SLS 26RS-171 REENGROSSED Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE BILL NO.
72 BY SENATOR HODGES MOTORAND VEHICLES.REPRESENTATIVES DICKERSON AND SAWYER AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S.
Provides32:707.2(A), for(C)(1), electronictitlesand andregistration(D), ofmotorto vehicles.enact R.S.
(gov32:702(18), sig)705(B)(6) ANand ACT(7), To707.2(I) amendand (J), 707.2.1, and reenact707.2.2, and to repeal R.S.
32:707.2(A), (C)(1) and (2), and (D), to enact R.S.
32:702(18), 705(B)(6) and (7), 707.2(I) and (J), 707.2.1, 707.2.2, and 714, and to repeal R.S.
to provideforsystemrequirementsforelectroniclien,titling,andrecordationofmotorprovideforsystem requirementsforelectroniclien,titling,andrecordationofmotor vehicles;
32:707.2(A), (C)(1)(C)(1), and (2), and (D) are herebyherebyamended amended and reenactedandR.S.32:702(18),705(B)(6)and(7),707.2(I)and(J),707.2.1,707.2.2,and714reenacted areand herebyenactedR.S.32:702(18),705(B)(6)and(7),707.2(I)and(J),707.2.1,and707.2.2areherebyenacted to read as follows:
* * * Page(18)"Certificateoftitle"meanstherecordthatisevidenceofownership 1 of 10a Coding:motor vehicle, whether paper or electronic, issued by the department.
Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
SLS 26RS-171 REENGROSSED SB NO.
72 (18)"Certificateoftitle"meanstherecordthatisevidenceofownership of a motor vehicle, whether paper or electronic, issued by the department.
* * * (6) The electronic signature of the seller affixed to an electronic record of assignment or transfer of title in a manner authorized by the department, consistentPage with1 the provisions of the9 UniformCoding: Electronic Transaction Act, R.S.
Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
SB NO.
72 ENROLLED consistent with the provisions of the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act, R.S.
The electronic signatures shall comply with the AuthenticationIdentity AssuranceLevel2(AAL2)securitystandardasdefinedintheNationalInstituteAssurance Level 2 (IAL2) security standard when required by federal law or regulation, as defined in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-63-3.800-63A.
Electronic media system for lien recordationrecordation; and title information;
vehicle titling and registration;
participation requirements;
rules and regulations A.(1)A.Thedepartmentshalldevelopandimplementonastatewidebasisnolater The department shall develop and implement on a statewide basis no later than JanuaryJanuary1, 1, 2010, a computer system which will permit the electronic recording of information concerning the perfection and release of vehicle security interestswithoutsubmittingorreceivingpapertitledocuments,includingelectronicinterests lien,withoutsubmittingorreceivingthepapertitledocumentsincludingelectroniclien, electronicelectronictitling,andelectronicregistration.Thedepartmentmayshallallowthe titling,submission of vehicle title information for new, transferred, and corrected certificatesoftitle,includingtheperfectionandreleaseofsecurityinterests,through electronic registration.media means in a cost-effective manner in lieu of the submission and maintenance of paper documents otherwise required by this Chapter.
The departmentsystem may shall allowenable thesubmissionthe ofability vehicleto titletransact, informationprocess, forrecord,and new,transmit transferred,andcertificates correctedof certificatesoftitle,includingtheperfectionandreleaseofsecurityinterests,throughtitleand electronicto mediarecordand meansreleaseliens inthrough aacompletelyelectronicprocessfor cost-effective manner in lieu of the submissionfollowing andusers: Page 2 of 10 Coding:
(1) All business entities and their service providers applying for automotive titles and registrations, for itself or the customers.
(2) All federally insured depository institutions, their affiliates and subsidiaries, other lenders, and their public tag agents and other service providers.
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SLS 26RS-171 REENGROSSED SB NO.
