House transportation committee reports HB 293 favorably to require rubber on center trailer wheels

At its third meeting of the 2026 session, the Kentucky House Transportation Committee reported House Bill 293 with a favorable recommendation, sending the measure to the full House.

The bill, introduced by Representative Walker Thomas, would require rubber on the center metal wheels of certain heavy trailers and pulled farm equipment. Thomas showed muted video footage for the committee depicting trailers and heavy implements with exposed metal wheels leaving ruts and gouges on pavement. "Pictures are worth 1000 words," Thomas said, and described the proposal as a narrower version of a 2024 draft that would have required rubber on all metal and wood wheels.

Why it matters: Committee members said the metal wheels on some equipment are causing visible damage to state and local roads paid for with public funds. Representative Bivens, who said she is a longtime supporter of agriculture, told the committee, "I really don't think this bill goes quite far enough, but I am certainly gonna support it today," urging balance between protecting infrastructure and respecting farm practices. Representative Dawson said crews and shoulders are being damaged by convoys of equipment and requested the committee consider a future discussion about wear from horseshoes used on horse-and-buggy traffic.

Committee discussion and votes: Thomas said he had consulted with local Amish community members after pushback on the broader 2024 proposal and narrowed the measure to focus on the heavy equipment and plows that cause the most severe pavement damage. Representative Smith noted there is a separate bill filed to increase maintenance funding for the roads, which he said complements HB 293's goals. After brief discussion, the secretary called the roll; members recorded affirmative votes and Chairman Blanton announced, "House bill 293 is reported with favorable expression. The same should pass on the House Floor."

Vote at a glance: The transcript records a roll-call vote in which at least the following members registered affirmative votes: Representative Bivens, Representative Branscomb, Representative Bridges, Representative Dawson, Representative Hebron, Representative Hodgson, Representative Umbs, Representative Lewis, Representative Neighbors, Representative Brooks, Representative Tackett Lafferty, Representative Walker Thomas, Representative Upchurch and Chairman Blanton. The committee reported the bill favorably and advanced it to the House floor. (Where a member's recorded response was not captured explicitly in the transcript, the article records only the affirmations that appear in the public record.)

What remains: Members flagged two issues for follow-up: religious-exemption concerns that narrowed the bill from its 2024 version, and related road-maintenance funding that advocates say will be needed to repair existing damage. The committee chair closed the meeting and announced the committee would not meet the following Tuesday due to a holiday.

The committee took no additional formal action at the meeting; HB 293 will proceed to the House floor for further consideration.