Senate Bill No. by Senator Owen amends the Louisiana Towing and Storage Act to enhance the procedures for establishing vehicle ownership and the state of origin for stored vehicles. The bill mandates that within five business days of obtaining a vehicle, the owner of a towing, storage, or parking facility must make a good faith effort to determine the vehicle's registration state by examining various sources, including the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles' database and other relevant documentation. Additionally, the timeframe for notifying vehicle owners and lienholders has been reduced from ten to seven business days, with specific notice requirements outlined, including details about the vehicle and the right to request an administrative hearing. Notably, if the facility fails to comply with these notice requirements, they cannot impose storage charges.

The bill also stipulates that when surrendering a stored vehicle, towing-storage operators must accept various forms of documentation as proof of interest in the vehicle, such as electronic or paper titles and contracts. Furthermore, it requires operators to provide an itemized invoice detailing the towing and storage charges, as well as to allow inspection of the vehicle and the release of personal property not affixed to it within one hour of the request. The legislation clarifies that a rental vehicle agreement does not establish agency for the purpose of releasing the vehicle, but mandates that personal property belonging to the renter must be returned promptly. The proposed changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB263 Original: