FRANKFORT— In a frenzied sprint to the finish before the veto recess, the Kentucky General Assembly moved with remarkable speed, passing a wave of high-stakes legislation in its final four days of uninterrupted lawmaking. Lawmakers advanced measures addressing disaster relief, Medicaid changes, worker protections, and more—decisive actions that set the stage for an intense final week of the 2025 Regular Session.
One measure I was particularly proud to see pass with unanimous, bipartisan support was Senate Bill 69, which modernizes Kentucky’s veterinary laws and expands access to essential animal health services. This legislation, now on its way to the Governor’s desk for signature, ensures Kentucky remains a leader in animal care and agriculture by recognizing and regulating highly trained allied animal health professionals. The bill establishes licensing and oversight for equine dentists and animal chiropractors, improving access to specialized care while maintaining strong veterinary standards. Additionally, it creates an advisory board to oversee these newly recognized professionals and ensure they operate safely and effectively under appropriate guidelines. Updates to regulatory processes will also streamline veterinary care and improve record-keeping standards across the industry.
This is a commonsense step forward for Kentucky’s agricultural economy and the health and well-being of our animals. By modernizing our approach, we’re ensuring access to the best possible care while upholding the highest professional standards. SB 69 previously passed the Senate with unanimous support, and on the final legislative day before the recess, the House followed suit. The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature.
Other Key Legislation Passed Before Recess
In addition to SB 69, several other measures passed in the final days before the recess. Some had overwhelming bipartisan support, while others sparked fierce debate and raised significant questions.
Among the bills I supported were:
- House Bill 2, which allows a sales tax exemption for gold and silver purchases. This measure aligns Kentucky with other states that have removed taxes on precious metal investments. The bill passed 32-6.
- House Bill 137, which requires air quality enforcement actions in Kentucky to be based only on data collected using EPA-approved or scientifically validated methods. This ensures regulatory consistency by aligning state enforcement with federal standards. The bill passed 31-6.
- Senate Bill 75, which lowers the minimum age requirement for carrying concealed deadly weapons from 21 to 18. The bill allows legally permitted individuals aged 18 and older to carry concealed weapons without a license in the same locations as those with valid licenses. It also authorizes the Kentucky State Police to issue and renew concealed carry licenses for qualified applicants aged 18 and above. It passed 26-11.
- House Bill 45, which updates Kentucky’s campaign finance laws by clarifying definitions, strengthening reporting requirements, and prohibiting foreign contributions related to ballot measures. Senate amendments refined the bill’s language to specify that financial restrictions apply only to funds used for influencing Kentucky elections and ensure transparency in political advertising. It passed 30-6.
While I was pleased to support these measures, I opposed others that I believe undermine worker protections, public health, and responsible governance.
- House Bill 694 redirects employer contributions from retiree health benefits to the pension fund once the retiree health fund is fully funded. If the fund falls below 95%, employer contributions would return to it, and employee contribution rates would increase by 0.5% annually until full funding is restored. This shift could jeopardize long-term healthcare funding for retired teachers by diverting resources away from retiree health benefits, creating financial uncertainty for educators planning their retirement. Despite my “NO” vote, it passed 28-9.
- House Bill 196 reduces the number of required emergency medical or mine emergency technicians on duty at active coal mines. If 10 or fewer employees are working a shift, only one technician would be required instead of two. Coal mining is an inherently dangerous profession, and reducing the number of trained emergency responders on-site could compromise worker safety. Quick medical response times in life-threatening situations such as cave-ins, gas leaks, or explosions are critical, and this bill increases the risks miners face. The bill passed 30-7.
- House Bill 398 prohibits Kentucky from enforcing workplace safety standards that exceed federal OSHA regulations, limits third-party safety complaints, imposes financial penalties on the state for employer legal costs, and reduces the timeframe for filing workplace safety violations. By prioritizing corporate interests over worker safety, this legislation strips the state of its ability to enforce stronger protections and makes it harder for employees to report unsafe conditions. Kentucky already experiences higher-than-average workplace injuries and fatalities, and this bill would further endanger workers by reducing oversight and accountability. I opposed the measure, but it passed 28-9.
- House Bill 399 creates two new criminal offenses for interfering with legislative proceedings—making disruptive conduct inside legislative buildings a Class A misdemeanor and repeated offenses a Class D felony. It also prohibits unauthorized entry into restricted areas of the Capitol. I voted against this bill because existing laws already address trespassing, disorderly conduct, and obstruction of government operations, making HB 399 unnecessary and excessive. Additionally, the bill lacks clear definitions of “disruptive conduct,” which could lead to inconsistent enforcement and potential overreach by law enforcement. Despite my objections, the bill passed 30-7.
- House Bill 695 overhauls Medicaid policy, limiting the Department for Medicaid Services’ ability to make necessary program adjustments without legislative approval. It eliminates expanded access to psychoeducational services, replacing it with a weak monitoring system that only flags behavioral health programs when spending spikes rather than when services are denied. It also forces Medicaid recipients into a mandatory work requirement program, which has been shown to cause coverage losses. Meanwhile, managed care organizations that failed previous reporting requirements will continue receiving contracts. A rushed amendment at the last minute prioritizes political control over patient care, putting thousands of Kentuckians at risk. I opposed HB 695, but it passed 29-7.
In addition to the bills mentioned, all bills that were passed, enrolled, and delivered to the Governor can be found at 25RS Enrollment/Executive Actions by Date on the Legislative Record. There you can also find other information, such as bill summaries and full bill text, or find the status of specific legislation. For more, visit legislature.ky.gov.
As we move into the final stretch of the 2025 Regular Session when we return on March 27 and 28, I remain committed to advocating for policies that support Kentucky’s working families, protect our agricultural industries, and ensure public safety. The coming days will be critical as we prepare to consider any potential veto overrides and finalize outstanding legislative business before the session adjourns.
I encourage you to stay engaged in the legislative process—your voice matters. Whether you’re advocating for your community, your profession, or an issue close to your heart, your input helps shape the decisions that impact us all. Please reach out to share your thoughts and perspectives. I can be contacted by email at SD18@cm.kylegislature.gov or through the General Assembly Message Line at 1-800-372-7181. Kentuckians with hearing loss can use Kentucky Relay by dialing 711.
