Kentucky
2026 Regular Session·1,718 bills·Adjourned April 15, 2026
Track legislation moving through Kentucky. Browse 1,718 bills and resolutions during the 2026 Regular Session, each with a plain-language summary, current status from introduction to enactment, sponsors, and voting history.
Bills
Amend KRS 26A.090 to define terms; remove the definition for the court facilities standards committee; amend KRS 26A.107 to establish the duties of the Administrative Office of the Courts relating to assessments of court facilities and construction; create a new section of KRS Chapter 26A to establish the Court Facilities Construction Standards Board; establish the membership and duties of the board; establish a Local Project Development Board; establish the membership and duties of the board; establish the duties and responsibilities of all state and local parties related to construction of court facilities; create a new section of KRS Chapter 26A to establish payment of debt service on bonds issued by a local government for the construction of a court facility and payment of operational costs; create a new section of KRS Chapter 26A to establish duties of a local government for maintenance of new court facilities; establish duties of the Administrative Office of the Courts for reporting of maintenance activity and facility conditions; amend various sections of KRS Chapter 26A to establish the applicability of the duties and requirements related to court facilities projects under construction or for which authority has been given by the General Assembly prior to and on or after the effective date of the Act, and to conform; provide that provisions of this Act applying to new projects shall only apply to all projects authorized after the effective date of the Act, and do not affect, impair, or modify existing projects; EMERGENCY; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2026.
Amend KRS 26A.090 to define terms; remove the definition for the court facilities standards committee; amend KRS 26A.107 to establish the duties of the Administrative Office of the Courts relating to assessments of court facilities and construction; create a new section of KRS Chapter 26A to establish the Court Facilities Construction Standards Board; establish the membership and duties of the board; establish a Local Project Development Board; establish the membership and duties of the board; establish the duties and responsibilities of all state and local parties related to construction of court facilities; create a new section of KRS Chapter 26A to establish payment of debt service on bonds issued by a local government for the construction of a court facility and payment of operational costs; create a new section of KRS Chapter 26A to establish duties of a local government for maintenance of new court facilities; establish duties of the Administrative Office of the Courts for reporting of maintenance activity and facility conditions; amend various sections of KRS Chapter 26A to establish the applicability of the duties and requirements related to court facilities projects under construction or for which authority has been given by the General Assembly prior to and on or after the effective date of the Act, and to conform; provide that provisions of this Act applying to new projects shall only apply to all projects authorized after the effective date of the Act, and do not affect, impair, or modify existing projects; EMERGENCY; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2026.
Amend KRS 241.065 to prohibit licensure for a quota retail package premises less than 1 mile from another quota retail package license premises in a county containing a city of the first class; exempt existing quota retail package license premises; allow for loss of exemption for an existing quota retail package license premises under designated circumstances.
Amend KRS 241.065 to prohibit licensure for a quota retail package premises less than 1 mile from another quota retail package license premises in a county containing a city of the first class; exempt existing quota retail package license premises; allow for loss of exemption for an existing quota retail package license premises under designated circumstances.
Amend KRS 158.162 to define "critical incident," require investigations in emergency plans for critical incidents and state the goals of the investigations; amend KRS 158.4410 to task the state school security marshal with investigating serious physical injury or death incidents that occur on school property, at school-sanctioned events, or during interscholastic athletic events; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to outline the parameters of the investigation, require referral of potential criminal charges, and require necessary administrative regulations; amend KRS 72.025 to require the coroner conduct an autopsy in deaths occurring on public or nonpublic school property or during a school-sanctioned event.
Amend KRS 158.162 to define "critical incident," require investigations in emergency plans for critical incidents and state the goals of the investigations; amend KRS 158.4410 to task the state school security marshal with investigating serious physical injury or death incidents that occur on school property, at school-sanctioned events, or during interscholastic athletic events; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to outline the parameters of the investigation, require referral of potential criminal charges, and require necessary administrative regulations; amend KRS 72.025 to require the coroner conduct an autopsy in deaths occurring on public or nonpublic school property or during a school-sanctioned event.
