Mr. Longstreet:

Act 35 was implemented during the 2008 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature.  This Act requires USCG documented vessels to obtain Louisiana registration.  Louisiana was one of the only gulf states that did not already require documented vessels to be registered.  

Louisiana registration is not intended to conflict with nor replace the documentation of a vessel.  The code of federal regulations directly addresses the situation where states require registration. 

Subsequent to the enactment of the legislation, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted regulations to provide the LA registration number not be placed on the vessel, and such vessels are required only to display the registration decal on any visible location on each side of the vessel. 

The Louisiana registration is a three year registration.  In accordance with LA tax law , if a vessel is less than 10 years old and brought into the state proof of LA taxes paid is required.  If the bill of sale does not indicate state sales tax had been paid on the vessel, the vessel owner must obtain certification from the Louisiana Dept. of Revenue showing that state and local sales taxes requirements have been satisfied.  If the owner of a documented vessel has paid sales tax on the vessel then no additional taxes are due.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Law Enforcement Division

P.O. Box 98000

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70898-9000

225-765-2987  Fax 225-763-3548