Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky SB98: AN ACT relating to welding safety.
Status: Signed into law, April 27, 2026
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 198B to establish requirements for projects using structural steel welding, such as hiring a certified welder and meeting national welding standards; define terms; exempt welding projects performed or requested on the premises of a homeowner or farmer; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2027.
What the bill says
An act relating to welding safety.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to welding safety. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 198B IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Accredited testing facility" means a facility that tests and certifies welders and welding inspectors, and which has been accredited by the AWS; (b) "ASME" means the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; (c) "AWS" means the American Welding Society; (d) "Certified welding inspector" means a person who has been certified by the AWS to inspect structural steel welding projects and is independent of a Kentucky building program having jurisdiction; (e) "D1.1" means the current version of the Structural Welding Code-Steel, approved American National Standard from the AWS; (f) "D1.5" means the current version of the Bridge Welding Code, approved American National Standard from the AWS jointly with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; (g) "Structural steel welding" means structural welds, weld repair, the structural system, and the welding of all primary steel members of a structure per D1.1 and D1.5 established by AWS. Where ASME work is required, it shall be done by ASME certified welders; and (h) "Welding standards" means the specifications, guidelines, tests, and other methods used to develop a system …
Sponsors
- Phillip Wheeler (R, SD-031) · primary sponsor
- Gary Clemons (D, SD-037)
- Scott Madon (R, SD-029)
- Gerald Neal (D, SD-033)
- Gex Williams (R, SD-020)
Latest actions
- : signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 201)
- : delivered to Governor
- : enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
- : enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
- : passed 37-0
- : Senate concurred in Floor Amendment (4)
- : to Rules (S)
- : received in Senate
- : 3rd reading, passed 89-5 with Floor Amendment (4)
- : placed in the Orders of the Day
Votes
- Senate: FINAL PASSAGE OF SB 98 w/ HFA 4 (HFA 4) RSN# 4259 (April 15, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Pass RCS# 501 (April 15, 2026): 89 yea, 5 nay, passed
- Senate: PASS SB 98 RSN# 3855 (February 25, 2026): 33 yea, 4 nay, passed
Subjects: Occupations And Professions, Housing, Building, And Construction, Local Mandate, Effective Dates, Delayed, Labor And Industry, Workforce
Common questions
- What is SB98?
- SB98 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to welding safety.
- What does SB98 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to welding safety.
- What is the status of SB98?
- Signed into law as of April 27, 2026. Latest action: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 201) (April 27, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB98?
- Phillip Wheeler (R, SD-031), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB98?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb98.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.