Michael Echols is a Republican state representative from Monroe who has served in the Louisiana House since 2020, after a term on the Monroe City Council. He works in business and real-estate development, and the House Republican caucus chose him as majority leader in December 2025. According to his Ballotpedia survey, he is running for Congress on public safety, an economy built around domestic production, and reducing federal spending.[1][2][4]
Echols was born in Bastrop, Louisiana, in 1977 and lives in Monroe; according to his campaign materials, he lives there with his wife Christie and their two daughters.[1][2]He graduated from Prairie View Academy and earned a bachelor's degree in accounting (1999) and an M.B.A. (2001) from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.[1][3]He was chief operations officer of Oglesby Financial Group from 2000 to 2007 and associate vice president of marketing and communication at the University of Louisiana at Monroe from 2007 to 2010, and later became director of business development for Vantage Health Plan.[1]
Echols describes himself as leading Echo Development, a real-estate development company that has revitalized historic properties across North Louisiana, and as host of the long-running radio show "Echols at 8."[1]KNOE reports that he is co-owner of The Hotel Monroe.[4]He was a Republican candidate for Louisiana House District 14 in 2011.[1]In 2016 he was elected to the Monroe City Council (District 1), serving as council chair from 2016 to 2017 and on the council until 2020.[1][4]
Echols was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, District 14, in 2019, took office on January 13, 2020, and was re-elected in 2023.[1][2][3]His committee assignments in the 2025-2026 term include Ways and Means, Health and Welfare, Labor and Industrial Relations, the Joint Capital Outlay Committee and the Medicaid Oversight Committee, and he began serving as House Majority Leader on December 11, 2025.[1][2][4]In 2024 he testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions about Steward Health Care's management of Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe, according to Wikipedia.[2]He qualified in August 2026 as a candidate for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District.[5]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
On the version voted Jun 1, 2026: Creates a pilot program, July 2026 through June 2027, raising the promotional play wagers racing-facility slot licensees may offer from $5 million to $7 million. Requires licensees to report the effect on proceeds, fees and taxes by March 1, 2027.
May 18, 2026 · Failed 44–46 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Regulates pharmacy benefit managers: limits their pay to flat fees, bars keeping rebates and spread pricing, and allows annual audits. Sets a $25,000 civil penalty per violation, with license suspension or revocation if not corrected within 30 days.
May 31, 2026 · Passed 76–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Raises the number of assistant district attorneys in 30 judicial districts, for example from 55 to 71 in the 19th, and cuts Orleans Parish from 83 to 73. Increases take effect only when funded, and some also need a state commission's recommendation.
May 31, 2026 · Failed 40–49 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Jun 1, 2026: Bars using wearable video-recording eyeglasses to record or transcribe a conversation unless all participants are notified. Exempts public meetings, law enforcement and emergencies, recording evidence for legal proceedings, and recordings made by a participant in their own home or business.
May 31, 2026 · Failed 46–38 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Sets procedures for impeachment investigations: defines "gross misconduct" and, on a three-fifths request of both chambers, creates a joint committee with subpoena power to examine sworn citizen complaints. Authorizes the House to impeach by majority vote.
Requires background checks on anyone owning or managing a therapeutic group home, removes licensed ambulance personnel from hiring bans for criminal offenses, and lets hospitals run criminal history checks through accredited consumer reporting agencies.
Regulates pharmacy benefit managers: limits their pay to flat fees, bars keeping rebates and spread pricing, and allows annual audits. Sets a $25,000 civil penalty per violation, with license suspension or revocation if not corrected within 30 days.
May 31, 2026 · Passed 76–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Requires the Department of Health to set Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation rates of at least $14.50 per trip and $2.10 per mile, with a multi-passenger rate method. Limits rides outside the home or neighboring parishes unless medically necessary.
Amends the bill to let a vendor or service provider tied to a foreign adversary or foreign terrorist organization cure the violation by divesting, removing such agents or ending support, and to let charter school boards fix or replace affected management companies.
