Senator Wheeler honored by national organization for helping restore impartiality in Kentucky’s courts

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 2, 2025) — Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, has been recognized by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) as a Policy Champion for his leadership in enacting Senate Bill (SB) 84. The bill reforms how courts interpret legal questions involving state agencies.Wheeler co-sponsored the legislation, which requires Kentucky courts to conductde novo reviews of legal interpretations. This means judges must interpret the law independently without deferring to how a state agency interprets it.

The legislation aligns with ALEC’s Judicial Deference Reform Act and marks a significant step in reaffirming the judiciary’s exclusive role in legal interpretation. The reform follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 Loper Bright decision, which prohibited federal courts from deferring to federal agency interpretations of law. In response, states across the country have moved to codify similar standards. Kentucky is now among several states leading the way in codifying this principle at the state level.

Wheeler, an attorney by trade, also supported the override of the Governor’s veto of SB 84. His effort reflects a commitment to restoring judicial independence in Kentucky.

”I’m grateful to receive this recognition alongside my fellow legislators who work daily to champion conservative values,” Wheeler said. “ALEC is an organization known for promoting commonsense conservative policies. Our legislature and the nation are fortunate to have this great organization as a resource. The legitimacy of our court system is of critical importance, so I was proud to support SB 84, which will go a long way in reining in out-of-control bureaucracies’ influence on our judicial system and restoring the integrity of the courts.”

Sens. Steve Rawlings, R-Burlington; Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria; Matt Nunn, R-Sadieville; Aaron Reed, R-Shelbyville; and Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, were also recognized for their role in SB 84’s passage. Rawlings was the legislation’s primary sponsor, having introduced the bill.

The American Legislative Exchange Council is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advances policy grounded in limited government, free markets, and federalism. ALEC provides a platform for state lawmakers and policy experts to develop model legislation and share best practices. Its work focuses on strengthening democratic institutions, improving government accountability, and restoring constitutional boundaries between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.For more information, visit www.alec.org.

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Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, represents Kentucky’s 31st Senate District, including Elliott, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, and Pike Counties. He serves as co-chair of the Interim Joint Committees on Economic Development and Workforce Investment and on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology. He also serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Judiciary; Natural Resources and Energy; and Transportation. He is a member of the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee and is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Protection.