Licensing committee advances bills on boxing sanctioning, charitable gaming and CPA rules

FRANKFORT, Ky. — On March 4, 2025, the Kentucky Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations voted unanimously to report four bills favorably out of committee, advancing measures dealing with sanctioning for amateur boxing and wrestling exhibitions, charitable gaming, and two changes to rules for certified public accountants.

The measures matter to local youth sports clubs, charitable organizations that depend on bingo and other gaming revenue, and accounting professionals. Committee members said the bills were intended to close statutory gaps, expand limited charitable activity, and clarify rules that affect retired CPAs and small CPA firms.

Senate Bill 133, sponsored by Senator David Yates, would add language to the statute governing sanctioning bodies for boxing and wrestling exhibitions to explicitly allow properly sanctioned amateur exhibitions — including events that charge admission or are charitable — to operate without putting clubs or athletes out of compliance. "It's a very small wording change," Senator David Yates said, explaining the change was intended to close what he described as a gray zone that could affect clubs' ability to obtain insurance and comply with existing safety standards. Yates listed existing sanctioning organizations that would continue to apply, including the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Golden Gloves, USA Boxing and USA Wrestling.

Senate Bill 190, sponsored by Senator Mike Nemus, would permit charitable gaming halls to offer three sessions per week instead of two and would allow volunteers to work up to six times per week instead of the current four. "This is an actual charitable gaming bill. It has nothing to do with horses or casinos," Senator Mike Nemus said, adding the change is aimed at small community groups who use bingo halls to raise funds for schools, teams and other local causes. Committee members asked why volunteers are limited at all; one committee member joked the limit might have been requested by Churchill Downs. The committee voted to report the bill favorably.

House Bill 261, introduced in committee by Representative Deanna Fraser Gordon with testimony from Joe Donahue, executive director of the State Board of Accountancy, would allow retired certified public accountants to provide certain uncompensated services to the public while qualifying for a continuing professional education waiver based on retirement. Representative Deanna Fraser Gordon described the measure as "a simple measure" to clarify what retired CPAs may do. When a committee member asked whether the change applies only after retirement and not while an accountant remains active, the representative replied, "That's correct. That's correct. I might have misspoke, but that is correct."

House Bill 262 would let a lone remaining CPA owner keep the firm's name after the death or retirement of another named partner, aligning the rule with how some larger reductions in principals are handled now. Joe Donahue told senators the board has enforcement mechanisms if a firm name becomes misleading or raises public-protection concerns and said the board would pursue complaints as they arise. A committee member asked whether an estate could later object to continued use of a family name; Donahue responded there is no specific time limit on enforcement and the board would act when concerns are brought to its attention.

Votes at a glance: - SB 133 (sanctioning bodies for boxing and wrestling exhibitions): Passed out of committee with a favorable report (roll-call: unanimous). Sponsor: Sen. David Yates. - SB 190 (charitable gaming — bingo sessions and volunteer limits): Passed out of committee with a favorable report (roll-call: unanimous). Sponsor: Sen. Mike Nemus. - HB 261 (retired certified public accountants — unpaid services and CPE waiver): Passed out of committee with a favorable report (roll-call: unanimous). Sponsor: Rep. Deanna Fraser Gordon. - HB 262 (CPA firms — retention of firm name by sole remaining CPA): Passed out of committee with a favorable report (roll-call: unanimous). Sponsor: Rep. Deanna Fraser Gordon; testimony from Joe Donahue, executive director, State Board of Accountancy.

The committee took no further business and adjourned after recording the favorable committee reports on the four measures.