WHEELER’S RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL ADVANCES FROM SENATE COMMITTEE

WHEELER’S RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL ADVANCES FROM SENATE COMMITTEE

SB 197 strengthens tools to attract jobs to heritage communities across Kentucky

FRANKFORT, KY. (Feb. 26, 2026) —Senate Bill (SB) 197, sponsored by Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, passed the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee today with bipartisan support.

The measure creates a four-tier economic incentive structure designed to direct additional tools and flexibility to counties experiencing population loss and higher unemployment. The goal is to promote more balanced economic growth across Kentucky.

“Kentucky has seen record private-sector investment in recent years, but that growth has not been evenly distributed,” Wheeler said. “SB 197 gives our Cabinet for Economic Development the tools it needs to better compete for projects in rural communities and heritage counties that have faced long-term population and job loss.”

The outline of SB 197 emerged over the interim committee meetings and discussions between Wheeler, Senator Scott Madon, R-Floyd, and members of Eastern Kentucky’s House Delegation including Representatives John Blanton, R-Salyersville , Bobby McCool, R-Paintsville, Mitch Whitaker, R-Whitesburg, Scott Sharp, R-Ashland, and Aaron Thompson, R-Greenup. The legislators heard testimony in committee over the summer from OneEastKY Executive Director Colby Kirk and OneEast Board Chair Tyler Burkeand met on multiple occasions to work out the details of the SB 197, which is based on proven economic development initiatives tried in other states. Secretary Jeff Noel of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic and his team provided additional suggestions following the roll-out of the bill to make the legislation even more robust for rural Kentucky.  

Under the legislation, counties would be ranked using a formula that combines five-year average unemployment data and population metrics. Based on those rankings, counties would fall into one of four tiers. Tier three and tier four counties would qualify as “heritage communities,” and receive enhanced incentive opportunities.

The bill restores the Kentucky Business Investment program’s wage assessment rate to maintain competitiveness and expands eligible industries beyond manufacturing to include research and development, corporate headquarters and other high-skill sectors. It also increases incentive caps and workforce training flexibility in qualifying communities.

Wheeler noted that eastern Kentucky alone has experienced significant population decline over the past several decades.

“If we do not take deliberate action, projections show that some of our largest counties could lose nearly half their population by mid-century,” Wheeler said. “This legislation is about giving rural Kentucky a fair shot. It is not a silver bullet, but it provides practical tools to attract investment and create opportunity.”

Secretary Jeff Noel of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development testified in support of the measure, calling it a broader and more competitive economic development toolkit.

“When your toolbox is missing tools, it is difficult to fix anything,” Noel told the committee. “This legislation helps ensure we have the right tools to support communities across the commonwealth.”

SB 197 now advances for consideration by the full Senate.

Learn more about bills, committees, and other important updates on the 2026 Regular Session at www.legislature.ky.gov.

HOWELL’S SENATE BILL 214 STRENGTHENS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE’S ABILITY TO SECURE, MANAGE FUNDING

HOWELL’S SENATE BILL 214 STRENGTHENS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE’S ABILITY TO SECURE, MANAGE FUNDING

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 26, 2026) — Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, Senate Bill (SB) 214 enhancing Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) ability to secure, administer and manage non-federal funds supporting farmers, agribusinesses and rural communities was passed out of the senate today and may now be taken up by the House of Representatives.

SB 214 authorizes KDA to accept nonfederal funds and grants from any public or private source that benefit its programs. It also clarifies the department’s authority to receive federal funds, commodities and other resources made available through acts of Congress, as well as funds appropriated by the Kentucky General Assembly.

“Agriculture is foundational to Kentucky’s economy, and this legislation ensures our Department of Agriculture has the clear authority and flexibility to pursue and manage funding from federal, state, and private partners,” Howell said. “By streamlining that process, we’re maximizing resources, strengthening our agricultural economy, and being proactive in supporting a vital industry and the rural communities that depend on it.”

SB 214 also ensures the department has clear authority to disburse funds according to state and federal law. It allows the department to accept and administer non-federal grants, gifts, donations, or devices from public or private sources to further support agriculture-related initiatives.

Under the bill, the commissioner of agriculture would be authorized to enter into agreements and carry out their terms with federal departments, as well as state and local public agencies.

“THIS ISN’T JUST A RESOLUTION, IT’S A REVOLUTION” MEREDITH’S MEDICAID REFORM MEASURE APPROVED BY HOUSE HEALTH SERVICES COMMITTEE

“THIS ISN’T JUST A RESOLUTION, IT’S A REVOLUTION”

MEREDITH’S MEDICAID REFORM MEASURE APPROVED BY HOUSE HEALTH SERVICES COMMITTEE

SCR 9 moves to full House for consideration 

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 26, 2026) — Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 9, sponsored by Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, was unanimously approved today by the House Standing Committee on Health Services after Meredith urged lawmakers to confront what he described as a health care cost crisis threatening Kentucky families and the state budget.



“This isn’t just a resolution, it’s a revolution,” Meredith told committee members. “If we continue down the same path, Medicaid costs will continue to rise while outcomes remain stagnant. We have to be willing to think differently.”

SCR 9 directs the Legislative Research Commission to procure an independent vendor to conduct a feasibility study on implementing an Accountable Communities for Health (ACH) Medicaid delivery model pilot project.

Since Kentucky transitioned to a managed care model in 2010, Medicaid enrollment has increased by roughly 50 percent. During that same period, program costs have surged by nearly 400 percent. Meredith argued that the current structure has created layers of bureaucracy, strained provider reimbursement and failed to produce meaningful improvements in population health.

“We are spending over $20 billion a year,” Meredith said. “Yet our providers are frustrated, our rural communities are struggling with access and we still rank near the bottom nationally in key health indicators. That tells me the system itself deserves a hard look.”

Under the current managed care structure, private companies administer Kentucky’s Medicaid benefits under contracts that guarantee a medical loss ratio of 90 percent — allowing up to 10 percent of contract value for administrative costs and profit. Meredith told lawmakers that while those companies are fulfilling their contractual obligations, their financial incentives are not aligned with reducing overall system costs.

