HB 1085

ENROLLED
 2026 Regular Session
  ACT No. 701
 HOUSE BILL NO. 1085  (Substitute for House Bill No. 838 by Representative Bagley)
 BY REPRESENTATIVE BAGLEY
1AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 30:2054(B)(8) and R.S. 32:357, 1301, 1302, 1304, 1306(C), to
3enact R.S. 32:1304.1, and to repeal R.S. 32:707.5(D)(3) and 1303, relative to vehicle
4inspection sticker requirements; to repeal the inspection sticker requirement for
5assembled vehicles; to provide for periodic inspection of commercial and student
6transportation vehicles and associated fees; to provide for inspections required by
7federal law; to provide for windshield requirements; to provide for the promulgation
8of standards for the regulation of emission control devices; to provide for the
9approval of out of state inspections under certain circumstances; to provide for the
10Louisiana Vehicle Identification Program; to provide relative to the operation of
11official inspection stations; to restrict the issuance of citations for failure to produce
12a certificate of inspection for a specified period; to provide for effectiveness; to
13provide for severability; and to provide for related matters.
14 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
15Section 1. R.S. 30:2054(B)(8) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
16§2054. Air quality control; secretary of environmental quality; powers and duties
17*        *  *
18B. The secretary shall have the following powers and duties:
19*        *  *
20(8) To establish and implement a program for the control and abatement of
21motor vehicle emissions in accordance with R.S. 30:2060 and other applicable state
22and federal laws, particularly the Clean Air Act as amended, but not to exceed the
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1requirements provided in such act unless specifically authorized. Such program shall
2be applicable only in parishes and municipalities as necessary to comply with the
3requirements of the federal Clean Air Act or regulations promulgated by the United
4States Environmental Protection Agency. If such program includes the periodic
5inspection of motor vehicles, the frequency of performing such inspections shall be
6as allowed by federal law or regulations or by agreements with federal agencies.
7During each calendar year, the secretary may exempt vehicles of that model year and
8vehicles from prior model years from on-board diagnostic (OBD II) testing. The fees
9due the department for this program pursuant to R.S. 32:1306(C)(3) R.S.
1032:1306(C)(2) shall be deposited into the Environmental Trust Dedicated Fund
11Account.
12*        *  *
13Section 2. R.S. 32:357, 1301, 1302, 1304, 1306(C) are hereby amended and
14 reenacted and R.S. 32:1304.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
15§357. Windshields required
16A. Every passenger vehicle, other than a motorcycle, and every motor truck
17or truck tractor, and every authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with an
18adequate windshield.
19B. Every noncommercial vehicle registered in this state shall be required to
20maintain the integrity and condition of the windshield.  The standards for
21windshields are as follows:
22(1) In the eight and one-half inch by eleven inch "acute area" directly in the
23driver's line of vision there shall be no cracks and there shall be no more than two
24stars, nicks, chips, bullseyes, or half-moons in excess of one-half inch.
25(2) In the "critical area" cleaned by the normal sweep of the windshield
26wiper blade on the driver's side of the windshield there shall be no star which is
27larger than two inches in diameter; there shall be no more than two stars larger than
28one and one-half inches in diameter; and there shall be no more than two cracks
29longer than eight inches; or any combination thereof.
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1(3) In the remaining areas of the windshield, only those cracks which
2jeopardize the integrity of the windshield shall be cause for violation.
3C. Every commercial motor vehicle shall have a windshield that meets the
4requirements of 49 CFR Part 393.
5D.(1) Every school bus registered in this state shall maintain the integrity and
6condition of the windshield.
7(2) The windshield shall be free of discoloration or damage that would
8interfere with the driver's view, not including a two-inch border at the top and a one-
9inch border on each side of the windshield or each panel thereof.
10(3) The windshield shall not contain a crack exceeding one-fourth inch in
11width, if not intersected by any other crack or have any damaged area which can be
12covered by a disc three-fourths of an inch in diameter, if not closer than three inches
13to any other damaged area.
