HB 635 — CRIME: Provides relative to criminal activity committed by an agent of a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign terrorist organization (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
Last action — Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 308.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed House
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 27, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Jeff Landry (Republican) on May 22, 2026.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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3 sponsors
1 primary, 2 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 R).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
In plain language
The bill addresses criminal activities by foreign agents and terrorist organizations.
This legislation focuses on defining and penalizing criminal acts committed by agents of foreign adversaries or terrorist organizations. It aims to enhance legal responses to such activities.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
128 added · 192 removedPlain-language change summary
In the latest version of Bill HB 635, a reference to "ACT No. 308" has been removed. This change simplifies the language of the bill and may clarify its intent by eliminating unnecessary legal references. It's important because it can help make the bill more accessible and understandable to the public and lawmakers.
HLSENROLLED 26RS-903 REENGROSSED Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO.
635 BY REPRESENTATIVES HORTON AND EDMONSTON AND SENATOR HODGES CRIME:AN ACT ToenactPartIV-AofChapter 2 of Title 14 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S.
Providesrelativetocriminalactivitycommittedbyanagentofaforeignadversary or an agent of a foreign terrorist organization AN ACT To enactPart IV-A of Chapter 2ofTitle 14ofthe Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S.
The purpose of this Part is to counter this threat by protecting Pagepersons 1in this state from the harassment and repression of 7liberty CODING:and freedom caused by these extranational practices.
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HLS 26RS-903 REENGROSSED HB NO.
635 persons in this state from the harassment and repression of liberty and freedom caused by these extranational practices.
(1)Page "Agent1 of a5 foreignCODING: adversary" means a person, entity, or organization directed or controlled by a foreign adversary or who is the proxy of a foreign adversary.
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HB NO.
635 ENROLLED (1) "Agent of a foreign adversary" means a person, entity, or organization directed or controlled by a foreign adversary or who is the proxy of a foreign adversary.
Page(5) 2"Foreign law" means any law, rule, or legal code or system established and used or applied by a foreign adversary or foreign terrorist organization in a jurisdiction outside of 7the CODING:states or territories of the United States.
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HLS 26RS-903 REENGROSSED HB NO.
635 (5) "Foreign law" means any law, rule, or legal code or system established and used or applied by a foreign adversary or foreign terrorist organization in a jurisdiction outside of the states or territories of the United States.
(b)Page An2 entity designated as a "specially designated national" in accordance with 31 CFR 515.306 or any similar regulation that is subsequentlypromulgated in the Code of Federal5 RegulationsCODING: by the United States Department of the Treasury.
(7)Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored "Transnationalare repression"additions. means an act emanating from or attributable to a foreign adversaryor foreign terrorist organizationthatis committed byan agent of that foreign adversary or foreign terrorist organization with the intent to harass, intimidate,censor,orotherwiseextendtheabilityoftheforeignadversaryorforeign terroristorganizationtoinfluence,control,orimposeitspreferencesonthebehavior ofpeopleoutsideoftheterritorialjurisdictionoftheforeignadversarythrougheither of the following means:
HB NO.
635 ENROLLED (b) An entity designated as a "specially designated national" in accordance with 31 CFR 515.306 or anysimilar regulation that is subsequently promulgated in the Code of Federal Regulations by the United States Department of the Treasury.
(7) "Transnational repression" means an act emanating from or attributable to a foreign adversaryor foreignterroristorganization that is committed byan agent of that foreign adversary or foreign terrorist organization with the intent to harass, intimidate,censor,orotherwiseextendtheabilityoftheforeignadversaryorforeign terroristorganizationtoinfluence,control,orimposeitspreferencesonthebehavior ofpeopleoutsideoftheterritorialjurisdictionoftheforeignadversarythrougheither of the following means:
Page(b) 3Coerce ofa 7person CODING:to leave the United States or cause another person to leave the United States.
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HLS 26RS-903 REENGROSSED HB NO.
635 (b) Coerce a person to leave the United States or cause another person to leave the United States.
(2) No person shall intentionally engage in the obstruction, detection, investigation, monitoring, or surveillance of another person or governmental entity withPage the3 intent to enforce or institute the prosecution of a5 foreignCODING: law in violation of the laws of this state or of the United States.
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HB NO.
635 ENROLLED with the intent to enforce or institute the prosecution of a foreign law in violation of the laws of this state or of the United States.
(a) Iftheunderlyingoffenseis punishablebyimprisonmentforatermofnot morethanfiveyears,theoffendershallmorethanfiveyears,theoffendershallbeimprisonedwith beimprisonedwith orwithout hardlaborfor an additional period of one year.