72 maintenanceENROLLED * * * C.(1)Anapprovedpubliclicensetagagentoperatingasecuredhostcomputer systeminterfacingwiththecomputersystemoftheDepartmentofPublic Safetyand Corrections, office of papermotor documentsvehicles, otherwiseand requiredthe bycomputer thissystem Chapter.of a lending institution orothersalesfinancecompanyshallbebondedinanamount specifiedby the department.
The system shall enable the ability to transact, process, record,and transmit certificates of title through a completely electronic process for:
(a) All business entities and their service providers applying for automotive titles and registrations, for itself or the customers.
(b) Electronic submission of liens and lien satisfactions by financial institutions and its service providers pursuant to R.S.
32:708.
(2) The electronic lien, electronic titling, and electronic registration system shall provide that any lien or security pursuant to R.S.
32:708 shall be electronically transmitted to the department based on the following:
(a) If thereare oneormoreliens orencumbranceson the motor vehicle, the department shall electronically transmit the lien to the first lienholder and notify the first lienholder of any additional liens, provided thatamotor vehicle lien is noted on the face of the certificate of titleand notwithstanding any other requirements in this Chapter.
(i)Subsequentliensatisfactionsshallbeelectronicallytransmittedtothe departmentandshallincludethenameandaddressofthepersonsatisfyingthe lien.
(ii) A certificate of title shall not be issued until the last lien is satisfied and there is a clear certificate of title that can be issued to the owner of the vehicle.Thedepartmentisnotobligatedtoprintapapertitleuntilthefinallien is satisfied, except where specifically requested by a dealer or financial institution to fulfill its business requirements.
A paper certificate of title shall be issued only upon request of the vehicle owner or lienholder and upon payment of any applicable fees established by the department.
(b)(i) Vehicles subject to an electronic lien shall have the certificate of title for the vehicle considered to be physically held by the lienholder for the purposeofcompliancewithstateandfederalodometerdisclosurerequirements.
(ii)Adulycertifiedcopyoftheofficeofmotorvehicle'selectronicrecord Page 3 of 10 Coding:
Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
SLS 26RS-171 REENGROSSED SB NO.
72 of the lien shall be admissible in any civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding in this state as evidence of the existence of a lien.
* * * C.(1)Anapprovedpubliclicensetagagentoperatingasecuredhostcomputer systeminterfacingwith thecomputersystemoftheDepartmentofPublicSafetyand Corrections, office of motor vehicles, and the computer system of a lending institution orothersalesfinancecompanyshall bebondedinanamountspecifiedby the department.
Notwithstanding anyother law to the contrary, a written or printed report of an electronic media transactionortransaction recordingrequiredunderor recordingrequired under the provisions of this Section, if certified as true and correct bythe department, shall serve as evidence of any signature, acknowledgment, or information which was provided to or by the departmentthroughelectronicmeans,andthecertificationshallbeadmissibleinany legal proceeding as evidence of the facts stated therein.
LienholdersAny lienholder using the department's electronic lien and electronic titling system, directly or through a public tag agent, to release a lien encumbering an electronic certificate of title shall process the electronic lien releasesrelease within twofive business days fromthedatethefundsafter aredeemedcollectedandthe shalllienholder maintainhas real-timebeen Pagepaid 4in offull 10and Coding:the payoff funds are deemed by the lienholder to be collected.
The Page 3 of 9 Coding:
SLS 26RS-171 REENGROSSED SB NO.
72 accuracyENROLLED requirements of statusthis information.Subsection shall not apply to paper certificates of title, which shall be governed by R.S.
J.32:708.
