Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Passed House 12 R cosponsors

HB 66 — AN ACT relating to public agencies.

Last action — to State & Local Government (S)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced January 07, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 12 sponsors

    12 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (12 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

Amend KRS 12.070 to permit a board, commission, or similar administrative body to conduct video teleconference meetings to allow public participation; allow members of a board, commission, or similar administrative body to attend meetings virtually unless a decision implements, interprets, or prescribes law or policy, affects private rights or procedures available to the public, or administers or awards funds; prohibit members who participate virtually from receiving reimbursement for travel expenses; amend KRS 61.826 to prohibit a member of a public agency that attends a meeting through video teleconference from receiving reimbursement of travel expenses; amend KRS 164.004 to conform.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

87 added · 149 removed

87 line(s) added, 149 removed.

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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 79 AN ACT relating tovideo teleconference meetings.
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 66/GA AN ACT relating to public agencies.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealthof Kentucky:
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
Section 1.
SECTION 1.
KRS12.070 is amended toread as follows:
A NEW SECTION OF KRS 61.870 TO 61.884 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
(1) For the purpose of this section, "minority" means American Indian;
(1) A public agency with a board or commission of appointed or elected members shall publish information on its appointed and elected members on its website for the duration of each member's term, including:
Alaskan native;
(a) The name of each member;
African-American;
(b) Each member's date of appointment or election;
Hispanic, including persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Central or South American origin;
(c) The date that the term of each member ends;
Pacific islander;
and (d) An official method to contact each member.
or other ethnic group underrepresented on state boardsand commissions.
(2) If a public agency does not have a website, it shall have the information described in subsection (1)(a) to (d) of this section published by a related public agency on its website.
(2) Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the members of each administrative board or commission shall be citizens of Kentucky appointed by the Governor from the state at large on the basis of their interests in public affairs, their good judgment, and their knowledge and ability in the field of action of the department for which appointed, with a view to providing diversity of interests and points of view in the membership and without regard to their political or religious opinions or affiliations.
(3) Where appointments to administrative boards and commissions are made from lists submitted to him or her, the Governor may reject the list and require that other lists be submitted.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, in the event the current membership of a board or commission reflects a proportion of the minority group less than the proportion of the minority group in the total population of the Commonwealth, then the Governor may appoint a member of the minority group even if the list of nominees for a vacancy does not include a member of the minority group.
(4) Before entering upon the duties of their office, all members of administrative boards and commissions shall take the oath of office prescribed by Section 228 of the Constitutionof Kentucky.
(5) (a) A board, commission, or similar administrative body may conduct video teleconference meetings in accordance with Section 2 of this Act to allow Page 1 of 5 XXXX 10/2/2025 2:44 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 79 members of the public to attend and participate.
(b) 1.
A member of a board, commission, or similar administrative body may attend a meeting virtually through video teleconference unless a decision of the board, commission, or similar administrative body at the meeting:
a.
Would result in an action that implements, interprets, or prescribes law or policy or affects private rights or procedures available to the public;
or b.
Administers or awards funds.
2.
Members who attend a meeting virtually through video teleconference shall not receive reimbursement for travel expenses.
(6) When a board, commission, or similar administrative body is established and no provision is made for compensation of members, members shall serve without pay, but may receive reimbursement for their actual and necessary expenses.
KRS61.826 is amended toread as follows:
KRS 61.826 is amended to read as follows:
(1) A public agency may conduct any meeting through videoteleconference.
(1) A public agency may conduct any meeting entirely through publicly available video teleconference to carry out its public business, including but not limited to:
(2) Notice of a video teleconference meeting shall:
(a) Advisory actions;
(a) Comply withthe requirements of KRS61.820 or 61.823 as appropriate;
(b) Informational meetings;
(b) Clearly statethat the meeting will be a videoteleconference;
(c) Rendering decisions on individual cases before the public agency subject to the limitations of KRS 61.810;
(c) Provide specific information on how any member of the public or media organization may view themeeting electronically;
and (d) Approving business transactions of a routine nature.
and (d) In any case where the public agency has elected to provide a physical location, or in any circumstance where two (2) or more members of the public agency are attending a video teleconference meeting from the same physical location, precisely identify a primary physical location of the video teleconference where all members can be seen and heard and the public may attend in accordance withKRS61.840.
(2) A public agency shall convene, at a minimum, a quorum of members in person, and allow other members to attend, participate, and vote through video teleconference in accordance with KRS 61.805 to 61.850 for any of the following actions:
Page 2 of 5 XXXX 10/2/2025 2:44 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 79 (3) The same procedures with regard to participation, distribution of materials, and other matters shall apply in all video teleconference locations.
(a) Final actions establishing or modifying laws or regulations;
Page 1 of 3 HB006610.100 - 79 - XXXX 2/11/2026 2:25 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 66/GA (b) Final actions establishing or modifying taxes;
(c) Approving or denying a nonroutine expenditure;
and (d) Approving or denying an award or grant of public funds in excess of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
(3) A public agency shall be exempt from the requirements of subsection (2) of this section during a declared state of emergency.
(4) A public agency may develop policies and procedures to allow members to participate in a meeting using video teleconference, including but not be limited to:
(a) Attendance and participation policies for members of the public agency that attend virtually through video teleconference.
The policies shall at minimum require the members to:
1.
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Be considered present and in attendance at the meeting;
2.
Be permitted to vote;
and 3.
Remain visible through his or her camera on the electronic device connected to the video teleconference meeting;
(b) Governing the request, notification, and decision framework process for members to attend virtually through video teleconference for meetings subject to the requirements of this section;
(c) Accommodation of requests received from a member due to:
1.
A temporary or permanent disability or other medical condition of the member that prevents in-person attendance;
and 2.
A personal matter that impedes the ability of the member to participate in person, including but not limited to personal or family emergencies, severe weather conditions, and transportation issues;
and (d) Ensuring that all records and recordings of video teleconference meetings comply with the Open Records Act, KRS 61.870 to 61.884.
Page 2 of 3 HB006610.100 - 79 - XXXX 2/11/2026 2:25 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 66/GA (5)[(2)] Notice of a video teleconference meeting shall:
(a) Comply with the requirements of KRS 61.820 or 61.823 as appropriate;
(b) Clearly state that the meeting will be a video teleconference;
(c) Provide specific information on how any member of the public or media organization may view the meeting electronically;
and (d) In any case where the public agency is providing[ has elected to provide] a physical location, in accordance with subsection (2) of this section, or in any circumstance where two (2) or more members of the public agency are attending a video teleconference meeting from the same physical location, precisely identify a primary physical location of the video teleconference where all members can be seen and heard and the public may attend in accordance with KRS 61.840.
(6)[(3)] The same procedures with regard to participation, distribution of materials, and other matters shall apply in all video teleconference locations.
(4) Any interruption in the video or audio broadcast of a video teleconference at any location shall result in the suspension of the video teleconference until the broadcast is restored.
(7)[(4)] Any interruption in the video or audio broadcast of a video teleconference at any location shall result in the suspension of the video teleconference until the broadcast is restored.
(5) If a regular meeting is changed to a video conference, the meeting shall remain a regular meeting if the meeting occurs on the same date and time as originally scheduled and the public agency follows the provisions of KRS 61.823(4) to provide a notice that meets the requirements of subsection (2)(b) to (d) of this section.
(8)[(5)] If a regular meeting is changed to a video conference, the meeting shall remain a regular meeting if the meeting occurs on the same date and time as originally scheduled and the public agency follows the provisions of KRS 61.823(4) to provide a notice that meets the requirements of subsection (5)[(2)](b) to (d) of this section.
