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LouisianaHB 5762026 Regular SessionHouse

STATE DEPARTMENT: Transfers the Old Governor's Mansion to the Department of State (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

Sponsored By: Foy Bryan Gadberry (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Senate and Governmental AffairsHouse and Governmental Affairs

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

State Department takes over historic Mansion

Louisiana’s Department of State now controls the Old Governor’s Mansion’s upkeep, operations, grounds, and space; the state still owns it. Its main purpose is to collect, preserve, and share materials about Louisiana’s politics, history, art, and culture. The secretary can partner with public agencies and nonprofits on exhibits, stores, construction, equipment, maintenance, and financing. Nonprofits must have been formed mainly to support Mansion programs. The law creates a superintendent-led Division of State Buildings in the governor’s office to manage the new mansion and other state buildings.

Owners risk losing unclaimed Mansion property

Property deposited with the Mansion, including loans, can become Mansion property after more than 10 years without a claim. The secretary must publish a notice and property listing in a parish newspaper of general circulation. Publication must occur at least once each week for two consecutive weeks. Owners have 65 days after the second notice to make a valid claim. Without a valid claim, ownership passes to the Mansion free of claims by the owner or anyone claiming through them.

Mansion funding required, but closures allowed

The Louisiana Legislature must provide enough money to operate the Old Governor’s Mansion; the law sets no dollar amount. The Department of State can also seek, accept, and use gifts, grants, donations, endowments, and other public or private funds. It may temporarily close the Mansion to visitors if legislative funding is insufficient and no other funds are available. During a closure, the department must maintain the Mansion and continue internal operations until funding is secured.

Mansion gains tools to manage collections

The secretary can accept gifts, bequests, and loans of money, land, buildings, art, and other property for the Mansion. Purchases, leases, and other acquisitions are allowed, but terms and limits in the gift or agreement still apply. Qualifying public trusts can name the Mansion as a beneficiary, and the secretary can make agreements with donors and lenders. Collection loans need the secretary’s approval, safeguards for care and return, and proper records. The secretary can permanently remove collection items under required policies, without following the usual state surplus-property sale and disposal laws.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Foy Bryan Gadberry

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/29/2026

Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 32 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 32 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 101, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 101 • No: 0

House vote • 3/18/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 13 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 77.

    5/11/2026House

  2. Effective date: 05/11/2026.

    5/11/2026House

  3. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/5/2026House

  4. Received from the Senate without amendments.

    5/5/2026House

  5. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    5/5/2026House

  6. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/4/2026Senate

  7. Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 32 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    4/29/2026Senate

  8. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

    4/21/2026Senate

  9. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    4/20/2026Senate

  10. Reported favorably.

    4/15/2026Senate

  11. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs.

    3/30/2026Senate

  12. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 101, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    3/25/2026House

  13. Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    3/25/2026Senate

  14. Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

    3/23/2026House

  15. Scheduled for floor debate on 03/25/2026.

    3/23/2026House

  16. Reported with amendments (13-0).

    3/18/2026House

  17. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.

    3/9/2026House

  18. First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.

    2/27/2026House

  19. Prefiled.

    2/26/2026House

  20. Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.

    2/26/2026House

Bill Text

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