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Bill

HB 1104

CRIME: Prohibits relative to the manufacturing and sale of motor vehicle key programming or emulation devices (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Beryl Amedée and 15 co-sponsors

Prohibits manufacturing, selling, or possessing motor vehicle key programming/emulating and relay attack devices to curb car theft; penalties up to $1,000 fine or 6 months jail.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 1104

Summary of HB 1104 (2026 Louisiana Regular Session)

Purpose and intent

  • Prohibits the manufacture, possession, sale, transfer, or offer to sell motor vehicle key programming or emulating devices, as well as relay attack devices.
  • Aims to restrict tools used to program, emulate, or intercept signals from motor vehicle key fobs that unlock or start vehicles, thereby addressing car theft and related fraud.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions

  • Motor vehicle key programming or emulating device: Any device, computer program, application, or software designed or used to electronically communicate with a motor vehicle to program or emulate a key fob that can unlock or start the vehicle.
  • Relay attack device: Any device, program, application, or software designed or used to intercept the signal from a vehicle key fob to unlock or start the vehicle.

Prohibited activities

  • Forbids knowingly manufacturing, selling, offering to sell, transferring, or possessing a motor vehicle key programming or emulating device or relay attack device.
  • Prohibits aiding or permitting another to use such devices.

Penalties

  • Violation of the prohibition: up to a $1,000 fine, or up to 6 months imprisonment, or both.

Exceptions

  • The prohibition does not apply to:
    • Law enforcement officers.
    • Employees of the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
    • Employees of licensed dealers, distributors, or manufacturers of motor vehicles or motor vehicle locks.
    • Motor vehicle mechanic shops.
    • Locksmith companies.
    • Repossession agencies.
  • These exemptions cover possession, use, or transfer when conducted for lawful and reasonable purposes by the listed professionals.

Reporting requirement

  • A person authorized to possess such a device must report the loss or theft within 48 hours of becoming aware of it to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
  • Penalty for failure to report: up to a $1,000 fine, or up to 6 months imprisonment, or both.

Who is affected

Directly affected

  • Individuals and entities that manufacture, sell, transfer, or possess motor vehicle key programming/emulating devices or relay attack devices (unlawful conduct, subject to penalties).

Indirectly affected

  • Vehicle owners and the broader auto industry by reducing availability and use of such devices, potentially decreasing relay attacks and related car thefts.

Exemptions impact

  • Specific professionals may possess or use these devices for legitimate purposes (law enforcement, NICB employees, licensed dealers/distributors/manufacturers, motor vehicle locksmiths, mechanic shops, repossession agencies) under defined conditions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Enactment format: Creates new statutory provision, codified as Louisiana Revised Statutes (R.S. 14:406).
  • Effective date: The text provided does not specify an effective date; typically, bills become effective on a date stated within the act or upon signature/enactment. If no date is stated, standard enactment rules apply.
  • Procedure to date: As of the provided information, HB 1104 has been read by title and referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

Additional notes

  • The bill includes a "Digest" prepared by House Legislative Services, which reiterates the definitions, prohibitions, exceptions, penalties, and reporting requirements.
  • The scope focuses specifically on devices used to program, emulate, or relay signals associated with motor vehicle keys, aiming to curb unauthorized access and ignition of vehicles.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary for a specific audience (e.g., policymakers, law enforcement, automotive industry) or add a comparison to related laws or prior Louisiana statutes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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