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Yes: 236 • No: 51
KentuckySB 252025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT relating to oversight of government operations and declaring an emergency.
Sponsored By: Robby Mills (Republican)
Became Law
Housing, Building, and ConstructionLand UseLocal GovernmentPlanning and ZoningBonds, PublicCivil ActionsLocal Mandate
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
59 provisions identified: 53 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.
More funding for Kentucky highway construction
The Department of Highways gets $250 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 and $200 million in 2025–2026. The money supports the State Supported Construction Program and selected projects in the 2024–2026 highway construction plan. Selected projects cover industrial development, economic and quality improvements, or counties projected to have the largest numerical and percentage population changes. Unspent funds do not expire and carry forward.
Arts and cultural sites receive funding
These arts and cultural grants are for fiscal year 2024–2025. Compose Arts gets $300,000 for Thy Will Be Done Productions statewide. The Department of Parks gets $850,000 to restore the Dye House at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site. The Owensboro Museum of Science and History gets $1.1 million for building infrastructure. Paducah's Lincoln High School Historical Foundation gets $1 million for a civic center project.
Clearer complaint access for cabinet clients
Covered health and family services websites must prominently post the ombudsman's website, phone number, and email at the top. The cabinet must give the ombudsman read-only access to group complaint inboxes. Agencies covered by these reviews must answer critical findings and recommendations in writing within 15 days of receiving the report. Within 60 days after completion of the audit, investigation, or draft report, agencies must report which recommendations they followed. They must explain any recommendations they did not follow.
Communities get fire and ambulance funding
In fiscal year 2024–2025, Nicholas County Fiscal Court gets $1 million to buy and install an industrial fire pumper. Murray gets $1 million to buy a firetruck. Greenup County projects receive $500,000 for ambulance purchases and renovations to emergency management headquarters and its training facility. These grants support emergency response equipment and facilities, not household payments.
Communities get parks and sports funding
These park and sports grants are for fiscal year 2024–2025. County fiscal courts receive $2.4 million for Knox County's sports complex and $4 million for Jackson County Park development. Bath County Fiscal Court gets $2 million for youth baseball fields; Menifee County Community Park gets $3.5 million for new athletic fields. McDaniels gets $135,000 for a community ballpark. Elizabethtown gets $1 million for the Elizabethtown Parks and Trails Conservancy.
Court funds move into reserve account
The law moves $34.5 million in restricted Court of Justice funds into its reserve account in fiscal year 2024–2025. This shifts existing court money rather than creating a household payment.
Covington gets violence prevention funding
Covington gets $500,000 in each of fiscal years 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 for Covington Partners' violence prevention efforts. The money supports community safety work, not direct household payments.
Families get clearer Ombudsman contact information
The health services cabinet must provide Ombudsman contact information at offices where community-based services employees or contractors work. It must also provide it at facilities housing children in cabinet custody and to cabinet and contracted foster parents. Information must be printed and publicly posted or otherwise available in an Ombudsman-approved format. The Ombudsman's office must keep information confidential, but can disclose it when advisable for its duties and recommendations.
Kentucky communities get park project funding
In each of fiscal years 2024–2025 and 2025–2026, Louisville Metro gets $1.25 million for Jefferson Memorial Forest. Campbell County Fiscal Court gets $3.75 million in each of those years for General James Taylor Park. Rockcastle County Fiscal Court gets $2.367 million in 2024–2025 and $2.3 million in 2025–2026 for a recreation complex. For 2024–2025, Bourbon County Fiscal Court gets $3 million for a community park; Leslie County Fiscal Court gets $2 million for Leeco Park. Webster County Park Welcome Center gets $100,000 in 2024–2025 and $259,000 in 2025–2026.
Kentucky courts get reserve and property funding
The law creates a Court of Justice reserve account, managed by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Money enters and leaves the account only through legislative appropriations, and unused balances carry forward. The law provides $3.2 million from the account in fiscal year 2024–2025 to buy and renovate Franklin County real estate. This money goes to Court Operations and Administration. Unspent project money carries into fiscal year 2025–2026.
Land conservancy gets federal matching funds
The Bluegrass Land Conservancy gets $4 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 through the Department for Local Government. The money serves as a match for a federal grant. It supports the conservancy's grant-funded work, not direct household payments.
Lexington's Nest receives operating support
The Nest in Lexington receives $100,000 for operations in each fiscal year, 2024–2025 and 2025–2026. The law does not specify which services receive support, who qualifies for them, or any direct household payment.
