Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 13 R cosponsors

SB 40 — AN ACT relating to public library district boards of trustees.

Last action — became law without Governor's Signature (Acts Ch. 13)

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  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 07, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on April 02, 2026.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 82% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 13 sponsors

    13 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (13 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes 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 173.490 and 173.730 to allow a county judge/executive to fill vacancies on a library board, with the approval of the fiscal court, without being required to consider recommendations made the board or the state librarian if the county has adopted an alternative appointment process.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

155 added · 214 removed

Plain-language change summary

The proposed changes to SB 40 clarify the process of appointing members to public library district boards of trustees. The bill now specifies that for each vacancy, the board will recommend two candidates to the county judge/executive, but if a fiscal court has its own appointment process, they will recommend only one candidate. This modification aims to streamline the appointment process and provide more flexibility for local governments, ensuring that library boards can effectively serve their communities.

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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 40/GA AN ACT relating to public library district boards of trustees.
CHAPTER 13 1 CHAPTER 13 ( SB 40 ) AN ACT relating to public library district boards of trustees.
(1) (a) One-third (1/3) of the persons first appointed to the board shall serve for a term of two (2) years, one-third (1/3) for a term of three (3) years and one- third (1/3) for a term of four (4) years.
(1) (a) One-third (1/3) of the persons first appointed to the board shall serve for a term of two (2) years, one- third (1/3) for a term of three (3) years and one-third (1/3) for a term of four (4) years.
For fiscal courts that adopt an alternative appointment process through Page 1 of 8 SB004010.100 - 365 - XXXX 1/23/2026 9:33 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 40/GA the passage of a resolution, the board shall recommend one (1) person committed to the provision of library services to the county judge/executive, who:
For fiscal courts that adopt an alternative appointment process through the passage of a resolution, the board shall recommend one (1) person committed to the provision of library services to the county judge/executive, who:
Trustees] may serve for two (2) consecutive terms after which they shall Page 2 of 8 SB004010.100 - 365 - XXXX 1/23/2026 9:33 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 40/GA not succeed themselves.
Trustees] may serve for two (2) consecutive terms after which they shall not succeed themselves.
(2) Any vacancy occurring in the terms of office of members shall be filled for the unexpired term by the county judge/executive, with the approval of the fiscal court, by appointment on recommendation of the board[state librarian and commissioner] of two (2)[ names of] persons committed to the provision of library services and living in the county in which the vacancy occurred unless the fiscal court has adopted an alternative appointment process through the passage of a resolution.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2) Any vacancy occurring in the terms of office of members shall be filled for the unexpired term by the county judge/executive, with the approval of the fiscal court, by appointment on recommendation of the board[state librarian and commissioner] of two (2)[ names of] persons committed to the provision of library services and living in the county in which the vacancy occurred unless the fiscal court has adopted an alternative appointment process through the passage of a resolution.
and] Page 3 of 8 SB004010.100 - 365 - XXXX 1/23/2026 9:33 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 40/GA (b) Shall, if he or she determines that the person recommended by the board is unacceptable,[For any remaining unfilled appointment after the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection have been followed, shall] appoint, with the approval of the fiscal court, an individual of his or her choosing no later than thirty (30) days after rejecting the board's recommendation[day the county judge/executive received the recommendations under paragraph (a)2.
and] (b) Shall, if he or she determines that the person recommended by the board is unacceptable,[For any remaining unfilled appointment after the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection have been followed, shall] appoint, with the approval of the fiscal court, an individual of his or her choosing no later than thirty (30) days after rejecting the board's recommendation[day the county judge/executive received the recommendations under paragraph (a)2.
(1) (a) One-third (1/3) of the persons first appointed to the board shall serve for a term of two (2) years, one-third (1/3) for a term of three (3) years and one- third (1/3) for a term of four (4) years.
(1) (a) One-third (1/3) of the persons first appointed to the board shall serve for a term of two (2) years, one- third (1/3) for a term of three (3) years and one-third (1/3) for a term of four (4) years.
The board shall recommend two (2) persons committed to the provision Page 4 of 8 SB004010.100 - 365 - XXXX 1/23/2026 9:33 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 40/GA of library services to the[ Department for Libraries and Archives, for each vacancy.
The board shall recommend two (2) persons committed to the provision of library services to the[ Department for Libraries and Archives, for each vacancy.
Shall, if he or she determines that the person recommended by the board is unacceptable,[For any appointments the county judge/executive decides not to fill from the first recommendations, shall request the Department for Libraries and Archives to submit within thirty (30) days two (2) additional recommended persons for each unfilled appointment, and, with the approval of the fiscal court, may make the selection from those recommendations;
Shall, if he or she determines that the person recommended by the board is unacceptable,[For any appointments the county judge/executive decides not to fill from CHAPTER 13 3 the first recommendations, shall request the Department for Libraries and Archives to submit within thirty (30) days two (2) additional recommended persons for each unfilled appointment, and, with the approval of the fiscal court, may make the selection from those recommendations;
For any remaining unfilled appointments after the provisions of Page 5 of 8 SB004010.100 - 365 - XXXX 1/23/2026 9:33 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 40/GA subparagraph 1.
For any remaining unfilled appointments after the provisions of subparagraph 1.
For fiscal courts that adopt an alternative appointment process, the board shall recommend one (1) person committed to the provision of library services and living in the Page 6 of 8 SB004010.100 - 365 - XXXX 1/23/2026 9:33 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 40/GA county to the county judge/executive, who:
For fiscal courts that adopt an alternative appointment process, the board shall recommend one (1) person committed to the provision of library services and living in the county to the county judge/executive, who:
(4) Any person appointed to the board shall be committed to the provision of library Page 7 of 8 SB004010.100 - 365 - XXXX 1/23/2026 9:33 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 40/GA services and living in the county in which the board operates.
(4) Any person appointed to the board shall be committed to the provision of library services and living in the county in which the board operates.
Page 8 of 8 SB004010.100 - 365 - XXXX 1/23/2026 9:33 AM GA
Became law without Governor's signature April 2, 2026.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version
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View plain text versions (3)

