It was a busy week in Frankfort as legislators worked diligently to move bills through the process ahead of next week’s veto period. Only two legislative days remain—Tuesday and Wednesday—before the veto recess begins April 2.
Lawmakers will return April 14 and 15 for the final two days of session. However, any bills passed during those days will be subject to veto by Gov. Andy Beshear without the opportunity for an override. As a result, the General Assembly is working to send priority legislation to the Governor before the recess to preserve its ability to override vetoes.
Budget negotiations between the House and Senate continued this week and are expected to intensify through the weekend and into next week. KACo remains actively engaged with members of the budget conference committee, continuing to advocate for a meaningful step forward in state support for county jail funding.
Bills on the move
SB 20 – Sponsored by Sen. Scott Madon (R-Bell), passed the House with a floor amendment from Rep. Amy Neighbors (R-Metcalfe) incorporating provisions from HB 432. The amendment allows counties to purchase used vehicles and equipment without having to advertise, provided the price does not exceed 75% of the MSRP for the model year of similar vehicles or equipment. The bill returns to the Senate for concurrence.
SB 27 – sponsored by Sen. Greg Elkins (R-Clark), passed the House Local Government Committee this week. The bill allows unclaimed bodies to be cremated and interred after 30 days of unsuccessful attempts to locate next of kin. Fiscal courts would determine Fiscal courts would determine disposition in consultation with the coroner. The bill now awaits a House floor vote.
SB 149 – also sponsored by Sen. Greg Elkins, advanced out of the House Local Government Committee this week and awaits a floor vote. The bill would allow fiscal courts to appoint an acting county treasurer if the county treasurer is temporarily unable to perform the duties of the office for more than five days, instead of the current 30-day threshold.
The bill also clarifies that when the office is vacant due to resignation, termination, or death, the fiscal court may appoint an acting treasurer for up to 60 days. If the term of office has not ended within that 60-day period, the fiscal court must appoint a treasurer to complete the remainder of the term.
Additionally, the bill allows fiscal courts the option to appoint a deputy county treasurer to serve under the supervision of the treasurer.
SB 312 – Sponsored by Sen. Brandon Storm (R-Laurel), passed out of House Local Government committee this week and awaits a floor vote. The bill allows court security officers to conduct 202A transports.
Bills headed to the Governor’s desk
HB 293 – Sponsored by Rep. Walker Thomas (R-Christian), requires certain nontraditional wheels (iron, steel, or wooden) to be equipped with a rubber strip where they contact the road surface, with an exemption for lighter, animal-drawn vehicles used solely to transport people.
HB 518 – Sponsored by Rep. Patrick Flannery (R-Carter County), requires local governments with occupational license taxes to offer fillable online forms and electronic payment options by July 1, 2029. Counties may recover costs through processing fees.
HB 600 – Sponsored by Rep. Mary Beth Imes (R-Calloway), allows county attorneys to use a consolidated legal procedure to collect delinquent property taxes – a tool currently available to cities but not to counties. The change could improve efficiency and reduce costs associated with delinquent tax collection.
SB 73 – Sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell (R-Calloway), allows judge/executives, with approval by the fiscal court, to contract with non-profit organizations that provide animal sheltering services to handle stray equine responsibilities.
Key legislative dates
- March 31-April 1: Final session days prior to veto recess
- April 2-13: Veto recess
- April 14-15: Final two days of session
For questions or feedback, contact Shellie Hampton or Kayla Smith at shellie.hampton@kaco.org or kayla.smith@kaco.org.
