LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
August 25, 2026
Who sets your school tax rate? Understanding Boone County’s proposed 4% increase
As a property owner, you should have received your latest property valuation report earlier this month. Many taxpayers may be asking an important question: who is responsible for setting the school tax rate, and what does a proposed increase mean for you and your family? Boone County Public Schools utilized $137.7 million general fund tax revenue this year. Under the proposed tax increase, that revenue would grow to $147 million next year. Before asking taxpayers to contribute more, we need transparency and accountability about how these additional dollars will be spent.
The Boone County School Board, not the Kentucky General Assembly, sets the school district’s property tax rate. The legislature establishes the laws and formulas that govern school funding, but local school boards determine the property tax rate their districts will levy. That distinction is important as the Boone County School Board considers a proposed 4% increase in revenue for the upcoming school year.
In 2024, Boone County Schools selected a rate that would increase revenues by 4%, $0.626 for each $100 of assessed value:
Home Value- $350,000
School Property Tax Due- $2,191
In 2025, Boone County Schools selected a rate that would increase revenues by 4%, $0.655 for each $100 of assessed value:
Example #1
Home Value- No Increased Assessed Value- $350,000
School Property Tax Due- $2,292.50
–Increased tax related to the increased rate- $101.50
Example #2
Home Value- Increased Assessed Value- $420,000
School Property Tax Due- $2,751
–Total amount of increased tax- $560
–Portion of increased tax from rate- $122
–Portion of increased tax from assessed value- $438
Each Kentucky school district sets its annual property tax rate using information provided by the Kentucky Department of Education and the Department of Revenue. Districts have multiple options available if they choose to increase taxes.
One term that you may hear during this discussion is the “compensating rate.” The compensating rate is designed to allow a school district to collect the same amount of property tax revenue it collected the previous year, accounting for changes in property values. It is not intended to generate additional revenue simply because property assessments have increased.
If approved, the proposed 4% increase would allow the district to collect 4% more revenue from existing real property than the previous year. The 4% rate is applied across all properties, not on a parcel-by-parcel basis.
A school district may choose any rate that produces the appropriate revenue for the district’s needs. However, a rate that raises tax revenue more than a 4% could be placed on the ballot in November for voter approval.
Importantly, a 4% increase in revenue does not necessarily mean every taxpayer’s individual bill will increase by exactly 4%. The final tax rate is determined based on the total value of real property and personal property within the school district, as well as the number of taxpayers and the changes in individual property assessments. That distinction is particularly important in Boone County right now.
Kentucky’s school funding system also includes both state and federal dollars. Through the Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) formula, school districts receive funding from a combination of state and federal sources, while a portion of the funding responsibility remains local. Local property taxes are an important part of that funding structure.
The process surrounding property assessments and school tax rates can be complex, which makes public participation especially important. Attending the school board meeting gives taxpayers an opportunity to hear the proposal explained, ask questions, and better understand how the decision may affect their property tax bill.
The Boone County School Board will meet to consider and decide the tax rate on Monday, August 31, at 6 p.m. The public meeting will be held at the Ralph Rush Professional Development Center, 99 Center Street, Florence, Kentucky 41042.
Regardless of where you stand on the proposed increase, Boone County taxpayers deserve to understand exactly what is being proposed, who has the authority to make the decision, and how the change could affect their household.
While the board considers a 4% increase in revenue, taxpayers should pay close attention to the proposed rate and how their individual property assessment could affect the amount they ultimately pay. I encourage taxpayers to attend the public meeting and contact their school board member beforehand to voice their opinion on the proposed tax increase.
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 Marianne.Proctor@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
August 18, 2026
Kentucky’s summer tradition
The Kentucky State Fair is one of the places where the Commonwealth comes together. Each August, the fairgrounds fill with laughter, the aroma of delicious food, cheers from livestock competitions, and the unmistakable pride of Kentuckians showcasing the very best of our communities. Our fair is a living and breathing display of who we are as people. We get to see the traditions, craftsmanship, music, history, and culture that define Kentucky take center stage.
For over a century, the Kentucky State Fair has served as a gathering place where the spirit of the Commonwealth comes alive. It has grown from a small agricultural event into a dynamic celebration that showcases everything uniquely Kentucky – from our farming communities to the creativity of our artisans and the excitement of live entertainment. Even as the fair has expanded and evolved, the fair has remained true to its original purpose: a place where Kentuckians of all backgrounds can connect, honor those who cultivate our land, and celebrate the resilience that shapes our state’s story.
Agriculture has always been at the heart of the Kentucky State Fair. It remains the backbone of our economy, contributing billions of dollars each year, and providing tens of thousands of jobs across the Commonwealth. At the fair, generations of farmers and families display their finest livestock, crops, and craftmanship, reminding us of the dedication that keeps Kentucky’s agricultural sector strong. The exhibits aren’t just competitions – they’re a celebration of the hard work and pride that continue to drive one of Kentucky’s more important industries.
Beyond traditions, the fair plays a meaningful role in Kentucky’s economy. Each year, thousands of visitors travel into Louisville, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and businesses across the region. The fair also showcases Kentucky’s entrepreneurial spirit, providing a platform for small businesses and vendors to share their carefully crafted products to a statewide audience. A powerful reminder that innovation continues to thrive in Kentucky.
Of course, the Kentucky State Fair is also a celebration on our rich culture. From music echoing across the grounds to hand-crafted quilts and family recipes, the fair captures the spirit of Kentucky creativity. A place where memories are made, traditions are shared, and the diverse stories of our people come together.
This year’s fair brings a special spotlight to America250, with a celebration unique to Kentucky. The United We Stand exhibit invites visitors to dive into the Commonwealth’s role in shaping America’s story, highlighting the people, places, and moments that connect Kentucky to our shared national heritage. Fairgoers can explore Kentucky history and trivia, watch live mural paintings, and compete in America250 events in cakes, quilts, and much more. Alongside this, horse shows, concerts, and countless family-friendly activities ensure that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The Kentucky State Fair is more than an event on our calendars – it’s a celebration of our people, traditions, and industries that define the Commonwealth. It reminds us that Kentuckians are united by our values of hard work, family, faith, and freedom. I hope to see you there experiencing the very best of our great state all in one place!
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 Marianne.Proctor@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
August 11, 2026
Session Results: State Government
Members of the House State Government Committee had a productive legislative session, with several measures making their way through the legislative process to become law, including several enacted after veto overrides. The committee is responsible for issues involving the organization, oversight, and day-to-day operations of Kentucky’s state government, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, constitutional officers, state agencies, administrative regulations, and public pension systems.
As lawmakers considered these issues, one principle remained clear: government exists to serve the people, not the other way around. This session, the General Assembly protected essential services and programs that support Kentucky’s most vulnerable citizens while also using the budgets for all three branches of government to begin a thorough review of existing programs and services. The goal is simple: identify outdated or ineffective programs, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and reduce spending on unused or underused contracts so taxpayer dollars are used as responsibly and efficiently as possible.
The results of those efforts include:
HB 10 strengthens accountability, transparency, and continuity of government during gubernatorial transitions in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The measure strengthens public records preservation requirements by requiring the executive branch to retain key records during the final year of an administration, including communications related to contracts, board appointments, permits and licenses, employee hiring and promotions, litigation, pardons, and political donations. Vetoed. Overridden.
HB 213 provides city and county governments and universities the ability to reemploy retired police officers without incurring employer retirement contributions.
HB 220 retroactively exempts pension spiking adjustments for members of Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, or State Police Retirement System who retired on or after July 1, 2021. The measure also requires the Kentucky Public Pension Authority to review and adjust the benefits of those impacted.
HB 314 replaces the board and removes the executive director of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority, which runs the state’s high-speed fiber optic cable network, KentuckyWired. Vetoed. Overridden.
HB 456 establishes the fourth week of September as Unclaimed Property Week and eliminates an outdated requirement that the State Treasurer reside in the capital city.
HB 480 establishes policies to ensure timely payments to contractors or individuals awarded state government contracts.
