This is a memorial resolution (SR 4), not a substantive bill. It formally adjourns the Kentucky Senate in honor of Melissa Hortman, former Minnesota House Speaker, following her tragic death in June 2025. The resolution expresses the Senate's sympathy for her passing and recognizes her legacy as a dedicated public servant who championed environmental policy, abortion rights, police reform, and gun control during her legislative career. It has no policy impact or binding effect, serving solely as a ceremonial tribute.
SR 16 is a ceremonial resolution to adjourn the Kentucky Senate in honor of C. Ronald Wise, a Campbellsville CPA, community leader, and family man who died on October 14, 2025. The resolution expresses the Senate's sympathy to his family and directs the Clerk to deliver a copy to his family via Senator Max Wise. This is a non-binding tribute with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation.
This is a symbolic resolution (SR 37), not a policy bill. It formally recognizes the U.S. Delta Force for a fictional military operation described as capturing Venezuelan President Maduro on January 3, 2026. The resolution has no legal effect - it expresses praise for a past event (which did not occur) and does not change laws or affect any individuals or groups. It was introduced by Kentucky's Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to committee.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to prohibit the Department for Medicaid Services, any Medicaid managed care organization contracted by the department, and the Medicaid state pharmacy benefit manager from denying coverage for a nonopioid analgesic in favor of opioid analgesic or establishing more restrictive or more extensive utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics than the least restrictive or extensive utilization controls for any opioid or narcotic analgesic; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid to seek federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes to the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1).
Direct the Department for Libraries and Archives and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to cooperate in exploring ways to increase enrollment in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program; direct the department and the cabinet to submit a report on the progress of identifying ways of increasing enrollment in the program to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission by November 1, 2026.
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 61 to prohibit public agencies from denying permits or licenses for reasons not specified by law; implement a 30-day time frame for ruling on applications for a permit or license if no time frame is otherwise specified by law; establish procedures for applications for a permit or license which are not ruled upon during the applicable time frame or are denied; for appeal process.
Amend KRS 161.155 to allow school district employees to use sick leave for observance of religious holidays not otherwise included on the school's calendar if the employee submits a personal statement verifying the observance and gives advance notice to the district; permit local school districts to compensate teachers and employees prior to retirement for accrued accumulated sick leave above 15 days at up to 30% of the teacher's or employee's daily wage; provide that compensation for sick leave compensated prior to retirement shall not impact retirement benefits or contributions to the Teachers' Retirement System or County Employees Retirement System and shall be considered as payment for services rendered; require the Kentucky Department of Education to annually report to the Legislative Research Commission on school districts who have established a program to compensate unused sick leave prior to retirement; amend KRS 78.616 and 161.220 to conform and to make technical amendments.
Amend KRS 161.540 to specify payment obligations for the inclusion of annual leave payments in a retiring member's pension benefits from the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) by requiring the state to pay the actuarial costs for annual leave accrued through July 31, 2026, and the last employer pay the actuarial costs for annual leave accrued on or after August 1, 2026.
Create a new section of KRS 186.400 to 186.640 to define "communication disorder"; establish that at the time of application for an instruction permit, operator's license, or personal identification card a person may choose to have a notation on the document indicating that they have a communication disorder; direct that no fee shall be charged for the inclusion or removal of a notation; provide that a person may request removal of the notation; direct that the Department of Kentucky State Police shall implement training on interacting with persons who have a communication disorder; amend KRS 186.531 to conform; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2027.
Direct the Energy and Environment Cabinet's Division of Water to prepare and submit a report to the Legislative Research Commission by December 15, 2026, on recommendations for state and local governments to more easily access public waterways after flooding for debris removal and clean-up.
Amend KRS 190.046 to define "parts," "qualifying repair," "qualifying repair order," "repair order," "warranty," and "warranty work"; establish requirements for dealer performance of warranty work, including time allowances, labor rates, parts markups, and payment procedures and terms.
Amend KRS 189.993 to establish enhanced penalties for a violation of KRS 189.505, including increased fines, vehicle impoudment for up to 6 months for the first offense, and vehicle forfeiture for the second or subsequent offense; amend KRS 500.090 to provide that the proceeds from any public auction of a vehicle that has been forfeited for a second or subsequent violation of KRS 189.505 be transferred to the Crime Victims Compensation Board.
