HB 497 — AN ACT relating to postsecondary tuition waivers.
Last action — to Committee on Committees (S)
-
✓Introduced
-
✓In Committee
-
3Passed House
-
4Passed Senate
-
5To Executive
-
6Enacted
This bill has passed the House. Introduced January 28, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.
Odds of enactment
Moderate chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate 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
-
Passed House
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 164.515 to make the amount of tuition waived for the spouse or child of designated permanently disabled veterans a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.2841 to make the amount tuition waived for the survivor of police officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter killed in line of duty last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.2842 to make the amount of tuition waived for the survivor of police officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter permanently and totally disabled in line of duty a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.507 to make the amount of tuition waived for the non-married spouse or child of a deceased veteran a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.020 to delete the tuition waiver for employees and faculty of state and locally operated secondary area technology center staff.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
435 added · 487 removed435 line(s) added, 487 removed.
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BRHB 1046497/GA AN ACT relating to postsecondary tuition waivers.
(1) The spouse, regardless of age, and any child,child stepchild,or[,] stepchild[, or orphan,orphan], under the age of twenty-six (26), of a permanently and totally disabled member of the Kentucky National Guard or Reserve Component injured while on state active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, or a permanently and totally disabled war veteran, or a one hundred percent (100%) service-connected disabled veteran regardless of wartime service, or prisoner of war or member of the Armed Services declared missing in action shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fees upon his or her admission to any state-supported institution of higher educationeducation, community college, or vocational training institution for up to a maximum of one hundred twenty-eight (128) credit hours of undergraduate instruction[ or to any state-supported vocational training school for a period not in excess of forty-forty-five five (45) months in order to obtain a diploma, nor in excess of the lesser number of months required for a certificate of completion.completion].
(2) To be entitled to benefits under this sectionsection, the parent or stepparent of the child claiming benefitsbenefits, if livingliving, must be rated permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes or one hundred percent (100%) disabled for compensation purposes by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense.
If the veteran is deceased, the claim to benefits is to be based on the rating held by the veteran at the time of deathdeath, or if a prisoner of war or missing in action, must have been declared as such by the Department of Defense.
The parent's, stepparent's, or spouse's service and rating must be evidenced by certification from the records of the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or Page 1 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA the Department of Defense of the United States.
(3) The parent-child relationship must be shown by birth certificate, legal adoption Page 1 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 papers, marriage certificate, or other documentary evidence.
(4) To entitle a spouse, child, stepchild,or stepchild[, or orphanorphan] to benefit under this sectionsection, the disabled member of the National Guard or Reserve Component veteran living or deceased mustmust: have served on state active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training or active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, and his discharge must have been under honorable conditions.
He(a) mustHave beserved aon residentstate or,active ifduty, deceased,active haveduty beenfor atraining, residentor ofinactive duty training or active duty with the CommonwealthArmed Forces of Kentucky.the United States;[, and his discharge must ] (b) Have been discharged under honorable conditions;
(5)and[. No provision of this section shall serve to deny these benefits to an eligible spouse, child, stepchild, or orphan, who enlists, or who fulfills a military obligation, in the Armed Forces of the United States and is discharged under honorable conditions;
theHe periodmust of] time(c) spentBe ina theresident militaryor, serviceif todeceased, behave compensatedbeen bya likeresident time,of beyond the ageCommonwealth of twenty-sixKentucky (26)upon yearsbecoming ifa required,member but not in excess of the periodKentucky ofNational enrollmentGuard asor setReserve forthComponent. in subsection (1) of this section.
(6)(5) The marriageexpiration of ana eligiblechild's child,or stepchild,stepchild's orage orphan,eligibility under subsection (1) of this section shall notbe serveextended toby denythe fullnumber entitlementof toacademic terms the benefitsinstitution provideddetermines inthe thisstudent section.was unable to enroll for or complete due to serving:
(a) On active duty status in the United States Armed Forces;
(b) As an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service;
or (c) On active service in the Peace Corps Act or the Americorps.
The original age limitation of twenty-six (26) shall be extended by the total number of years during which the child or stepchild was in service.
The number of months served shall be rounded up to the next higher year to determine the maximum length of eligibility extension allowed[No provision of this section shall serve to deny these benefits to an eligible spouse, child, stepchild, or orphan, who Page 2 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA enlists, or who fulfills a military obligation, in the Armed Forces of the United States and is discharged under honorable conditions;
the period of time spent in the military service to be compensated by like time, beyond the age of twenty-six (26) years if required, but not in excess of the period of enrollment as set forth in subsection (1) of this section].
(6) The marriage of an eligible child or[,] stepchild[, or orphan,] shall not serve to deny full entitlement to the benefits provided in this section.
The amount of tuition waived under this section shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the institution less any state or federal grants received, which shall be credited first to the student's tuition and fees.
KRS 164.284 is amended to read as follows:
(1) [When ]Any person sixty-five (65) years of age or older, who is a resident of the Commonwealth and[,] is admitted and enrolls as a student in any state-supported institution of higher education, community college, or vocational training institution shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fees for up to a maximum of eight (8) credit hours per semester[ of higher learning in this Commonwealth, the board of trustees of the institution or other appropriate institution officials shall waive all tuition charges and fees for such student], except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) In the event that classes are full or the granting of free admission requires additional units, the institution shall[may] deny admission under this section.