HB 642 removes the requirement that dependent children over age 18 must have a qualifying disability to remain eligible for certain survivor benefits through the Kentucky Teacher’s Retirement System.
SB 29 prevents counties and waste management districts from imposing extra fees, permits, or local requirements on out-of-area solid waste facilities handling their waste, promoting better waste management by eliminating duplicative regulations and unnecessary costs. The measure also closes a loophole in state law to require residual waste landfills not housed with the industry they serve to be subject to local determination.
SB 59 strengthens protections for taxpayers by clarifying enforcement of the ban on the use of public funds to influence ballot questions, including constitutional amendments and constitutional convention questions. Vetoed. Overridden.
SB 68 allows the Kentucky Horse Park Commission to remove or ban people from the park if they have been banned from Olympic, Paralympic, or equestrian sports for misconduct or if they pose a threat to the safety of others.
SB 70 updates the Public Pension Oversight Board to strengthen oversight of Kentucky’s public retirement systems. Changes include updating board membership, membership eligibility, and requiring an annual report on both disability benefits and line-of-duty death benefits.
SB 85 allows individuals to designate a special needs trust to receive state-administered retirement benefits, ensuring those benefits can be directed to and managed for beneficiaries with disabilities.
SB 226 allows providers of preneed burial contracts to charge a one-time administrative fee of up to 15%, after full payment, while exempting that fee from certain refund requirements and updating related statutes.
SB 251 allows the Kentucky Department of Corrections (KDOC) to set execution procedures through internal policies and memorandums, making the department exempt from formal administrative regulations. Vetoed. Overridden.
SJR 74 directs the Legislative Research Commission and state agencies to work together to build a full, statewide picture of where substance-use-disorder resources and funding are located, to determine what is available and how to use those dollars more effectively.
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 Marianne.Proctor@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
August 4, 2026
A look back at transportation funding initiatives
While Kentucky’s executive branch budget often receives the most attention, it is only one part of a larger picture that ensures state government meets the needs of its citizens. Several other spending plans play a critical role in delivering essential services, strengthening communities, and preparing the Commonwealth for the future. Among these are transportation measures that provide funding for the state’s Transportation Cabinet agencies and programs, construction, maintenance, and a separate budget that provides financial assistance for local governments. Ultimately, the different measures work together to create an intentional, well-planned path to improve safety, connectivity, and opportunity. These investments help support economic growth, improve safety, and ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to address their unique transportation challenges. Through strategic planning and targeted funding, lawmakers are working to make sure Kentucky’s infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of families, businesses, and communities.
HB 502 represents a historic investment in Kentucky’s transportation infrastructure, providing a $4.2 billion road plan that includes hundreds of projects in communities across the Commonwealth. The measure takes a proactive and strategic approach to addressing the challenges facing Kentucky’s transportation system by ensuring every available dollar is invested where it can deliver the greatest benefit. The plan prioritizes safety, economic growth, and long-term infrastructure needs, including hundreds of millions for pavement repairs on interstates and state highways and bridge improvements. It also continues Kentucky’s commitment to transformative projects such as the Mountain Parkway expansion, I-69 improvements, and the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor.
A key component of HB 502 is its continued reliance on the SHIFT (Strategic Highway Investment Formula for Tomorrow) process, which provides a data-driven approach to determining transportation priorities. SHIFT helps ensure funding decisions are based on measurable needs and community impact rather than politics or geography. The formula applies to transportation funding not already dedicated through other sources, including maintenance projects, local government needs, and projects supported by federal funding. Through SHIFT, local and state transportation leaders identify potential projects that are then evaluated based on factors such as safety, congestion reduction, economic development, cost effectiveness, asset management, and resiliency. For local road planning, the process also considers non-motorized transportation options, including bicycle and pedestrian mobility.
Because transportation needs span decades – not just budget cycles – Kentucky’s road plan is designed as a six-year investment strategy. This approach allows lawmakers and transportation officials to prioritize projects, coordinate resources, and address the Commonwealth’s most critical infrastructure needs in a responsible and forward-looking way. As part of that effort, the House approved HJR 75, which establishes the final four years of the next six-year road plan.
