Kentucky Senate holds routine session in Frankfort; adopts memorial resolution and posts bills for later consideration

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Senate convened Jan. 15, 2026, in Frankfort and conducted routine legislative business, including roll call, approval of the previous day's journal, committee reports moving several bills forward, the adoption of a memorial resolution and announcements about upcoming events.

The session opened with an invocation from Reverend Elizabeth King of First Christian Church, who prayed for wisdom and compassion to guide lawmakers’ work. The clerk called the roll and the presiding officer declared a quorum present after correcting the count from 32 to 35 members. A motion to excuse absent senators was offered and granted, and the journal from Jan. 14, 2026, was approved without objection.

Clerks read a slate of bills set for second reading, including Senate Bill 7 (identity documents), Senate Bill 10 (a proposed amendment related to limiting the governor’s pardon power and sentencing), SB28 (motor vehicle operating rules), SB29 (solid waste management facilities), SB30 (motor vehicle commission), SB38 (pharmacist reimbursements), SB49 (battery stewardship) and SB51 (property tax exemption language). The clerk also read Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, which directs the Legislative Research Commission to procure a vendor to study an accountable communities for health Medicaid delivery model pilot.

Committee reports were filed on the floor: the Education Committee recommended SB22 and SB46 (with committee substitute) should pass; the Judiciary Committee recommended SB90 should pass; and the Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee recommended SB11, SB13 and SB42 should pass. The presiding officer ordered bills receiving favorable committee reports placed on the calendar as having received their first reading.

The rules committee and the committee on committees were recessed to meet at the clerk’s desk; the rules committee posted SB7 to the regular orders for Friday, Jan. 16. Several new filings and a floor amendment to SB22 were noted by the clerk, and other newly filed measures were listed for the record (including SB89, SB97, SB98 and SB99, and resolutions honoring various individuals).

Members used the floor for announcements. A senator invited members to a Kentucky State Police Professional Association breakfast the following morning, and another invited colleagues to a Kentucky Higher Education open house that evening; organizers said doors open at 5:30 p.m. with remarks at 6:30 p.m. A memorial resolution (Senate Resolution 29) honoring Edward Todd Jr. was moved and adopted by voice vote. The body also observed a moment of silence after a senator from Pike reported the sudden death of Paintsville tourism director Jeremiah Parsons and offered the chamber’s condolences.

Lawmakers announced a volunteer service effort called “Bags of Hope” to assemble care packages for children in the foster care system after adjournment, in partnership with the Kentucky Children’s Alliance and Miss Kentucky Ariana Rodriguez’s Lucky Ones Foundation. Numerous senators were recorded as cosponsors on bills during the session; the presiding officer ordered the cosponsor paperwork filed without objection.

With no further business, Senator from Taylor moved to adjourn. The presiding officer declared the Senate adjourned until 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.