(3) The student shall complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine the level of need and eligibility for state and federal financial aid programs.
The amount waived under this section shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the institution less any state or federal grants Page 3 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA received, which shall be credited first to the student's tuition and fees.
Section 3.
(1) (a) AnyThe surviving spouse who has not remarried, regardless of age, and any surviving child or stepchild under the age of twenty-six (26), of any person who[Any person whose parent or any nonmarried widow or widower whose spousespouse] was a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky upon becoming a law enforcement officer, firefighter, [or ]volunteer firefighter, or volunteeremergency firefightermedical services personnel and who was killed while in active service or training for active service or who died as a result of Page 2 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 a service-connected disability shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fee upon admission to any state-supported university,institution of higher education[university], community college, or vocational training institution.institution for up to a maximum of one hundred twenty-eight (128) credit hours of undergraduate instruction.
The provisions of this subsection shall apply toto: any firefighter or volunteer firefighter who is killed or dies under the conditions covered in this subsection on July 1, 1989, or thereafter.
1.
Any firefighter or volunteer firefighter who is killed or dies under the conditions covered in this subsection on or after July 1, 1989;
and[, or thereafter] 2.
Any emergency medical services personnel who was killed or died under the conditions covered in this subsection on or after July 1, 2000.
The parent's or spouse's service and the cause of death shall be evidenced by certification from the records ofof: the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate city or county law enforcement agency which employed the deceased, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, or the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes.
(2)1. (a) Any person whose parent or any nonmarried widow or widower whose spouse was an employee participating in a state-administered retirement system, and not otherwise covered by subsection (1) of this section, and who died as a result of a duty-related injury as described in KRS 61.621 shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fee upon admission to any state- supported university, community college, or vocational training institution.
The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet;[,] Page 4 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA 2.
The appropriate city or county law enforcement agency which employed the deceased;[,] 3.
The administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262;[, or ] 4.
The administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes;
or 5.
The county, city, or administrative agency employing the emergency medical services personnel.
(2) (a) Any surviving spouse who has not remarried or surviving child or stepchild under the age of twenty-six (26) of[person whose parent or any nonmarried widow or widower whose spouse was] an employee participating in a state- administered retirement system, who is[and] not otherwise covered by subsection (1) of this section, and whose spouse or parent[who] died as a result of a duty-related injury as described in KRS 61.621 shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fee upon admission to any state- supported institution of higher education[university], community college, or vocational training institution for up to a maximum of one hundred twenty- eight (128) credit hours of undergraduate instruction.
Show all 208 changed lines (168 more)
The parent's or spouse's service and the cause of death shall be evidenced by certification Page 3 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 from the records of the employing agency or the appropriate retirement system.
(3) The studentexpiration of a child's or stepchild's age eligibility under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall completebe extended by the Freenumber Applicationof foracademic Federalterms Studentthe Aidinstitution toPage determine5 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA determines the levelstudent ofwas needunable andto eligibilityenroll for stateor andcomplete federaldue financialto aidserving: programs.
The(a) amountOn ofactive tuitionduty waivedstatus under this section shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the institution less any state or federal grants received, which shall be credited first to the student's tuition and fees.[If one so admitted to a state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution under the provisions of this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant in the paymentUnited ofStates incidentalArmed expensesForces; of his attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant.] Section 3.
(b) As an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service;
or (c) On active service in the Peace Corps Act or the Americorps.
The original age limitation of twenty-six (26) shall be extended by the total number of years during which the child or stepchild was in service.
The number of months served shall be rounded up to the next higher year to determine the maximum length of eligibility extension allowed.
(4) The student shall complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine the level of need and eligibility for state and federal financial aid programs.
The amount waived under this section shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the institution less any state or federal grants received, which shall be credited first to the student's tuition and fees.
(5) As used in this section, "emergency medical services personnel" has the same meaning as in KRS 61.315[If one so admitted to a state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution under the provisions of this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant in the payment of incidental expenses of his attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant].
Section 4.
(1) (a) The spouse, regardless of age, and any child or stepchild, under the age of twenty-six (26), of a permanently and totally disabled law enforcement officer, firefighter, [or ]volunteer firefighter, or volunteeremergency firefightermedical services personnel injured while in active service or in training for active service,service[, Page 6 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA who is over the age of seventeen (17) and under the age of twenty-three (23)(23)] shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fee upon his or her admission to any state-supported university,institution of higher education[university], community college, or vocational training institution for up to a maximum of one hundred twenty-eight (128) credit hours of undergraduate instruction[a period not in excess of thirty-six (36) months in order to obtain a diploma, nor in excess of the lesser number of months required for a certificate of completion.completion].
(b) For the spouse or child to be entitled to benefits under this section, the disabled law enforcement officer, firefighter, [or ]volunteer firefighter, or volunteeremergency firefightermedical services personnel shall be rated permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes or one hundred percent (100%) disabled for compensation purposes by the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate city or county law enforcement Page 4 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 agency which employed the disabled, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, or[or the]the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes, or the county, city, or administrative agency employing the emergency medical services personnel, or if deceased, the claim to benefits is to be based on the rating held by the law enforcement officer, firefighter, [or ]volunteer firefighter, or volunteeremergency firefightermedical services personnel at the time of death.