Local bridge and street projects get funding
Owsley County Fiscal Court gets $1 million for the Sturgeon Creek Bridge project in fiscal year 2024–2025. Berea gets $1 million for the Kenway Street expansion in fiscal year 2025–2026 through the Department for Local Government. The money funds local transportation projects, not direct household payments.
Local government and emergency buildings get funding
For fiscal year 2024–2025, the law provides Barbourville $1.5 million to finish City Hall and emergency medical service buildings. Knox County Fiscal Court gets $8.5 million for land and renovations for a new administrative office. Clay County Fiscal Court gets $4 million for multipurpose buildings and renovations. Jessamine County Fiscal Court gets $10,000 in each of fiscal years 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 to maintain High Bridge Fire House.
Local learning and recreation centers get funding
In fiscal year 2024–2025, Harlan County Fiscal Court gets $3.8 million for its Wellness and Recreation Center. Allen County Fiscal Court gets $250,000 to build a community center with the Core of Scottsville that year. Fort Thomas gets $2.5 million each fiscal year through the Department for Local Government for the Tower Park Community Complex. Louisville Metro Government gets $3.5 million each fiscal year for Parks and Recreation's Shawnee Outdoor Learning Center. The covered years for the per-year grants are not specified in these provisions.
Mercy Chefs gets Kentucky expansion funding
Mercy Chefs, Inc. gets $500,000 in fiscal year 2024–2025 to expand services in Kentucky. The provision does not identify the services or which households qualify. It does not provide direct household payments.
Named community centers get state funding
Goodwill Industries of Kentucky gets $3 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 for the West Louisville Opportunity Center. Henderson County Fiscal Court gets $150,000 for Harbor House in each of fiscal years 2024–2025 and 2025–2026. These provisions do not specify funded services, individual eligibility, or direct household payments.
Paris gets transfer station relocation funding
Paris gets $1.5 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 to relocate its transfer station. The law funds the local project but does not set a change in household charges.
Public gets more bond cost details
Revenue bond issuers must now disclose itemized borrowing costs, alongside issuers of covered general obligation bonds and notes. Legislative committees and the public must receive the list before issuance. Changes to amounts or payees must be reported and made public within three days. The list excludes wages and expenses of full-time, permanent Commonwealth employees.
Pulaski County gets community village funding
Pulaski County Fiscal Court gets $1.5 million each fiscal year for Connect Community Village. The provision does not specify the covered fiscal years. It also does not set individual eligibility rules or direct household payments.
Stronger oversight of child welfare records
The Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman can receive reports and information from child welfare investigations and assessments. Those records remain confidential. The office can use this information in its required reporting, but must remove details that identify people.
Stronger tools for Kentucky state audits
State agencies must provide software and access rights needed to retrieve covered records, at no cost to the Auditor. The Auditor must obtain state and national background checks for current and prospective staff who access federal tax information. This includes contract staff and fingerprint checks by Kentucky State Police and the FBI. Ongoing criminal-record monitoring is optional. Check and monitoring fees cannot exceed actual processing and check costs.
Three counties get utility project funding
The law funds utility projects through three county fiscal courts. In fiscal year 2024–2025, Knott County gets $3.5 million for water and Leslie County gets $3.4 million for a gas line. Clark County gets $3 million for a water project in fiscal year 2025–2026. These grants do not specify which households get service or how utility bills change.
Town centers and historic buildings get funding
Pineville gets $1 million each fiscal year for courthouse square construction, renovation, and water expansion; covered years are not specified. Letcher County Fiscal Court gets $945,000 in fiscal year 2024–2025 and $925,000 in fiscal year 2025–2026 for Fleming-Neon Rising. It also gets $3 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 to renovate Whitesburg's historic Daniel Boone Hotel. The Historic Adair County Courthouse receives $1 million for revitalization in fiscal year 2024–2025. These grants fund local projects, not direct household payments.
Two county libraries receive state support
Russell County Fiscal Court gets $3 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 for its Library Community Development Center project. Ballard County Fiscal Court gets $50,000 each fiscal year to support the Ballard-Carlisle County Public Library. The covered years for Ballard County's per-year grant are not specified in the provision. The money supports libraries, not direct household payments.
Whitley County gets corrections renovation funding
Whitley County Fiscal Court gets $7.5 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 for corrections-related renovations. The money funds local facilities. This provision does not specify changes to individual legal duties, services, or household costs.
