Kentucky Bills

died · Kentucky · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 218: Withdrawn.

Amend KRS 205.6412 to require the Department for Medicaid Services to seek authorization from the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement a state-directed payment for physician and nonphysician professional services provided to a Medicaid beneficiary by a qualifying hospital's affiliated physician groups or physicians and other professionals employed or contracted by the qualified hospital; require the Department of Medicaid Services to direct Medicaid managed care organizations to issue payments back to January 1, 2026, upon federal approval; RETROACTIVE.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Kentucky · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 223: AN ACT relating to the regulation of cannabis-infused beverages.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 243 to allow the holder of a cannabis-infused beverage retail package license and a cannabis-infused beverage distributor's license to sell and serve cannabis-infused beverages at bars, restaurants, fairs, and festivals; allow the holder of a cannabis-infused beverage manufacturer license approved by the Department for Public Health to sell and serve cannabis-infused beverages at fairs and festivals; limit the sampling size of cannabis-infused beverages to 12 ounces per person, per day; create a nonquota cannabis-infused beverage supplemental drink license; establish the conditions upon which a nonquota cannabis-infused beverage supplemental drink license may be issued; allow the holder of a special temporary license, special Sunday retail drink license, catererâs license, hotel in-room license, entertainment destination center license, limited restaurant license, limited golf course license, and qualified historic site license to serve cannabis-infused beverages; allow a cannabis-infused beverage retail package license, a cannabis-infused beverage distributor's license, or a cannabis-infused beverage manufacturer's license approved by the Department for Public Health to obtain a sampling license; amend KRS 243.401 to add to the list of licensees that are eligible to sell cannabis-infused beverages; amend KRS 243.028 to establish labeling requirements for shipped packages that contain cannabis-infused beverages; amend KRS 189.530 to define "open cannabis-infused beverage container"; amend various sections of KRS Chapter 243 to conform; EMERGENCY.

in committee · Kentucky · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 674: AN ACT relating to branch budget recommendations.

HB 674 makes technical corrections to Kentucky's budget submission rules for government branches. It requires all budget recommendations to include specific dollar amounts for every item, banning vague terms like "necessary government expense" without them. The bill also mandates that when a fund's entire proceeds are assigned to specific budget units, agencies must provide annual revenue estimates for the current and prior two fiscal bienniums. This affects all state government branches submitting budget recommendations to the General Assembly. The changes clarify procedural requirements without altering funding levels or policy substance.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Kentucky · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 675: AN ACT relating to fiscal matters.

HB 675 updates Kentucky law to replace gendered language in a tax collection procedure. It amends KRS 131.205 to use gender-neutral terms (replacing "his or her" with inclusive phrasing) for Department of Revenue field representatives who collect taxes. The bill does not change any tax collection rules or procedures - only the wording describing who performs the task. It directly affects field representatives handling tax payments but has no impact on tax rates, filing requirements, or other fiscal policies. This is a procedural language update, not a substantive policy change.

in committee · Kentucky · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 290: AN ACT relating to criminal history.

Create a new sections of KRS Chapter 431 to establish an automatic expungement process for specific eligible misdemeanor and felony convictions; allow the Commonwealth's and county attorney to object and halt the automatic expungement of certain offenses; require the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Department of Kentucky State Police to submit a report twice a year to the Legislative Research Commission on the implementation of the automatic expungement process; amend KRS 431.073 to waive fees for an applicant whose conviction qualifies as an eligible conviction; amend KRS 431.074 to require the Administrative Office of the Courts to establish a searchable portal to allow a person to determine if his or her conviction has been expunged; amend KRS 431.078 to waive fees for a petitioner whose conviction qualifies as an eligible conviction; amend KRS 431.079 to provide court clerks and deputy court clerks with immunity from civil liability for acts done in good faith under this act; amend KRS 17.151 to require the Department for Kentucky State Police to provide the Administrative Office of the Courts with data to comply with automatic expungement process; amend KRS 196.093 to require the Department of Corrections to provide the Administrative Office of the Courts with data to comply with automatic expungement process; amend KRS 367.310 to provide that no conviction that has been overruled, vacated, set aside, or expunged shall not be included on any background check or consumer report; establish the Automatic Expungement Task Force; establish duties and membership; require the task force to submit a report with recommendations to the Legislative Research Commission by November 1, 2026; provide that the Act may be cited as the Automatic Expungement Act.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Kentucky · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 515: AN ACT relating to revenue.