The parent's or spouse's service and rating shall be evidenced by certification from the records ofof: the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate local law enforcement agency, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, or the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes.
(c)1. In the absence of certification of permanent and total disability by the Kentucky Department of Workers' Claims, the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate local law enforcement agency, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, or the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes, medical evidence showing permanent and total disability or the existence of permanent and total disability for a period of at least thirty (30) days immediately prior to death may be accepted, if this evidence is signed by a physician licensed to practice or an official of an accredited medical hospital.
The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet;[,] 2.
The appropriate local law enforcement agency;[,] 3.
The administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262;[, or ] Page 7 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA 4.
The administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes;
or 5.
The county, city, or administrative agency employing the emergency medical services personnel.
(c) In the absence of certification of permanent and total disability by the Kentucky Department of Workers' Claims, the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate local law enforcement agency, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, [or ]the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes, or the county, city, or administrative agency employing the emergency medical services personnel, medical evidence showing permanent and total disability or the existence of permanent and total disability for a period of at least thirty (30) days immediately prior to death may be accepted, if this evidence is signed by a physician licensed to practice or an official of an accredited medical hospital.
(e) To entitle a spousespouse,[ or] child, or childstepchild to benefits under this section the disabled law Pageenforcement 5officer, offirefighter, 17[or XXXX]volunteer 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 enforcement officer, firefighter, or volunteeremergency firefightermedical services personnel shall have been a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky upon becoming a law enforcement officer, firefighter, [or ]volunteer firefighter, or volunteeremergency firefighter.medical services personnel.
(2) (a) The spouse, regardless of age, and any child or stepchild of a person who was an employee participating in a state-administered retirement system and not Page 8 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA otherwise covered by subsection (1) of this section and who was disabled as a result of a duty-related injury as described in KRS 61.621,61.621[, who is over the age of seventeen (17) and under the age of twenty-three (23)(23)] shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fee upon his or her admission to any state-state-supported supportedinstitution university,of higher education[university], community college, or vocational training institution for up to a maximum of one hundred twenty-eight (128) credit hours of undergraduate instruction[a period not in excess of thirty-six (36) months in order to obtain a diploma, nor in excess of the lesser number of months required for a certificate of completion.completion].
(4) The studentexpiration shallof completea thechild's Freeor Applicationstepchild's forage Federaleligibility Studentunder Aidsubsection to(1) determineor (2) of this section shall be extended by the levelnumber of needacademic andterms eligibilitythe forinstitution statedetermines andthe federalstudent financialwas aidunable programs.to enroll for or complete due to serving:
The(a) amountOn ofactive tuitionduty waivedstatus underin this section shall not exceed the costUnited ofStates tuitionArmed andForces; mandatory fees at the institution less any state or federal grants received, which shall be credited first to the student's tuition and fees.
Section(b) 4.As an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service;
or (c) On active service in the Peace Corps Act or the Americorps.
The original age limitation of twenty-six (26) shall be extended by the total number of years during which the child or stepchild was in service.
The number of months served shall be rounded up to the next higher year to determine the maximum length of eligibility extension allowed.
(5) The student shall complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to Page 9 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA determine the level of need and eligibility for state and federal financial aid programs.
The amount waived under this section shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the institution less any state or federal grants received, which shall be credited first to the student's tuition and fees.
(6) As used in this section, "emergency medical services personnel" has the same meaning as in KRS 61.315.
Section 5.
(1) The nonremarried[nonremarried spouse,]spouse who has not remarried, regardless of age, and any child,child[,] stepchild,or stepchild[, or orphan,orphan,] under the age of twenty-six (26), of a deceased veteran shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fees upon admission to any state-supported university,institution Pageof 6higher ofeducation, 17community XXXXcollege, 1/23/2026or 1:45vocational PMtraining Jacketedinstitution UNOFFICIALfor COPYup 26to RSa BRmaximum 1046of one hundred twenty-eight (128) credit hours of undergraduate instruction[university, junior college, or vocational training institute for a period not in excess of forty-five (45) months in order to obtain a diploma, nor in excess of the lesser number of months required for a certificate of completion,completion], if the deceased parent or spouse:
Served in the Armed Forces of the United States during a national emergency, wars declared by Congress, or actions of the United Nations;Nations and was discharged under honorable conditions;
Was married to a resident of Kentucky at the time of death;death[;
and Page 10 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA 3.
If discharged, was under honorable conditions.conditions].
In the event one so admitted to a state-supported university,institution juniorof higher education, community[university, junior] college, or vocational training institution under this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant Page 7 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 in the payment of incidental expenses of attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant.
(3) The studentexpiration shallof completea thestudent's Freeage Applicationeligibility forunder Federalsubsection Student(1) Aidof tothis determinesection shall be extended by the levelnumber of needacademic andterms eligibilitythe forinstitution statedetermines andthe federalstudent financialwas aidunable programs.to enroll for or complete due to serving:
The(a) amountOn ofactive tuitionduty waivedstatus underin this section shall not exceed the costUnited ofStates tuitionArmed andForces; mandatory fees at the institution less any state or federal grants received, which shall be credited first to the student's tuition and fees.
