Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB44: AN ACT relating to robotics.
Status: In committee, February 12, 2026
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; establish the robotics competition fund; establish the Robotics Funding Selection Committee to award grants from the fund to eligible robotics teams competition sponsors; establish committee membership, duties, and set terms; require the Kentucky Department of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to establish procedures for grant applications and distribution of awards by April 1, 2027; set requirements for grant applications; require annual report by August 1 to Legislative Research Commission; provide for initial staggering of appointments; require the committee to hold its first meeting by October 15, 2026; provide that the Act may be cited as the Advanced Manufacturing Through Robotics Education Act.
What the bill says
An act relating to robotics.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to robotics. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 158 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section: (a) "Advanced manufacturing" means the development of a robot beyond its prefabricated components through student-driven design, fabrication, fundamental additive and subtractive manufacturing, or the integration of custom manufactured parts for the purpose of a robotics competition; (b) "Committee" means the Robotics Funding Selection Committee established in subsection (3) of this section; (c) "Competition sponsor" means a qualified robotics organization that is the primary facilitator of a robotics competition, but does not include a qualified robotics organization that solely supplies the facility where a robotics competition is to be hosted; (d) "Eligible robotics team" means a Kentucky-based robotics team that includes: 1. Team members who are and b. or ii. Are members of a qualified robotics organization; and 2. Two (2) or more team coaches; (e) "Eligible school" means or 2. Nonpublic school certified by the Kentucky Board of Education in accordance with KRS 156.160(2); HB004410.100 - 317 - XXXX 2/11/2026 3:22 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 44/GA (f) "Fund" means the robotics competition fund established in subsection (2) of this section; (g) "Qualified robotics organization" means a nonprofit organization that …
Sponsors
- Chris Lewis (R, HD-029) · primary sponsor
- Emily Callaway (R, HD-037)
- Beverly Chester-Burton (D, HD-044)
- Steven Doan (R, HD-069)
- Robert Duvall (R, HD-017)
- Ken Fleming (R, HD-048)
- Peyton Griffee (R, HD-026)
- Daniel Grossberg (D, HD-030)
- John Hodgson (R, HD-036)
- Thomas Huff (R, HD-049)
- Nima Kulkarni (D, HD-040)
- Jason Nemes (R, HD-033)
Latest actions
- : to Committee on Committees (S)
- : received in Senate
- : 3rd reading, passed 91-0
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, February 11 2026
- : 2nd reading, to Rules
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
- : to Primary and Secondary Education (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Votes
- House: Pass RCS# 83 (February 11, 2026): 91 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Technology, Short Titles And Popular Names, Funds, Education, Elementary And Secondary, Reports Mandated, Appropriations, Education, Vocational, Boards And Commissions
Common questions
- What is HB44?
- HB44 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to robotics.
- What does HB44 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to robotics.
- What is the status of HB44?
- In committee as of February 12, 2026. Latest action: to Committee on Committees (S) (February 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB44?
- Chris Lewis (R, HD-029), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB44?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb44.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.