All Roll Calls
Yes: 320 • No: 70
KentuckySB 42026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT relating to education and declaring an emergency.
Sponsored By: Stephen West (Republican)
Became Law
Administrative Regulations And ProceedingsEducation, Elementary And SecondaryReports MandatedState AgenciesTeachers
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 7 mixed.
New paths and limits for principals
The law removes the required principal internship, but applicants still need an approved preparation program and required tests. Applicants receive a five-year statement of eligibility. Without principal employment during that time, they must pass current tests to regain eligibility. For the first reestablishment only, at least six graduate hours in specified fields can replace those tests. After a successful first year as a principal, the certificate is extended for four years; renewal requires continuing education.
School leaders face yearly training requirements
School leaders must complete at least 21 hours of leadership training each year. Covered jobs include principals, assistant principals, guidance counselors, special education directors, and other certified administrators. Principals can count practicum hours earned that year if they submit the hours and the state verifies them. Leaders who miss the requirement receive one year of probation. Failure to complete training during probation leads to certificate revocation.
Kentucky university gains independent civics center
The law creates the Center of American Civics as an independent academic unit at the University of Kentucky. Its work includes civic education, respectful public discussion, civic participation, and nonpartisan civic resources. Center funds and donations are reserved for its operation under the law; no funding amount is specified. The university board can rename the center through its donor-naming process.
McConnell Center gains independent academic role
The McConnell Center becomes an independent academic unit at the University of Louisville. It can hire faculty and staff, enroll students, offer undergraduate majors and minors, and provide courses, internships, and events. The university must provide adequate office space if none exists. Starting September 1, 2027, the director must submit a strategic plan by September 1 each year. Center money and donations are reserved for direct operations; state appropriations cannot replace existing university state funding or private donations.
School employees face board service limits
Kentucky school board employees cannot serve on a large district’s board if their jobs require more than 100 workdays yearly. Members elected or appointed before the new eligibility rules take effect remain eligible to finish their existing terms. They cannot seek election or appointment, or serve a new term, unless they meet all the new eligibility requirements.
Seven-member school boards shrink to five
The law removes the seven-member board exception for merged districts in counties containing a first-class city. In districts with seven members when the transition section takes effect, existing terms end December 31, 2026. Five members are elected at the next regular election after that section takes effect. Divisions Four and Five start with two-year terms, then four-year terms; Divisions One through Three start with four-year terms. Until the new members take office, assignments use members’ homes and drawing lots where needed; unassigned members serve at large.
New principals get structured leadership training
Beginning July 1, 2027, Kentucky starts a four-year leadership program for new public-school principals. The first group, for the 2027–2028 school year, includes principals with less than one year of experience. Years one and two require professional learning and mentoring; year three offers summer training as funds allow. Illness or emergencies allow an alternative program with superintendent approval, and year-four training is optional. The law states an intent to charge principals and districts nothing and provides a third-year stipend, with no amount specified.
College civics materials must cover key texts
The two university centers must develop and send government or history course materials to every Kentucky public college. The materials support a degree-program course worth at least three semester hours, or the equivalent. Required content includes the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and at least five Federalist Papers essays chosen by the instructor. It also includes the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address, and other documents central to the American Civil Rights movement.
New maps guide school board representation
Jefferson County has five school board divisions, and candidates must live in the division they seek to represent. The map uses county clerk precinct codes and boundaries as of March 19, 2026. Election officials must place omitted precincts or parts in neighboring divisions, make minimal changes, and keep population differences within 5%. In large districts, school boards set division boundaries with county election board approval, without splitting or redrawing precincts. Boundary changes must be finished by January 1 of a year when a division elects a member.
School election options change local costs
Some independent school districts can choose an election at a public school on the first Saturday in May instead of November. This option applies to districts including a city classified as fifth class on January 1, 2014. District funds must pay for a chosen May election. The law also removes the prior rule assigning school board election costs to designated cities or fiscal courts. General election laws still apply, but that change names no replacement payer or cost amount.
Public entities can spread insurance deficit payments
Kentucky public entities can finance assessments covering accrued deficits in liability or workers’ compensation self-insurance groups over up to 20 years. This applies to current and former participants in qualifying groups. Financing options include bonds, notes, leases, installment agreements, and similar arrangements. If an entity misses a scheduled payment, money otherwise due to it is withheld or intercepted.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Stephen West
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Donald Douglas
Republican • Senate
David P. Givens
Republican • Senate
Gerald A. Neal
Democrat • Senate
Lindsey Tichenor
Republican • Senate
Matthew Deneen
Republican • Senate
Mike Wilson
Republican • Senate
Max Wise
Republican • Senate
Robby Mills
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/14/2026
passed
Yes: 78 • No: 19
Senate vote • 4/14/2026
passed
Yes: 30 • No: 8
House vote • 4/1/2026
passed
Yes: 72 • No: 21
Senate vote • 4/1/2026
passed
Yes: 28 • No: 7
House vote • 3/20/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 74 • No: 15
Senate vote • 2/9/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 38 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 154)
4/14/2026enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
4/14/2026Houseenrolled, signed by President of the Senate
4/14/2026Housepassed 78-19
4/14/2026Houseveto overridden
4/14/2026Houseposted for consideration of Governor's veto
4/14/2026taken from Rules (H)
4/14/2026Houseto Rules (H)
4/14/2026Housereceived in House
4/14/2026Housepassed 30-8
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
4/14/2026SenateVetoed
4/13/2026delivered to Governor
4/1/2026enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
4/1/2026Senateenrolled, signed by President of the Senate
4/1/2026Senatepassed 28-7
4/1/2026SenateFree Conference Committee report adopted in Senate
4/1/2026SenateCommittee Report
4/1/2026Senateposted for passage for consideration of Free Conference
4/1/2026Senatetaken from Rules
4/1/2026Senateto Rules (S)
4/1/2026Senatereceived in Senate
4/1/2026Senate
Bill Text
Current
4/14/2026
Introduced
1/27/2026
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