(a) If the offender was acting as an agent of a foreign adversaryoradversary or an agent of a foreign terrorist organization at the time of the violation, the offender shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars, imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than three years nor more than six years, or both.
Page(b) 4If the offender was not acting as an agent of 7a CODING:foreign adversary or an agentofaforeignterroristorganizationatthetimeoftheviolation,theoffendershall befinednot morethanfivethousand dollars, imprisoned with orwithout hardlabor for not less than two years nor more than four years, or both.
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HLS 26RS-903 REENGROSSED HB NO.
635 (b) If the offender was not acting as an agent of a foreign adversary or an agentofaforeignterroristorganizationatthetimeoftheviolation,theoffendershall be fined not morethanfivethousand dollars,imprisonedwith orwithout hard labor for not less than two years nor more than four years, or both.
unenforceability Anydecision from a court, arbitrator,tribunal,arbitrator, tribunal, or administrative agencythat is based in whole or in part on foreign law is void and unenforceable in this state if it denies a party a liberty, right, or privilege guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of Louisiana.
SectionPage 2.4 of 5 CODING:
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HB NO.
635 ENROLLED Section 2.
The Department of Justice, office of the attorney general, Louisiana BureauBureauofInvestigationmayimplement ofthetrainingprogramauthorizedinR.S. Investigation may implement the training program authorized in R.S.
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This Act shall become effectiveuponeffective upon signature bythe governor or, if not signedbythegovernor,uponexpirationofthetimeforbillstobecomelawwithoutsignature by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
PageSPEAKER 5OF ofTHE 7HOUSE CODING:OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscoredPage are5 additions.of 5 CODING:
HLS 26RS-903 REENGROSSED HB NO.
635 DIGEST ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislative Services.
It constitutes nopart of the legislative instrument.
The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.
[R.S.
1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 635 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Horton Abstract:
Provides relative to criminal activity committed by an agent of a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign terrorist organization.
Proposed law provides for a statement of legislative intent.
Proposed law defines the terms "agent of a foreign adversary", "agent of a foreign terrorist organization", "constitutionally protected conduct", "foreign adversary", "foreign law", "foreign terrorist organization", and "transnational repression".
Proposed law prohibits an agent of a foreign adversary or agent of a foreign terrorist organization from committing any criminal offense that is a noncapital felony in the state of La.
while knowingly acting at the direction of, on behalf of, or under the influence of a foreignadversaryorforeignterroristorganizationwith theintent to doanyofthefollowing:
(1) Coerce a person to act on behalf of a foreign adversary or foreign terrorist organization.
(2) Coerce a person to leave the U.S.
or cause another person to leave the U.S.
(3) Cause a person to refrain from engaging in constitutionally protected conduct.
(4) Retaliate against a person for engaging in constitutionally protected conduct.
Proposed law provides for penalties as follows:
(1) If the underlying offense is punishable byimprisonment for a term of not more than five years, imprisonment with or without hard labor for an additional period of one year to be served consecutively to the sentence imposed for the underlying offense.
(2) Iftheunderlyingoffenseis punishablebyimprisonment for atermofmorethanfive years but less than 15 years, imprisonment with or without hard labor for an additionalperiodoftwoyearstobeservedconsecutivelytothesentenceimposedfor the underlying offense.
Proposedlawprohibitsanypersonfromintentionallyengagingintheobstruction,detection, investigation,monitoring, orsurveillanceofanotherperson orgovernmentalentitywith the intent to enforce or institute the prosecution of a foreign law in violation of the laws of the state of La.
or of the U.S.
Proposed law provides for penalties as follows:
(1) A maximum fine of $10,000, imprisonment with or without hard labor for not less than three years nor more than six years, or both, if the offender was acting as an agentofaforeignadversaryoranagent ofaforeignterroristorganization atthetime of the violation.
(2) A maximum fine of $5,000, imprisonment with or without hard labor for not less than two yearsnor morethan four years, or both, iftheoffenderwas not actingas an Page 6 of 7 CODING:
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HLS 26RS-903 REENGROSSED HB NO.
635 agentofaforeignadversaryoranagentofaforeignterroristorganization atthetime of the violation.
Proposed law provides that anydecision from a court, arbitrator, tribunal, or administrative agencythat is based in whole or in part on foreign law is void andunenforceablein thestate of La.
if it denies a party a liberty, right, or privilege guaranteed by the Constitution of the U.S.
or the Constitution of La.
Proposed law authorizes the La.
Bureau of Investigation, on or before July 1, 2027, to provide or adopt a training program for transnational repression recognition and response.
Further provides for methods of obtaining training and permits any updates for training to address emerging threats and specific information on tactics used by specific foreign adversaries or foreign terrorist organizations.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S.
