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FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 16, 2026) — The 2026 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly gaveled to a close this week after lawmakers overrode more than two dozen vetoes and passed a handful of additional bills that were lingering on the roster this year.
Lawmakers had adjourned on April 2 for a 10-day recess, and the governor issued vetoes on more than 30 measures during that time. But the House and Senate overrode nearly all the governor’s actions when legislators reconvened on Tuesday.
That means major bills on Medicaid reform, gaming, school district governance, firearms and elections will all become law this year along with a series of bills related to the state’s next two-year spending plan.
Before adjourning close to midnight on Wednesday, lawmakers passed additional measures on impaired driving, physician shortages and nuclear research that now go to the governor for his consideration.
The Senate – in a much-watched move – also passed a resolution suspending the impeachment proceedings against Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Muth Goodman and calling on the Judicial Conduct Commission to conduct open proceedings into allegations against her.
The resolution specifies that suspending the proceedings does not constitute a decision about the allegations or relinquish the right of lawmakers to render a decision in the future.
Sen. Brandon J. Storm, R-London, said Wednesday that, if necessary, the matter can proceed to another legislative session.
This year marked the first time since 1910 that lawmakers have convened a regular session outside of the Kentucky State Capitol, which is undergoing an extensive, multi-year renovation. But other than a change in setting, the year unfolded in a fairly conventional fashion.
Most of the major bills that won final passage began moving early and maintained a steady pace going forward. Surprises were few, and debates, while rigorous at times, were kept to a moderate volume.
Some may have been uncertain about the legislature’s new meeting space – a temporary structure on the Capitol campus that will serve as home to general assembly until the Capitol project is complete. But lawmakers adjusted quickly when they convened in January and passed more than 190 bills over the ensuing months.
Like every year in the general assembly, legislation touched on virtually all the major issues facing the commonwealth.
The landmark Medicaid reform – House Bill 2 – will result in a broad overhaul of Kentucky’s program, aligning it with the One Big Beautiful Big Act that Congress passed last year.
Lawmakers also passed a sweeping revamp of regulations related to Kentucky’s child care sector, along with far-reaching changes to the state’s wagering and gaming laws.
Significant measures on the education front won support, including legislation that seeks to transform Kentucky State University into a polytechnical institution with an emphasis on technical, industry-based applied learning.
Lawmakers also took up measures that will result in major changes to the governance structure at Jefferson County Public Schools, and another bill that will allow Kentucky to participate in a new federal tax credit program that helps pay for education-related expenses.
The House and Senate also broke through some long-standing impasses in 2026.
A measure that will prohibit non-disclosure agreements when school employees are disciplined for abusive conduct toward students cleared a final vote.
In addition, a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit gubernatorial pardons around election time earned a final tap of the gavel after years of deliberation.
Some of the biggest debates this year focused on firearms legislation, including a bill that will allow Kentuckians aged 18 to 20 years old to obtain a provisional concealed carry permit. Another will prevent gun manufacturers from facing lawsuits when guns are used in the commission of a crime.
But lawmakers also found many points of unity on issues like child protection, mental health care, affordable housing and energy.
Here’s a look at some of the vetoes that were overridden this week followed by list of some of the other bills that won final passage this year.
Concealed Carry – House Bill 312 will allow Kentuckians aged 18 to 20 years old to obtain a provisional concealed carry permit after undergoing a background check and firearms training. Lawmakers overrode a veto of the bill Tuesday.
Death Penalty Regulations – Senate Bill 251 will give the Kentucky Department of Corrections the option to implement execution protocols and procedures through internal policy, memorandum or similar action. Right now, the department is required to promulgate administrative regulations to prescribe and implement execution protocols. Supporters say the change could help resolve long term delays surrounding Kentucky’s death penalty regulations. Lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto of the measure on Tuesday.
Elections – House Bill 139 includes provisions from three other elections bills this year. Among other goals, the final legislation aims to remove felons and non-citizens from appearing on voting rolls in Kentucky, and it will align Kentucky’s campaign contribution limits to match the federal limits. It will also remove Social Security cards and food stamp cards from the list of secondary identification options that voters can use at the polls if they do not have a standard photo ID. The governor vetoed the bill, but the veto was overridden Tuesday.
b House Bill 78 will codify federal standards outlined in the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act of 2005. That will prevent firearms manufacturers and sellers from facing lawsuits when guns are used in the commission of a crime. The general assembly overrode a veto of the bill Tuesday.
