HB 162 — AN ACT relating to identity documents.

Summary

Create a new section of KRS 186.400 to 186.640 to establish the circuit clerk as the representative of the Transportation Cabinet for accepting applications for operator's licenses, instruction permits, and personal identification cards and issuing temporary credentials; establish duties of the circuit clerks; amend KRS 186.531 to set forth the distribution of fees for operator's licenses, instruction permits, and personal identification cards; amend various sections of KRS 186.400 to 186.640 to conform; amend KRS 27A.052, 116.0452, 116.0455, 116.085, 186.010, 186.014, and 189A.340 and various sections of KRS Chapter 281A to conform; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2027.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill allows circuit clerks to accept applications and issue temporary licenses and identification cards, redistributing some responsibilities previously held by the Transportation Cabinet.

• The circuit clerk of each county shall: (1) Act for the cabinet for the purpose of accepting applications for and issuing temporary operator's licenses, instruction permits, and personal identification cards; (2) Comply with all administrative regulations promulgated by the cabinet; (3) Administer the oath required under Sections 7 and 8 of this Act to applicants, without fee; (4) Electronically transmit a copy of all applications and supporting documents taken by the office to the cabinet no later than the next business day; (5) Report and remit to the cabinet, no later than the third business day of the month, all moneys collected by the office during the preceding month. Upon failure of any circuit clerk to report and remit therefor more than seven (7) days after the due date, the clerk shall pay, in addition to the amount due, a penalty of ten percent (10%) of the amount due. Penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the State Treasury as a part of the revenue collected under Section 18 of this Act; and (6) Keep adequate records of all moneys collected and remitted to the cabinet.

  This new section delegates certain functions regarding temporary licenses and identification cards to county circuit clerks.

• KRS 186.400

  The Transportation Cabinet may prescribe regulations for the enforcement of KRS 186.400 to 186.640. → The Transportation Cabinet may promulgate administrative[prescribe] regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A for the enforcement of KRS 186.400 to 186.640.

  This changes the term used from 'prescribe' to 'promulgate administrative regulations', aligning with statutory language.

• KRS 186.400

  the Transportation Cabinet. → the Transportation Cabinet or the circuits clerks.

  This modification clarifies that the administration of certain provisions can now fall under both the Transportation Cabinet and the circuit clerks.

• KRS 186.400

  the Transportation Cabinet. → each circuit clerk[the Transportation Cabinet].

  This change revises the accountability for reconciling receipts between the circuit clerks and the Transportation Cabinet.

• KRS 186.410

  the Transportation Cabinet, or through alternative technology, and issued by the Transportation Cabinet. → the circuit clerk in the county of the applicant's residence[Transportation Cabinet], or through alternative technology, and issued by the Transportation Cabinet.

  This update shifts the application process for licenses and IDs from solely the Transportation Cabinet to include circuit clerks.

• KRS 186.4101

  cabinet. → office of the circuit clerk in the county where the person resides[cabinet].

  This change allows renewals to be handled through circuit clerks instead of exclusively through the Transportation Cabinet.

• KRS 186.4102

  cabinet]. → circuit clerk[cabinet].

  This replacement clarifies that the circuit clerks are responsible for taking photographs for licenses and IDs.

Action History

1. January 14, 2026

   to Transportation (H)

2. January 07, 2026

   to Committee on Committees (H)

3. January 07, 2026

   introduced in House

Sponsors

• Richard White · Primary
• Timmy Truett · Primary
• T.J. Roberts · Primary
• Candy Massaroni · Primary
• William Lawrence · Primary
• Thomas Huff · Primary
• Kim Holloway · Primary
• Mark Hart · Primary
• Vanessa Grossl · Primary
• Peyton Griffee · Primary
• Patrick Flannery · Primary
• Ryan Dotson · Primary
• Steven Doan · Primary
• Josh Calloway · Primary
• Steve Bratcher · Primary
• Felicia Rabourn · Primary
• Savannah Maddox · Primary

Subjects