AN ACT relating to housing development districts.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 65 to define terms; permit a local government to establish a housing development district by following specified procedure; allow a local government to exempt housing developments within the district from planning and zoning following a public hearing; permit other local taxing authorities to participate in the district; allow a local government to accept applications from developers to construct residential homes within the district; allow a local government to negotiate with a developer whose application it has accepted regarding rates associated with incentive payments to the developer; establish a means by which a developer shall be paid incentive payments by a local government; require area development districts to provide assistance to a local government in establishing a district; require the Cabinet for Economic Development to promote awareness of the district and incentive program and to provide a report to the LRC regarding utilization of the program.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/11/2025 - House Local Government (H), (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)

  NEWS STORIES

3/12/2025 - Local governments could issue bonds to encourage multifamily homes under KY Senate bill

AN ACT relating to the rights of real property owners.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to allow a property owner or his or her authorized agent to request a law enforcement officer immediately remove a person unlawfully occupying real property under certain circumstances; provide criminal and civil immunity to law enforcement officers and property owners acting in good faith; create a civil cause of action for wrongful removal; require the Department of Kentucky State Police to create a form for the petition to remove unlawful occupants; amend KRS 512.010 to define "squatter"; amend KRS 512.020 and 512.030 to specifically include damage to real property caused by squatters in the offense of criminal mischief.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/24/2025 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; (Acts Ch. 63)

  NEWS STORIES

3/24/2025 - Children Government Health Politics Violence Quick Takes Beshear signs licensing of nicotine retailers, other bills that ‘put our Kentucky families first’

2/22/2025 - From a film office to NIL payments: Priority bills filed last minute in Kentucky

AN ACT relating to planning and zoning.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 100 that requires certain development projects in zones that have traditionally been reserved for single-family homes to be treated as amendments to a zoning map and to meet the procedural requirements for approval set out in KRS Chapter 100; create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 that prohibits property owner's from leasing accessory dwelling units or multi-family housing units in zones that have traditionally been reserved for single-family homes unless the property owner primarily resides on the lot. HCS (1) Retain original provisions, except define "accessory dwelling unit" and redefine "density development project" as a project that both contains multifamily housing and results in an increase in emergency response times or traffic; include accessory dwelling units within the definition of multifamily housing; define "property owner" and apply restrictions to leases entered into after the effective date of the Act; require an owner to reside in either a single-family home, multifamily unit or an accessory dwelling unit, on the lot or single family home; amend KRS 154.30-050 and 154.30-060 to exempt from certain reports and certifications those projects that have a residential use that comprises at least 50 percent of the total finished square footage of the project; extend existing moratorium on certain changes to a consolidated local government's land development code until April 15, 2027; make technical corrections; EMERGENCY, in part. HFA (7) Retain original provisions, except change Sections 1 and 2 to apply only in a county containing a consolidated local government; add and amend KRS 65.111 to prohibit collection of an emergency response fee from a landlord if the response was not the result of the landlord's failure to maintain the building and include authority to collect from the responsible party; add and amend KRS 67C.147 to exclude the central business district from the requirements related to the urban services districts differential tax; add a new section of KRS Chapter 100.401 to 100.409 to prohibit a planning commission from waiving or amending binding elements without the approval of the legislative body; delete Section 5 containing a moratorium on changes to a land development code in a consolidated local government; and delete Section 6 declaring an emergency.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/13/2025 - (S) Returned to Committee Senate State & Local Government (S)

  NEWS STORIES

2/25/2025 - Kentucky bill adds hurdle for multi-family housing amid supply shortage

COMMENTS

LUL is monitoring this bill because it could be a barrier to strategies (such as apartment buildings and accessory dwelling units) that would help our city develop more affordable housing.

AN ACT relating to termination of residential leases.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to permit a tenant to terminate a lease or rental agreement if he or she is seeking relocation due to a recent mental or physical health emergency; require the tenant to pay any rent due prorated to the effective date of termination; relieve the tenant from liability for any other rent or fees resulting from the termination.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/4/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Local Government (H)

COMMENTS

LUL supports this bill because it allows medically fragile tenants to terminate their leases for medical reasons without paying the full lease term. Tenants facing medical crises should not be burdened by the stress of expensive termination fees.

