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KentuckyHB 1422026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT relating to depredating wildlife and declaring an emergency.

Sponsored By: Michael Sarge Pollock (Republican)

Became Law

AgricultureEffective Dates, EmergencyFish And WildlifeHunting And FishingLand UseLandlord And TenantState Agencies

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Landowners get tags for damaging deer

A landowner's chosen, department-approved helper can request destruction tags when wildlife damages land or property. The Kentucky wildlife department must inspect within 15 days of the request. After confirming damage, it must issue at least five tags each year for two years. These tags allow the helper to take antlerless deer outside the regular hunting season. The department must renew a tag immediately when continuing damage is verified. Proof must be a time- and date-stamped electronic image or a current crop production report. Helpers who received a tag in each of the three consecutive years before the law took effect can also request renewal. They must provide the same proof of continuing damage.

Hunters gain seasons and permit drawing access

The commission must create an extra 7- to 10-day antlerless deer season in areas the department designates as overpopulated. The extra season remains in place until deer density has fallen enough. Hunters gain entry to the agency's special fundraising permit drawing after lawfully taking and reporting at least four female antlerless deer. Those deer must come from a designated overpopulated area during the previous hunting season. Hunters must submit a time-stamped photo of each deer through the department's telecheck review system, as regulations require. The entry request must use the name of the hunter who completed the harvest and documentation. This entry path excludes wild elk permits and does not guarantee a permit.

Landowners gain wildlife control with reporting

Landowners, their spouses, and dependent children can take or trap wildlife damaging their land or property outside the open season. They do not need a hunting or trapping license for this. Resident tenants who work on the land, their spouses, and dependent children also qualify for damage control. Their authority covers damage to the land or personal property. Landowners can also choose someone with the proper Kentucky license or permit, department approval, and a destruction tag. Takes must be reported to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources within 24 hours. A carcass tag must be requested before moving a carcass off the property. Inedible parts must be destroyed or left on that property.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michael Sarge Pollock

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Beverly Chester-Burton

    Democrat • House

  • Myron Dossett

    Republican • House

  • Ryan Bivens

    Republican • House

  • Shawn McPherson

    Republican • House

  • Steven Rudy

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 313 • No: 40

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

passed

Yes: 30 • No: 6

House vote • 4/14/2026

passed

Yes: 86 • No: 11

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 38 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2026

passed

Yes: 81 • No: 7

House vote • 3/3/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 78 • No: 16

Actions Timeline

  1. delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 174)

    4/14/2026

  2. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

    4/14/2026House

  3. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

    4/14/2026House

  4. received in House

    4/14/2026House

  5. passed 30-6

    4/14/2026Senate

  6. veto overridden

    4/14/2026Senate

  7. posted for passage for consideration of Governor's veto

    4/14/2026

  8. to Rules (S)

    4/14/2026Senate

  9. received in Senate

    4/14/2026Senate

  10. passed 86-11

    4/14/2026House

  11. veto overridden

    4/14/2026House

  12. posted for consideration of Governor's veto

    4/14/2026

  13. taken from Rules

    4/14/2026House

  14. to Rules (H)

    4/14/2026House

  15. received in House

    4/14/2026House

  16. Vetoed

    4/13/2026

  17. delivered to Governor

    4/1/2026

  18. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

    4/1/2026House

  19. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

    4/1/2026House

  20. passed 81-7

    3/31/2026House

  21. House concurred in Committee Substitute (1)

    3/31/2026House

  22. posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute (1)

    3/31/2026Senate

  23. to Rules (H)

    3/31/2026House

  24. received in House

    3/31/2026House

  25. 3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1)

    3/31/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    4/14/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/6/2026

    PDF

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