All Roll Calls
Yes: 217 • No: 43
KentuckyHB 6072026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT relating to consolidated local governments.
Sponsored By: Chris Lewis (Republican)
Became Law
Local MandateAudits And AuditorsCitiesConsolidated Local GovernmentsLocal GovernmentPublic EthicsPublic Officers And EmployeesRedistrictingSpecial DistrictsTaxationTaxation, Property
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.
Local council maps face tighter standards
After each 10-year census is published, consolidated local governments must follow standards when needed to redraw council districts. District populations must be within 2.5% of the ideal population. Precincts stay whole unless population requirements or applicable population laws require a split. Maps cannot exclude serving members' homes or put two serving members together unless an affected member requests it. Districts must be compact and connected, respecting neighborhood, community, and city boundaries whenever possible.
Local councils can hire separate legal counsel
A consolidated local government council, or either of its two major political caucuses, can hire or retain legal counsel. Lawyers can give advice, consult, and prepare or review legislation. Opinions on whether council actions are legal or constitutional are advisory, not binding. The county attorney's advice and representation duties remain subject to fiscal court exceptions and the law's specified legal-service exceptions.
Local councils cannot block properly filed legislation
A consolidated local government council cannot adopt rules that block filing legislation that meets the required legal form. Those requirements are in KRS 83A.060(1), (2), and (3). Filing does not require the council to adopt the legislation.
Local councils oversee separate audit offices
Each consolidated local government must maintain a separate internal audit office with a sufficient budget. It reports directly to the council and can audit or review finances and performance. Its chief must be at least 21, serves four-year terms, and can serve consecutive terms. The council sets appointment methods and added qualifications by ordinance; removal is allowed for neglect, incapacity, improper conduct, or wrongdoing. Chiefs serving before the law's effective date can finish their terms and remain eligible for reappointment.
City petitions face deadlines and clerk review
Petitions to form a city or annex territory must follow KRS 65.012(1). They must be circulated within one year after the first signature. Completed petitions go first to the county clerk. The clerk sends them to the consolidated local government council only after finding the signatures in order.
District taxes must cover more service costs
An urban service tax district's extra tax must cover at least 95% of its additional service costs, including capital spending. These are services beyond those provided in the rest of the county. After June 30, 2034, that tax must cover at least 100% of those costs. The law does not set household tax rates or require a specific tax increase.
Separate property taxes for land and buildings
A consolidated local government council can approve separate property tax rates for land and buildings by ordinance. This applies only in the county area formerly covered by the first-class city. The building rate can be lower than the land rate, but must remain a real tax levy. The compensating rate must keep total revenue equal to the prior year's revenue; tax-recall thresholds also use total revenue. The homestead exemption applies first to buildings, then to land.
Local councils can override covered board rules
A consolidated local government council can override rules, regulations, or similar actions from boards under KRS Chapter 109 or 212. The council must pass an overriding resolution within 45 days after the board issues the action. The action must concern conduct by residents or businesses within the government's area. The law itself does not cancel any particular rule.
Local ethics boards get new membership rules
A consolidated local government's ethics enforcement group has seven members: three mayoral appointees and four council appointees. Each of the two largest council political caucuses appoints two of the four council members. No party can hold more than three seats; members need at least four years of party registration before selection. Regular terms last four years, and current members' terms end December 31, 2026. For the transition, the mayor appoints one member for four years and two for two years; each caucus appoints one for each term length.
Local officials face ethics enforcement rules
Cities, counties, urban-counties, consolidated local governments, and charter counties must adopt ethics codes by ordinance. Codes cover elected officials and appointed officials and employees, including those of jointly created agencies. They require annual financial disclosures from candidates for covered offices and elected and other designated officials or employees. They must address employment of family members and provide an enforcement body to keep disclosures, receive complaints, give opinions, investigate, and impose penalties. Covered elected offices include mayor, county judge/executive, council members, clerk, county attorney, sheriff, jailer, coroner, surveyor, and constable. School board members are excluded; special-purpose government boards and employees follow separate statutory rules. Governments can share ethics codes, regional boards, and administration through agreements, including administrative services from an area development district. Codes can be amended but not repealed. Within 21 days of adoption or amendment, governments must send the ordinance and proof of publication to the Department for Local Government. First-class cities and consolidated local governments must follow their specified publication rules. The department keeps public records and lists governments with and without codes. Noncompliance with adoption, publication, or delivery requirements triggers suspension of state-agency and area-development-district services or payments until compliance. Nondiscretionary payments due to the state for services or utilities are not withheld. A consolidated government's council can authorize civil administrative subpoenas by simple majority; Circuit Court can enforce them through contempt. Its ethics group must use county attorney staff or have the county attorney obtain outside counsel under applicable procurement rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Chris Lewis
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Emily Callaway
Republican • House
Jared Bauman
Republican • House
John Hodgson
Republican • House
Jason Nemes
Republican • House
Ken Fleming
Republican • House
Susan Witten
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/14/2026
passed
Yes: 77 • No: 18
Senate vote • 4/14/2026
passed
Yes: 32 • No: 6
Senate vote • 3/31/2026
passed
Yes: 32 • No: 5
House vote • 3/17/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 76 • No: 14
Actions Timeline
delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 165)
4/14/2026enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
4/14/2026Houseenrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
4/14/2026Housereceived in House
4/14/2026Housepassed 32-6
4/14/2026Senateveto overridden
4/14/2026Senateposted for consideration of Governor's veto
4/14/2026to Rules (S)
4/14/2026Senatereceived in Senate
4/14/2026Senatepassed 77-18
4/14/2026Houseveto overridden
4/14/2026Houseposted for consideration of Governor's veto
4/14/2026taken from Rules
4/14/2026Houseto Rules (H)
4/14/2026Housereceived in House
4/14/2026HouseVetoed
4/13/2026delivered to Governor
4/1/2026enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
4/1/2026Houseenrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
4/1/2026Housereceived in House
3/31/2026Housepassed 32-5
3/31/2026Senatefloor amendment (2) withdrawn
3/31/2026Senatefloor amendment (1) withdrawn
3/31/2026Senate3rd reading
3/31/2026Senatefloor amendments (1) and (2-title) filed
3/27/2026Senate
Bill Text
Current
4/14/2026
Introduced
2/9/2026
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