Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB10: AN ACT relating to executive branch operations and declaring an emergency.
Status: Chaptered, April 14, 2026
Amend KRS 15.020 to define "entity of the executive branch"; require the Attorney General, in consultation with the Finance and Administration Cabinet, to review and approve or disapprove any settlement of pending or threatened litigation within 180 days before a gubernatorial inauguration that exceeds $1,000,000; amend KRS 18A.111 to require a 24-month probationary period to any person who at any time in 18 months prior to a gubernatorial inauguration is appointed to a position in the classified service and who held a position that was unclassified under KRS 18A.115; deny that person any preferences in hiring or reemployment; amend KRS 45A.095 to define "executive branch agency"; require any contract executed or renewed through noncompetitive negotiation within 180 days preceding a gubernatorial inauguration be certified as necessary due to an emergency condition by the State Treasurer and secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet; amend KRS 171.530 to require certain records be preserved in the 12 months preceding a gubernatorial inauguration for the Governor-elect and his or her transition team; amend KRS 171.990 to find any person who violates KRS 171.530 be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor; grant the Attorney General concurrent original jurisdiction to enforce.
What the bill says
An act relating to state constitutional officer transitions.
From the committee substitute text:
AN ACT relating to state constitutional officer transitions. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS 12.210 TO 12.230 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section, "entity of the executive branch" means: (a) Any department, program cabinet, or administrative body enumerated in KRS 12.020; (b) Any department, office, administrative body, or executive branch agency attached to an executive branch department or program cabinet enumerated in KRS 12.020; or (c) Any officer of any department, office, program cabinet, administrative body, or executive branch agency listed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection. (2) (a) Within one hundred eighty (180) days before a gubernatorial inauguration, the Attorney General shall, in consultation with the secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, review and approve or disapprove any settlement of pending or threatened litigation involving an entity of the executive branch in which the settlement amount exceeds one million dollars ($1,000,000). (b) A settlement shall not be entered into or approved by an entity of the executive branch without prior approval of the Attorney General as provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection. (3) The requirements of this section shall apply to any program cabinet, department, administrative body, or agency created by or attached to an entity …
Sponsors
- John Hodgson (R, HD-036) · primary sponsor
- Jason Nemes (R, HD-033)
- Ryan Bivens (R, HD-024)
- George Brown (D, HD-077)
- Matt Lockett (R, HD-039)
- David Meade (R, HD-080)
- David Osborne (R, HD-059)
- T.J. Roberts (R, HD-066)
- Steven Rudy (R, HD-001)
Latest actions
- : delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 178)
- : enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
- : enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
- : passed 32-6
- : posted for passage for consideration of Governor's veto
- : to Rules (S)
- : received in Senate
- : passed 79-19
- : veto overridden
- : posted for consideration of Governor's veto
Votes
- Senate: OVERRIDE VETO FINAL PASSAGE HB 10 RSN# 4162 (April 14, 2026): 32 yea, 6 nay, passed
- House: Veto Override RCS# 456 (April 14, 2026): 79 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Senate: FINAL PASSAGE OF HB 10 RSN# 4126 (April 1, 2026): 32 yea, 5 nay, passed
- House: Final Passage RCS# 442 (April 1, 2026): 72 yea, 17 nay, passed
- Senate: PASS HB 10 w/ SCS 1, SCA 1 (T) (SCS 1) RSN# 4023 (March 26, 2026): 32 yea, 6 nay, passed
- House: Pass RCS# 114 (February 18, 2026): 78 yea, 18 nay, passed
Subjects: State Agencies, State Employees, Public Procurement, Local Mandate, Corrections Impact, Attorney General, Treasurer, Public Records And Reports
Common questions
- What is HB10?
- HB10 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to executive branch operations and declaring an emergency.
- What does HB10 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to state constitutional officer transitions.
- What is the status of HB10?
- Chaptered as of April 14, 2026. Latest action: delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 178) (April 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB10?
- John Hodgson (R, HD-036), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB10?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb10.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.