AN ACT relating to abandoned property.

Amend KRS 383.020 to specify duties of landlord with respect to abandoned personal property.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/4/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Local Government (H)

COMMENTS

LUL is monitoring this amendment that would require landlords to store the abandoned property of evicted tenants for at least 21 days.

AN ACT proposing to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to property exempt from taxation.

Propose to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to exempt for homeowners who are 65 years of age or older any increase in the valuation of their permanent residence that is assessed after the later of the year the homeowner turned 65 or the year the homeowner purchased the property; require the exemption to be in addition to the exemption provided in Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky and notwithstanding Sections 171, 172, and 174 of the Constitution of Kentucky; apply the exemption to increases in valuation that occur after the date the amendment is ratified by the voters; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/4/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)

  NEWS STORIES

2/17/2025 - Kenton County Mayors Group’s main topic was discussion of legislation session in Frankfort

COMMENTS

When property values in a neighborhood increase, higher tax rates can unduly burden seniors. LUL supports this bill, as it protects seniors from the burden of higher property taxes that correspond to the valuation of their homes.

AN ACT relating to real property rights.

Amend KRS 511.010 and 512.010 to define "squatter"; amend KRS 511.090 to allow a property owner or his or her authorized agent to request a peace officer to immediately remove any squatter occupying a dwelling or commercial building under certain circumstances; provide criminal and civil immunity to peace officers acting in good faith; amend KRS 512.020 and 512.030 to specifically include damage to residential or commercial property caused by squatters in the offense of criminal mischief; create a new section of KRS Chapter 514 to establish the offense of fraudulent sale or lease of real property.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/4/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)

  NEWS STORIES

1/10/2025 - NKY rep files bill to classify squatting as a felony

COMMENTS

LUL is monitoring this bill because it is an amendment to a current law that creates new misdemeanors and felonies for squatting. The current law is already protective of property owners, and this bill's added crimes could burden our already overpopulated jails. Still, one of the amendments does protect members of the Commonwealth from losing money to scammers who list properties they do not own.

AN ACT proposing to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to property exempt from taxation.

Propose to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to exempt from taxation a portion of the assessed value of real property maintained as the permanent residence of an owner who is a veteran or first responder; require an owner's disability status to meet the same disability requirements under Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky; allow real property maintained as the permanent residence of the surviving spouse of a veteran or first responder to receive an exemption based on the qualifiers of the veteran or first responder prior to his or her death; allow the General Assembly to set qualification requirements by law; prohibit a property from receiving more than one exemption under this new section of the Constitution of Kentucky; allow the exemption to be in addition to the exemption provided in Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky; provide that the exemptions supersede contrary provisions of Sections 171, 172, and 174 of the Constitution of Kentucky; apply the exemptions to property assessed on or after January 1, 2027; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/4/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)

COMMENTS

LUL supports this bill because veterans, first responders, and their surviving spouses will benefit from partial tax exemptions related to their property.

AN ACT relating to manufactured housing.

Amend KRS 100.348 to prohibit a local government from adopting or enforcing zoning regulations that treat manufactured homes differently from single-family homes; allow only regulation of certain architectural features of manufactured homes and require that those same standards be applied to single family homes; permit placement of manufactured home with smaller dimensions if a larger manufactured home could not be situated on the lot; remove language regarding legislative purpose of statue; add noncodified statement of the intent of the General Assembly. HFA (1) Delete the original provisions of Section 1 and reinsert and amend KRS 100.348 to retain original provisions except reinsert language regarding intent of General Assembly that protection of property values is a legitimate exercise of a local government's power; change the definition of "qualified manufactured home" to remove date of manufacture and include that it must be installed within five years of it being built; remove references to manufacturer's installation requirements and instead require compliance with KRS 227.570; reinsert language regarding compatibility of manufactured homes with site-built homes within a one eighth mile radius; reinsert language permitting compatibility standards for square footage of livable space; add a permissable compatibility standard related to setbacks, lot dimensions, and orientation, so long as manufactured and site-built homes are subject to the same standard. SCS (1) Retain original provisions, except include additional language regarding legislative purpose of the statute; require qualified manufactured homes to have all parts only related to transport removed; indicate that subsection (4) is an exemption to the prohibitions in subsection (3); remove language indicating that compatibility standards shall be the same for manufactured and new site-built homes within the same zone; make subsection (5) permissive rather than mandatory; allow cities located in a consolidated local government that cannot enact zoning regulations to enact their own compatibility standards; remove noncodified language regarding the intent of the General Assembly; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2026.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/1/2025 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; (Acts Ch. 154)

