Here’s a legislative update from Sen. Robby Mills:
As we finished the second week of the 2026 Legislative Session, the pace at the Capitol continued to pick up. Committees are now fully underway, more legislation is being filed, , and the Senate has begun moving bills off the floor for consideration by the House.
Week two marked the official start of committee activity, where legislation receives its first in-depth review. Committees heard testimony, asked questions, and began advancing bills that reflect the priorities of Kentuckians across the commonwealth.
This week, the committees I serve on focused on the following areas.
HEALTH SERVICES
SB 38 updates Kentucky Medicaid law to ensure pharmacist services are reimbursed in line with existing insurance parity and reporting requirements. The bill helps guarantee pharmacists are paid fairly under Medicaid and that Kentucky’s policies stay consistent with federal rules.
SCR 9 calls for a feasibility study on an alternative, community-based Medicaid delivery model focused on improving outcomes and controlling rising costs. The study would evaluate accountable care approaches used in other states, with particular attention to rural health access, care coordination, and long-term sustainability before any changes to Kentucky’s Medicaid system are considered.
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
SB 10 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit gubernatorial pardons or commutations during the period leading up to an election and through the inauguration of the next governor. The measure is intended to increase transparency and prevent last-minute abuses of executive clemency and would be placed on the general election ballot for voter approval if passed by the General Assembly.
SB 51 proposes a constitutional amendment to provide additional property tax relief for homeowners age 65 and older by exempting increases in the assessed value of their permanent residence after they turn 65 or acquire the property. The amendment would be submitted to voters for approval and apply only to future increases in property value.
This committee process is essential to good governance. It is where details matter, concerns are addressed, and legislation is strengthened before reaching the Senate floor.
SB 7 became the first bill passed by the Senate this session and addresses a major and widely felt issue for the commonwealth. The legislation aims to improve access to driver’s license renewals by allowing eligible county offices to once again offer renewal and duplicate services in areas without a regional licensing center, reducing long wait times and unnecessary travel for Kentuckians.
SB 7 has now moved to the Kentucky House of Representatives for further consideration.
This early milestone signals that the legislative process is fully in motion.
On Monday, January 19, the General Assembly will not be in session as we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The holiday was signed into law in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan and is observed annually on the third Monday of January.
Dr. King’s leadership during the modern civil rights movement helped advance equality and opportunity across our nation. He remains the only non-president honored with a national holiday, and this day serves as a reminder of the progress made and the work that remains.
State and local offices will be closed in recognition of this important day.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives continues its work on the biennial state budget. In the Senate, we are closely monitoring those discussions as we prepare for our role in reviewing and shaping the final budget.
I will continue to keep you updated as budget details move through the legislative process.
It is an honor to serve the people of Henderson, Hopkins, Union, and Webster counties, and I remain committed to being a strong voice for our communities.