Lawmakers also approved HB 501, the operating budget for programs and services provided by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The measure continues support for local communities through the Local Assistance Road Program (LARP), providing cities and counties with additional resources to address local road needs. In the first fiscal year, HB 501 provides an unprecedented $90.2 million for LARP over two years – $70.2 million in the first year, and an additional $20 million in fiscal year 2028.
This represents a significant increase in support for local roads across Kentucky – far exceeding the previous two years combined (LARP funding totaled $23.8 million in Fiscal Year 2026 and $19.9 million in Fiscal Year 2025). That additional funding will allow more communities to repair and resurface roads before deterioration becomes more costly and difficult to address. A companion measure, HJR 76, outlines how the funding will be distributed.
Historically, limited LARP funding meant projects were generally restricted to roads rated a 10, with only occasional funding available for roads rated a 9. Under HJR 76, funding will expand to include roads rated 8, 9, and 10, which in turn allows local governments to address more aging infrastructure and improve road conditions before they reach a critical state. Together, these investments reflect a commitment to safer roads, stronger communities, and a transportation system built to support Kentucky’s future.
In addition to LARP, HB 501 also includes $25 million in both years for the County and City Bridge Improvement Program.
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 Marianne.Proctor@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
July 28, 2026
Federal dollar-for-dollar tax credit means new opportunities for Kentucky students
HB 1, passed during the 2026 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly, represents a historic opportunity to expand educational opportunities for students across the Commonwealth. By allowing Kentucky to participate in a new federal scholarship tax credit program, lawmakers created a way to encourage private investment in education while keeping charitable dollars working here at home. And, we are one step closer to the program becoming reality.
Getting HB 1 across the finish line required lawmakers to look past months of misleading rhetoric and misplaced criticism. Rather than allowing misinformation to derail a once-in-a-generation opportunity, the General Assembly stayed focused on the facts. The result is a program that encourages private investment in Kentucky students, keeps charitable dollars in the Commonwealth, and creates new opportunities for children in public schools, private schools, and home-school settings – all without increasing state taxes.
That vision recently took another important step forward when Secretary of State Michael Adams signed the documentation enrolling Kentucky in the federal program with the Internal Revenue Service, and his office finalized the administrative regulations needed to implement HB 1. With those administrative steps complete, the focus now shifts from Frankfort to communities across Kentucky.
Beginning with the 2027 tax year, eligible taxpayers will be able to contribute up to $1,700 annually to an approved Kentucky Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit for that contribution. Instead of those tax dollars going to Washington, Kentuckians can choose to invest them directly in educational opportunities that benefit students in our communities.
The scholarships supported through these organizations can help cover a variety of educational expenses, including books, instructional materials, tutoring, academic programs, and other qualifying educational costs. Most importantly, the program is designed to benefit students regardless of whether they attend a public school, a private school, or are educated at home.
The legislation creates a unique opportunity for Kentucky’s public schools. School districts may establish or partner with Scholarship Granting Organizations to bring additional private resources into their communities. Local businesses, civic organizations, philanthropists, and individual taxpayers can work together to provide new educational opportunities for students without increasing state taxes or reducing existing education funding.
The General Assembly acted to ensure Kentucky would not miss this opportunity, joining other states across the nation. Rather than leaving available federal tax credits on the table, lawmakers chose to create a framework that allows charitable giving to directly benefit Kentucky students and families.
Now comes the most important part. HB 1 will only achieve its full potential if Kentuckians embrace it. Nonprofit organizations should consider becoming Scholarship Granting Organizations. Community foundations can help organize local efforts. Businesses can invest in the future workforce by supporting students in the communities where they operate. Churches, civic groups, and philanthropists can establish scholarship funds that expand opportunities for children. Individual taxpayers can participate simply by making a qualifying contribution and claiming the federal dollar-for-dollar tax credit.
This program represents the best of what can happen when government creates opportunities for communities rather than mandates from Frankfort or Washington. It relies on local leadership, charitable generosity, and community partnerships to meet the unique educational needs of students across the Commonwealth.