  NEWS STORIES

2/17/2025 - Kenton County Mayors Group’s main topic was discussion of legislation session in Frankfort

2/11/2025 - Kentucky doesn’t have enough affordable housing. Lawmakers hope these bills will help.

COMMENTS

LUL supports this bill because it prevents local governments from imposing unfair restrictions on manufactured housing, which could help our housing crisis.

AN ACT relating to rental properties.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 65 preempting local governments from adopting or enforcing ordinances that create a registry of rental properties for enumerated reasons.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/4/2025 - House Local Government (H), (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)

  NEWS STORIES

2/18/2025 - Frankfort to Louisville: Weaken lead hazard rental registry ordinance, or lose it

2/17/2025 - Kenton County Mayors Group’s main topic was discussion of legislation session in Frankfort

1/10/2025 - Louisville's childhood lead exposure protections would be gutted under new state proposal

COMMENTS

LUL opposes this bill that prevents local governments from creating a registry of landlords/ properties with lead hazards. This bill would protect property owners whose neglect endangers tenants. We are working in coalition with multiple groups in Louisville to address this threat to renters all over the state.

AN ACT relating to tax incentives for first-time home buyers.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to define terms; establish a tax deduction for contributions made to an eligible savings account by a first-time home buyer and allow an exclusion from income for any interest earned from an eligible savings account of a first-time home buyer effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, but before January 1, 2036; require the Department of Revenue to report to the Legislative Research Commission and the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue; amend KRS 141.019 and 131.190 to conform.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/4/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)

  NEWS STORIES

2/11/2025 - Kentucky doesn’t have enough affordable housing. Lawmakers hope these bills will help.

COMMENTS

LUL supports this bill, as it encourages home ownership by providing tax breaks for first-time homebuyers.

AN ACT relating to the prevention of harmful practices associated with property and casualty insurance.

Amend KRS 367.620 to define terms; amend KRS 367.622 to establish right to cancel a real estate goods or services contract within five business days after an insurer's notice of noncoverage; amend KRS 367.624 to establish notice requirements for real estate goods or services contracts; amend KRS 367.626 to establish cancellation and other requirements for real estate goods or services contracts; amend KRS 367.627 and 367.628 to establish penalties and requirements relating to real estate goods or services trade practices associated with property and casualty insurance; provide that the Act applies to contracts entered on or after the effective date of the Act. HCS (1) Retain original provisions; create a new section of KRS 367.620 to 367.628 to provide a construction clause; amend KRS 371.160 and KRS 371.425 to conform.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/15/2025 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; (Acts Ch. 15)

COMMENTS

LUL supports this bill, which would benefit home buyers by setting clear rules for contractual engagement, expanding the rights of cancellation, and outlining specific prohibited practices. This bill aims to safeguard home buyers from misleading or harmful activities associated with property and casualty insurance interactions.

AN ACT relating to the purchase of single-family homes.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 367 to define terms; prohibit persons who own 50 or more single-family rental homes in qualifying counties from purchasing additional single-family homes in qualifying counties except for use by the person as a residence; limit the purchase restriction to single-family homes that have been advertised for sale for less than 90 days or less than 30 days if the purchaser qualifies as a small business; provide that a violation is also a violation of KRS 367.170; provide for joinder of certain parties with joint and several liability in enforcement actions.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/7/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)

  NEWS STORIES

2/11/2025 - Kentucky doesn’t have enough affordable housing. Lawmakers hope these bills will help.

COMMENTS

LUL supports HB237 because if passed, it could potentially make single-family homes more affordable for Kentucky residents by restricting the purchasing power of larger entities and their affiliates that own 50 or more single-family homes in qualifying counties for rental purposes. Outside entities that purchase large numbers of single-family homes can also potentially gauge rent, contributing to Louisville's affordable housing crisis.

