As we wrap up week six of the 2026 Legislative Session, the pace of work in Frankfort is accelerating. With fuller committee agendas, legislation is moving to the floor and priorities are advancing with thoughtful debate.
At this point in the session, more than 100 pieces of legislation have officially passed at least one chamber. This is a clear sign that the General Assembly is actively working to address issues important to Kentucky families.
While there is still critical work ahead, this milestone reflects meaningful progress on policies focused on strengthening our economy, addressing affordability, supporting our communities, protecting taxpayers, bettering education and ensuring government operates efficiently and transparently.
I was so pleased to have received a unanimous vote for SB 136 updates Kentucky’s unemployment insurance fraud procedures by requiring the Education and Labor Cabinet to refer suspected fraud cases directly to the U.S. Department of Labor and local prosecutors. It removes the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and the U.S. Department of Justice from the referral process, streamlining investigations and clarifying lines of accountability.
To my district and counties, I am happy to share that I introduced Senate Joint Resolution 91 into committee this week. This legislation directs our state agencies to create policies centered on healthy lifestyles and evidence-based nutrition initiatives in the health and medical field, thereby influencing both students and health professionals. The proposed resolution calls for the collaboration between a multitude of state organizations such as the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, the Kentucky Board of Nursing, the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Kentucky Department of Education.
Where health meets education, these groups will help equip the health care sector to spread wellness and nutrition throughout our commonwealth. This resolution can make all the difference in building a healthier future for Kentucky, and I am committed to a policy that will connect wellness and nutrition with preventative disease measures.
I also filed Senate Bill (SB) 190 which will require all health benefit plans that cover hospital, medical or surgical expenses to also provide coverage for chronic pain treatments delivered by a licensed professional. These may include any of the following: acupuncture; chiropractic services; chronic pain management; hyperbaric oxygen therapy; massage therapy; occupational therapy; osteopathic manipulation; physical therapy; or psychotherapy. It extends the same requirement to Kentucky Medicaid and Medicaid managed care organizations.
The bill requires health care practitioners to discuss alternative chronic pain treatment options and, when appropriate, refer or prescribe those alternatives before initially prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance. This is yet another element of my wellness revolution sweeping across the commonwealth.
As vice-chair of the Economic Development Committee, I feel it’s important to let you know we heard SB 52 in committee. SB 52 aims to protect property rights and personal freedom by requiring government agencies to operate permitting and licensing systems with clearer rules, defined timelines and fair appeal processes. The bill ensures individuals and businesses no longer face vague standards or open-ended delays when seeking permission to work, build or use their property. It does not eliminate permits or weaken legitimate oversight; it restores transparency and predictability in how government authority is applied. You can find a copy of SB 52 on my Legislative Research Commission webpage here.
This week, the Senate approved the following measures, and they may all be taken up by the House of Representatives. You can find all these bills online as well on my webpage.
SB 2 is intended to ensure fairness and balance in educator compensation by preventing school administrator pay raises from outpacing those of classroom teachers.
SB 4 seeks to create a statewide leadership training program for new school principals. Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, principals in their first five years on the job would participate in a structured, cohort-based practicum that provides mentoring, professional training, and peer support. The program is designed to better prepare principals for instructional leadership, school safety, accountability, and managing staff and student needs—without adding new financial burdens for school districts.
SB 71 will strengthen fiscal oversight and governance by expanding required training for local school board members. The bill establishes a structured in-service training framework that includes finance, ethics, open meetings and open records education, with requirements tailored to a board member’s length of service. It also adds training related to superintendent evaluation and requires boards to formally review budget roles and responsibilities with district leadership. SB 71 makes reforms to ensure school board members have a consistent understanding of financial responsibilities and public resource management.
SB 72, known as the Health Care Heroes Recruitment and Retention Act, seeks to address Kentucky’s health care workforce shortage by protecting the rights of medical professionals and health care institutions to decline participation in specific procedures or services that violate sincerely held religious, moral or ethical beliefs. The bill prohibits retaliation or discrimination against doctors, nurses and other providers for exercising conscience protections while preserving federal requirements related to emergency medical treatment and sexual assault evidence collection. SB 72 clarifies key definitions, strengthens due process protections by requiring timely notice and response to complaints, and establishes enforcement tools for violations. By reinforcing conscience protections alongside patient safety standards, the bill aims to retain experienced providers and attract new health care professionals to the commonwealth.
SB 110 modernizes Kentucky’s vehicle titling and registration system by continuing the transition to secure electronic processes that reduce paperwork, improve efficiency and better serve vehicle owners, lenders and county clerks. The bill requires lienholders to use the electronic lien system beginning in 2027 and ensures the state’s electronic titling and centralized lien systems are fully operational before broader implementation. It allows vehicle titles to be stored electronically with an option to request a printed copy, expands the use of email or text notifications for registration and tax notices and authorizes the Transportation Cabinet to set certain titling and registration fees through administrative regulation beginning Jan. 1, 2027. SB 110 also streamlines county clerk operations, eliminates outdated requirements and codifies current best practices to make vehicle transactions faster, clearer and more reliable for Kentuckians.
SB 118 updates Kentucky law to establish clear consumer protections and regulatory standards for credit personal property insurance sold with closed-end loans, including coverage for financed collateral. The bill limits the amount and term of coverage, requires insurers to reflect a genuine risk of loss and prohibits bundling or pricing practices that increase borrowers’ costs.
SB 145 expands flexibility and modernizes licensing rules for alcoholic beverage caterers while improving efficiency at the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The measure allows licensed caterers to sell alcoholic beverages at restaurants, removes outdated storage and Sunday sale restrictions and prevents the ABC from imposing arbitrary limits on event size or frequency.
SB 153 strengthens accountability for contractors and protects homeowners from fraudulent and abusive practices, particularly following natural disasters. I co-sponsored this piece of legislation that targets deceptive marketing, damage inducement, improper financial relationships and unenforceable contract terms tied to insurance-funded repairs. It requires clear notice before assignment of insurance benefits and prevents contractors from collecting illegal or misleading fees. During declared emergencies, SB 153 authorizes the attorney general to require contractor registration, limit aggressive in-person solicitation and require proof of registration at job sites while coordinating with local governments.
SB 155 establishes a clear framework for responding quickly and effectively to animal health emergencies that threaten livestock, poultry or other domesticated animals across Kentucky. The bill authorizes the commissioner of agriculture, in consultation with the state veterinarian, to declare an animal health emergency and take targeted action when disease outbreaks, severe conditions or supply disruptions put animal welfare at risk. SB 155 grants emergency authority to deploy veterinary services, order quarantines, restrict the movement of animals or equipment, waive transportation rules for feed and medicine, and secure critical goods and services without delay. The measure supports coordination with local, state and federal partners to protect Kentucky agriculture, food supply chains and rural communities.
SB 158 sets clear rules to protect consumers when buying optional financial products tied to vehicle purchases, such as debt cancellation or value protection plans. The bill makes sure these products are optional, clearly disclosed and priced separately from loan interest. It prevents lenders or dealers from requiring consumers to buy them as a condition of financing or a vehicle sale. SB 158 establishes consistent standards for contracts and applies to new agreements beginning Jan. 1, 2027, helping provide transparency and fairness for Kentucky vehicle buyers.
SB 160 improves oversight of licensed child care centers while ensuring fair and consistent treatment for providers across Kentucky. The bill establishes clear standards the Cabinet for Health and Family Services must follow when reviewing violations and considering corrective action, suspension or revocation. It prevents a single violation of a corrective plan from automatically triggering license revocation unless the violation alone justifies that action, and it allows providers up to five business days to submit the requested documentation. SB 160 requires structured weekly support for new centers operating under preliminary licenses and limits violations during that probationary period, except in cases involving serious safety concerns.
SB 172, known as the Fuel Surcharge Stability Act, helps stabilize bills and improve affordability by allowing the Public Service Commission to extend the period during which utilities recover fuel costs, reducing sudden rate spikes for consumers. The bill requires coal severance taxes to be considered during fuel adjustment reviews and gives regulators flexibility to smooth fuel cost recovery when requested by a utility. The measure includes an emergency clause to take effect immediately, supporting greater rate stability for Kentucky households and businesses.
SB 183 strengthens corporate accountability in Kentucky by requiring proxy advisory firms—companies that influence shareholder votes—to prioritize financial reasoning over political or ideological agendas. The bill builds on the 2025 bill of the same number by expanding the law’s standards to cover all publicly traded companies doing business in Kentucky, not just those incorporated here. SB 183 treats violations as deceptive business practices under Kentucky law.
As we move into week seven, floor action will continue to increase and our attention will begin turning more toward budget discussions and key priority legislation.
I remain committed to working hard on behalf of the people of the 24th District, so your voice is represented in every vote taken. Serving the people of Bracken, Campbell, Kenton and Pendleton counties is my greatest honor. If you have questions about legislation or would like to share your thoughts on an issue, please reach out to my office at 502-564-8100 or by email at shelley.funkefrommeyer@kylegislature.gov.
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Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, represents the 24th Senate District, including Bracken, Campbell and Pendleton Counties and part of Kenton County. She serves as co-chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary and the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee. Frommeyer is the vice-chair of the Economic Development, Tourism & Labor Committee. In addition, she is a member of the Public Pension Oversight Board and the Agriculture and Families & Children’s Committees. Frommeyer is also a member of the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Commission. In 2025, she co-chaired the Make America Healthy Again Kentucky Task Force, which examined strategies to improve Kentucky’s health through nutrition and food as medicine. In addition, she formed the Aeronautics and Aviation Economic Development Task Force.
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