House has passed its version of budget, Senate will now examine proposal closely and make revisions

The 2026 Legislative Session is moving quickly, and the Kentucky General Assembly has now finished its ninth week of work in Frankfort. With only a few weeks remaining in this 60-day session, lawmakers are working to advance legislation while continuing negotiations on the state’s next two-year budget.

Passing a balanced budget is one of the most significant responsibilities the legislature has during even-numbered years. Lawmakers are reviewing spending proposals, agency funding requests and the long-term financial outlook for Kentucky. The House has already passed its version of the budget, and the Senate will now examine the proposal closely and make revisions where necessary. My focus is ensuring we remain responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars while protecting the essential services Kentuckians rely on.

Earlier this session, the Senate Majority Caucus introduced ten priority bills focused on addressing some of the most important challenges facing the commonwealth. All ten bills have now been filed, and several have already passed the Senate. Those measures are now under consideration in the House, while others continue to move through Senate committees.

These bills cover a range of priorities including education, economic development and reducing unnecessary bureaucracy. Many of the ideas behind these proposals came directly from conversations with constituents and community leaders across Kentucky.

This week, the Senate also passed several additional measures that will continue advancing through the legislative process.

Senate Bill 57: Creates the Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program to position Kentucky as a leader in advanced nuclear energy. Allows up to $25 million per project to support early permitting and site preparation while requiring accountability, community designation and repayment if development does not proceed. The bill aims to strengthen Kentucky’s energy portfolio and attract private investment.

Senate Bill 125: Creates a coordinated system to identify and treat youth in the juvenile justice system with the most serious behavioral health needs. Requires clinical assessments, interagency treatment planning and expanded partnerships with psychiatric providers. The bill also supports higher Medicaid reimbursement and authorizes a future high-acuity residential treatment facility.

Senate Bill 192: Reduces regulatory burdens on small cities by allowing communities with under $15 million in annual revenue or spending to use simpler accounting methods. Cities under 500,000 population may use agreed-upon procedures instead of full audits while maintaining transparency and oversight. The goal is to lower costs and free resources for local priorities.

Senate Bill 156: Strengthens Kentucky’s ban on child marriage by establishing 18 as the clear minimum age to marry. The bill removes outdated provisions that previously allowed 17-year-olds to marry with court approval. It ensures consistent protections for minors statewide.

Senate Bill 173: Creates a formal legislative review process for Kentucky’s Medicaid and KCHIP state plans. Lawmakers would review annual submissions and amendments using a process similar to administrative regulation review. The bill increases legislative oversight of major Medicaid policy decisions.

Senate Bill 191: Creates a performance-based pilot program to improve kindergarten readiness through early childhood providers. Incentives would reward measurable improvements in literacy, development and school readiness outcomes. The program would run from 2027–2029 and report results to lawmakers.

Senate Bill 50: Modernizes Kentucky probate, estate and trust laws by updating inheritance rules, improving court procedures and allowing electronic wills. The bill adopts national uniform standards for trust administration and asset protection. It aims to streamline estate planning and administration.

Senate Bill 59: Strengthens Kentucky’s prohibition on using taxpayer dollars or government resources to advocate for or against ballot measures. Establishes fines and misdemeanor penalties for repeated violations. The bill reinforces that public resources must be used for public service, not political advocacy.

Senate Bill 137: Creates a provisional medical license to help recruit experienced international physicians to underserved areas. Qualified doctors may practice under a three-year provisional license that converts to a full license if they remain in good standing. The bill aims to expand Kentucky’s physician workforce.

Senate Bill 199: Aligns Kentucky pesticide labeling law with federal EPA standards by recognizing EPA-approved labels as sufficient warnings under state law. The bill preserves liability if manufacturers knowingly withhold safety information. It also updates related statutory definitions.

Senate Bill 177: Updates licensure laws for speech-language pathologists and assistants to reflect modern professional standards. Removes outdated supervision language and clarifies experience requirements for interstate compact applicants. The bill helps align Kentucky’s licensing system with current practices.

Senate Bill 245: Updates Kentucky’s licensing framework for retailers selling tobacco, nicotine and vapor products. Establishes standardized application requirements, approval timelines and batch licensing for multi-location businesses. It also strengthens enforcement against unlicensed retailers.

Senate Bill 8: Modernizes the Kentucky Public Service Commission by expanding membership from three to five and establishing qualification standards and term limits. Appointments would be split between the governor and the auditor. The bill strengthens oversight and independence in utility regulation.

Senate Joint Resolution 54: Directs state agencies to collaborate on increasing enrollment in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The effort focuses on coordinated outreach to expand early childhood literacy access. Agencies must report progress and recommendations by Nov. 1, 2026.

Serving you in Frankfort is a responsibility I take seriously. I’m proud to represent the people of Bath, Clark, Fayette, Menifee, and Montgomery counties and the communities of District 28. If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts, feel free to reach out at 502-564-8100 or email me at Greg.Elkins@kylegislature.gov.