SEN. PHILLIP WHEELER’S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Week six of the 2026 Regular Session
Kentuckians are feeling the pressure of rising costs, and that reality shapes many of the conversations we are having in Frankfort this session. From utility bills to groceries to fuel, families and small businesses are watching their budgets closely. As the 2026 Legislative Session moves forward, our focus remains on practical solutions that provide stability, strengthen oversight and protect consumers.
This week, the Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 172, legislation I am proud to sponsor to promote greater stability in electric rates for Kentucky consumers. Many families and small businesses feel the strain when sudden fuel cost spikes drive up utility bills. SB 172 gives the Kentucky Public Service Commission additional flexibility to extend the recovery period for fuel adjustment costs when appropriate. By allowing those costs to be spread out over time, the bill helps reduce sudden rate increases while maintaining strong regulatory oversight. The goal is simple: more predictability and stability for ratepayers.
I do not want to mislead any of my constituents. Power bills will still be high because of the significant usage during the recent cold spell. SB 172 is merely a step in the right direction. With nearly all of the country’s energy crisis being driven out of Washington by bad policies passed under the Obama and Biden Administrations which effectively outlawed coal – the cheapest and most reliable form of energy generation currently available –, it is very difficult for state legislatures to bring down prices since we cannot permit utilities to operate in violation of federal law even if we wanted to.
President Trump has made great efforts to reverse these bad regulations, but the Radical Left and their teams of environmental lawyers are fighting him tooth and nail along the way. The truth is that it is likely going to be a long time before we can see real results and poor and working class families will continue to suffer from the bad Obama/Biden “Green New Scam”.
With SB 172 advancing to the House, the Senate continued its work on a full slate of legislation this week. Here is a look at other measures the Senate approved this week.
SB 2 ensures administrator pay increases do not exceed the average percentage raise given to classroom teachers within the same district. The bill maintains existing waiver flexibility while updating and cleaning up outdated statutory language.
SB 4 creates a statewide leadership development program for new principals beginning in the 2027–2028 school year. First- and early-career principals would participate in a structured practicum focused on instructional leadership, school safety and accountability, with most costs covered by the state.
SB 45 protects agritourism and working-animal operations from unreasonable local regulations while preserving existing health, safety and animal welfare standards. The measure supports family farms and rural economies.
SB 71 expands required training for local school board members, with a focus on finance, ethics, open meetings and superintendent evaluation. The measure strengthens oversight and promotes greater consistency and accountability in district governance
SB 118 strengthens consumer protections for credit personal property insurance sold with closed-end loans. It limits coverage terms, requires clear disclosure, prohibits cost-inflating practices and ensures refunds of unearned premiums.
SB 136 streamlines unemployment insurance fraud procedures by requiring suspected cases to be referred directly to federal and local authorities within 30 days. The bill clarifies accountability and protects due process standards.
SB 145 modernizes alcoholic beverage catering laws and streamlines licensing at the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The bill removes outdated restrictions and requires timely approval or denial of license applications.
SB 153 strengthens protections for homeowners by targeting fraudulent contractor practices, particularly after natural disasters. The measure enhances disclosure requirements and enforcement tools to safeguard families during recovery.
SB 155 establishes a framework for responding to animal health emergencies, authorizing coordinated action to protect livestock, agriculture and food supply chains.
SB 158 sets transparency standards for optional financial products tied to vehicle purchases, ensuring they are clearly disclosed, separately priced and not required as a condition of financing.
SB 160 improves oversight of child care centers by clarifying corrective action standards, ensuring fair review processes and maintaining strong safety protections for children.
SB 183 requires proxy advisory firms to base shareholder voting recommendations on financial factors and disclose when non-financial considerations influence their advice. Violations are treated as deceptive business practices under Kentucky law.
Budget update
The House of Representatives has not yet finalized or delivered its budget proposal to the Senate. While a placeholder bill has been filed, it must still complete the House process before the Senate can formally begin its review. In the meantime, the Senate has begun examining background materials and preparing for the detailed comparisons and discussions that lie ahead. I will continue to keep you informed as budget work moves forward in the coming weeks.
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.
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. |
