12/20/05-Gov. Kathleen Blanco signed a bill into law Dec. 6 requiring most vehicles totaled by flood to receive a newly created “certificate of destruction” and be crushed or dismantled.
The new law, previously HB11, excludes from the protection vehicles with a gross weight in excess of 20,000 pounds.
Existing Louisiana law requires flooded vehicles to receive a “salvage certificate” and that the damage be noted on the titles.
Damaged vehicles would have their frames and electrical systems dismantled and crushed while certain parts could be refurbished or resold.
Only vehicles that are more than 75 percent ruined by a natural disaster declared by the governor or president would be covered under the measure.
Anyone who fails to abide by the rule could get up to six months in jail and/or up to a $5,000 fine, as well as at least 80 hours of community service.

11/21/05-Senators meeting in special session voted 20-17 Sunday, Nov. 20, to approve a bill that would require any vehicle totaled by flood to receive a newly created “certificate of destruction” and be crushed or dismantled.
HB11, sponsored by Rep. Mert Smiley Jr., R-St. Amant, now heads back to the House for final approval before heading to Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s desk.
The Senate commerce panel amended the bill to exclude vehicles with a gross weight in excess of 20,000 pounds. An effort on the Senate floor to throw out the exclusion was unsuccessful.
Existing Louisiana law requires flooded vehicles to receive a “salvage certificate” and that the damage be noted on the titles.
Damaged vehicles would have their frames and electrical systems dismantled and crushed while certain parts could be refurbished or resold.
Only vehicles that are more than 75 percent ruined by a natural disaster declared by the governor or president would be covered under the measure.
Anyone who fails to abide by the rule could get up to six months in jail and/or up to a $5,000 fine, as well as at least 80 hours of community service.
For bill status, call (504) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.