AN ACT relating to property rights.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to allow a property owner or his or her authorized agent to request a law enforcement officer to immediately remove a person unlawfully occupying a residential dwelling or other structure under certain circumstances; provide criminal and civil immunity to law enforcement officers and property owners acting in good faith; create a civil cause of action for wrongful removal; create a new section of KRS Chapter 523 to establish the offense of making a false statement to detain real property.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/7/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)

COMMENTS

LUL is monitoring this bill, it could both positively and negatively impact Louisville's housing crisis by expanding the rights of property owners to remove unlawful occupants. On the one hand, the bill could allow landlords to turn over rentals quicker, increasing rental housing availability. On the other hand, this bill creates a higher potential for misuse, as expedience and the landlord's word are  privileged over investigation. Tenants with valid claims could potentially be forced into homelessness. We will continue to monitor the bill in hopes of amendments that could protect property owners and tenants equally.

AN ACT relating to affordable housing.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 198A to create the abandoned home pool fund to be administered by the Kentucky Housing Corporation to purchase and improve vacant and abandoned homes for rental to eligible individuals and families; specify application process and criteria.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/7/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)

  NEWS STORIES

2/11/2025 - Kentucky doesn’t have enough affordable housing. Lawmakers hope these bills will help.

COMMENTS

LUL is monitoring this bill, which establishes an Abandoned Home Pool Fund. If repaired with money from this fund, the homes have to remain affordable for 20 years. Renters have the option to buy, but only after 15 years of rental.

AN ACT relating to planning and zoning.

Repeal, reenact and amend KRS 147A.027 as a new section of KRS Chapter 100 to require the initial orientation training that planning commissioners and board of adjustment members take to occur between one year prior to appointment and one year following appointment and include at least one hour of training on the impact of planning and zoning policies and procedures on housing supply and accessibility; require planning professionals, zoning administrators, administrative officials, and each planning professional's deputies and assistants to take at least one hour of the same initial orientation training relating to housing; require all officials to report that orientation training within 30 days of completion; require planning commissioners, board of adjustment members and planning professionals, zoning administrators, administrative officials, and each planning professional's deputies and assistants to take one hour of continuing education each cycle relating to housing; require all officials to report that continuing education training within 30 days of completion. SCS (1) Retain original provisions; amend KRS 100.347 to limit who is authorized to appeal a final action concerning planning and zoning to owners of real property within the zone where the property that is the subject of the final action is located.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/25/2025 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; (Acts Ch. 83)

COMMENTS

This bill requires planners of housing zoning to receive more training, specifically about how their decisions impact housing availability.

AN ACT relating to real property purchased at a master commissioner's sale.

Amend KRS 91.514 and create a new section of KRS Chapter 426 to establish that any residential property that is purchased at a master commissioner's sale or other court-ordered sale in a county that has a land bank authority and was occupied at any time within the two years prior to the sale must undergo renovations within six months of obtaining the title to the property and must be returned to a state of occupancy within specified time periods; define terms; establish a fine of $100 per day payable to the local government for noncompliance.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/7/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Local Government (H)

COMMENTS

This bill requires anyone who purchases a home from an auction to begin renovations within 6 months of purchase. The home must also be livable by 18 months, or the owner will be fined.

AN ACT relating to eminent domain.

Create new sections of KRS 99.700 to 99.730 to allow a commission or alternative government entity to obtain an administrative warrant to inspect blighted or abandoned properties; require commissions and alternative government entities to exercise the power of eminent domain in accordance with KRS 99.700 to 99.730; amend KRS 99.705 to define "abandoned property"; redefine "blighted property"; amend KRS 99.720 to require two notices of local code violations prior to certification of a property as blighted or abandoned; amend KRS 99.725 to require local governments to hold public hearings regarding proposed takings of blighted or abandoned property prior to initiating eminent domain proceedings; require proceedings of the public hearings to be recorded and available to the public for review and comment; amend KRS 416.610 to require the petitioner in an eminent domain proceeding to prove necessity of the taking; amend KRS 416.675 to redefine "public use"; remove allowance of sale or lease of property to private entities occupying an incidental area within a public project or building; remove exemption for property financed by state road funds or federal highway funds from the requirements of KRS 416.675; amend KRS 65.355, 91.285, 92.305, 99.700, 99.710, 99.715, 99.727, 99.730, and 416.580 to conform.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/7/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)

COMMENTS

HB33 establishes eminent domain-- a process for the government to identify , acquire, and remediate blighted or abandoned homes with or without the owner's consent. We are monitoring this legislation because "blighted" is subjective; the bill could make it easier for government entities to take properties  too easily without giving the owners enough support to fix their homes. This could especially impact redlined areas, as home improvements are typically financed by (and can increase) a home's equity.