Gaming – House Bill 904 will implement a broad reform in Kentucky’s wagering and gaming laws. Among many provisions, HB 904 will increase the age to participate in sports wagering from 18 to 21 and prohibit anyone on the attorney general’s child support arrearage list from betting on online platforms. The bill will also create a comprehensive licensing and regulatory framework around fantasy sports and forbid negative outcome bets – also known as “under” bets – on college athletes that play on in-state teams. Another section will prevent fantasy operators or betting companies from contracting with a prediction market that operates in Kentucky. HB 904 will also give racetracks the option to offer fixed-odds wagering to help address public perception around computer-assisted bets that change the odds suddenly before a race. Additionally, it will create a purse stabilization fund to ensure that any wagers from fixed odds still support the horse industry. Other sections relate to tote system modernization, charitable middlemen restrictions, and charitable gaming governance, fees and caps. The governor vetoed the legislation, but the veto was overridden Tuesday.
Ibogaine Research – Senate Bill 77 calls for creation of an ibogaine research and intellectual property fund to be administered by the Department of Agriculture. It will allow the department to partner with a drug developer to conduct clinical trials on using ibogaine to treat substance use disorders and other neurological and mental health conditions. Lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto of the bill on Tuesday.
Medicaid Reform – House Bill 2 seeks to align Kentucky’s Medicaid program with the One Big Beautiful Big Act that Congress passed last year. Among many provisions, the bill will implement federal community engagement requirements for certain able-bodied adults. Other sections of the bill address cost-sharing, eligibility reviews, non-emergency transportation services, accountability for managed care organizations and delivery of dental services. HB 2 also aims to enhance transparency by creating a performance dashboard and requiring regular program audits. The governor vetoed portions of the bill, but lawmakers overrode the veto on Tuesday.
Postsecondary Employment – House Bill 490 allows the governing boards of public postsecondary institutions to remove faculty members for bona fide financial reasons such as financial exigency, low enrollment or misalignment of revenue and costs. The governor vetoed the bill, but the veto was overridden.
School District Governance – Senate Bill 1 will effectively revamp the governance structure of Jefferson County Public Schools by creating more specific responsibilities for superintendents and boards of education in large, complex school districts. The legislation also seeks to lay out a legal justification for why the general assembly has a compelling interest in intervening in large districts like Jefferson County. It follows a similar measure that passed the legislature in 2022, but was later struck down in the courts. The governor vetoed the measure, but the general assembly overrode the veto Tuesday.
School Leadership – Senate Bill 4 will create a new training program that provides leadership development and mentorship opportunities for new school principals in Kentucky. Under the final version of the bill, an employee of any Kentucky school district could not run for a school board seat in a large school district. The legislation will also reduce the number of school board members in Jefferson County from seven to five. The bill was vetoed by the governor, but lawmakers overrode the veto Tuesday.
Tax Money – Senate Bill 59 prohibits tax dollars from being used to advocate for or against a public question on the ballot. It also establishes criminal and civil penalties for violators. The governor’s veto of this measure was overridden Tuesday.
Other bills that received final passage in 2026 include:
Affordable Housing – House Bill 333 will allow faith-based organizations to build small-scale affordable housing units on property located near religious institutions. The bill received the governor’s signature on April 7.
Alternative Diplomas – House Bill 562 will create a new alternative diploma option for high school students with intellectual disabilities, allowing the students to be considered graduates rather than dropouts. It also calls for the state Department of Workforce Development to create a one-stop shop that identifies all employers in Kentucky that will recognize the new alternative diploma as a valid high school diploma. The bill was signed by the governor on April 3.
Alternative Sentencing – Senate Bill 122 aims to keep families intact when a parent is convicted of a felony. It will require Kentucky courts to consider alternative sentences for certain nonviolent felony convictions when the defendant is a primary caretaker of a dependent child. The bill was signed into law on April 10.
Autism Trust Fund – Senate Bill 69 will create an autism spectrum disorder trust fund administered by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The fund could accept grants, appropriations and other types of contributions to support research and services. The governor signed the bill into law on April 3.
Campaign Finance – House Bill 136 will allow the use of campaign funds to pay for the “reasonable costs” of security measures for candidates, office holders and family members. The bill was signed into law on April 3.
