Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB526: AN ACT relating to members of the bar.
Status: In committee, February 17, 2026
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 21A to establish parameters for compulsory dues for members of the bar; define who is a member of the bar for purposes of the section; amend KRS 21A.300 and 21A.310 to conform; repeal KRS 21A.160, relating to organization and control of State bar being vested in the Supreme Court.
What the bill says
An act relating to members of the bar.
From the committee substitute text:
AN ACT relating to members of the bar. WHEREAS, Section 1 of the Constitution of Kentucky recognizes the inherent and inalienable rights of individuals, including the right of acquiring and protecting property and pursuing a lawful occupation; and WHEREAS, Section 8 of the Constitution of Kentucky and the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protect the freedoms of speech and association, including the right to refrain from compelled speech or compelled association; and WHEREAS, the General Assembly finds that requiring membership in, or the payment of dues to, a private association as a condition of holding a professional or occupational license similarly compels association and financial support as a prerequisite to engaging in lawful work; and WHEREAS, licensing by the Commonwealth exists to protect public health, safety, and welfare through objective standards of education, competency, and ethical conduct, and not to compel participation in or financial support of private organizations; and WHEREAS, conditioning licensure on association membership or dues imposes unnecessary financial burdens on licensees, creates barriers to entry into lawful professions, and conflicts with the Commonwealth's public policy favoring individual economic liberty and voluntary association; and WHEREAS, it is therefore the purpose of this Act to ensure that no member of the bar is required, directly or indirectly, to join, maintain membership in, or financially support …
Sponsors
- Steven Doan (R, HD-069) · primary sponsor
- Jennifer Decker (R, HD-058)
- Peyton Griffee (R, HD-026)
- Jason Nemes (R, HD-033)
- Jason Petrie (R, HD-016)
- T.J. Roberts (R, HD-066)
- Mitch Whitaker (R, HD-094)
- Nick Wilson (R, HD-082)
Latest actions
- : to Committee on Committees (S)
- : received in Senate
- : 3rd reading, passed 70-21 with Floor Amendment (3)
- : floor amendment (4) filed
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, February 13 2026
- : floor amendment (2) filed to Committee Substitute , floor amendment (3) filed to bill
- : 2nd reading, to Rules
- : floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
- : reassigned to Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)
Votes
- House: Suspend the Rules (HFA 4) RCS# 93 (February 13, 2026): 22 yea, 47 nay, failed
- House: Pass RCS# 94 (February 13, 2026): 70 yea, 21 nay, passed
Subjects: Associations, Court, Supreme, Attorneys
Common questions
- What is HB526?
- HB526 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to members of the bar.
- What does HB526 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to members of the bar.
- What is the status of HB526?
- In committee as of February 17, 2026. Latest action: to Committee on Committees (S) (February 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB526?
- Steven Doan (R, HD-069), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB526?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb526.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.