Kansas railroad hall of fame, selection committee established

The Kansas Senate passed SB353, establishing an official state railroad hall of fame and creating a Kansas railroad hall of fame selection committee. The bill received strong bipartisan support, passing the Senate 40-0 and the House 114-4 before being enrolled on April 9, 2026.

Kansas conservation license plates for Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever and Delta Waterfowl

Kansas Senate Bill 403 establishes three new distinctive conservation license plate programs for Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, and Delta Waterfowl organizations. The bill passed the Senate and House with strong bipartisan support and was enrolled on April 9, 2026, after conference committee reconciliation.

Deputy Coroner Training Deadline Extensions

Kentucky HB43 was signed into law, amending KRS 72.415 to allow the Commissioner of the Department of Criminal Justice Training to grant extensions for deputy coroners to complete required training. The bill specifies when the extension period begins to toll and establishes consequences for failing to complete training within the extension period.

Kentucky CPA Licensure Expansion Act

Kentucky Governor signed HB45 into law on April 3, 2026, amending Kentucky Revised Statutes to expand CPA licensure pathways and grant practice privileges to out-of-state licensed CPAs. The bill adds optional requirements for licensure under KRS 325.261, permits interstate practice under KRS 325.282, and repeals KRS 325.263. Affected parties include CPA candidates, licensed accountants, and businesses employing accounting professionals in Kentucky.

Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor Scholarship Fund

Kentucky HB49 establishes the Kentucky Professional Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor Incentive Scholarship Fund to provide postsecondary scholarships to Kentucky residents pursuing engineering or land surveying degrees. The engineer and surveyor board will administer the fund, awarding scholarships through contracts requiring recipients to obtain licensure within 6 years of graduation and practice in Kentucky for one year per scholarship year received.

Amusement Ride Notification and Agricultural Program Amendments

Kentucky Governor signed HB56 into law, amending multiple statutes administered by the Department of Agriculture. The bill requires amusement ride operators and insurance carriers to notify the Department of Agriculture of each intended operating site open to the public, makes inspection tags valid for one year, establishes a civil fine process for grain dealer violations, and updates egg dealer license expiration dates. The bill also repeals multiple tobacco-related statutes and the Egg Marketing Board.

Farmer-Veterinarian Animal Care Authority

Kentucky HB111 was signed into law by Governor, creating a new section of KRS Chapter 257 that permits farmers and their veterinarians to solely determine and implement on-farm animal health care and production practices. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers (94-0 House, 38-0 Senate). This legislation clarifies the authority of farmer-veterinarian relationships in animal health decision-making.

Firearms Liability Protections Bill Vetoed

Kentucky HB78, titled the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms (PLCAA) Clarification Act of 2026, was vetoed by the Governor on April 3, 2026. The bill would have created liability protections for firearms manufacturers and sellers against lawsuits arising from criminal or unlawful use of firearms. Despite passing both chambers with veto-proof majorities (House 76-16, Senate 32-6), the bill did not become law.

Hearing Aid Coverage Increase from $1,400 to $2,500

The Kentucky General Assembly passed HB164, signed by the Governor on April 3, 2026, increasing mandatory health insurance coverage for hearing aids from $1,400 to $2,500 per hearing aid. The bill also establishes network adequacy requirements for hearing aid providers and raises the state employee health plan cap to $2,500. The legislation takes effect January 1, 2027 for plans issued or renewed on or after that date.

Health Savings Account Qualified Insurance - Cost-Sharing Limitations

Kentucky General Assembly enacted HB184 to limit health insurance cost-sharing requirements that would cause policies to lose HSA-qualified status under federal law. The bill creates new sections in KRS Chapter 304 and KRS Chapter 18A and may be cited as the Health Savings Account State-Federal Regulatory Coordination Model Act. The legislation passed with unanimous votes in both chambers (94-0 House, 38-0 Senate) and was signed by the Governor on April 3, 2026.