HB695 updates state law to recognize as legal tender any gold or silver coin, specie, or bullion recognized by the U.S. government, as well as gold-backed debit instruments that can convert gold stored in a depository into regular (fiat) currency.
The Louisiana State Senate passed HB695 on June 9, 2025 by a vote of 39 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill is an important step toward restoring sound, constitutional money and reestablishing the role of gold and silver as legal tender, in accordance with Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution.
United States Constitution
Article I Section 10
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
