All Roll Calls
Yes: 294 • No: 64
KentuckyHB 782026 Regular SessionHouse
AN ACT relating to firearms liability protections and declaring an emergency.
Sponsored By: T.J. Roberts (Republican)
Became Law
Civil ProcedureEffective Dates, EmergencyFirearms And WeaponsShort Titles And Popular NamesAttorney GeneralFederal Laws And RegulationsCivil Actions
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Barred firearm lawsuits carry financial risks
People filing an allowed claim must give detailed facts supporting the exception, including required knowledge and direct cause of harm. Special dismissal or summary judgment motions have a 45-day hearing window and up to 60 days of discovery limited to relevant issues. A denied motion allows immediate review through an appeal or a request for a higher-court order. A covered business or trade group harmed by a barred claim brought or continued after the law's effective date can sue. It can seek court orders, actual damages, costs, and reasonable lawyer fees from the responsible party or their lawyer. Punitive damages require proof of actual malice or willful misconduct. Kentucky's Attorney General can enforce these rules, intervene in related lawsuits, and issue guidance.
Fewer lawsuits allowed against firearm companies
Kentucky law bars covered lawsuits against firearm makers, sellers, and trade groups over criminal or unlawful misuse, alteration, or modification. Covered products include firearms, ammunition, parts, and accessories; covered businesses include their owners, officers, directors, and employees. Exceptions remain for sellers who negligently supply products directly to someone likely to cause physical injury, and negligence per se claims. Other exceptions cover contract or warranty claims and knowing violations of specified firearm or export laws that alone caused the harm. Product-defect claims remain for intended use, unless a deliberate criminal act alone caused the harm. An exception also covers directly harmed parties' claims involving transfers by someone convicted under the specified federal firearm-transfer law. Local governments cannot add liability for criminal misuse, alteration, or modification, but expressly allowed claims remain available. The law creates no new duties under consumer protection, public nuisance, or general state law to bypass these limits.
Foreign governments cannot bring covered firearm lawsuits
Foreign states and governments cannot bring covered firearm liability lawsuits in any court. The law's exceptions are unavailable for claims brought by foreign governments.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
T.J. Roberts
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Daniel Elliott
Republican • House
Derek Lewis
Republican • House
Josh Calloway
Republican • House
John Hodgson
Republican • House
Kimberly Poore Moser
Republican • House
Mitch Whitaker
Republican • House
Steven Rudy
Republican • House
Vanessa Grossl
Republican • House
William Lawrence
Republican • House
Wade Williams
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/14/2026
passed
Yes: 80 • No: 19
Senate vote • 4/14/2026
passed
Yes: 31 • No: 6
House vote • 3/31/2026
passed
Yes: 76 • No: 16
Senate vote • 3/26/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 32 • No: 6
House vote • 3/17/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 75 • No: 17
Actions Timeline
delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 177)
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 31-6
4/14/2026Senateveto overridden
4/14/2026Senateposted for passage for consideration of Governor's veto
4/14/2026to Rules (S)
4/14/2026Senatereceived in Senate
4/14/2026Senatepassed 80-19
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
4/3/2026delivered to Governor
3/31/2026enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
3/31/2026Houseenrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
3/31/2026Housepassed 76-16
3/31/2026HouseHouse concurred in Committee Substitute (1)
3/31/2026Houseposted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute (1)
3/31/2026Senateto Rules (H)
3/27/2026Housereceived in House
3/27/2026House3rd reading, passed 32-6 with Committee Substitute (1)
3/26/2026Senate
Bill Text
Current
4/14/2026
Introduced
12/15/2025
Related Bills
SB 197, AN ACT providing funding and establishing conditions for state government agencies and institutions, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.
SB 133, AN ACT relating to the fiscal reporting of local entities.
HB 869, AN ACT relating to fiscal matters and declaring an emergency.
SB 324, AN ACT relating to the entertainment industry.
SB 66, AN ACT relating to the operation of a motor vehicle.
HB 826, AN ACT relating to education.