AN ACT relating to rights and obligations of landlords and tenants to a residential lease.

Repeal and reenact various sections of KRS Chapter 383 to amend the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; create new sections of KRS Chapter 383 to conform; amend KRS 383.715 to conform; repeal KRS 383.300, 303.302, 383.500, 383.505, 383.515, 383.525, 383.540, 383.580, 383.620, and 383.665; apply to a lease made on or after the effective date of the Act.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/7/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Local Government (H)

COMMENTS

HB359 expands tenants' rights and reinforces landlords' responsibility to make their rental properties inhabitable, comply with health codes, and ensure essential services. It also limits security deposits to two times the monthly rent.

AN ACT relating to an accessible home income tax credit.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to establish the accessible housing income tax credit for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, but before January 1, 2030; amend KRS 141.0205 to order the credit; amend KRS 131.190 to allow the Department of Revenue to report on the credit.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/12/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)

COMMENTS

HB383 introduces a new tax credit for the construction of accessible homes, which could include features like zero-step entry, open floor plans, and wide doorways.

AN ACT relating to affordable housing developed on property owned by religious institutions.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 100 to define terms; allow religious institutions to develop affordable housing with only a ministerial submission to review by a planning unit for compliance with the provisions of the section if the development is on land owned by a religious institution, exclusively contains affordable housing for a period of ten years, and contains fewer than 25 units; require compliance with design standards of the planning unit with the option to obtain a variance; require continuing compliance with the section; allow for religious institutions to propose an affordable housing development exceeding 25 units but require a public meeting and approval by the planning commission; allow the Kentucky Housing Corporation to provide technical and advisory resources to a religious developer.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/21/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Local Government (H)

AN ACT relating to application fees for the rental of residential real property.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to require a landlord to disclose to a tenant the number of available rental units prior to collecting an application fee; prohibit a landlord from charging an application fee if there is no rental unit available; require a refund upon request if a prohibited application fee is charged.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/14/2025 - (H) WITHDRAWN

AN ACT relating to a tax credit for renters.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to establish a refundable qualified rent payment credit for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, but before January 1, 2030, in the amount of 25 percent of the qualified rent payments made during the taxable year, not to exceed $1,000; amend KRS 141.0205 to order the credit; amend KRS 131.190 to allow reporting by the Department of Revenue.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/21/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)

AN ACT relating to accessory dwelling units.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 100 to define "accessory dwelling unit"; allow accessory dwelling unit as a permitted use in all residential zones; prohibit a planning unit from adopting regulations which would not allow a property owner to have one accessory dwelling unit on the owner's property, impose requirements on accessory dwelling units different than those placed on single-family homes, or assess additional fees on accessory dwelling units; allow a planning unit to enforce regulations that require notification of the construction of a new accessory dwelling unit, prohibit more than one accessory dwelling unit on a property, assess a one-time fee of $250 at the time the accessory dwelling unit is created, and prohibit the accessory dwelling unit's use as a short-term rental.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/25/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Local Government (H)

AN ACT relating to planning and zoning.

