12 hours ago - Politics

Blackout license plates coming to Louisiana

Carlie Kollath Wells

Minnesota license plate: black background with large white AAA 000, Minnesota at the top, small outline of Minnesota, and 10,000 lakes slogan at the bottom; teal border around the image. — This is what blackout license plates look like in Minnesota. Image: Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services

Louisiana lawmakers tackled everything from congressional redistricting to new license plates in the 2026 legislative session that wrapped up Monday.

The big picture: These are some of the buzzier bills that passed. Some have been signed, while others need Gov. Jeff Landry's signature.

🔎 Brake tags: Landry on Tuesday signed into law a bill that ends the state's traditional inspection sticker and replaces it with a QR-code sticker linked to vehicle registrations.

New Orleans, Kenner and Westwego can still require their own inspections, though, the Shreveport Times reports.

🚙 Blackout license plates: Louisiana now can sell blackout license plates that are popular in other states. Landry signed this bill into law last month.

They feature white letters and numbers on an all-black background.

🎈 Balloon ban: Intentional, outdoor releases of Mylar and latex helium balloons are banned as of Aug. 1, the Louisiana Illuminator reports.

🚑 911 fees: The bill increases monthly charges for mobile users in the state from $1.25 to $2. It is expected to generate an extra $10 million for the city's 911 center, The Times-Picayune says.

What didn't pass: A bill to name a bridge after President Trump stalled after getting a lot of attention earlier in the session.

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Blackout license plates coming to Louisiana

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