MTR VEHICLE/OFFICE: Provides for a temporary waiver of fees for final delinquent debt based on special circumstances (REF DECREASE SG RV See Note)

HLS 26RS-1001 REENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 732
BY REPRESENTATIVE OWEN
MTR VEHICLE/OFFICE: Provides for a temporary waiver of fees for final delinquent debt
based on special circumstances
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 32:8(E), relative to delinquent debt owed to the office of motor vehicles; to
3 require the commissioner to temporarily waive or suspend fines, fees, penalties, or
4 license suspensions for emergency reasons; to provide for the verification of a
5 life-threatening condition; to provide for the authority of the commissioner; to
6 provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 32:8(E) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 §8. Final delinquent debt; office of motor vehicles; temporary waivers and holds
10 * * *
11 E.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the
12 commissioner, or his designee, shall have emergency authority to temporarily waive
13 or place on hold, for a period not to exceed thirty days, any fine, fee, penalty, or
14 license suspension appearing on a person’s driving record when the commissioner
15 determines that such action is necessary to allow the person immediate access to
16 life-sustaining medicine or medical treatment.
17 (2) The person or their representative shall provide documentation from a
18 licensed physician, hospital, hospice, or other home health provider verifying the
19 life-threatening nature of the condition.
20 (3) The commissioner shall have full authority to reduce or eliminate any
21 obligation as provided for in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
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HB NO. 732
1 (4) For the purposes of this Subsection, "commissioner" means the
2 commissioner of the office of motor vehicles.
3 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
4 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
5 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
6 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
7 effective on the day following such approval.
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 732 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Owen
Abstract: Grants the commissioner of the office of motor vehicles, or his designee, the
authority to temporarily waive or suspend certain fines, fees, penalties, or license
suspensions for up to 30 days to allow a person access to life sustaining medicine or
treatment and to reduce or eliminate any obligation.
Present law (R.S. 32:8) allows the office of motor vehicles (OMV) to refer debts that are past
due 180 days and final for collection through the Office of Debt Recovery, while notifying
debtors of payment options and possible fees. Authorizes the OMV to adopt rules for
referrals and, through the commissioner, compromise or settle debts to reduce collection
costs.
Proposed law retains present law but grants the commissioner of the OMV, or his designee,
emergency authority to temporarily waive or suspend fines, fees, penalties, or license
suspensions for up to 30 days to allow access to life-sustaining medical treatment, with
documentation from a healthcare provider. Additionally, grants the commissioner full
authority to reduce or eliminate any obligation.
Proposed law defines "commissioner" as the commissioner of the OMV for purposes of
proposed law.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 32:8(E))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Remove a provision that specified that any waiver or hold did not forgive the
underlying obligation and required a written decision.
2. Define "commissioner" as the commissioner of the office of motor vehicles for
purposes of proposed law.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
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HB NO. 732
3. Clarify that the commissioner has the full authority to reduce or eliminate an
obligation.
4. Make technical changes.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.