FRANKFORT, Ky. — The first of 30 legislative days is done, and day two begins Wednesday. 

There are new faces, new bills and new priorities for members of the Kentucky House and Senate.

What You Need To Know

  • The first major piece of legislation expected to pass both chambers this session is a reduction of the state's income tax 

  • The House is expected to vote Thursday on House Bill 1, and the Senate will vote on the bill in February  

  • Other items addressed this session will include Medicaid issues, housing shortages, artificial intelligence and workforce retention 

  • Lawmakers will hear from Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., Wednesday during his State of the Commonwealth address 

With the swearing in of this year’s set of lawmakers over, the real work can now begin in hopes of improving the lives of Kentuckians. The first major piece of legislation expected to pass both chambers is a reduction on the state income tax.

The House is expected to vote Thursday on House Bill 1. Senate Majority Floor Leader Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, said he expects the Senate to act on it and vote it through once lawmakers return in February from a three week break.

“Very excited to get that," Wise said. "I think we’ve already seen the impact that has made across the Commonwealth of Kentucky as we continue to look at lowering that state income tax."

"If we look at our surrounding states of where we want to be, especially a model like Tennessee and Indiana, we want to gradually get there. But also, at the same time, we're doing it in a responsible manner." 

The bill will reduce the state income tax from 4% to 3.5% after the state met thresholds set out in previous legislation to do so. However, Democrats have concerns of slashing the sales tax any lower.

“Low-income people don’t pay much in income tax anyway, but they are subject to many of those sales taxes, so their tax burden overall is actually going up," said State Rep. Al Gentry, D-Louisville, House Democrats caucus chair.

Leaders in both chambers said they expect legislation on many of the topics discussed during the interim session, including artificial intelligence, child care and housing.

“Medicaid issues, Medicaid expenses, housing, workforce development, workforce participation; those types of things you saw us discuss the entire interim," said House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect.

House Democrats said they hope to see bills aimed at reproductive health and gun safety. House Minority Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson, D-Louisville, said all decisions should help Kentucky families thrive.

“We believe in the whole Constitution, all the way from the First Amendment to the Second Amendment; all of it," Stevenson said. "But we also believe our children should be safe, they should be fed, they should be loved and they should be protected."

"We have the power to do that; they don't." 

Lawmakers will have three more legislative days this week, then a three-week break before reconvening in February.

“I love the 30-day session; they’re kind of fast and furious," Wise said. "You’ve got to be on your game, and I think today (Tuesday), we were able to get things done and move off the Senate floor in a very good manner." 

The chambers will have a joint session Wednesday evening as Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., delivers his State of the Commonwealth address. Both chambers gavel in at 2 p.m. to attend to other matters beforehand.

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