Child Care Modernization – House Bill 6 calls for a broad overhaul of the regulatory framework for Kentucky’s child care sector. Specifically, it seeks to modernize the system, enhance data collection, and improve access and quality of services. The bill was amended to include other provisions that would provide more flexibility to state agencies that oversee Kentucky’s child care industry, allowing officials to consider certain mitigating factors before issuing a plan of correction, suspension or revocation of a license to a child care center. Another provision calls on the University of Kentucky to establish the Kentucky Kindergarten Readiness Performance-Based Child Care Incentive Pilot Program, which will gauge the effectiveness of using financial incentives to encourage kindergarten readiness. The legislation became law on Tuesday without the governor’s signature.
Child Pornography – House Bill 366 will expand child pornography prohibitions to include computer-generated images of a minor. It will also require someone convicted of possessing or viewing child pornography to serve 85% of their criminal sentence. The governor signed the bill on Monday.
Child Welfare – House Bill 778 will create multiple changes to Kentucky law related to child welfare. It seeks to ensure safe and adequate foster care placements and that children in foster care are not placed with someone on the sex offender registry. Also under HB 778, child injuries caused by ingestion or inhalation of a controlled substance will be included in the definition of neglect, and neglect will be added to the child abuse statute. HB 778 received the governor’s signature on April 10.
Crystal Rogers Act – House Bill 305 seeks to preserve the integrity of grand jury proceedings by strengthening penalties for illegally recording or sharing information on a grand jury proceeding. The bill was signed Monday by the governor.
Eating Disorders – House Bill 169 calls on health insurance plans that provide behavioral or mental health care coverage to also provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of feeding or eating disorders. The bill was signed into law Monday.
Eminent Domain – House Bill 542 seeks to improve communications and transparency between landowners and officials seeking to condemn property. The governor signed the bill on Monday.
Energy Costs – Senate Bill 172 allows the Public Service Commission to mitigate large spikes in fuel adjustment charges that appear on electric bills. Under the legislation, the charges could be spread out over time rather that appearing on a single bill – if the changes are requested by an energy provider. The bill was signed into law Feb. 19.
Federal Education Opportunity Program – House Bill 1 will clear the way for Kentucky to participate in the new federal educational tax credit program established by U.S. Congress last year in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The program allows taxpayers to contribute up to $1,700 to scholarship organizations that assist K-12 students in public and private schools. Families can use the funds for a wide range of education-related expenses, and taxpayers can receive a matching federal tax credit for contributions. The governor vetoed the bill, but lawmakers overrode the veto in March.
Fishing in Private Waters – Senate Bill 39 will exempt private landowners from statewide fishing regulations related to creel, possession, size or method while fishing on their own property. It also clarifies that Kentucky residents are exempt from licensure while fishing on their own land even if they don’t live on that land. The governor signed the bill on April 10.
Food is Medicine Initiatives – Senate Joint Resolution 23 declares Kentucky as a “Food is Medicine” state and directs state agencies to advance Food is Medicine initiatives. The governor signed the measure on Monday.
Fraudulent Contractors – Senate Bill 153 will help protect Kentucky homeowners from abusive and fraudulent contractors following severe weather. It will clarify that vandalism committed for the purpose of an insurance claim is fraud. It will also create a post-disaster registry for roofing, siding and tree-removal businesses, and it will prohibit door-to-door solicitations during declared emergencies. The bill was signed by the governor on April 8.
Grooming – House Bill 4 will criminalize efforts to manipulate a minor into sexual contact with an adult, a practice known as “grooming.” The bill was signed into law April 10.
Gubernatorial Pardons – Senate Bill 10 proposes to amend the state constitution and limit the governor’s ability to grant pardons and commutations for 90 days surrounding a gubernatorial election. The bill has received final passage in the general assembly and will now head to the ballot for consideration by Kentucky voters.
Impaired Driving – Under Senate Bill 66, a suspect in an impaired driving case who refuses to submit to a blood test will have their driver’s license suspended at the time of arraignment. If the person is convicted, their license will be subsequently suspended by the state Transportation Cabinet. The bill will require the cabinet to maintain records of moving traffic convictions for 10 years. It will also add clonazepam, cyclobenzaprine and fentanyl to the list of drugs that, when detected in a driver’s blood, could lead to an impaired driving conviction. The bill won final passage on Wednesday.
