HLS 23RS-844 ENGROSSED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 503
BY REPRESENTATIVE COX
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Provides relative to hull identification numbers issued by the
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 34:852.3(A)(introductory paragraph) and 852.13(A) and (B),
3 relative to hull identification numbers; to provide for hull identification number
4 requirements; to remove the requirement that the Department of Wildlife and
5 Fisheries provide hull identification numbers for certain vessels; and to provide for
6 related matters.
7Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 34:852.3(A)(introductory paragraph) and 852.13(A) and (B) are
9hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
10 §852.3. Certificate of title authorized
11 A. Upon the implementation of this Part, any Any person who purchases or
12 possesses either of the following to be principally operated on the waters of this state
13 and not held as inventory for sale or lease or a manufacturer eligible for hull number
14 assignment pursuant to R.S. 34:852.13(B) who manufactures either of the following
15 held as inventory may apply to the department for a certificate of title for the
16 following:
17 * * *
18 §852.13. Hull identification number requirement; prohibitions
19 A. Each vessel shall have a hull identification number assigned and affixed.
20 The department shall assign a hull identification number to an undocumented vessel
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HB NO. 503
1 not having a hull identification number at the time of numbering or application for
2 a certificate of title after transfer of ownership or change of state of principal
3 operation. Such vessels not assigned a hull identification number pursuant to
4 Subsection B of this Section shall be assigned such number using the procedure set
5 forth in R.S. 34:851.20(M)(1) and (2). Hull identification numbers issued by the
6 department shall be for identification purposes only and shall not guarantee the
7 seaworthiness or certify compliance with safety standards as required by the United
8 States Coast Guard.
9 B. Such vessels shall be assigned a hull identification number using the
10 procedure set forth in R.S. 34:851.20(M). Hull identification numbers issued by the
11 department shall be for identification purposes only and shall not guarantee the
12 seaworthiness or certify compliance with safety standards as required by the United
13 States Coast Guard. The department shall promulgate rules and regulations
14 providing for the assigning of hull identification numbers to undocumented vessels
15 manufactured in this state that do not qualify for the assignment of such number by
16 the United States Coast Guard. Such rules and regulations shall, at a minimum,
17 provide for the following:
18 (1) Eligibility requirements for manufacturers that shall include a minimum
19 number of vessels manufactured per year and the posting of a bond, letter of credit,
20 or other security to provide funds in the event of abandonment, default, violation, or
21 other inability of the manufacturer to meet the requirements of the department.
22 (2) Reporting requirements and record keeping by the manufacturer.
23 (3) Inspections of records, the manufacturer's facility, and vessels.
24 (4) A fee of up to twenty-five dollars per hull number assigned may be
25 charged by the department.
26 * * *
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HB NO. 503
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 503 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Cox
Abstract: Removes a requirement that the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issue hull
identification numbers to vessels manufactured for sale within the state that do not
qualify for assignment of a United States Coast Guard hull identification number.
Present law requires the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries to provide hull identification
numbers to vessels that do not qualify for assignment of U.S. Coast Guard hull identification
numbers, including vessels that are homemade, vessels that have been substantially altered,
vessels with obliterated or incorrect identification numbers, and vessels manufactured for
sale within the state.
Proposed law removes the requirement to issue hull identification numbers for vessels
manufactured for sale in the state that do not meet U.S. Coast Guard vessel manufacturing
specifications.
(Amends R.S. 34:852.3(A)(intro. para.) and 852.13(A) and (B))
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