Section(b) 5.As an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service;
KRSor 164.020(c) isOn amendedactive toservice readin asthe follows:Peace Corps Act or the Americorps.
The Counciloriginal onage Postsecondarylimitation Educationof intwenty-six Kentucky(26) shall:shall be extended by the total number of years during which the student was in service.
(1)The Developnumber andof implementmonths theserved strategicshall agendabe withrounded up to the advicenext andhigher counselyear ofto determine the Strategicmaximum Committeelength onof Postsecondaryeligibility Education.extension allowed.
Page 11 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA (4) The councilstudent shall providecomplete forthe andFree directApplication thefor planningFederal processStudent andAid subsequentto strategicdetermine implementationthe planslevel basedof onneed theand strategiceligibility agendafor asstate providedand infederal KRSfinancial 164.0203;aid programs.
(2)The Reviseamount thewaived strategicunder agendathis andsection strategicshall implementationnot planexceed with the advicecost of tuition and counselmandatory offees at the committeeinstitution asless setany forthstate inor KRSfederal 164.004;grants received, which shall be credited first to the student's tuition and fees.
(3) Develop a system of public accountability related to the strategic agenda by evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the state's postsecondary system.
The council shall prepare a report in conjunction with the accountability reporting described in KRS 164.095, which shall be submitted to the committee, the Governor, and the General Assembly by December 1 annually.
This report shall include a description of contributions by postsecondary institutions to the quality of elementary and secondary education in the Commonwealth;
(4) Review, revise, and approve the missions of the state's universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
The Council on Postsecondary Education shall have the final authority to determine the compliance of postsecondary institutions with their academic, service, and research missions;
(5) Establish and ensure that all postsecondary institutions in Kentucky cooperatively Page 8 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 provide for an integrated system of postsecondary education.
The council shall guard against inappropriate and unnecessary conflict and duplication by promoting transferability of credits and easy access of information among institutions;
(6) Engage in analyses and research to determine the overall needs of postsecondary education and adult education in the Commonwealth;
(7) Develop plans that may be required by federal legislation.
The council shall for all purposes of federal legislation relating to planning be considered the "single state agency" as that term may be used in federal legislation.
When federal legislation requires additional representation on any "single state agency," the Council on Postsecondary Education shall establish advisory groups necessary to satisfy federal legislative or regulatory guidelines;
(8) (a) Determine tuition and approve the minimum qualifications for admission to the state postsecondary educational system.
In defining residency, the council shall classify a student as having Kentucky residency if the student met the residency requirements at the beginning of his or her last year in high school and enters a Kentucky postsecondary education institution within two (2) years of high school graduation.
In determining the tuition for non-Kentucky residents, the council shall consider the fees required of Kentucky students by institutions in adjoining states, the resident fees charged by other states, the total actual per student cost of training in the institutions for which the fees are being determined, and the ratios of Kentucky students to non-Kentucky students comprising the enrollments of the respective institutions, and other factors the council may in its sole discretion deem pertinent, except that the Kentucky Community and Technical College System may assess a mandatory student fee not to exceed eight dollars ($8) per credit hour to be used exclusively for debt service on amounts not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the total projects cost of the Kentucky Community and Technical Page 9 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 College System agency bond projects included in 2014 Ky.
Acts ch.
117, Part II, J., 11.
(b) The Kentucky Community and Technical College System mandatory fee established in this subsection shall only be used for debt service on agency bond projects.
(c) Any fee established as provided by this subsection shall cease to be assessed upon the retirement of the project bonds for which it services debt.
(d) Prior to the issuance of any bonds, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System shall certify in writing to the secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet that sufficient funds have been raised to meet the local match equivalent to twenty-five percent (25%) of the total project cost;
(9) Devise, establish, and periodically review and revise policies to be used in making recommendations to the Governor for consideration in developing recommendations to the General Assembly for appropriations to the universities, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, and to support strategies for persons to maintain necessary levels of literacy throughout their lifetimes.
The council has sole discretion, with advice of the Strategic Committee on Postsecondary Education and the executive officers of the postsecondary education system, to devise policies that provide for allocation of funds among the universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System;
(10) Lead and provide staff support for the biennial budget process as provided under KRS Chapter 48, in cooperation with the committee;
(11) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, review and approve all capital construction projects covered by KRS 45.750(1)(f), including real property acquisitions, and regardless of the source of funding for projects or acquisitions.
Approval of capital projects and real property acquisitions shall be on a basis consistent with the strategic agenda and the mission of the Page 10 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 respective universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
(b) The organized groups that are establishing community college satellites as branches of existing community colleges in the counties of Laurel, Leslie, and Muhlenberg, and that have substantially obtained cash, pledges, real property, or other commitments to build the satellite at no cost to the Commonwealth, other than operating costs that shall be paid as part of the operating budget of the main community college of which the satellite is a branch, are authorized to begin construction of the satellite on or after January 1, 1998;
(12) Require reports from the executive officer of each institution it deems necessary for the effectual performance of its duties;
(13) Ensure that the state postsecondary system does not unnecessarily duplicate services and programs provided by private postsecondary institutions and shall promote maximum cooperation between the state postsecondary system and private postsecondary institutions.