14:391-391.3 and R.S.
40:2405.10) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice to the original bill:
1.
Correct the reference to a federal citation.
Page 7 of 7 CODING:
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View plain text versions (5)
- Enrolled HB635 Enrolled Current pdf
- Engrossed HB635 Reengrossed pdf
- Engrossed HB635 Engrossed pdf
- HB635 Act 308 View text pdf
- HB635 Original View text pdf
Amendments
3 amendments- House Floor Legislative Bureau Amendment, #1904, Horton, Adopted Adopted Show changes
- House Committee Amendment, #3305, ACRJ, Adopted Adopted Show changes
- House Committee Amendment, #2144, ACRJ, Draft Show changes
Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.
Action History
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Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 308.
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Effective date: 05/22/2026.
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Received from the Senate without amendments.
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Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
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Signed by the President of the Senate.
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Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
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Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 26 yeas and 9 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
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Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
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Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
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Rules suspended. Reported favorably.
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Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.
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Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.
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Called from the calendar.
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Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 75, nays 20. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
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Called from the calendar.
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Read by title, returned to the calendar.
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Notice given.
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Scheduled for floor debate on 04/21/2026.
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Read by title, returned to the calendar.
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Notice given.
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Scheduled for floor debate on 04/20/2026.
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Scheduled for floor debate on 04/14/2026.
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Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.
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Reported with amendments (8-0).
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Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
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Prefiled.
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Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
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First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.
Sponsors
- Valarie Hodges · Cosponsor
- Kathy Edmonston · Cosponsor
- Dodie Horton · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 144 not signed on · 29 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Dodie Horton Republican
Co-sponsors (2)
- Valarie Hodges Republican
- Kathy Edmonston Republican
Not signed on (144)
144 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 144 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 25 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Democrat | 0 | 9 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 26 | 9 | 0 | 4 |
| % of votes cast | 67% | 23% | 0% | 10% |
How each member voted (39)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. President | — | Yea |
| Edward J. Price | Democrat | Nay |
| Gary Carter | Democrat | Nay |
| Gerald Boudreaux | Democrat | Nay |
| Jay Luneau | Democrat | Nay |
| Jimmy Harris | Democrat | Nay |
| Katrina R. Jackson-Andrews | Democrat | Nay |
| Larry Selders | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Regina Barrow | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Royce Duplessis | Democrat | Nay |
| Sam Jenkins | Democrat | Nay |
| Sidney Barthelemy II | Democrat | Nay |
| Adam Bass | Republican | Yea |
| Alan Seabaugh | Republican | Yea |
| Beth Mizell | Republican | Yea |
| Blake Miguez | Republican | Yea |
| Bob Hensgens | Republican | Yea |
| Brach Jerad Myers | Republican | Yea |
| Caleb Kleinpeter | Republican | Yea |
| Eddie J. Lambert | Republican | Not Voting |
| Franklin J. Foil | Republican | Yea |
| Glen Womack | Republican | Yea |
| Gregory A. Miller | Republican | Yea |
| Heather Cloud | Republican | Yea |
| Jeremy Stine | Republican | Yea |
| John C. "Jay" Morris | Republican | Yea |
| Jr., William "Bill" Wheat | Republican | Yea |
| Kirk Talbot | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Abraham | Republican | Yea |