Create a new section KRS Chapter 100 to define terms; allow multi-unit dwellings and mixed-use developments as permitted uses in commercial zones; prohibit a planning unit from adopting or enforcing regulations that do not allow multi-unit dwellings and mixed-use developments in commercial zones, impose requirements on multi-unit dwellings or mixed-use developments more restrictive than other uses in a zone, or require certain parking restrictions on multi-unit dwellings or mixed-use developments.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/25/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Local Government (H)

AN ACT relating to duplexes.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 100 to define "duplex"; allow duplexes as a permitted use in all residential zones; prohibit a planning unit from adopting or enforcing regulations that would exclude duplexes in residential zones or impose requirements or fees on duplexes different than those for single-family homes.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/25/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Local Government (H)

AN ACT relating to housing and making an appropriation therefor.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 198A to create the affordable housing loan pool fund to be administered by the Kentucky Housing Corporation to provide rehabilitation and construction loans to eligible entities; specify terms and process; create a new section of KRS Chapter 194A to create the homelessness prevention fund to be administered by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for continuum of care funds; specify eligible uses and eligible entities; amend KRS 198A.080 to modify criteria for housing development loan fund, require notice of eligible funds, and allow expenditure of funds for technical and administrative costs; create new section of KRS Chapter 198A to establish parameters by which the Kentucky Housing Corporation shall review and approve the affordable housing credit; create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to establish the affordable housing credit; amend KRS 141.0205 to order the credit; amend KRS 131.190 to allow the Department of Revenue to report on the credits; repeal, reenact, and amend KRS 141.437 to reinstate the ENERGY STAR home credit to allow, in addition to prior credits, credit for the construction of an ENERGY STAR multifamily building; repeal, reenact, and amend KRS 141.435 to define terms; repeal, reenact, and amend KRS 141.436 to establish updated requirements for an energy efficiency credit; amend KRS 141.0205 to conform; amend KRS 131.190 to conform; amend KRS 139.480 to exempt the sale or purchase of new modular homes and new manufactured homes from sales and use tax on and after July 1, 2025 and before July 1, 2036 if they are to be used as a single-family residence and permanently affixed to real estate; amend KRS 142.400 to impose a 1% statewide surtax on the rental of accommodations when charged by the owner of the property or by a person facilitating the rental of the property and deposit the receipts from the surtax into the Kentucky affordable housing trust fund; amend KRS 42.580, 142.402, 142.404, 142.406, and 198A.190 to conform; amend KRS 132.810 to increase the frequency of the property tax homestead exemption cost of living adjustment to annually instead of biennially; create a new section of KRS Chapter 100 to define terms; allow religious institutions to develop affordable housing with only a ministerial submission to review by a planning unit for compliance with the provisions of the section if the development is on land owned by a religious institution, exclusively contains affordable housing for a period of ten years, and contains fewer than 25 units; allow for religious institutions to propose an affordable housing development exceeding 25 units but require a public meeting and approval by the planning commission; allow the Kentucky Housing Corporation to provide technical and advisory resources to a religious developer; create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to provide automatic expungement of records in actions for forcible entry and detainer; amend KRS 383.250 to provide for sealing of records; amend KRS 198A.027 to allow appropriations to be used for homeless initiatives; appropriate $104 million from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund account for various affordable housing initiatives; repeal KRS 65.874 and 383.198; APPROPRIATION.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/21/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)

AN ACT relating to the affordable housing trust fund.

Amend KRS 64.012 to increase and modify fees received by the county clerk; after January 1, 2026, allow recalculation using the CPI-U, with the fee increase going to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund; apply to fees received by county clerks for services provided on or after August 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/21/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)

AN ACT relating to a property tax homestead exemption for disabled veterans.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 132, relating to state and local property taxes, to establish a new homestead exemption for veterans with a service-connected disability; establish requirements for the exemption; allow the permanent residence of a veteran's surviving spouse to continue to receive the exemption; require the Department of Revenue to prescribe forms and an application process for the exemption; apply the exemption to state, county, city, and special district taxes; allow mobile homes, manufactured houses, recreational homes, and modular homes to qualify for the exemption; require title transfers on property receiving the exemption to be reported to the property valuation administrator; allow the exemption to apply to the value of the property that is assessable to the owner or proportioned to his or her interest when the property is jointly owned or owned through a stock or membership corporation; allow partial or full refunds if an overpayment occurs upon application of the exemption; apply to property assessed on or after January 1, 2026.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/21/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)

AN ACT relating to establishing a first generation homebuyer trust fund and program.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 198A to define terms; establish the first-generation homebuyer trust fund, establish eligible activities and use of trust fund; require Kentucky Housing Corporation to submit annual reports to the Legislative Research Commission.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/27/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)

AN ACT relating to the fraudulent sale or lease of real property.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 514 to establish the offense of fraudulent sale or lease of real property.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/27/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)

AN ACT relating to delinquent tax liens.

