Gov. Beshear Signs Legislation Releasing More Than
$52 Million To Improve Rural Kentucky Water Systems

Nearly $26 million is designated for Martin County

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 20, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Joint Resolution 81, which will release $52 million to improve water systems across rural Kentucky, with nearly $26 million going directly to Martin County. Other recipients include the cities of Elkhorn, Evarts, Liberty, Martin, Oak Grove and Smithland, as well as the Southern Water and Sewer District in McDowell.

“This legislation is important because it will help deliver clean, safe water and modern infrastructure to Kentuckians in rural communities, including Martin County, which has faced challenges for far too long,” said Gov. Beshear. “Team Kentucky has made significant progress in delivering clean water and reliable systems, and we’re committed to doing even more. This funding will make a difference, and I was proud to sign HJR 81 so we can get to work and deliver results.”

“On behalf of the citizens of Martin County, we are grateful to the Governor and our legislature for these much-needed funds,” said Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty. “I’ve had conversations with the Governor in the past, and he’s assured me he is on top of our water plight here in our county. This money will help so many Kentuckians and shows what is possible when elected leaders work together.”

Other 2026 Bill Signings
Gov. Beshear signed several bills to increase safety across the commonwealth including House Bill 5, which provides the framework to create Kentucky’s first reentry campus; House Bill 7, which increases safety for students on school buses; and Senate Bill 102, which supports retired Kentucky State Police. He also signed House Bill 4, establishing the offense of grooming to protect Kentucky children; House Bill 134, formalizing the role of a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, or SANE, coordinator; House Bill 521, which enhances Kentucky’s stalking laws; and House Bill 778, increasing child welfare protections. The Governor also signed Senate Bill 122, requiring the court to take into consideration whether nonviolent defendants are a caretaker of a dependent child in sentencing proceedings and updates the involuntary hospitalization statute to protect the rights of Kentuckians with mental illnesses.

During this session, the Governor has signed legislation supporting different areas of health care including House Bill 393, House Bill 510 and Senate Bill 97, as well as legislation aimed at lowering mortgage and utility costs with Senate Bill 57 and Senate Bill 157. Gov. Beshear also signed legislation to better support mental health with House Bill 169, which requires health plans to cover the costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders, and House Bill 178, which seeks to provide reimbursement and coverage for mental health treatments.

The Governor also signed House Bill 307 to create a proactive admissions program to streamline the application process for students seeking postsecondary and House Bill 642 to increase the amount a retired teacher can earn during reemployment.

Gov. Beshear also signed Senate Joint Resolution 139 and let two pieces of legislation lapse with House Bills 6 and 480.

On Good Friday, Gov. Beshear signed several bills to better support Kentuckians with special needs and their families: Senate Bill 69, Senate Bill 85 and House Bill 562. On April 2, the Governor signed “Logan’s Law” into law with the father of Logan Tipton by his side. The legislation will strengthen Kentucky’s sentencing and parole laws to increase safety.

In March, Gov. Beshear signed several bills to support education and safety for Kentuckians. These pieces of legislation included Senate Bill 2, directing school districts to not increase administrator pay greater than the percentage pay increase provided to classroom teachers; Senate Bill 5 encouraging schools to purchase locally grown food; Senate Bill 46, which makes changes to student transportation for increased safety; and House Bill 657, which protects consumers by requiring national and state background checks for specialty providers.

He also signed Senate Bill 145 related to regulations for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and signed Senate Bill 11 into law, establishing a residential safe room rebate program and fund to protect eligible Kentuckians from severe weather.

In February, Gov. Beshear signed Senate Bill 172, which helped lower the cost of utilities for Kentucky families.

The Governor also stood with Kentucky public schools in March and vetoed House Bill 1. Click here for the full veto message.