SENATOR PHILLIP WHEELER’S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Week Five Of The 2025 Regular Session
With the 2025 session now past its halfway point, momentum is building in Frankfort as we continue working to advance meaningful legislation for the people of Kentucky. This past week was especially productive, with significant progress on key issues, including ongoing advocacy for Eastern Kentucky flood relief and the successful movement of several bills through the legislative process.
The recent flooding in our region has once again underscored the urgent need for robust infrastructure investment and disaster preparedness. The devastation in Pike County and surrounding areas has been heartbreaking, and I remain steadfast in my commitment to securing necessary relief and resources for our communities. Recovery will take time, but I am encouraged by the resilience of Eastern Kentuckians and the outpouring of support from across the state. As your voice in Frankfort, I will continue pressing for meaningful solutions to ensure we rebuild stronger than before.
One of the highlights of this week was the continued progress of Senate Bill (SB) 1, which will establish the Kentucky Film Office. We had a strong committee hearing in the Senate Economic Development Committee, where the excitement for this initiative was evident. I had the honor of being joined by Louisa, KY Mayor Harold Slone, his wife Marsha, and his son Zeb who recently produced and starred in a Netflix movie Ghosts of the Big Sandy.
The film industry presents a real opportunity for job creation and economic growth in our state, and I’m pleased to see so many eager to get this effort off the ground. With SB 1 moving forward, I remain optimistic about its passage in the full Senate and ultimately seeing it across the finish line. I think this bill will have a positive economic impact including our rural areas like Eastern Kentucky. Kentucky’s charm and natural landscape make it attractive to alot of filmmakers.
Many Eastern Kentuckians will remember the outstanding History Channel TV series Hatfields & McCoys about the famous (some might say infamous) feud starring Kevin Costner and the late Bill Paxton. What many may not know is that most of the series was filmed in Romania, not in Kentucky. (Nothing against the Romanians, but that’s Kentucky history!) Likewise, the highly rated TV series Justified was set in Harlan County and Lexington, KY but was filmed in Pennsylvania and California. Kentucky has some of the best film tax credits in the entire country. We just aren’t advertising our state like we should be. I believe that SB 1 and the new Kentucky Film Office with its Executive Director will be the mechanism to fully develop this industry in the Commonwealth.
I am also pleased to report that three bills I sponsored successfully passed the Senate this week:
SB 201 strengthens the appointment process for administrative law judges and Workers’ Compensation Board members, ensuring stability and attracting highly qualified candidates to serve in these critical roles.
SB 151 protects taxpayer dollars by prohibiting state funds from being used to compensate individuals who are in the country illegally for services provided to the government or Kentucky residents. It also strengthens enforcement mechanisms within the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. Because of the Biden Administration’s corrupt handling of our southern border, nearly 20 million illegal aliens poured into the United States of America bringing mass chaos across the country. In addition, the mass inflow of illegal aliens has undermined American workers since unscrupulous contractors will often hire them at lower wages “under the table” costing American citizens jobs. Senate Bill 151 aims to prevent this in the Commonwealth of Kentucky by making it illegal to use any state taxpayer funds for the benefit of illegals and charges Governor Beshear and the Kentucky Department of Homeland Security with enforcement of this prohibition. Time will tell whether Governor Beshear will choose to follow the lead of President Trump and enforce immigration laws or continue to the failed policies of Joe Biden that have undermined American workers.
SB 121 allows for the county judges to contract with animal rescue agencies to fulfill their statutory duties under KRS 259.120 regarding stray and feral horses and other livestock animals. In places like Phelps, KY and in Magoffin County, large herds of feral horses have created dangers in communities and great challenges for local leaders already strapped for cash. SB 121 will allow county judges and fiscal courts to ensure proper care for these animals while giving them appropriate legal protections.
Each of these bills addresses a real need in our state, and I am pleased to see them clear another hurdle. As they move to the House for consideration, I will continue advocating for their passage.
Several other important bills cleared the Senate this week, reflecting our continued efforts to improve governance, public safety, and economic development across the Commonwealth:
SB 22 – Updates licensing and enforcement standards for cosmetologists and estheticians, improving access to the profession while strengthening oversight.
SB 57 – Defines “super speeders” and directs fine revenue toward trauma care, rural hospitals, EMS education, and school AEDs.
SB 60 – Strengthens religious freedom protections by preventing government overreach and allowing legal recourse for violations.
SB 65 – Nullifies deficient Medicaid regulations to prevent unapproved policies from taking effect.
SB 83 – Ensures KEES eligibility for homeschool graduates by allowing ACT scores to determine scholarship awards.
SB 100 – Requires state licensing for tobacco and vape retailers, strengthens penalties for underage sales, and prohibits sales of nitrous oxide to minors.
SB 120 – Requires student-athletes to sign consent forms that include detailed information on abuse reporting.
SB 127 – Streamlines licensing for out-of-state real estate professionals while maintaining Kentucky’s legal and educational standards.
SB 129 – Facilitates the redevelopment of blighted and abandoned properties by improving purchasing processes.
SB 169 – Expands subpoena authority for law enforcement to investigate digital records related to child exploitation, harassment, and stalking.
SB 178 – Reorganizes the Education and Labor Cabinet to enhance workforce development and apprenticeship programs.
SJR 28 – Calls for the removal of the reformulated gasoline (RFG) requirement in Jefferson, Oldham, and Bullitt counties to lower fuel costs.
SJR 55 – Directs public universities to combat antisemitism on campuses while respecting First Amendment rights.
SCR 61 – Establishes the “Make America Healthy Again Kentucky Task Force” to address chronic disease and obesity.
With only weeks left in the session, the work is far from over. I remain committed to advocating for the needs of Eastern Kentucky and pushing forward legislation that strengthens our state. As always, I appreciate your support and encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns. Contact my office at (502)-564-8100 or email me at Phillip.Wheeler@kylegislature.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
