LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Marianne Proctor
September 15, 2026
Honoring the Constitution and the principles that guide our nation
Each year on September 17, Americans observe Constitution Day, a time to reflect on the document that established the framework of our government and remains the foundation of our system of self-government. The Constitution is more than an historic document. It is the governing charter of the United States. It establishes the structure of our government, defines the powers of its different branches and, most importantly, places limits on government power while protecting the rights and liberties of the people.
For those of us who have the privilege of serving in the Kentucky General Assembly, those principles carry a special responsibility. Our government does not exist above the people, it exists because for the people and derives its authority from every Kentuckian across the Commonwealth. Every elected official, regardless of political party or position, takes an oath to support the Constitution. That oath is more than a ceremonial promise. It is a commitment to uphold the rule of law and to remember that the powers entrusted to government ultimately belong to the people.
As legislators, we have the authority to pass laws, establish policies and make decisions that affect the lives of the people in our districts and across Kentucky. But that authority comes with boundaries. We must respect the Constitution, the rule of law, and the rights of the people we represent. That means remembering that government is not the source of our rights, but that the Constitution recognizes rights that belong to the people.
The First Amendment protects fundamental freedoms including speech, religion, the press, peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government. The Second Amendment protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments provide important protections for due process and equal protection under the law.
These rights and protections are not merely words on a page. They are safeguards that have allowed generations of Americans to live as free citizens.
The true test of a constitutional government is not whether we defend the Constitution when it is convenient. It is whether we are willing to uphold its principles when doing so requires discipline, restraint, and respect for people with whom we disagree.
Our nation has changed dramatically since 1787. Kentucky has grown from a young frontier state into a thriving commonwealth. Technology has transformed nearly every part of our lives, and the challenges facing government today could not have been imagined by the delegates who gathered in Philadelphia. But the principles of constitutional government remain remarkably relevant.
The Constitution gives us a framework capable of adapting to changing circumstances while preserving the fundamental principles upon which our republic was founded. It reminds us that elections matter, that citizens have a voice and that government officials are accountable to the people. It reminds us that disagreement is not a weakness of our system. It is an expected part of a free society. And it reminds us that our rights are worth defending even when doing so requires patience, courage, and humility
For Kentucky, that responsibility is especially meaningful. Our state has its own Constitution, its own elected government, and its own proud tradition of self-government. The Kentucky General Assembly has a responsibility to make laws that serve the people while respecting the constitutional boundaries placed upon our authority.
As elected representatives, we should never lose sight of the fact that the people of Kentucky have entrusted us with a temporary responsibility. We are not the owners of public office. We are its stewards. Constitution Day gives all of us an opportunity to step back from the political debates of the moment and remember the principles that unite us beyond party, geography, or ideology.
The Constitution has endured for nearly 240 years because generations of Americans have recognized that freedom cannot be taken for granted. Each generation inherits the responsibility to protect the institutions and principles that made our republic possible.
We have inherited that responsibility, and we must take it seriously.
As we observe Constitution Day, let us remember the men and women who helped establish our constitutional system, the generations who have defended it, and the citizens who continue to exercise the freedoms it protects. Most importantly, let us remember that the Constitution belongs to the American people. It is a promise that government will remain accountable, that individual liberty will be protected, and that no person is above the law.
As a state representative, I am honored to serve the people of Kentucky, and I remain committed to upholding the Constitution and the principles of limited government, individual liberty, and representative democracy that have allowed our nation to endure.
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
September 8, 2026
25 years of remembrance: For the hope of a better future
As the workday was just beginning on the morning of September 11, 2001, our nation was changed forever. At 8:46 a.m., five hijackers flew American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, instantly killing everyone on board and many people in the building. Seventeen minutes later, another five hijackers on board United Airlines flight 175 crashed their plane into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, murdering more Americans. The death toll continued to increase when the Pentagon was hit by American Airlines Flight 77 at 9:37 a.m. Soon after, the final hijacked plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in a field in Pennsylvania and killed everyone on board. Flight 93 passengers rushed the cockpit to regain control of the plane, forcing the hijackers to crash-land the plane before they breached the cockpit door. In their choice to be brave in their final moments, a choice made by many Americans that day, they prevented what was likely going to be another attack in Washington, D.C.
In less than two hours, hundreds of Americans were dead and thousands injured. The final death count would reach nearly 3,000, including American children and adults, as well as many foreign workers at the World Trade Center. Unsuspecting plane passengers, pedestrians in New York City, and office workers at the Pentagon and World Trade Center died that day. Hundreds of first responders sacrificed their lives while trying to save others.