Amend KRS 134.490 to modify notification requirements for third-party purchasers of delinquent taxes; amend KRS 134.504 to require notice of the homestead exemption application process.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/27/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)

AN ACT relating to oversight of government operations and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 103.200 to include multifamily housing developments of forty-eight units or more in the definition of "building" for sections related to industrial revenue bonds; and amend KRS 100.347 to limit who can appeal a final action concerning planning and zoning to those that own real property contiguous to a property whose status would be changed as a result of the final action. SCS (1) Retain original provisions, except delete the section that amended KRS 100.347 to limit who can appeal a final action concerning planning and zoning to owners of real property contiguous to a property status that would be changed as a result of the final action. HCS (1) Retain original provisions; create new sections of KRS Chapter 7A to define terms; establish the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board of the Kentucky General Assembly to review, analyze, study, evaluate, provide legislative oversight, and make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding any aspect of the Kentucky Medicaid program; establish board membership, authority, and duties; amend KRS 7A.010, 7A.140, 7A.150, and 7A.180 to conform; create a new section of KRS 227.200 to 227.400 to allow for the creation of a local appeals board to hear appeals from final orders of fire chiefs and state fire marshals; establish membership, procedures, and jurisdiction when no local appeals board is established; provide for appeal to Circuit Court of jurisdiction; amend KRS 227.200 to define terms; amend KRS 227.335, 227.380, and 227.390 to conform; amend KRS 43.010 to define "deputy auditor" and "ombudsman"; amend KRS 43.030 to replace references to "assistant auditor" with "deputy auditor"; amend KRS 43.035 to require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide information on contacting the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman at all Department for Community Based Services offices; require ombudsman to maintain confidentiality; authorize the ombudsman to promulgate administrative regulations; establish that expenses incurred by ombudsman shall be charged to the entity that is the subject of the ombudsman's work; amend KRS 43.040 to replace references to "assistant auditor" with "deputy auditor"; amend KRS 43.080 to make technical correction; require all state agencies to provide the Auditor of Public Accounts with access software; amend KRS 43.090 to establish ombudsman's reporting and recommendation requirements, require the Auditor to maintain confidentiality; amend KRS 43.990 to make technical corrections; create new sections of KRS Chapter 43 to establish the organizational structure of the Auditor's office; require employees and contract staff of the Auditor to submit to state and federal criminal background checks; permit the Auditor to enroll employees and contract staff in the rap back system; create a new section of KRS Chapter 194A to require the cabinet to provide contact information of the ombudsman on its website; require the cabinet to provide the ombudsman with read-only access to group email inboxes; amend KRS 620.050 to authorize the ombudsman to receive reports of suspected child abuse, neglect, or dependency from the cabinet; permit disclosure of files, reports, and other documents used by a children's advocacy center to the ombudsman; permit the ombudsman to report de-identified data otherwise required to be made confidential; require the cabinet to transfer control of a specific phone number to the ombudsman and to bear all costs associated with the transfer; create a new section of KRS Chapter 11 to require that the Governor maintains an office for the receipt of bills that is open during certain times and within certain locations; provide alternative delivery methods if the Governor does not maintain that office; create a new section of KRS Chapter 27A to establish the Court of Justice reserve account in the State Treasury; require certain Restricted Funds in fiscal year 2024-2025 to be transferred to the Court of Justice Reserve Account; appropriate $3,200,000 in fiscal year 2024-2025 from the Court of Justice Reserve Account; amend KRS 45.812 to require an agency, corporation, or school district that is authorized to issue a general obligation bond by an appropriation of the General Assembly, or by or on behalf of any Kentucky school district, to report the costs associated with the issuance of the bond to the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee and the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue; amend 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 1 and the State/Executive Branch biennial budget and capital projects to revise and provide funding for various programs and projects and establish conditions for state government agencies, institutions, and programs receiving funding; appropriate $750,000 in General Fund moneys in fiscal year 2024-2025 to the Auditor of Public Accounts budget unit for the purpose of conducting a special audit of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and the Kentucky Wired Network; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY. HFA (1) Require members of the Senate appointed to the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board to serve a term of two years. HFA (3) Create a new section of KRS Chapter 12 to require each department and program cabinet identified in KRS 12.020 to provide a semiannual report on improved government efficiency to the Legislative Research Commission; establish requirements for the report.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/28/2025 - delivered to Secretary of State; (Acts Ch. 117)

