SB-034

Other Chamber

Consolidating the County Revenue Distribution Act

Author: Thomas Ashford

Chamber: Senate

Category: Education

Type: Bill

Fiscal Impact: Minimal

Introduced: May 25, 2026

Summary

An Act consolidating the applicable statutory provisions of the Kentucky Revised Statutes with respect to county revenue distribution; prescribing procedures, standards, and responsibilities; authorising the promulgation of administrative regulations; and providing for related matters.

Full Text
WHEREAS the Joint Appropriations Committee has received and reviewed testimony demonstrating the necessity of clarifying county revenue distribution;

WHEREAS the Commonwealth of Kentucky has a compelling interest in the orderly administration of county revenue distribution;

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 county revenue distribution 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 county revenue distribution is modern, equitable, and aligned with current best practices.

SECTION 2. Procedural Safeguards.

This Act shall be interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the legislative intent to promote fiscal responsibility, governmental efficiency, and the welfare of all citizens of the Commonwealth, and shall be liberally construed to effectuate its remedial purposes.

SECTION 3. Penalties for Noncompliance.

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.
All state agencies and political subdivisions receiving funds appropriated pursuant to this Act are required to maintain adequate financial records, consistent with generally accepted governmental accounting standards, and shall provide access to such records upon written request by the Auditor of Public Accounts.

SECTION 4. Rulemaking Authority.

The Agency shall submit to the Legislative Research Commission and to the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue a detailed annual report setting forth performance metrics, expenditure data, and programme outcomes no later than the first day of December following the close of each fiscal year.
All state agencies and political subdivisions receiving funds appropriated pursuant to this Act are required to maintain adequate financial records, consistent with generally accepted governmental accounting standards, and shall provide access to such records upon written request by the Auditor of Public Accounts.

SECTION 5. Reporting Requirements.

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.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit, abridge, or otherwise affect the rights, privileges, or immunities of any person protected under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

SECTION 6. Definitions.

"Qualified Entity" means any person or organisation that meets the eligibility criteria established pursuant to Section 3 of this Act.
"Permit" means any licence, certificate, registration, approval, or other authorisation issued pursuant to this Act or the administrative regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Regulated Activity" means any commercial, industrial, agricultural, or professional activity subject to oversight under the provisions of this Act.
"Commissioner" means the duly appointed and confirmed Commissioner of the relevant Department as established pursuant to KRS Chapter 12.
"Applicant" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity that submits a completed application pursuant to this Act.

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
23 entries
Draft
Thomas Ashford May 25, 11:18 AM

Mr. President / Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce SB-034, a measure of considerable importance to the citizens of this Commonwealth.

Reginald Finch May 25, 11:18 AM

I second the motion to introduce SB-034 and concur that it warrants the serious attention of this chamber.

Debate
The Clerk May 25, 11:18 AM

The Chair announces that SB-034 has been referred from initial introduction to open debate in accordance with the standing rules of this chamber.

Reginald Finch May 25, 11:18 AM

I rise in strong support of SB-034. Having reviewed the bill's provisions in detail, I am persuaded that its enactment represents sound fiscal and legislative policy, and I urge my colleagues to vote affirmatively.

Thomas Ashford May 25, 11:18 AM

I rise in strong support of SB-034. Having reviewed the bill's provisions in detail, I am persuaded that its enactment represents sound fiscal and legislative policy, and I urge my colleagues to vote affirmatively.

Gerald Fontaine May 25, 11:18 AM

This is not a partisan matter. SB-034 represents a commonsense solution that enjoys broad bipartisan support and will advance the public interest.

Committee
David Okafor May 25, 11:18 AM

The standing committee has reviewed SB-034 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.

Debate
Denise Caldwell May 25, 11:18 AM

Before we proceed to the vote, I urge all members to reflect carefully on the implications of SB-034 for our constituents. The record speaks for itself.

Floor Vote
Edmund Forsythe May 27, 1:20 PM

I vote yea and record my support for the advancement of sound public policy.

Leonard Burke May 27, 1:20 PM

Yea. This legislation serves the public interest and merits the affirmative vote of this chamber.

Lawrence Holt May 27, 1:20 PM

I vote nay and respectfully express my concern that further deliberation is warranted.

Vernon Sloane May 27, 1:20 PM

I cast my vote in the negative, consistent with my responsibility to ensure the fiscal integrity of this Commonwealth.

Reginald Finch May 27, 1:20 PM

I vote nay and respectfully express my concern that further deliberation is warranted.

Stanley Pruitt May 27, 1:20 PM

I cast my vote in the affirmative, consistent with the wishes of my constituents and my own studied review of this measure.

Arthur Westbrook May 27, 1:20 PM

Nay. The measure as drafted requires revision before it can command my support.

Randolph Tate May 27, 1:20 PM

Nay. The measure as drafted requires revision before it can command my support.

Burl Lassiter May 27, 1:20 PM

I cast my vote in the affirmative, consistent with the wishes of my constituents and my own studied review of this measure.

Earl Vance May 27, 1:20 PM

I cast my vote in the negative, consistent with my responsibility to ensure the fiscal integrity of this Commonwealth.

Philip Hartley May 27, 1:20 PM

Yea. I commend the sponsoring member for bringing this matter before the chamber.

William Hardin May 27, 1:20 PM

Yea. I commend the sponsoring member for bringing this matter before the chamber.

David Okafor May 27, 1:20 PM

I vote nay and respectfully express my concern that further deliberation is warranted.

Samuel Brooks May 27, 1:20 PM

I vote yea and record my support for the advancement of sound public policy.

Other Chamber
The Clerk May 28, 11:19 AM

The Clerk is directed to transmit SB-034, having passed this chamber, to the other chamber for its concurrence.

Bill Progress
  • Draft
  • Debate
  • Committee
  • Floor Vote
  • Other Chamber
  • Governor
  • Enacted
Statistics
Total Votes Cast 38
Co-Sponsors 0
Last Updated May 28
Authored By
T
Thomas Ashford
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