How this bill changes current law

11 changes Share ↗

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

The bill amends the appointment process for board members of public library district boards of trustees by removing the involvement of the Department for Libraries and Archives in recommending candidates.

  • KRS 173.490

    Department for Libraries and Archives for each vacancy. The names shall be forwarded to the Department for Libraries and Archives and the state librarian and commissioner shall recommend those names to the → county judge/executive for each vacancy

    The Department for Libraries and Archives is no longer involved in recommending candidates for board vacancies.

  • KRS 173.490

    immediately

    The time frame for the county judge/executive to make a selection after recommendations has been clarified.

  • KRS 173.490

    those recommended by the state librarian and commissioner

    Removes references to the state librarian and commissioner in the selection process for board members.

  • KRS 173.490

    For any appointments the county judge/executive decides not to fill from the first recommendations, shall request the Department for Libraries and Archives to submit within thirty (30) days two (2) additional recommended persons for each unfilled appointment, and, with the approval of the fiscal court, may make the selection from those recommendations; and

    Eliminates the requirement for alternative recommendations from the Department for Libraries and Archives.

  • KRS 173.490

    the state librarian and commissioner of two (2) names of persons committed to the provision of library services and living in the county in which the vacancy occurred

    Removes the requirement for mentions of the state librarian and commissioner in the board vacancy process.

  • KRS 173.490

    The board[county judge/executive] → The board

    Clarifies who is responsible for notifying the Department for Libraries and Archives about appointments.

  • KRS 173.730

    Department for Libraries and Archives, for each vacancy. The state librarian and commissioner shall recommend those names to the → county judge/executive for each vacancy

    Similar to KRS 173.490 changes, this removes the Department for Libraries and Archives from the appointment process.

  • KRS 173.730

    immediately

    Clarifies the timeline for the county judge/executive's appointment decisions.