Impeding a First Responder – Senate Bill 104 seeks to prevent interference or harassment of first responders. It will create a 25-foot safe zone around police, firefighters and others while they are performing their official duties. Individuals who remain in the zone could face criminal charges if they ignore an initial warning to move back and intend to impede, threaten or harass a first responder. SB 104 became law without the governor’s signature on April 12.
Interstate Compacts – House Bill 36 will allow Kentucky to participate in interstate licensure compacts for respiratory therapists, athletic trainers and dieticians. The goal is to make it easier for people in these professions to locate to and practice in Kentucky. HB 36 was signed into law on April 6.
Kentucky-Grown Agricultural Products – Senate Bill 5 will make it easier for Kentucky schools to purchase locally-grown food for student meals. It seeks to lift some procurement requirements and better connect students with the agricultural economy. The bill was signed into law March 27.
Kentucky State Police – Senate Bill 278 calls for the commissioner of Kentucky State Police to allow state troopers to participate in approved, off-duty law enforcement work for public entities, entities that receive state funding and certain ticketed events. SB 278 became law on April 9 without the governor’s signature.
Kentucky State University –Senate Bill 185 aims to transform KSU into a four-year residential polytechnical institution, emphasizing technical, industry-based applied learning. KSU will continue to provide liberal arts courses aligned with the state’s workforce needs and the institution’s historical mission as the state’s only public historically Black college and university. Other provisions seek to stabilize the university’s finances and give the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education additional oversight as KSU implements the transition. The governor signed the bill on Monday.
License Plate Readers – House Bill 58 will limit the use of license plate readers largely to public safety purposes, such as regulating parking, controlling access to secured areas, deterring crime and conducting criminal investigations. The state Transportation Cabinet could also use readers for toll and revenue collection and certain enforcement needs. HB 58 also will require data captured by automatic license plate readers to be deleted after 90 days, with limited exceptions for criminal investigations and other needs. The governor signed the bill April 10.
Literacy and School Employee Misconduct – House Bill 253 will end the use of the three-cuing method, a system used to teach reading, in Kentucky schools by the 2029-30 academic year. The bill seeks to replace that model with evidence-based reading approaches that emphasize techniques like phonics, vocabulary and fluency. The final version of the bill also includes a provision that will prohibit schools from entering into non-disclosure agreements with employees related to abusive misconduct involving a minor or student. Another section calls on schools to share information on disciplinary actions related to abusive conduct when applicants are considered for a job at another school. The governor signed HB 253 on April 10.
Logan’s Law – House Bill 422 will clarify the insanity defense in criminal law. It will also prevent juries and courts from applying the insanity defense inconsistently when returning verdicts for multiple counts arising from a single course of conduct. In addition, HB 422 will make repeat violent offenders ineligible for mandatory reentry supervision. The bill was filed after Ronald Exantus, the man who killed 6-year-old Logan Tipton in 2015, was released early from prison last year on mandatory reentry supervision. The governor signed the bill April 2.
Medicaid Delivery Study – Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 calls for a study of accountable care models used for Medicaid programs in other states. The study will also look at opportunities to implement such a model in Kentucky through a pilot program. The effort seeks to control costs and improve health outcomes. The governor signed the measure on Monday.
Mental Health Care – House Bill 178 aims to support the psychiatric collaborative care model, allowing primary care providers, care managers and consulting psychiatrists to work together on a patient’s mental health care. The governor signed the bill on Monday.
Nuclear Energy – Senate Bill 57 will create the Nuclear Reactors Site Readiness Pilot Program to help energy providers obtain licenses and permits related to site work for nuclear power projects. The program will provide up to $25 million in grant funding to each of three projects in Kentucky. The governor signed the measure April 8.
Nuclear Research – Senate Concurrent Resolution 66 urges the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville to explore opportunities to participate in federal nuclear-related programs. It also urges the institutions to offer courses and degree paths related to the construction and operation of nuclear energy facilities. The measure received final passage Wednesday.
Pesticide Labeling – Under Senate Bill 199, pesticides that display a warning label approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will have met legal standards concerning the duty to warn consumers about potential health effects. The final version of the bill applies only to products that have an agricultural use label. The governor vetoed the measure, but the veto was overridden April 1.
Prior Authorization – House Bill 176 seeks to streamline the prior authorization process for health insurance claims by creating exceptions for certain health care providers. The governor signed the bill on Monday.
