LEGISLATIVE UPDATE State Representative Timmy Truett

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
State Representative Timmy Truett

Promises Kept: Legislature continues
commitment to cutting individual income tax
The first week of the 2025 Regular Session is already behind us as members of the
Kentucky House of Representatives convened at Noon on Tuesday, January 7 and left
Frankfort after a busy, successful four days. We moved full speed ahead into the 159 th
Regular Session and accomplished several goals for this year, while laying the
groundwork for the legislation we will take up when we return to Frankfort on February
4.
This session is a bit different from those of recent years because we have no massive
legislative packages to consider. Over the past several sessions, the legislature has
wrestled with budgets, redistricting, and providing resources for Kentuckians during the
pandemic while addressing the executive branch’s overreach. This year, we have an
opportunity to devote a great deal of attention to other important issues, including
growing our workforce, and ensuring resources are reaching Kentucky classrooms.
Of course, the legislature will also take some time to deal with administrative work,
particularly since new members get accustomed to the process, and several legislative
committees are under new leadership. It goes without saying there will be a learning
curve for all of us.
The first piece of legislation that came across our desks this week was HB 1, which
would lower the state’s individual income tax to 3.5% in 2026. Economists estimate the

tax cut will leave approximately $718 million in the pockets of Kentucky taxpayers in the
first fiscal year of full implementation. This tax cut reflects the simple philosophy that the
men and women who work hard should be the ones who decide how they spend the
money they earn. It is also the next step in our work to eliminate the state’s individual
income tax and build on what the legislature has already done to make our state more
competitive and stop penalizing productivity and work. HB 1 now heads to the Senate
for their consideration.
As we wrap up part one of this year’s legislative session, I believe the future is bright
for Kentucky as we continue our work to create sound, responsible fiscal and social
policy. As I mentioned earlier, we will return to Frankfort on February 4 to reconvene
and take up more legislation. More than 200 bills have already been filed for
consideration, including legislation aimed at protecting our most vulnerable, improving
education, and making health care more accessible. If you would like to review the bills,
visit the Legislative Record section on the Legislative Research Commission’s website
at legislature.ky.gov.
I am eager to continue working for the people of our district and make Kentucky a state
where people wish to live, grow businesses, and raise families. In addition to filing and
passing legislation, legislative committees also began meeting. I am pleased to share
that I will be serving on the Appropriations and Revenue, Primary and Secondary
Education, Post-Secondary Education, Economic Development, and Tourism
committees.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at
1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at Timmy.Truett@kylegislature.gov
and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.