The 2026 Regular Session began on January 6, and legislators quickly filed hundreds of pieces of legislation they had prepared throughout the seven-month interim period.
Crafting a two-year budget for all three branches of government tops our legislative agenda. Since being given the majority in 2017, the House Majority Caucus has committed itself to providing the state with a responsible budget, while lowering taxes and ensuring that our commonwealth becomes one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family.
The budget will continue in this philosophy, but it will certainly not be the only proposal we consider this session. Almost 300 bills were filed before we adjourned on Friday, and we are likely to see several hundred more filed before the last day to file House bills on March 4.
Among the bills filed this week are measures aimed at helping with the housing shortage, protecting children from online predators, making healthcare more affordable, and helping keep dangerous products out of the hands of children.
To keep track of all the bills filed, visit the legislature’s website, legislature.ky.gov. It contains every bill and resolution, schedules, contact information, and information about the legislative process. Here you can follow pieces of legislation, like the state budget bills, closely as they travel through committees and the legislative chambers.
Additionally, Kentucky Educational Television (KET) televises committee meetings and House proceedings. Coverage of our committees is also provided online through the legislature’s YouTube Channel, as well as on KET’s website. The website hosts links for both streaming options under the “Live Coverage” tab.
Soon, the bills filed for consideration will be heard by legislative committees, which are also live streamed on our YouTube Channel, @LRCCommittee Meetings. This session the House has the following committee schedule:
Monday:
– 2 pm, Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation
Tuesday:
– 8 am, Standing Committees on Postsecondary Education and Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection
– 9 am, Standing Committee on Local Government
– 10 am, Standing Committee on Transportation and the Budget Review Subcommittees on Primary and Secondary Education/Workforce Development and Justice, Public Safety, and Judiciary
– 12 pm, Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue
Wednesday:
– 8 am, Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education
– 9 am, Standing Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations
– 10 am, Standing Committee on Judiciary and the Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services
– 10:30 am, Standing Committee on Agriculture
– 12 pm, Standing Committees on Small Business and Information Technology and Banking and Insurance and the Budget Review Subcommittees on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance and Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy
Thursday:
– 8 am, Standing Committees on Economic Development and Workforce Investment and Natural Resources and Energy
– 9 am, Standing Committee on Families and Children
– 10 am, Standing Committees on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation and Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs. As well as the Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education
– 12 pm, Standing Committees on Health Services and State Government and the Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government
This session is quite different from most in our commonwealth’s history. For the first time in more than a century, the General Assembly will not convene in the historic State Capitol building. Instead, the General Assembly gaveled in at temporary chambers adjacent to the Capitol Annex office building, directly behind the State Capitol. The temporary facility is smaller and far more utilitarian than the historic Capitol, but our work remains just as important.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at Samara.Heavrin@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
Samara Heavrin, R-Leitchfield
