bill enacts R.S. 32:714, which stipulates that such documents may be created, executed, and submitted electronically, provided that the office of motor vehicles or its agents have the necessary technological capabilities. It also ensures that the legal effect or enforceability of these documents cannot be challenged solely based on their electronic format.

Additionally, the bill specifies that electronic signatures will fulfill any legal requirements for signing, endorsing, or executing documents, while still maintaining any existing requirements for witnessing, acknowledgment, or notarization. It further allows for documents that require notarization in motor vehicle transactions to be notarized electronically or through remote online notarization, in accordance with the Remote Online Notarization Act. This legislation is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.