Louisiana lawmakers have approved House Resolution 317 to create a legislative task force to study artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cryptocurrency. Representative Mark Wright introduced the resolution, which was passed during the 2025 Regular Session and directs the formation of a subcommittee under the House Committee on Commerce.
The new committee will investigate how these technologies are being used across the state and assess their impact on the economy, legislation, and daily life. The goal is to produce recommendations that guide future policies without introducing new laws at this stage.
Subcommittee to begin work by September
The resolution requires the subcommittee to begin its work by September 1, 2025. Members will gather data, speak with experts, and organize public events to understand better the role of AI, blockchain, and digital currencies in Louisiana. Their efforts will focus on both current applications and future implications of these technologies.
A full report must be submitted to the House Committee on Commerce and the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library by February 1, 2026. The report will include a review of how other states and federal agencies are approaching these technologies and outline possible safeguards and legal considerations for Louisiana to adopt. No individual members have been named yet, but the task force will consist of members from the House Commerce Committee.
Public input and expert testimony will guide the study
House Resolution 317 instructs the committee to host open events where residents, business owners, educators, and tech professionals can share their views. These public hearings will provide insights from those working directly with AI systems, blockchain infrastructure, and cryptocurrency platforms.
The resolution emphasizes the importance of engaging with voices from across sectors to understand real-world risks and opportunities. Lawmakers want to ensure the findings reflect both expert knowledge and public concerns. This approach will help the subcommittee craft more accurate and practical recommendations.
Focus areas include regulation, cybersecurity, and workforce impact
The committee will focus its study on digital privacy, cybersecurity threats, and economic growth related to emerging technologies. It will also look at how other states are handling regulation and what lessons Louisiana can learn from those efforts.