SB 2 — AN ACT relating to school administrators and declaring an emergency.
Last action — signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 9)
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 27, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on March 27, 2026.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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3 sponsors
3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 R).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 3 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 157.350 to provide that in order to be eligible to receive support education excellence in Kentucky funds a school district shall not provide the superintendent or any administrator a percentage pay increase greater than the average percentage pay increase provided to classroom teachers within the district; amend KRS 156.070 to conform.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
461 added · 630 removedPlain-language change summary
The updated version of Bill SB 2 includes a new requirement that prevents superintendents from receiving pay increases that are greater than what classroom teachers earn in their districts. This change applies to contracts starting July 1, 2026, and aims to ensure better alignment between the salaries of administrators and teachers. This matters because it promotes fairness in compensation within school districts, signaling a commitment to valuing teachers' contributions equally.
UNOFFICIALCHAPTER COPY9 261 RSCHAPTER 9 ( SB 2/EN2 ) AN ACT relating to school administrators and declaring an emergency.
Upon the expiration of the superintendent's contract, the local board and Page 1 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN superintendent may negotiate a salary increase, which shall be set forth in a new contract.
The Kentucky Board of Education shall have sixty (60) days to approve or Page 2 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN amend the decision of the commissioner;
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (b) Beginning July 1, 2022, ]Those nonresident pupils admitted pursuant to district nonresident pupil policies adopted under KRS 158.120;
Therefore, the board may appoint a superintendent for a new term as provided in this subsection, which shall begin on the date of the superintendent's appointment, except when the vacancy occurs after a school board election and before the newly elected members Page 3 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN take office.
(4) An individual shall not assume the duties of superintendent in a district until he or she provides the board of education with a copy of a certificate for school Page 4 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN superintendent issued by the Education Professional Standards Board or its legal predecessor.
However, if the dismissal of the superintendent has been recommended by a highly skilled certified educator pursuant to KRS 158.6455 and the action is approved by the commissioner of education, the board shall terminate the superintendent's CHAPTER 9 3 contract.
Page 5 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN (a) "Department" means the Kentucky Department of Education;
(b) Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, and every three (3) years thereafter, the department shall identify a school for additional targeted support and improvement if the school has one (1) or more subgroups, as defined by ESSA, whose performance in the state accountability system by level is at or below the summative performance of all students in any of the lowest-performing five percent (5%) of all schools identified under subsection (3)(a) of this section and the school was identified in the immediately preceding year for targeted support and improvement as described in Page 6 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN paragraph (a) of this subsection.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2.
(5) When a school is identified for additional targeted support and improvement under Page 7 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN subsection (2)(b) of this section, the local school district shall take more rigorous district-determined action to assist and support the school in reaching performance goals.
A recommendation to the local board of education of the turnaround Page 8 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN principles and strategies necessary for the superintendent to assist the school with turnaround;
CHAPTER 9 5 (f) The principal shall collaborate with the turnaround team to establish an advisory leadership team representing school stakeholders including other Page 9 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN school leaders, teachers, and parents;
Page 10 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN Required professional learning shall be related to evidence-based practices in instruction, instructional materials implementation, and assessment for reading and mathematics and aligned to Kentucky academic standards required by KRS 158.6453.
Page 11 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN (15)[(14)] If, in the course of a school audit, the audit team identifies information suggesting that a violation of KRS 160.345(9)(a) may have occurred, the commissioner of education shall forward the evidence to the Office of Education Accountability for investigation.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (1) The Kentucky Board of Education shall have the management and control of the common schools and all programs operated in these schools, including interscholastic athletics, the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and community education programs and services.
(b) [Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, ]The state board shall require any Page 12 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN agency or organization designated by the state board to manage interscholastic athletics to adopt bylaws that establish as members of the agency's or organization's board of control one (1) representative of nonpublic member schools who is elected by the nonpublic school members of the agency or organization from regions one (1) through eight (8) and one (1) representative of nonpublic member schools who is elected by the nonpublic member schools of the agency or organization from regions nine (9) through sixteen (16).
The state board or any agency designated by the state board to manage interscholastic athletics shall allow a member school's team or students to play against students of a nonmember at-home private school, or a Page 13 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN team of students from nonmember at-home private schools, if the nonmember at-home private schools and students comply with this subsection.
CHAPTER 9 7 c.
A nonmember at-home private school's team or students may participate in interscholastic athletics permitted, offered, or sponsored by the state Page 14 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN board or any agency designated by the state board to manage interscholastic athletics.
