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Week four of the 2026 Regular Session began with a delay because of severe winter weather that blanketed the Bluegrass over the weekend. Monday’s planned proceedings were postponed until Tuesday, giving state employees, lawmakers and the public a safer route into Frankfort. Many legislators live hours away, since the Kentucky General Assembly is a citizen legislature. I’m grateful to local officials, road crews and first responders whose work ensured the people’s business could continue at the Capitol.
By Friday, the General Assembly had reached the one-quarter mark of this year’s session. With momentum building around key priorities, we’re working diligently to advance meaningful legislation.
Budget begins its journey
Speaking of quarters, there are about 60 billion of them in Kentucky’s $15 billion biennial budget. This week, the House filed House Bill 500, its initial draft of the spending plan. The bill now begins its path through the legislative process. The Senate will take a disciplined, deliberate approach to the proposal, guided by our caucus and the professional budget staff supporting our efforts.
New priority bills filed in the Senate
Education remains a top priority in the Senate. This week, two education-focused bills—Senate Bills (SB) 2 and 4—were filed. SB 2 aims to ensure fair compensation by prohibiting school district administrators from receiving percentage raises that exceed the average percentage raise awarded to classroom teachers in the same district. SB 4 strengthens school leadership by creating a five-year development program for new principals, to better prepare them without creating additional costs for school districts.
The Senate passed several key measures this week. The following now head to the House for further consideration:
SB 181 clarifies Kentucky’s student safety law by clearly defining prohibited private electronic communication while allowing appropriate contact such as virtual instruction and parent-included messages. It strengthens parental consent rules, reinforces abuse prevention training, bans nondisclosure agreements tied to misconduct, and ensures investigations continue even if someone resigns.
SB 17 updates laws governing Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs to improve oversight and reflect current practice. The bill adjusts local board requirements, clarifies DCBS oversight, and makes conforming child welfare statute changes to strengthen protections for vulnerable children.
SJR 23 establishes Kentucky as a “Food is Medicine” state, directing agencies to advance nutrition-based strategies to prevent and manage chronic disease. It encourages coordination between health systems, agriculture, and community partners to improve long-term health outcomes.
SB 20 updates optional city officer training incentive programs by defining excess credit hours and giving cities greater flexibility to set incentive amounts by ordinance.
SB 68 strengthens safety at the Kentucky Horse Park by clarifying the Horse Park Commission’s authority to remove or bar individuals who pose a risk to guests, staff, or participants. The bill aligns state policy with national sport safety standards and helps ensure the park remains a safe and welcoming destination for visitors.
Looking ahead
As the General Assembly moves into week five, committees will keep reviewing bills and budget discussions will grow more detailed. We remain focused on passing laws that support Kentucky families, protect students, strengthen public services and ensure the responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and I look forward to keeping you updated as the work of the 2026 Regular Session continues.
If you have questions or ideas, feel free to contact my office at 502-564-8100 or email me at Phillip.Wheeler@kylegislature.gov. You can learn more about bills, committees, and other updates from the Kentucky General Assembly at www.legislature.ky.gov.
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Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, represents Kentucky’s 31st Senate District, including Elliott, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, and Pike Counties. Wheeler serves as chair of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee and vice chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He is also co-chair of the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Additionally, Wheeler is a member of the Senate Committees on Transportation, Natural Resources and Energy, and Licensing and Occupations.
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