Rep. George Brown

Maddy summaryHB 118 permits Western Kentucky University (WKU) to offer up to five research doctoral degree programs, including Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs, in fields directly tied to Kentucky's workforce and economic needs. This amendment to Kentucky law (KRS 164.295) specifically overrides a previous restriction that barred comprehensive universities like WKU from granting PhDs, except for limited exceptions. The bill requires WKU to demonstrate alignment with workforce demands and ensure new programs do not reduce funding for existing academic programs at other public universities. The change directly affects WKU's academic offerings and its ability to expand graduate education in targeted disciplines.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 6 to allow members and members-elect of the General Assembly to prefile bills and resolutions for introduction at the next succeeding regular legislative session; require the prefiled bills and resolutions to be published on the Legislative Research Commission's website.

Maddy summaryHB 109 requires landlords in Kentucky to follow specific steps when tenants leave belongings behind in a rental unit. Landlords must store the property, create an inventory within seven days, send certified mail to the tenant’s last address, and post a notice for seven days. If the tenant makes no reasonable effort to reclaim the property within 21 days, the landlord may dispose of it. This bill directly affects landlords managing rental properties and tenants who leave personal belongings behind.

Maddy summaryHB 126 adds June 19 as a state holiday in Kentucky, officially named "Juneteenth National Freedom Day," to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. This change directly affects Kentucky state offices and employees, requiring them to close on this date. The bill amends Kentucky Revised Statute 2.110 by inserting June 19 into the list of designated state holidays, alongside existing holidays like Independence Day and Christmas. It does not alter existing holiday observances or create new government obligations beyond the closure requirement.

Amend KRS 164.295 to permit Eastern Kentucky University to offer doctor of osteopathic medicine degrees required for professional practice and licensure in osteopathic medicine.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 262 to establish a Healthy Soils Program and a Healthy Soils Program fund in the Department for Natural Resources, Division of Conservation; require the department to provide technical advice and assistance and to assist with soil health assessments and soil health plans; require the commissioner to approve applications for grants and other types of financial assistance under the Healthy Soils Program; authorize the department to promulgate administrative regulations to implement the Healthy Soils Program and the Healthy Soils Program fund; amend KRS 146.100 to require the director of the Division of Conservation to have experience in healthy soil practices; amend KRS 224.71-110 to require the Agriculture Water Quality Authority to promote soil restoration and include an organic agriculture organization among appointments to the authority and add healthy soil practices as a committee; amend KRS 262.010 to define "healthy soil practices," "soil health," "soil health assessment," and "watershed health"; amend KRS 262.020 to add restoration, biological diversity, watershed health, and healthy soil practices to the purpose of soil and water conservation districts; amend KRS 262.748 and 262.778 to conform.

Propose to amend Section 25 of the Constitution of Kentucky to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude in all circumstances, including as punishment for a crime; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

Create a new section of KRS 17.500 to 17.580, relating to the sex offender registry, to define "costume" and "Halloween-related activity"; prohibit sex offenders who have committed a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor from participating in any Halloween-related activity; establish penalties.

Amend KRS 431.066 to limit the use of money bail to certain high-risk defendants and create a preventive detention process for defendants of select risk levels and charge types; create a new section of KRS Chapter 431 to establish a preventive detention hearing process and define the limited circumstances in which money bail can be imposed; amend various statutes to conform; repeal KRS 431.021, relating to guaranteed arrest bond certificates.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 337 to require any employer doing business in Kentucky that receives governmental incentives or subsidies to pay its employees a living wage.