Repeal and reenact KRS 132.017 to require the portion of a property tax rate which will produce revenue from real property, exclusive of revenue from new property, more than four percent over the amount of revenue produced by the compensating tax rate to be subject to recall by the voters of the district; establish requirements for the ballot question, notifying the public, the election process, and recalling the rate; allow the cancellation of the election; disallow local, state, and federal tax dollars to be used to advocate for the rate; amend various statutes to conform; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2026.
SB 148 updates Kentucky's criminal law by changing gendered language in KRS 504.120 to be gender-neutral. It replaces phrases like "his or her" with inclusive language in the section describing mental illness defenses for defendants. This change directly affects criminal defendants who may raise mental illness as a defense during trials. The bill modifies how courts and juries can consider mental health factors in sentencing or verdicts, without altering the legal standards or outcomes.
SB 159 amends Kentucky law (KRS 156.690) to establish a program helping certified teachers purchase personal computers. The bill requires the Kentucky Board of Education to arrange competitive bidding for computer prices and organize vendor training for teachers. It directly affects Kentucky's certified teachers by providing cost-saving options and training support for personal computer use. The bill is currently in the Senate Education Committee after its February 13 introduction. (Note: The bill's abstract mentioning "gender-neutral language" does not align with the actual text, which focuses on the computer program.)
SB 152 amends Kentucky law to replace gendered language ("he or she") with gender-neutral terms in the process for appointing the Secretary of the Cabinet for Economic Development. The bill updates KRS 154.10-040 to ensure the appointment procedure uses inclusive language, without changing the qualifications or selection process. This affects the board's procedure for selecting candidates and the Governor's appointment authority for the economic development secretary position. The change is purely procedural, maintaining the existing requirements that the secretary must have significant economic development experience.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 247 to define terms; prohibit a nonresident alien, foreign business, foreign agent, trustee, or fiduciary associated with the government of any proscribed country referenced in 22 C.F.R. sec. 126.1 from the purchase, lease, or acquisition of agricultural land in Kentucky or participation in programs administered by the Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Development Board, and Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation; allow an existing foreign-owned business to purchase adjacent agricultural land to expand the operations of the business; exempt foreign ownership or leasing of up to 350 acres for research purposes; allow a nonresident alien, foreign business, foreign agent, trustee, or fiduciary to own, purchase, hold, or develop agricultural land for nonagricultural use provided that the development is completed within five years of acquiring the land; require that a copy of the report required under the provisions of the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act be filed with the Department of Agriculture; require the Department of Agriculture to report evidence of noncompliance to the Office of the Attorney General; require the Office of the Attorney General to investigate the evidence; allow the Office of the Attorney General to enforce provisions; require that agricultural land found in violation be escheated to the state and be subject to judicial foreclosure; set requirements for disbursement of proceeds of the sale.
SB 188 amends Kentucky's Medicaid law (KRS 205.557) to clarify definitions and reimbursement rules for child medical evaluations at children's advocacy centers. It specifically ensures Medicaid covers evaluations provided by licensed physicians, advanced practice nurses, or sexual assault nurse examiners working at compliant centers. The bill requires reimbursement at the actual cost of these evaluations and directs the Medicaid Department to seek necessary federal waivers to implement this change. This technical correction directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries, children's advocacy centers, and healthcare providers who conduct these evaluations.
SB 189 makes a technical correction to Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 212.190, which governs compensation for county health officers. It clarifies that health officers in counties without a dedicated health department receive salaries set by the fiscal court, while officers in counties with a health department have salaries approved by the county board of health (subject to Cabinet for Health and Family Services review). The bill directly affects county health officers across Kentucky by updating the legal language around their pay-setting authority. This is a procedural amendment with no new policy changes, solely correcting existing statutory language.
SB 157 amends Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 156.690 to replace gendered language ("his or her") with gender-neutral terms in a program assisting certified teachers. The bill directly affects Kentucky teachers by updating the statutory language governing a Board of Education initiative that helps teachers purchase personal computers. Key provisions require the Kentucky Board of Education to secure competitive pricing for computers and arrange vendor training for participating teachers. This change updates existing program language to use inclusive terminology without altering the program's structure or requirements. The bill focuses solely on modifying statutory wording to ensure gender neutrality in official documents.
SB 170 updates Kentucky law (KRS 620.130) to replace gender-specific terms like "his or her" with gender-neutral language in child custody proceedings. It does not change existing protections or procedures for children; the bill only modifies the statutory language to be inclusive. This affects all child custody cases in Kentucky where courts consider alternatives to removing a child from a parent's custody, ensuring the law applies equally regardless of gender.
SB 172 amends Kentucky's eminent domain law (KRS 154.50-323) to require government entities to clearly state the specific purpose for which condemned property will be used and prove that purpose in court. It mandates that condemned property must be developed within five years for the stated purpose, or the original owner can repurchase it at the government's purchase price. Property owners whose land is taken gain the right to reclaim it through court if development doesn't occur, plus recovery of costs and reasonable attorney fees. This bill directly affects landowners facing condemnation and government entities exercising eminent domain authority.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 411 to allow a person injured due to the negligence of an intoxicated minor to bring a civil action against a person who knew or should have known that the minor consumed alcohol or a controlled substance in the person's home or on property under the person's control, and against any person, other than the minor's parent, who provided the alcohol or controlled substance to the minor.
SB 143 amends Kentucky election law to replace gendered language ("his or her") with gender-neutral terms in voter registration forms. The bill directly affects all Kentucky voters by updating the statutory language required on registration forms. Key provisions require the State Board of Elections to revise forms to use inclusive language while maintaining existing requirements like name, address, and signature verification. The change ensures forms do not assume gender identity, aligning with broader efforts for inclusive civic processes. The bill is currently in committee review after its February 2025 introduction.
