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HB 939

MOTOR VEHICLES: Creates the Louisiana New and Used Motor Vehicle Commission (OR DECREASE SG EX See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kim Carver

HB 939 creates a single Louisiana New and Used Motor Vehicle Commission to unify licensing, enforcement, and modernization of motor-vehicle regulation.

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
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Bill Summary · HB 939

Summary of HB 939 (2026) – Louisiana

Title

Creates the Louisiana New and Used Motor Vehicle Commission

Purpose and Intent

  • Merges the existing Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission and Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission into a single unified entity: the Louisiana New and Used Motor Vehicle Commission.
  • Establishes a framework for unified governance, licensing, enforcement, and technology related to motor vehicles, parts, and accessories.

Key Provisions and Changes

Creation and Merger

  • Establishes a new Chapter 6-B in Title 32 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (R.S. 32:1291–1294) to govern the merged commission.
  • The merged commission is titled the “Louisiana New and Used Motor Vehicle Commission.”

Definitions

  • Defines “commission” as the new merged body or its designee.

Duties and Powers (scope of regulation)

The commission’s powers and duties include, but are not limited to:
- Licensing and regulating a broad range of motor-vehicle-related occupations and entities, including:
- Independent used motor vehicle dealers and salespersons
- Motor vehicle crushers
- Dealers of used motor vehicle parts and accessories
- Rent-to-own dealers
- Scrap metal processors
- Wholesale and public/retail motor vehicle auctions
- Salvage pools dealing in used motor vehicles
- Dismantlers and parts recyclers
- Catalytic converter dealers (per Part II-B of Chapter 21, Title 37)
- Manufacturers, distributors, recreational product dealers, motor vehicle dealers/salespersons, factory branches, distributor branches, satellite warranty/repair centers
- Brokers, lessors, specialty vehicle dealers, and other related occupations as determined by the commission
- Inspecting license applications and licensee locations to ensure compliance with location approval, local zoning/municipal requirements, and adequate facilities (including business sign, usable telephone number, and sales office).
- Recordkeeping requirements: licensees must maintain records for three years; must keep records, vehicles, and business premises open to inspection by peace officers or commission/DPSc officials during reasonable hours; records to include bills of sale, financing/mortgage records, and monthly sales reports.
- Hearings on appeals and related enforcement actions: license denials/violations, suspensions/revocations, civil penalties, restitution, cease-and-desist orders, injunctions.
- Certificates of title administration: taking possession of titles and distributing to rightful owners under applicable law; authority to act to obtain/deliver titles to retail purchasers in good faith, including legal action if necessary; entitlement to attorney fees and costs when recovering titles from responsible parties.
- Subpoenas: issuing, serving, and enforcing subpoenas related to investigations or hearings.
- Bonds: sole and exclusive authority to administer all bond claims, including denial/rejection of claims; authority to take actions to recover funds, with court-awarded attorney fees and costs paid by the responsible licensee/surety.
- Fees: authority to create and implement fees to administer the Chapter.
- Technology and training: creates a task force to oversee revenue dedicated to ongoing technology maintenance, system enhancements, and educational training programs.
- Rulemaking: authority to adopt rules/regulations implementing the Chapter.

Administrative and Transition Provisions

  • The Louisiana State Law Institute is directed to make technical changes to statutory laws to reflect the merger.
  • Pre-effective-date actions: the two predecessor commissions shall take necessary actions (amend, adopt, repeal rules) to implement the merger.
  • Unfinished business: pending matters from either former commission will be transferred to the new Commission; the new Commission is the successor in all respects.

Affected Parties

  • Licensed and prospective licensees: including a broad array of motor-vehicle-related businesses and professionals listed in the duties section.
  • Consumers and retail purchasers: rights to certificates of title and protections through enforcement actions and restitution mechanisms.
  • Law enforcement and state agencies: ongoing inspection and enforcement collaboration.
  • Legal/financial entities involving titles, bonds, and claims: bond administration and related cost/recovery provisions.
  • State administrative and regulatory staff: transition and rulemaking responsibilities.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective structure: The merger is established by creating Chapter 6-B (R.S. 32:1291–1294).
  • Transition: There is a directive for a merger study task force to guide governance, licensing, enforcement, and technology aspects; technical changes by the State Law Institute are required to reflect the merger.
  • Pre-effective-date actions: The two existing commissions must take actions to implement the merger before the effective date.
  • Unfinished business: All ongoing matters will be assumed by the new Commission.

Overall Impact

HB 939 consolidates and centralizes motor-vehicle regulation in Louisiana under a single commission, with expanded licensing authority, enhanced enforcement tools, and a focus on modernizing governance and technology. It aims to improve regulatory efficiency, consistency in licensing and inspections, and consumer title resolution, while preserving due process through hearings, penalties, and restitution mechanisms.

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

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