Week 6 Legislative Update: Sen. Gex Williams
Sen. Gex Williams (District 20)
As we wrap up week six of the 2026 Legislative Session, the pace of work in Frankfort continues to accelerate. Committees are meeting daily with fuller agendas, legislation is moving to the floor and priorities are advancing with thoughtful debate.
At this point in the session, more than 100 pieces of legislation have officially passed at least one chamber. As a proponent of smaller government, I sometimes find it frustrating to see the number of bills proposed, which, as of this legislative update, is nearing 850. If those bills removed more laws than they added, it may not be such a problem. However, I am pleased with the deliberate nature of the Senate, a characteristic baked in by our founders. The measures delivered to the House thus far are a clear sign that the General Assembly is actively working for you.
While there is still critical work ahead, this milestone also reflects meaningful progress on policies focused on strengthening our economy, addressing affordability, supporting our communities, protecting taxpayers, bettering education and ensuring government operates efficiently and transparently.
A measure addressing affordability
As Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee vice chair, I co-sponsored and supported the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 172, the Fuel Surcharge Stability Act. This legislation gives the Public Service Commission flexibility to extend the period during which utilities recover fuel costs, reducing sudden rate spikes for families and businesses. The bill also requires coal severance revenues to be considered during fuel adjustment reviews and allows regulators to smooth recovery when requested by a utility.
Kentuckians deserve greater predictability in their monthly bills. SB 172 provides tools to promote stability while maintaining strong regulatory oversight. The emergency clause ensures these protections can take effect immediately.
A matter of conscience: I also co-sponsor SB 72, which protects the conscience rights of health care professionals and institutions while preserving emergency care requirements and due process protections. By reinforcing conscience protections alongside patient safety standards, the bill will help us retain experienced providers and attract new health care professionals to the commonwealth.
Senate priority bills move forward
Education remains one of the Senate’s top priorities this session:
SB 2 ensures fairness in educator compensation by preventing administrator pay raises from exceeding the average percentage increase provided to classroom teachers in the same district. This measure reinforces accountability and ensures compensation decisions reflect the value of those directly serving students.
SB 4 establishes a structured statewide leadership training program for new principals. Beginning in the 2027 to 2028 school year, principals in their first five years will participate in a cohort-based practicum focused on instructional leadership, school safety, accountability and managing staff and student needs. Most costs are covered by the state and training hours count toward existing professional requirements.
Other bills passed in the Senate:
The Senate approved several additional measures aimed at protecting Kentuckians and strengthening accountability.
• SB 45 protects agritourism and working-animal activities from unreasonable local restrictions while preserving animal-welfare and public-safety laws.
• SB 71 expands required training for local school board members in finance, ethics, open meetings and superintendent evaluation to strengthen governance and fiscal oversight.
• SB 110 continues the modernization of Kentucky’s vehicle titling and registration systems through expanded electronic processing.
• SB 118 strengthens consumer protections for credit-related insurance products sold with loans.
• SB 145 modernizes licensing rules for alcoholic beverage caterers and improves efficiency at the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
• SB 153 strengthens safeguards against fraudulent contractor practices, particularly following natural disasters.
• SB 155 creates a framework for responding quickly to animal health emergencies that threaten Kentucky agriculture.
• SB 158 ensures optional vehicle-related financial protection products are clearly disclosed and not required as a condition of financing.
• SB 160 improves oversight of licensed child care centers while ensuring fair and consistent treatment for providers across Kentucky.