Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB168: AN ACT relating to boating under the influence.
Status: In committee, February 24, 2026
Amend KRS 235.240 to require that when a motorboat or vessel is involved in an accident that results in a fatality or serious physical injury, the investigating law enforcement officer shall seek a search warrant for blood testing of the operator of the motorboat or vessel unless the test has already been done by consent; apply the penalties for driving under the influence to boating under the influence; require that in addition to all other penalties, a person found guilty of boating under the influence shall complete a safe-boating course and pay $100 to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to cover the costs of materials and instruction for the course; amend KRS 235.990 to conform; create a new section of KRS Chapter 15 to require a public safety telecommunicator who receives a report of an accident involving a motorboat or vessel on any waters of the Commonwealth to report the accident to the Kentucky State Police post covering where the accident occurred; provide that the Act may be cited as Keegan's Law.
What the bill says
An act relating to boating under the influence.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT relating to boating under the influence. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 235.240 is amended to read as follows: (1) A person shall not operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device, in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life or property of any person. (2) A person shall not operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device, while intoxicated or under the influence of any other substance which impairs one's driving ability. (3) (a) Any person who operates a motorboat or vessel upon the waters of the Commonwealth shall be deemed to have given consent to a test or tests as accepted by the state's evidentiary mandate for the purpose of determining the operator's alcohol concentration or the presence of other drugs. The test or tests shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe that the operator may have been violating this section. (b) If a motorboat or vessel causes an accident that results in a fatality or serious physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death, serious or prolonged disfigurement, prolonged impairment of health, or prolonged loss or impairment of the …
Sponsors
- Ken Fleming (R, HD-048) · primary sponsor
- Kim King (R, HD-055)
- Steve Riley (R, HD-023)
- Mitch Whitaker (R, HD-094)
Latest actions
- : to Committee on Committees (S)
- : received in Senate
- : 3rd reading, passed 88-0 with Committee Substitute (2)
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, February 23 2026
- : reported favorably, to Rules with Committee Substitute (2)
- : reassigned to Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (H)
- : recommitted to Judiciary (H)
- : 2nd reading, to Rules
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
- : to Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (H)
Votes
- House: Pass RCS# 126 (February 23, 2026): 88 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Police, State, Short Titles And Popular Names, Crimes And Punishments, Deaths, Drugs And Medicines, Peace Officers And Law Enforcement, Safety, Local Mandate
Common questions
- What is HB168?
- HB168 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to boating under the influence.
- What does HB168 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to boating under the influence.
- What is the status of HB168?
- In committee as of February 24, 2026. Latest action: to Committee on Committees (S) (February 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB168?
- Ken Fleming (R, HD-048), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB168?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb168.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.