09/01/2026
Why is no one talking about HB-1038? đ¤
I recently received legislative updates in the mail from our local State Representative, and Iâm sure many of you did too. But there was something noticeably missingâthere was no mention of HB-1038.
Why?
Hundreds of registered voters contacted and emailed our local State Representative and other legislators in Baton Rouge asking them to stop this legislation because of its potential impact on the criminal and traffic-enforcement authority of the Thibodaux City Marshalâs Office.
Yet, those voices were ignored. HB-1038 was quietly passed and signed into law.
Martin originally contacted me on May 11 about appearing on HTV the following morning regarding HB-1038. Unfortunately, I was unable to change my schedule on such short notice and could not accept the invitation.
I contacted HTV on Wednesday, June 17, requesting an interview so I could inform the public about this legislation and what I believe are serious public-safety concerns. I understand Martin Folse is busy, so I am now using my social media platform to make sure the people of Thibodaux are informed.
Martin did contact me twice after the initial invitation. However, I chose to wait until the final version of the bill was signed because the authors continued making changes to the legislation. I wanted to make sure I had the complete and accurate information before speaking publicly about it.
I believe Martin is a fair and professional person, and I want to make it clear that my comments are not intended as a negative shot at him or HTV. I simply believe in being honest and transparent about what happened.
Effective January 1, 2027, unless the Thibodaux City Council adopts an ordinance, the Thibodaux City Marshalâs Office will no longer have the same criminal and traffic-enforcement authority within the City of Thibodaux as the Thibodaux Police Department.
Now, I want you to understand the history behind this.
The former Mayor did not support me and did not agree with the votersâ decision to elect me in 2020. In 2022, he requested an Attorney Generalâs opinion questioning my authority to make criminal arrests and conduct traffic enforcement within the corporate limits of Thibodaux.
The Attorney Generalâs opinion concluded that the Thibodaux City Marshalâs Office did not need permission from the Mayor or City Council to exercise those authorities within the city.
The former Mayor disagreed with that opinion.
Then, allegedly, former and current City of Thibodaux administration officals met with our local State Representative, and HB-1038 was developed.
The legislation ultimately mirrors concerns and positions that had previously been raised by the former Mayor.
Now letâs talk about public safetyânot politics.
On December 27, 2024, at approximately 12:18 p.m., a Louisiana State Trooper requested backup at the neighborhood Walmart in Terrebonne Parish. Because law enforcement in Thibodaux could potentially respond more quickly, State Police contacted Thibodaux Police dispatch, which put the call out over the radio.
It was then determined that all Thibodaux Police units were busy and unable to respond.
I contacted Thibodaux Police dispatch, advised them that I was only seconds away, and responded. I arrived shortly afterward and stood by with the State Trooper during the traffic stop.
This is what cooperation between law-enforcement agencies is supposed to look like.
The Thibodaux City Marshalâs Office has also assisted the Thibodaux Police Department with transporting prisoners from correctional facilities outside the area. Our deputies have intercepted shoplifting suspects when no Thibodaux Police unit was immediately available as suspects were fleeing.
I also have communications documenting instances where I provided the Thibodaux Police Chief with information involving shootings and murder investigations.
Our office has also assisted neighboring law-enforcement agencies with serious criminal investigations. I have always been willing to put politics aside when it comes to protecting our community.
I will work with anyone the people elect if it means getting the job done and keeping our community safe. But I cannot control whether elected officials choose to work with me on matters of public safety.
You can.
The voters have the ultimate authority at the ballot box.
My responsibility is to make sure you know what HB-1038 does, how it could affect the Thibodaux City Marshalâs Office, and what it could mean for public safety in our community.
This isnât about personalities.
This isnât about politics.
This is about public safety and making sure the people of Thibodaux know what happenedâand what happens next.
If youâre the victim of a crime, do you really care which law enforcement agency provides the information, responds, or makes the arrest?
I would think the answer is NO.
As a victim, you want justice. You want closure. You want to know that the person responsible has been held accountable, and you want to feel safe again.
At the end of the day, it shouldnât be about who gets the credit. It should be about protecting the victim, solving the crime, and keeping our community safe.
Public safety should never be about politics, egos, or which agency gets the recognition. It should be about doing whatâs right for the people we serve.