| Michael "Big Mike" Fesi | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Reese | Republican | Yea |
| Patrick Connick | Republican | Not Voting |
| Patrick McMath | Republican | Yea |
| Rick Edmonds | Republican | Yea |
| Robert "Bob" Owen | Republican | Yea |
| Robert Allain | Republican | Yea |
| Stewart Jr. Cathey | Republican | Yea |
| Thomas A. Pressly | Republican | Yea |
| Valarie Hodges | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 64 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Democrat | 6 | 18 | 0 | 6 |
| Total | 75 | 20 | 0 | 10 |
| % of votes cast | 71% | 19% | 0% | 10% |
How each member voted (105)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Speaker | — | Yea |
| Amedee | — | Yea |
| Galle | — | Yea |
| Stagni | — | Yea |
| Johnson, T. | — | Nay |
| Landry, T. | — | Nay |
| St. Blanc | — | Yea |
| Adrian Fisher | Democrat | Nay |
| Aimee Adatto Freeman | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Alonzo L. Knox | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Barbara Carpenter | Democrat | Nay |
| C. Denise Marcelle | Democrat | Nay |
| Candace N. Newell | Democrat | Nay |
| Chasity Martinez | Democrat | Nay |
| Dana Henry | Democrat | Nay |
| Delisha Boyd | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Ed Murray | Democrat | Nay |
| Edmond Jordan | Democrat | Nay |
| Gerald Boudreaux | Democrat | Yea |
| III, Ed Larvadain | Democrat | Nay |
| Joy Walters | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Jr., Kyle M. Green | Democrat | Nay |
| Ken Brass | Democrat | Nay |
| Mandie Landry | Democrat | Nay |
| Marcus Anthony Bryant | Democrat | Nay |
| Pat Moore | Democrat | Yea |
| Rashid Armand Young | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Robby Carter | Democrat | Nay |
| Rodney Lyons | Democrat | Nay |
| Roy Daryl Adams | Democrat | Yea |
| Shaun Raphael Mena | Democrat | Nay |
| Sr., Wilford Carter | Democrat | Yea |
| Steven Jackson | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Sylvia Elaine Taylor | Democrat | Yea |
| Tammy T. Phelps | Democrat | Nay |
| Tehmi Jahi Chassion | Democrat | Yea |
| Vanessa Caston LaFleur | Democrat | Nay |
| Annie Spell | Republican | Yea |
| Barbara Reich Freiberg | Republican | Yea |
| Beth Anne Billings | Republican | Yea |
| Brett F. Geymann | Republican | Yea |
| Brian Leonard Glorioso | Republican | Yea |
| Bryan Fontenot | Republican | Yea |
| Chad Michael Boyer | Republican | Yea |
| Chance Keith Henry | Republican | Yea |
| Christopher Turner | Republican | Yea |
| Danny McCormick | Republican | Yea |
| Daryl Andrew Deshotel | Republican | Yea |
| Debbie Villio | Republican | Yea |
| Dixon Wallace McMakin | Republican | Yea |
| Dodie Horton | Republican | Yea |
| Emily Chenevert | Republican | Yea |
| Foy Bryan Gadberry | Republican | Yea |
| Francis C. Thompson | Republican | Not Voting |
| Gregory A. Miller | Republican | Not Voting |
| III, Roger William Wilder | Republican | Yea |
| III, Vincent E. Cox | Republican | Yea |
| IV, Gerald "Beau" Beaullieu | Republican | Yea |
| Jack McFarland | Republican | Yea |
| Jacob Braud | Republican | Yea |
| Jacob Jules Landry | Republican | Yea |
| Jason Brian DeWitt | Republican | Yea |
| Jeffrey "Jeff" Fons Wiley | Republican | Yea |
| Jeremy LaCombe | Republican | Yea |
| Jerome Zeringue | Republican | Yea |
| Jessica Domangue | Republican | Yea |
| John E. Wyble | Republican | Yea |
| Joseph A. Orgeron | Republican | Yea |
| Josh Carlson | Republican | Yea |
| Jr., Dennis Bamburg | Republican | Yea |
| Jr., John R. Illg | Republican | Yea |
| Jr., Michael Robert Bayham | Republican | Yea |
| Kathy Edmonston | Republican | Yea |
| Kellee Hennessy Dickerson | Republican | Yea |
| Kim Carver | Republican | Yea |
| Kimberly Landry Coates | Republican | Yea |
| Larry A. Bagley | Republican | Yea |
| Lauren Ventrella | Republican | Yea |
| Laurie Schlegel | Republican | Yea |
| Les Farnum | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Wright | Republican | Not Voting |
| Michael "Gabe" Firment | Republican | Yea |
| Michael Charles Echols | Republican | Not Voting |
| Michael Melerine | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Johnson | Republican | Yea |
| Neil Riser | Republican | Yea |
| Nicholas Muscarello | Republican | Yea |
| Paul Sawyer | Republican | Yea |
| Phillip Eric Tarver | Republican | Yea |
| Polly Thomas | Republican | Yea |
| R. Dewith Carrier | Republican | Yea |
| Raymond J. Crews | Republican | Yea |
| Reese "Skip" Broussard | Republican | Yea |
| Rhonda Gaye Butler | Republican | Yea |
| Robert "Bob" Owen | Republican | Yea |
| Rodney Schamerhorn | Republican | Yea |
| Ryan Bourriaque | Republican | Yea |
| Shane Mack | Republican | Yea |
| Sr., Peter F. Egan | Republican | Yea |
| Stephanie H. Berault | Republican | Yea |
| Stephanie Hilferty | Republican | Yea |
| Timothy P. Kerner | Republican | Yea |
| Tony Bacala | Republican | Yea |
| Troy Jude Hebert | Republican | Yea |
| Wayne McMahen | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors HB 635?
- HB 635 is sponsored by Valarie Hodges (Republican), Kathy Edmonston (Republican), and Dodie Horton (Republican).
- What is the current status of HB 635?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 27, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track HB 635?
- Track HB 635 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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