Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 12 R cosponsors

SB 278 — AN ACT relating to the Department of Kentucky State Police.

Last action — became law without Governor's Signature (Acts Ch. 60)

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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 February 26, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on April 09, 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.

  • 12 sponsors

    12 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (12 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 16.060 to require the commissioner of the Department of Kentucky State Police to authorize officers of the department to engage in certain types of law enforcement-related off-duty employment; require the commissioner to establish policies and procedures for off-duty employment; amend KRS 16.070 to require the commissioner of the Department of Kentucky State Police to establish policies and procedures related to the use of uniforms, equipment, and facilities for off-duty employment; amend KRS 44.045 to allow officers of the Department of Kentucky State Police to use motor vehicles with regular license plates for off-duty employment.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

117 added · 150 removed

117 line(s) added, 150 removed.

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Latest
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 278/GA AN ACT relating to the Department of Kentucky State Police.
CHAPTER 60 1 CHAPTER 60 ( SB 278 ) AN ACT relating to the Department of Kentucky State Police.
(4) The commissioner shall allow officers of the department or individuals employed as a Trooper R Class or CVE R Class to engage in law enforcement-related off- Page 1 of 5 SB027810.100 - 370 - XXXX 3/16/2026 3:30 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 278/GA duty police employment and secondary employment that:
(4) The commissioner shall allow officers of the department or individuals employed as a Trooper R Class or CVE R Class to engage in law enforcement-related off-duty police employment and secondary employment that:
or 3.
or Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 3.
Page 2 of 5 SB027810.100 - 370 - XXXX 3/16/2026 3:30 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 278/GA He or she shall provide for himself or herself, each officer of the department, and each individual employed as a Trooper R Class or CVE R Class, under the provisions of KRS 45A.045 to 45A.650, such uniforms, equipment, and facilities, including motor vehicles, necessary to the performance of their respective duties, but all uniforms, equipment, and facilities, including motor vehicles, shall remain the property of the Commonwealth.
He or she shall provide for himself or herself, each officer of the department, and each individual employed as a Trooper R Class or CVE R Class, under the provisions of KRS 45A.045 to 45A.650, such uniforms, equipment, and facilities, including motor vehicles, necessary to the performance of their respective duties, but all uniforms, equipment, and facilities, including motor vehicles, shall remain the property of the Commonwealth.
(b) The commissioner of highways and the commissioner of the Department of Kentucky State Police may further provide, by agreement, for the service and repair at any state garage of motor vehicles or accessories thereto which are Page 3 of 5 SB027810.100 - 370 - XXXX 3/16/2026 3:30 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 278/GA owned, operated, or rented by the department, upon [such ]terms and conditions and for [such ]compensation as provided in the agreement[said agreement may provide].
(b) The commissioner of highways and the commissioner of the Department of Kentucky State Police may further provide, by agreement, for the service and repair at any state garage of motor vehicles or accessories thereto which are owned, operated, or rented by the department, upon [such ]terms and conditions and for [such ]compensation as provided in the agreement[said agreement may provide].
The vehicles shall be used for official purposes only and for Page 4 of 5 SB027810.100 - 370 - XXXX 3/16/2026 3:30 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 278/GA no other purposes.
The vehicles shall be used for official purposes only and for no other purposes.
(3) (a) All motor vehicles purchased pursuant to this section shall be issued official license plates and shall bear on one (1) door on each side the great seal of the Commonwealth, and the words "For official use only." (b) It shall not be necessary that the vehicles purchased pursuant to subsections (1), (4), and (5) of this section bear the seal and the words.
CHAPTER 60 3 (3) (a) All motor vehicles purchased pursuant to this section shall be issued official license plates and shall bear on one (1) door on each side the great seal of the Commonwealth, and the words "For official use only." (b) It shall not be necessary that the vehicles purchased pursuant to subsections (1), (4), and (5) of this section bear the seal and the words.
Page 5 of 5 SB027810.100 - 370 - XXXX 3/16/2026 3:30 PM GA
Became law without Governor's signature April 9, 2026.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (3)

How this bill changes current law

8 changes Share ↗

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

The bill amends existing statutes related to the responsibilities and parameters for off-duty employment for officers of the Department of Kentucky State Police.

  • KRS 16.060

    to

    Removes the word 'to' before 'Collect, classify...' for grammatical consistency.

  • KRS 16.060

    to

    Removes the word 'to' before 'Enforce the criminal...'

  • KRS 16.060

    to enforce the criminal, motor vehicle, and traffic laws of → enforce the criminal, motor vehicle, and traffic laws of the Commonwealth.

    Clarifies enforcement authority by explicitly referencing the Commonwealth.

  • KRS 16.060

    relating thereto

    Removes overly vague language referring to the enforcement of laws.

  • KRS 16.070

    therefrom

    Clarifies the language by simplifying the reference to money received.

  • KRS 16.070

    such

    Removes redundant language for clarity.

  • KRS 16.070

    said

    Removes unnecessary words for improved readability.

  • KRS 16.070

    said

    Removes redundant terms to streamline the text.

Action History

  1. became law without Governor's Signature (Acts Ch. 60)

  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 95-0

  8. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 26 2026

  9. 2nd reading, to Rules

  10. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  11. to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (H)

  12. to Committee on Committees (H)

  13. received in House

  14. 3rd reading, passed 29-6

  15. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, March 16 2026

  16. 2nd reading, to Rules

  17. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  18. to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)

  19. to Committee on Committees (S)

  20. introduced in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

12 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 126 not signed on · 6 voted No

Sponsors (12)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (126)

126 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 126 →

"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 95 Yea · 0 Nay · 5 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 19001
Republican 75004
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 95005
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
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 Yea
Mary Lou Marzian Democrat Yea
Matthew Lehman Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Yea
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Yea
Rachel Roarx Democrat Yea
Sarah Stalker Democrat Yea
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Not Voting
Aaron Thompson Republican Yea
Adam Bowling Republican Yea
Amy Neighbors Republican Yea
Bill Wesley Republican Not Voting
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 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 Not Voting
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 Not Voting

Official roll call →

PASS SB 278

Passed 29 Yea · 6 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 29103
Democrat 0500
Total 29603
% of votes cast 76%16%0%8%
How each member voted (38)
Member Party Vote
Cassie Chambers Armstrong Democrat Nay
Gary Clemons Democrat Nay
Gerald A. Neal Democrat Nay
Karen Berg Democrat Nay
Keturah J. Herron Democrat Nay
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 Yea
Scott Madon Republican Yea
Shelley Funke Frommeyer Republican Yea
Stephen West Republican Yea
Steve Rawlings Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Not Voting
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety
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 278 do?
Amend KRS 16.060 to require the commissioner of the Department of Kentucky State Police to authorize officers of the department to engage in certain types of law enforcement-related off-duty employment; require the commissioner to establish policies and procedures for off-duty employment; amend KRS 16.070 to require the commissioner of the Department of Kentucky State Police to establish policies and procedures related to the use of uniforms, equipment, and facilities for off-duty employment; amend KRS 44.045 to allow officers of the Department of Kentucky State Police to use motor vehicles with regular license plates for off-duty employment.
Who sponsors SB 278?
SB 278 is sponsored by Max Wise (Republican), Stephen West (Republican), Robin L. Webb (Republican), Robert Stivers (Republican), Craig Richardson (Republican), Matt Nunn (Republican), Amanda Mays Bledsoe (Republican), Jimmy Higdon (Republican), Shelley Funke Frommeyer (Republican), Matthew Deneen (Republican), Brandon J. Storm (Republican), and Aaron Reed (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 278?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 26, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 278?
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