After the 28th day of the 2025 legislative session ended near midnight on March 14, the veto recess began the following day and has seen only two bills vetoed by Gov. Andy Beshear as of Friday.
The recess consists of ten days, excluding Sundays, when vetoes can be issued.
Legislators will return for the two remaining legislative days on March 27-28. All bills and resolutions passed on the final two days will not have any chance to be overridden by the General Assembly if the Governor vetoes them.
Session by the numbers as of March 20
- Total bills filed: 1,080; 814 in the House and 266 in the Senate
- Bills sent to the governor: 75; 44 House bills and 31 Senate bills
- Signed by Gov. Beshear: 41 bills and 7 resolutions signed into law
- Gubernatorial vetoes: HB 4 and HB 216
Bills relevant to counties
HJR 46, sponsored by Rep. Jason Petrie (R-Todd), has been delivered to the governor. The resolution includes the County Priority Projects Program (CPPP) list of road projects to be funded for FY2026. The final resolution includes $23.9 million in road projects – all with a ranking of 10. Includes an emergency clause which means it will become law either upon the governor’s signature or ten days after his receipt of the bill and no action is taken, or if vetoed and overridden by the General Assembly.
HB 546, sponsored by Rep. Jason Petrie (R-Todd), was also sent to the governor and would establish the Local Access Road Program (LARP). This program will replace the County Priority Projects Program (CPPP) going forward. The application process would remain the same as the CPPP process, but this program would require a 10 to 20 percent local match based on the same population rankings established for the Kentucky Product Development Initiative.
The bill also includes language requiring the Transportation Cabinet to enter a new memorandum of understanding with the State of Indiana by July 1, 2025 to use tolling revenues to finance the Interstate 69 Ohio River Crossing project.
The $150 million Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bond budgeted for in FY2026 will be released contingent on the incorporation of bridge tolling to help finance the project. Reconsideration of the tolling provision can only occur if a federal grant is received to cover the cost of the project. The bill includes an emergency clause which means it will become law either upon the governor’s signature or ten days after his receipt of the bill and no action is taken, or if vetoed and overridden by the General Assembly.
HB 152, sponsored by Rep. Michael Meredith (R-Edmonson), received final passage and has been delivered to the Governor. The bill creates a new Medicaid supplemental payment program for public ground ambulance providers that would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. Ground ambulance providers owned or operated by counties, cities and special districts would be eligible to participate. The program is voluntary and would allow these providers to receive additional federal funding for Medicaid transports if they pay the state Medicaid match for the supplemental program and an administrative fee retained by the Department of Medicaid Services.
Bills with pending legislative action
HB 160, sponsored by Rep. Susan Witten (R-Jefferson), awaits final action in the Senate. The bill prohibits counties and cities from adopting zoning laws that exclude “qualified manufactured homes” from being in any residential zone where single-family residences are permitted. The bill has been improved with a floor amendment made in the House and a committee substitute in the Senate.
Some of the improvements to the bill include reinstating language on the protection of property values, limiting the definition of “qualified manufactured homes” to houses manufactured less than five years prior to the date of installation, and ensuring local governments can still regulate square footage, setback restrictions, lot dimensions and orientation of the home as compatibility standards. The Senate committee substitute also includes a delayed implementation of the bill to July 1, 2026.
HB 544, sponsored by Rep. Jason Petrie (R-Todd), passed the Senate and awaits House concurrence. The bill establishes State Aid Funding for Emergencies (SAFE) 4860 fund to provide financial support to local governments, school districts, state agencies, and nonprofit or public utility service providers impacted by the February 2025 flooding.
Eligible expenses for counties and cities include replacement or repair of publicly owned buildings, water and wastewater infrastructure, and planning efforts for rebuilding. Funds can also be used for the advancement of funds to counties and cities experiencing strained fiscal liquidity while awaiting reimbursement from Federal Emergency Management Assistance (FEMA) or insurance claims.
The bill does not include an appropriation for the SAFE 4860 fund but allows the governor to transfer unused funds from the WKSAFE and EKSAFE funds to this fund. It includes an emergency clause which means the bill will become law either upon the governor’s signature or ten days after his receipt of the bill and no action is taken, or if vetoed and overridden by the General Assembly.
HB 555, sponsored by Rep. Chris Freeland (R-Marshall), awaits final passage in the Senate. The bill would allow counties to make payments of approved expenses using electronic funds transfers.
Remaining legislative dates
March 15-26: Veto recess
March 27-28: Final two days of 2025 session
Photo by LRC Public Information
