[Photo by LRC Public Information: House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, left, confers with Rep. Scott Lewis, Rep. Steve Riley and Rep. Kevin Jackson, before the start of the House floor proceedings Wednesday.]
Legislators returned to Frankfort this week after a short break to kick off Part II of the 2025 legislative session. The General Assembly took the final step this week to pass HB 1, reducing the state income tax from 4 percent to 3.5 percent beginning Jan. 1, 2026. This measure was the top priority this session for the Republican majority in both chambers. Gov. Andy Beshear signed the bill into law on Thursday.
Some committees started meeting this week and legislators continued to file a flurry of bills, many of which impact counties. The final day for new bills to be filed is Feb. 18 in the Senate and Feb. 19 in the House.
Centralized collection of occupational license fees
HB 253, sponsored by Rep. Jared Bauman (R-Jefferson), was filed this week and would seek to create a centralized collection system for local occupational license fees and be housed in the state Treasurer’s office. KACo opposes this legislation as a state-operated centralized system would be costly, unproven and duplicative. Click here to download KACo’s brief on the bill.
Last action: awaiting a House committee assignment.
HB 160, sponsored by Rep. Susan Witten (R-Jefferson), would prohibit counties and cities from adopting a zoning law that excludes “qualified manufactured housing” from being in any residential zone where single family residences are permitted. The bill further dilutes the current statutory language affirming the protection of property values as a “legitimate issue to local governments and the enactment of regulations designed to protect property values is a proper exercise of local government legislative power.” It prohibits discrimination against these structures (although there is no definition of “discrimination”), prohibits foundation requirements that do not conform with manufacturer’s specifications, and limits standards available for a county to implement including a minimal amount of living space and tying compatibility standards to the consideration of assessed value.
Last action: assigned to House Local Government, scheduled for a hearing Tuesday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m. ET.
Bills on the move
SB 37, sponsored by Sen. Greg Elkins (R-Clark), passed out of the Senate State and Local Government Committee on Wednesday and would allow unclaimed bodies to be cremated. The decision on whether to bury or cremate would be made by the party responsible for the expense. If that is the fiscal court, the fiscal court would be required to consult the coroner before making a final decision.
Last action: passed out of the Senate. Headed to the House for consideration.
SB 57, sponsored by Sen. Stephen Meredith (R-Grayson), passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee this week. The bill would create an additional $200 fee for “super speeders” and allocates 30 percent of the funds collected from this fee to the Emergency Medical Services Education Grant Fund. The fund was established in 2024, but not funded, to increase the number of certified paramedics. The shortage of paramedics in Kentucky has reached a crisis level in recent years.
Last action: received second of three required readings in the Senate
SB 59, sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Higdon (R-Marion), passed out of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee this week. This proposal would allow religious institutions to develop affordable housing in all residential or commercial zones without submission to review by a planning unit if the development is approved by a local government and the property was purchased by the religious institution prior to January 1, 2025.
Legislative reception around the corner
County officials and legislators are invited to join us as we host members of the 2025 General Assembly at KACo headquarters in Frankfort on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, from 4:30-7 p.m. EST. Register here.
Invite your legislators to the reception! They have received an invitation.
Important legislative dates
Feb. 12 – County Day, County Officials Legislative Reception
Feb. 18 – Last day to file a new Senate bill
Feb. 19 - Last day to file a new House bill
Mar. 15 -26 – Veto recess
Mar. 27-28 – Final two days of 2025 session
