The first month of the 2025 Interim Session has concluded, with legislative committees and task forces actively engaging in oversight, public testimony, and policy development. Senate leadership—including myself—identified several critical policy areas that warranted continued focus during the interim, particularly as federal decisions in Washington could impact Kentucky’s long-term planning.
Clarifying Senate Bill 181: Protecting students and communication transparency
Senate Bill 181 passed unanimously (137-0) and was signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear. This student safety measure ensures that all digital communication between school staff, coaches, volunteers, and students occurs on traceable, district-approved platforms, unless parents provide written consent for alternatives, such as texting or social media. The spirit of the law was not intended to impact publicly viewable social media interactions such as Facebook friends or retweets on X (formerly Twitter).
This law was designed to protect students from unmonitored contact while empowering families to be engaged in their children’s education-related communications. It applies equally to all school personnel and volunteers and does not restrict classroom instruction. Notably, no education advocacy groups raised concerns during the legislative process. Families are encouraged to follow updates from their local school boards as implementation continues. Waivers for students to communicate through text or social media direct messaging will be an option if parents determine that is right for their children.
As with any legislation, clean-up measures can occur so long as it doesn’t undo the critical intent of this law.
Education and child well-being: preparing for the future
As a member of the Senate Education Committee and the Families and Children Committee, I was especially encouraged by efforts to modernize Kentucky’s K-12 accountability system. The proposed framework shifts away from rigid, standardized testing and toward personalized assessments that accurately reflect real student growth. Peer review and district-level flexibility are core to the new model, which is expected to be finalized by 2026.
In the Families and Children Committee, members received a powerful presentation from The Center for Courageous Kids, a nonprofit camp supporting children with chronic illnesses. Expanding such high-impact, no-cost resources is a bipartisan priority.
Lawmakers also explored ongoing challenges within Kentucky’s guardianship system and adult protective services, with particular attention to caseloads, elder abuse prevention, and flexible support for vulnerable adults.
Accountability, access, and resilience: Tackling Kentucky’s complex challenges
As part of our interim priorities, Senate leadership reauthorized and launched several key task forces and oversight boards to address the most pressing issues facing Kentuckians. These efforts are focused not only on immediate needs but also on long-term planning and strategic reform.
The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (MOAB), established by House Bill 695, held its inaugural meeting to examine the scale and sustainability of Kentucky’s Medicaid system. With over 1.4 million enrollees, the board reviewed financial trends, federal policy shifts, and underutilized services. Attention also centered on accountability in behavioral health spending and maintaining access for vulnerable populations.
Meanwhile, the housing, disaster resiliency, and artificial intelligence task forces resumed their work to address structural challenges across the state.
The Disaster Resiliency Task Force examined Kentucky’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the need for improved infrastructure, including flood monitoring and emergency logistics. Recommendations included developing a statewide resilience strategy and appointing a Chief Resilience Officer to lead proactive planning.
The Housing Task Force reviewed data projecting a 287,000-unit shortfall by 2029. With rising construction costs and shrinking federal support, the task force explored zoning reforms, housing tax credits, and the modernization of state funding mechanisms to expand access to affordable housing.
The Artificial Intelligence Task Force focused on implementing Senate Bill 4, ensuring that state agencies adopt safe and efficient AI tools without creating a regulatory patchwork. Discussions also emphasized cybersecurity, digital equity, and preparing students for an economy integrated with AI.
These groups are expected to produce meaningful legislative recommendations for the 2026 Session. I am grateful for the leadership of our Senate chairs—Sen. Robin Webb, Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, and my friend and Senate Leadership colleague Sen. Robby Mills, for guiding these efforts.
As Senate Majority Floor Leader, I’m proud of the foresight behind these initiatives. They show our commitment to not just react to emerging challenges, but to prepare for them with smart, data-driven policy. The interim provides us the space to listen, refine, and build the consensus needed to move Kentucky forward—safely, responsibly, and with purpose.
Stay engaged
As the interim session continues, Kentuckians are encouraged to follow committee meetings and participate in the legislative process. You can find past meeting materials and the full 2025 Interim calendar at legislature.ky.gov. Most meetings are livestreamed on the KY LRC Committee meeting YouTube Channel and on KET. Archived footage of meetings is available via both. You can share your input with elected members of the Kentucky General Assembly by calling the Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181 or by contacting their offices directly at 502-564-8100.
For the latest updates, follow the Senate Majority Caucus on social media (@KYSenateGOP on X and @kysenate.gop on Instagram) and visit KYSenateRepublicans.com to subscribe to news alerts and learn more about legislative priorities.
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Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, represents the 16th Senate District, including Adair, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Taylor Counties and eastern Warren County. He is the Senate Majority Floor Leader. As a member of Senate majority leadership, he serves on the Legislative Research Commission. Wise is a member of the Interim Joint Committees on Economic Development and Workforce Investment; Education; Families and Children; and Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology.
(Dustin R. Isaacs – Senate Majority Floor Leader Max Wise)