The fifth week of the 2026 Legislative Session found the Senate working steadily on behalf of families across the commonwealth. As we passed the one‑third mark of this 60‑day session by week’s end, committee hearings, floor debate and thoughtful deliberation continued in Frankfort. The Senate’s priorities are well in order. Lawmakers from all corners of the state are focused on addressing the issues Kentuckians care about most, including housing affordability for families, accountability for your tax dollars and more.
Budget update
The House of Representatives has not yet finalized or delivered its budget proposal to the Senate. While a placeholder bill has been filed, it must still complete the full House process before the Senate can formally take it up. In the meantime, members of the Senate Budget Preparation and Submission Committee have begun reviewing documents and preparing comparisons to guide the work ahead. There is still significant work to be done, and I will continue to keep you informed as the process moves forward. Initial proposals are available at legislature.ky.gov.
Bills passed in the Senate this week include several Senate priority bills.
Six of the top 10 priority bills filed this session focus on education, and this week saw movement on measures designed to improve governance, transparency and accountability in school districts.
Senate Bill (SB) 1 addresses governance in Kentucky’s largest school districts. It clarifies responsibilities by strengthening school boards’ roles in strategic oversight and reinforcing the superintendent’s authority over daily operations. The bill is designed to improve long-term accountability without initiating a state takeover.
SB 3 improves transparency in local school budgeting. It creates a defined timeline for budget development, requires public presentations of district budgets, expands online access to financial data and mandates disclosure of superintendent compensation and leave policies. It also sets a minimum budget reserve requirement of 2 percent for school districts.
SB 5 makes it easier for Kentucky schools to buy fresh, locally grown food by removing certain procurement and bidding requirements that have slowed or blocked farm-to-school purchases. The bill defines what qualifies as a “Kentucky-grown agricultural product” and lets local school boards and districts work more directly with in-state farmers to bring nutritious food into school meals. The measure supports student health, strengthens local agriculture and advances the broader “Food is Medicine” effort led by Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell.
In addition to these measures, SB 9, another designated priority bill, was filed this week to support housing growth across Kentucky. The bill would provide new tools for local governments and developers to partner on infrastructure and redevelopment, thereby lowering housing costs and accelerating construction. While not yet passed, it reflects ongoing work to address housing needs statewide.
On this note, I enjoyed the chance to visit this week with leaders from South Central Kentucky Realtors, who shared firsthand how housing supply constraints are affecting families, workers and local economies across our region. They do important work in regard to meeting our housing needs.
Additional bills delivered to the House
SB 18 modernizes Kentucky’s podiatry laws by updating definitions, licensing standards and supervision rules for podiatric residents, assistants, and their role in physician assistant oversight. The bill grants the Board of Podiatry authority to regulate licensure for podiatric assistants and residents, to oversee podiatric supervision of physician assistants and to take disciplinary action against licensed podiatric assistants and residents. SB 18 also adds podiatrists to Kentucky’s medical cannabis framework, authorizing them to certify patients for medical cannabis use and including the State Board of Podiatry in related regulatory processes. The bill makes technical and conforming updates across multiple statutes to support a consistent, modern regulatory framework for podiatric practice in Kentucky.
SB 48 updates Kentucky’s mandatory re-entry supervision law to ensure eligible, non-violent offenders receive structured supervision as they transition back into the community. It strengthens public safety by clearly limiting eligibility, holding individuals accountable for violations and using risk-based assessments to set supervision conditions. The bill also improves transparency by requiring regular reporting to lawmakers on program outcomes.
SB 73 expands Kentucky’s “home-based processor” law to include tallow-based cosmetic products—such as soaps and balms—allowing small producers to make and sell these items from their home kitchens. To qualify, producers must register with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and follow existing rules for labeling, sanitation and consumer disclosure. The bill supports local entrepreneurship and the maker economy by updating the law to reflect traditional, safe practices already used by many Kentuckians.
SB 102 makes it easier for experienced Kentucky State Police troopers who previously served in the Trooper R or Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer R class to return to duty. These “R class” designations refer to retired officers brought back on contract to help fill staffing gaps without drawing additional retirement benefits. The bill allows these officers to reapply to serve again if one to 60 months have passed since they last left. This change helps KSP retain experienced personnel and reduce training expenses.
SB 132 allows local governments to regulate massage therapy businesses with respect to zoning requirements, occupational licensing or fees, inspections, advertising, hours of operation, and sanitation. Increase the penalty for violation of the law from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor for each massage performed without a license. In Kentucky, misdemeanors are offenses punishable by up to 12 months in jail for Class A misdemeanors and a maximum of 90 days for Class B misdemeanors. These are distinct from felonies, which are punishable by prison time, and violations, which carry only fines or non-jail penalties.
Looking ahead
As the General Assembly moves into week five, committees will keep reviewing bills, and budget discussions will become more detailed. We remain focused on passing laws that support Kentucky families, protect students, strengthen public services and ensure the responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
I also appreciated the many meetings this week with constituents and stakeholders from across Kentucky. I was glad to spend time with Warren County Judge/Executive Doug Gorman and Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott along with leaders and advocates representing local government, education, health care, public safety, economic development, agriculture, organized labor and the business community. I met with EMT directors from our district and with groups focused on school safety, emergency medical services, disaster preparedness, higher education, workforce development, housing, Medicaid policy, substance abuse prevention and child advocacy. These conversations are essential to our work in Frankfort and help ensure that the decisions we make reflect the real needs of communities throughout the commonwealth.
We still have a long session ahead, but we’ve started strong. You may reach my office with comments or questions by calling 502-564-8100 or emailing me at Max.Wise@kylegislature.gov.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you. I look forward to keeping you updated as the work of the 2026 Regular Session continues.
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Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, represents the 16th Senate District, including Adair, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Taylor Counties and eastern Warren County. Wise serves as Senate majority floor leader. He is a member of the Senate Committees on Education, and Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor. As part of Senate leadership, Wise also serves on the Legislative Research Commission, the Rules Committee, and the Committee on Committees.
(Dustin R. Isaacs – Senate Majority Floor Leader Max Wise)