FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 26, 2025) — Senate Republicans and constitutional officers held a press conference Wednesday in the temporary Senate chamber to spotlight 100+ new laws that take effect this Friday. The event highlighted the achievements of conservative leadership and demonstrated the benefits of cooperative governance.
“Each of these laws reflects the core conservative priorities we were elected to deliver — lower taxes, better schools, safer communities, and a government that serves the people,” said Senate Majority Floor Leader Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, who kicked off the press event. “They aren’t political gestures. They’re practical, commonsense solutions meant to make a difference in people’s daily lives.”
Senate Majority Whip Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, outlined measures that align education and job training with Kentucky’s workforce needs. He highlighted support for veterans and individuals with disabilities, streamlined public safety hiring, and vocational programs in aviation and skilled trades. In addition, he spotlighted Senate Bill 2, which bans taxpayer-funded transgender procedures for inmates.
Wilson also discussed House Bill 4, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, which eliminates taxpayer-funded DEI offices and prohibits race and gender-based preferences in public universities, while safeguarding veterans, Pell Grant recipients, first-generation students, and individuals with disabilities.
Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan, who spoke on behalf of Attorney General Russell Coleman, discussed legislation in which the office collaborated with the legislature. They include Senate Bill 169, sponsored by Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, related to digital crime investigations. Duncan provided an update from the Attorney General’s Office. He referenced a recent announcement that brought Kentucky’s total recovery to more than $1 billion from settlements with companies behind the worst man-made crisis in the commonwealth’s history.
As a result of legislative action, the Attorney General’s Office will officially take over Kentucky’s child support program on July 1.
“We are grateful for the General Assembly giving our office time to assess the existing program,” Duncan said. “Our team has traveled thousands of miles across the commonwealth to meet with child support offices and county attorney partners to gather firsthand knowledge on the program’s operation. We know we can come to the General Assembly to address any issues we encounter.”
Duncan cited Senate Bill 244 as an example. The bill finalizes the transfer of the child support office to the Attorney General’s Office from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The bill helps ensure seamless integration. Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, sponsored the measure.
Senate Majority Caucus Chair Robby Mills, R-Henderson, discussed Senate Bill 25 and House Bill 321, which update planning and zoning rules, reduce unnecessary appeals, and allow property owners to challenge local fire safety enforcement decisions. The bills aim to make housing development more efficient, transparent, and aligned with local needs. Mills was recently renamed co-chair of the Housing Task Force. Mills sponsored Senate Bill 25, and Rep. DJ Johnson, R-Owensboro, was the sponsor of House Bill 321.
Secretary of State Michael Adams, who was unable to attend, issued a statement regarding Senate Bill 4, regulating the use of artificial intelligence in political campaigns. Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, championed the bill.
“While the Governor has chosen to disengage from the legislative process, we are continuing to make Kentucky work,” Adams said. “Unlike the Governor, we are fulfilling our constitutional duty to execute the laws faithfully. I was proud to work closely with legislators on Senate Bill 4 to address the risks of AI in political campaigns, and I look forward to collaborating with them on its effective implementation.”
Senate President Pro Tem David Givens, R-Greensburg, focused on education and agriculture policy wins passed by the legislature, including the School Innovation Act, Senate Bill 207, sponsored by Senate Education Chair Steve West, R-Paris, which allows struggling schools to seek instructional waivers through a new process under the Kentucky Board of Education.
“This General Assembly has made it clear: we are serious about student success. We have cut red tape so teachers can spend more time teaching and less time on paperwork,” Givens said. “We made it easier for schools to act early when students struggle with reading. We modernized standards to emphasize critical thinking and academic excellence. We strengthened the system that trains and certifies our educators, because quality teaching begins with quality preparation. These aren’t just policy wins—they’re a clear message to parents, teachers, and communities: we’re listening and acting to make Kentucky’s public education system work better for every child.”
Givens also recognized the General Assembly’s steps to support Kentucky agriculture, including modernizing regulations, strengthening rural communities, and protecting farmland for future generations.
Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell provided several updates from his office, including Ag Education Week, to ensure K–12 students gain agricultural literacy, appreciate its relevance to their futures, and learn how nutrition influences their well-being. In addition, Shell promoted this year’s Kentucky State Fair, an annual showcase of all things related to agriculture in Kentucky.