“If the only way profits grow is when spending grows, then the incentives are working against us,” Meredith said. “We have to align financial incentives with improving health outcomes and lowering long-term costs.”

The proposed feasibility study would evaluate accountable care models operating in other states, assess opportunities to reduce administrative overhead, improve care coordination, and address social determinants of health. Meredith’s proposal envisions a locally driven, nonprofit, community-based structure that places providers and communities—not outside corporations—at the center of care decisions.

If implemented following the study, the pilot would be known as the “20 by 30 Accountable Care Pilot Project,” reflecting Meredith’s goal of achieving significant improvements in population health and measurable cost reductions by 2030.

Meredith emphasized that SCR 9 does not immediately dismantle the current system but instead ensures lawmakers have comprehensive, data-driven analysis before pursuing structural reforms.

“We cannot afford to be passive,” Meredith said. “If we improve the health of our population and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, we can protect taxpayers, strengthen providers and put money back into Kentucky families’ pockets. But it starts with being willing to ask bold questions.”

SCR 9 now advances to the full Kentucky House of Representatives for further consideration.

Learn more about bills, committees, and other important updates on the 2026 Regular Session at www.kylegislature.gov.

SENATE COMMITTEE ADVANCES ADAMS’S SB 156 TO CLOSE REMAINING CHILD MARRIAGE LOOPHOLE

SENATE COMMITTEE ADVANCES ADAMS’S SB 156 

TO CLOSE REMAINING CHILD MARRIAGE LOOPHOLE

Survivor testimony emphasizes need for stronger enforcement of Kentucky’s child marriage ban

FRANKFORT, KY. (Feb. 26, 2026)— Senate Bill (SB) 156, sponsored by Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, passed the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee this morning following powerful testimony from a survivor of child marriage.

SB 156 builds upon SB 48, the 2018 law sponsored by Adams that ended legal child marriage in Kentucky. While that law established 18 as the legal age for marriage, it included a limited judicial exception for 17-year-olds. According to testimony presented in committee, that exception has not been consistently followed and, in some cases, has been exploited.

SB 156 removes that remaining exception and establishes 18 as the clear, enforceable minimum age for marriage in Kentucky.

During the hearing, Donna Simmons, a survivor of generational child marriage and childhood trauma, shared her personal experience of being married as a minor and the long-term consequences that followed. Simmons described systemic failures across multiple institutions and emphasized how legal loopholes can enable abuse to continue under the cover of a marriage license.

“This is not theoretical,” Simmons told lawmakers. “This is my life.”

Adams said the legislation is focused on ensuring the law is clear and consistently enforced.



“Ending child marriage in 2018 was an important step for protecting our children, but what we have seen is that the remaining exception has not always been adhered to,” Adams said. “SB 156 simply closes that loophole and makes the law clear: marriage in Kentucky begins at 18.”

Committee members acknowledged the difficult testimony and expressed appreciation for Simmons’s willingness to speak publicly.

SB 156 now advances for consideration by the full Senate.

WHEELER’S WELDING SAFETY BILL PASSES SENATE

WHEELER’S WELDING SAFETY BILL PASSES SENATE

FRANKFORT, KY. (Feb. 26, 2026) —The Kentucky Senate has passed Senate Bill (SB) 98, legislation sponsored by Sen. Phillip Wheeler to strengthen safety and quality standards for structural steel welding across the Commonwealth.

SB 98 establishes clear statewide requirements to ensure structural steel welding on commercial and infrastructure projects is performed by properly tested and certified professionals and meets nationally recognized industry standards.

“Structural steel welding is foundational to the safety of our buildings and infrastructure,” Wheeler said. “This legislation ensures that when projects require nationally recognized welding codes, the work is performed by qualified professionals who meet those standards.”

Under the bill, welders performing structural steel welding on projects that specify industry welding codes must be tested and certified by an accredited facility or an individual certified through the American Welding Society. The measure also requires that welding work meet established national standards, including those developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers where applicable.

The legislation applies to commercial and large-scale structural projects and does not apply to welding performed by homeowners or farmers on their own property.

Wheeler noted the bill reinforces workforce quality while protecting public safety.

“When we set consistent expectations and uphold proven standards, we protect workers, businesses, and the public,” Wheeler said. “This is about ensuring quality work and long-term confidence in the structures our communities depend on every day.”

SB 98 now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. 

Learn more about bills, committees, and other important updates on the 2026 Regular Session at www.kylegislature.gov.

MEREDITH’S PROVISIONAL MEDICAL LICENSE BILL PASSES SENATE HEALTH SERVICES COMMITTEE

MEREDITH’S PROVISIONAL MEDICAL LICENSE BILL PASSES SENATE HEALTH SERVICES COMMITTEE

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2026) — Senate Bill (SB) 137, sponsored by Sen. Stephen Meredith, R–Leitchfield, passed the Senate Health Services Committee this morning.

SB 137 creates a three-year provisional medical license to help attract experienced physicians to Kentucky, particularly in rural and underserved communities where provider shortages remain a persistent challenge.

The legislation allows qualified physicians who completed medical training outside the United States or Canada, have practiced for at least five years, and have secured employment with a licensed Kentucky health care sponsor to practice under a provisional license. After three years of good standing and continuous employment with the sponsoring entity, the provisional license automatically converts to a full, unrestricted medical license.

The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure retains authority to revoke a provisional license if the physician loses sponsorship or engages in misconduct, preserving accountability and patient protection standards.

“Kentucky’s physician shortage is real, particularly in rural areas. SB 137 allows us to responsibly expand our workforce by recognizing experienced physicians who are already practicing safely elsewhere, while ensuring they meet Kentucky’s standards.”

SB 137 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

Learn more about bills, committees, and other important updates on the 2026 Regular Session at www.kylegislature.gov.

STORM FILES SB 221 TO STRENGTHEN PENALTIES FOR ABUSE OF A CORPSE

STORM FILES SB 221 TO STRENGTHEN PENALTIES FOR ABUSE OF A CORPSE

FRANKFORT, KY. (Feb. 25, 2026) — Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London, recently filed Senate Bill (SB) 221 to strengthen Kentucky law relating to abuse of a corpse and to ensure greater accountability in handling and final disposition of human remains. 



