Labor & Employment

Create a new section of Subchapter 20 of KRS Chapter 154 to establish the rural building and job creation revolving fund; specify uses of the fund to assist with compliance risk mitigation for the New Markets Tax Credits Program, or to issue low-interest loans to assist with construction of new buildings or renovations of existing buildings for lease to target wage economic development projects; require the Cabinet for Economic Development to report on the fund; create a new section of Subchapter 12 of KRS Chapter 154 to require the cabinet to work with the workforce liaison appointed by the president of the Kentucky Career and Technical College System to promote jobs created in the Commonwealth as a result of incentive programs; require the cabinet to conduct a feasibility and impact study on interstate reciprocity between state economic development programming; amend the general fund appropriation authorized in 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 199, Part I, B, 1.,(12) to not lapse and carry forward; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 198B to establish requirements for projects using structural steel welding, such as hiring a certified welder and meeting national welding standards; define terms; exempt welding projects performed or requested on the premises of a homeowner or farmer; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2027.

Amend KRS 341.243 to change the employer's contribution rate to the service capacity upgrade fund; of the rate subtracting .075% until December 31, 2026; provide that beginning January 1 2027, the rates shall be adjusted by subtracting 0.0115%; require the secretary of the Education and Labor Cabinet to set the adjustment percentage annually to be effective January 1 of each subsequent year, not to exceed 1.025%.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 336 to define terms; allow a public or private entity to contribute funds to a portable benefit plan as a form of compensation to a self-employed worker; prohibit using contributions to determine a worker's classification.