Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB539: AN ACT relating to foreign laws.
Status: In committee, February 10, 2026
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 446 to prohibit the recognition of adjudicative rulings or contractual provisions based in whole or in part upon Sharia or any foreign law; provide for exceptions for ecclesiastical matters, voluntary choice of law for corporate entities, or where federal preemption applies.
What the bill says
An act relating to foreign laws.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to foreign laws. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 446 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section, the term "foreign law, legal code, or system" means any law, legal code, or system of a jurisdiction outside of any state or territory of the United States, including international organizations and tribunals. (2) (a) A ruling or decision of a court, arbitration panel, tribunal, or administrative agency which is based, in whole or in part, on Sharia or any foreign law, legal code, or system; or (b) A contract, or contractual provision if severable, which: 1. Provides for the choice of Sharia or any foreign law, legal code, or system; or 2. Grants jurisdiction to a foreign tribunal; is void and unenforceable if the ruling, decision, contract, or contractual provision allows the application of Sharia or any foreign law, legal code, or system that denies the parties the fundamental liberties, rights, and privileges guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of Kentucky. (3) This section shall not: (a) Disapprove or abrogate existing precedent of the Supreme Court of Kentucky; (b) Limit adjudication of ecclesiastical matters of a religious organization, including the selection, appointment, discipline, or removal …
Sponsors
- Bill Wesley (R, HD-091) · primary sponsor
- Shane Baker (R, HD-085)
- Ryan Bivens (R, HD-024)
- Emily Callaway (R, HD-037)
- Josh Calloway (R, HD-010)
- Jennifer Decker (R, HD-058)
- Ryan Dotson (R, HD-073)
- Chris Freeland (R, HD-006)
- Gordon, Deanna (R, HD-081)
- David Hale (R, HD-074)
- Mark Hart (R, HD-078)
- John Hodgson (R, HD-036)
Latest actions
- : to Judiciary (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Courts, Administrative Regulations And Proceedings, Contracts, International Trade And Relations
Common questions
- What is HB539?
- HB539 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to foreign laws.
- What does HB539 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to foreign laws.
- What is the status of HB539?
- In committee as of February 10, 2026. Latest action: to Judiciary (H) (February 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB539?
- Bill Wesley (R, HD-091), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB539?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb539.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.