SENATOR BRANDON SMITH'S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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.

Perry County water challenges

First and foremost, as we recuperate from this winter storm, I want to make sure we don’t forget those who are still without water in eastern Kentucky. I assure you, we’re not complacent about the issue. Recognizing the hurdles of our landscape doesn’t mean we will stop the race. We choose to live in the mountains and some of the beauty and sanctuary they give us are the very causes of these hurdles. Infrastructure is constantly challenged, but I promise it is also constantly addressed. In every budget, we have invested real dollars in funding the maintenance and expansion of the intricate water system in Perry County. Just this year, ground broke on the Buckhorn expansion.

That doesn’t mean we’re finished. 

There are areas we need to address for future seasons. I am in constant contact with our local officials for status reports and next steps.

I was alongside fellow volunteers over the weekend delivering water to our harder to reach hollers. I’m grateful for our region's pioneer spirit and resolve. We have each other's backs when we need each other most.

Stick with us and these hills of ours.

Addressing housing challenges

Before updating you on bills clearing the Senate, I want to remind you of Senate Bill (SB) 142 that I filed last week, and that has garnered some attention this week, due to the filing of a new priority bill, SB 9. This priority bill was filed to, like my proposal, support housing growth across Kentucky. SB 9 would provide new tools for local governments and developers to partner on infrastructure and redevelopment, thereby lowering housing costs and accelerating construction. While it is awaiting a committee hearing in week six, SB 9, SB 142 and several other proposals being discussed reflect ongoing work to address housing needs statewide, including right here in our mountains.

As a reminder, SB 142 is my proposal to establish a trust fund where millions of dollars would be targeted to proven nonprofits with a proven track record of getting work done. In this case, the goal would be to rehabilitate homes and provide opportunities for home ownership for families who cannot currently afford them. I see this as beneficial in two ways. It’ll help families move into homes they may eventually own, and it addresses the problems of dilapidated homes. I hope to garner support for this measure.

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.

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.

Additional bills delivered to the House

SB 12 received much debate on the Senate floor on Friday. This bill allows Level IV trauma centers to provide 24/7 emergency room care using physician assistants or nurse practitioners under physician supervision, aiming to address rural staffing shortages and prevent hospital closures.

I spoke in support of SB 12 because it reflects the reality facing hospitals in eastern Kentucky. Rural facilities serve some of the sickest patients in the country, yet they struggle every day to recruit and retain physicians willing to practice in remote areas. We have tried every traditional approach, and the workforce gap remains. This bill gives hospitals a practical option to keep emergency rooms open by allowing experienced physician assistants and nurse practitioners, under physician supervision, to provide care when doctors simply are not available. I’ve supported legislation that meets the needs of our urban centers, and this is one of those moments where I’m asking our colleagues to extend that same understanding to rural Kentucky. Lives depend on it.

Other bills

• 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.
• SB 48 strengthens Kentucky’s re-entry supervision law by clarifying eligibility, using risk-based assessments, and requiring regular reporting of outcomes to improve public safety and accountability.
• SB 73 expands the state’s home-based processor law to include tallow-based cosmetics like soaps and balms, allowing small producers to sell these items under existing health and labeling regulations.
• SB 102 allows retired “R class” Kentucky State Police and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers to return to service within 1–60 months of leaving, helping address staffing shortages with experienced personnel.
• SB 132 authorizes local governments to regulate massage therapy businesses and increases the penalty for unlicensed practice from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor.

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. I will be fighting vigorously on behalf of our district to secure critical funding. Initial budget proposals are available at legislature.ky.gov. The working product is House Bill 500. 

Stay connected

Legislation often changes through amendments or substitutions as it moves through the process. You can follow the General Assembly’s work live on KET or YouTube (@KYLRCCommitteeMeetings), and track bills at legislature.ky.gov. If you have thoughts or concerns, you can always reach me at 502-564-8100 or Brandon.Smith@kylegislature.gov. 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve and represent you.

Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, represents the 30th Senate District, which includes Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Leslie, Magoffin, Morgan, Perry, Powell, and Wolfe Counties. Smith serves as chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Committees on Transportation, Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection, and Banking and Insurance. Additionally, Smith serves on the Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection. During the 2025 interim, he served on the Kentucky Housing Task Force.