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 160.463 to make technical corrections.
Amend KRS 286.3-380 to include gender-neutral language.
Amend KRS 286.3-380 to include gender-neutral language.
Amend KRS 224.40-315 to exclude certain waste sites or facilities from being considered a municipal solid waste disposal facility.
Amend KRS 224.40-315 to exclude certain waste sites or facilities from being considered a municipal solid waste disposal facility.
Amend KRS 292.420, relating to securities exemptions, to make technical corrections.
Amend KRS 292.420, relating to securities exemptions, to make technical corrections.
Amend KRS 304.48-080 to replace a reference to the executive director with the commissioner.
Amend KRS 304.48-080 to replace a reference to the executive director with the commissioner.
Direct the Transportation Cabinet to designate a portion of Kentucky Route 540 in Breathitt County as the J.C. Holbrook Memorial Highway.
Direct the Transportation Cabinet to designate a portion of Kentucky Route 540 in Breathitt County as the J.C. Holbrook Memorial Highway.
Amend KRS 157.615 to define "traditional school building"; amend KRS 157.621 to authorize a school district to levy a $.05 equivalent rate for school districts that meet specific district facilities requirements and other requirements; authorize the school district to levy an additional $.05 equivalent rate if the local board of education determines the first levy is insufficient to achieve facility goals; establishes a termination date for the levies of 25 years; provide equalization of the levy; establish conditions for receiving equalization of the levy; extend equalization of eqeualization funding for critical construction needs levy; amend KRS 160.290 to require a school district to consolidate or modify the attendance zones of a traditional school building with do not meet certain average daily attendance requirements; appropriate $3,500,000 in each year of the 2026-2028 fiscal biennium for the equalization of established levies; effective July 1, 2026; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.
Amend KRS 157.615 to define "traditional school building"; amend KRS 157.621 to authorize a school district to levy a $.05 equivalent rate for school districts that meet specific district facilities requirements and other requirements; authorize the school district to levy an additional $.05 equivalent rate if the local board of education determines the first levy is insufficient to achieve facility goals; establishes a termination date for the levies of 25 years; provide equalization of the levy; establish conditions for receiving equalization of the levy; extend equalization of eqeualization funding for critical construction needs levy; amend KRS 160.290 to require a school district to consolidate or modify the attendance zones of a traditional school building with do not meet certain average daily attendance requirements; appropriate $3,500,000 in each year of the 2026-2028 fiscal biennium for the equalization of established levies; effective July 1, 2026; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.
Ajourn in honor and loving memory of John Douglas "Doug" Hubbard.
Ajourn in honor and loving memory of John Douglas "Doug" Hubbard.
Amend KRS 304.5-150 to include gender-neutral language.
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.
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.
Repeal and reenact KRS 189.292 to define "mobile electronic device"; prohibit the use of a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle; establish exceptions; amend KRS 189.294 to define "mobile electronic device"; amend KRS 189.990 to establish penalties for violation of KRS 189.292 and 189.294; require that money from fines be deposited into the traumatic brain injury trust fund, the Kentucky trauma care system fund, and the veterans' program trust fund; provide that a courtesy warning and not a uniform citation shall be issued by a peace officer until October 31, 2026; provide that the Act may be cited as the Phone-Down Kentucky Act.
Repeal and reenact KRS 189.292 to define "mobile electronic device"; prohibit the use of a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle; establish exceptions; amend KRS 189.294 to define "mobile electronic device"; amend KRS 189.990 to establish penalties for violation of KRS 189.292 and 189.294; require that money from fines be deposited into the traumatic brain injury trust fund, the Kentucky trauma care system fund, and the veterans' program trust fund; provide that a courtesy warning and not a uniform citation shall be issued by a peace officer until October 31, 2026; provide that the Act may be cited as the Phone-Down Kentucky Act.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to define terms; direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to prepare and submit a waiver amendment application to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to amend the 1915(c) HCB waiver program to include coverage for assisted living services; establish coverage limits; require the cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations; require the cabinet or the Department for Medicaid Services to seek federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes in the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1).
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to define terms; direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to prepare and submit a waiver amendment application to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to amend the 1915(c) HCB waiver program to include coverage for assisted living services; establish coverage limits; require the cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations; require the cabinet or the Department for Medicaid Services to seek federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes in the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1).
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 336 to define "covenant not to compete" and "covered employee"; prohibit an employer from requiring a covered employee to enter into a covenant not to compete; set forth civil remedy, damages that can be recovered, and limitations to bring claim; require that provisions to be posted by the employer; prohibit an employer from retaliating against an employee for bringing a civil action; establish application of provisions; amend KRS 336.990 to provide civil penalties.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 336 to define "covenant not to compete" and "covered employee"; prohibit an employer from requiring a covered employee to enter into a covenant not to compete; set forth civil remedy, damages that can be recovered, and limitations to bring claim; require that provisions to be posted by the employer; prohibit an employer from retaliating against an employee for bringing a civil action; establish application of provisions; amend KRS 336.990 to provide civil penalties.
