DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 674 Engrossed 2018 Regular Session Norton
Abstract: Specifies a definition for the term "motor vehicle" and requires certain reporting and
prohibitions relative to auto hulk reported as stolen.
Present law requires an owner who sells a motor vehicle as scrap to be dismantled or destroyed to
assign a certificate of title to the purchaser, regardless of whether the certificate was issued by the
vehicle commissioner of this state or any other state.
Proposed law makes technical changes and specifies that a "motor vehicle" or "vehicle" is defined
according to present law (R.S. 32:401). Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Present law requires every secondary metal processor or licensed automotive dismantler and parts
recycler (hereinafter "processor or recycler") to submit an electronic report to the office of motor
vehicles of an auto hulk's vehicle identification number (hereinafter "VIN") within 72 hours of the
purchase of an auto hulk.
Proposed law amends present law to specify that reporting be made to the office of motor vehicles'
auto hulk database located at www.expresslane.org.
Proposed law removes the requirement for a processor or recycler to submit the report within 72
hours of the purchase of an auto hulk; instead, proposed law requires the processor or recycler to
report the VIN prior to the dismantling, crushing, or other destruction of the auto hulk.
Proposed law requires the office of motor vehicles to send a return message to the processor or
recycler indicating successful entry into the system. Provides if the office's return message indicates
the auto hulk has been reported as stolen, the processor or recycler is prohibited from dismantling
or destroying the auto hulk. Further requires the processor or recycler to notify local law
enforcement of the auto hulk's location.
(Amends R.S. 32:717(A) and 718(C); Adds R.S. 32:717(C))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes to present law and specify that a "motor vehicle" or "vehicle" is
defined according to present law (R.S. 32:401). 2. Specify a secondary metal processor or licensed automotive dismantler and parts recycler
(processor or recycler) make required reporting of an auto hulk's vehicle identification
number to the office of motor vehicles' auto hulk database located at
www.expresslane.org.
3. Remove the required time frame for reporting to the database from within 72 hours of
the purchase of an auto hulk to prior to the dismantling, crushing, or other destruction of
the auto hulk.
4. Require the office of motor vehicles to send a return message to the processor or recycler
indicating successful entry into the system.
5. Prohibit the processor or recycler from dismantling or destroying the auto hulk, if the
return message indicates the auto hulk has been reported as stolen.
6. Require the processor or recycler to notify local law enforcement of the auto hulk's
location, if the auto hulk was indicated as stolen.