Week 9 Legislative Update

Sen. Steve Rawlings (District 11)
The Kentucky General Assembly has now finished the ninth week of the 2026 Legislative Session, and our work in Frankfort continues to move ahead. With only a few weeks remaining before the end of this 60-day session, lawmakers are concentrating on moving legislation forward while continuing important conversations about the state budget.

Passing a balanced two-year budget is one of the most significant responsibilities the legislature carries in even-numbered years. Lawmakers are carefully reviewing agency funding requests, examining spending priorities and considering the long-term financial health of the commonwealth. The House has already approved its initial budget proposal, and the Senate will now review that plan and make changes where necessary. My priority is making sure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly while maintaining the services Kentuckians rely on every day.

Earlier this year, the Senate Majority Caucus announced ten priority pieces of legislation aimed at addressing major challenges facing our state. I’m pleased to report that all ten bills have now been filed. Several have already passed the Senate and are being considered by the House, while others are continuing to advance through Senate committees.

These measures address issues ranging from education and economic development to reducing unnecessary regulations and improving government accountability. Many of the ideas behind these bills came directly from conversations with Kentuckians across the state.

This week, several more bills cleared the Senate and are continuing through the legislative process.

I passed Senate Bill 59 to strengthen protections against the misuse of taxpayer dollars and public resources in elections. The bill clarifies that government funds and resources cannot be used to advocate for or against ballot measures while preserving the right of public employees to engage in political activity on their own time. It also establishes fines and misdemeanor penalties for violations, reinforcing that public resources must be used for public service—not political advocacy.

Senate Bill 57: Creates the Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program to position Kentucky as a leader in advanced nuclear energy. Allows up to $25 million per project to support early permitting and site preparation while requiring accountability, community designation and repayment if development does not proceed. The bill aims to strengthen Kentucky’s energy portfolio and attract private investment.

Senate Bill 125: Creates a coordinated system to identify and treat youth in the juvenile justice system with the most serious behavioral health needs. Requires clinical assessments, interagency treatment planning and expanded partnerships with psychiatric providers. The bill also supports higher Medicaid reimbursement and authorizes a future high-acuity residential treatment facility.

Senate Bill 192: Reduces regulatory burdens on small cities by allowing communities with under $15 million in annual revenue or spending to use simpler accounting methods. Cities under 500,000 population may use agreed-upon procedures instead of full audits while maintaining transparency and oversight. The goal is to lower costs and free resources for local priorities.

Senate Bill 156: Strengthens Kentucky’s ban on child marriage by establishing 18 as the clear minimum age to marry. The bill removes outdated provisions that previously allowed 17-year-olds to marry with court approval. It ensures consistent protections for minors statewide.

Senate Bill 173: Creates a formal legislative review process for Kentucky’s Medicaid and KCHIP state plans. Lawmakers would review annual submissions and amendments using a process similar to administrative regulation review. The bill increases legislative oversight of major Medicaid policy decisions.

Senate Bill 193: Clarifies court authority when probation or supervision violations occur. Courts may act within 60 days after supervision ends to determine whether a violation happened. The bill also pauses the supervision clock when a warrant is issued to prevent individuals from avoiding accountability.

Senate Bill 191: Creates a performance-based pilot program to improve kindergarten readiness through early childhood providers. Incentives would reward measurable improvements in literacy, development and school readiness outcomes. The program would run from 2027–2029 and report results to lawmakers.

Senate Bill 50: Modernizes Kentucky probate, estate and trust laws by updating inheritance rules, improving court procedures and allowing electronic wills. The bill adopts national uniform standards for trust administration and asset protection. It aims to streamline estate planning and administration.

Senate Bill 137: Creates a provisional medical license to help recruit experienced international physicians to underserved areas. Qualified doctors may practice under a three-year provisional license that converts to a full license if they remain in good standing. The bill aims to expand Kentucky’s physician workforce.

Senate Bill 199: Aligns Kentucky pesticide labeling law with federal EPA standards by recognizing EPA-approved labels as sufficient warnings under state law. The bill preserves liability if manufacturers knowingly withhold safety information. It also updates related statutory definitions.

Senate Bill 177: Updates licensure laws for speech-language pathologists and assistants to reflect modern professional standards. Removes outdated supervision language and clarifies experience requirements for interstate compact applicants. The bill helps align Kentucky’s licensing system with current practices.

Senate Bill 245: Updates Kentucky’s licensing framework for retailers selling tobacco, nicotine and vapor products. Establishes standardized application requirements, approval timelines and batch licensing for multi-location businesses. It also strengthens enforcement against unlicensed retailers.

Senate Joint Resolution 116: Directs Kentucky universities to collaborate on solutions to the state’s physician shortage. The institutions will work with community partners and state agencies to expand healthcare access in underserved areas. A report of recommendations is due to the General Assembly by Jan. 1, 2027.

Senate Bill 116: Updates statutes governing physician assistants to improve collaboration within physician-led healthcare teams. Maintains physician supervision while allowing providers to operate more efficiently. The goal is to expand access to care, particularly in rural areas.

Senate Bill 94: Ensures motor vehicle dealers are fairly compensated for manufacturer warranty and recall repairs. Establishes a clear process to adjust labor rates and repair times and sets response deadlines for manufacturers. The bill standardizes compensation practices.

Senate Bill 8: Modernizes the Kentucky Public Service Commission by expanding membership from three to five and establishing qualification standards and term limits. Appointments would be split between the governor and the auditor. The bill strengthens oversight and independence in utility regulation.

Senate Bill 197: Creates a four-tier county system to better target Kentucky Business Investment incentives to distressed areas. Enhanced incentives would help attract jobs and private investment to rural communities. A floor amendment expanded eligibility to certain large projects near Tier IV counties.

Senate Joint Resolution 54: Directs state agencies to collaborate on increasing enrollment in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The effort focuses on coordinated outreach to expand early childhood literacy access. Agencies must report progress and recommendations by Nov. 1, 2026.

Senate Bill 11: Creates a rebate program to help homeowners build FEMA-compliant storm shelters that are open to neighbors during severe weather. The program covers up to $5,000 or 50% of construction costs and will be funded through gifts and grants. The goal is to expand community safety during disasters.

Senate Bill 41: Requires most local tax increases exceeding four percent above the compensating rate to be subject to voter recall. If voters reject the increase, the lower compensating rate takes effect. The bill strengthens taxpayer oversight while allowing modest revenue growth.