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Committee advances higher cap for public tag-agent fees after Shreveport exemption fails
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Summary
The House Transportation Committee voted to report HB 989, which raises the statutory cap public tag agents may charge from $23 to $27, after lawmakers rejected an amendment to exempt Shreveport. Supporters said the increase restores 2021 fee value; critics warned it could burden low-income areas.
The House Committee on Transportation voted to report House Bill 989 favorably after a roll-call vote, advancing a measure that raises the maximum fee public tag agents may charge to process vehicle registrations and titles.
Representative Boyer, who sponsored HB 989, said the bill “updates and clarifies the fees that public tag agents can charge” to ensure a consistent structure for both citizens and private agents. The measure would set the statutory cap at $27, an increase supporters say reflects higher operating costs since 2021.
Adele Dauphin, president of the Louisiana Public Tag Agent Association, told the committee the $4 increase would “bring us in line with what we received in 2021,” and said charging the fee is discretionary for agents: “Many tag agents don't charge that, and it is discretionary. I waive fees all the time.”
Representative Phelps pressed for a targeted exemption for the city of Shreveport, arguing some communities “just can't” absorb the increase and asking that the committee exclude Shreveport from the fee change. Phelps offered an amendment to carve out Shreveport; proponents of statewide consistency, including Representative Boyer, objected, saying piecemeal exemptions would create complexity across the system.
The Shreveport amendment was put to a roll call and was not adopted. On final passage the committee recorded 13 yays and 2 nays and reported HB 989 favorably.
Supporters said the change is intended to help a network of small businesses—public tag agencies—that partner with the Office of Motor Vehicles to serve rural areas and customers who find in-person assistance helpful. Opponents cautioned about the impact on low‑income communities and urged members to consider discretionary waivers at the local level.
The bill now moves to the next legislative stage for additional consideration.