Amend KRS 15.519 to make game wardens employed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources subject to the same requirements for entering or accessing private open land as other law enforcement officers; amend KRS 150.090 to conform; amend KRS 235.310 to make boating enforcement officers employed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources subject to the same requirements for entering or accessing private open land as other law enforcement officers.
Amend KRS 15.519 to make game wardens employed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources subject to the same requirements for entering or accessing private open land as other law enforcement officers; amend KRS 150.090 to conform; amend KRS 235.310 to make boating enforcement officers employed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources subject to the same requirements for entering or accessing private open land as other law enforcement officers.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to define terms; require local boards of education and local associations to bargain collectively; provide that a party who violates the duty to bargain collectively is required to pay to the aggrieved party no more than $500.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to define terms; require local boards of education and local associations to bargain collectively; provide that a party who violates the duty to bargain collectively is required to pay to the aggrieved party no more than $500.
Direct the Transportation Cabinet to designate a portion of Kentucky Route 451 in Perry County as the SSgt John "Pott" Spencer, Jr. Memorial Highway.
Direct the Transportation Cabinet to designate a portion of Kentucky Route 451 in Perry County as the SSgt John "Pott" Spencer, Jr. Memorial Highway.
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 65 to define terms; provide that the provisions of the Act do not preempt local governments from adopting more stringent local requirements regarding high intensity technological infrastructure (HITI) siting, construction, and operation; provide for HITI siting requirements in jurisdictions that have adopted planning and zoning and those that have not; require the identities of HITI project owners and operators be disclosed and for limitations on confidentiality agreements relating to HITI projects; establish minimum requirements for required community impact reports, site review plans, and community benefits packages for HITI siting; require public notice to be provided to persons located within 1 mile of the proposed HITI project boundary; provide for the consideration of conditions to mitigate incompatibilities between the proposed use of a HITI site and its zoned use; require that any material expansion of a HITI project have prior written approval by conditional use permit amendment; require that HITI project siting and construction applicants attest that design and operations of the HITI project shall comply with all federal and state requirements and industry standards; provide that appeals from actions shall be taken in accordance with applicable law governing appeals from conditional use and planning commission decisions.
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 65 to define terms; provide that the provisions of the Act do not preempt local governments from adopting more stringent local requirements regarding high intensity technological infrastructure (HITI) siting, construction, and operation; provide for HITI siting requirements in jurisdictions that have adopted planning and zoning and those that have not; require the identities of HITI project owners and operators be disclosed and for limitations on confidentiality agreements relating to HITI projects; establish minimum requirements for required community impact reports, site review plans, and community benefits packages for HITI siting; require public notice to be provided to persons located within 1 mile of the proposed HITI project boundary; provide for the consideration of conditions to mitigate incompatibilities between the proposed use of a HITI site and its zoned use; require that any material expansion of a HITI project have prior written approval by conditional use permit amendment; require that HITI project siting and construction applicants attest that design and operations of the HITI project shall comply with all federal and state requirements and industry standards; provide that appeals from actions shall be taken in accordance with applicable law governing appeals from conditional use and planning commission decisions.
Create a new section of KRS 78.510 to 78.852 to allow employers participating in the County Employees Retirement System (CERS) to make a one-time election to offer members who work in hazardous positions who are hired on or after January 1, 2014, but prior to July 1, 2027, so that, in lieu of continued participation in the hybrid cash balance plan (Tier III benefits), these members receive the benefits provided to members in a hazardous position who began participating immediately prior to January 1, 2014 (Tier II benefits); allow for employers in CERS to make a one-time election to opt in to the benefit change by July 1, 2027; allow members who are employed by an employer that makes a one-time election to make a one-time election to opt into the benefit change within 30 days of the employer election and allow a member to pay the costs to convert any other Tier III benefit service in a hazardous position to Tier II benefit service; provide that all new hires after July 1, 2027, in hazardous positions for any employer that makes a one-time election receive Tier II benefits; require that accumulated contributions in the hybrid cash balance plan remain in the member's account; provide that any member eligible to make a one-time irrevocable election to change their benefits shall not have the option to change or make a new election under any circumstances relating to a change in employment or reemployment with a participating employer; amend KRS 61.5955 to exempt members who are participating in Tier II benefits based upon an election of an employer pursuant to this Act; amend KRS 61.680 to allow members who have Tier II and Tier III service to consolidate that service for the purpose of determining eligibility and amount of benefits; amend KRS 78.510 to add December 31, 2013, to the definition of "membership date" for members whose benefit tier changes pursuant to this Act; amend KRS 78.5520 to allow members to pay the cost of converting any other Tier III service in a hazardous position to Tier II service and allow employers to pay the cost of converting any Tier III service that could be converted to Tier II service on behalf of the employee; amend KRS 78.635 to require employers who make a one-time irrevocable election to pay an additional actuarially accrued liability contribution that is sufficient to fund the conversion of benefits; amend KRS 78.640 to allow a member's accumulated employer credit attributable to service converted to Tier II benefits to be transferred to the retirement allowance account; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2027.
