Louisiana Bill to Recognize Gold and Silver as Legal Tender in Senate

Louisiana recently advanced HB 695 (formerly HB 386), a bill that would formally recognize gold and silver, either as physical specie or via gold-backed debit instruments, as legal tender statewide. It passed the House unanimously on May 22, 2025, with zero dissenting votes , and has since been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs as of June 4, 2025 (billtrack50.com). The bill’s key innovation is enabling seamless conversion from gold-backed debit cards to fiat in real time, stored securely in approved depositories, including state-accredited or private facilities. If enacted, Louisiana would join a growing number of states pioneering gold- and silver-backed transactional systems, not just as a symbolic gesture, but with real infrastructure for commerce.