Receive and consider an annual report prepared by the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities stating the condition of independent institutions, listing opportunities for more collaboration between the state and independent institutions and other information as appropriate;
(14) Establish course credit, transfer, and degree components as required in KRS 164.2951;
(15) (a) Define and approve the offering of all postsecondary education technical, associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and professional degree, certificate, or diploma programs in the public postsecondary education institutions.
The council shall not approve a new degree, certificate, or diploma program that includes a requirement for a course or training of which the primary purpose is to indoctrinate participants with a discriminatory concept.
(b) The council shall expedite wherever possible the approval of requests from Page 11 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 the Kentucky Community and Technical College System board of regents relating to new certificate, diploma, technical, or associate degree programs of a vocational-technical and occupational nature.
Without the consent of the General Assembly, the council shall not abolish or limit the total enrollment of the general program offered at any community college to meet the goal of reasonable access throughout the Commonwealth to a two (2) year course of general studies designed for transfer to a baccalaureate program.
This does not restrict or limit the authority of the council, as set forth in this section, to eliminate or make changes in individual programs within that general program;
(16) Eliminate, in its discretion, existing programs or make any changes in existing academic programs at the state's postsecondary educational institutions, taking into consideration these criteria:
(a) Consistency with the institution's mission and the strategic agenda;
(b) Alignment with the priorities in the strategic implementation plan for achieving the strategic agenda;
(c) Elimination of unnecessary duplication of programs within and among institutions;
(d) Efforts to create cooperative programs with other institutions through traditional means, or by use of distance learning technology and electronic resources, to achieve effective and efficient program delivery;
and (e) Alignment with KRS 164.2895, including the elimination of any program that includes a requirement for a course or training of which the primary purpose is to indoctrinate participants with a discriminatory concept;
(17) Ensure the governing board and faculty of all postsecondary education institutions are committed to providing instruction free of discrimination against students who hold political views and opinions contrary to those of the governing board and Page 12 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 faculty;
(18) Review proposals and make recommendations to the Governor regarding the establishment of new public community colleges, technical institutions, and new four (4) year colleges;
(19) Ensure the coordination, transferability, and connectivity of technology among postsecondary institutions in the Commonwealth including the development and implementation of a technology plan as a component of the strategic agenda;
(20) Approve the teacher education programs in the public institutions that comply with standards established by the Education Professional Standards Board pursuant to KRS 161.028;
(21) Constitute the representative agency of the Commonwealth in all matters of postsecondary education of a general and statewide nature which are not otherwise delegated to one (1) or more institutions of postsecondary learning.
The responsibility may be exercised through appropriate contractual relationships with individuals or agencies located within or without the Commonwealth.
The authority includes but is not limited to contractual arrangements for programs of research, specialized training, and cultural enrichment;
(22) Maintain procedures for the approval of a designated receiver to provide for the maintenance of student records of the public institutions of higher education and the colleges as defined in KRS 164.945, and institutions operating pursuant to KRS 165A.310 which offer collegiate level courses for academic credit, which cease to operate.
Procedures shall include assurances that, upon proper request, subject to federal and state laws and regulations, copies of student records shall be made available within a reasonable length of time for a minimum fee;
(23) Monitor and transmit a report on compliance with KRS 164.351 to the director of the Legislative Research Commission for distribution to the Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children;
Page 13 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 (24) (a) Develop in cooperation with each public university and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System a comprehensive orientation and education program for new members of the council and the governing boards and continuing education opportunities for all council and board members.
For new members of the council and institutional governing boards, the council shall:
1.
Ensure that the orientation and education program comprises six (6) hours of instruction time and includes but is not limited to information concerning the roles of the council and governing board members, the strategic agenda and the strategic implementation plan, and the respective institution's mission, budget and finances, strategic plans and priorities, institutional policies and procedures, board fiduciary responsibilities, legal considerations including open records and open meetings requirements, ethical considerations arising from board membership, and the board member removal and replacement provisions of KRS 63.080;
2.
Establish delivery methods by which the orientation and education program can be completed in person or electronically by new members within one (1) year of their appointment or election;
3.
Provide an annual report to the Governor and Legislative Research Commission of those new board members who do not complete the required orientation and education program;
and 4.
Invite governing board members of private colleges and universities licensed by the Council on Postsecondary Education to participate in the orientation and education program described in this subsection;
(b) Offer, in cooperation with the public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, continuing education Page 14 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 opportunities for all council and governing board members;
and (c) Review and approve the orientation programs of each public university and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System for their governing board members to ensure that all programs and information adhere to this subsection;
(25) Develop a financial reporting procedure to be used by all state postsecondary education institutions to ensure uniformity of financial information available to state agencies and the public;
(26) Select and appoint a president of the council under KRS 164.013;
(27) Employ consultants and other persons and employees as may be required for the council's operations, functions, and responsibilities;
(28) Promulgate administrative regulations, in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A, governing its powers, duties, and responsibilities as described in this section;
(29) Prepare and present by January 31 of each year an annual status report on postsecondary education in the Commonwealth to the Governor, the Strategic Committee on Postsecondary Education, and the Legislative Research Commission;
(30) Consider the role, function, and capacity of independent institutions of postsecondary education in developing policies to meet the immediate and future needs of the state.