SB 221 amends KRS 525.120 to clarify and expand criminal penalties for individuals who violate the trust placed in them during funeral and burial arrangements. The bill makes it a Class D felony to knowingly accept payment for the preparation, burial, or cremation of a body and then deliberately fail to carry out those services in accordance with the contract.

The legislation also prohibits the purchase, sale, or transfer of a corpse or any part of a corpse for compensation once final disposition has been authorized through burial or cremation.

“When families entrust someone with the care of their loved one, that trust must never be violated,” Storm said. “This legislation strengthens accountability and ensures that those who exploit grieving families or mishandle human remains face serious consequences.”

Abuse of a corpse remains classified as a Class D felony under Kentucky law. SB 221 reinforces that standard and clarifies specific conduct that constitutes criminal behavior.



SB 221 has been filed and is pending further action by the Kentucky General Assembly. 

Learn more about bills, committees, and other important updates on the 2026 Regular Session at www.legislature.ky.gov.

WEST’S SB 162 PASSES SENATE TO REFORM KENTUCKY’S JUVENILE DIVERSION PROCESS

WEST’S SB 162 PASSES SENATE TO REFORM KENTUCKY’S JUVENILE DIVERSION PROCESS

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2026) — The Kentucky Senate has passed Senate Bill (SB) 162, sponsored by Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, to improve and streamline the state’s juvenile diversion process.

SB 162 removes the mandatory “Family Accountability, Intervention and Response (FAIR) Team” requirement in certain cases, primarily those involving status offenses such as habitual truancy, running away, and being beyond parental or school control. The FAIR Team model was established in 2014 with the goal of keeping children out of court and connecting families with community-based services.

West said that while the original intent was sound, the process has often become slow and inconsistent in practice.

“Over the years, we’ve listened carefully to superintendents, prosecutors and court officials who work in this system every day,” West said. “SB 162 is about making the process more responsive and more effective to ensure that students receive appropriate intervention sooner while maintaining diversion as a meaningful option.”

The bill preserves discretion for court designated workers to continue collaborating with parents, schools, and community partners when appropriate, but removes the requirement that a FAIR Team be convened in every applicable case.

SB 162 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Learn more about bills, committees and other important updates on the 2026 Regular Session at www.kylegislature.gov.

BLEDSOE'S PROPOSAL LOWERING COSTS AND CUTTING RED TAPE FOR SMALL CITIES APPROVED BY SENATE COMMITTEE

BLEDSOE'S PROPOSAL LOWERING COSTS AND CUTTING RED TAPE FOR SMALL CITIES APPROVED BY SENATE COMMITTEE

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2026) — The Senate State and Local Government Committee has approved Senate Bill (SB) 192, legislation sponsored by Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, that modernizes financial reporting requirements for Kentucky’s smaller cities while strengthening transparency and accountability.

SB 192 updates outdated one-size-fits-all mandates that require small municipalities to follow complex accounting standards designed for much larger governments.

Under current law, many smaller cities are subject to complex audit requirements designed for much larger governments. Bledsoe told the committee the existing approach has become increasingly costly, particularly as the number of certified public accountants available to perform municipal audit work has declined in recent years.

Bledsoe’s SB 192 allows cities receiving or expending less than $15 million annually from all sources to complete an agreed-upon procedures engagement in certain circumstances, performed by a certified public accountant or the Auditor of Public Accounts.To qualify, a city must not have been subject to a special examination in the prior fiscal year or the year to be audited and must not be required by state or federal law to undergo a more stringent audit.

Like traditional audits, agreed-upon procedures engagements must be completed and presented to the city’s legislative body by March 1, submitted to the Department for Local Government (DLG) by April 1 and published publicly. The measure also requires cities to publish a budget-to-actual comparison for the general fund and submit reports to the Auditor of Public Accounts.

As Senate Budget vice chair and a former member of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, Bledsoe said she understands the pressure state mandates place on small communities.

“Taxpayers expect accountability, but they also expect common sense,” Bledsoe said. “When small cities divert limited resources to comply with rules designed for much larger governments, that money comes straight out of essential services. This bill protects transparency while giving local officials the flexibility to meet standards in a way that fits the size of their community and respects taxpayer resources.”

SB 192 establishes guardrails for agreed-upon procedures engagements, requires adherence to professional standards and maintains public reporting requirements. The bill authorizes the Auditor of Public Accounts to establish additional criteria through administrative regulation and allows DLG to step in when a city falls behind on required audits. It also includes a “catch-up” provision allowing cities more than two years behind on required audits or financial statements to regain compliance through an agreed-upon procedures engagement, subject to oversight by DLG.

Committee members voiced support for the bill.

Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester and committee vice chair, called the legislation “long overdue” and said it would help smaller cities better manage accounting and audit costs while maintaining necessary oversight.

Senate Majority Caucus Chair Robby Mills, R-Henderson, also expressed support for the measure, noting his familiarity with municipal finance matters and emphasizing the importance of practical solutions for city governments.

The bill reflects collaboration and support from the Auditor of Public Accounts, the Kentucky League of Cities and the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants.

SB 192, as amended by committee substitute, passed the Senate State and Local Government Committee and now advances to the full Senate for consideration during the 2026 Regular Session. Click here to find SB 192 in full. 

ELKINS LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE SOUND SCIENCE IN STATE REGULATIONS PASSES COMMITTEE

ELKINS LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE SOUND SCIENCE IN STATE REGULATIONS PASSES COMMITTEE

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2026) — Legislation sponsored by Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, to require state agencies to rely on sound science when developing administrative regulations has advanced out of the Senate committee on Natural Resources and Energy and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.



Senate Bill 178 establishes clear standards to ensure that regulations impacting public health, safety and the environment are grounded in reliable, unbiased and peer-reviewed science. The measure requires certain state regulations to be based on the “best available science” and directs agencies to consider the full weight of scientific evidence before adopting new standards.

“Moving this bill out of committee is an important step toward restoring confidence in the regulatory process,” Elkins said. “Kentuckians deserve to know that when new rules are imposed, they are based on credible data and transparent analysis, not just speculation or shifting political priorities.”