Local fire-code appeals get review deadlines
Local governments enforcing fire codes can create five-member appeals boards with local lawmakers' approval; at least three members must be nonemployees. Appeals must identify the disputed fire-code rules and explain the challenge. Boards must hear appeals within 15 days of receipt, give certified-mail notice at least 10 days before hearings, and decide within five working days afterward. Fire-department employees cannot hear appeals from their own department, and members cannot hear cases involving their private interests. Appeals without a local board having authority go to the state fire marshal; final orders can reach the proper Circuit Court. Local governments can share boards through interlocal agreements.
New legislative oversight of Kentucky Medicaid
The law creates a legislative board to review Kentucky Medicaid's services, costs, and administration and recommend changes. State agencies, Medicaid managed-care plans, the state pharmacy benefit manager, and other Medicaid contractors must provide requested information, including contracts. The board can set reporting formats, schedules, and deadlines. These provisions do not themselves change Medicaid eligibility, benefits, or household costs.
Russell County gets hospital expansion funding
Russell County Fiscal Court gets $10 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 to support a hospital expansion. The grant funds healthcare facilities. It does not specify changes to services, insurance coverage, eligibility, or household medical bills.
Emergency construction money for struggling schools
The law provides $5 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 to the Emergency and Targeted Investment Fund for school facilities. The School Facilities Construction Commission must prioritize schools with structural failures and no capacity to borrow through bonds.
More science learning resources for students
The Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky gets $460,000 in each funded fiscal year for science, technology, engineering, and math resources. The law does not set individual eligibility rules or provide direct payments to students.
Beattyville gets utility meter replacement funding
Beattyville's Radio Read Meter Replacement Project receives $1.2725 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 and $600,000 in 2025–2026. The law does not state how the project changes household utility bills.
Communities get property and revitalization funding
Taylor County Fiscal Court receives $2.95 million in each fiscal year, 2024–2025 and 2025–2026, for its Community Development Project. In 2024–2025, Booneville receives $1.25 million for land purchases and renovations. Owsley County Fiscal Court receives $1.25 million that year for land purchases, reclamation, and renovations. The McCreary County Heritage Foundation receives $5 million that year for the Stearns Revitalization Project. London also receives $1 million that year to build London City Plaza.
Counties receive regional development project funding
In fiscal year 2024–2025, 1CC receives $10 million for land purchases, construction, and joint regional economic development projects. Barren County Fiscal Court receives $1 million that year for projects serving multiple counties. Hart County Fiscal Court receives $1.5 million that year for various projects; Green County Fiscal Court receives $2 million in 2025–2026. Jessamine County Fiscal Court receives $300,000 in each fiscal year, 2024–2025 and 2025–2026, for Enterprise Industria infrastructure and utilities. The law does not identify the specific Hart or Green County projects.
Eastern Kentucky tourism projects get funding
The East Kentucky Heritage Foundation gets $6 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 to build cabins at Raven Rock Resort. The money comes through the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. Harlan County Fiscal Court gets $500,000 for Backroads of Appalachia in each of fiscal years 2024–2025 and 2025–2026.
Kentucky airports get equipment and project grants
The law provides $10.6 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 for $200,000 grants to each general aviation airport. Recipients must have an automated dependent surveillance broadcast tracking system installed or use grant money to buy and install one. A separate $600,000 goes through the Department of Aviation to Danville-Boyle County Airport for Stuart-Powell Field.
Kentucky arts and museums get funding
The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts gets $6 million for renovations in each of fiscal years 2024–2025 and 2025–2026. For 2024–2025, Louisville Metro gets $1.5 million for the Grand Lyric Theater. The Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet provides $4 million that year to support moving the Aviation Museum of Kentucky. Breckenridge County Fiscal Court also gets $60,000 that year for the Joseph Holt Home.
Kentucky development sites get project funding
For fiscal year 2024–2025, Covington gets $10 million through the Department for Local Government for Central Riverfront site infrastructure. Mercer County Fiscal Court gets $11.5 million for the Wilkinson Farm Mega Site. Kenton County Fiscal Court gets $6 million for SparkHaus and $5 million to prepare brownfield sites. These grants fund named projects, not direct household payments.
Kentucky Horse Park gets upgrade funding
Kentucky Horse Park gets $18 million for upgrades in each of fiscal years 2024–2025 and 2025–2026. Uses include its restaurant, competition barns and stalls, entertainment pavilions, campground sites and bathhouse. The funding also covers a maintenance pool and the International Museum of the Horse.