When it is found that independent institutions can meet state needs effectively, state resources may be used to contract with or otherwise assist independent institutions in meeting these needs;
(31) Create advisory groups representing the presidents, faculty, nonteaching staff, and students of the public postsecondary education system and the independent colleges and universities;
(32) [Develop a statewide policy to promote employee and faculty development in state and locally operated secondary area technology centers through the waiver of tuition for college credit coursework in the public postsecondary education system.
Page 15 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 Any regular full-time employee of a state or locally operated secondary area technology center may, with prior administrative approval of the course offering institution, take a maximum of six (6) credit hours per term at any public postsecondary institution.
The institution shall waive the tuition up to a maximum of six (6) credit hours per term.
The employee shall complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine the level of need and eligibility for state and federal financial aid programs.
The amount of tuition waived shall not exceed the cost of tuition at the institution less any state or federal grants received, which shall be credited first to the student's tuition;
(33) ]Participate with the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Board of Education, and postsecondary education institutions to ensure that academic content requirements for successful entry into postsecondary education programs are aligned with high school content standards and that students who master the high school academic content standards shall not need remedial courses.
The council shall monitor the results on an ongoing basis;
(33)[(34)] Cooperate with the Kentucky Department of Education and the Education Professional Standards Board in providing information sessions to selected postsecondary education content faculty and teacher educators of the high school academic content standards as required under KRS 158.6453(2)(l);
(34)[(35)] Cooperate with the Office of the Kentucky Center for Statistics and ensure the participation of the public institutions as required in KRS 151B.133;
(35)[(36)] Pursuant to KRS 63.080, review written notices from the Governor or from a board of trustees or board of regents concerning removal of a board member or the entire appointed membership of a board, investigate the member or board and the conduct alleged to support removal, and make written recommendations to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission as to whether the member or board should be removed;
and Page 16 of 17 XXXX 1/23/2026 1:45 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1046 (36)[(37)] Exercise any other powers, duties, and responsibilities necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to grant the Council on Postsecondary Education authority to disestablish or eliminate any college of law which became a part of the state system of higher education through merger with a state college.
The following KRS section164.2847 is repealed:amended to read as follows:
164.284(1) WaiverTuition and mandatory student fees for any undergraduate or graduate program of tuitionany Kentucky public postsecondary institution, including all four (4) year universities and feescolleges and institutions of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, shall be waived for persona sixty-fiveKentucky foster or olderadopted --child Conditions.who is a full-time or part-time student if the student is under the age of twenty-six (26) and meets all entrance requirements and maintains academic eligibility while enrolled at the postsecondary institution, and if:
Page(a) 17The ofstudent's 17family XXXXreceives 1/23/2026state-funded 1:45adoption PMassistance Jacketedunder KRS 199.555;
(b) The student is currently committed to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services under KRS 610.010(5) and placed in a family foster home or is placed in accordance with KRS 605.090(3);
(c) The student is in an independent living program and the placement is funded by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services;
(d) The student who is an adopted child was in the permanent legal custody of and placed for adoption by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
A student who meets the eligibility criteria of this paragraph and lives outside of Kentucky at the time of application to a Kentucky postsecondary institution may apply for the waiver up to the amount of tuition for a Kentucky resident;
or (e) The Cabinet for Health and Family Services was the student's legal custodian Page 12 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA on his or her eighteenth birthday.
(2) Tuition and mandatory student fees for any undergraduate program of any Kentucky institution of higher education, community college, or vocational training institution for up to a maximum of one hundred twenty-eight (128) credit hours of undergraduate instruction[public postsecondary institution, including all four (4) year universities and colleges and institutions of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System,] shall be waived for a Department of Juvenile Justice foster child who is a full-time or part-time student if the student is under the age of twenty-six (26) and meets all entrance requirements and maintains academic eligibility while enrolled at the postsecondary institution and obtains a recommendation for participation from an official from the Department of Juvenile Justice, and if:
(a) The student has not been sentenced to the Department of Juvenile Justice under KRS Chapter 640;
(b) The student has been committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice for a period of at least twelve (12) months;
(c) The student is in an independent living program and placement is funded by the Department of Juvenile Justice;
(d) The parental rights of the student's biological parents have been terminated;
or (e) The student was committed to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services prior to a commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
(3) Upon request of the postsecondary institution, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall confirm the eligibility status under subsection (1) of this section and the Department of Juvenile Justice shall confirm the eligibility status and recommendations under subsection (2) of this section of the student seeking to participate in the waiver program.
Release of this information shall not constitute a breach of confidentiality required by KRS 199.570, 610.320, or 620.050.
Page 13 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA (4) The student shall complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine the level of need and eligibility for state and federal financial aid programs.
If the sum of the tuition waiver plus other student financial assistance, except loans and the work study program under 42 U.S.C.
secs.
2751-2756b, from all sources exceeds the student's total cost of attendance, as defined in 20 U.S.C.
sec.
