After session was canceled Monday due to icy road conditions statewide, lawmakers returned to Frankfort on Tuesday for a busy week of legislative activity. With 43 legislative days remaining, committees resumed work and several high-impact measures began to move.
House files budget bills
House Appropriations and Revenue Chairman Jason Petrie (R-Todd) filed budget bills Tuesday for the executive branch, transportation, and judicial branch. These filings represent only the first step in the budget process and are expected to change substantially before passage in the House and further revisions in the Senate.
The executive branch budget (HB 500) was described as largely “scaled back,” with many agency funding requests above base levels removed. Chairman Petrie emphasized on the House floor that agencies will be required to testify before budget review subcommittees to justify their funding requests.
The transportation cabinet budget bill (HB 501) includes:
- $19.2 million in FY2027 and $18.6 million in FY2028 for the Local Assistance Road Program (LARP). This program received $20 million annually in the last biennium. The House has not yet filed their LARP project list for FY2027. More than 1,200 projects were submitted by county and city governments totaling $121 million in need. Click here for more details on the applications.
- $24 million in FY2027 and $23.25 million in FY2028 for the County and City Bridge Improvement Fund. This program was funded at $25 million per year in the last biennium.
The judicial branch budget (HB 504) includes 2% raises for judicial branch employees, including deputy circuit clerks.
KACo will continue to provide analysis as these bills move through the legislative process.
Electronic payment and filing of occupational license fees
HB 518, filed by House Local Government Committee Chairman Rep. Patrick Flannery (R-Carter) is the latest proposal targeting occupational license tax filing and payment.
Unlike last year’s attempt to require the construction of a centralized, state-level optional collection portal, this bill would require the Secretary of State’s office to convene a 12-member advisory committee to develop separate fillable PDF forms for:
- Net profits returns
- Gross receipts returns
- Payroll tax returns
All jurisdictions would be required to adopt these forms as their exclusive electronic filing option and offer electronic or ACH payment by Jan. 1, 2028. Local governments would be able to charge a $2 electronic processing fee, along with any additional surcharge associated with accepting electronic payments.
Bills on the move
SB 84 – Sen. Matt Deneen (R-Hardin)
Passed out of committee. The bill would require coroners to establish 10 emergency response districts to coordinate responses to mass fatality events. It also provides $200,000 in FY2027 to the Kentucky Coroners Association emergency response trailers and equipment to support these efforts.
HB 188 – Rep. Kevin Jackson (R-Warren)
Passed out of committee. The bill would expand assault in the third degree to include intentionally causing or attempting to cause physical injury to a healthcare provider working in a jail or prison. The legislation also expands eligibility to allow jailers and deputy jailers to participate in an optional peer support counseling program.
HB 139 – Rep. Jennifer Decker (R-Shelby)
A comprehensive elections bill that would:
- Allow the State Board of Elections to share data with other government agencies when investigating election offenses
- Require voting systems to at least meet Election Assistance Commission standards
- Clarify candidate filing requirements for Commonwealth’s Attorney races and special elections
Legislative reception
County officials are encouraged to invite their legislators and attend the County Officials Legislative Reception on Wednesday, Feb. 11, hosted at KACo Headquarters from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Click here to register.
Important legislative dates
Feb. 11 – County Officials Legislative Reception
Feb. 16 – No session, Presidents Day
March 2 – last day for new Senate bills
March 4 – last day for new House bills
April 2-13 – Veto recess
April 14-15 – last two days of session
For questions or feedback, contact Shellie Hampton or Kayla Smith at shellie.hampton@kaco.org or kayla.smith@kaco.org.
