State Bills: Kentucky

Legal Representation Public Advocacy Technical Corrections

Kentucky HB762 was passed by both chambers (91-0 House, 37-0 Senate) making technical corrections and substantive amendments to KRS Chapter 31 governing legal representation by the Department of Public Advocacy. The bill clarifies when the Department may be appointed to represent individuals, establishes fee forwarding requirements for attorneys, caps court-appointed attorney fees at $500, and directs development of a new trial attorney classification series.

Kentucky Estate Planning and Property Disposition Amendments

Kentucky Senate Bill 50 passed on March 5, 2026, making comprehensive amendments to the Kentucky Revised Statutes governing estate planning, probate, and inheritance. The bill enacts the Uniform Electronic Wills Act and Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act, modifies surviving spouse property shares in intestate estates, increases fiduciary penalties from $10 to $100, and establishes new procedures for fiduciary appointment, inventory filing, and motor vehicle transfer upon death.

WWATERS Program Eligibility Tightened

Kentucky amended KRS 224A.320 through HB651 to significantly tighten eligibility for the WWATERS Program, raising the threshold from meeting 1 criterion to 3 or more. The bill excludes projects expanding utility service, requires detailed project budgets and licensed engineer attestations, and adds new evaluation criteria including stormwater infiltration impairment, prior phase funding history, and cost comparability. Emergency legislation effective immediately upon passage.

Carbon Dioxide Geologic Sequestration Facility Regulations

Kentucky HB677 creates a comprehensive regulatory framework for carbon dioxide geologic sequestration facilities under KRS Chapter 353. The bill establishes Class VI underground injection control permit requirements, financial responsibility standards, administrative and trust funds with per-ton fees, and reporting obligations through the Energy and Environment Cabinet.

Kentucky HB689 Medicaid State-Directed Payment Program

Kentucky HB689 establishes a Medicaid state-directed payment program requiring the Department for Medicaid Services to seek CMS authorization for payments to physician groups affiliated with qualifying hospitals. The bill mandates retroactive payments back to January 1, 2026, upon federal approval, affecting hospitals, affiliated physicians, and Medicaid managed care organizations.

Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act Amendments - Automatic Content Recognition and Smart Monitor Data

Kentucky HB692 passed 88-0 with veto override, amending KRS 367.3611 to define 'automatic content recognition' and 'smart monitor' and to classify automatic content recognition data as sensitive data under the Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027. Regulated businesses should begin compliance preparations to address the expanded definition of sensitive data.

Child Welfare and Sex Offender Registry Restrictions

Kentucky HB778 prohibits individuals on adult or juvenile sex offender registries from being approved as foster care providers, relative caregivers, fictive kin placements, or adoptive parents. The bill also expands notification requirements for juvenile offenses, enhances penalties for abuse involving controlled substances with victims under 13, and establishes new requirements for reporting child abuse and substance-exposed infants.

Kentucky SB66 passes, expands DUI drug list

Kentucky SB66 passes, expands DUI drug list

Fiscal Reporting Thresholds Increase for Local Government Entities

Kentucky SB133 increases fiscal reporting thresholds for special purpose governmental entities under KRS 65A.030 and related statutes. The bill allows qualifying entities to move from annual audits to audits every four years if they receive two consecutive unqualified opinions. County clerk audits of motor vehicle and boat taxes are consolidated, with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet now bearing the audit costs for vehicle-related receipts.

County Treasurer Appointment Timing Restructured

Kentucky Senate Bill 149 amends KRS 68.010 to restructure county treasurer appointment timing, aligning it with county officer elections. The bill establishes new provisions for acting treasurers during absences exceeding 5 days, sets a 60-day window to fill vacancies, and requires corporate surety bonds for treasurers and deputy treasurers.