1087ll, the tuition waiver shall be reduced by the amount exceeding the total cost of attendance.
(5) [Except when extended in accordance with subsection (6) of this section, the student shall be eligible for the tuition waiver:
(a) For entrance to the institution for a period of no more than four (4) years after the date of graduation from high school or obtaining a high school equivalency diploma;
and (b) For one hundred fifty (150) consecutive or nonconsecutive credit hours earned, after first admittance to any Kentucky institution if satisfactory progress is achieved or maintained up to age twenty-eight (28).
(6) ]The expiration of a student's age eligibility under subsections (1) and (2)[subsection (5)(a)] of this section shall be extended by the number of academic terms the institution determines the student was unable to enroll for or complete due to serving:
(a) On active duty status in the United States Armed Forces;
(b) As an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service;
or (c) On active service in the Peace Corps Act or the Americorps.
The original age limitation under subsections (1) and (2)[subsection (5)(b)] of this section shall be extended by the total number of years during which the student was on active duty status.
The number of months served on active duty status shall be rounded up to the next higher year to determine the maximum length of eligibility Page 14 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 497/GA extension allowed.
(6)[(7)] The Council on Postsecondary Education shall report nonidentifying data on graduation rates of students participating in the tuition waiver program by November 30 each year to the Legislative Research Commission.
(7)[(8)] Nothing in this section shall be construed to:
(a) Guarantee acceptance of or entrance into any postsecondary institution for a foster or adopted child;
(b) Limit the participation of a foster or adopted student in any other program of financial assistance for postsecondary education;
(c) Require any postsecondary institution to waive costs or fees relating to room and board;
or (d) Restrict any postsecondary institution, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or the Cabinet for Health and Family Services from accessing other sources of financial assistance, except loans, that may be available to a foster or adopted student.
Page 15 of 15 HB049710.100 - 1046 - XXXX 2/25/2026 3:54 PM GA
Show all 208 changed rows (168 more)
Action History
-
to Committee on Committees (S)
-
received in Senate
-
3rd reading, passed 56-36 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (3)
-
floor amendment (3) filed to Committee Substitute
-
posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 19 2026
-
floor amendment (2) filed to Committee Substitute
-
2nd reading, to Rules
-
floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
-
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
-
to Postsecondary Education (H)
-
to Committee on Committees (H)
-
introduced in House
Sponsors
- Josh Branscum · Primary
- James Tipton · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 136 not signed on · 38 voted No
Sponsors (2)
- Josh Branscum Republican
- James Tipton Republican
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.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 56 | 2 | 0 | 21 |
| Unaffiliated | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Democrat | 0 | 19 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 57 | 21 | 0 | 23 |
| % of votes cast | 56% | 21% | 0% | 23% |
How each member voted (101)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis C | — | Yea |
| Commonwealth of Kentucky | — | Not Voting |
| Adam Moore | Democrat | Nay |
| Adrielle Camuel | Democrat | Nay |
| Al Gentry | Democrat | Nay |
| Anne Gay Donworth | Democrat | Nay |
| Ashley Tackett Laferty | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Beverly Chester-Burton | Democrat | Nay |
| Chad Aull | Democrat | Nay |
| Daniel Grossberg | Democrat | Nay |
| Erika Hancock | Democrat | Nay |
| George Brown Jr. | Democrat | Nay |
| Joshua Watkins | Democrat | Nay |
| Lindsey Burke | Democrat | Nay |
| Lisa Willner | Democrat | Nay |
| Mary Lou Marzian | Democrat | Nay |
| Matthew Lehman | Democrat | Nay |
| Nima Kulkarni | Democrat | Nay |
| Pamela Stevenson | Democrat | Nay |
| Rachel Roarx | Democrat | Nay |
| Sarah Stalker | Democrat | Nay |
| Tina Bojanowski | Democrat | Nay |
| Aaron Thompson | Republican | Yea |
| Adam Bowling | Republican | Yea |
| Amy Neighbors | Republican | Yea |
| Bill Wesley | Republican | Yea |
| Bobby McCool | Republican | Nay |
| Candy Massaroni | Republican | Not Voting |
| 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 | Not Voting |
| David W. Osborne | Republican | Yea |
| Deanna Gordon | Republican | Not Voting |
| Derek Lewis | Republican | Not Voting |
| Emily Callaway | Republican | Yea |
| Felicia Rabourn | Republican | Not Voting |
| J.T. Payne | Republican | Yea |
| James Tipton | Republican | Yea |
| Jared Bauman | Republican | Not Voting |
| Jason Nemes | Republican | Yea |
| Jason Petrie | Republican | Yea |
| Jennifer Decker | Republican | Not Voting |
| Jim Gooch Jr. | Republican | Yea |
| John Blanton | Republican | Yea |
| John Hodgson | Republican | Not Voting |
| Josh Branscum | Republican | Yea |
| Josh Bray | Republican | Yea |
| Josh Calloway | Republican | Not Voting |
| Ken Fleming | Republican | Not Voting |
| Ken Upchurch | Republican | Yea |
| Kevin Jackson | Republican | Not Voting |
