Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

SB 129 — AN ACT relating to unemployment insurance.

Last action — signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 188)

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 28, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on April 17, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Amend KRS 341.243 to change the employer's contribution rate to the service capacity upgrade fund; of the rate subtracting .075% until December 31, 2026; provide that beginning January 1 2027, the rates shall be adjusted by subtracting 0.0115%; require the secretary of the Education and Labor Cabinet to set the adjustment percentage annually to be effective January 1 of each subsequent year, not to exceed 1.025%.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

60 added · 79 removed

60 line(s) added, 79 removed.

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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 129/GA AN ACT relating to unemployment insurance.
CHAPTER 188 1 CHAPTER 188 ( SB 129 ) AN ACT relating to unemployment insurance.
(3) Any money collected under the provisions of this section shall be invested at interest in banks or other interest-bearing obligations of the United States.
(3) Any money collected under the provisions of this section shall be invested at interest in banks or other interest- bearing obligations of the United States.
The State Treasurer shall dispose of securities or other property belonging to the fund only under the direction of the secretary and the secretary of the Finance Page 1 of 3 SB012910.100 - 1779 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:04 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 129/GA and Administration Cabinet.
The State Treasurer shall dispose of securities or other property belonging to the fund only under the direction of the secretary and the secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet.
Failure to make these payments shall be subject to interest and all other collection actions provided for failure to make Page 2 of 3 SB012910.100 - 1779 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:04 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 129/GA contributions under KRS 341.300.
Failure to make these payments shall be subject to interest and all other collection actions provided for failure to make contributions under KRS 341.300.
(8)[(7)] Notwithstanding subsection (4) or (5) of this section, the secretary may exercise his or her discretion to reduce the percentage rate prescribed in subsection (4) or (5) of this section or suspend required payments to the service capacity upgrade fund at any time.[ (8) The secretary shall suspend the reduction of the rate prescribed in subsection (4) of this section at any time when collections for the service capacity upgrade fund exceed a cumulative amount of sixty million dollars ($60,000,000).
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (8)[(7)] Notwithstanding subsection (4) or (5) of this section, the secretary may exercise his or her discretion to reduce the percentage rate prescribed in subsection (4) or (5) of this section or suspend required payments to the service capacity upgrade fund at any time.[ (8) The secretary shall suspend the reduction of the rate prescribed in subsection (4) of this section at any time when collections for the service capacity upgrade fund exceed a cumulative amount of sixty million dollars ($60,000,000).
Any future collection of past due payments to the service capacity upgrade fund, including any applicable penalty and interest funds, shall be deposited into the penalty and interest fund.] Page 3 of 3 SB012910.100 - 1779 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:04 PM GA
Any future collection of past due payments to the service capacity upgrade fund, including any applicable penalty and interest funds, shall be deposited into the penalty and interest fund.] Signed by Governor April 17, 2026.
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View plain text versions (3)

How this bill changes current law

2 changes Share ↗

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

The bill amends the service capacity upgrade fund provisions to adjust certain rate reduction conditions and introduces new requirements for expending excess funds.

  • KRS 341.243

    Beginning → From

    Clarifies the start of the timeframe for rate adjustments.

  • KRS 341.243

    (8) The secretary shall suspend the reduction of the rate prescribed in subsection (4) of this section at any time when collections for the service capacity upgrade fund exceed a cumulative amount of sixty million dollars ($60,000,000). At the time payments are suspended, any funds thus far collected under subsection (4) of this section in excess of those necessary to fund technology upgrades, shall be deposited into the unemployment insurance trust fund. Any future collection of past due payments to the service capacity upgrade fund, including any applicable penalty and interest funds, shall be deposited into the penalty and interest fund.

    Removes the previous conditions related to suspending rate reductions and redistributing excess funds collected.

Action History

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 188)

  2. delivered to Governor

  3. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

  4. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

  5. received in Senate

  6. 3rd reading, passed 86-1

  7. placed in the Orders of the Day

  8. taken from Rules

  9. floor amendment (1) withdrawn

  10. floor amendments (2) and (3-title) filed

  11. floor amendment (1) filed

  12. 2nd reading, to Rules

  13. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  14. to Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H)

  15. to Committee on Committees (H)

  16. received in House

  17. passed 37-0 with Floor Amendment (2)

  18. floor amendment (1) withdrawn

  19. 3rd reading

  20. passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day

  21. floor amendment (2) filed

  22. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, February 23 2026

  23. 2nd reading, to Rules

  24. floor amendment (1) filed

  25. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  26. to Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor (S)

  27. to Committee on Committees (S)

  28. introduced in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 136 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (136)

136 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 136 →

"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 86 Yea · 1 Nay · 13 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 17003
Republican 681010
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 861013
% of votes cast 86%1%0%13%
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 Yea
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 Not Voting
Sarah Stalker Democrat Yea
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Not Voting
Aaron Thompson Republican Yea
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 Not Voting
Derek Lewis Republican Yea
Emily Callaway Republican Yea
Felicia Rabourn Republican Yea
J.T. Payne Republican Yea
James Tipton Republican Yea
Jared Bauman Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jason Petrie Republican Nay
Jennifer Decker Republican Not Voting
Jim Gooch Jr. Republican Yea
John Blanton Republican Yea
John Hodgson Republican Yea
Josh Branscum Republican Yea
Josh Bray Republican Not Voting
Josh Calloway Republican Not Voting
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Yea
Kim Holloway Republican Not Voting
Kim King Republican Yea
Kimberly Poore Moser Republican Yea
Marianne Proctor Republican Not Voting
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 Not Voting
Nancy Tate Republican Not Voting
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 Yea
Samara Heavrin Republican Yea
Savannah Maddox Republican Not Voting
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 Not Voting
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

Official roll call →

PASS SB 129 w/ SFA 2

Passed 37 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5000
Republican 32001
Total 37001
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (38)
Member Party Vote
Cassie Chambers Armstrong Democrat Yea
Gary Clemons Democrat Yea
Gerald A. Neal Democrat Yea
Karen Berg Democrat Yea
Keturah J. Herron Democrat Yea
Aaron Reed Republican Yea
Amanda Mays Bledsoe Republican Yea
Brandon J. Storm Republican Yea
Christian McDaniel Republican Yea
Craig Richardson Republican Yea
Danny Carroll Republican Yea
David P. Givens Republican Yea
Donald Douglas Republican Yea
Gary Boswell Republican Yea
Greg Elkins Republican Yea
Jared Carpenter Republican Yea
Jason Howell Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jimmy Higdon Republican Yea
Julie Raque Adams Republican Yea
Lindsey Tichenor Republican Yea
Matt Nunn Republican Yea
Matthew Deneen Republican Yea
Max Wise Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Phillip Wheeler Republican Not Voting
Rick Girdler Republican Yea
Robby Mills Republican Yea
Robert Stivers Republican Yea
Robin L. Webb Republican Yea
Scott Madon Republican Yea
Shelley Funke Frommeyer Republican Yea
Stephen West Republican Yea
Steve Rawlings Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

finance labor
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 129 do?
Amend KRS 341.243 to change the employer's contribution rate to the service capacity upgrade fund; of the rate subtracting .075% until December 31, 2026; provide that beginning January 1 2027, the rates shall be adjusted by subtracting 0.0115%; require the secretary of the Education and Labor Cabinet to set the adjustment percentage annually to be effective January 1 of each subsequent year, not to exceed 1.025%.
Who sponsors SB 129?
SB 129 is sponsored by Gex Williams (Republican) and Michael J. Nemes (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 129?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 28, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 129?
Track SB 129 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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