We’re in the home stretch of this year’s legislative session, but there is still plenty of work to be done.
With just four legislative days before the veto period, we are moving quickly to pass legislation that impacts Kentucky families, businesses, and communities. I want to keep you informed as we push forward on key issues.
At this point in the session, we’ve shifted our focus to hearing a large batch of HBs in committee and on the Senate floor. Just as the House is working through SBs, we’re carefully reviewing their legislation to ensure it aligns with the priorities of Kentuckians.
This week also brought a great reminder of why this work matters, as students from across the state visited the Capitol for Kentucky Youth Advocacy Week. It’s always inspiring to see young Kentuckians engage in the legislative process and share their vision for the future.
Legislative highlights: Bills passed in the Senate
At this stage, we are reviewing a large number of House bills while finalizing Senate bills for House consideration. Here are some of the key measures we passed this week:
SB 1 establishes the Kentucky Film Office to attract film and television productions, streamline permits, and manage tax incentives to boost economic growth in the industry.
SB 3 updates Kentucky’s NIL laws to align with national changes, allowing student-athletes to receive direct compensation, including revenue-sharing, while protecting their rights and maintaining competitiveness.
SB 6 improves education funding transparency by ensuring state-paid benefits like teacher pensions and health insurance are included in per-pupil funding calculations.
SB 7 prohibits the unauthorized commercial use of unclothed images of individuals, allowing legal action while preserving First Amendment protections.
SB 9 strengthens the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System by capping pensionable sick leave, mandating maternity leave by 2030, and improving oversight of leave liabilities.
SB 38 allows school bus cameras to enforce stop arm violations, increases fines, clarifies stopping rules on divided highways, and bans autonomous student transport.
SB 63 permits street-legal special-purpose vehicles on public roads under strict safety and registration requirements while restricting travel distances and prohibited highways.
SB 58 ensures special needs trusts can receive public pension benefits without affecting government assistance, protecting beneficiaries’ financial security.
SB 68 reforms public school standards by emphasizing critical thinking, reducing administrative burdens, expanding career and technical education, and increasing budget transparency.
SB 93 requires insurers, Medicaid, and state health plans to cover children’s hearing aids, mandating a minimum of $2,500 per device, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
SB 130 strengthens consumer protections by criminalizing gift card fraud, making it a felony to tamper with, steal, or misuse gift cards.
SB 132 protects medical professionals’ rights to decline procedures that violate their religious or ethical beliefs, prohibits retaliation, and prevents COVID-19 vaccine mandates for medical students.
SB 133 enhances oversight of combat sports exhibitions by redefining “exhibition” and requiring proper notification to the Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission.
SB 136 modernizes vehicle registration and titling, expands REAL ID eligibility, improves used car valuation standards, and enhances driver testing programs.
SB 144 mandates the destruction of firearms used in homicides within 90 days of a court order and allows KSP to destroy unsafe or defaced firearms instead of reselling them.
SB 153 strengthens Medicaid oversight by setting prepayment claims review standards to prevent fraud and improper payments.
SB 162 increases unemployment fraud prevention by mandating swift reporting, disqualifying fraudulent recipients from benefits, and tightening eligibility rules.
SB 181 establishes traceable communication systems for school staff and volunteers when interacting with students electronically, with parental consent options and mandatory reporting for violations.
SB 183 ensures pension fund investments prioritize financial returns by requiring proxy advisers to justify decisions that go against company board recommendations.
SB 190 expands charitable gaming by allowing nonprofits to hold more bingo sessions and extend gaming hours, increasing fundraising opportunities.
SB 193 directs the Secretary of State to issue service cards to former jailers, recognizing their service if they were not removed from office.
It’s a privilege to serve you in Frankfort. If you have questions or ideas, feel free to contact my office at (502) 564-8100 or email me at Stephen.Meredith@kylegislature.gov.
Sen. Steve Meredith, R-Leitchfield