J.(1) Beginning twelve months after theJanuary effective1, date2028, onor whichthe date the officeDepartmentof ofPublic motorSafetyand vehiclesCorrections,officeof certifiesmotorvehicles,certifies that thea electronicfully operational statewide electronic, lien, electronic titling, and electronicelectronicregistrationsystemhasbeenimplemented,whicheveroccurssooner, registrationany functionalityperson iswho, availablein the regular course of business, submits applications for usecertificates byof alltitle, licensedregistration, motorlien vehiclerecordings, dealerslien statewide,satisfactions, eachor other documents to the department in connection with motor vehicle dealertransactions licensedshall pursuantsubmit those applications through the system, subject to R.S.such exceptions as the department may provide by rule.
32:1251etseq.,shallsubmitallapplicationsforcertificatesoftitle,registration,(2)Thedepartmentshallpromulgaterulesandregulationsinaccordance andotherownershiptransferdocumentsthroughwith theelectroniclien,electronicthe titling,Administrative andProcedure electronicAct registrationestablishing system,definitions, exceptoperational contrarystandards, toperformance anyrequirements, othercompliance provisioncriteria, ofand lawreporting orrequirements providedfor byelectronic rulelien ofand thetitle, department.electronic vehicle registration, and electronic registration and titling systems.
Electronic signatures and records for motor vehicle transactions A.NotwithstandingA.Anydocument,record,orinstrumentrequiredinconnectionwiththe anyprovisionoflawtothecontrary,anydocument,sale,lease,transfer,titling, record, or instrument required in connection with the sale, lease, transfer, titling, registration, or financing of amotorvehicle,unlessamotorvehiclemaybe otherwisecreated, exemptedexecuted, bythisSectionshallbecreated,executed,transmitted,andstoredelectronically,transmitted, and stored electronically, including but not limited to the following:
(3) Odometer disclosures.disclosure forms.
(5) ElectronicAttestations. attestations.
B.(1)B. Any documents used to transfer ownership of a vehicle to an insurancecompanyafterpaymentofdamagesmaybesignedelectronicallyand reproduced in paper form and shall not require notarization.
Any documents used to transfer ownership of a vehicle to an insurancecompanyafterpaymentofdamagesmaybesignedelectronicallyand reproduced in paper form and shall not require notarization.
(a)Page Limited4 powers of attorney.9 Coding:
(b) Applications for duplicate titles.
(c) Odometer disclosure forms.
(2)ElectronicsignaturesshallcomplywiththeAuthenticationAssurance Level 2 (AAL2) security standard as defined in the National Institute of Page 5 of 10 Coding:
SLS 26RS-171 REENGROSSED SB NO.
72 StandardsENROLLED and(1) TechnologyLimited Specialpowers Publicationof 800-63-3.attorney.
C.(1)(2) TheApplications Department of Public Safety and Corrections,office of motor vehicles, shall accept electronic records and electronic signatures for theduplicate documentstitles. and records identified in Subsection A of this Section and any electronic signature or electronic record acceptedby the department pursuant to this Section shall have the same force and effect as an original written document or handwritten signatureand shall satisfyany legal requirement for a written record or signature.
(3) Odometer disclosure forms.
C.(1) Electronic signatures shall comply with the Identity Assurance Level2(IAL2)securitystandardwhenrequiredbyfederallaworregulationas defined in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-63A.
(2) An electronic signature or electronic record accepted by the departmentpursuanttothisSection,includingalegiblyscannedorimagedcopy of a signed document, shall have the same force and effect as a handwritten signature or original paper document, shall satisfy any legal requirement for a written signature or record, shall not require notarization, and shall be admissible for all legal and evidentiary purposes to the same extent as a handwritten signature or original paper document.
D.(1) The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, shall accept electronic records and electronic signatures for the documentsandrecordsidentifiedinSubsectionsAandBofthisSectionandany electronic signature or electronic record accepted by the department pursuant to this Section shall have the same force and effect as an original written documentorhandwrittensignature and shall satisfy any legalrequirementfor a written record or signature.
D.E.(1) A dealer or authorized officer as set forth in R.S.
An32:702 electronicusing signaturean thatapproved issystem authenticated in agood mannerfaith approvedand bywithout theactual departmentknowledge shallof satisfyfraud anyor requirementunauthorized foraccessshall abeimmune writtenfromcivil signatureliability andarising shallsolely notfromthe requireuse notarization.of electronic signatures, remote notarization of powers of attorney or Page 5 of 9 Coding:
E.Anelectronicallysigned,oralegiblyscannedorimagedcopythereof, shall have the same force and effect as an original paper document bearing a handwritten signature and shall be admissible for all legal and evidentiary purposes to the same extent as the original paper document.
F.(1) A dealer or authorized officer, as set forth in R.S.
32:702, using an approved system in good faith and without actual knowledge of fraud or unauthorizedaccess,shallbeimmunefromcivilliabilityarisingsolelyfromthe use of electronic signatures, remote notarization of powers of attorney or electronicrecords,includingclaimsallegingimproperexecution,authentication, or transmission, provided the dealer complied with the requirements of this Section and any rules promulgated by the department.
(2)The immunity provided for in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not apply to intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
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SLS 26RS-171 REENGROSSED SB NO.
72 §707.2.2.ENROLLED electronicrecords,includingclaimsallegingimproperexecution,authentication, or transmission, provided the dealer or authorized officer complied with the requirements of this Section and any rules promulgated by the department.
(2) The immunity provided forin Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not apply to intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
§707.2.2.
The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles,vehicles,shallimplement,orauthorizetheuseof,asecure,interoperablesystem shall implement a system that offers vehicle title holders a fully paperless, secure digital vehicle title that may bebeissued issued in lieu of apapercertificateof title,including theability forsuch title to be made available tothetitle holder through a paperdepartment-approved certificateor ofstate-authorized title.digital credential platform.
(4)Supportsecureinteroperabilitywithdepartment-approvedsystems, including approved digital credential platforms, dealer service providers, financial institution service providers, and verification services, through standards-based interfaces, application programming interfaces, or other methods approved by the department.
Ownership transfers executed through an approved electronic title system shall have the samePage legal6 effect as transfers executed through a paper certificate of title.9 Coding:
Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
SB NO.
72 ENROLLED same legal effect as transfers executed through a paper certificate of title.
F.Thecommissioneroftheofficeofmotorvehiclesshallpromulgateany rulesrulesandregulationsnecessarytoimplementtheprovisionsofthisSection.Any rulespromulgatedunderthisSectionshallbedesignedtopromotecompetition, transparency, interoperability, and regulationsconsumer necessarychoice, subject to implementsecurity, theprivacy, provisionsand oftechnical thisstandards Section.established by the department.
*The *department *shall §714.not require a title holder, dealer, lender, insurer, or other authorized user to use a specific proprietary application to access, present, or verify a secure digital title where a department-approved interoperable alternativemeetingthedepartment'ssecurity,privacy,andtechnicalstandards is available.
Titling;G.
electronicNothing signaturein Pagethis 7Section ofshall 10be Coding:construed to grant any vendor, contractor,systemintegrator,oroperatorofthedepartment'ssystemofrecord the exclusive right to display, present, verify, or otherwise make available to residents a digital wallet, identity verification, electronic signature, verifier services,orotherresident-facing servicesrelatedtosecuredigital vehicletitles.
The department shall remain the soleissuerof securedigital vehicletitles.
The departmentmayauthorizeoneormorequalifiedproviders,includingapproved digitalcredentialplatformsandverificationservices,toperformresident-facing display, presentation, or verification functions, subject to security, privacy, audit, and interoperability requirements established by the department.
H.
The department shall remain the authoritative source of all title records.
Any display, presentation, verification, or use of a secure digital title throughanapproveddigitalcredentialplatformshallnotalterthedepartment's Page 7 of 9 Coding:
SLS 26RS-171 REENGROSSED SB NO.
72 A.ENROLLED ownership or control of the authoritative title record and shall be subject to technical standards and business requirements established by the department.
