All Roll Calls
Yes: 326 • No: 22
KentuckyHB 6192026 Regular SessionHouse
AN ACT relating to public postsecondary education.
Sponsored By: Josh Bray (Republican)
Became Law
Boards And CommissionsEducation, HigherGeneral AssemblyReports Mandated
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 8 costs, 1 mixed.
Students lose statutory college insurance program
The law repeals the student medical and accident insurance program established by state law. Students who relied on that program lose access to it under the repealed section. The law does not identify replacement coverage, premiums, or how many students are affected.
More training paths for college students
Community college students can pursue certificates and diplomas that do not lead to an associate degree. The system must develop each program, and its board must review it. By August 1, 2026, the system president must name a workforce liaison. The liaison works with employers and state economic and labor agencies on job needs, recruitment, placement, and student outcomes. The law sets no tuition discount or guaranteed job benefit.
Public pilot schools gain funding eligibility
Certified public college pilot schools qualify as aviation programs under Kentucky's aerospace, aviation, and defense investment fund rules. Schools must be regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration under 14 C.F.R. part 61. This expands eligible programs but does not guarantee an award or set a funding amount.
Stronger financial checks for community colleges
The community college system president must hire a chief financial officer by August 1, 2026. The officer oversees system operating and building budgets and reports to the president and board at least quarterly. Reports cover revenue, spending, fund balances, cash-flow forecasts, and major financial changes. The officer must certify accuracy, immediately report material misstatements, and oversee cooperation with required audits and reviews.
College workers lose statutory workplace processes
Community college employees covered by the former statutory personnel dispute system lose access to that process. The law does not describe a replacement. The system also no longer must deduct authorized employee membership-group dues or send those groups quarterly employee lists. The repealed deduction rule excluded labor organization dues, fees, assessments, and political contributions. The law does not change dues owed or say whether another deduction method is available.
Some students lose statutory credit routes
The law removes a requirement to award full or partial degree credit to graduates of qualifying community college programs. That rule covered programs that became accredited degree programs within the preceding three years, using institution criteria approved by the board. The law also repeals the transfer rule for coursework accepted before Kentucky's community and technical college system began. It does not state what alternative rules apply or how many credits students lose.
Community college decisions move to system leaders
The law replaces local community college boards with chancellors who manage daily operations, prepare budget requests, and carry out approved budgets. College plans must match the state's higher education agenda and receive the system president's approval. The president manages system operations and can approve, change, or end programs after faculty input and consultation with the system board. Faculty senates no longer hold the former primary role over academic policy and curriculum. The system board reviews rather than adopts the president's two-year budget request and must set identical minimum qualifications for presidents and chancellors.
New board rules for community colleges
Beginning October 1, 2026, Kentucky's community and technical college system has a separate 17-member board. The Governor appoints 14 members, subject to Senate confirmation; faculty, nonteaching staff, and students elect one member each. Six appointees come from specified organizations' three-name lists, and eight are chosen at large. New appointees serve four-year terms, limited to two consecutive terms. Appointments must reflect the two leading parties' statewide voter registration shares, using affiliations from the previous December 31; other affiliations are excluded.
Pike County loses college service designation
The law removes the rule naming Pike County as part of Prestonsburg Community College's service area. It does not state what boundaries or access arrangements replace that designation. The repeal does not itself establish a change in individual student eligibility.
University boards lose racial representation rule
The law removes the rule requiring listed university boards to reflect at least Kentucky's minority racial population share. It also limits each board to two appointed members from the same county. These changes affect board appointments, not student admission or financial aid eligibility.
State-funded college growth needs more approvals
New accredited community college programs needing dedicated state General Fund money beyond regular funding require system board review and approval. Proposals must show mission fit, student and employer demand, use of existing resources, and a five-year budget forecast. Approved proposals go to the Council on Postsecondary Education for possible inclusion in the next two-year budget; programs needing no extra dedicated funding follow the existing approval route. Covered college or campus expansions need council approval, legislative funding, and final authorization through a legislative act or joint resolution. Within 30 days of council approval, the system must send lawmakers detailed costs and documents showing alignment with the state's higher education agenda.
College board safeguards and eligibility limits
Beginning October 1, 2026, appointed community college board members face new residency, conflict-of-interest, and attendance rules. No county can have more than one appointee; each Kentucky Supreme Court district must have one to three. District residency is measured at appointment; a move that breaks these limits or leaves the United States makes a member ineligible. Appointees cannot have a conflict under the state's conflict-of-interest law or be related to a system employee. After three consecutive missed regular meetings, the Governor may remove a member at the system president's or board chair's request.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Josh Bray
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Jason Petrie
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/14/2026
passed
Yes: 80 • No: 15
Senate vote • 4/14/2026
passed
Yes: 32 • No: 6
House vote • 4/1/2026
passed
Yes: 83 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/1/2026
passed
Yes: 38 • No: 0
House vote • 3/11/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 93 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 164)
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 80-15
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
4/1/2026Housepassed 83-0
4/1/2026HouseFree Conference Committee report adopted in House
4/1/2026Houseposted for passage for consideration of Free Conference Committee Report
4/1/2026Housetaken from Rules
4/1/2026Houseto Rules (H)
4/1/2026Housereceived in House
4/1/2026House
Bill Text
Current
4/14/2026
Introduced
2/9/2026
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