The Kentucky General Assembly’s 2025 Regular Session kicked off Tuesday with the swearing in of returning and new legislators. The House welcomed 15 new legislators, nine Republicans and six Democrats, and the Senate swore in six new legislators, five Republicans and one Democrat. You can find who your legislators are here.
This year is a short 30-working day session. Legislators convened this week to kickstart the session but will not convene again until part II of the session begins on Feb. 4. To view the legislative session calendar, click here.
In the first week, legislators filed more than 250 bills, including priority legislation.
Continuing to lower the state income tax remains a priority for the Republican majority.
The House passed HB 1 this week, which would reduce the state income tax from 4 percent to 3.5 percent beginning Jan. 1, 2026. The bill was sent to the Senate where it has already received two of the three required readings and should receive final passage as soon as the legislature returns in February.
Bills of county interestHB 35, sponsored by Rep. Mitch Whitaker, would require the state to start reimbursing counties for housing state inmates beginning on the day an inmate is charged with a felony offense. Currently counties do not receive reimbursement until the day an inmate is sentenced on a felony offense.
A flurry of homestead exemption-related bills were filed this week including HB 52, HB 94, HB 134, HB 158, and SB 67.
Bills were also filed on topics relevant to counties including:
- Consolidation of delinquent tax bills- HB 159
- Cremation of unclaimed bodies – SB 37
Gov. Andy Beshear delivered his annual State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday before a joint session of the legislature, highlighting Kentucky’s strong economic growth, major investments, and progress in addressing significant natural disasters and challenges.
Emphasizing the importance of collaboration and pushing out “national noise,” Beshear urged lawmakers to focus on thoughtful legislation to improve education, address addiction and homelessness and attract new talent to Kentucky.
You can read the full press release and complete text of the address here.
Annual state chamber legislative dinnerThe Kentucky Chamber hosted its annual dinner Thursday evening featuring remarks from the two caucus leaders from each chamber and the Governor.
Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker David Osborne both credited Republican-led legislative action for the successes of Kentucky’s economy, chiefly through their efforts to incrementally lower the state income tax rate, with the ultimate goal of eliminating it.
Gov. Beshear has endorsed the measure and repeated his calls for universal pre-K, teacher salary raises and a talent attraction program.
Check out these stories about committee leadership for the 2025 session:
- Committee leaders announced for Kentucky Senate
- House majority leadership announces committee chairs
IMPORTANT SESSION DATES – MARK YOUR CALENDAR
- Feb. 4 – Part II of the session convenes
- Feb. 12 – County Officials Legislative Reception – register here!
- Feb. 18 – Last day for filing new Senate Bills
- Feb. 19 – Last day for filing new House Bills
- Mar. 15-26 – Veto period
- Mar. 27-28 – Final legislative days
To view the standing committee weekly schedule, click here.
Photo by LRC: House Majority Whip Jason Nemes, House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, House Speaker David W. Osborne and House Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade confer during Wednesday’s House proceedings.
