The 2026 session of the Kentucky General Assembly officially began Tuesday, kicking off a 60-day legislative session that will focus heavily on passing the state’s next biennial budget.
During the opening days of the session, lawmakers filed more than 250 bills and more than 50 resolutions in the House and Senate. The proposals span a wide range of topics, including education, taxes, health care, jobs, firearms, crime, religion, and privacy. No committee hearings have been held, nor has any legislation advanced to a vote yet.
The 2026 session is a “long” session, meaning lawmakers will be responsible for passing a two-year state budget. The next spending plan will guide state appropriations through the end of fiscal year 2028 and is expected to be one of the most debated measures of the session. House leadership is expected to introduce a budget proposal in the coming weeks, while House Democrats have already filed legislation reflecting budget priorities announced earlier this week by the governor.
Lawmakers will reconvene Monday for day five of the session. Senators have until March 2 to file new bills, and House members have until March 4. The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn sine die on April 15.
Kentuckians can follow legislation and track bills through the Legislative Record online or share feedback with lawmakers through the General Assembly’s toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181.
Information from the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission.
