Senate Bill No. 213, introduced by Senator Hensgens, amends the current laws regarding the titling of vessels and outboard motors in Louisiana. The bill establishes new requirements for titling, mandating that any vessel valued over $5,000 and required to be numbered, as well as any outboard motor purchased or transferred on or after January 1, 2027, must be titled. Additionally, it stipulates that applications for certificates of title for these vessels and motors must be submitted within 60 days of acquisition or any change in the title information. For all other vessels and outboard motors, the application for a title remains voluntary and can be submitted at any time.

The bill also retains existing provisions that allow for voluntary titling of certain vessels valued over $2,500 and maintains the prohibition against issuing a state certificate of title for vessels that have a valid certificate of documentation from the U.S. Coast Guard. The changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2026, and aim to streamline the titling process while ensuring that higher-value vessels and motors are properly documented.

Statutes affected:
SB213 Original: 34:4(A)