Shell praised the legislature by noting funding allocations from the tobacco settlement master agreement, which have resulted in the distribution of over $800 million. He said that Senate Bill 28, sponsored by Howell, will help promote and prioritize investments focused on rural prosperity and ensure economic development. He also praised the passage of House Bill 315, sponsored by Rep. Scott Sharp, which restricts foreign entities from certain countries from acquiring or leasing Kentucky farmland or participating in state agricultural programs. Finally, Shell complimented the creation of the Make America Healthy Again Task Force by emphasizing the need to focus on how we can fix various health-related challenges by recognizing food as medicine.
“Our leadership is second to none at the local level, and it’s second to none at the state level,” Shell said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with our legislature every single day to put Kentucky in the place it needs to be nationally.”
Treasurer Mark Metcalf highlighted the substantial progress made by the legislature since 2017 in stabilizing Kentucky’s finances. He pointed to key measures such as Senate Bills 9, 10, and 183 and House Bill 342, which reflect “decisive leadership and a shared vision” that prioritize families, taxpayers, retirees, and all Kentuckians. The bills provide 30 days of maternity leave for Kentucky teachers by 2030, improve employee health benefits, protect state employees’ retirement investments, and strengthen financial literacy. Senate Bills 9 and 10 were sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, and Mills, respectively. House Bill 342 was sponsored by Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Oakland.
“These reforms, carefully crafted by the General Assembly, stand as clear reminders that when conservative leaders work together, Kentuckians win,” Metcalf said. “The unity today reflects something deeper than shared priorities; it demonstrates a commitment to preserve legislative authority, respect the rule of law, and ensure the government lives within the means of its people and acts within its constitutional boundaries.”
He also pointed to the state’s improved fiscal outlook. In 2017, Metcalf noted, the tax liability for each Kentuckian stood at $39,000 when Senate and House supermajorities first assumed control of the legislature.
“Due to the legislature’s fiscal prudence, that has been reduced significantly in the last eight years, and now each Kentucky taxpayer only owes $13,000,” he added. “I call that progress and the right path for Kentucky.”
Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball, who was represented at the press event by Chief of Staff Lorran Ferguson, provided a statement highlighting several oversight and accountability measures passed during the 2025 legislative session.
“I’m grateful to the General Assembly for passing such important legislation this session,” Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball stated. “Through our joint efforts, we’ve strengthened oversight of critical state programs, improved financial accountability at the local level, and secured the tools necessary for my office to continue serving as a watchdog of Kentucky taxpayer dollars.”
Ferguson provided updates, including a review of the Beshear administration’s continued refusal to faithfully execute legislation related to kinship care families. Further, Ferguson referenced an upcoming report that supports the legislature’s call for a comprehensive review of the Kentucky Department of Education. She said the findings in the report will demonstrate that “the Kentucky General Assembly was right all along.” According to Ferguson, it will clearly outline for the Governor what improvements are necessary to ensure Kentucky’s children receive the education they need to be competitive in the real world.
Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, provided closing remarks on Wednesday.
“Since both chambers have held a conservative majority, we’ve made historic progress—record contributions to the pension system, the largest budget reserve trust fund in our state’s history, and sweeping tax cuts for every Kentuckian,” said Stivers. “Our improved bond rating tells the story of sound policy and the linkages from one area to another.”
He pointed out that Senate Bill 1 has opened doors once unimagined, most notably by showcasing Kentucky’s farm-to-table commitment in a television series that has now earned national attention at the Tribeca Film Festival.
“This kind of recognition will bring new economic and workforce opportunities to our state,” Stivers said. “We’re in a position I haven’t seen in my 29 years here in the Senate.”
He added that this agriculture theme extends to the $400 million investment to modernize the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, home of the Kentucky State Fair and countless other events.
“It’s clear we’re heading into the next budget session in a position of strength,” he added.
Lawmakers will continue working with stakeholders from across Kentucky and branches of government through the ongoing 2025 Interim period as everyone looks ahead to the start of the 2026 Legislative Session, which will require crafting the next two-year state budget and road plan.
Watch full video recap here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrCYqG-8IhQ
Visit legislature.ky.gov to find all bills from the 2025 Legislative Session.
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Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees, and additional resources.
Lawmakers returned to Frankfort on June 3 to start the 2025 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2026 Regular Session, which begins Tuesday, January. 6.
The full 2025 Interim Calendar is available here. A weekly schedule with meeting times, topics, and agendas can be viewed at legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeCalendar.
Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.
You can follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky. For additional member information and press releases, visit KYSenateRepublicans.com.
(Angela Billings – Commonwealth of Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus)