SB 48 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

MOTOR VEHICLES: Establishes reciprocity between Louisiana and Ireland for driver's license recognition. (8/1/26)

This bill requires Louisiana's Department of Public Safety to establish a formal reciprocity agreement with Ireland for recognizing driver's licenses. It directly affects Louisiana residents holding valid Irish driver's licenses (such as expats or students) and Irish visitors driving in Louisiana. The key provision mandates the state to enter this agreement, allowing Irish license holders to drive in Louisiana without needing a new Louisiana license. The bill does not change current licensing requirements for new applicants but creates a legal framework for mutual recognition. It is a procedural measure awaiting committee review before potential enactment.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 12, 2026 Signed May 15, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB48 Original SB48 Act · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was finalized and enrolled into law, adding signatures from the Senate and House leadership and the Governor's approval. The core policy change remains the authorization for the Louisiana Department of Public Safety to enter a reciprocity agreement with Ireland, allowing Irish drivers to obtain Louisiana licenses.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains unchanged; it still applies to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections regarding driver's license recognition with Ireland.
TECHNICAL

Added co-sponsors (Representatives Bayham, Billings, Dickerson, Egan, Glorioso, McMahan, McMakin, Mena, Sawyer, Wright, Wyble, and Zeringue) to the bill text.

Added official signatures and approval stamps from the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and the Governor, indicating the bill has become law.

Removed the 'Original' status header and replaced it with 'Enrolled' status, removing the draft legislative services digest.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2026 · House May 12, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 40
Mar 24, 2026
D Democratic12
12 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican28
27 Yea 1
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 6, 2026
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (15-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
upper
1 primary · 12 co-sponsors

Sponsors