Lawmakers override governor’s vetoes to conclude 2025 Regular Session
Rep. Marianne Proctor (District 60)
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky gives the General Assembly the authority to create new laws. In a nod towards checks and balances, it grants the governor the power to veto or reject legislation he or she finds deficient or opposes. However, the legislative branch has the power to override the governor’s veto with a constitutional majority, thereby sending the legislation to the secretary of state for his or her recording into law.
During the veto break, the Governor issued 29 vetoes. These include entire bills and resolutions, as well as line items of appropriations legislation. These measures were important pieces that will strengthen Kentucky, including legislation providing more oversight of state government and creating policies to improve how we address early education.
The checks and balances between our branches of government established in our constitution are essential to our system of government. The veto allows the General Assembly to reconsider legislation one final time to ensure we are creating a law that will benefit the people of Kentucky. It also allows the General Assembly to reaffirm our support for key government reforms and legislative measures the governor disagrees with. The General Assembly must make laws that strengthen our economy, improve our education system, and modernize our government to protect Kentuckians from government overreach and inefficient and ineffective government policies.
Here are a few summaries of key pieces of legislation that had the governor’s veto overridden during the final days of the 2025 Regular Session:
Addressing Improper Sales Tax Collection – HB 2 provides Kentuckians improperly charged sales and use taxes on bullion transactions, such as gold and silver, an avenue to seek refunds and additional compensation for the illegal and undue burden.
Ending Discrimination in Public Colleges and Universities – HB 4 prohibits wasteful and discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices on the campuses of Kentucky’s public universities.
Limiting Government Overreach by Unelected Bureaucrats – HB 6 establishes limitations on the authority of unelected bureaucrats to promulgate administrative regulations.
Enhancing Accountability in Criminal Justice Institutions – HB 136 requires the annual report made to the legislature by the Department of Corrections to include additional data on persons released from a correctional institution, including time served, gang affiliation, drug test results, educational attainment, and recidivism.
Promoting Early Intervention to Ensure Long-term Academic Success – HB 240 utilizes a universal screener to assess student progress in kindergarten and first grade alongside grade-level assessments. Schools may retain kindergarten students who do not make adequate educational progress, but first-grade students must be held back if they do not make adequate progress or are unprepared for the second grade.
Improving local water and wastewater systems – HJR 30 authorizes the release of funds for the Kentucky Water or Wastewater Assistance for Troubled or Economically Restrained Systems Fund. These funds were appropriated during the 2024 Regular Session to support local governments in improving their water and wastewater infrastructure.
Approving county road projects – HJR 46 sets the priority county road projects, including them in the funding for the six-year road plan. This funding was appropriated during the 2024 Regular Session, and this resolution releases these funds for county and city roads needing improvement.
In the final hours of the session, House and Senate leadership received a letter from the governor claiming he will not implement a dozen or so laws passed this session. He claims they will cost too much, but many are actually cost-savings measures aimed at ending government overreach or requiring programs to work more effectively. His stance is not only disappointing but unlawful and politically motivated. I am hopeful the issue will be resolved without going through expensive and unnecessary legal challenges. However, as a duly-elected lawmaker, I stand by the legislature’s authority to enact the policies that govern our Commonwealth