SB 178 defines key terms such as “best available science” and “weight of scientific evidence” to create consistency across agencies. It requires the use of generally accepted scientific and technical practices when developing regulations related to chemical substances, pollutants and environmental standards. The legislation also aligns state regulatory authority with existing federal standards when applicable, offering greater clarity for businesses, communities and regulated entities.

Elkins emphasized that the bill strengthens protections for public health and the environment.

“Effective protections depend on credible evidence,” he said. “By setting clear expectations for how scientific information is evaluated and applied, this legislation ensures regulations are responsible, defensible and rooted in fact.”

Senate Bill 178 now advances to the Senate floor for a vote.

MOMENTUM MATTERS. SENATE BILL 7 OFFERS A PATH FORWARD FOR DRIVERS' LICENSING SERVICES

MOMENTUM MATTERS. SENATE BILL 7 OFFERS A PATH FORWARD FOR DRIVERS' LICENSING SERVICES

Kentuckians, especially in rural areas, know what it feels like to take a day off work, spend money on gas and drive long distances just to renew a driver’s license. That frustration is real. It affects people across the state. We hear it every day when we talk with folks in our communities.

That’s why Senate Bill 7 was filed this session. As we said on the Senate floor, this bill is not a permanent fix. It’s a practical first step the Senate has taken to give Kentuckians relief now while we work toward long-term improvements in how the state delivers driver licensing services.

SB 7 gives local communities the option to help their residents with basic renewal services. It allows one of four local offices—circuit court clerks, county clerks, sheriffs or judges/executives—to take on renewals and duplicate licenses if they choose. If none of those local officials opt in, the county can enter into an agreement with a neighboring county to better serve its constituents. SB 7 gives people more access without taking anything away.

Under SB 7, if your county doesn’t offer local services, you can still renew online or by mail if eligible. Pop-up services may continue in many communities. The Senate proposal gives counties another tool to bring basic services closer to home. 

The Senate quickly passed the bill, reflecting the concerns we hear daily from Kentuckians. It had 29 co-sponsors in a chamber of just 38 members. That kind of early support does not happen often. It shows how serious this issue is and how ready Senators are to act. The Senate quickly passed the bill, to the overwhelming approval of Kentuckians. 

Some have argued that the bill doesn’t do enough, and we understand those frustrations. But we deal with the art of the possible, and Senate Bill 7 is more than possible. This year, the Senate put one forward in Senate Bill 7, a bill that carries significant momentum.

Some have called for all driver licensing services to return fully to Circuit Court Clerks. We understand that desire. However, that approach would require a heavy-handed mandate from Frankfort with no flexibility on implementation.

Facts matter, as do the realities of truly governing.

The issue came into focus in 2017, when Kentucky reluctantly moved to comply with the federal REAL ID Act. As implementation progressed, Circuit Court Clerks made clear they could not meet the new federal security and technology requirements, and that equipping all 120 clerk offices would place an overwhelming cost on local governments and ultimately our taxpayers. In response, clerks requested that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet become the sole provider of driver licensing services. That request led to House Bill 453, which Governor Andy Beshear signed into law in 2020 after it passed the House 81–19 and narrowly cleared the Senate 21–17.

SB 7 respects constitutional boundaries and confronts political reality with a reasonable proposal. It offers a voluntary step toward something better than we have now.

We also want to be clear. We share the public’s frustration with how long it has taken to fix Kentucky's driver licensing system. 

Since 2020, the General Assembly has approved funding, opened more regional offices and passed numerous reforms. We passed laws that allow mail-in and online renewals. We approved third-party renewals through organizations like AAA. To date, that change still has not been implemented.

SB 7 is only halfway through the process. The Senate moved quickly and passed the bill to respond to years of concern from our constituents. That action created momentum. 

We strongly encourage our colleagues in the House to pick up the conversation the Senate started and move it forward. Kentuckians have long asked for change. Let’s aim for better, as perfection is not possible.

We respect the legislative process and the House’s role in it. We also believe now is the time to act.

Let’s give SB 7 a fair hearing. Let’s give Kentuckians the relief they need. Let’s keep working together to find solutions that reflect what good public service looks like: listening, taking action and delivering results for the people we represent.

KY SENATE APPROVES WHEELER BILL TO STABILIZE ELECTRIC RATES AND IMPROVE FUEL COST REVIEWS

KY SENATE APPROVES WHEELER BILL TO STABILIZE ELECTRIC RATES AND IMPROVE FUEL COST REVIEWS

FRANKFORT, KY. (Feb. 12, 2026)— The Kentucky Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, designed to promote greater stability in electric rates and strengthen oversight of utility fuel costs.

Senate Bill (SB) 172 updates Kentucky law governing electric utility fuel adjustment clauses, which allow utilities to recover fuel costs through customer rates. The bill provides the Kentucky Public Service Commission with additional flexibility to extend the recovery period for fuel adjustment costs when requested by a utility, helping reduce sharp month-to-month swings in electric bills and encouraging greater rate stability for customers.

The legislation also clarifies how fuel costs should be evaluated during commission reviews of fuel adjustment clauses. For fuel procurement contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2021, the commission is required to assess the reasonableness of fuel costs and competing bids based on the cost of fuel net of any coal severance tax imposed by another jurisdiction. This ensures a clearer, more accurate comparison of fuel options when regulators review utility purchasing decisions.

“Kentucky families and businesses deserve predictability when it comes to their utility bills,” Wheeler said. “This bill gives regulators tools to reduce unnecessary volatility while ensuring fuel costs are reviewed in a fair and transparent way. It’s about stability, accountability, and common-sense oversight.”

Wheeler cautioned that the bill is not a silver bullet that would immediately solve the high energy prices facing Kentucky consumers.

“The challenge that the Kentucky legislature faces is that the current energy prices are the result of a series of bad energy policies passed in Washington during the Obama and Biden Administrations,” Wheeler said. “By taking coal off the table as a source of reliable baseload energy, they have left Kentucky ratepayers at the mercy of more volatile natural gas markets. The only way to return to cheap energy prices is for Congress to work with the President to adopt an ‘all of the above’ energy strategy that includes fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables to provide maximum flexibility for power generation.”

SB 172 now heads to the Kentucky House of Representatives for consideration.

