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Committee adopts amended bill to create specialty plates and sales‑tax rule for some antique vehicles; proponents say change would spur restoration economy
Summary
Lawmakers adopted amendments and reported House Bill 520 as amended; sponsors say the measure would create a specialty registration and provide a sales‑tax alternative for certain collector vehicles to make Louisiana more competitive with neighboring states for collector events and restoration businesses.
The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs adopted amendments and reported House Bill 520 as amended on May 27, 2025. The bill would establish a prestige license plate and a $1,000 in‑lieu fee option in place of sales tax for certain antique vehicles over 35 years old and with sale prices above $10,000; it also addresses titling and uses exemptions for vehicles not used commercially.
Representative Village, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure aims to make Louisiana more collector‑car friendly and to encourage restoration and touring events that generate local economic activity. Peter Vicari of Vicari Auctions testified in support, describing avoidance of sales tax through open titles and out‑of‑state registrations, and said collector events such as Cruisin’ the Coast drive significant local economic activity.
Why it matters: Supporters told the committee that Louisiana’s current titling and tax structure discourages collectors from registering and restoring vehicles here and cited neighboring states’ lower registration costs and collector‑friendly rules as competitive disadvantages. Dempsey Pendarvis, a hobbyist and owner, said the bill would make it easier to restore and register collector cars and highlighted the sales‑tax burden on parts and on eventual sale prices.
Fiscal and administrative details: Lauren Debata of the Office of Motor Vehicles said the fiscal note is indeterminable because OMV cannot predict how many qualifying vehicles would be registered or transferred each fiscal year. John McKay of the Legislative Fiscal Office said any reduction in parish (local) revenue would vary by parish because local tax rates differ, and that revenue from specialty‑plate issuance would generally be recorded to state government receipts (SGR), with a portion directed to the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF).
Outcome: Senator Connick moved that the committee report HB520 as amended; the motion carried by unanimous consent (no objections). The committee said staff will provide additional historical titling and registration data on antique vehicles to the sponsor and members before further floor action.
Ending: Supporters asked the legislature to weigh the long‑term economic benefits of increased collector activity and restoration‑industry spending against the indeterminate fiscal impact on state and local revenues.
