FRANKFORT, Ky. — This year’s Kentucky legislative session has now ended. In 2024, lawmakers passed a wide range of bills from the state budget to changing Louisville’s largest city elections to nonpartisan positions.
The primary focus of the year was the passage of a two-year state budget. After much back and forth, lawmakers settled on a $102 billion spending plan. It included a boost to per-student funding, known as the SEEK formula. SEEK funding will increase in both years, with over $4,326 spent per student in 2025 and over $4,586 in 2026.
Districts can use this extra funding to give raises to teachers.
Other major highlights of the budget include multi-million-dollar investments in water infrastructure, state employee raises, and additional funding for the teacher retirement system.
Lawmakers will also spend $2.7 billion from the state’s budget reserve trust fund on several one-time expenses. Downtown Louisville will receive $100 million for revitalization efforts, Lexington will receive $10 million for an affordable housing fund, and airports across the state will be granted millions each as well.
Education
Senate Bill 2 will become law without the signature of the governor. The bill will allow what it calls guardians to work inside schools, and serve in a similar position as student resource officers. Guardians will receive some SRO training, can carry a concealed weapon, but do not have the authority to arrest someone. Retired police officers, Kentucky State Police troopers and veterans are eligible for the newly created position.
A state task force will study several aspects of how Jefferson County Public Schools are operated. The task force will also look at if the state’s largest district should be split up.
Crime
House Bill 5 will become law, despite protests from several Democratic lawmakers and the governor. HB 5, known as the Safer Kentucky Act, is a broad-reaching crime bill. It criminalizes street camping, creates a three-strikes law for repeat violent offenders, and creates a statewide carjacking statute. It also stiffens penalties for several violent crimes. Opponents have complained about the hefty price tag associated with the bill and that it could lead to jail overcrowding.
Government
Several changes will come to Jefferson County thanks to House Bill 388.
They include making the Metro Council and mayoral races nonpartisan and pauses changes to the county’s zoning code, among other things.
Health
On the last day, lawmakers passed what’s been known as the momnibus bill. It’s a broad measure supporting maternal health. The bill does several things to help keep moms healthy, both before and after birth. One section ensures new mothers can enroll in health insurance when they become pregnant.
The bill also creates a Kentucky maternal psychiatric access program, which establishes a hotline where doctors can contact a psychiatrist or psychologist when a new mom has a mental health need.
Not Passed
House Bill 509, which would have made changes to the state’s open records law, failed to receive a vote in the State Senate on the last day of session, keeping it from becoming law.
While it gained plenty of attention this year, bills targeting diversity, equity and inclusion failed to make it past the finish line. One bill would have eliminated those programs on college campuses, the other centered on DEI in K-12 schools.
Bills that failed to advance also include one to make changes to SNAP benefits, worker breaks and teenager working hours.
Looking Ahead
Most bills passed by the general assembly will go into effect 90 days after being signed into law. Some, however, come with an emergency clause that means it goes into effect immediately.
Lawmakers will meet several times throughout the rest of the year but do not have the power to pass any other bills after April 15. The 2025 legislative session begins in January.