FRANKFORT, Ky. — One day after Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., vetoed House Bill 18, both chambers took action and overrode it.

What You Need To Know

  • Both the House and Senate overrode Gov. Andy Beshear’s, D-Ky., first veto of the year

  • It was on House Bill 18

  • The measure bars cities from enacting source of income discrimination bans

  • Supports said this is a property rights protection bill

“It stands up for the constitution and private property rights," said Majority Floor Leader State Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown. 

The override passed nearly along party lines in the House and Senate.

Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said this will be the first of many vetoes this year.

“We think it is good policy and a protection of landowner rights," Stivers said. "That's why we are here with both sponsors in front of you all today to make sure the public knows that we, the General Assembly, sets policy and we, the General Assembly, have the power of the purse."

House Bill 18 prevents local governments from adopting ordinances that prevent source of income discrimination. Just last month, Lexington became Kentucky's second city to pass such a measure. Louisville did so in 2020. 

“The reality is, the city of Louisville and the city of Lexington have a homeless problem directly related to their bad policies that they've passed,” Stivers said. "And if they want to look at what is one of the problems for lack of housing or bad housing, a lot of people in those two cities need to look in the mirror.”

Supporters said this is a property rights protection bill and will nullify both city’s ordinances.

“In effect, with this emergency clause, I do believe it does go in effect immediately,” State Rep. Ryan Dotson, R-Winchester, said. “And I find it very unfortunate that the governor painted landlords as discriminatory. There was nothing discriminatory about this measure. It was only to protect property rights, and no one should be forced to do business with the government.”

Minority Caucus Chair State Rep. Reggie Thomas, D-Lexington, spoke against the measure on the Senate floor ahead of Wednesday’s vote. He said landlords can already choose to not accept tenants for reasons other than just having a housing voucher.

“What the source of income bans these local governments have proposed and adopted does not require any landlord to take Section 8 housing,” Thomas said.

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