Prison Education Programs – House Bill 5 will establish the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Prison Education Program, seeking to reduce recidivism and support workforce development. KCTCS will partner with the state Department of Corrections to build and operate a vocational training campus at Northpoint Training Center. The legislation was signed into law April 9.
Provisional Physician Licenses – Senate Bill 137 will allow the state Board of Medical Licensure to issue a provisional license to a physician who completed residency in a foreign country and can meet other requirements. The applicant will need to provide an offer of employment from a licensed health care provider located in an underserved area. The governor signed the bill April 10.
Prostheses and Orthoses Coverage – Senate Bill 97 seeks to expand existing prosthetics and orthotics insurance coverage to include devices designed specifically for physical activity such as running, swimming or biking. The legislation received the governor’s signature on April 7.
Public Utilities – Senate Bill 8 seeks to revamp the Kentucky Public Service Commission. Among many provisions, it will expand the commission from three to five members and establish professional qualification standards for members. SB 8 also stipulates that the commission is an independent department with sole discretion as to which functions are deemed necessary. The bill became law on Tuesday without the governor’s signature.
Physician Shortages – Senate Joint Resolution 116 directs the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Eastern Kentucky University to coordinate in a search for actionable solutions to physician shortages and to explore and expand health care opportunities in medically underserved areas. The legislation received final passage Wednesday.
Real Estate Fraud – House Bill 264 seeks to combat real estate scams. It will create a legal presumption of fraud when someone advertises residential or commercial property for sale, lease or rent without ownership or authority. The measure was signed into law Monday.
School Administrator Salaries – Senate Bill 2 would prohibit school administrators from receiving a percentage pay increase that is greater than the percentage pay increase provided to classroom teachers in that district unless the increase is due to a significant change in job duties. The bill includes a waiver process for certain circumstances. SB 2 was signed March 27 by the governor.
School Communications – House Bill 67 seeks to clarify a law adopted last year regarding communications between school employees and students. The bill received the governor’s signature Monday.
School Bus Safety – House Bill 7 will allow school districts to install traffic cameras on school buses to help enforce laws against stop-arm traffic violations. The governor signed the measure on April 9.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners – House Bill 134 aims to expand the availability of sexual assault nurse examiners across Kentucky. It calls for a statewide coordinator to recruit nurses, facilitate training and improve collaboration between hospitals, law enforcement and rape crisis centers. The legislation received the governor’s signature April 10.
Stalking – House Bill 521 seeks to modernize state stalking laws to align with contemporary legal standards and better address behaviors that occur through electronic communications and social media. The governor signed the measure on April 10.
Status Offenders – Senate Bill 170 will create a four-year pilot program in up to 10 school districts to help address barriers to school attendance. It also aims to strengthen diversion of status offenders using Responsive Interventions to Support and Empower (RISE) teams and increased family involvement. The governor signed the measure April 10.
Storm Shelter Rebates – Senate Bill 11 will create a residential safe room rebate pilot program that helps homeowners pay for building emergency storm shelters. The goal is to provide matching grants using money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The rebate fund would not include state appropriations. SB 11 was signed into law on March 23.
Student Violence – Senate Bill 101 will mandate that school boards expel students in grades 6 through 12 for at least 12 months if the student recklessly, with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or intentionally caused or attempted to cause physical injury to a school district employee on school property or at a school function. The bill includes some exceptions for students with disabilities. The bill was signed into law April 7.
Organ Donors – House Bill 510 aims to protect patients during the organ donation process by requiring additional verification steps before organ procurement can begin. It will also clarify that donor consent must be properly documented and that a patient must be formally declared dead before organs are donated. The legislation was signed April 7.
Veteran Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – House Bill 369 will create provisions in state law that make veterans eligible to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy in response to post-traumatic stress disorder. The bill was signed into law Monday.
Virtual Currency Kiosks – Senate Bill 189 seeks to combat virtual currency scams in Kentucky by creating a licensing and regulatory framework for virtual currency kiosks. The governor signed the bill on Monday.
Unless called into a special session, the general assembly will not convene again until January 2027. But lawmakers will begin holding interim committee meetings in June, and Kentuckians are urged to check calendar for updates.
Kentuckians can also review bills using the Legislative Record webpage and share their views on issues with lawmakers by calling the general assembly’s toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181.
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