For a moment, the nation stood still, not knowing what the day meant for our future. How do you respond to the largest attack on U.S. soil? However, the American spirit is resilient, and while it was shaken that day, it was not broken. American resolve was only strengthened as a result of the attacks. Patriotism surged as the anger and sadness surrounding the events strengthened Americans in their love of country. Then something happened that the terrorists never imagined would, the evil of that day drew us together in a way unseen since the very revolution that founded our nation.
Such patriotism and unity have faded in the 25 years since the 9/11 attacks. Our country seems more divided than ever. But I do not believe that tragedy is necessary for a country to come together, for our identity as Americans is our greatest bond. America has endured through its highest and lowest points of history. The American dream of achieving success is intertwined with our desire for success as a country. There is hope for a safer and more united future if we choose the pursuit of excellence for ourselves and our fellow Americans. The pain of the anniversary of 9/11 serves as a reminder for us to work to protect our future.
Every year, we pause to reflect on this horrific day. We remember the innocent lives lost. We honor those who sacrificed themselves for the safety of strangers. We recognize the survivors who carry not only traumatic memories, but, in some cases, lifelong illness from toxin exposure. Firefighters across the nation will climb 110 flights of stairs in memory of the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters who died in the attacks. The families of 9/11 victims will gather at the memorial in New York City to read their names aloud. Schools will stop their morning activities for a moment of silence. The attacks on September 11, 2001 can never be forgotten.
In your remembrance of this day, I ask that you would pray for the families and friends of those who lost their lives. A day that was a national tragedy for most of the country is still deeply personal for them. For their sake and the future of our nation, we must never forget.
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
September 1, 2026
Kentucky working on access to maternal care
Less than a week after a March of Dimes study brought attention to the fact that almost half of Kentucky’s 120 counties are classified as maternity care deserts, state regulations were approved to clear the way for freestanding birthing centers that will provide expectant mothers with another option.
According to the study, mothers in these areas travel up to three times farther for maternal care. Also, more than 100,000 Kentucky women live more than half an hour from labor and delivery services offered in a traditional hospital setting. It does not take an expert to see that this has an impact on the health of both the mother and the child. When a mother has to travel hours to receive care, that distance can create real challenges, particularly for families in rural communities. It can mean missed work, additional child care costs, long drives late in pregnancy and added stress during what should be an exciting time for a family.
That is why expanding access to maternal care has to be about more than simply counting the number of hospitals or doctors we have. It also means looking at whether Kentucky families have meaningful choices when it comes to where and how they receive care.
That is what makes a recent step forward in Kentucky’s health care system so important. New regulations implementing legislation passed by the General Assembly now establish a framework for freestanding birthing centers in the Commonwealth. After years without a freestanding birthing center operating in Kentucky, this creates a path for providers interested in bringing this option back to our state.
Freestanding birthing centers are not intended to replace hospitals, and they are not the right setting for every pregnancy. They are designed to serve women with medically uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancies and can provide prenatal, labor, delivery and postpartum care. In other words, they provide another option.
For some women, a hospital is exactly where they want to be. Others may prefer a more home-like setting with a different approach to labor and delivery. Some may want a middle ground between a hospital and a home birth. Families should have the opportunity to make those decisions in consultation with their health care providers.
For years, one of the biggest barriers to opening a smaller freestanding birthing center was Kentucky’s certificate-of-need (CON) process. The legislation passed by the General Assembly removed that barrier for centers with four or fewer beds.
That change does not mean lowering standards for care. The new regulations establish requirements for licensing and operation, including staffing, patient care, emergency preparedness and coordination with other health care providers. Those safeguards are important. Expanding access should never mean compromising the safety of mothers or babies.
There is also a larger lesson here about how we approach health care in Kentucky.
Reforming Kentucky’s CON process should not stop at opening access to freestanding birthing centers, but should extend to other types of health care facilities, like hospitals, imaging centers, ambulatory surgical centers, mental health centers and autism treatment centers. When access to health care improves, we give Kentuckians across our state more of a choice in which provider they receive care from and greater opportunities for more affordable care. That is why I will continue to fight to modernize and reform the CON process in our state, ensuring every Kentuckian has access to care within their community.
However, improving access goes beyond CON reform. We need hospitals, physicians, nurses, midwives and other health care professionals. We need to look at how we recruit and retain providers, particularly in rural areas. We need to consider transportation and other barriers that can make it difficult for families to get care. And we need to be willing to consider new models that can safely meet the needs of Kentucky families.
The adoption of these regulations is not the finish line. It is the beginning of a process that could allow interested providers to move forward with plans to establish centers in communities across the Commonwealth. This positive step forward could open the door for more women to receive care close to home from qualified professionals in a setting that best fits their needs.
More broadly, this progress is part of a larger effort to improve health care access across the Commonwealth. While our work is far from over, this is another significant step in making sure that location does not determine whether Kentuckians can access the care they need.
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 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.