(6) A member of a public agency who participates in a video teleconference meeting or attends a regular meeting virtually through video teleconference shall not receive reimbursement for travel expenses.
Page 3 of 3 HB006610.100 - 79 - XXXX 2/11/2026 2:25 PM GA
Section 3.
KRS164.004 is amended toread as follows:
(1) The Strategic Committee on Postsecondary Education is hereby created and established.
The committee shall be composed of members appointed by the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Governor, and the General Assembly.
The council's representatives shall consist of the chair of the council, the president of the council, and five (5) members of the council designated by the chair.
The Governor's representatives shall consist of the Governor and six (6) persons designated by the Governor.
The General Assembly's representatives shall consist of the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority and Minority Floor Leaders of both chambers of the General Assembly, the minority caucus chair of each chamber, a member appointed by the President of the Senate, a member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a Page 3 of 5 XXXX 10/2/2025 2:44 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 79 member appointed by the Minority Floor Leader of the Senate, a member appointed by the Minority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives, and the chair of the Committee on Appropriations and Revenue of each chamber.
(2) The chair of the council shall serve as chair of the committee.
The committee shall meet at least quarterly and at other times upon the written call of the chair or of majorities of any two(2) of the three (3) groups that compose the committee.
(3) Nonlegislative members of the committee shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses, as set forth in KRS 12.070(5) and (6).
Committee members who are Kentucky legislators shall be compensated for attendance at committee meetings from the legislative branch budget bill and as set forthin KRS6.190.
(4) The committee shall serve as a forum for the council and the elected leadership of the Commonwealth to exchange ideas about the future of postsecondary education in Kentucky.
(5) The council shall periodically review its strategic implementation plan for the strategic agenda under KRS 164.0203 and advise the committee of the actions necessary to meet the goals established in KRS 164.003(2).
The elected leaders shall review and comment on the strategic agenda and the timetable for implementation.
(6) The Governor shall advise the committee about the financial condition of the Commonwealth and the probable funds the executive branch intends to recommend tothe General Assembly tobe appropriated for postsecondaryeducation.
(7) The legislative members shall react to the comments of the council and the Governor.
(8) The council shall advise the committee about its opinion of how the postsecondary educationfundsprojected to be available should be allocated based on priorities and projected resources.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to infringe upon the Page 4 of 5 XXXX 10/2/2025 2:44 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 79 Governor's duty under KRS 48.100 to recommend appropriations to the General Assembly or upon the General Assembly's power to make final appropriations in the enacted budget.
(9) The committee shall have the advisory authority not explicitly prohibited by law that is necessary to carry out and effectuate its advisory functions, duties, and responsibilities, including the following:
(a) Receive reports from the council on the development and implementation of the long-term strategic agenda, including biennial budget requests for postsecondary educationand any subsequent and related budget requests;
(b) Review the council's proposed objectives and benchmarks for the next fiscal biennium for furthering the Commonwealth's achievement of the goals set out in KRS 164.003(2);
(c) Consider and advise the council on the general budget parameters regarding development of the postsecondarybudget forthe next fiscal biennium;
(d) Review biennial budget requests from the council for the next fiscal biennium including base funding, increases in base funding, and funding for a strategic investment and incentive funding program, including criteria to be used in allocating these fundstoinstitutions;
(e) Receive from the council, at least annually and on a more frequent basis if requested by the committee, accountability reports, budget information, and other information the committee deemsproper;
and (f) Serve as the search committee for the review and consideration of candidates to be presented to the council for the initial appointment to the position of president of the Council on Postsecondary Education.
Each group of the committee shall have one (1) vote on the search committee.
The vote of each group shall be determined by a majority of the members of that group.
Page 5 of 5 XXXX 10/2/2025 2:44 PM Jacketed
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Action History

