HB-019
FailedReforming the State Agency Reorganisation Act
Type: Bill
Fiscal Impact: Minimal
Introduced: May 10, 2026
Summary
An Act reforming the applicable statutory provisions of the Kentucky Revised Statutes with respect to state agency reorganisation; prescribing procedures, standards, and responsibilities; authorising the promulgation of administrative regulations; and providing for related matters.
Full Text
WHEREAS the General Assembly finds that existing statutory provisions governing state agency reorganisation are insufficient to address contemporary conditions;
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY:
SECTION 1. Legislative Findings and Declarations of Policy.
The General Assembly hereby finds that the state agency reorganisation in the Commonwealth requires responsive and efficient statutory governance. It is the declared policy of this Commonwealth to ensure that the regulatory framework governing said state agency reorganisation is modern, equitable, and aligned with current best practices.
SECTION 2. Penalties for Noncompliance.
In the event any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or set of circumstances, is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are declared to be severable.
To the extent practicable and consistent with applicable civil rights laws, the Agency shall endeavour to ensure that the benefits and services authorised under this Act are administered in an equitable and nondiscriminatory manner across all regions and demographic groups within the Commonwealth.
SECTION 3. Procedural Safeguards.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any funds appropriated pursuant to this Act shall remain available for expenditure until the conclusion of the fiscal biennium in which they were appropriated, subject to the standard allotment and encumbrance procedures of the Finance and Administration Cabinet.
SECTION 4. Administrative Authority and Delegation.
The Agency is hereby authorised and directed to promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to implement the provisions of this Act, including but not limited to regulations establishing application procedures, eligibility criteria, and reporting requirements.
Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of this Act, or any administrative regulation promulgated thereunder, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) per violation per day. The Agency shall have authority to assess such penalties following a duly noticed administrative hearing conducted in conformance with KRS Chapter 13B.
SECTION 5. Revenue Allocation.
Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of this Act, or any administrative regulation promulgated thereunder, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) per violation per day. The Agency shall have authority to assess such penalties following a duly noticed administrative hearing conducted in conformance with KRS Chapter 13B.
The Agency is hereby authorised and directed to promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to implement the provisions of this Act, including but not limited to regulations establishing application procedures, eligibility criteria, and reporting requirements.
SECTION 6. Definitions.
"Agency" means any executive branch department, office, board, bureau, commission, or other instrumentality of the Commonwealth.
"Governing Body" means the county fiscal court, the municipal legislative body, or such other local governmental entity vested with general legislative authority.
"Programme" means the scheme of activities, services, and financial assistance established by this Act and administered by the Agency.
"Commissioner" means the duly appointed and confirmed Commissioner of the relevant Department as established pursuant to KRS Chapter 12.
SECTION 7. Effective Date.
This Act shall take effect ninety (90) days following its enactment into law.
SECTION 8. Severability.
In the event any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or set of circumstances, is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are declared to be severable.
Legislative Proceedings
45 entriesI am proud to present to this body HB-019, which I commend to the favourable attention of my colleagues.
I second the motion to introduce HB-019 and concur that it warrants the serious attention of this chamber.
The Chair announces that HB-019 has been referred from initial introduction to open debate in accordance with the standing rules of this chamber.
The relevant committee has undertaken a thorough review of HB-019. I am satisfied that the bill is technically sound, fiscally responsible, and constitutionally defensible.
This is not a partisan matter. HB-019 represents a commonsense solution that enjoys broad bipartisan support and will advance the public interest.
The standing committee has reviewed HB-019 and, following deliberation, reports it favourably to the full chamber with the following amendments: technical corrections to Section 2 and clarification of the definition provision in Section 1.
I request the indulgence of this chamber for a brief closing statement on HB-019. This legislation has been long in coming and I am grateful for the collegial process that has brought it to this point.
Yea. I commend the sponsoring member for bringing this matter before the chamber.
I cast my vote in the negative, consistent with my responsibility to ensure the fiscal integrity of this Commonwealth.
I vote yea and record my support for the advancement of sound public policy.
I vote nay and respectfully express my concern that further deliberation is warranted.
Nay. I look forward to working with the sponsor on an amended version in a future session.
Nay. I look forward to working with the sponsor on an amended version in a future session.
Yea. This legislation serves the public interest and merits the affirmative vote of this chamber.
I vote nay and respectfully express my concern that further deliberation is warranted.
I cast my vote in the negative, consistent with my responsibility to ensure the fiscal integrity of this Commonwealth.
I vote nay and respectfully express my concern that further deliberation is warranted.
Yea. This legislation serves the public interest and merits the affirmative vote of this chamber.
I cast my vote in the negative, consistent with my responsibility to ensure the fiscal integrity of this Commonwealth.
Nay. I look forward to working with the sponsor on an amended version in a future session.
I vote nay and respectfully express my concern that further deliberation is warranted.
Nay. The measure as drafted requires revision before it can command my support.
Nay. I look forward to working with the sponsor on an amended version in a future session.
Nay. I look forward to working with the sponsor on an amended version in a future session.
I cast my vote in the negative, consistent with my responsibility to ensure the fiscal integrity of this Commonwealth.
I cast my vote in the negative, consistent with my responsibility to ensure the fiscal integrity of this Commonwealth.
I cast my vote in the affirmative, consistent with the wishes of my constituents and my own studied review of this measure.
Nay. I look forward to working with the sponsor on an amended version in a future session.
Yea. This legislation serves the public interest and merits the affirmative vote of this chamber.
I cast my vote in the affirmative, consistent with the wishes of my constituents and my own studied review of this measure.
I vote yea and record my support for the advancement of sound public policy.
Nay. The measure as drafted requires revision before it can command my support.
I cast my vote in the affirmative, consistent with the wishes of my constituents and my own studied review of this measure.
Nay. The measure as drafted requires revision before it can command my support.
Nay. I look forward to working with the sponsor on an amended version in a future session.
I cast my vote in the affirmative, consistent with the wishes of my constituents and my own studied review of this measure.
Yea. I commend the sponsoring member for bringing this matter before the chamber.
Yea. I commend the sponsoring member for bringing this matter before the chamber.
I vote nay and respectfully express my concern that further deliberation is warranted.
I vote nay and respectfully express my concern that further deliberation is warranted.
I cast my vote in the affirmative, consistent with the wishes of my constituents and my own studied review of this measure.
Nay. I look forward to working with the sponsor on an amended version in a future session.
Nay. The measure as drafted requires revision before it can command my support.
Nay. The measure as drafted requires revision before it can command my support.
It is the determination of the Chair that HB-019 has failed of passage. The Clerk shall note the final vote in the journal.
Bill Progress
- Draft
- Debate
- Committee
- Floor Vote
- Other Chamber
- Governor
- Enacted