HB 650 designates Shawn E. Okpebholo's orchestral suite "A Mighty Long Way" as Kentucky's official state musical composition. This procedural bill directly affects Kentucky by adding a new symbolic designation to the state's cultural heritage, following existing designations like the state song and state bluegrass song. The composition, commissioned for Lexington's 250th anniversary, uses four movements to reflect Kentucky's history, equestrian legacy, bourbon culture, racial legacy, and future aspirations. The bill requires no funding or implementation changes, solely establishing this official status through legislative action.
Amend KRS 2.147, relating to Juneteenth National Freedom Day, to include emphasis on roles of African-Americans in the history of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
SB 229 updates Kentucky's child custody law (KRS 405.020) to replace gendered terms like "father and mother" with gender-neutral language, such as "parents" or "parent." This change directly affects all parents, children, and courts handling custody cases under this statute, ensuring the law applies equally regardless of parental gender. The bill modifies existing custody provisions (including joint custody, survivor custody, and de facto custodian rules) by updating the language to be inclusive, without altering the substantive custody rules or requirements. It does not create new legal standards but aligns the statute's wording with modern, neutral terminology.
Amend KRS 141.019, relating to income tax, to define terms; allow a deduction from gross income for professional membership dues paid for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2031; amend KRS 131.190 to allow the Department of Revenue to report on the deduction.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 91A to define terms; require 100% of the wages of an employee associated with the corporate office to be apportioned to the local government where the corporate office is located; exclude wages for work performed at a satellite office; require 100% of the wages of an employee assigned to a state government office to be apportioned to the local government where the state government office is located; allow a refund claim for occupational license fees paid for work physically performed outside of the local government's jurisdiction; establish requirements for refunds; apply the apportionment and refund requirements to incentive agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2001; amend KRS 67.780 to conform; provide that the Act may be cited as the Economic Development Incentive Retention Act.
SB 236 would create a program to help Kentucky certified teachers purchase personal computers. The Kentucky Board of Education would arrange competitive bidding to get low prices for teachers and organize training with vendors. This bill directly affects all certified teachers in Kentucky by offering discounted computers and training support. It is a procedural bill focused on implementing a specific education support program, not changing existing laws.
SB 227 amends Kentucky's veterans' benefits statute (KRS 40.050) to replace gendered terms like "his or her" with gender-neutral language. This change applies to all provisions describing veterans' eligibility, payment calculations, and beneficiary definitions in the law. The bill does not alter any benefit amounts ($300 or $500 maximum payments), eligibility criteria, or service requirements. It solely updates the statutory language to be inclusive, affecting how the law is written but not changing any actual benefits or processes for veterans or their beneficiaries.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms and establish student rights related to secular education and religious liberty; direct school districts to establish a formal grievance procedure for students, parents, and staff to report violations of those rights and set minimum requirements for the procedure; create a cause of action for violations of those rights that permits students or parents of students to bring an action for a violation of those rights within 2 years from the date of violation; permit recovery of attorney's fees and costs; waive sovereign and governmental immunity; prohibit retaliation; direct the Kentucky Department of Education to establish model policies, guidance documents, and training materials to assist in implementation by designated dates; direct school districts to provide trainings on compliance during the 2026-2027 school year; amend KRS 158.175 to remove schools' permission to recite the Lord's prayer; remove the requirement for a moment of silence or reflection within the first period of a school day; amend KRS 158.188 to remove references to the Bible and religious aspects of holidays; amend KRS 158.195 to remove the requirement that schools display "In God We Trust" in a prominent location; repeal KRS 158.170, KRS 158.177, and 158.178; provide that the Act may be cited as the Student Secular Bill of Rights.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 15 to require law enforcement agencies to transmit information to national law enforcement databases about firearms and shell casings collected during criminal investigations.
SB 230 amends Kentucky Revised Statute 36.230 to replace gendered terms like "his or her" with gender-neutral language in the statute governing the Civil Air Patrol unit within the Department of Military Affairs. This change updates the statutory wording to be inclusive but does not alter the unit's structure, operations, or membership requirements. The bill directly affects the legal language governing the Kentucky wing of the Civil Air Patrol, ensuring consistency with modern inclusive terminology.
This resolution (SR 87) is a ceremonial gesture honoring Anthony S. "Tony" Campbell, former President and CEO of East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC), for his 16-year leadership. It directs the Kentucky Senate to adjourn in his honor following a vote of appreciation for his service. The resolution acknowledges his role in expanding EKPC's energy infrastructure, maintaining reliable power for over 1.1 million Kentuckians, and strengthening the cooperative's financial stability. As a purely symbolic measure with no policy changes, it has no direct impact on legislation or constituents.
This bill amends Kentucky law to update language in the education code to be gender-neutral. It directs the Kentucky Board of Education to create a program helping certified teachers purchase personal computers at discounted rates through competitive bidding. The program would also include training on computer use provided by the vendor selected for the contract. The changes affect all certified teachers in Kentucky and modify the statutory language to use inclusive terms.