  NEWS STORIES

4/8/2025 - Kentucky failed to pass bills mirroring Trump's agenda. Why some aren't completely dead

3/27/2025 - Lawmakers move to override Gov. Beshear’s vetoes

3/15/2025 - Anti-trans bills take center stage in House as KY lawmakers work deep into the night

3/12/2025 - Local governments could issue bonds to encourage multifamily homes under KY Senate bill

AN ACT relating to affordable housing.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 100 to allow religious institutions to develop affordable housing without submission to review by a planning unit if the development is approved by a local government SCS (1) Retain original provisions; include a requirement that the property where a development is to be located to have been purchased by the religious institution prior to January 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/27/2025 - (H) Referred to Committee House Local Government (H)

  NEWS STORIES

11/24/2025 - KY task force recommends easing regulation, more funding to address housing shortage

2/25/2025 - KY religion bills to watch: Tax exemptions, church-developed housing & religious liberty

2/11/2025 - Kentucky doesn’t have enough affordable housing. Lawmakers hope these bills will help.

1/9/2025 - Kentucky lawmakers introduce bill to expand affordable housing

COMMENTS

LUL supports this bill, as it allows religious institutions to develop affordable housing on their owned property. These potential developments could help address Louisville's housing crisis.

AN ACT proposing to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to property exempt from taxation.

Propose to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to exempt for homeowners who are 65 years of age or older any increase in the valuation of their permanent residence and contiguous real property that is assessed after the later of the year the homeowner turned 65 or the year the homeowner purchased the property; require the exemption to be in addition to the exemption provided in Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky and notwithstanding Sections 171, 172, and 174 of the Constitution of Kentucky; apply the exemption to increases in valuation that occur after the date the amendment is ratified by the voters; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/21/2025 - received in House

  NEWS STORIES

2/17/2025 - Kenton County Mayors Group’s main topic was discussion of legislation session in Frankfort

2/12/2025 - Kentucky lawmakers advance bill that would provide property tax relief for seniors

1/17/2025 - Abortion ban exceptions among bills filed during Kentucky legislative session

1/17/2025 - Kentucky bill aims to provide property tax relief for seniors

COMMENTS

LUL supports this bill, which is similar to HB134. It would protect seniors from the burden of higher taxes based on the valuation of their homes.

AN ACT relating to short-term rentals.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 65 to authorize local governments regulating short-term rentals.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2025 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate State & Local Government (S)

  NEWS STORIES

2/11/2025 - Kentucky doesn’t have enough affordable housing. Lawmakers hope these bills will help.

AN ACT relating to short-term rentals.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 100 to prohibit a local government from requiring the operator of a short-term rental to obtain a conditional use permit or imposing density-based restrictions on short-term rentals.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/11/2025 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor (S)

  NEWS STORIES

3/17/2025 - Short-term rental legislative maneuvering frustrates local leaders

3/13/2025 - An ‘act relating to swimming pools’ morphs into bill blocking KY cities’ Airbnb regulations

2/11/2025 - Kentucky doesn’t have enough affordable housing. Lawmakers hope these bills will help.

2/7/2025 - ‘An attack on local control’: Bill aims to curb KY cities’ oversight of Airbnb, VRBO

AN ACT relating to the levy of an ad valorem tax rate.

Repeal and reenact KRS 132.017 to require the portion of a property tax rate which will produce revenue from real property, exclusive of revenue from new property, more than four percent over the amount of revenue produced by the compensating tax rate to be subject to recall by the voters of the district; establish requirements for the ballot question, notifying the public, the election process, and recalling the rate; allow the cancellation of the election; disallow local, state, and federal tax dollars to be used to advocate for the rate; amend various statutes to conform; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2026.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/3/2025 - Senate Appropriations & Revenue (S), (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)