Senate Passes Rawlings-sponsored SB84

The Kentucky Senate has passed Senate Bill 84 (SB 84), sponsored by Sen. Steve Rawlings, R-Burlington (District 11). This marks the first Senate bill successfully passed by Rawlings, a significant milestone in his legislative career. The bill increases government accountability by ensuring courts do not defer to state agencies’ interpretations of laws.

For decades, the Chevron doctrine allowed courts to defer to agency interpretations of ambiguous laws, expanding bureaucratic power. In 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Chevron, reaffirming that courts—not agencies—interpret laws.

Without similar protections at the state level, Kentucky agencies could still push their authority beyond what lawmakers intended, as has been the case on several occasions.

“This is a proud moment for me as a legislator,” said Rawlings. “Passing my first Senate bill is not just a personal achievement but a step forward in ensuring the government remains accountable to the people, not unelected bureaucrats.”

SB 84 requires courts reviewing cases involving state agencies to independently interpret laws without deferring to the agency’s interpretation. The bill also stipulates courts must resolve any legal ambiguities in a way that disfavors increasing the agency’s authority beyond what its governing statutes provide.

With its passage in the Senate, SB 84 now moves to the House for further consideration. The bill strengthens judicial review and promotes government transparency by preventing agencies from expanding their power beyond what is explicitly granted by law.