RICHARDSON FILES SB 195 TO MODERNIZE KENTUCKY’S LEGAL LIABILITY SYSTEM AND CODIFY ETHICAL STANDARDS INTO LAW

RICHARDSON FILES SB 195 TO MODERNIZE KENTUCKY’S LEGAL LIABILITY SYSTEM AND CODIFY ETHICAL STANDARDS INTO LAW

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 12, 2026)— Sen. Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville, today filed Senate Bill 195, comprehensive legal liability reform legislation designed to modernize Kentucky’s civil litigation system, restore balance and codify clear ethical standards into state law.

SB 195 represents one of the final major policy initiatives for Kentucky’s legislative supermajorities as they build on years of reforms that have strengthened the economy, improved education, lowered taxes, and made Kentucky more competitive for businesses, jobs, and health care access.

“Kentucky has made historic progress,” Richardson said. “We’ve delivered income tax reduction, education reform, right-to-work protections, and pro-growth policies that have helped bring opportunity to all communities across the commonwealth. Modernizing our legal liability system, while putting clear ethical rules into statute, is the next and necessary step to keep that momentum going.”

Kentucky’s current civil litigation framework is outdated and imbalanced, creating higher costs for families, businesses, and healthcare providers. National rankings consistently place Kentucky near the bottom for legal liability climate. This reality drives up insurance premiums, increases healthcare costs, and discourages investment.

SB 195 establishes a package of smart, proven reforms that modernize Kentucky’s civil litigation system while fully protecting constitutional rights. The legislation also codifies clear ethical rules into law and ensures transparency, fairness, and consistency in how claims are brought, evaluated, and resolved.

“These reforms are about fairness,” Richardson said. “They protect the right to a jury trial, hold bad actors accountable, and ensure our system works for everyone: patients, consumers, families, small businesses, and health care providers.”

By reducing unnecessary litigation, improving predictability, and reinforcing ethical standards, SB 195 will help contain insurance costs, expand access to care, encourage competition, and strengthen Kentucky’s ability to attract and retain employers.

“Kentucky has worked too hard to lose the momentum we’ve built,” Richardson said. “This legislation helps finish the job and ensures our legal system works fairly for families, workers, patients, and businesses alike.”

HOWELL’S SB 110 MODERNIZES ELECTRONIC TITLING, STREAMLINES COUNTY CLERK OPERATIONS

HOWELL’S SB 110 MODERNIZES ELECTRONIC TITLING, STREAMLINES COUNTY CLERK OPERATIONS

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 11, 2026) — Senate Bill (SB) 110, sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, advanced from committee this week with a Senate committee substitute that modernizes Kentucky’s electronic vehicle titling system, streamlines county clerk operations and cleans up outdated or duplicate statutes at the request of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and county clerks.

SB 110 builds on Kentucky’s transition to electronic titling and lien processing by setting clear timelines and procedures to ensure the system is fully operational, secure and user-friendly for vehicle owners, lenders and clerks.

“Senate Bill 110 is about making government work better for Kentuckians,” Howell said. “This legislation cleans up outdated requirements, supports county clerks and ensures our electronic titling and lien systems are ready, reliable and efficient before we fully transition.”

Beginning July 1, 2027, lienholders will be required to use the electronic lien application and registration system, with exemptions for smaller dealers who do not typically finance vehicles. The bill also requires KYTC to test and confirm that the electronic titling and centralized lien system is fully operational by Jan. 1, 2027.

Under the legislation, vehicle titles will no longer be automatically printed starting Jan. 1, 2027. Titles will instead be available electronically, with a clear process for owners to request a printed title for a $6 fee.

SB 110 also allows vehicle owners to receive registration renewal and state ad valorem tax notices by email or text message, if they choose, aligning Kentucky law with modern communication practices. Similar updates are made to boat registration notifications.

Additional provisions of the bill include:

• eliminating late filing fees for title lien statements while maintaining the existing $12 lien notation fee structure,

• establishing a clear definition and process for lien termination statements,

• allowing county clerks to accept alternative forms of payment,

• removing duplicate receipt requirements to KYTC and the Department of Revenue,

• allowing joint vehicle owners who are not spouses to designate a transfer of ownership upon death,

• permitting the use of a personal identification card to register a motor vehicle,

• codifying long-standing KYTC practices, including weigh station bypass systems and electronic branding of hail-damaged vehicle titles, and

• repealing low-use and outdated statutes, including special permits for hauling industrial materials.

The Senate committee substitute removes a provision from the original bill that would have eliminated the signature requirement for registering farm vehicles, preserving existing safeguards.

“County clerks and KYTC asked for many of these updates, and this bill reflects their real-world experience,” Howell said. “By cleaning up statute and modernizing processes, we’re saving time, reducing confusion and improving service for Kentuckians across the state.”

SB 110 may now be heard by the full Senate.

###

Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, represents the 1st Senate District, including Calloway, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Lyon, and Trigg Counties. Howell serves as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and co-chairs the Tobacco Settlement Committee. He is vice chair on the License and Occupation Standing Committee and the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committees. He is a member of the Senate Committees on Banking and Insurance, and Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor. Additionally, Howell serves on the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee and the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee.

For a high-resolution .jpeg of Howell, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate101.jpg.

MOTHER OF CAMBERLEIGH BURNS ENCOURAGES SUPPORT OF HIGDON’S SENATE BILL 28

MOTHER OF CAMBERLEIGH BURNS ENCOURAGES

SUPPORT OF HIGDON’S SENATE BILL 28

Measure filed in memory of 2-year-old killed by a distracted driver in 2022

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 6, 2026)—The following is a statement attributable to Alyssa Burns, mother of Camberleigh Burns, who was tragically killed in an accident caused by a distracted driver in 2022, in support of Sen. Jimmy Higdon’s Senate Bill 28, the Phone Down Kentucky Act.

“I have asked that charges be filed against the person responsible for taking the life of my daughter, but it is painfully clear that our judicial system does not have the pieces in place to provide justice. Therefore, justice for Camberleigh is represented through this bill and through any legislation that ensures no one has the power to take a life without facing consequences.

