On the evening of April 15th, lawmakers in Frankfort announced Sine Die—the Latin term that means “without day,” signifying the end of the legislative session—to officially close the Kentucky General Assembly’s 2026 session.
Thank you to the Kentucky League of Cities and Kentucky Sheriff’s Association for their partnership and support this session.
Our members’ grassroots actions—calling, emailing, and engaging with House and Senate representatives—played a key role in our success. Without this outreach, at least one bill, and possibly others, would not have passed. Your involvement also helped prevent some very harmful legislation from moving forward. KACP is deeply grateful for your contributions.
KACP PRIORITIES
KLEFPF Increase
The budget has submitted the budget to the Governor for review; it includes a 2% increase for KLEFP applicable to each year of the biennium. KACP advocated for the inclusion of this increase.
You can review the legislator’s version of the state’s two-year budget here HB500
[KY] SB104 Impediment of First Responders—New Offense and Expanded Definition
DECLARATION: Support
DESCRIPTION: Creates a new offense for impeding first responders with defined penalties, expands the Alan ‘Chip’ Terry Professional Development and Wellness Program to include rescue squad members, and establishes rights and procedures for leave and access to wellness programs for rescue squad members. Sections 2 and 3 may be cited as ‘Gavin’s Rights.’
SUMMARY: The bill creates the offense of impeding a first responder, including new definitions for ‘first responder’ and ‘harass,’ and establishes penalties for violations. It adds rescue squad members to eligibility for the Alan ‘Chip’ Terry Professional Development and Wellness Program, provides definitions and confidentiality provisions, requires access agreements between agencies, and grants critical incident leave for rescue squad members as determined by Division of Emergency Management policy. It also allows for the short title ‘Gavin’s Rights’ for certain provisions.
CURRENT ACTION: became law without Governor’s Signature (Acts Ch. 96)
PREVIOUS ACTION: became law without Governor’s Signature (Acts Ch. 96)
PRIMARY SPONSOR: Matt Nunn
[KY] HB213 Reemployment and Benefits of Retired Police Officers
DECLARATION: Support
DESCRIPTION: This bill amends statutes regarding the reemployment of retired police officers by counties, cities, and postsecondary institutions, with specific changes to health insurance eligibility and contributions. It also updates certain references in statutes related to retiree health insurance plans.
SUMMARY: The bill permits, effective August 1, 2026, the chief legislative body of a county, city, or postsecondary institution to provide or authorize health insurance coverage for reemployed retired police officers, subject to local terms. It clarifies and aligns statutory references for required separation periods and employer contributions regarding retiree health insurance. The bill also updates the eligibility for Medicare coverage and technical statutory references throughout the relevant statutes.
CURRENT ACTION: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 73)
PREVIOUS ACTION: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 73)
PRIMARY SPONSOR: Emily Callaway
[KY] HB220 Amendments to Pension Spiking Rules in Kentucky Public Pensions Authority Systems
DECLARATION: Support
DESCRIPTION: This bill amends KRS 61.598 regarding pension spiking rules and creates requirements for retroactive benefit adjustments by the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority.
SUMMARY: The bill clarifies and expands the definition of ‘bona fide promotion or career advancement’ to explicitly include certain retroactive pay increases for specified employee classes. It applies these provisions retroactively to members who retired on or after July 1, 2021, and directs the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority to review and adjust benefits for affected retirees accordingly.
CURRENT ACTION: signed by Governor
PREVIOUS ACTION: signed by Governor
PRIMARY SPONSOR: John Blanton
[KY] HB448 Background Checks and Juvenile Records Disclosure Reform
DECLARATION: Support
DESCRIPTION: Creates new provisions for Kentucky criminal justice agencies to provide criminal history records information for federal background checks; amends confidentiality of juvenile court records to permit such disclosures.
SUMMARY: Establishes definitions for ‘criminal history records information,’ ‘criminal justice agency,’ and ‘requesting agency.’ Requires Kentucky criminal justice agencies to provide criminal history records information to federal agencies or their contractors for background checks under 5 U.S.C. sec. 9101, and allows a $25 fee to be charged (except to Kentucky state agencies). Amends confidentiality provisions for juvenile court records to exempt disclosures for these federal background checks, and clarifies prohibitions on unauthorized disclosure, access, or destruction of confidential records. Adds or renumbers subsections for clarity and to incorporate new exceptions.
CURRENT ACTION: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 42)
PREVIOUS ACTION: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 42)
PRIMARY SPONSOR: Tony Hampton
[KY] HB652 Transfer and Funding of School Mapping Data Program Administration
DECLARATION: Support
DESCRIPTION: This Act reassigns administration and oversight of the School Mapping Data Program from the Center for School Safety to the Kentucky 911 Services Board, revises related statutory responsibilities, and declares an emergency for immediate effect.
SUMMARY: The bill transfers responsibility for administering, overseeing, and verifying the School Mapping Data Program from the Center for School Safety to the Kentucky 911 Services Board. It makes conforming changes throughout KRS 158.4433, adds new duties to the 911 Services Board in KRS 65.7629 related to the program, and removes the Center for School Safety’s prior authority over the program in KRS 158.442. The Act includes an emergency clause, making it effective immediately upon passage.
CURRENT ACTION: delivered to Secretary of State
PREVIOUS ACTION: delivered to Secretary of State
PRIMARY SPONSOR: Steve Bratcher
[KY] HB567 Revisions to Kentucky Open Records Act Residency and Application Requirements
DECLARATION: Support
DESCRIPTION: Amends Kentucky’s open records laws regarding residency, application requirements, and agency procedures.
