Week 12 Legislative Update
Sen. Steve Rawlings (District 11)
With the end of the 2026 Regular Session in sight, work in Frankfort has entered a busy and important final stretch. These last weeks are when many of the most meaningful decisions are made, as legislation developed over the past several months moves through the final steps of the process.
Bills are moving quickly between the House and Senate as lawmakers work through a wide range of issues that impact everyday life, from education and job opportunities to public safety and community development.
In even-numbered years, the General Assembly meets for 60 legislative days, and we are now nearing the end of that calendar. Over the coming days, legislation passed by both chambers will move to the governor’s desk, where it may be signed into law, vetoed or allowed to become law without a signature.
Lawmakers will then return for the final legislative days to consider any vetoes and complete remaining work before adjourning sine die on April 15.
One major responsibility still ahead is finalizing the state budget, which will shape Kentucky’s priorities for the next two fiscal years. Discussions are ongoing to ensure a balanced and responsible approach.
While these final days are demanding, they are focused on delivering results that strengthen families and communities across Kentucky.
One of my bills continued to make strong progress this week, with Senate Bill 59 passing the House and moving one step closer to becoming law. This legislation strengthens enforcement of Kentucky’s existing ban on using taxpayer dollars to influence ballot questions. While that prohibition is already in place, it has lacked clear accountability, something this bill directly addresses by establishing meaningful civil and criminal penalties for violations. I’ve been clear that taxpayer dollars belong to the people, not the government, and they should never be used to push political messaging. SB 59 reinforces the principle that government must remain neutral in elections and helps restore trust by ensuring the rules we have in place are actually enforced.
Below are several measures that advanced through the Senate this week.
HB 4 sponsored by Representative Marianne Proctor, creates a new crime for grooming minors, targeting behavior that will affect a child for future sexual abuse. It sets stricter penalties depending on the circumstances of the victim and offender. The bill also protects normal, appropriate interactions (like parenting or teaching) and clarifies that sentences for grooming run at the same time as related offenses.
HB 10 increases oversight of executive branch actions during the transition period before a new governor takes office. The bill requires review of certain legal settlements, limits noncompetitive contracts and late-term personnel changes, preserves records for incoming administrations, and expands confirmation requirements and travel transparency for constitutional officers.
HB 67 updates Kentucky’s school electronic communication law by clarifying when school employees and volunteers may contact students outside official communication systems. The bill focuses the policy on private electronic communication, updates parental consent requirements, and provides exceptions for emergencies, field trips, and work-based learning. Senate changes also add school financial transparency provisions and clarify exemptions for school resource officers and directors of pupil personnel.
HB 78 establishes liability protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers against certain lawsuits arising from the criminal misuse of firearms or ammunition and grants enforcement authority to the Attorney General.
HB 139 modernizes Kentucky’s election laws by raising campaign contribution limits, improving election administration, tightening voter ID rules, and allowing data sharing with federal agencies to verify voter eligibility. It clarifies that political parties can speak on nonpartisan judicial races without changing their nonpartisan nature.
SB 185 creates a long-term plan to help strengthen and stabilize Kentucky State University while keeping its identity as a historically Black land-grant school. It gives leaders more authority to fix financial and operational issues, therefore increasing oversight and transparency. The bill also shifts the university toward more workforce-focused programs, which improves accountability and student success efforts.
HB 189 sets rules about where people can be along state roadways to improve safety. It allows exceptions for emergencies and for workers like first responders and utility crews. Pedestrians can still use designated areas like sidewalks and crosswalks. Local governments can create limited exceptions while the state sets consistent safety standards.
HB 253 improves reading instruction by requiring schools to use proven, research-based methods like phonics and phasing out less effective approaches. It also requires K-5 teacher/staff training and updates preparation programs. The bill adds student safety measures by banning nondisclosure agreements related to abuse and requiring schools to track misconduct.
HB 257 overhauls the system of assessment and accountability in Kentucky public schools. It adjust the state portion of the assessments while still complying with federal mandates for testing and school accountability. In addition, it creates a definition for “Locally developed indicators of quality” that are measures created or adopted by a local school district that are aligned with academic standards, allow students to demonstrate their ability to apply grade-appropriate knowledge and skill in real world applications, and may include additional locally identified indicators related to priorities established by the local community.
HB 398 ensures the Public Service Commission can approve how utilities charge customers for taking old power plants out of service.
HB 490 allows public postsecondary institutions to remove faculty members for bona fide financial reasons, such as financial exigency, low program enrollment, or budget misalignment, with notice and an opportunity for the faculty member to respond.
HB 657 requires background checks for new, reinstated, or out-of-state license applicants while keeping results private and limiting fees. It prohibits checks for renewals, with boards reviewing results before granting practice across state lines.
HB 658 requires the Transportation Cabinet to update regulations extending the allowable duration of a limited commercial driver’s license in line with federal standards. The bill also incorporates provisions from SB 7 to allow, but not require, a convenience fee of up to $25.
HB 669 requires the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to determine whether children in state custody are receiving or eligible for earned federal benefits, such as Social Security or veterans’ survivor benefits. The bill creates the Success Sequence Savings and Disbursement Plan to ensure those funds are saved for the child and made available when they reach adulthood and exit the state’s care.
HB 781 requires the cabinet to create a SNAP education and training plan that helps people improve job skills, find work, and build healthy work habits through partnerships with public and private organizations