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
Urge the Council on Postsecondary Education and the Kentucky Department of Education, in partnership with the Secretary of State and other education entities, to develop strategies and a timeline for improving Kentucky students’ knowledge and understanding of the constitutional republic of the United States of America and the democratic processes specified in the Constitution of the United States.
Urge the Council on Postsecondary Education and the Kentucky Department of Education, in partnership with the Secretary of State and other education entities, to develop strategies and a timeline for improving Kentucky students’ knowledge and understanding of the constitutional republic of the United States of America and the democratic processes specified in the Constitution of the United States.
Confirm the reappointment of Sherri Lathan to the Parole Board for a term expiring June 18, 2029.
Confirm the reappointment of Sherri Lathan to the Parole Board for a term expiring June 18, 2029.
Confirm the reappointment of Jacqueline Colleen Mayfield to the Education Professional Standards Board for a term expiring June 30, 2028.
Confirm the reappointment of Jacqueline Colleen Mayfield to the Education Professional Standards Board for a term expiring June 30, 2028.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to make findings and declarations about locally driven innovation and the intent of the General Assembly to permit flexibility for school districts to improve practices; amend KRS 156.161 to modify the waiver process and the waiver authority of the Kentucky Board of Education; require the Kentucky Department of Education to assist local boards of education in the development of waiver requests; specify the analysis the department shall provide to the state board in reviewing a local board's waiver request; establish a process for a local board to submit a request for a school or program to be identified as a school of innovation with a set of waivers that operate collectively; provide protections for school districts that rely on waiver assistance from the department; create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to require the state board to establish a list of expedited waivers; establish the expedited waiver process and authority; require the state board to annually review all waivers granted to determine necessary changes to administrative regulations or statutes or identify new best practices; amend KRS 157.360 to conform; create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to establish the school of innovation pilot project; establish the school of innovation pilot project fund; provide procedures for the operation of the pilot project; conclude the pilot project on June 30, 2028; require the department to annually report information and findings from the pilot project to the Legislative Research Commission.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to make findings and declarations about locally driven innovation and the intent of the General Assembly to permit flexibility for school districts to improve practices; amend KRS 156.161 to modify the waiver process and the waiver authority of the Kentucky Board of Education; require the Kentucky Department of Education to assist local boards of education in the development of waiver requests; specify the analysis the department shall provide to the state board in reviewing a local board's waiver request; establish a process for a local board to submit a request for a school or program to be identified as a school of innovation with a set of waivers that operate collectively; provide protections for school districts that rely on waiver assistance from the department; create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to require the state board to establish a list of expedited waivers; establish the expedited waiver process and authority; require the state board to annually review all waivers granted to determine necessary changes to administrative regulations or statutes or identify new best practices; amend KRS 157.360 to conform; create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to establish the school of innovation pilot project; establish the school of innovation pilot project fund; provide procedures for the operation of the pilot project; conclude the pilot project on June 30, 2028; require the department to annually report information and findings from the pilot project to the Legislative Research Commission.
Adjourn in honor and loving memory of Lilburn Winson Roy.
Adjourn in honor and loving memory of Lilburn Winson Roy.
Recognize October 31, 2026, through November 1, 2026, as a voluntary time of prayer, fasting, and reflection in connection with the Nehemiah Alliance National 52-Day Rebuild Initiative.
Recognize October 31, 2026, through November 1, 2026, as a voluntary time of prayer, fasting, and reflection in connection with the Nehemiah Alliance National 52-Day Rebuild Initiative.
Amend KRS 159.075 to require a school district to take the necessary steps to ensure that a child of a military family who has an individualized education program or section 504 plan shall receive comparable services when the child begins school; amend KRS 200.664 to require a point of entry to take the necessary steps to ensure that a child with an individualized family services plan shall receive comparable services prior to the child's arrival to their new location.
Amend KRS 159.075 to require a school district to take the necessary steps to ensure that a child of a military family who has an individualized education program or section 504 plan shall receive comparable services when the child begins school; amend KRS 200.664 to require a point of entry to take the necessary steps to ensure that a child with an individualized family services plan shall receive comparable services prior to the child's arrival to their new location.
Adjourn the 2026 Regular Session of the General Assembly sine die.
Adjourn the 2026 Regular Session of the General Assembly sine die.
Direct the Legislative Research Commission to establish the Aviation Economic Development Task Force and direct it to study and make recommendations; establish membership and meetings; direct 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 Aviation Economic Development Task Force and direct it to study and make recommendations; establish membership and meetings; direct the task force to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, 2026.
Amend KRS 164.7874, relating to KEES awards, to define terms; amend KRS 164.7879 to establish the use of a specified equivalent grade point average for eligible graduates of certain private, parochial, or church schools based on the Advanced Placement exam score, dual credit courses grade point average, or a combination of both; amend KRS 164.7881 and 164.7884 to conform.