Amend KRS 154.12-330 to make technical corrections.
Amend KRS 311.599 to insert gender-neutral language.
Create a new section of KRS 157.200 to 157.290 to define terms; require a school district to install and maintain a video and audio surveillance system in every self-contained special education classroom; require a public school to notify a parent of each child in the classroom of the system and the parent's rights within 5 days; permit parents of recorded students access to system footage; require reasonable redaction and segregation to protect student privacy; designate a retention schedule for system footage; require school districts to notify the parents of each student present for an injury in a self-contained special education classroom; amend KRS 157.200 to define "parent" and amend the definition of "special education."
Create a new section of KRS 157.200 to 157.290 to define terms; require a school district to install and maintain a video and audio surveillance system in every self-contained special education classroom; require a public school to notify a parent of each child in the classroom of the system and the parent's rights within 5 days; permit parents of recorded students access to system footage; require reasonable redaction and segregation to protect student privacy; designate a retention schedule for system footage; require school districts to notify the parents of each student present for an injury in a self-contained special education classroom; amend KRS 157.200 to define "parent" and amend the definition of "special education."
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 337 to define terms and make the termination of employment without cause unlawful; establish amount that may be recovered for wrongful discharge; specify when the employers' internal procedures are to be used.
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 337 to define terms and make the termination of employment without cause unlawful; establish amount that may be recovered for wrongful discharge; specify when the employers' internal procedures are to be used.
Direct the Legislative Research Commission to establish the Real Estate Modernization Task Force to conduct a review of the real property laws of the Commonwealth; establish task force membership; require the task force to meet at least monthly during the 2026 Interim; require the task force to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, 2026.
Direct the Legislative Research Commission to establish the Real Estate Modernization Task Force to conduct a review of the real property laws of the Commonwealth; establish task force membership; require the task force to meet at least monthly during the 2026 Interim; require the task force to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, 2026.
Recognize March 8 to 14, 2026, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.
Recognize March 8 to 14, 2026, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.
Direct the Transportation Cabinet to designate the bridge at Morgan County High School in Morgan County as the Don McKenzie Memorial Bridge.
Direct the Transportation Cabinet to designate the bridge at Morgan County High School in Morgan County as the Don McKenzie Memorial Bridge.
Amend KRS 45A.380 to allow the purchase of used vehicles and used equipment through noncompetitive negotiation if the agency pays no more than 75% of the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new same or similar vehicles or equipment for the used vehicle or equipment; amend KRS 424.260 to allow local agencies to purchase used vehicles and equipment negotiation if the agency pays no more than 75% of the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new same or similar vehicles or equipment without making a newspaper advertisement for bids.
Amend KRS 45A.380 to allow the purchase of used vehicles and used equipment through noncompetitive negotiation if the agency pays no more than 75% of the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new same or similar vehicles or equipment for the used vehicle or equipment; amend KRS 424.260 to allow local agencies to purchase used vehicles and equipment negotiation if the agency pays no more than 75% of the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new same or similar vehicles or equipment without making a newspaper advertisement for bids.
Direct the Kentucky Department of Education to study expanding access to free and reduced-price school meals at schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
Direct the Kentucky Department of Education to study expanding access to free and reduced-price school meals at schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
Amend KRS 211.160 to insert gender-neutral language.
Amend KRS 164.769 to establish a pilot program to provide scholarships to students pursuing a teaching career in a math- or science-related discipline to be administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority; establish scholarship recipient selection, award, and repayment process; appropriate $4,175,000 in each fiscal year of the 2026-2028 fiscal biennium to support the program; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.
Amend KRS 164.769 to establish a pilot program to provide scholarships to students pursuing a teaching career in a math- or science-related discipline to be administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority; establish scholarship recipient selection, award, and repayment process; appropriate $4,175,000 in each fiscal year of the 2026-2028 fiscal biennium to support the program; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.
Amend KRS 304.17A-257 to require health benefit plans to provide coverage for colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests specified in the most recent version of a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services national coverage determination or nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines or recommendations; direct that coverage requirements for colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests applies to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after the effective date of the Act; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid Services to obtain federal approval, if necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes in the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1); EMERGENCY.
Amend KRS 304.17A-257 to require health benefit plans to provide coverage for colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests specified in the most recent version of a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services national coverage determination or nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines or recommendations; direct that coverage requirements for colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests applies to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after the effective date of the Act; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid Services to obtain federal approval, if necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes in the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1); EMERGENCY.