14*        *  *
15§1301. Vehicles without required equipment or in unsafe condition
16No person shall drive or move on any highway any motor vehicle, low-speed
17vehicle as defined in R.S. 32:1(40)(50), trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, or any
18combination thereof, unless the equipment upon any such vehicle is in good working
19order and adjustment as required in this Chapter and the vehicle is in such safe
20mechanical condition as not to endanger the driver or other occupant or any person
21upon the highway. Every motor vehicle, low-speed vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and
22pole trailer vehicle registered in this state which is required to be inspected pursuant
23to the provisions of this Chapter shall bear a valid safety inspection certificate issued
24in the state of Louisiana, except as otherwise provided by this Chapter.
25§1302. Inspection Enforcement by officers of the department
26A. The Director of Public Safety, members of the State Police and such other
27officers and employees of the department as the director may designate, may at any
28time upon reasonable cause to believe that a vehicle is unsafe or not equipped as
29required by law, or that its equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair, require
30the driver of such vehicle to stop and submit such vehicle to an inspection and such
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1test with reference thereto as may be appropriate, and issue a citation to the operator
2of such vehicle.
3B. In the event such vehicle is found to be in unsafe condition or any
4required part or equipment is not present or is not in proper repair and adjustment the
5officer shall give a written notice to the driver and shall send a copy to the
6department. Said notice shall require that such vehicle be placed in safe condition
7and its equipment in proper repair and adjustment specifying the particulars with
8reference thereto and that a certificate of inspection and approval be obtained within
95 days.
10*        *  *
11§1304. Secretary to require periodical periodic inspection; out of state inspections;
12commercial and student transportation vehicles
13A.(1) The secretary shall at least once a every other year, but not more
14frequently than twice each year, require that every motor vehicle, low-speed vehicle,
15trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer registered in this state commercial motor vehicle
16registered in this state and required to be inspected pursuant to 49 CFR Part 396,
17including Part 396.17 and "Appendix G" thereof, every covered farm vehicle with
18a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating exceeding twenty-
19six thousand pounds, and every student transportation vehicle registered in this state
20and required to be inspected pursuant to LAC 28:CXIII.701(A)(3) and regulations
21promulgated by the secretary be inspected and that an official certificate of
22inspection and approval be obtained for such vehicle. However, overweight and
23oversize mobile homes requiring a state permit shall not be required to bear a
24certificate of approved inspection when being moved by a bonded carrier as defined
25by law nor shall used motor vehicles in transit by a dealer be required to have a
26certificate of inspection and approval.
27(2) Such inspection should be made and such certificates obtained with
28respect to the mechanism, brakes, and equipment of every vehicle as shall be
29designated by the secretary. The secretary shall require the inspection of all
30approved automotive emission control devices installed on motor vehicles produced
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1after model year 1980 to insure that such devices are operative and have not been
2tampered with.      However, low-speed vehicles shall not be subject to regular
3emissions inspections
4(3)(a) The secretary shall formulate and promulgate a set of standards for the
5control and regulation of emission control devices on all automobiles and other
6motor vehicles which standards shall be consistent with other federal and state
7regulations for the installation and operation of approved emission control devices.
8(b)   The secretary is hereby authorized to make necessary rules and
9regulations for the administration and enforcement of this Section and to designate
10any periods of time during which owners of vehicles, subject to this Section, shall
11display upon such vehicles certificates of inspection and approval and shall produce
12them on demand of any officer or employee of the department designated by the
13secretary or any police or peace officer when authorized by the secretary. However,
14an owner or operator of a light trailer, utility trailer, boat trailer, or farm trailer need
15only provide a valid inspection sticker on demand of an inspecting officer to be in
16compliance with the inspection requirements of this Chapter.