Apr 20, 2026 · Passed 68–24 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted May 29, 2026: Bars school employees from preventing a student from using medically necessary school-based health center services when a parent, guardian or adult student consents, and requires school policies that avoid delays or extra barriers for licensed providers.
Authorizes each public college and university to set and adjust tuition and fees for all programs, with increases capped at 10% per year and no cap on reductions, starting January 1, 2027.
On the version voted May 29, 2026: Bars using aircraft tracking data from ADS-B systems as a basis for charging fees or taxes to owners of aircraft of 12,499 pounds or less operating in the state.
Apr 20, 2026 · Failed 37–50 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Lets public airports use design-build contracting for vertical facilities such as workforce training buildings, control towers, parking garages and hangars, excluding commercial airport passenger terminals and equipment. Takes effect August 1, 2026.
May 29, 2026 · Passed 71–22 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Jun 1, 2026: Bars using wearable video-recording eyeglasses to record or transcribe a conversation unless all participants are notified. Exempts public meetings, law enforcement and emergencies, recording evidence for legal proceedings, and recordings made by a participant in their own home or business.
May 31, 2026 · Failed 46–38 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Jun 1, 2026: Bars electioneering communications that use AI to portray a candidate or recall-subject official in a falsely authentic way unless labeled as AI-created. Penalties apply only with intent to injure reputation or deceive voters; exempts broadcasters with no control over content.
On the version voted May 27, 2026: Gives East Baton Rouge Parish justices of the peace concurrent jurisdiction with city courts over evictions from residential, commercial or farm leases with monthly rent of $5,000 or less, and redraws the six justice of the peace and constable districts.
Apr 29, 2026 · Passed 70–22 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Raises the maximum fine for demolishing a New Orleans historic structure without approval from the greater of $25,000 or 15% of assessed value to the greater of $50,000 or 15%, and creates a lien on the property for fines.
May 31, 2026 · Passed 82–11 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Removes the state-law makeup of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, including its selection committee and quorum rule, and lets the board's composition follow the city charter, with the city council setting appointment and term rules by ordinance.
Amends the bill to let a vendor or service provider tied to a foreign adversary or foreign terrorist organization cure the violation by divesting, removing such agents or ending support, and to let charter school boards fix or replace affected management companies.
Apr 20, 2026 · Passed 68–24 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 1 of 16 party-divided votes on file.
GAMING: Creates an enhanced promotional play pilot program relative to net slot machine proceeds (EN -$574,627 GF RV See Note)
What it does: On the version voted Jun 1, 2026: Creates a pilot program, July 2026 through June 2027, raising the promotional play wagers racing-facility slot licensees may offer from $5 million to $7 million. Requires licensees to…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 28–0, Republicans 15–42
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
HB 956 · LA HOUSE
FIRE PROTECT/FIRE MARSHAL: Provides relative to fireworks
YesVOTED
Motion: ADOPT CONFERENCE REPORT (#1846)
A yes vote adopted the conference committee compromise on HB 956, which allows retail fireworks sales around Memorial Day and Labor Day from 7 a.m. and bans direct-to-consumer shipping of consumer fireworks. (AI-written)
Changes fireworks rules: limits retail sales to 1.4G-class fireworks, starts sale hours at 7 a.m., adds Memorial Day and Labor Day sale windows, repeals Class C public displays, and raises pyrotechnic operator license fees to $200 new and $100 renewal.
JUDGES: Provides for legislative address to the governor for the removal of certain judges for malfeasance, gross misconduct, or incompetence committed while in office. (See Act)
YesVOTED
Motion: ADOPT CONFERENCE REPORT (#1851)
A yes vote adopted the conference committee report on SB 479, which accepts House changes making removal of judges for malfeasance or gross misconduct a legislative impeachment process. (AI-written)
Sets procedures for impeachment investigations: defines "gross misconduct" and, on a three-fifths request of both chambers, creates a joint committee with subpoena power to examine sworn citizen complaints. Authorizes the House to impeach by majority vote.
