KentuckyHB 5062026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT relating to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Better pay and protections for officers

Game wardens named in state law receive the same annual training stipend as police under KRS 15.420. The commissioner must set pay for sworn officers that is competitive with other Kentucky law enforcement and supports hiring and retention. The Personnel Cabinet must carry out these changes and ensure sworn staff are covered by KRS Chapter 18A rules and benefits.

Minimum $25,000 for hunger relief

Each fiscal year, the department sets aside at least $25,000 from the game and fish fund for hunger relief tied to wildlife management. The set-aside is completed by August 1 each year. By October 1, the department reports how it spent the money to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission.

Optional $2 add-on at license purchase

When you buy a license under state fish and wildlife law, you can choose to add $2. The $2 is added at checkout and goes to a special account for the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program and other hunter and angler recruitment and retention programs.

Tighter limits on Game and Fish Fund

The game and fish fund can only pay for wildlife protection and the chapter’s purposes. It cannot be used for other things, including the prior allowance to pay the annual supplement in KRS 15.460(1)(e). This tightens how the department spends these dollars.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

David Hale
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Bill Wesley
Republican • House
Chris Fugate
Republican • House
Daniel Fister
Republican • House
John Blanton
Republican • House
Kevin Jackson
Republican • House
Mark Hart
Republican • House
William Lawrence
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 131 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 38 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 93 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

became law without Governor's Signature (Acts Ch. 148)
4/14/2026
filed without Governor's signature with the Secretary of State
4/13/2026
delivered to Governor
4/1/2026
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
4/1/2026House
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
4/1/2026House
received in House
3/31/2026House
3rd reading, passed 38-0
3/31/2026Senate
posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 31 2026
3/31/2026Senate
2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill
3/26/2026Senate
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
3/25/2026Senate
to Natural Resources & Energy (S)
3/18/2026Senate
to Committee on Committees (S)
3/13/2026Senate
received in Senate
3/13/2026Senate
3rd reading, passed 93-0 with Committee Substitute (2)
3/12/2026House
placed in the Orders of the Day
3/12/2026House
taken from Rules
3/12/2026House
reported favorably, to Rules with Committee Substitute (2)
3/12/2026House
recommitted to Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (H)
3/4/2026House
2nd reading, to Rules
2/27/2026House
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
2/26/2026House
to Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (H)
2/4/2026House
to Committee on Committees (H)
1/28/2026House
introduced in House
1/28/2026House

Bill Text

Current
3/12/2026
PDF
Introduced
1/29/2026
PDF

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