Kentucky museums receive facility and program grants
In fiscal year 2024–2025, the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame receives $150,000 for facility upgrades. The International Bluegrass Music Museum receives $500,000 through the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet for its Bluegrass Capital Initiative. The National Quilt Museum receives $400,000 through that cabinet to replace its roof.
Kentucky riverports get construction funding
Public riverports get $7.5 million in each of fiscal years 2024–2025 and 2025–2026, with unspent 2024–2025 funds carrying forward. Within that yearly amount, West Kentucky Regional Riverport Authority gets $250,000 for predevelopment archaeological work. Each existing public riverport gets $750,000 yearly for construction, maintenance, and other eligible uses, without a local match; the Transportation Secretary distributes the remainder. Separately, Paducah-McCracken Riverport Authority gets $3.5 million for Riverport West in 2023–2024, carrying forward without lapsing into 2024–2025. Owensboro Riverport Authority gets $1.3 million in 2024–2025 to build a waterline loop.
Local tourism and recreation projects get funding
In fiscal year 2024–2025, Laurel County Fiscal Court receives $1 million for regional fairgrounds. Williamsburg receives $1.5 million for its recreational vehicle campground and water park. Knox County Fiscal Court receives $1.5 million for recreational vehicle park upgrades. Corbin receives $3.5 million for land purchases, construction, and renovations for a tourism initiative. Another $125,000 supports construction of the KY 160 Black Mountain Roadside Overlook.
Local transportation projects receive state funding
Warren County Fiscal Court receives $301,400 in each fiscal year, 2024–2025 and 2025–2026, to beautify the Interstate 65 corridor. Paducah receives $3.5 million in 2024–2025 to finish a federally funded Build Grant project. The law does not specify direct household payments or savings from these projects.
Rural grant and development efforts get funding
Partners for Rural Impact gets $500,000 in each of fiscal years 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 to help secure federal grants. Taylor County Fiscal Court gets $150,000 in 2024–2025 and $350,000 in 2025–2026 for rural economic development. Those initiatives operate with Campbellsville University. The law does not provide these funds directly to households.
Tourism communities get grants and planning funds
In fiscal year 2024–2025, the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet provides $200,000 to the Muhlenberg County Tourism Commission. The cabinet also provides $720,000 for Trail Town grants, capped at $30,000 per grant. Through the Parks budget unit, Dream Big Burnside Authority receives $100,000 to study a lodge and other amenities at General Burnside Island State Park. The Burnside money pays for a feasibility study, not construction.
Washington County gets gas upgrade funding
Washington County Fiscal Court gets $1.2655 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 for natural gas infrastructure upgrades. The law does not set a change in household gas rates.
More money for rural utility poles
The Rural Infrastructure Improvement Fund gets $19.9881 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 for utility pole replacements. This includes $4 million for pole owners to hire temporary workers. Another $2 million goes to the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives to administer the work. The Office of Broadband Development gets $2 million to support temporary workers for investor-owned utilities and other pole owners. Unspent money carries forward to fiscal year 2025–2026.
Research institutions get equipment and funding
Covington Life Science Center receives $1.25 million in each fiscal year, 2024–2025 and 2025–2026, for equipment and facilities. The University of Kentucky receives $1 million in 2024–2025 for immune dysregulation research. These appropriations do not create household payments or health coverage rights.
More financing options for housing development
Multifamily housing projects that add at least 48 homes to Kentucky’s housing supply can qualify for bond financing. The law sets no financing amount and does not require those homes to be affordable. Separately, Booneville gets $500,000 in fiscal year 2024–2025 for a home development initiative. The law does not specify who can access those homes or what they will cost.
Continued funding for university LifeWorks program
The law continues a one-time allocation of $2.2 million in each funded fiscal year for the LifeWorks at WKU Program. The money supports operations, renovations, and property purchases. Money unspent at the end of fiscal year 2024–2025 carries forward to 2025–2026.
Kentucky funds manufacturing and talent efforts
The eKentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute receives $1 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 for operations. Shaping Our Appalachian Region receives $1.5 million that year to attract remote talent. These grants fund organizations and do not establish direct household payments or individual eligibility rules.