  1. to State & Local Government (S)

  2. to Committee on Committees (S)

  3. received in Senate

  4. 3rd reading, passed 95-0 with Committee Substitute (1), Floor Amendment (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)

  5. floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute

  6. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, February 10 2026

  7. 2nd reading, to Rules

  8. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)

  9. to State Government (H)

  10. to Committee on Committees (H)

  11. introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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12 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 126 not signed on

Sponsors (12)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (126)

126 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 126 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Pass

Passed 95 Yea · 0 Nay · 5 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 18002
Republican 76003
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 95005
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Lewis C — Yea
Adam Moore Democrat Yea
Adrielle Camuel Democrat Yea
Al Gentry Democrat Yea
Anne Gay Donworth Democrat Not Voting
Ashley Tackett Laferty Democrat Yea
Beverly Chester-Burton Democrat Yea
Chad Aull Democrat Yea
Daniel Grossberg Democrat Yea
Erika Hancock Democrat Yea
George Brown Jr. Democrat Not Voting
Joshua Watkins Democrat Yea
Lindsey Burke Democrat Yea
Lisa Willner Democrat Yea
Mary Lou Marzian Democrat Yea
Matthew Lehman Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Yea
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Yea
Rachel Roarx Democrat Yea
Sarah Stalker Democrat Yea
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Yea
Aaron Thompson Republican Not Voting
Adam Bowling Republican Yea
Amy Neighbors Republican Yea
Bill Wesley Republican Yea
Bobby McCool Republican Yea
Candy Massaroni Republican Yea
Chris Freeland Republican Yea
Chris Fugate Republican Yea
DJ Johnson Republican Yea
Daniel Elliott Republican Yea
Daniel Fister Republican Yea
David Hale Republican Yea
David Meade Republican Yea
David W. Osborne Republican Yea
Deanna Gordon Republican Yea
Derek Lewis Republican Yea
Emily Callaway Republican Yea
Felicia Rabourn Republican Not Voting
J.T. Payne Republican Yea
James Tipton Republican Yea
Jared Bauman Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jason Petrie Republican Yea
Jennifer Decker Republican Yea
Jim Gooch Jr. Republican Yea
John Blanton Republican Yea
John Hodgson Republican Yea
Josh Branscum Republican Yea
Josh Bray Republican Yea
Josh Calloway Republican Yea
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Yea
Kim Holloway Republican Yea
Kim King Republican Yea
Kimberly Poore Moser Republican Yea
Marianne Proctor Republican Yea
Mark Hart Republican Yea
Mary Beth Imes Republican Yea
Matt Lockett Republican Yea
Matthew Koch Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Michael Sarge Pollock Republican Yea
Mike Clines Republican Yea
Mitch Whitaker Republican Yea
Myron Dossett Republican Yea
Nancy Tate Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Patrick Flannery Republican Yea
Peyton Griffee Republican Yea
Randy Bridges Republican Yea
Rebecca Raymer Republican Yea
Richard White Republican Yea
Robert Duvall Republican Yea
Ryan Bivens Republican Yea
Ryan Dotson Republican Not Voting
Samara Heavrin Republican Yea
Savannah Maddox Republican Yea
Scott Lewis Republican Yea
Scott Sharp Republican Yea
Shane Baker Republican Yea
Shawn McPherson Republican Yea
Stephanie Dietz Republican Yea
Steve Bratcher Republican Yea
Steve Riley Republican Yea
Steven Doan Republican Yea
Steven Rudy Republican Yea
Susan Witten Republican Yea
Suzanne Miles Republican Yea
T.J. Roberts Republican Yea
Thomas Huff Republican Yea
Timmy Truett Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Tony Hampton Republican Yea
Vanessa Grossl Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea
William Lawrence Republican Yea

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Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 66 do?
Amend KRS 12.070 to permit a board, commission, or similar administrative body to conduct video teleconference meetings to allow public participation; allow members of a board, commission, or similar administrative body to attend meetings virtually unless a decision implements, interprets, or prescribes law or policy, affects private rights or procedures available to the public, or administers or awards funds; prohibit members who participate virtually from receiving reimbursement for travel expenses; amend KRS 61.826 to prohibit a member of a public agency that attends a meeting through video teleconference from receiving reimbursement of travel expenses; amend KRS 164.004 to conform.
Who sponsors HB 66?
HB 66 is sponsored by T.J. Roberts (Republican), Marianne Proctor (Republican), Matt Lockett (Republican), Chris Lewis (Republican), DJ Johnson (Republican), Kevin Jackson (Republican), Jennifer Decker (Republican), Emily Callaway (Republican), Steve Bratcher (Republican), Ryan Bivens (Republican), Shane Baker (Republican), and John Hodgson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 66?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced January 07, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 66?
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