Organizations are now able to begin preparing to become approved Scholarship Granting Organizations. Kentucky’s list of SGOs will be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service in time to allow approved organizations to begin receiving qualifying donations during the 2027 tax year. Those contributions will be eligible for the federal tax credit when taxpayers file their 2027 federal income tax returns in 2028.
HB 1 created a remarkable opportunity for Kentucky. Now it is time for communities to put that opportunity to work.
Whether you are interested in establishing a Scholarship Granting Organization, supporting one that serves your community, or making a qualifying contribution as an individual taxpayer, you have the chance to help expand educational opportunities for Kentucky students. Together, we can keep charitable dollars in Kentucky, strengthen public, private, and home-school educational opportunities, and invest in the next generation of leaders who will shape the Commonwealth’s future.
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 marianne.proctor@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
July 22, 2026
A safety net that works, Kentucky’s commitment to Medicaid modernization
For more than sixty years, Medicaid has served as one of the nation’s most important safety-net programs. Created in 1965 alongside Medicare, Medicaid was designed to help low-income children, pregnant women, and adults, individuals with disabilities, and those who need long-term care because of age or disability. Unlike Medicare, which is an earned benefit tied to age or disability, Medicaid has always been rooted in need. And, while Medicare is run exclusively by the federal government, Medicaid is funded with federal and state money and administered at the state level.
Kentucky lawmakers have long recognized the value of that mission. We fully funded the program in the budget we approved earlier this year, including more funding than what was requested in the governor’s budget and additional money for waiver programs to provide additional services and supports to eligible individuals with specific needs. These waivers often provide better care at lower cost, helping folks receive care in their homes and communities.
However, we also recognize a hard truth: we will not solve today’s challenges with yesterday’s solutions. Medicaid has grown dramatically since its creation, both in cost and complexity. Medicaid is our second largest budget category (right behind public K-12 education) and a third of Kentuckians receive benefits.
However, it is becoming less of a safety net and more of a barrier. And, when a safety net becomes a barrier, it stops doing the job it was created to do. Modernizing it is not just a policy preference. It is a necessity. This summer, the General Assembly took another meaningful step toward doing exactly that.
Three new subcommittees have been created under the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board and two met for the first time in mid-July: the Healthcare Transparency Dashboard Subcommittee and the Waiver Waitlist Management Subcommittee. The third subcommittee will meet in the next few weeks to study non-emergency medical transportation, a Medicaid benefit that provides transportation to and from medical appointments and other covered services.
The creation of these subcommittees reflects the legislature’s clear intent to make Medicaid more effective and more efficient – for the people it was created to serve and for the taxpayers who fund it.
The Healthcare Transparency Dashboard Subcommittee is charged with building a secure, data-driven dashboard housed within the Legislative Research Commission. In convening the meeting, the House Chair emphasized the need for better data, which in turn leads to better decisions and better health for those who rely on Medicaid. The subcommittee will track public health trends, monitor Medicaid performance, highlight gaps in care, and give policymakers a clearer picture of what is working and what is not.
The Waiver Waitlist Management Subcommittee is tackling one of the most persistent challenges in the system: long wait times for Kentucky’s 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services waivers. These waivers help individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, as well as elderly Kentuckians, who receive care in their homes and communities rather than in institutions. Demand has grown faster than available slots, leaving families waiting months or even years. During the first meeting, the House Chair stressed the urgency of finding solutions that reduce wait times, maximize resources, and ensure timely access to critical services.
All three subcommittees share a common purpose – strengthening Medicaid so it works better for the people who depend on it. Their work is not about cutting services or shifting responsibility. It is about modernizing a decades-old program so it can meet the needs of a modern state. It is about acknowledging that Kentucky can do better, and then doing the hard work to make that happen.
Legislative leaders have been clear: taking care of our most vulnerable is important, but funding alone is not enough. Oversight, innovation, and accountability matter just as much. These subcommittees represent that commitment in action. As the 2026 Interim continues, lawmakers will keep digging into the details – the data, the waitlists, the performance metrics, the gaps in care – because meaningful reform doesn’t happen overnight. It happens through steady, deliberate work.
Medicaid was created to serve the vulnerable. The legislature is taking real steps toward a stronger, more responsive Medicaid program for the decades ahead.
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 Marianne.Proctor@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
July 16, 2026
Week In Review: Education, state and local government, and statutory committees
During the first full week of July, legislators met in interim committees to study issues affecting communities across Kentucky while also carrying out one of the legislature’s most significant administrative moves – selecting a new executive director to lead the Legislative Research Commission, the nonpartisan agency that provides the research, legal, fiscal, administrative, and operational support that keeps the General Assembly functioning year-round. Our new executive director brings a unique perspective, having served in all three branches of Kentucky government, experience that will strengthen the legislature’s ability to serve the people of the Commonwealth.
Along with that leadership transition, lawmakers continued reviewing issues ranging from education and agriculture to public safety and government spending. Here are summaries of committee meetings the week of July 6.
IJC on Education: Members heard from a variety of stakeholders in the K-12 education system. First, the committee heard an overview on the status of advanced coursework options across the state. Next, the Kentucky Department of Education provided an updated on the education strategy for students with dyslexia or dysgraphia. Finally, the panel heard from leading advocates for a traditional, analog education in K-12 schools. Presenters highlighted the decline in reading and math scores across the nation since the digitization of education.
IJC on Local Government: Lawmakers heard from the Kentucky Association of Counties and the Kentucky League of Cities on a recent decision by the Kentucky Court of Appeals regarding the legal framework surrounding the proposed project in Breckinridge County. The case stems from a lawsuit filed by Clover Creek Solar and affected landowners in Breckinridge Circuit Court, where the court issued a declaration of rights finding that the county’s solar ordinance was not a zoning ordinance and, therefore, permitted solar facilities to locate anywhere within the county. Additionally, members discussed the coroner’s issues including their request to increase compensation.
IJC on State Government: Members discussed Kentucky agriculture and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives. Through the employee health plan, the University of Kentucky offers vouchers to help employees cover the cost of CSA memberships, which provide weekly boxes of locally grown produce, meat, and other agricultural products during the growing season. University representatives highlighted benefits including improved employee health, stronger support for local farms, and keeping food dollars in Kentucky. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture proposed allowing state employees to earn wellness points through CSA participation under the Kentucky Employee Health Plan beginning in 2027. Legislators also approved an administrative regulation implementing SB 85, which allows special needs trusts to be used within Kentucky’s state-administered retirement systems in order to provide financial security for families planning for the long-term care of loved ones with disabilities.
Government Contract Review: Legislators heard funding requests and contract proposals from Kentucky agencies and organizations. The committee received testimony on contracts to provide consulting services for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Department for Medicaid Services, as well as a contract to support ongoing litigation aimed at reducing electric costs for Kentuckians. Members also reviewed funding requests, including those for Kindergarten Readiness Screener assessments, and questioned agency officials about contract cost increases, the availability of federal funding, and the justification for significant expenditures.
Information Technology Oversight Committee: Legislators received updates on the status of KentuckyWired from the Office of the Attorney General, Ledcor Technical Services, and the Kentucky Wired Operations Company. Testimony focused on ongoing litigation, network operations, and efforts to complete and manage the statewide high-speed broadband network. Members questioned officials about project costs, contractual obligations, system performance, and long-term sustainability as Kentucky continues working to expand reliable broadband infrastructure for government agencies, schools, businesses, and communities across the Commonwealth.
Legislative Oversight and Investigations: Lawmakers received the 2026 update from the Kentucky Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel, including improvements to its case management system and trends in the cases it reviews. Representatives from the University of Kentucky discussed the impact of recent state legislation on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements and efforts to keep Kentucky’s universities competitive in recruiting student-athletes. The Kentucky State Police also updated members on the Statewide Emergency Responders Voice System (SERVS), a statewide radio communications network designed to improve communications between law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, and other first responders. Officials said the project is progressing but will require additional funding to complete the statewide system.
As you can see, the General Assembly’s work does not end when the regular session adjourns. All of these meetings are archived on the legislature’s YouTube channel, @LRC Committee Meetings.
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 marianne.proctor@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.