17(4) The rules and regulations adopted for the administration and enforcement
18of this Section shall include standards for windshields as follows:
19(a) In the eight and one-half inch by eleven inch "acute area" directly in the
20driver’s line of vision there shall be no cracks and there shall be no more than two
21stars, nicks, chips, bullseyes, or half-moons in excess of one-half inch.
22(b) In the "critical area" cleaned by the normal sweep of the windshield
23wiper blade on the driver's side of the windshield there shall be no star which is
24larger than two inches in diameter; there shall be no more than two stars larger than
25one and one-half inches in diameter; and there shall be no more than two cracks
26longer than eight inches; or any combination thereof.
27(c) In the remaining areas of the windshield, only those cracks which
28jeopardize the integrity of the windshield shall be cause for rejection.
29B.    The secretary is hereby authorized to make necessary rules and
30regulations for the administration and enforcement of this Section and to designate
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1any periods of time during which owners of vehicles, subject to this Section, shall
2display upon such vehicles certificates of inspection and approval or shall produce
3the same on demand of any officer or employee of the department designated by the
4secretary or any police or peace officer when authorized by the secretary. Owners
5and operators of all motor vehicles, pursuant to this Section, required to be equipped
6with windshields shall display on the lower left hand corner of the windshield a
7certificate of inspection affixed thereto by a duly authorized motor vehicle inspection
8station. The secretary shall accept the certificate of inspection and approval issued
9by any municipality pursuant to any municipal ordinance adopted prior to July 27,
101960. However, each person who applies for a motor vehicle inspection tag in the
11city of New Orleans shall produce written proof of insurance from an insurer that the
12motor vehicle is covered by security and shall declare in writing that he or she
13intends to maintain said security at all times while said vehicle is used upon the
14highways of Louisiana.
15C. The director may authorize the acceptance in this state of a certificate of
16inspection and approval issued in another state having an inspection law similar to
17this Chapter and may extend the time within which a certificate shall be obtained by
18the resident owner of a vehicle which was not in this state during the time an
19inspection was required.
20D.(1) C. The secretary may suspend the registration of any vehicle which he
21determines is in such unsafe condition as to constitute a menace to safety, or which
22after notice and demand is not equipped as required in this Chapter, or for which a
23required certificate has not been obtained.
24E.(1) The mere failure of the owner or operator of a motor vehicle required
25by this Section to be inspected to obtain a current and valid inspection certificate
26shall not be in violation, provided that the certificate has been expired less than one
27calendar month; nor shall an owner or operator be in violation if he shall produce on
28demand, under Subsection B of this Section, a certificate of inspection for the vehicle
29valid and effective for not more than six months and not in current display on the
30windshield by reason of replacement of the windshield glass.
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1D.(2) However, when When a certificate of inspection is removed from a
2windshield by reason of replacement of windshield glass, the owner of the vehicle
3may be issued, for a fee of five dollars and twenty-five cents and return of the
4original certificate to an inspection certificate station, a certificate which shall be
5valid for the time remaining on the original certificate.
6F. The purchaser of a used vehicle from a private individual shall be
7protected from citations for failure to have an inspection tag during the interval
8between the date of purchase and the receipt of title, provided proof of application
9can be shown.
10G. E. In order to enforce the provisions of this Section as applicable to motor
11vehicles which are propelled by an internal combustion engine or motor capable of
12using liquefied petroleum gas or compressed natural gas, no such vehicle shall be
13issued a motor vehicle inspection certificate without a current decal as evidence of
14tax payment, as required by R.S. 47:802.3.
15H. F. No motor vehicle registered in a parish that approves the fee or charge
16authorized by R.S. 32:1306.1 shall be inspected in a parish other than the parish of
17registration.
18G.(1) In addition, the secretary shall require motor vehicles registered in a
19parish or municipality subject to the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.,
20or continuous regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental
21Protection Agency requiring performance of the inspection and maintenance (I/M)
22program, be inspected in accordance with R.S. 30:2054(B)(8). Nothing in this
23Section shall be construed to relieve any operator of a motor vehicle, low-speed
24vehicle as defined in R.S. 32:1(50), trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, or any
25combination thereof from compliance with the provisions of R.S. 32:1301.