| Kim Banta | Republican | Yea |
| Kim Holloway | Republican | Not Voting |
| Kim King | Republican | Nay |
| 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 | Not Voting |
| 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 | Not Voting |
| 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 | Not Voting |
| Scott Sharp | Republican | Yea |
| Shane Baker | Republican | Yea |
| Shawn McPherson | Republican | Yea |
| Stephanie Dietz | Republican | Not Voting |
| Steve Bratcher | Republican | Yea |
| Steve Riley | Republican | Not Voting |
| Steven Doan | Republican | Not Voting |
| Steven Rudy | Republican | Yea |
| Susan Witten | Republican | Yea |
| Suzanne Miles | Republican | Yea |
| T.J. Roberts | Republican | Not Voting |
| 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 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 54 | 19 | 0 | 6 |
| Democrat | 1 | 17 | 0 | 2 |
| Unaffiliated | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 56 | 36 | 0 | 8 |
| % of votes cast | 56% | 36% | 0% | 8% |
How each member voted (100)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis C | — | Yea |
| Adam Moore | Democrat | Nay |
| Adrielle Camuel | Democrat | Nay |
| Al Gentry | Democrat | Nay |
| Anne Gay Donworth | Democrat | Nay |
| Ashley Tackett Laferty | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Beverly Chester-Burton | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Chad Aull | Democrat | Nay |
| Daniel Grossberg | Democrat | Nay |
| Erika Hancock | Democrat | Nay |
| George Brown Jr. | Democrat | Nay |
| Joshua Watkins | Democrat | Nay |
| Lindsey Burke | Democrat | Nay |
| Lisa Willner | Democrat | Nay |
| Mary Lou Marzian | Democrat | Nay |
| Matthew Lehman | Democrat | Yea |
| Nima Kulkarni | Democrat | Nay |
| Pamela Stevenson | Democrat | Nay |
| Rachel Roarx | Democrat | Nay |
| Sarah Stalker | Democrat | Nay |
| Tina Bojanowski | Democrat | Nay |
| Aaron Thompson | Republican | Yea |
| Adam Bowling | Republican | Yea |
| Amy Neighbors | Republican | Yea |
| Bill Wesley | Republican | Yea |
| Bobby McCool | Republican | Nay |
| Candy Massaroni | Republican | Nay |
| Chris Freeland | Republican | Not Voting |
| Chris Fugate | Republican | Yea |
| DJ Johnson | Republican | Yea |
| Daniel Elliott | Republican | Yea |
| Daniel Fister | Republican | Yea |
| David Hale | Republican | Yea |
| David Meade | Republican | Nay |
| David W. Osborne | Republican | Yea |
| Deanna Gordon | Republican | Not Voting |
| 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 | Not Voting |
| Jason Nemes | Republican | Yea |
| Jason Petrie | Republican | Yea |
| Jennifer Decker | Republican | Not Voting |
| Jim Gooch Jr. | Republican | Yea |
| John Blanton | Republican | Yea |
| John Hodgson | Republican | Nay |
| Josh Branscum | Republican | Yea |
| Josh Bray | Republican | Yea |
| Josh Calloway | Republican | Nay |
| Ken Fleming | Republican | Nay |
| Ken Upchurch | Republican | Yea |
| Kevin Jackson | Republican | Nay |
| Kim Banta | Republican | Nay |
| Kim Holloway | Republican | Not Voting |
| Kim King | Republican | Nay |
| Kimberly Poore Moser | Republican | Yea |
| Marianne Proctor | Republican | Nay |
| Mark Hart | Republican | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| Richard White | Republican | Yea |
| Robert Duvall | Republican | Yea |
| Ryan Bivens | Republican | Yea |
| Ryan Dotson | Republican | Yea |
| Samara Heavrin | Republican | Yea |
| Savannah Maddox | Republican | Nay |
| Scott Lewis | Republican | Nay |
| Scott Sharp | Republican | Yea |
| Shane Baker | Republican | Yea |
| Shawn McPherson | Republican | Yea |
| Stephanie Dietz | Republican | Nay |
| Steve Bratcher | Republican | Yea |
| Steve Riley | Republican | Nay |
| Steven Doan | Republican | Nay |
| Steven Rudy | Republican | Yea |
| Susan Witten | Republican | Yea |
| Suzanne Miles | Republican | Yea |
| T.J. Roberts | Republican | Nay |
| 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 |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HB 497 do?
- Amend KRS 164.515 to make the amount of tuition waived for the spouse or child of designated permanently disabled veterans a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.2841 to make the amount tuition waived for the survivor of police officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter killed in line of duty last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.2842 to make the amount of tuition waived for the survivor of police officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter permanently and totally disabled in line of duty a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.507 to make the amount of tuition waived for the non-married spouse or child of a deceased veteran a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.020 to delete the tuition waiver for employees and faculty of state and locally operated secondary area technology center staff.
- Who sponsors HB 497?
- HB 497 is sponsored by Josh Branscum (Republican) and James Tipton (Republican).
- What is the current status of HB 497?
- This bill has passed the House. Introduced January 28, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
- Where can I track HB 497?
- Track HB 497 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
Make your voice heard on HB 497
Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.
Stay ahead of HB 497
Last checked for changes about 2 months ago · updated continuously
One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.
Track this bill →