HB 515 makes a technical correction to Kentucky Revised Statute 141.068, clarifying definitions and procedures for tax credits under the state's investment fund program. The amendment does not change existing tax credit rules but ensures accurate wording in the statute for administrative clarity. It directly affects investors, investment fund managers, and the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority. This correction helps maintain consistent application of the tax credit program without altering policy.

passed · Kentucky · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 794: AN ACT relating to financial exploitation.

Amend KRS 209.990 to add persons age 65 and older to who can be a victim of exploitation; increase the amount of money lost to a person who knowingly exploits a victim from more than $300 to more than $500 and increase the penalty from a Class C felony to a Class B felony; increase the amount of money lost to a person who wantonly or recklessly exploits a victim from more than $300 to more than $500 and increase the penalty from a Class D felony to a Class C felony; increase the amount of money lost to a person who knowingly, wantonly, or recklessly exploits a victim from $300 or less to $500 or less and increase the penalty from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony; allow the Attorney General to demand the Governor of another state to surrender a person found in another state who is charged in Kentucky with exploitation; amend KRS 292.338 to require registered investment advisor representatives to complete at least 3 hours of continuing education covering financial exploitation each reporting period; amend KRS 365.245 to require a qualified person to create and maintain a record of a temporary hold, develop training policies and programs and conduct training on issues regarding financial exploitation, and develop, maintain, and enforce procedures regarding internal review before placing a temporary hold a specified adult's account.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Kentucky · House Mar 19, 2026

HR 123: A RESOLUTION recognizing March 19, 2026, as Random Acts of Cody Kindness Day in Kentucky, in honor of Cody Reeves Gollihue.

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that designates March 19, 2026, as Random Acts of Cody Kindness Day in Kentucky to honor Cody Reeves Gollihue. The measure directs the House of Representatives to recognize this date and adjourn in his honor, while also instructing the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Representative Aaron Thompson. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of Gollihue's legacy of kindness and the global movement inspired by his memory.

passed · Kentucky · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 541: AN ACT relating to peace officers.

Amend KRS 15.310 to define "agency" and "court order"; amend KRS 15.382 to provide that minimum standards for peace officer certification shall be met prior to being hired; exclude any candidate that is prohibited by a court order from possessing a firearm; provide that certain screening tests conducted by local law enforcement agencies be approved by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council; amend KRS 15.3975 to provide that any extension for a court security officer to complete required training may be granted by the executive director of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council; amend KRS 15.404 to provide that any extension for a peace officer to complete required training may be granted by the executive director of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council; amend KRS 15.405 to require an agency to request previous employment records for a candidate before making a conditional offer of employment; amend KRS 15.990 to provide that any agency who does not comply with KRS 15.405 shall be subject to a fine of between $25 and $1,000.

passed · Kentucky · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 644: AN ACT relating to the awarding of a medal of distinction by the General Assembly.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 2 to create the Kentucky General Assembly Medal of Distinction and establish the award criteria and selection process.

passed · Kentucky · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 660: AN ACT relating to highways.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 176 to define "resurfacing project'; require the Department of Highways to notify cities where resurfacing projects are located at least 60 days prior to the project letting date; specify contents of the notice; allow any affected city to submit comments on the project; require city to consider feedback from the city and issue a response.

in committee · Kentucky · House Mar 19, 2026

HJR 77: A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission to conduct a comprehensive assessment of coal resource viability and energy affordability in eastern Kentucky and declaring an emergency.

Direct the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission to conduct a comprehensive assessment of coal resource viability and energy affordability in eastern Kentucky; direct that EPIC report to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, 2026; EMERGENCY.

Topics ✗ Energy

Bill results