“I know this bill won’t bring Camberleigh back, but in a way, it keeps her name and memory alive. She is not just a statistic on a piece of paper—she was a little girl with her whole life ahead of her.

“Camberleigh’s life was stolen on October 28, 2022. Since then, I have honored her each year with the ‘28 Days of Cammie’ throughout October. This bill number honors her. What was once a cherished month filled with Halloween joy is now a painful reminder of my worst nightmare. 

“But with this challenge comes the hope of awareness—and a way for me to feel closer to Camberleigh during a time that will never be the same.”

—

Find Senate Bill 28 at this link.

Click here to find interim session testimony on Senate Bill 28, which featured comments from Alyssa Burns.

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SENATOR SHELLEY FUNKE FROMMEYER PARTICIPATES IN APPALACHIAN PROUD COMMISSIONERS’ SUMMIT

SENATOR SHELLEY FUNKE FROMMEYER PARTICIPATES IN APPALACHIAN PROUD COMMISSIONERS’ SUMMIT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2025)— Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, joined Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and leaders from six Appalachian states today at the Appalachian Proud Commissioners’ Summit, a strategic gathering focused on scaling rural economic opportunity through agriculture.

Hosted at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, the summit brought together commissioners from Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, and Georgia to sign a multi-state compact and commit to a shared vision of agricultural advancement rooted in Kentucky’s proven models.

“This summit highlights what can be accomplished when we empower farmers, embrace conservative economic strategies, and lead with local solutions,” said Frommeyer. “Kentucky is at the forefront of shaping a healthier, more prosperous future for Appalachian communities, and I’m proud to play a role in that.”

Summit highlights:

• Compact signing: Agriculture commissioners signed a joint agreement to expand the Appalachia Proud brand, a sub-brand of Kentucky Proud, as a regional force for agricultural marketing and economic growth.

• Multi-state MAHA strategy: Aligns with the Make America Healthy Again agenda, promoting responsible nutrition, food infrastructure, and small business development.

• ARC ARISE grant: The coalition will pursue a $10 million Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) ARISE grant to replicate Kentucky’s Buy Local and POP marketing programs across the region.

• Public-private collaboration: The summit showcased partnerships between agriculture, the Small Business Administration, conservative policy organizations, and local innovators.

The event reinforced Kentucky’s leadership in rural economic policy while building regional momentum for scalable, farmer-first solutions. It concluded with the Farm City Luncheon, part of the North American Livestock Expo, where Kentucky’s agribusiness success stories were on full display.

About Appalachia Proud

Launched in 2014, Appalachia Proud is a special designation under the Kentucky Proud program that celebrates and supports agricultural producers in eastern Kentucky’s 54-county Appalachian region. Members use the exclusive Appalachia Proud logo to showcase the origin and quality of their products, building trust with consumers and pride within their communities.

This regional brand embodies the values of hard work, innovation, and rural resilience, positioning Kentucky’s Appalachian farmers at the heart of a growing movement for economic development, improved nutrition, and community-based solutions.

As Kentucky leads the charge in expanding this model across state lines, Appalachia Proud continues to demonstrate that the mountains aren’t just full of beauty—they’re full of potential.

Learn more at kyagr.com.  

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Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, represents the 24th Senate District, including Bracken, Campbell, and Pendleton Counties and part of Kenton County. During the Interim, Frommeyer serves as co-chair of the Make America Health Again Kentucky Task Force. Frommeyer is the co-chair of the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee and the Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary. She is a Senate member of the Interim Joint Committees on; Agriculture, Appropriations and Revenue; Economic Development and Workforce Investment; Families and Children; and Tourism, Small Business and Information Technology. Frommyer also serves on the Public Pension Oversight Board.

Visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate124.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Funke Frommeyer.

SEN. NEMES PROVIDES UPDATE ON BELLS MILL ROAD BRIDGE CLOSURE

SEN. NEMES PROVIDES UPDATE ON 

BELLS MILL ROAD BRIDGE CLOSURE

Shares information from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on project timeline and detour plans

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2025)—Sen. Mike Nemes, R-Shepherdsville, shared updated information today regarding the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) project to replace the KY Highway 1526 (Bells Mill Road) bridge over Floyds Fork in Bullitt County. The bridge will close on Monday, November 17, and will remain closed through May 14, 2026.

Nemes said he requested a full briefing from KYTC after hearing concerns from residents who were surprised by the closure date and limited public notice.

“The number one priority here is public safety, but people deserve to know what is happening on their roads and why,” Nemes said. “I want to make sure every family affected by this closure has clear information and a place to get updates. I appreciate the cabinet keeping the public updated on the status of this project, and I am in communication with them to address other questions and concerns my constituents have raised.”

KYTC District 5 maintains a weekly webpage with traffic impacts and project updates, which includes this closure. Residents can view current information at the KYTC District 5 Roadshow site.

PROJECT DETAILS

The project will take place on KY Highway 1526 (Bells Mill Road) at mile point 14.35 and will involve replacing the bridge superstructure over Floyds Fork. Hall Contracting of Kentucky, Inc. is carrying out the $ 2.5 million project. According to KYTC, the closure is necessary because the existing superstructure has reached the end of its service life and requires complete replacement to meet modern safety standards.

DETOUR ROUTES

Westbound on Bells Mill Road

• Turn left onto KY 61 (Preston Highway) toward Shepherdsville.

• Turn left onto KY 44 (East 4th Street) to reconnect with Bells Mill Road.

Eastbound on Bells Mill Road

• Turn right onto KY 44 (East 4th Street) through Shepherdsville.

• Turn right onto KY 61 (Preston Highway) to reconnect with Bells Mill Road.

Drivers should obey signage, follow the detour, and plan for additional travel time.

ADDRESSING RESIDENT CONCERNS

Nemes said he has shared constituent questions directly with KYTC, including:

• local concern about the short notice of the closure and the need for routine updates,

• the expected impact on KY 44 traffic and whether law enforcement has been alerted,

• questions about heavy truck traffic on Bells Mill Road and whether weight restrictions should be reviewed,

• road shoulder deterioration and whether repairs can be incorporated while the bridge is closed, and

• community rumors about wildlife-related timing

Nemes also requested confirmation from KYTC District 5 on whether the current project scope includes only the bridge replacement or if additional improvements along Bells Mill Road can be incorporated during the closure. He said he has asked KYTC to provide clear answers and a consistent communication plan.