  • KRS 173.730

    those recommended by the state librarian and commissioner

    Removes state librarian and commissioner recommendations from the process of selecting candidates.

  • KRS 173.730

    For any appointments the county judge/executive decides not to fill from the first recommendations, shall request the Department for Libraries and Archives to submit within thirty (30) days two (2) additional recommended persons for each unfilled appointment, and, with the approval of the fiscal court, may make the selection from those recommendations; and

    This change eliminates an alternative recommendation process that involved the Department for Libraries and Archives.

  • KRS 173.730

    the state librarian and commissioner of two (2) names of persons committed to the provision of library services and living in the county in which the vacancy occurred

    Removes involvement of the state librarian and commissioner in appointments.

Action History

  1. became law without Governor's Signature (Acts Ch. 13)

  2. filed without Governor's signature with the Secretary of State

  3. delivered to Governor

  4. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

  5. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

  6. received in Senate

  7. 3rd reading, passed 84-7

  8. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 19 2026

  9. reported favorably, 2nd reading, to Rules

  10. returned to Local Government (H)

  11. 1st reading

  12. taken from Local Government (H)

  13. to Local Government (H)

  14. to Committee on Committees (H)

  15. received in House

  16. 3rd reading, passed with 34-1 Committee Substitute (1)

  17. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, January 23, 2026

  18. 2nd reading, to Rules

  19. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)

  20. to State & Local Government (S)

  21. to Committee on Committees (S)

  22. introduced in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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13 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 125 not signed on · 8 voted No

Sponsors (13)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (125)

125 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 125 →

"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 84 Yea · 7 Nay · 9 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 75004
Democrat 8705
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 84709
% of votes cast 84%7%0%9%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Lewis C — Yea
Adam Moore Democrat Yea
Adrielle Camuel Democrat Nay
Al Gentry Democrat Nay
Anne Gay Donworth Democrat Not Voting
Ashley Tackett Laferty Democrat Not Voting
Beverly Chester-Burton Democrat Yea
Chad Aull Democrat Not Voting
Daniel Grossberg Democrat Yea
Erika Hancock Democrat Yea
George Brown Jr. Democrat Yea
Joshua Watkins Democrat Not Voting
Lindsey Burke Democrat Not Voting
Lisa Willner Democrat Nay
Mary Lou Marzian Democrat Nay
Matthew Lehman Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Yea
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Nay
Rachel Roarx Democrat Nay
Sarah Stalker Democrat Nay
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Yea
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 Yea
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 Not Voting
Jennifer Decker Republican Yea
Jim Gooch Jr. Republican Yea
John Blanton Republican Yea
John Hodgson Republican Yea
Josh Branscum Republican Not Voting
Josh Bray Republican Yea
Josh Calloway Republican Yea
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Not Voting
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 Yea
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 Not Voting
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 40 w/ SCS 1

Passed 34 Yea · 1 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5000
Republican 29103
Total 34103
% of votes cast 89%3%0%8%
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 Not Voting
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 Yea
Rick Girdler Republican Not Voting
Robby Mills Republican Yea
Robert Stivers Republican Yea
Robin L. Webb Republican Nay
Scott Madon Republican Yea
Shelley Funke Frommeyer Republican Yea
Stephen West Republican Yea
Steve Rawlings Republican Not Voting
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

education
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 40 do?
Amend KRS 173.490 and 173.730 to allow a county judge/executive to fill vacancies on a library board, with the approval of the fiscal court, without being required to consider recommendations made the board or the state librarian if the county has adopted an alternative appointment process.
Who sponsors SB 40?
SB 40 is sponsored by Mike Wilson (Republican), Phillip Wheeler (Republican), Stephen West (Republican), Lindsey Tichenor (Republican), Craig Richardson (Republican), Aaron Reed (Republican), Steve Rawlings (Republican), Matt Nunn (Republican), Robby Mills (Republican), Scott Madon (Republican), Greg Elkins (Republican), Donald Douglas (Republican), and Gary Boswell (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 40?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 07, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 40?
Track SB 40 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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