SB 72 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

MOTOR VEHICLES: Provides for electronic titles and registration of motor vehicles. (gov sig)

SB 72 allows Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles to accept electronic signatures and digital documents for vehicle title transfers, registrations, and related transactions. It directly affects vehicle owners, dealers, and title agents by permitting electronic submission instead of paper forms, provided the office has the necessary technology. Key provisions include ensuring electronic signatures have the same legal validity as handwritten ones and permitting remote online notarization for required documents. The bill does not eliminate traditional requirements like notarization but enables electronic alternatives for compliance. This change streamlines vehicle transaction processes without altering underlying legal standards.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Signed May 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB72 Original → SB72 Act 454 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill modernizes Louisiana's motor vehicle laws by replacing the old paper-based title system with a fully electronic one. It mandates that the Department of Public Safety create a statewide digital system for issuing titles, recording liens, and processing registrations by January 1, 2010. The law also establishes specific security standards for digital signatures and clarifies that electronic documents have the same legal weight as paper ones.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope from allowing electronic options when technology permits to mandating a statewide electronic system for all lien, titling, and registration activities.

REQUIREMENT

Requires the Department of Public Safety to implement a statewide electronic system for vehicle titles and liens by January 1, 2010.

Repeals the previous standalone section regarding electronic signatures to integrate it into the broader electronic media system framework.

DEFINITION

Adds a new definition for 'Certificate of title' to include electronic records issued by the department.

ELIGIBILITY

Updates requirements for public license tag agents and lenders, specifying bonding amounts and thresholds for designating agents based on transaction volume.

TECHNICAL

Establishes that electronic signatures must comply with Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2) security standards when required by federal law.

SB72 Engrossed → SB72 Reengrossed · 6 edits · Mar 31, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed to expand the scope of electronic transactions from just signatures to include full electronic titles and registrations. It significantly updates the legal definitions and requirements, mandating specific security standards (AAL2) for seller signatures and clarifying that paper titles are no longer required unless specifically requested. The bill also modernizes the electronic lien system to allow for a completely paperless process for business entities and financial institutions.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from permitting electronic signatures on documents to authorizing the entire titling, registration, and lien recordation process to be conducted electronically, including the issuance of electronic certificates of title.

DEFINITION

The primary statute was changed from enacting a new section on electronic signatures to amending and reenacting multiple existing sections regarding the Office of Motor Vehicles and electronic media systems.

A new definition for 'Certificate of title' was added to clarify that it includes both paper and electronic records issued by the department.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that electronic signatures from sellers must comply with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Authentication Assurance Level 2 (AAL2) security standard.

The requirement for a statewide electronic lien and titling system was updated to mandate a completely electronic process for all business entities and financial institutions, eliminating the default requirement for paper documents.

New provisions state that a paper certificate of title shall only be issued upon specific request by the owner or lienholder and payment of applicable fees, rather than being the default.

TIMELINE

The deadline for implementing the statewide electronic lien recording system was updated from January 1, 2010 to a later date (specific date not fully visible in snippet, but implies a new timeline).

Floor votes · Senate Mar 31, 2026 · House May 18, 2026

How they voted

37–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 40

Mar 31, 2026

D Democratic12

11 Yea 1

91% Yea

R Republican28

26 Yea 2

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays.

upper

May 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 94, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 12, 2026

Introduced

Reported with Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (10-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

lower

Mar 31, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Mar 25, 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 · 2 co-sponsors