Create a new section of KRS 78.510 to 78.852 to allow employers participating in the County Employees Retirement System (CERS) to make a one-time election to offer members who work in hazardous positions who are hired on or after January 1, 2014, but prior to July 1, 2027, so that, in lieu of continued participation in the hybrid cash balance plan (Tier III benefits), these members receive the benefits provided to members in a hazardous position who began participating immediately prior to January 1, 2014 (Tier II benefits); allow for employers in CERS to make a one-time election to opt in to the benefit change by July 1, 2027; allow members who are employed by an employer that makes a one-time election to make a one-time election to opt into the benefit change within 30 days of the employer election and allow a member to pay the costs to convert any other Tier III benefit service in a hazardous position to Tier II benefit service; provide that all new hires after July 1, 2027, in hazardous positions for any employer that makes a one-time election receive Tier II benefits; require that accumulated contributions in the hybrid cash balance plan remain in the member's account; provide that any member eligible to make a one-time irrevocable election to change their benefits shall not have the option to change or make a new election under any circumstances relating to a change in employment or reemployment with a participating employer; amend KRS 61.5955 to exempt members who are participating in Tier II benefits based upon an election of an employer pursuant to this Act; amend KRS 61.680 to allow members who have Tier II and Tier III service to consolidate that service for the purpose of determining eligibility and amount of benefits; amend KRS 78.510 to add December 31, 2013, to the definition of "membership date" for members whose benefit tier changes pursuant to this Act; amend KRS 78.5520 to allow members to pay the cost of converting any other Tier III service in a hazardous position to Tier II service and allow employers to pay the cost of converting any Tier III service that could be converted to Tier II service on behalf of the employee; amend KRS 78.635 to require employers who make a one-time irrevocable election to pay an additional actuarially accrued liability contribution that is sufficient to fund the conversion of benefits; amend KRS 78.640 to allow a member's accumulated employer credit attributable to service converted to Tier II benefits to be transferred to the retirement allowance account; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2027.
Amend KRS 532.110 to remove the cap on consecutive indeterminate terms of imprisonment.
Amend KRS 532.110 to remove the cap on consecutive indeterminate terms of imprisonment.
Amend KRS 116.055 to permit a registered independent to vote in the primary of 1 party for each primary opened by that party; require that an independent be registered as an independent on December 31 immediately preceding the primary; amend KRS 117.125 to require that electronic voting machines be reprogrammed to allow a registered independent to vote for a party's candidates in a primary; amend KRS 118.125 to prohibit a primary candidate from being a registered independent; EFFECTIVE December 1, 2027.
Amend KRS 116.055 to permit a registered independent to vote in the primary of 1 party for each primary opened by that party; require that an independent be registered as an independent on December 31 immediately preceding the primary; amend KRS 117.125 to require that electronic voting machines be reprogrammed to allow a registered independent to vote for a party's candidates in a primary; amend KRS 118.125 to prohibit a primary candidate from being a registered independent; EFFECTIVE December 1, 2027.
