Pedestrian Rights-of-Way Law
Summary
Kentucky Governor signed HB189 into law, creating a new section of KRS Chapter 189 to define pedestrian rights-of-way terms and prohibit persons from remaining on state-maintained rights-of-way not designated for pedestrian use. The law authorizes local governments to enact ordinances for limited exceptions and allows the Transportation Cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations establishing minimum standards.
What changed
Kentucky HB189 creates a new section of KRS Chapter 189 establishing definitions and prohibitions regarding pedestrian access to state-maintained rights-of-way. The bill prohibits persons from remaining on portions of state-maintained rights-of-way not designated for pedestrian use, while providing exemptions and authorizing local governmental exceptions. The Transportation Cabinet is empowered to promulgate administrative regulations defining minimum standards for state-maintained rights-of-way, and KRS 189.570 is amended to conform.
Local governments must review the new law and determine whether to enact ordinances authorizing limited exceptions to the prohibition. Entities should monitor for administrative regulations promulgated by the Transportation Cabinet establishing minimum standards for state-maintained rights-of-way. The bill passed the House 80-11 (with veto override) and Senate 31-6 before becoming law on March 29, 2026.
What to do next
- Review HB189 provisions regarding prohibited activities on state-maintained rights-of-way
- Assess whether local ordinances need to be enacted or updated to authorize exceptions
- Monitor for Transportation Cabinet administrative regulations establishing minimum standards
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Kentucky / HB189 Signed by Governor HB189 House Bill Signed by Governor 2026-03-29
AN ACT relating to pedestrians.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 189 to define terms; prohibit a person from remaining on any portion of a state-maintained right-of-way that is not designated for pedestrian use; provide exemptions and authorize local governmental exceptions; allow local governments to enact ordinances to authorize limited exceptions to the prohibition; allow the Transportation Cbinet to promulgate administrative regulations to define minimum standards for state-maintained rights-of-way; amend KRS 189.570 to conform.
Bill Details
State Kentucky
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber House
Official Source apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb189....
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Kevin Jackson (Rep - R) Robert Duvall (Rep - R) Scott Lewis (Rep - R) Shawn McPherson (Rep - R) Michael Meredith (Rep - R) Steve Riley (Rep - R)
Action History
2026-03-29 H became law without Governor's Signature 2026-03-27 H filed without Governor's signature with the Secretary of State 2026-03-24 H delivered to Governor 2026-03-24 H enrolled, signed by President of the Senate 2026-03-24 H enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House 2026-03-24 H received in House 2026-03-24 S passed 31-6 2026-03-24 S floor amendment (1) withdrawn 2026-03-24 S 3rd reading 2026-03-20 S posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 24 2026 2026-03-19 S 2nd reading, to Rules 2026-03-18 S floor amendment (1) filed 2026-03-18 S reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar 2026-03-16 S to Transportation (S) 2026-02-06 S to Committee on Committees (S) 2026-02-06 S received in Senate 2026-02-05 H 3rd reading, passed 80-11 with Committee Substitute (1) 2026-02-04 H posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 05 2026 2026-01-29 H 2nd reading, to Rules 2026-01-28 H reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1) 2026-01-14 H to Transportation (H) 2026-01-07 H to Committee on Committees (H) 2026-01-07 H introduced in House
Votes
2026-02-05 House: Veto Override RCS# 58 Yea: 80 Nay: 11 2026-03-24 Senate: Third Reading RSN# 3980 Yea: 31 Nay: 6
Committee Referrals
2026-01-07 H Committee On Committees 2026-01-14 H Transportation 2026-01-29 H Rules 2026-02-06 S Committee on Committees 2026-03-16 S Transportation 2026-03-19 S Rules
Amendments
0000-00-00 House Committee Substitute 0000-00-00 Senate Floor Amendment
Bill Text Versions
0000-00-00 Introduced 0000-00-00 Engrossed
Subjects
Administrative Regulations and Proceedings Highways, Streets, and Bridges Local Government State Agencies Traffic Safety Transportation Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
Named provisions
Related changes
Source
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get Government & Legislation alerts
Weekly digest. AI-summarized, no noise.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when State Bills: Kentucky publishes new changes.