Louisiana Governor Signs the Bayou Gold Program Into Law, Creating a State Certification Path for Gold- and Silver-Backed Payment Platforms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Louisiana Establishes Nation's First State Certification Program for Gold- and Silver-Backed Payment Platforms

Baton Rouge, LA — Louisiana has taken another major step toward restoring constitutional money with Governor Jeff Landry's signing of HB 797, creating the Bayou Gold Program—the nation's first state certification framework for private gold- and silver-backed electronic payment platforms.

The legislation builds upon Louisiana's earlier recognition of gold and silver as legal tender and establishes a voluntary certification program administered by the Louisiana Department of the Treasury to ensure that qualifying payment providers meet rigorous consumer protection, transparency, and reserve requirements.

Sponsored by Rep. Raymond Crews (R–Bossier City), HB 797 passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, receiving unanimous approval in the House before final passage in the Senate. The measure reflects Louisiana's continued leadership in developing practical legal and regulatory frameworks that allow citizens to own and transact in constitutional money through modern payment technology.

Rather than operating a state payment system or depository, the Bayou Gold Program creates a voluntary certification process for private providers. Certified platforms must maintain fully allocated precious metals on a one-to-one basis, ensuring customers retain direct ownership of their gold and silver while prohibiting lending, pledging, or rehypothecation of those assets. The law also establishes robust consumer protections, including independent custody of customer assets, physical redemption rights, fee transparency, fraud prevention measures, and regulatory oversight by the State Treasurer.

Importantly, the legislation makes clear that Louisiana is certifying qualified private providers—not operating or guaranteeing them. The Treasury Department is expressly prohibited from owning or managing a depository or payment processor, reinforcing the state's role as regulator rather than market participant.

Building on Louisiana's Constitutional Money Leadership

HB 797 represents the next phase of Louisiana's constitutional money framework. In 2025, the Legislature enacted legislation recognizing gold and silver as legal tender while authorizing precious-metals-backed electronic payment instruments. The Bayou Gold Program builds upon that foundation by creating a clear certification pathway for private companies seeking to offer transactional gold and silver services under uniform state standards.

Louisiana now joins a growing number of states—including Arkansas, Florida, Missouri, Texas, and Utah—that have enacted legislation enabling citizens to use physical gold and silver as functional, spendable money through modern electronic payment systems. While each state has adopted a different implementation model, Louisiana's approach is unique in establishing a state certification program focused on consumer protection, provider accountability, and market confidence.

What Comes Next

Although Act 841 became effective upon Governor Landry's signature on June 8, 2026, implementation of the Bayou Gold Program is contingent upon legislative funding. Once appropriations are provided, the Louisiana Department of the Treasury will begin accepting applications from private payment platforms seeking certification under the Act.

With passage of HB 797, Louisiana has established the legal framework necessary for certified providers to begin offering secure, fully reserved gold- and silver-backed payment services under state oversight, further advancing the growing national movement toward practical constitutional money.

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