Direct the Transportation Cabinet to designate a bridge on Kentucky Route 2523 in Lewis County as the Lewis County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Direct the Transportation Cabinet to designate a bridge on Kentucky Route 2523 in Lewis County as the Lewis County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Amend KRS 525.080, relating to harrassing communications, to include sending repeated electronic communications in a manner reasonably likely to harass, annoy, alarm, torment, embarass, or offend another and include posts to social media or an internet website any material that is reasonably likely to cause emotional distress, abuse, or torment; elevate harassing communications from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.
Amend KRS 525.080, relating to harrassing communications, to include sending repeated electronic communications in a manner reasonably likely to harass, annoy, alarm, torment, embarass, or offend another and include posts to social media or an internet website any material that is reasonably likely to cause emotional distress, abuse, or torment; elevate harassing communications from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 455 to establish mediation in criminal cases; establish professional requirements for mediators and parameters for mediation.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 455 to establish mediation in criminal cases; establish professional requirements for mediators and parameters for mediation.
Amend KRS 158.150 to allow a student to be placed in an alternative program or setting indefinitely; require annual review if a student is placed in an alternative program or setting for longer than 1 calendar year; provide for appeal to the local board of education of any decision of the appeals committee.
Amend KRS 158.150 to allow a student to be placed in an alternative program or setting indefinitely; require annual review if a student is placed in an alternative program or setting for longer than 1 calendar year; provide for appeal to the local board of education of any decision of the appeals committee.
Amend KRS 56.463 to make a technical correction.
Create a new section of Subchapter 10 of KRS Chapter 224 to define terms; require data centers to submit a water feasibility study to the Energy and Environment Cabinet before commencing operations; require all data centers to submit an annual water usage report to the Energy and Environment Cabinet.
Create a new section of Subchapter 10 of KRS Chapter 224 to define terms; require data centers to submit a water feasibility study to the Energy and Environment Cabinet before commencing operations; require all data centers to submit an annual water usage report to the Energy and Environment Cabinet.
Amend KRS 158.200 to require the board of education of a local school district to allow students to attend moral instruction when the moral instruction offering complies with the requirements enumerated; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to authorize the Attorney General to bring an action for a writ of mandamus to compel a board of education to comply; create a cause of action to permit a qualified individual to file a civil action against a board of education for injunctive relief arising from a violation of this Act; permit recovery of monetary damages for a willful and intentional violation; waive sovereign, governmental, and qualified immunity; prohibit retaliation.
Amend KRS 158.200 to require the board of education of a local school district to allow students to attend moral instruction when the moral instruction offering complies with the requirements enumerated; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to authorize the Attorney General to bring an action for a writ of mandamus to compel a board of education to comply; create a cause of action to permit a qualified individual to file a civil action against a board of education for injunctive relief arising from a violation of this Act; permit recovery of monetary damages for a willful and intentional violation; waive sovereign, governmental, and qualified immunity; prohibit retaliation.
Amend KRS 116.025 to permit voters 16 and 17 years of age to vote in local school board elections upon local approval by a school board; create a new section of KRS Chapter 116 to require county clerks to administer the registration and voting of persons 16 and 17 years of age; allow voters who are 16 and 17 years of age to receive ballots limited to school board contests; require the State Board of Elections to promulgate administrative regulations to establish the procedure for persons 16 and 17 years of age to register and vote for school board elections.
Amend KRS 116.025 to permit voters 16 and 17 years of age to vote in local school board elections upon local approval by a school board; create a new section of KRS Chapter 116 to require county clerks to administer the registration and voting of persons 16 and 17 years of age; allow voters who are 16 and 17 years of age to receive ballots limited to school board contests; require the State Board of Elections to promulgate administrative regulations to establish the procedure for persons 16 and 17 years of age to register and vote for school board elections.
Amend KRS 186.240 to require the Transportation Cabinet to produce an optional noncommercial standard license plate, available to individuals 65 years of age or older, that is of a distinct design and color than other standard plates; require the Transportation Cabinet to publish educational and public service materials regard the availability and meaning of the plate; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2027.
Amend KRS 186.240 to require the Transportation Cabinet to produce an optional noncommercial standard license plate, available to individuals 65 years of age or older, that is of a distinct design and color than other standard plates; require the Transportation Cabinet to publish educational and public service materials regard the availability and meaning of the plate; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2027.