More funding for local workforce training
Green County Fiscal Court gets $2 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 for employment stabilization and workforce development. A regional training center through the Lake Cumberland Area Development District gets $8 million that year and $500,000 in 2025–2026. Western Kentucky Community and Technical College gets $1.4 million in 2025–2026 through the state college system for aviation programs. These grants fund programs and facilities, not promised payments to workers or students.
Western Kentucky University athletic bonds reauthorized
The law adds a $50 million reauthorization of agency bonds for Western Kentucky University's athletic facilities. The financing supports construction, renovations, and improvements. The project listing separately shows $10 million in agency bonds. These figures describe bond financing, not direct household payments.
Reviewed entities pay discretionary Ombudsman costs
Entities subject to discretionary Ombudsman investigations, reviews, evaluations, information analysis, or related work must pay the office's expenses. Charges use the Auditor's rate for audit work. The office must track its time and expenses. The law sets no total charge and imposes no direct household payment duty.
State audit powers and disclosure rules expand
Authorized agents, the deputy auditor, and the ombudsman can use the Auditor's powers for work authorized by law. This includes access to relevant records and property. Officers, employees, and contractors face obstruction penalties for preventing, attempting to prevent, or obstructing audits, examinations, or reviews. The Auditor must keep information confidential but can disclose it when judged advisable for official duties and recommendations.
Health cabinet complaints get stronger oversight
The Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman can investigate health and family services cabinet actions or inaction without waiting for final decisions. Investigations can follow complaints or start on the office's own initiative, and cover cabinet units, employees, and contractors. Covered parties cannot willfully obstruct investigations, restrict access to records or staff, or retaliate against complainants or cabinet employees. The office can recommend complaint solutions and require corrective action when it finds a policy violation. It also gains access to adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation investigation records, but reports using confidential information must remove identifying details.
Edmonson infrastructure grant requires local funding
Edmonson County Fiscal Court receives a $2 million emergency infrastructure grant in fiscal year 2024–2025 through the Department for Local Government. The grant requires at least $1 million in local matching funds. It does not establish a direct household payment.
Frankfort convention grant requires matching funds
Frankfort receives $11.25 million in fiscal year 2024–2025 to build the Frankfort Convention Center. The grant requires a dollar-for-dollar match. The appropriation supports construction, not direct household payments.
Rail projects get grants with limits
Two rail pilot programs each get $7.5 million in each of fiscal years 2024–2025 and 2025–2026. One supports Class II and III railroad lines, corridors, equipment, and capital work; the other funds industrial rail access and safety improvements. Both require non-state funds covering at least 50% of project costs and cap grants at $2 million per project. The industrial access and safety program also limits each recipient to 25% of its yearly funds. Both programs carry unspent 2024–2025 money into 2025–2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Robby Mills
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Donald Douglas
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/27/2025
passed
Yes: 31 • No: 6
House vote • 3/27/2025
passed
Yes: 72 • No: 19
House vote • 3/14/2025
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 69 • No: 19
Senate vote • 3/14/2025
passed
Yes: 30 • No: 7
Senate vote • 2/28/2025
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 34 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 117)
3/28/2025enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
3/28/2025Senateenrolled, signed by President of the Senate
3/28/2025Senatereceived in Senate
3/27/2025Senatepassed 72-19
3/27/2025Houseline vetoes partially overridden
3/27/2025Houseposted for consideration of Governor's veto
3/27/2025taken from Rules
3/27/2025Houseto Rules (H)
3/27/2025Housereceived in House
3/27/2025Housepassed 31-6
3/27/2025Senateline vetoes partially overridden
3/27/2025Senateposted for passage for consideration of Governor's veto
3/27/2025to Rules (S)
3/27/2025Senatereceived in Senate
3/27/2025Senateline items vetoed
3/26/2025delivered to Governor
3/14/2025enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
3/14/2025Senateenrolled, signed by President of the Senate
3/14/2025Senatepassed 30-7
3/14/2025SenateSenate concurred in House amendment Committee Substitute (1), Floor Amendments (1) and (3), and Committee Amendment (1-title)
3/14/2025Senateposted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendments (1) and (3), Committee Substitute (1), and Committee Amendment (1-title)
3/14/2025Houseto Rules (S)
3/14/2025Senatereceived in Senate
3/14/2025Senate3rd reading, passed 69-19 with Committee Substitute (1), Floor Amendments (1) and (3), and Committee Amendment (1-title)
3/14/2025House
Bill Text
Current
3/27/2025
Introduced
2/17/2025
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