26(2) The secretary shall require the inspection of all approved automotive
27emission control devices installed on vehicles required to be inspected or that were
28produced after model year 1980 to ensure that such devices have not been tampered
29with and are operative. However, low-speed vehicles shall not be subject to regular
30emissions inspections.
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1(3)(a) The secretary shall formulate and promulgate a set of standards for the
2control and regulation of emission control devices on all automobiles and other
3motor vehicles subject to inspection pursuant to this Section, which standards shall
4be consistent with other federal and state regulations for the installation and
5operation of approved emission control devices.
6(b) The secretary is hereby authorized to make necessary rules and
7regulations for the administration and enforcement of this Section and to designate
8any periods of time during which owners of vehicles, subject to this Section, shall
9provide external, readily visible certificates of inspection for emissions inspection
10and approval or shall produce them on demand of any officer or employee of the
11department designated by the secretary or any police or peace officer when
12authorized by the secretary.
13H. The secretary may authorize the acceptance in this state of a certificate
14of inspection and approval issued in another state having an inspection law similar
15to this Chapter and may extend the time within which a certificate shall be obtained
16by the resident owner of a vehicle which was not in this state during the time an
17inspection was required.
18§1304.1. Louisiana Vehicle Identification Program
19A. The secretary shall require that every motor vehicle or low speed vehicle,
20as defined in R.S. 32:1(50), registered in this state bear a Louisiana Vehicle
21Identification Program sticker.
22B. The Louisiana Vehicle Identification Program sticker shall contain the
23vehicle identification number and be visible to law enforcement.
24C. The fee for the Louisiana Vehicle Identification Program shall not exceed
25six dollars per year and may be assessed and collected on a biennial basis.
26D.(1) The secretary is hereby authorized to promulgate necessary rules and
27regulations for the administration and enforcement of this Section and to designate
28during which owners of vehicles, subject to this Section, shall display upon such
29vehicles program stickers.
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1(2) The rules and regulations adopted for the administration and enforcement
2of this Section shall include but not be limited to:
3(a) The location to affix the program sticker.
4(b)   The inclusion of a barcode, quick response code, or comparable
5electronic identifier on the sticker.
6*        *  *
7§1306. Operation of official inspection stations
8*        *  *
9C.(1)(a) A charge or fee shall be charged for each certificate of inspection
10and approval issued, as provided in this Subsection.
11(b) Persons operating an official inspection station shall offer certificates of
12inspection that are valid for both one year and two year periods. The owner of the
13vehicle shall have the option of purchasing a one year or a two year certificate. A
14charge or fee shall be charged for each year of validity of the certificate of inspection
15and approval issued, as provided in this Subsection.
16(c) The provisions of Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph shall not apply to
17the inspection programs provided for in Paragraphs (3) and (5) of this Subsection and
18to student transportation vehicles.
19(2) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, for each year of validity
20of the certificate issued, a charge or fee of ten dollars shall be charged, four dollars
21and seventy-five cents of which shall be retained by the operator of the motor vehicle
22inspection station conducting the inspection, four dollars of which shall be
23transferred to the office of state police for use in traffic law enforcement, and one
24dollar and twenty-five cents shall be transferred to the office of motor vehicles for
25expenses associated with the motor vehicle inspection and financial responsibility
26programs. Included in the inspection shall be the adjustment of headlights when
27needed and mechanically practical, at no additional cost to the operator of the motor
28vehicle inspected.
29(3)(a) (2)(a) For parishes and municipalities that have a vehicle inspection
30and maintenance program required by the federal Clean Air Act or regulations
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1promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, an additional
2eight dollars shall be charged for each inspection that includes the performance of
3the inspection and maintenance (I/M) program pursuant to the provisions of R.S.