Amend KRS 164.7874, relating to KEES awards, to define terms; amend KRS 164.7879 to establish the use of a specified equivalent grade point average for eligible graduates of certain private, parochial, or church schools based on the Advanced Placement exam score, dual credit courses grade point average, or a combination of both; amend KRS 164.7881 and 164.7884 to conform.
Confirm the appointment of Thomas James Radivonyk, Jr., to the Standards and Assessments Process Review Committee for a term expiring July 20, 2029.
Confirm the appointment of Thomas James Radivonyk, Jr., to the Standards and Assessments Process Review Committee for a term expiring July 20, 2029.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 150 to define terms; require that any permit issued to take a lower Ohio River trophy catfish shall expire on May 31, 2027; prohibit the issuance or reissuance of an any lower Ohio River trophy catfish permits after that date; after the effective date of the Act, prohibit the transfer or reissuance of any lower Ohio River trophy catfish permit; prohibit the transportation of live trophy catfish except by boat while in the course of legally fishing; amend KRS 150.990 to make a violation of the prohibition on transporting live trophy catfish a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class D felony for each subsequent offense.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 150 to define terms; require that any permit issued to take a lower Ohio River trophy catfish shall expire on May 31, 2027; prohibit the issuance or reissuance of an any lower Ohio River trophy catfish permits after that date; after the effective date of the Act, prohibit the transfer or reissuance of any lower Ohio River trophy catfish permit; prohibit the transportation of live trophy catfish except by boat while in the course of legally fishing; amend KRS 150.990 to make a violation of the prohibition on transporting live trophy catfish a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class D felony for each subsequent offense.
Honor former Senator Paul Hornback on receiving the 2025 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Thomas Poe Cooper Farm Leadership Award.
Honor former Senator Paul Hornback on receiving the 2025 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Thomas Poe Cooper Farm Leadership Award.
Confirm the appointment of Fritz Giesecke to the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board for a term expiring July 6, 2029.
Confirm the appointment of Fritz Giesecke to the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board for a term expiring July 6, 2029.
Adjourn the Senate in honor and loving memory of Mac Meadows.
Adjourn the Senate in honor and loving memory of Mac Meadows.
Urge the United States Attorney General to investigate and prosecute individuals implicated in criminal activities related to the Jeffrey Epstein files; recognize the efforts of Representative Thomas Massie in securing the public release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Urge the United States Attorney General to investigate and prosecute individuals implicated in criminal activities related to the Jeffrey Epstein files; recognize the efforts of Representative Thomas Massie in securing the public release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to withdraw the 1115(a) demonstration waiver application that was submitted on June 25, 2025, to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement a mandatory community engagement program; EMERGENCY
Direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to withdraw the 1115(a) demonstration waiver application that was submitted on June 25, 2025, to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement a mandatory community engagement program; EMERGENCY
Adjourn the Senate in loving memory and honor of Robert Conley Young.
Adjourn the Senate in loving memory and honor of Robert Conley Young.
Amend KRS 304.39-020, relating to personal injury protection benefits, to modify requirements for certain medical expenses paid by a reparation obligor; amend KRS 304.39-130 to increase the allowable weekly reimbursement for work loss and other loss; amend KRS 304.39-210 to establish requirements for a reparation obligor paying medical expenses and a person submitting and collecting medical expenses; create a new section of KRS Chapter 15 to provide the Attorney General with concurrent jurisdiction in the investigation and prosecution of offenses under KRS 304.47-020; amend KRS 304.47-020 to conform; create a new section of Subtitle 47 of KRS Chapter 304 to require the insurance commissioner to publish an annual insurance fraud report; direct that certain provisions apply to basic and added reparation benefits issued or renewed on or after the effective date of the Act.
Amend KRS 304.39-020, relating to personal injury protection benefits, to modify requirements for certain medical expenses paid by a reparation obligor; amend KRS 304.39-130 to increase the allowable weekly reimbursement for work loss and other loss; amend KRS 304.39-210 to establish requirements for a reparation obligor paying medical expenses and a person submitting and collecting medical expenses; create a new section of KRS Chapter 15 to provide the Attorney General with concurrent jurisdiction in the investigation and prosecution of offenses under KRS 304.47-020; amend KRS 304.47-020 to conform; create a new section of Subtitle 47 of KRS Chapter 304 to require the insurance commissioner to publish an annual insurance fraud report; direct that certain provisions apply to basic and added reparation benefits issued or renewed on or after the effective date of the Act.
Encourage all Kentuckians to be vaccinated for preventable illnesses.
Encourage all Kentuckians to be vaccinated for preventable illnesses.
Confirm the appointment of Michael Abell to the Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission for a term expiring December 31, 2029.
Confirm the appointment of Michael Abell to the Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission for a term expiring December 31, 2029.
