Buckle up, Louisiana! More accountability could be coming to state regulators. Senate Bill (SB) 59, by Senator Mike Reese, is making waves across the state, and it’s not just political insiders who are paying attention.

Right now, state agencies, boards, and commissions can enact regulations that could cost taxpayers and regulated businesses, organizations, and even individuals hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars. But here’s the kicker: with such a high price tag, it can happen without a single vote or active oversight from your elected representatives. The process is actually set up to automatically allow these regulations to go into effect unless lawmakers call themselves into a special meeting, usually in the legislative “off season,” to disapprove.

That’s why Senator Mike Reese introduced SB 59 in the current 2025 legislative session. Like the REINS (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) Act proposed at the federal level, SB 59 will enhance legislative oversight of these state regulations, particularly those with significant fiscal or economic impact.

SB 59 requires that any proposed rule from a state entity that is expected to cost $200,000 or more per year, or $1,000,000 or more over five years, must receive legislative approval from the appropriate committees before it can take effect.

This is important for Louisiana because unchecked regulations with hefty price tags can crush small businesses, stifle job growth, and drain taxpayer dollars. Rules with a significant fiscal impact should have heightened oversight by elected officials that directly answer to voters.

Louisiana is not alone in this effort. Other states have passed their own REINS-style laws, including Florida (2010), Wisconsin (2017), Indiana (2024), Kansas (2024), Kentucky (2025), and Utah (2025).

On May 8, 2025, SB 59 passed the Senate unanimously. The House passed the bill on June 2. It now heads back to the Senate for concurrence of House amendments. As soon as the two chamber agree to final wording, it will go to the Governor for signature.

Whether you are a small business owner, a taxpayer, or just someone who wants less red tape in your life, SB 59 could be a game changer. Watch SB 59 as it nears the end of the legislative process. If it becomes law, it will tip the scale back towards the people, where the power belongs. It may serve as a silent game changer, discouraging state regulators from even proposing as many costly regulations unless they believe they can withstand legislative scrutiny. You may also see lawmakers exercising more oversight and soliciting your input on whether proposed regulations are worth the cost. But rest assured that these decisions will be made more responsibly going forward by those you elect to represent you.