430:2054(B)(8) for 1980 or newer model year motor vehicles. The motor vehicle
5inspection station shall retain six dollars of the additional charge for implementation
6and performance of the I/M program. Two dollars of the additional charge shall be
7transferred to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to implement and
8operate the inspection and maintenance program.
9(b) The department shall promulgate and adopt rules and regulations
10necessary to implement the provisions of this Paragraph.
11(c) The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to any trailer, light
12trailer, or semitrailer.
13(4) (3) The maintenance and inspection program and the fees provided for
14in Paragraph (3) (2) of this Subsection shall be discontinued when the I/M program
15is discontinued as allowed by the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., and
16regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or
17agreements with the agency concerning the implementation of this program, or result
18in any other noncompliance regarding this Subsection.
19(5) (4) An annual charge or fee of thirty dollars shall be charged for the
20inspection of all commercial motor vehicles which are required to be inspected under
21the provisions of Part 396 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations 49 CFR
22Part 396, including Part 396.17 and "Appendix G" thereof. No charges or fees other
23than the thirty-dollar fee shall be charged for a commercial motor vehicle inspection.
24Of the thirty-dollar fee, the motor vehicle inspection station operator who performs
25this inspection shall retain twenty-three dollars and seventy-five cents; two dollars
26and twenty-five cents shall be transferred to the office of motor vehicles for expenses
27associated with motor vehicle and financial responsibility programs; and four dollars
28of which shall be transferred to the office of state police for use in traffic law
29enforcement. Included in the inspection shall be the adjustment of headlights at no
30additional cost to the operator of the motor vehicle being inspected. The Legislature
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1of Louisiana hereby declares that a commercial motor vehicle inspection is much
2more extensive than the inspection mandated in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection and
3that the increase in the fee or charge for the inspection of commercial vehicles is
4based on the difference in the two types of inspection.
5(6)(a) (5)(a) The charge or fee for the inspection of student transportation
6vehicles which are required to be inspected under pursuant to LAC
728:CXIII.701(A)(3) shall be twenty dollars. No charges or fees other than the
8twenty-dollar fee shall be charged for a student transportation vehicle inspection. Of
9the twenty-dollar fee, the motor vehicle inspection station operator who performs
10this inspection shall retain fourteen dollars and seventy-five cents; one dollar and
11twenty-five cents shall be transferred to the office of motor vehicles for expenses
12associated with motor vehicle and financial responsibility programs; and four dollars
13shall be transferred to the office of state police for use in traffic law enforcement.
14(b) The adjustment of headlights shall be included in the inspection at no
15additional cost to the owner or operator of the school bus being inspected.
16(c) The Legislature of Louisiana hereby declares that a student transportation
17vehicle inspection is much more extensive than the inspection required of other
18motor vehicles and that the increase in the fee or charge for the inspection of student
19transportation vehicles is based on the difference in these types of inspections.
20*       *      *
21Section 3. R.S. 32:707.5(D)(3) and 1303 are hereby repealed in their entirety.
22Section 4. The commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections,
23 office of motor vehicles, shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the
24 Administrative Procedure Act to provide for the implementation of the provisions of this Act
25 by no later than December 31, 2026, and is authorized to use the emergency rulemaking
26 process.
27Section 5.    For the period from June 30, 2026, to January 1, 2027, no law
28 enforcement officer shall issue citations to any motor vehicle for failing to produce or
29 display a certificate of inspection.
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1Section 6. For the parishes subject to the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et
2 seq., or continuous regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection
3 Agency requiring performance of the inspection and maintenance (I/M) program, this Act
4 shall take effect if and when the United States Environmental Protection Agency adopts the
5 proposed State Implementation Plan amendments submitted by the Department of
6 Environmental Quality. For all other parishes, this Act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.
7Section 7. If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof, is held invalid,
8 such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items, or applications of the Act which can
9 be given effect without the invalid provision, item, or application and to this end the
10 provisions of this Act are hereby declared severable.
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
  GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
 APPROVED:
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