Elkins says he's heard from many about House budget proposal, says it has not yet reached Senate

As we pass the midpoint of the 2026 Legislative Session, I want to provide an update on our work and share a reflection that is especially personal to me.

With more than 30 legislative days behind us, the Senate has maintained a steady and disciplined pace. Nine of the Senate Majority’s 10 priority bills have been filed and passed the Senate. That progress reflects months of interim preparation and careful deliberation during committee hearings and floor debate.

I have also heard from many of you regarding the early House budget proposal. I understand how deeply these discussions affect families, particularly when it comes to health insurance, benefits, and long-term affordability. It is important to note that the budget remains in the House and has not yet reached the Senate. No final decisions have been made.

When it does come before us, we will review it carefully and make necessary revisions. Our focus remains on maintaining a balanced budget, using one-time funds responsibly, and protecting both taxpayers and public employees with transparency and discipline.

This week, we also recognized Military Kids Day,  and as someone who has served in the military, this event carries special meaning.

When you serve, your family serves with you. Children experience deployments, missed birthdays, relocations, and long stretches without a parent at home. They carry burdens they did not choose, yet they do so with remarkable strength.

Having worn the uniform myself, I know that no mission is accomplished alone. Behind every service member is a family holding things together on the home front. Military children demonstrate resilience beyond their years, and their sacrifices are very real.

It was an honor to recognize them and to thank them not just symbolically, but sincerely, for the role they play in protecting our freedoms.

Their strength reminds us that service is a family commitment, and our commonwealth is better because of it. 

It was a pleasure to also welcome Leadership Winchester to the Capitol this week. This outstanding group of local leaders took time away from their busy schedules to learn more about the legislative process, engage in thoughtful discussion about public policy, and see firsthand how state government operates. Programs like Leadership Winchester play an important role in developing informed, community-focused leaders who are invested in the future of Clark County and the commonwealth. I was also glad they had the opportunity to meet with Attorney General Russell Coleman, Representative Ryan Dodson and Rocky Adkins, who joined us to share their perspectives and answer questions. We are always grateful when local leaders make the trip to Frankfort and remain actively engaged in the civic life of our state.

With that, I want to update you on several bills that passed out of the Senate this week.

Senate Bill 9 Priority housing legislation designed to cut red tape and expand home construction across Kentucky, while encouraging responsible growth and preserving agricultural land. The measure builds on work by the Kentucky Housing Task Force. It gives local governments and developers new tools to build the roads, utilities and infrastructure needed for large residential developments. Cities and counties could create Residential Infrastructure Development Districts that allow infrastructure costs to be financed over time rather than paid upfront, including through local bonds and special assessments on property within the district, which functions as property-based liens within the district, helping lower housing costs and accelerate construction. The bill also creates a framework for Housing Development Districts, allowing local governments to partner with developers on qualifying residential projects and negotiate housing incentive payments based on a portion of future property tax revenues. These incentives may be awarded annually for up to seven years for new construction or up to 15 years for redevelopment of existing structures. SB 9 keeps decisions local, requires transparency and reporting and ensures that only properties within a district bear the costs. The goal is to support new housing and redevelopment while helping communities grow in planned, sustainable ways. 

Senate Bill 69, Modeled after past legislation establishing a pediatric cancer research trust fund, establishes an Autism Spectrum Disorder Trust Fund in the state treasury and allows Kentucky taxpayers to voluntarily contribute all or a portion of their state income tax refund to support autism-related initiatives, including research. 

Senate Bill 85 Allows retirement benefits from Kentucky’s public pension systems to be directed into a Special Needs Trust on behalf of a disabled beneficiary, giving families greater certainty that long-term care needs will be met. The bill permits members of the State Police, Teachers’, Judicial and public employee retirement systems to name a Special Needs Trust as a beneficiary so lifetime survivor benefits can be paid without jeopardizing eligibility for Medicaid or other support services. SB 85 includes safeguards requiring trustees to notify retirement systems upon a beneficiary’s death and repay any improper payments, while authorizing agencies to update regulations for implementation. The measure does not expand benefits or increase costs; it ensures that existing benefits can be managed responsibly to protect vulnerable dependents.

Senate Bill 104 Known as the HALO Act, SB 104 establishes a 25-foot safety zone around first responders while they are lawfully performing their official duties. After a verbal warning, the bill makes it a crime to knowingly approach or remain within the zone with the intent to interfere with official duties, threaten physical harm or harass a first responder. The legislation establishes escalating penalties: a first offense is a Class B misdemeanor, a second or third offense is a Class A misdemeanor, and subsequent offenses are Class D felonies. The HALO Act applies to peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical and rescue personnel, probation and parole officers, and university and airport police, including nonprofit responders. The bill is designed to reduce risks in high-stress situations while preserving lawful public activity, including constitutionally protected speech and the right to record.

Senate Bill 152 provides greater clarity and strengthens accountability in school leadership by converting School Based Decision Making councils into advisory councils and clarifying that principals retain final decision making authority at the school level. The bill establishes a clearer chain of command of principal, superintendent and school board so responsibility for school performance rests with designated leaders rather than shared councils. Advisory councils will continue to provide input and recommendations, including a consulting role regarding principal candidates. SB 152 aims to reinforce leadership accountability while maintaining structured input from teachers and parents.

Senate Bill 80 proposes a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to individuals convicted of certain nonviolent felonies once they have completed their sentence, including any prison time, probation or parole. The proposed amendment would maintain strict exclusion of those who have committed the most serious offenses, such as crimes against children, sexual assault, violent crimes, treason and election-related offenses. If approved by three-fifths of lawmakers in both legislative chambers, the measure would be placed on a future general election ballot for Kentucky voters to decide by a simple majority.

Senate Bill 154 Strengthens Kentucky existing voter ID law, which was enacted in 2020, by removing Social Security cards and public benefits cards, which do not include a person's photograph, from the available list of additional documents that may be offered to establish identity when a person seeking to cast a ballot in an election cannot provide proof of identification. 

Each of these bills now advances to the House for further consideration.

As we enter the second half of the session, our focus remains on steady progress and responsible governance. Legislative deadlines are approaching, committees continue to meet daily, and collaboration between chambers will intensify.

Your engagement in this process matters. Good-faith communication strengthens public policy, and I encourage you to continue sharing your thoughts as the legislation advances.

I remain committed to working hard on behalf of the people of the 28th District, so your voice is represented in every vote taken.

If you have questions about legislation or would like to share your thoughts on an issue, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.