The Kentucky Board of Education or any organization or agency Page 15 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN designated by the state board to manage interscholastic athletics shall not promulgate administrative regulations or adopt any policies or bylaws that are contrary to the provisions of this paragraph.
or Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY c.
The sex of a student for the purpose of determining eligibility to Page 16 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN participate in an athletic activity or sport shall be determined by:
Page 17 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN 2.
No student-athlete shall use school property or such intellectual property in earning compensation through name, Page 18 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN image, and likeness activities.
The lease may be for any initial term commencing with the date of the lease and ending with the next ensuing June 30, which is the close of the then-current fiscal biennium of the CHAPTER 9 9 Commonwealth, with exclusive options in favor of the board to renew the same for successive ensuing bienniums, July 1 in each even year to June 30 in the next ensuing even year;
(b) Each option of the Kentucky Board of Education to renew the lease for a succeeding biennial term may be exercised at any time after the adjournment of the session of the General Assembly at which appropriations shall have been made for the operation of the state government for such succeeding biennial term, by notifying the State Property and Buildings Commission in writing, signed by the chief state school officer, and delivered to the secretary Page 19 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN of the Finance and Administration Cabinet as a member of the commission.
The board may receive and may apply to rental payments under any Page 20 of 21 SB000220.100 - 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 2/EN lease and to the cost of providing for the operation of the television or related facilities not only appropriations which may be made to it from state funds, from time to time, but also contributions, gifts, matching funds, devises, and bequests from any source, whether federal or state, and whether public or private, so long as the same are not conditioned upon any improper use of the television or related facilities in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this subsection.
PageSigned 21by ofGovernor 21March SB000220.10027, -2026. 941 - XXXX 3/20/2026 10:05 AM Engrossed
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Action History
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signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 9)
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delivered to Governor
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enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
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enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
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passed 36-0
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Senate concurred in House floor amendments (1) and (2-title)
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posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
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taken from Rules
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to Rules (S)
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received in Senate
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3rd reading, passed 90-4 with Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
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posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 19 2026
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2nd reading, to Rules
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floor amendments (1) and (2) filed
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reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
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to Primary and Secondary Education (H)
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to Committee on Committees (H)
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received in House
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3rd reading, passed 38-0
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posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, February 09 2026
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2nd reading, to Rules
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reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
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to Education (S)
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to Committee on Committees (S)
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introduced in Senate
Sponsors
- Lindsey Tichenor · Primary
- Donald Douglas · Primary
- Julie Raque Adams · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 135 not signed on · 4 voted No
Sponsors (3)
- Lindsey Tichenor Republican
- Donald Douglas Republican
- Julie Raque Adams Republican
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (135)
135 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 135 →"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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 32 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 36 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 95% | 0% | 0% | 5% |
How each member voted (38)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Cassie Chambers Armstrong | Democrat | Yea |
| Gary Clemons | Democrat | Yea |
| Gerald A. Neal | Democrat | Not Voting |
| 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 | Not Voting |
| 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 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 15 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Republican | 74 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Unaffiliated | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 90 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| % of votes cast | 90% | 4% | 0% | 6% |
How each member voted (100)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis C | — | Yea |
| Adam Moore | Democrat | Yea |
| Adrielle Camuel | Democrat | Nay |
| Al Gentry | Democrat | Yea |
| Anne Gay Donworth | Democrat | Yea |
| Ashley Tackett Laferty | Democrat | Not Voting |
| 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 | Not Voting |
| Lindsey Burke | Democrat | Yea |
| Lisa Willner | Democrat | Yea |
| Mary Lou Marzian | Democrat | Yea |
| Matthew Lehman | Democrat | Yea |
| Nima Kulkarni | Democrat | Yea |
| Pamela Stevenson | Democrat | Nay |
| Rachel Roarx | Democrat | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Not Voting |
| 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 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % 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 |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 2 do?
- Amend KRS 157.350 to provide that in order to be eligible to receive support education excellence in Kentucky funds a school district shall not provide the superintendent or any administrator a percentage pay increase greater than the average percentage pay increase provided to classroom teachers within the district; amend KRS 156.070 to conform.
- Who sponsors SB 2?
- SB 2 is sponsored by Lindsey Tichenor (Republican), Donald Douglas (Republican), and Julie Raque Adams (Republican).
- What is the current status of SB 2?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 27, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 2?
- Track SB 2 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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