NotwithstandingI. any other provision of law, any document required or permitted to be executed in connection with the sale, transfer, titling, registration, or encumbrance of a motor vehicle may be created, executed, and submittedinelectronicformwhentheofficeofmotorvehiclesoritsagentshave the technological capability to do so, and shall not deny legal effect or enforceability to a document solely due to its electronic form.
B.A secure digital title issued pursuant to this Section may be verified through a department-approved digital verification service, provided such service meets security, privacy, audit, and interoperability requirements established by the department.
An electronic signature shall satisfy any requirement of law that a document be signed, endorsed, or executed.
Nothing in this Section shall be construedtowaiveoreliminateanywitnessing,acknowledgment,notarization, or other execution formality otherwise required by law.
C.
Any document required to be notarized in connection with a motor vehicle transaction may be notarized electronically or by remote online notarization in accordance with R.S.
35:5 or R.S.
35:621 et seq.
SectionSection3.(A)TheprovisionsofR.S.32:705(B)(6)and(7),R.S.32:707.2(A),(C)(1), 3.(D), (I), and (J), and R.S.
The32:707.2.1, provisionsas ofenacted this Act establishing or requiringamended theby usethis ofAct, electronicshall lienbecome andeffectiveonJanuary1,2028,oronthedatetheDepartmentofPublicSafetyandCorrections, titleofficeofmotorvehicles,certifiesthatafullyoperationalstatewideelectroniclien,electronic services,titling, electronic registration and titling, secure digital motor vehicle titles, or other electronic titling and registration transactionssystem shallhas notbeen becomeimplemented, effectivewhichever untiloccurs thesooner. Department of Public Safetyand Corrections, office of motor vehicles, certifies that a fully operationalstatewideelectroniclien,electronictitling,andelectronicregistrationsystemhas been implemented.
(B) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to invalidate or limit any electronic record, electronic signature, or electronic transaction otherwise authorized by law or by policy of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, prior to the effective date of this Section.
(C)TheprovisionsofR.S.32:707.2.2,asenactedbythisAct,shallbecomeeffective on the date the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, certifies that the secure digital title system required by R.S.
32:707.2.2 has been implemented and is operational, or January 1, 2031, whichever occurs sooner.
The provisions of R.S.
32:705(B)(6)32:702(18), andthe (7)repeal andof R.S.
32:707.2.132:707.2(G), and Sections 5 and 6 of this Act shall become effective onupon Januarysignature 1,by 2028,the orgovernor whenor, theif Departmentnot ofsigned Publicby Safetythe andgovernor, Corrections,upon officeexpiration of motorthe vehicles,time electronicfor vehiclebills andto registrationbecome systemlaw iswithout updatedsignature toby complythe withgovernor, theas statutoryprovided provisionsby containedArticle inIII, thisSection Act,18 whicheverof occursthe first.Constitution of Louisiana.
NothingIf invetoed thisbythegovernorandsubsequentlyapprovedbythelegislature,thoseprovisionsshallbecome Sectioneffective shallon be construed to invalidate or limit any electronic record, electronic signature, or electronic transaction otherwise authorized by law or by policy of the Departmentdayfollowing ofsuch Publicapproval. Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, prior to the effective date of this Section.
Section5.AllotherprovisionsshallbecomeeffectiveuponsignaturebythegovernorSection5.IfanyprovisionofthisAct,ortheapplicationthereof,isheldinvalid,such Pageinvalidity 8shall not affect other provisions, items, or applications of 10the Coding:Act which can be giveneffectwithouttheinvalidprovision,item,orapplicationandtothisendtheprovisions of this Act are herebydeclared severable.
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SLS 26RS-171 REENGROSSED SB NO.
72 or,ifnotsignedbythegovernor,uponexpirationofthetimeforbillstobecomelawwithoutENROLLED signature by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 186. of the Constitution of Louisiana.