SUMMARY: This bill revises Kentucky’s open records statutes to update the definition of ‘resident of the Commonwealth,’ modifies requirements for proving residency when making records requests, and clarifies agency obligations in processing such requests. It requires more specific documentation of residency, removes certain authorized representative provisions, and standardizes language and procedures regarding open records requests and agency postings.
CURRENT ACTION: recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)
PREVIOUS ACTION: recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)
PRIMARY SPONSOR: Patrick Flannery
[KY] SR83 Resolution Honoring Officer Nick Wilt on His Retirement
DECLARATION: Support
DESCRIPTION: A resolution honoring Officer Nick Wilt for his service, bravery, and retirement from the Louisville Metro Police Department.
SUMMARY: This resolution commends Officer Nick Wilt for his heroic actions during the Old National Bank shooting, congratulates him on his retirement, and directs the Senate Clerk to transmit a copy of the resolution for presentation.
CURRENT ACTION: adopted by voice vote
PREVIOUS ACTION: adopted by voice vote
PRIMARY SPONSOR: Gerald Neal
LEGISLATION KACP SUPPORTED
[KY] HB4 Criminalization of Grooming a Minor and Related Professional Discipline Updates
DECLARATION: Support
DESCRIPTION: This bill creates the new offense of grooming a minor and makes related amendments to criminal law and professional licensing statutes regarding sexual conduct and professional discipline.
SUMMARY: Creates the crime of grooming a minor, defining specific prohibited conduct and penalties, including enhanced penalties based on the victim’s age and the offender’s authority status. Adds definitions for grooming behavior and related terms. Amends multiple statutes governing professional licensing and discipline to update references and definitions related to sexual conduct, grooming, and penalties for certain offenses involving minors or clients. Makes technical and conforming changes throughout affected statutes.
CURRENT ACTION: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 65)
PREVIOUS ACTION: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 65)
PRIMARY SPONSOR: Marianne Proctor
[KY] HB189 Pedestrian Restrictions and Safety Standards on State-Maintained Rights-of-Way
DECLARATION: Support
DESCRIPTION: Establishes new restrictions on stationary pedestrian activity within state-maintained rights-of-way not designated for pedestrian use and authorizes local governments to permit exceptions under specific criteria. Updates and reorganizes existing pedestrian-related statutes with technical and minor substantive changes.
SUMMARY: Creates a new section in KRS Chapter 189 prohibiting individuals from sitting, kneeling, reclining, standing, or remaining stationary in non-pedestrian-designated portions of state-maintained rights-of-way, with exceptions for emergencies, authorized workers, and those in pedestrian areas. Allows local governments to enact ordinances permitting limited exceptions under objective criteria and with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet oversight. Authorizes the Transportation Cabinet to set minimum pedestrian safety standards by regulation. Amends KRS 189.570 to conform language, add gender-neutral references, reorganize certain subsections, and add reference to violations of the new section as a prohibited pedestrian act.
CURRENT ACTION: became law without Governor’s Signature (Acts Ch. 32)
PREVIOUS ACTION: became law without Governor’s Signature (Acts Ch. 32)
PRIMARY SPONSOR: Kevin Jackson
[KY] SB10 Constitutional Amendment: Limits on Gubernatorial Pardons and Commutations
DECLARATION: Support
DESCRIPTION: Proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit the Governor from granting pardons or commuting sentences during a specified period surrounding gubernatorial elections.
SUMMARY: This bill proposes an amendment to Section 77 of the Kentucky Constitution to prohibit the Governor from granting pardons or commuting sentences during the period beginning sixty days before a gubernatorial election and ending on the fifth Tuesday after the election. The amendment will be submitted to Kentucky voters for approval. The bill also outlines publication and certification requirements for the proposed amendment and ballot question.
CURRENT ACTION: delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 12)
PREVIOUS ACTION: delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 12)
PRIMARY SPONSOR: Christian McDaniel
OTHER LEGISLATION OF INTEREST
[KY] HB58 Regulation of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) and Privacy Protection
DECLARATION: Watch
DESCRIPTION: Creates new regulations regarding the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs), establishes privacy protections and data use limitations, and sets penalties for violations.
SUMMARY: The bill creates a new section in KRS Chapter 189 to regulate the deployment and use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs). It defines key terms related to ALPRs, restricts their use to specific entities and purposes, establishes strict rules for the retention, sharing, and destruction of captured license plate data, and requires law enforcement agencies to adopt public policies governing ALPR use. The bill also mandates visual confirmation before law enforcement can act on an ALPR alert, directs the Transportation Cabinet to establish a permit process for ALPR installation on highways, and amends KRS 189.990 to impose specific penalties for violations of these new provisions.
CURRENT ACTION: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 71)
PREVIOUS ACTION: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 71)
PRIMARY SPONSOR: John Hodgson
[KY] HB312 Creation of Provisional Concealed Carry Licenses for 18-20 Year Olds
DECLARATION: Watch
DESCRIPTION: Establishes a provisional license for individuals aged 18-20 to carry concealed firearms or deadly weapons, outlines application, validity, and transition to standard license procedures.
SUMMARY: Creates a new section in KRS Chapter 237 establishing a provisional license for individuals aged 18 to 20 to carry concealed firearms or deadly weapons. The Department of Kentucky State Police is directed to issue these licenses to eligible applicants who meet certain criteria. The provisional license is valid statewide, distinguishable from a standard license, and expires when the holder turns 21. Procedures are detailed for transitioning from a provisional to a standard license, and the Department may issue necessary regulations. Expired provisional licenses are void except for surrender in exchange for a standard license.
CURRENT ACTION: delivered to Secretary of State
PREVIOUS ACTION: delivered to Secretary of State
PRIMARY SPONSOR: Savannah Maddox
As always, questions, suggestions, comments, or concerns can be directed to Executive Director Shawn Butler, who can be reached at 859-743-2920 or sbutler@kacp.org