Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 7 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 264 — AN ACT relating to theft by deception.

Last action — signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 106)

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 08, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on April 13, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

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

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

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 8 sponsors

    8 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (7 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

  • 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 514.040, relating to theft by deception, to establish a presumption that a person creates or reinforces a false impression when the person lists or advertises residential or commercial real property for sale, lease, or rent without legal title or authority.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

73 added · 98 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to HB 264 clarifies the definition of "theft by deception" by specifying what constitutes deceptive behavior more clearly. It adds a presumption that a false impression is created when a person lists or advertises items, which could help strengthen enforcement against those who mislead others in transactions. This change matters because it aims to protect consumers by holding individuals accountable for deceptive practices, making it more challenging for dishonest actors to exploit others.

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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 264/GA AN ACT relating to theft by deception.
CHAPTER 106 1 CHAPTER 106 ( HB 264 ) AN ACT relating to theft by deception.
(4) For purposes of subsection (1) of this section:[, ] (a) A person is presumed to create or reinforce a false impression when the person lists or advertises residential or commercial real property or vacant Page 1 of 4 HB026410.100 - 82 - XXXX 2/13/2026 9:52 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 264/GA land for sale, lease, or rent without legal title or authority;
(4) For purposes of subsection (1) of this section:[, ] (a) A person is presumed to create or reinforce a false impression when the person lists or advertises residential or commercial real property or vacant land for sale, lease, or rent without legal title or authority;
or 2.[(b)] Payment was refused by the drawee for lack of funds, upon presentation within thirty (30) days after issue, and the maker failed to make good within ten (10) days after receiving notice of that refusal.
or 2.[(b)]Payment was refused by the drawee for lack of funds, upon presentation within thirty (30) days after issue, and the maker failed to make good within ten (10) days after receiving notice of that refusal.
Money paid to the county attorney pursuant to this section shall Page 2 of 4 HB026410.100 - 82 - XXXX 2/13/2026 9:52 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 264/GA be used only for payment of county attorney office operating expenses.
Money paid to the county attorney pursuant to this section shall be used only for payment of county attorney office operating expenses.
(6) A person is guilty of theft by deception when the person issues a check or similar sight order in payment of all or any part of any tax payable to the Commonwealth knowing that it will not be honored by the drawee.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (6) A person is guilty of theft by deception when the person issues a check or similar sight order in payment of all or any part of any tax payable to the Commonwealth knowing that it will not be honored by the drawee.
(d) The value of the property, service, or the amount of the check or sight order referred to in subsection (6) or (7) of this section is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more, in which case it is a Class C felony;[:] or (e) The offense occurs during a declared emergency as defined by KRS 39A.020 arising from a natural or man-made disaster, within the area covered by the emergency declaration, and within the area impacted by the disaster, in which case the person shall be charged one (1) level higher than the level otherwise Page 3 of 4 HB026410.100 - 82 - XXXX 2/13/2026 9:52 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 264/GA specified in this subsection.
(d) The value of the property, service, or the amount of the check or sight order referred to in subsection (6) or (7) of this section is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more, in which case it is a Class C felony;[:] or (e) The offense occurs during a declared emergency as defined by KRS 39A.020 arising from a natural or man-made disaster, within the area covered by the emergency declaration, and within the area impacted by the disaster, in which case the person shall be charged one (1) level higher than the level otherwise specified in this subsection.
Page 4 of 4 HB026410.100 - 82 - XXXX 2/13/2026 9:52 AM GA
Signed by Governor April 13, 2026.
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Action History

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 106)

  2. delivered to Governor

  3. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

  4. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

  5. received in House

  6. 3rd reading, passed 38-0

  7. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 31 2026

  8. 2nd reading, to Rules

  9. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  10. to Judiciary (S)

  11. to Committee on Committees (S)

  12. received in Senate

  13. 3rd reading, passed 93-0 with Floor Amendment (1)

  14. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, February 13 2026

  15. floor amendment (1) filed

  16. 2nd reading, to Rules

  17. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  18. to Judiciary (H)

  19. to Committee on Committees (H)

  20. introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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8 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 130 not signed on

Sponsors (8)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (130)

130 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 130 →

"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 HB 264

Passed 38 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5000
Republican 33000
Total 38000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
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 Yea
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 →

Pass

Passed 93 Yea · 0 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 18002
Republican 74005
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 93007
% of votes cast 93%0%0%7%
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 Yea
Joshua Watkins Democrat Yea
Lindsey Burke Democrat Yea
Lisa Willner Democrat Not Voting
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 Yea
Aaron Thompson Republican Yea
Adam Bowling Republican Yea
Amy Neighbors Republican Yea
Bill Wesley Republican Yea
Bobby McCool Republican Not Voting
Candy Massaroni Republican Yea
Chris Freeland Republican Yea
Chris Fugate Republican Yea
DJ Johnson Republican Yea
Daniel Elliott Republican Yea
Daniel Fister Republican Yea
David Hale Republican Yea
David Meade Republican Yea
David W. Osborne Republican Yea
Deanna Gordon Republican Yea
Derek Lewis Republican Yea
Emily Callaway Republican Yea
Felicia Rabourn Republican Not Voting
J.T. Payne Republican Yea
James Tipton Republican Yea
Jared Bauman Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jason Petrie Republican Yea
Jennifer Decker Republican Yea
Jim Gooch Jr. Republican Yea
John Blanton Republican Yea
John Hodgson Republican Yea
Josh Branscum Republican Yea
Josh Bray Republican Yea
Josh Calloway Republican Yea
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Yea
Kim Holloway Republican Yea
Kim King Republican Yea
Kimberly Poore Moser Republican Yea
Marianne Proctor Republican Yea
Mark Hart Republican Yea
Mary Beth Imes Republican Yea
Matt Lockett Republican Yea
Matthew Koch Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Michael Sarge Pollock Republican Yea
Mike Clines Republican Yea
Mitch Whitaker Republican Yea
Myron Dossett Republican Yea
Nancy Tate Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Patrick Flannery Republican Yea
Peyton Griffee Republican Yea
Randy Bridges Republican Yea
Rebecca Raymer Republican Yea
Richard White Republican Yea
Robert Duvall Republican Yea
Ryan Bivens Republican Yea
Ryan Dotson Republican Not Voting
Samara Heavrin Republican Yea
Savannah Maddox Republican Yea
Scott Lewis Republican Yea
Scott Sharp Republican Yea
Shane Baker Republican Yea
Shawn McPherson Republican Yea
Stephanie Dietz Republican Yea
Steve Bratcher Republican Yea
Steve Riley Republican Not Voting
Steven Doan Republican Yea
Steven Rudy Republican Yea
Susan Witten Republican Yea
Suzanne Miles Republican Yea
T.J. Roberts Republican Yea
Thomas Huff Republican Yea
Timmy Truett Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Tony Hampton Republican Yea
Vanessa Grossl Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea
William Lawrence Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety housing
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 HB 264 do?
Amend KRS 514.040, relating to theft by deception, to establish a presumption that a person creates or reinforces a false impression when the person lists or advertises residential or commercial real property for sale, lease, or rent without legal title or authority.
Who sponsors HB 264?
HB 264 is sponsored by Richard White (Republican), Walker Thomas (Republican), David Meade (Republican), Chris Lewis (Republican), Daniel Grossberg (Democrat), Emily Callaway (Republican), Steve Bratcher (Republican), and Marianne Proctor (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 264?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 08, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 264?
Track HB 264 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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