ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 503
BY REPRESENTATIVE COX
1 AN ACT
2 To 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.
7 Be 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
9 hereby 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
21 not having a hull identification number at the time of numbering or application for
22 a certificate of title after transfer of ownership or change of state of principal
23 operation. Such vessels not assigned a hull identification number pursuant to
24 Subsection B of this Section shall be assigned such number using the procedure set
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1 forth in R.S. 34:851.20(M)(1) and (2). Hull identification numbers issued by the
2 department shall be for identification purposes only and shall not guarantee the
3 seaworthiness or certify compliance with safety standards as required by the United
4 States Coast Guard.
5 B. Such vessels shall be assigned a hull identification number using the
6 procedure set forth in R.S. 34:851.20(M). Hull identification numbers issued by the
7 department shall be for identification purposes only and shall not guarantee the
8 seaworthiness or certify compliance with safety standards as required by the United
9 States Coast Guard. The department shall promulgate rules and regulations
10 providing for the assigning of hull identification numbers to undocumented vessels
11 manufactured in this state that do not qualify for the assignment of such number by
12 the United States Coast Guard. Such rules and regulations shall, at a minimum,
13 provide for the following:
14 (1) Eligibility requirements for manufacturers that shall include a minimum
15 number of vessels manufactured per year and the posting of a bond, letter of credit,
16 or other security to provide funds in the event of abandonment, default, violation, or
17 other inability of the manufacturer to meet the requirements of the department.
18 (2) Reporting requirements and record keeping by the manufacturer.
19 (3) Inspections of records, the manufacturer's facility, and vessels.
20 (4) A fee of up to twenty-five dollars per hull number assigned may be
21 charged by the department.
22 * * *
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.