Further technical details about the project will be provided by KYTC District 5, and Nemes said he is prepared to request additional clarification from the district as needed.

“Families want transparency, and I understand that,” Nemes said. “They want to know what is happening, why the timeline is set, and how the state will manage traffic and road conditions during the closure. I’m working to make sure those questions are addressed. I have also asked the cabinet to consider whether additional repairs can be made while the bridge is closed in order to avoid a second closure.”

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Sen. Mike Nemes, R-Shepherdsville, represents the 38th Senate District, encompassing Bullitt County and part of southern Jefferson County. Nemes serves as chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Committees on Health Services, Judiciary, and Licensing and Occupations. Nemes is also a member of the IT Projects Oversight and Public Pension Oversight Board. 

For a high-resolution .jpeg file of Nemes, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate138.jpg.

HIGDON TO INTRODUCE PHONE DOWN KENTUCKY ACT DURING 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

HIGDON TO INTRODUCE PHONE DOWN KENTUCKY 

ACT DURING 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Proposed hands-free law would close loopholes in Kentucky’s distracted 

driving statute as fatalities rise and all neighboring states enact bans.

HIGDON TO INTRODUCE PHONE DOWN KENTUCKY 

ACT DURING 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2025)—Senate Transportation Chair Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, presented his proposed Phone Down Kentucky Act during Tuesday’s meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Transportation. The legislation aims to address key gaps in Kentucky’s distracted driving laws by requiring the use of hands-free technology when operating a motor vehicle.

Higdon’s proposal responds to ongoing concerns about roadway safety and is inspired in part by the tragic story of 2-year-old Camberleigh Burns, who lost her life in a 2021 crash caused by a distracted driver. Since then, her mother, Alyssa Burns, has become a leading advocate for reform. She joined Higdon at the committee meeting to share her family’s experience.

“I know this bill doesn’t bring Camberleigh back, or bring the justice that is due to us, but it plants a seed for safety and security on our Kentucky roads,” Burns said. “I am here to support and help pass this bill, and all I can ask is that you join me.

The Phone Down Kentucky Act would update Kentucky’s current statute by extending the existing texting-while-driving ban to cover nearly all uses of a personal communication device unless it is operated hands-free. The bill preserves current exemptions for emergency situations, GPS navigation, and law enforcement use, but closes a broad loophole that allows other forms of distracted driving to go unaddressed.

“Camberleigh’s story breaks your heart, and while this bill will not change what happened, it gives us a path forward,” said Higdon. “We have a responsibility to act. If something as simple as putting the phone down can save a life, we owe it to Kentuckians to make that change.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving crashes killed 3,308 people and injured nearly 290,000 more in 2022 alone. In 2019, the economic cost of those crashes was estimated at $98 billion.

Higdon emphasized that Kentucky is falling behind the national trend. As of 2024, 29 states have enacted hand-held phone bans for drivers, up from 18 in 2019. All seven of Kentucky’s neighboring states now have some form of hand-held phone restriction in place.

“Distracted driving has taken far too many lives in our state, but Kentucky still has not caught up with the commonsense laws already in place elsewhere,” Higdon said. “We are now one of the few states left without a comprehensive hand-held ban, even as the data and the heartbreak continue to pile up. This bill is about prevention, so no other family has to suffer what the Burns family has endured.”

The legislation has drawn early support from families and roadway safety advocates who have pushed for reforms since Camberleigh’s death. The final draft is expected to be introduced in the upcoming session, pending additional feedback from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

SEN. FUNKE FROMMEYER HIGHLIGHTS LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO MAKE KENTUCKY LEADER IN NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT DURING EXPERT PANEL DISCUSSION

SEN. FUNKE FROMMEYER HIGHLIGHTS LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO MAKE KENTUCKY LEADER IN NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT DURING EXPERT PANEL DISCUSSION

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 29, 2025) — Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer underscored the General Assembly’s leadership in positioning Kentucky as a national frontrunner in nuclear energy during a panel at the 2025 Kentucky Industry Conference in Lexington. The session, titled “Going Nuclear,” brought together public and private sector leaders to discuss the state’s evolving role in the national nuclear landscape.

Frommeyer, vice chair of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee, joined experts from Fluor, BWXT Advanced Technologies, and Global Laser Enrichment to explore infrastructure, workforce readiness, and public policy. The panel was part of the conference’s Energy & Sustainability Track and was moderated by Duke Energy’s Jennifer Loraine.

Frommeyer credited Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, for his foundational role in lifting Kentucky’s decades-long moratorium on nuclear energy development through Senate Bill 11 in 2017. That effort, initiated by former Sen. Bob Leeper, paved the way for Senate Joint Resolution 79 in 2023, which established the Nuclear Energy Working Group. The group, which included the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, found no significant barriers to nuclear power production in the state and recommended further legislative action.

Building on that work, Frommeyer co-sponsored Senate Bill 198 and Senate Joint Resolution 140 in 2024. SB 198 created the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (KNEDA) at the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research. SJR 140 directed the Public Service Commission to develop regulatory readiness for nuclear siting and construction. Substantial budget support was secured to implement both measures.

She also highlighted recent legislative momentum. House Bill 1 (2024) allocated $20 million annually to support KNEDA and energy planning through a quasi-endowment at the University of Kentucky. Senate Bill 179 (2025) created the Nuclear Energy Development Grant Program with individual awards up to $2 million and dedicated funding for photonics research in Paducah. Additionally, House Concurrent Resolution 22 formally declared nuclear power to be a clean, dispatchable energy source.

Looking ahead, Frommeyer noted a proposal under consideration to fund early site permitting for nuclear facilities through public-private partnerships. This next step would further position Kentucky as a national leader in nuclear deployment readiness.

She explained how recent legislation established KNEDA, introduced the “nuclear-ready community” designation, and built a regulatory framework to support advanced nuclear development and long-term investment. KNEDA is now fully operational with adopted bylaws, an executive director, and a grant program that recently closed with strong interest from across the industry.

