HB 676: WATERWAYS/OBSTRUCTIONS: Provides for the removal and salvage of abandoned vessels in waterways (EN INCREASE SD RV See Note) - Louisiana

HB676 Original → HB676 Act · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was finalized into an enrolled Act, changing its status from a draft proposal to official law. The text was reorganized to align with standard legislative formatting, including the addition of signatures for approval. Substantively, the bill retains its core purpose of allowing authorities and third parties to remove abandoned vessels but clarifies the notification process to include lien holders and specifies that the owner is presumed to be the last known registrant.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on abandoned vessels in waterways, but the applicability of the ownership presumption is now explicitly tied to whether the vessel has Coast Guard documentation or state titling.

TECHNICAL

The document structure was updated from 'Original' to 'Enrolled' Act format, including the addition of signature lines for the Governor and legislative leaders.

The original digest and abstract sections explaining the bill's intent were removed as they are not part of the final enacted law.

REQUIREMENT

The authority must now notify holders of properly filed and perfected ship mortgages or security interests when issuing removal notices.

DEFINITION

The rebuttable presumption of ownership is now explicitly defined as applying to vessels issued by the Coast Guard or the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

HB676 Enrolled → HB676 Original · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill shifts the responsibility for removing abandoned vessels from the state authority to private third parties. Previously, if an owner didn't remove a boat, the government had to take it out and dispose of it at the owner's expense. Now, anyone can remove the vessel themselves, sell it, or transfer ownership without waiting for the government to act. The bill also clarifies that the state cannot enter private property to remove boats without the owner's consent.

Scope change

The bill expands the ability for private citizens to intervene and remove abandoned vessels, whereas the original version restricted removal actions primarily to government authorities.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that the government must remove and dispose of abandoned vessels if the owner fails to do so within the deadline.

Added a specific restriction that the state cannot enter private property to remove a vessel without the property owner's consent.

Added a mandate for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to create clear rules for parties to obtain ownership information and salvage titles.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a provision allowing any third party to remove, junk, discard, or sell an abandoned vessel at their own expense if the owner does not act.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of ownership to a rebuttable presumption based on the last known registrant, simplifying how ownership is determined for abandoned boats.

HB676 Reengrossed → HB676 Enrolled · 2 edits · Jun 8, 2025

MINOR

This bill was converted from a reengrossed draft to an enrolled version, making it ready for the Governor's signature. The substantive policy content remains unchanged, though the document now includes official signatures and page count updates.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; no new policies, funding, or legal requirements were added or removed.

TECHNICAL

Removed draft headers, page counts, and internal tracking numbers used during the legislative review process.

Added official signatures from the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and Governor, finalizing the bill's status.

HB676 Engrossed → HB676 Reengrossed · 3 edits · Jun 3, 2025

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to clarify the notification process for abandoned vessels by requiring authorities to notify lien holders and mortgage holders before removal. It also updates the rules for obtaining salvage titles and selling recovered vessels to ensure all financial interests are properly addressed.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to explicitly include lien holders and mortgage holders in the notification process, ensuring their rights are protected before an abandoned vessel is removed or sold.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for authorities to provide written notice to holders of properly filed and perfected ship mortgages or security interests before removing an abandoned vessel.

Reorganized the list of regulatory requirements to clarify that parties must obtain information on owners, identity of lien holders, salvage titles, and notify new registrants of their responsibilities.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting and section numbering errors in the digest and header information to align with the reengrossed version.

WATERWAYS/OBSTRUCTIONS: Provides for the removal and salvage of abandoned vessels in waterways (EN INCREASE SD RV See Note)

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