Recognize April 2026 as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month in Kentucky.
Recognize April 2026 as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month in Kentucky.
Honor the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.
Honor the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 199 related to the quality-based graduated early care and education rating system program to establish the intent of the General Assembly related to the program; establish processes and procedures for how the program is changed by administrative regulation; require a program modernization plan and final recommendations for modernization to be created and submitted to the Legislative Research Commission; amend KRS 199.891 to define terms; create new requirements for how the Cabinet for Health and Family Services establishes and operates the Certified Child Care Community Designation Program; delete language related to a previous 1 time requirement for the cabinet to submit recommendations and best practices to the Legislative Research Commission; establish a new January 1, 2028 submission deadline for the cabinet to make publicly available a standardized application for certification and instructions for the program; establish new requirements for applications by local governments to participate in the program; require an annual report by the Cabinet for Economic Development regarding the program; amend KRS 199.8983 to increase the membership of the Kentucky Child Care Advisory Council; establish that the council shall additionally advise the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on the operations, funding, and licensing of child-care microcenters; create new sections of KRS Chapter 199 to define terms; establish licensure for child-care microcenters; establish the Kentucky Child-Care Microcenter Program to regulate the standards and operations of child-care microcenters; establish early care and education training requirements for licensed child-care providers and certified family child-care home providers; establish that the Education and Labor Cabinet shall compile, produce, and make publicly available a monthly report providing a comprehensive snapshot of all licensed and certified child care services, Head Start services, child care services regulated by the United States Department of Defense, and state-funded public preschool services operating within the Commonwealth; establish a voluntary designation process through which any licensed or certified child-care provider may identify as a faith-based program; require the Office of State Budget Director to produce a comprehensive annual report outlining all state and federal spending on child care and early childhood education services and submit it annually to the Legislative Research Commission; establish that the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall submit an approval request to the federal Administration for Children and Families to utilize a cost estimation model to inform payment rates beginning with the fiscal year 2028-2030 Child Care and Development Fund state plan; amend KRS 199.882 to change the definitions of "contribution" and "state match" and define "third-party administrator"; amend KRS 199.883 to establish that the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall enter into a contract with a private third-party administrator to administer the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership Program and establish duties and requirements of the third-party administrator; amend KRS 199.885 to establish the third-party administrator is responsible for issuing state fund matches out of the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership fund; amend KRS 199.886 and 199.887 to specify how employers and employees interact directly with the third-party administrator instead of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 199 related to the quality-based graduated early care and education rating system program to establish the intent of the General Assembly related to the program; establish processes and procedures for how the program is changed by administrative regulation; require a program modernization plan and final recommendations for modernization to be created and submitted to the Legislative Research Commission; amend KRS 199.891 to define terms; create new requirements for how the Cabinet for Health and Family Services establishes and operates the Certified Child Care Community Designation Program; delete language related to a previous 1 time requirement for the cabinet to submit recommendations and best practices to the Legislative Research Commission; establish a new January 1, 2028 submission deadline for the cabinet to make publicly available a standardized application for certification and instructions for the program; establish new requirements for applications by local governments to participate in the program; require an annual report by the Cabinet for Economic Development regarding the program; amend KRS 199.8983 to increase the membership of the Kentucky Child Care Advisory Council; establish that the council shall additionally advise the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on the operations, funding, and licensing of child-care microcenters; create new sections of KRS Chapter 199 to define terms; establish licensure for child-care microcenters; establish the Kentucky Child-Care Microcenter Program to regulate the standards and operations of child-care microcenters; establish early care and education training requirements for licensed child-care providers and certified family child-care home providers; establish that the Education and Labor Cabinet shall compile, produce, and make publicly available a monthly report providing a comprehensive snapshot of all licensed and certified child care services, Head Start services, child care services regulated by the United States Department of Defense, and state-funded public preschool services operating within the Commonwealth; establish a voluntary designation process through which any licensed or certified child-care provider may identify as a faith-based program; require the Office of State Budget Director to produce a comprehensive annual report outlining all state and federal spending on child care and early childhood education services and submit it annually to the Legislative Research Commission; establish that the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall submit an approval request to the federal Administration for Children and Families to utilize a cost estimation model to inform payment rates beginning with the fiscal year 2028-2030 Child Care and Development Fund state plan; amend KRS 199.882 to change the definitions of "contribution" and "state match" and define "third-party administrator"; amend KRS 199.883 to establish that the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall enter into a contract with a private third-party administrator to administer the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership Program and establish duties and requirements of the third-party administrator; amend KRS 199.885 to establish the third-party administrator is responsible for issuing state fund matches out of the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership fund; amend KRS 199.886 and 199.887 to specify how employers and employees interact directly with the third-party administrator instead of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Commemorate July 4th, 2026, as the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.
Commemorate July 4th, 2026, as the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.