MEDICAID: Requires the Louisiana Department of Health to increase the reimbursement rates for nonemergency medical transportation providers (EN +$2,601,174 GF EX See Note)
YesVOTED
Motion: ADOPT CONFERENCE REPORT (#1836)
A yes vote adopted the conference committee report on HB 1028, which sets minimum Medicaid nonemergency transportation rates of $14.50 per trip and $2.10 per mile and requires a rate method for multi-passenger trips. (AI-written)
Requires the Department of Health to set Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation rates of at least $14.50 per trip and $2.10 per mile, with a multi-passenger rate method. Limits rides outside the home or neighboring parishes unless medically necessary.
CIVIL/PROCEDURE: Requires notification of all parties to record in-person communication
YesVOTED
Motion: CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1858)
A yes vote accepted the Senate's amendments to HB 410, which broaden exceptions and require proof of actual damages in the bill barring unannounced recording with wearable eyeglass devices, sending it to the governor. (AI-written)
Bars using wearable video-recording eyeglasses to record or transcribe a conversation unless all participants are notified. Exempts public meetings, law enforcement and emergencies, recording evidence for legal proceedings, and recordings made by a participant in their own home or business.
SPECIAL DISTRICTS: Creates the BLVD at Harding Area Special District in the city of Baton Rouge. (gov sig)
YesVOTED
Motion: ADOPT CONFERENCE REPORT (#1852)
A yes vote adopted the conference committee report on SB 283, which creates the BLVD at Harding Area Special District and adds a Baton Rouge Community College Economic Development District. (AI-written)
Creates two special districts in Baton Rouge, the BLVD at Harding Area district and a Baton Rouge Community College economic development district, each run by a board with power to issue bonds. Extends tax increment financing authority to the Harding district.
ELECTIONS/CANDIDATES: Provides relative to the use of artificial intelligence in political campaigns
YesVOTED
Motion: ADOPT CONFERENCE REPORT (#1844)
A yes vote adopted the conference committee report on HB 459, which bars unlabeled AI-created electioneering communications that falsely portray a candidate, with criminal penalties only when intent is shown. (AI-written)
Bars electioneering communications that use AI to portray a candidate or recall-subject official in a falsely authentic way unless labeled as AI-created. Penalties apply only with intent to injure reputation or deceive voters; exempts broadcasters with no control over content.
CHILDREN: Provides relative to child welfare. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)
YesVOTED
Motion: FINAL PASSAGE (#1848)
Changes child welfare notification and oversight: requires notice of child abuse deaths to legislative leaders and committee chairs, requires reporting of deaths and near-fatalities to the child ombudsman, and gives the ombudsman remote access to state child-services systems.
A yes vote adopted the conference committee report on HB 953, which moves plumber licensing to a subcommittee of the contractors licensing board, abolishes the State Plumbing Board, and adds two licensed plumbers to the contractors board. (AI-written)
Abolishes the State Plumbing Board and moves plumber and gas fitter licensing to a new Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee of the State Licensing Board for Contractors, adding two board members from plumbing industry groups.
GAMING: Creates an enhanced promotional play pilot program relative to net slot machine proceeds (EN -$574,627 GF RV See Note)
YesVOTED
Motion: ADOPT CONFERENCE REPORT (#1855)
A yes vote adopted the conference committee report on HB 75, which creates a pilot program raising untaxable promotional play wagers at racing-facility slot licensees from $5 million to $7 million for 2026-27. (AI-written)
Creates a pilot program, July 2026 through June 2027, raising the promotional play wagers racing-facility slot licensees may offer from $5 million to $7 million. Requires licensees to report the effect on proceeds, fees and taxes by March 1, 2027.
HEALTH: Provides for prohibitions on hiring individuals with certain criminal convictions
YesVOTED
Motion: ADOPT CONFERENCE REPORT (#1843)
A yes vote adopted the conference committee report on HB 414, which extends therapeutic group home background checks to anyone with an ownership interest or managerial authority, and lets nonlicensed healthcare workers be hired temporarily despite a pending arrest record. (AI-written)
Requires background checks on anyone owning or managing a therapeutic group home, removes licensed ambulance personnel from hiring bans for criminal offenses, and lets hospitals run criminal history checks through accredited consumer reporting agencies.