Amend KRS 189A.010, relating to driving under the influence, to provide that a third or subsequent offense within a 10-year period is a Class D felony; provide that if a person is convicted of a third or subsequent offense the minimum term of imprisonment shall be 120 days; establish enhanced penalties for a person under the age of 21 who operates a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more; allow a violation of KRS 189A.010 by a person under the age of 21 who operates a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more to be included as a prior offense for enhancement purposes; amend KRS 189A.070 to create enhanced periods of license suspension for a person under the age of 21 who operates a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more; amend various KRS sections to conform.
Amend KRS 189A.010, relating to driving under the influence, to provide that a third or subsequent offense within a 10-year period is a Class D felony; provide that if a person is convicted of a third or subsequent offense the minimum term of imprisonment shall be 120 days; establish enhanced penalties for a person under the age of 21 who operates a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more; allow a violation of KRS 189A.010 by a person under the age of 21 who operates a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more to be included as a prior offense for enhancement purposes; amend KRS 189A.070 to create enhanced periods of license suspension for a person under the age of 21 who operates a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more; amend various KRS sections to conform.
Amend KRS 258.265 to exempt a working livestock dog found at large from seizure by a peace officer or animal control officer when unaccompanied and unrestrained by its owner between sunset and sunrise or when engaged in a lawful working activity.
Amend KRS 258.265 to exempt a working livestock dog found at large from seizure by a peace officer or animal control officer when unaccompanied and unrestrained by its owner between sunset and sunrise or when engaged in a lawful working activity.
Amend KRS 454.185 to make technical corrections.
Direct the Transportation Cabinet to designate a portion of KY 353 in Fayette County as the James "Jim" Mahan Memorial Highway.
Direct the Transportation Cabinet to designate a portion of KY 353 in Fayette County as the James "Jim" Mahan Memorial Highway.
Amend KRS 96A.096 to include voluntary contributions by a Kentucky employer up to 0.05% of the Kentucky employer's total payroll in the Kentucky public transportation development fund; require the fund to be administered by the Transportation Cabinet; require the moneys received from the voluntary contributions to be used for providing public transit for workforce mobility needs; specify how the moneys in the fund for public transit are distributed; require annual reporting to the Transportation Cabinet from each public transit system that receives money from the fund; require annual reporting from the Transportation Cabinet to the Legislative Research Commission; create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to define "public transportation contribution," "Kentucky public transportation development fund," and "transit authority"; establish the public transportation contribution credit for taxes imposed in KRS 141.020 or 141.040 and 141.0401 for public transportation contributions provided by a Kentucky employer; limit the credit to 50% of the total amount of the public transportation contribution made for the taxable year by the employer; require annual reporting by the Department of Revenue on the credits claimed; amend KRS 141.0205 to order the credits; amend KRS 131.190 to allow the Department of Revenue to report on the credit; appropriate $30 million in general fund moneys in each fiscal year of the 2026-2028 biennium to the Kentucky public transportation development fund; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.
Amend KRS 96A.096 to include voluntary contributions by a Kentucky employer up to 0.05% of the Kentucky employer's total payroll in the Kentucky public transportation development fund; require the fund to be administered by the Transportation Cabinet; require the moneys received from the voluntary contributions to be used for providing public transit for workforce mobility needs; specify how the moneys in the fund for public transit are distributed; require annual reporting to the Transportation Cabinet from each public transit system that receives money from the fund; require annual reporting from the Transportation Cabinet to the Legislative Research Commission; create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to define "public transportation contribution," "Kentucky public transportation development fund," and "transit authority"; establish the public transportation contribution credit for taxes imposed in KRS 141.020 or 141.040 and 141.0401 for public transportation contributions provided by a Kentucky employer; limit the credit to 50% of the total amount of the public transportation contribution made for the taxable year by the employer; require annual reporting by the Department of Revenue on the credits claimed; amend KRS 141.0205 to order the credits; amend KRS 131.190 to allow the Department of Revenue to report on the credit; appropriate $30 million in general fund moneys in each fiscal year of the 2026-2028 biennium to the Kentucky public transportation development fund; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.
Amend KRS 369.130 to make technical amendments.