All Roll Calls
Yes: 159 • No: 9
KentuckySB 982026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT relating to welding safety.
Sponsored By: Phillip Wheeler (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Effective Dates, DelayedHousing, Building, And ConstructionLabor And IndustryLocal MandateOccupations And ProfessionsWorkforce
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Certified welders required on state steel projects
Beginning January 1, 2027, on state construction jobs where the design includes American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 or D1.5 and the state agency asks for them, welders must be tested and certified by an AWS‑accredited facility or individual. All structural steel welds on those jobs must meet at least the AWS D1.1 or D1.5 standards. If ASME work is required, it must be done by ASME‑certified welders. Contractors and subcontractors must make sure these rules are followed.
Home and farm welding is exempt
Beginning January 1, 2027, welding on a homeowner’s or farmer’s own property is exempt. This covers work they do themselves or ask to have done on their premises. The new certification and welding standards do not apply to those on‑premises projects.
Rules apply only when state requests
Beginning January 1, 2027, the certification and welding‑standards rules apply only when two things are true. The job is under a state government contract, and the contracting state agency asks for these requirements. If either condition is not met, the statutory welding rules do not apply.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Phillip Wheeler
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
David Meade
Republican • House
Gary Clemons
Democrat • Senate
Gerald A. Neal
Democrat • Senate
Wade Williams
Republican • House
Kim Banta
Republican • House
Scott Madon
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/15/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 89 • No: 5
Senate vote • 4/15/2026
passed
Yes: 37 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 33 • No: 4
Actions Timeline
Allow a trainee welder to weld without certification while under the direct supervision of a certified welder and with normal inspection and quality control requirements; prohibit designating the trainee welder as the responsible structural welder; allow entry-level, apprentice, and trainee welders to gain supervised on-the-job welding experience toward certification.
4/27/2026K. Banta
4/27/2026Sponsor
4/27/2026signed by Governor
4/27/2026delivered to Governor
4/15/2026enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
4/15/2026enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
4/15/2026passed 37-0
4/15/2026Senate concurred in Floor Amendment (4)
4/15/2026to Rules (S)
4/15/2026Senatereceived in Senate
4/15/2026Senate3rd reading, passed 89-5 with Floor Amendment (4)
4/15/2026placed in the Orders of the Day
4/15/2026taken from Rules
4/15/2026floor amendment (4) filed
4/14/2026floor amendment (3) filed
4/1/2026floor amendments (1) and (2) filed
3/25/20262nd reading, to Rules
3/25/2026reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
3/24/2026reassigned to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (H)
3/17/2026Houseto Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)
3/5/2026Houseto Committee on Committees (H)
2/26/2026Housereceived in House
2/26/2026House3rd reading, passed 33-4
2/25/2026posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, February 25 2026
2/23/2026
Bill Text
Current
4/15/2026
Introduced
2/25/2026
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