HLS 22RS-1062 ENGROSSED
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 604
BY REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS
MOTOR VEHICLES: Provides for the transfer of ownership of a vehicle to an insurer
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 32:705(B)(3) and to enact R.S. 32:707(B)(3), relative to the
3 transfer of ownership of a vehicle; to provide for the transfer of ownership to an
4 insurer resulting from a claim settlement; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 32:705(B)(3) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.
732:707(B)(3) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 §705. Delivery of certificate to purchaser of vehicle
9 * * *
10 B. For purposes of this Section, an "endorsement" means one of the
11 following:
12 * * *
13 (3) The signature of the seller if the certificate of title or other document
14 transferring ownership to an insurance company is for a motor vehicle which is
15 subject to an insurance settlement or has been declared a total loss by that insurance
16 company.
17 * * *
18 §707. Application for certificates of title; exception; salvage title; antique vehicles;
19 reconstructed title
20 * * *
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 22RS-1062 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 604
1 B.
2 * * *
3 (3) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a transfer of
4 ownership of a vehicle to an insurer, resulting from the settlement of a total loss
5 claim, shall not require a notarized signature on the vehicle's certificate of title.
6 Supporting documents required for a transfer of ownership of a vehicle to an insurer,
7 resulting from the settlement of a total loss claim, shall not require a notarized
8 signature, if signed electronically at a National Institute of Standards (NIST) Level
9 2 or higher authentication.
10 * * *
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 604 Engrossed 2022 Regular Session Davis
Abstract: Provides for the transfer of ownership of a vehicle to an insurer.
Present law, in pertinent part, defines "endorsement" as the signature of a seller if the
certificate of title or other document transferring ownership to an insurance company is for
a motor vehicle which has been declared a total loss by that insurance company.
Proposed law modifies present law to include the signature of a seller if the certificate of title
or other document transferring ownership to an insurance company is for a motor vehicle
which is the subject of an insurance settlement.
Present law requires any purchaser of a vehicle, other than a mobile home, to file an
application for a new certificate of title within five days after the delivery of a previously
issued certificate of title for such vehicle, or within five days of the delivery of the vehicle,
if a certificate of title has not been previously issued.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that a transfer of ownership of a vehicle to
an insurer, resulting from the settlement of a total loss claim does not require a notarized
signature on the vehicle's certificate of title.
Proposed law provides that supporting documents required for a transfer of ownership of a
vehicle to an insurer, resulting from the settlement of a total loss claim, does not require a
notarized signature, if signed electronically at a National Institute of Standards (NIST) Level
2 or higher authentication.
(Amends R.S. 32:705(B)(3); Adds R.S. 32:707(B)(3))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 22RS-1062 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 604
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation,
Highways and Public Works to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Modify the meaning of "endorsement" in present law to include the signature of
a seller if the certificate of title or other document transferring ownership to an
insurance company is for a motor vehicle which is the subject of an insurance
settlement.
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.