Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB297: AN ACT relating to peace officers.
Status: In committee, February 20, 2026
Amend KRS 15.420, relating to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund, to include in the definition of "police officer" a Kentucky State Fair Board special police officer.
What the bill says
An act relating to peace officers.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to peace officers. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 15.420 is amended to read as follows: As used in KRS 15.410 to 15.510, unless the context otherwise (2) (a) "Police officer" means: 1. A local officer, limited to: a. A full-time: i. Member of a lawfully organized police department of county, urban-county, or city government; or ii. Sheriff or full-time deputy sheriff, including any sheriff providing court security or appointed under KRS 70.030; b. A school resource officer as defined in KRS 158.441; or c. One (1) of the following who is otherwise eligible for an annual supplement established in accordance with KRS 15.460, but who does not receive ii. A detective employed by a county attorney; iii. A process server for juvenile courts within a consolidated local government; and iv. A local alcoholic beverage control investigator appointed pursuant to KRS Chapter 241; and 2. A state officer, limited b. A Kentucky state trooper; c. A Kentucky State Police arson investigator; d. A Kentucky State Police hazardous device investigator; HB029710.100 - 1464 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:01 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 297/GA e. A Kentucky State Police legislative security specialist; f. A Kentucky vehicle enforcement officer; g. A Kentucky Horse Park mounted patrol officer, subject to …
Sponsors
- Chris Lewis (R, HD-029) · primary sponsor
- George Brown (D, HD-077)
- Emily Callaway (R, HD-037)
- Ken Fleming (R, HD-048)
- Peyton Griffee (R, HD-026)
- John Hodgson (R, HD-036)
- Jason Nemes (R, HD-033)
- Susan Witten (R, HD-031)
Latest actions
- : to Committee on Committees (S)
- : received in Senate
- : 3rd reading, passed 96-0
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 19 2026
- : 2nd reading, to Rules
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
- : reassigned to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (H)
- : to Judiciary (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Votes
- House: Pass RCS# 120 (February 19, 2026): 96 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Fairs, Funds, Peace Officers And Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Actuarial Analysis
Common questions
- What is HB297?
- HB297 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to peace officers.
- What does HB297 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to peace officers.
- What is the status of HB297?
- In committee as of February 20, 2026. Latest action: to Committee on Committees (S) (February 20, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB297?
- Chris Lewis (R, HD-029), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB297?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb297.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.