“Through collaboration and forward-thinking policy, we’ve built the foundation Kentucky needs to lead in the next era of energy,” said Frommeyer. “We’ve seen encouraging signals from Washington, and the private sector has clearly taken notice. This is not theoretical anymore. The opportunities are real, and Kentucky is prepared to lead.”

Frommeyer also emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration among lawmakers, regulators, and private developers to remove remaining barriers and accelerate progress.

Panelists echoed the need to invest in workforce development through partnerships with the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, and other institutions. In Paducah, companies like General Matter and Global Laser Enrichment are already moving forward with fuel processing for the existing nuclear fleet, reinforcing the message that nuclear innovation in Kentucky is underway.

The panel featured Pete Knollmeyer of Fluor, a global engineering and construction firm with deep nuclear infrastructure experience; Will Cayton of BWXT Advanced Technologies, which focuses on next-generation nuclear technology; and Scott Steuer of Global Laser Enrichment, which is advancing laser uranium enrichment at the Paducah site. Loraine served as moderator and offered the utility perspective.

Together, they outlined Kentucky’s opportunity to lead in advanced nuclear energy through targeted investment, modernized regulation, and strategic site development, particularly in regions like Paducah, where public and private initiatives are converging.

The 2025 Kentucky Industry Conference, co-organized by the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, the Metals Innovation Initiative, and the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership, is the commonwealth’s leading event for manufacturers, innovators, and policymakers.

As Kentucky continues to refine its nuclear policy and attract national interest, state leaders see advanced nuclear energy as both an economic catalyst and a cornerstone of a resilient energy future.

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Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, represents the 24th Senate District, including Bracken, Campbell, and Pendleton Counties and part of Kenton County. During the interim, Frommeyer serves as co-chair of the newly established Make America Health Again Kentucky Task Force. Frommeyer is the co-chair of the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee and the Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary.  She is a Senate member of the Interim Joint Committees on Agriculture; Appropriations and Revenue; Economic Development and Workforce Investment; Families and Children; and Tourism, Small Business and Information Technology.  Frommeyer also serves on the Public Pension Oversight Board.

Visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate124.jpg  for a high-resolution .jpeg of Funke Frommeyer.

STATEMENT RELEASE ELKINS, LAWMAKERS WELCOME FIX FOR SENIOR MEALS AFTER LEGISLATIVE PUSH FOR ACTION

STATEMENT RELEASE

ELKINS, LAWMAKERS WELCOME FIX FOR SENIOR MEALS AFTER LEGISLATIVE PUSH FOR ACTION

State budget director identifies funding solution after sustained calls from General Assembly, public outcry

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 17, 2025) — Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester and co-chair of the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee (LOIC), commended the state budget director’s decision on Friday to transfer funding from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to restore Kentucky’s senior meal program. The action follows weeks of legislative pressure and public scrutiny, which demanded a solution for thousands of older Kentuckians who were informed they would have to return to waiting lists for hot meals.

“This action is long overdue, but it finally delivers what the legislature has been asking for since the Beshear administration’s abrupt September 8 memo left local agencies and seniors confused. For more than a month, the Governor offered no plan to remedy this problem, and only after continued pressure from lawmakers has the administration finally identified one.

“From the start, my colleagues and I made it clear that the executive branch already had the authority and the flexibility to move existing funds to meet this need. We stood ready to correct the mistake ourselves if called into a special session. It shouldn’t have taken public outcry for the administration to act. Now that funding will be released, the focus must be on getting meals delivered quickly and rebuilding trust with those who administer this critical program and the elderly Kentuckians who rely on it.

“The Department for Aging and Independent Living (DIAL) must move swiftly, communicate clearly, and provide accurate information ahead of the 2026 session in coordination with the program's advocates and area development district directors.

“We look forward to working with the administration to make sure needs are met.” 

_____

Background

The senior meals crisis began after a September 8 memo from the Beshear administration told local agencies and seniors that “we must tighten our belts.” The message blamed federal policy changes for a funding shortfall that forced local providers to scale back meal deliveries and place seniors back on waiting lists. However, there was no evidence of any new federal cuts. Instead, the issue stemmed from an insufficient budget request in the Governor's executive branch budget proposal that ignored the calls of advocates and area development districts. The problem was exacerbated in recent months by poor management of available dollars.

During the pandemic, one-time federal COVID funds had expanded the senior meals program. Everyone knew those dollars would eventually run out, and advocates warned that about $14.5 million annually would be needed each year in state funding to keep serving seniors at the same level. The Beshear administration requested only $10 million annually, which the legislature funded as requested.

When questions mounted, the administration offered shifting explanations, at one point blaming a projected state revenue shortfall that had not even been announced when the meals memo went out. Officials were unable to clarify how the projected shortfall was impacting the current fiscal year funding for the program.

Local agencies that operate the program were left in confusion, trying to stretch limited funds while seniors waited.

In response, lawmakers from both chambers called for immediate action. On October 9, during a meeting of LOIC, Sens. Greg Elkins, Danny Carroll, Phillip Wheeler, Jason Howell, and other committee members urged the governor to use his existing budget authority or call a special session to restore funding. Elkins followed up the meeting with a letter to the Governor’s Office reiterating lawmakers' request.

The legislature had already given the administration flexibility to shift funds within existing budgets when emergencies arise. After weeks of pressure from lawmakers and media attention, the state budget director finally used that authority to move $9.1 million to the senior meals program. This transfer fixes the immediate funding shortfall and allows local providers to begin restoring meal services for seniors across Kentucky.

Find the Friday memo from the State Budget Director to the House and Senate budget chairs by clicking here.

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Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, represents the 28th Senate District, including Bath, Clark, Menifee, and Montgomery Counties and an eastern portion of Fayette County. He serves as co-chair of the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee. He is an Air Mobility and Aviation Economic Development Task Force member. Elkins also serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Banking and Insurance; Local Government; Natural Resources and Energy; State Government; and Transportation. Additionally, he serves on the Public Pension Oversight Board. In 2024, he served on the Workforce Attraction and Retention Task Force, which explored strategies to address Kentucky’s labor force challenges and recommend policy solutions.