More than halfway through the 2026 legislative interim, lawmakers continued discussions this week on issues relevant to counties.
Driver licensing
The Interim Joint Committee on Transportation met Tuesday and received an update from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on the state’s driver licensing system and regional driver licensing offices.
Heather Stout, executive director of KYTC’s Office of Information Technology, provided an update on the implementation of the new Kentucky Information Network for Driver Licensing, which went live in June. The system is designed to streamline workflows and improve compliance with state-to-state requirements and federal mandates.
Stout said the new system has reduced average transaction times from 6.04 minutes in June to 4.98 minutes in September. She also credited the system with helping reduce wait times at driver licensing offices.
Average waiting times for walk-in customers fell from 19 minutes in June to eight minutes in September, while wait times for customers with appointments dropped from 12 minutes to seven minutes.
KYTC also has expanded digital services through myDrive. Individuals can pre-apply for a license or identification card, submit documents, replace cards and change addresses online.
Matthew Cole, commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation, provided an update on regional driver licensing offices. He said KYTC continues to review office locations to address demand and changing needs. Expansions are currently expected in Bullitt, Oldham and Shelby counties.
The committee also reviewed a proposed administrative regulation, 601 KAR 12:130, which would establish requirements for third-party issuance of identity documents. The regulation follows Senate Bill 43, enacted during the 2025 legislative session.
Third-party issuers, which are limited to businesses and nonprofit organizations, would be required under the proposed regulation to meet specified security and cybersecurity, including maintaining cybersecurity insurance.
Jail medical care
Lawmakers also continued discussions on the new administrative regulation related to state inmate medical care in county jails.
The Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue received an update Wednesday from the Department of Corrections on the new definitions included in the regulation and its estimated cost to the state.
For more information on the administrative regulation, click here.
DOC representatives said the department is monitoring the cost of the new regulation but did not yet have a reliable estimate of the total expense. The administrative regulation statement estimates the cost at $12 million.
The state budget allows up to $10 million in necessary governmental expenses to be paid above the amount appropriated for state inmates in the budget. DOC said it will continue monitoring costs to determine whether the $10 million cap will be sufficient.
