# Kentucky HB 577: AN ACT relating to economic development. Kentucky HB 577, AN ACT relating to economic development., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Josh Branscum (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 114)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/KY-HB577-2026RS - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Kentucky HB 577 - State: Kentucky - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: AN ACT relating to economic development. - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-02-06 - Last action: 2026-04-13, signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 114) - Sponsor: Josh Branscum (Republican) - Cosponsors: 2 - Subjects: Economic Development, Funds, Information Technology, Science And Technology, Small Business, State Agencies, Technology - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 2 (135 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 4 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Statewide startup hubs and services: benefit, medium. The law creates a statewide Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub Program run by the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Hubs are local headquarters that connect startups to services. The program targets early‑stage, high‑growth, and knowledge‑based companies. Applications are accepted at leas… - More capital for the Enterprise Fund: benefit, medium. The law moves money into the Enterprise Fund from three state funds: rural innovation, commercialization, and alternative fuel and renewable energy. The fund can also accept public or private contributions with Cabinet‑approved conditions. Unspent balances are invested and do not lapse; earnings st… - Angel investor tax credit rules: mixed, medium. To qualify, an investor must be an individual (a single‑member LLC you own is allowed) and be SEC‑accredited. A qualified investment must be cash of at least $10,000 and give you equity or near‑equity (like stock, a SAFE, or convertible debt). You cannot own over 20% of the company, work there befo… - Enterprise Fund awards and equity terms: mixed, medium. The Enterprise Fund finances feasibility work (up to $50,000), concept development (up to $250,000), and advanced projects (up to $500,000). For new investments on or after July 1, 2021, one company can receive no more than $500,000 total. At least 20% of yearly funds go to rural or enhanced‑incent… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Josh Branscum (Republican), House - Cosponsor: George Brown Jr. (Democrat), House - Cosponsor: Vanessa Grossl (Republican), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-03-31 | Senate | 3rd reading, passed | pass | 37 | 0 | | | 2026-02-18 | House | 3rd reading, passed | pass | 98 | 0 | | ## Actions (19) - 2026-04-13: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 114) - 2026-04-01: delivered to Governor - 2026-04-01: enrolled, signed by President of the Senate (House) - 2026-04-01: enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House (House) - 2026-03-31: received in House (House) - 2026-03-31: 3rd reading, passed 37-0 (Senate) - 2026-03-27: posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 31 2026 (Senate) - 2026-03-27: 2nd reading, to Rules (Senate) - 2026-03-26: reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar (Senate) - 2026-03-16: to Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor (S) (Senate) - 2026-02-19: to Committee on Committees (S) (Senate) - 2026-02-19: received in Senate (Senate) - 2026-02-18: 3rd reading, passed 98-0 (House) - 2026-02-17: posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, February 18 2026 (House) - 2026-02-13: 2nd reading, to Rules (House) - 2026-02-12: reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar (House) - 2026-02-10: to Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H) (House) - 2026-02-06: to Committee on Committees (H) (House) - 2026-02-06: introduced in House (House) ## Bill text - Current, 2026-02-18: [PDF](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb577/bill.pdf) - Introduced, 2026-02-18: [PDF](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb577/orig_bill.pdf) ## Related bills - SB 197: AN ACT providing funding and establishing conditions for state government agencies and institutions, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergen… (became law) - SB 133: AN ACT relating to the fiscal reporting of local entities. (signed) - HB 869: AN ACT relating to fiscal matters and declaring an emergency. (signed) - HB 727: AN ACT relating to education and declaring an emergency. (signed) - SB 324: AN ACT relating to the entertainment industry. (signed) - SB 66: AN ACT relating to the operation of a motor vehicle. (signed) ## Sources - [Current (PDF)](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb577/bill.pdf) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb577/orig_bill.pdf) ## Related - [SB 197: AN ACT providing funding and establishing conditions for state government agenc…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/KY-SB197-2026RS) - [SB 133: AN ACT relating to the fiscal reporting of local entities.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/KY-SB133-2026RS) - [HB 869: AN ACT relating to fiscal matters and declaring an emergency.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/KY-HB869-2026RS) - [HB 727: AN ACT relating to education and declaring an emergency.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/KY-HB727-2026RS) - [SB 324: AN ACT relating to the entertainment industry.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/KY-SB324-2026RS) - [SB 66: AN ACT relating to the operation of a motor vehicle.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/KY-SB66-2026RS) - [Kentucky bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/kentucky/bills) - [Kentucky state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/kentucky) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/KY-HB577-2026RS (as of 2026-11-01).