This section sets scope rules for leases of movable property in Louisiana, allows limited choice-of-law arrangements, and requires lessors to follow Louisiana remedy and charge limits after default in specified situations.
§3303. Scope A. This Chapter shall apply to all leases of movable property located in this state, whether the property is initially leased in Louisiana or subsequently moved into this state. B. Subject to the provisions of R.S. 9:3303 (D), (E), and (F), a lease agreement affecting movable property located or to be located in Louisiana may provide that the transaction will be governed under the substantive laws of the state in which the lease is entered into or governed under the substantive laws of the state of the lessor's residence, principal office, or incorporation or governed under the substantive laws of any other state having significant contacts with the transaction. As a limited exception to the foregoing, the substantive laws of the chosen forum that would characterize the lease as a type of secured financing transaction under the Uniform Commercial Code shall not apply to a financed lease, provided that the transaction was entered into prior to the time Chapter 9 of the Louisiana Commercial Laws (R.S. 10:9-101, et seq.) became effective. Such a lease shall retain the legal effects of a "financed lease" under this Chapter notwithstanding the fact that the lease may be contractually subject to the substantive laws of another state and may otherwise be classified as a type of secured financing transaction under the Uniform Commercial Code or other laws of the chosen forum. It shall furthermore not be necessary under these limited circumstances for the lessor to perfect any type of security interest on the leased equipment located in Louisiana, again provided that such a financed lease was entered into prior to the time Chapter 9 of the Louisiana Commercial Laws became effective. C. This Chapter shall not affect the amount of taxes owed to the state of Louisiana, or to any political subdivision, on the purchase, importation, use, storage, lease, or rental of tangible personal property. Tax obligations owed to the state and its political subdivisions shall be levied and collected as provided by law. D. Whenever a lessor seeks to enforce remedies under any lease of movable property, no matter where consummated, following the lessee's default and the leased property is then located in this state, the lessor shall comply with the remedy provisions under Part IV of this Chapter, notwithstanding that the lease agreement may provide that the transaction is to be governed under the laws of another state and further notwithstanding the state of the lessee's residence, domicile, or incorporation. E. Whenever an action is brought in this state to enforce any rights arising from a lease of movable property located in this state at the time of the lessee's default, the lessor shall, where applicable, reduce the charges sought to be collected from the lessee so that they do not exceed the charges provided in Part III of this Chapter. F. The following agreements by Louisiana lessees are invalid with respect to leases of movable property, or any modifications thereof, to which this Chapter applies: (1) Agreements in which the lessee consents to the jurisdiction of another state. (2) Agreements that fix venue. Acts 1985, No. 592, §1, eff. July 13, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 213, §1; Acts 1989, No. 137, §4, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1990, No. 1079, §3, eff. Sept. 1, 1990. {{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 213, §2.}}