If vetoed bythe governor and subsequentlyapproved bythe legislature, this Act shall become effective on the dayfollowing such approval.
Section6.IfanyprovisionofthisAct,ortheapplicationthereof,isheldinvalid,such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items, or applications of the Act which can be giveneffectwithouttheinvalidprovision,item,orapplicationandtothisendtheprovisions of this Act are herebydeclared severable.
Section 7.
ThePRESIDENT originalOF instrumentTHE andSENATE theSPEAKER followingOF digest,THE whichHOUSE constitutesOF noREPRESENTATIVES partGOVERNOR ofOF theTHE legislativeSTATE instrument,OF wereLOUISIANA preparedAPPROVED: bySenate Legislative Services.
ThePage keyword,9 summary, and digest do not constitute part of the9 lawCoding: or proof or indicia of legislative intent.
[R.S.
1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] DIGEST SB 72 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Hodges Presentlaw(R.S.32:702)providesfordefinitions.Proposedlawdefines"certificateoftitle" and meanings for "endorsement".
Present law provides by January 1, 2010 the department would develop and implement on a statewide basis a computer system which will permit the electronic recording of information concerning liens without submitting or receiving paper title documents.
Proposed law retains present law and removes provision for the submission of paper documents.
Proposed law further provides for the system to enable the ability to transact, process, record, and transmit certificates of title through a completely electronic process for all businessentitiesandtheirserviceprovidersapplyingforautomotivetitles andregistrations, for itself or the customers.
Proposedlawprovidessubsequentliensatisfactionswillbeelectronicallytransmittedtothe departmentandwillincludethenameandaddressofthepersonsatisfyingthelien.Proposed law furtherprovides a certificateof title shall not be issued until the last lien is satisfied and there is a clear certificate of title that can be issued to the owner of the vehicle.
Proposedlawprovidesthedepartmentisnotobligatedtoprintapapertitleuntilthefinallien is satisfied, except where specificallyrequested bya dealer or financial institution to fulfill its business requirements.
Proposed law further provides a certified copy of the office of motor vehicle's electronic record of the lien shall be admissible in anycivil, criminal, or administrative proceeding in this state as evidence of the existence of a lien.
Proposed law provides that the legal effect or enforceability of a document cannot be disputed solely due to its electronic form.
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Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
SLS 26RS-171 REENGROSSED SB NO.
72 Proposed law provides for notaries who do not reside in Louisiana.
Proposedlawrequiresanydocumentunlessotherwiseexemptedwill be byelectronicform.
Proposed law provides any electronic signature or electronic record accepted by the department will have the same force and effect as an original written document or handwrittensignatureandwillsatisfyanylegalrequirementforawrittenrecordorsignature.
Proposed law provides a dealer or authorized officer will be immune from civil liability arising solely from the use of electronic signatures, remote notarization of powers of attorneyorelectronicrecords,includingclaimsallegingimproperexecution,authentication, ortransmission, providedthedealercompliedwith therequirementsofthis Sectionandany rules promulgated by the department.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S.
32:707.2(A), (C)(1) and (2), and (D);
adds R.S.
32:702(18), 705(B)(6) and (7), 707.2(I) and (J), 707.2.1, 707.2.2, and 714;
repeals R.S.
32:707.2(G)) Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill 1.
Makes technical changes.
2.
Defines "certificate of title".
3.
Providesforsystemrequirementsforelectroniclienrecordation,registration and titling fees.
4.
Adds provisions for obtaining certificate of title.
5.
Provides for requirements for receiving electronic information.
6.
Changes number of transactions from 250 to 25 for institutions designating a public tag agent relative to transmitting a release of satisfaction of lien.
7.
Provides for requirements for lienholders processing electronic liens.
8.
Provides documentation in connection with the sale, lease, transfer, titling, registration, or financing of a motor vehicle.
9.
Provides for requirements for electronic systems.
10.
Provides promulgation of rules.
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