After a constitutionally required three-week recess, the Kentucky General Assembly reconvened to continue the people’s business.
The first and most critical order of business was passing House Bill 1, which will lower Kentucky’s income tax from 4 percent to 3.5 percent in January 2026, according to a news release from State Sen. Robby Mills office. This reduction is part of a carefully structured process established by House Bill 8 in the 2022 legislative session.
Every Republican agrees that eliminating the income tax is the ultimate goal, Mills said. However, we are committed to a responsible, step-by-step approach that includes safeguards to protect taxpayers, ensure fiscal stability, and maintain essential government services.
Kentucky’s disciplined approach has earned praise from Moody’s and other leading economic rating agencies for being a well-structured, fiscally sound path to eventually reaching a 0 percent income tax. Unlike the aggressive tax cuts that led to fiscal instability in states like Kansas and West Virginia, Mills said, Kentucky’s plan ensures long-term success without jeopardizing the state’s financial health.
The measured approach ensures tax reductions occur while critical government services are not put at risk. Since implementing these policies, Kentucky taxpayers have saved an estimated $1.8 billion through 2024. With this latest cut, taxpayers will save an additional $718 million annually.
“I was proud to cast my vote to lower individual income taxes and advance Kentucky’s path to greater economic freedom and prosperity,” said Mills.”
“This week, I took to the Senate floor to speak in support of President Donald Trump’s recent executive order to end the attacks on women’s sports,” He continued. “His action reaffirms what we fought for here in Kentucky with the passage of my Save Women’s Sports Act in 2022—protecting fairness and opportunity for female athletes. Biological differences matter in sports, and allowing men to compete in women’s divisions undermines decades of progress for female athletes. President Trump’s leadership on this issue sends a clear message: women’s sports should be for women, and I will continue standing up to defend that principle here in Kentucky.”
Several bills passed this week and will move to the House for consideration.
- SB 17 establishes licensure for freestanding birthing centers in Kentucky, setting regulations for medical directors, informed consent, malpractice insurance, and hospital transfer agreements. Centers with up to four beds are exempt from certificate-of-need requirements. The bill prohibits abortions in these facilities, maintains liability protections, and classifies them as health facilities. Regulations must be in place by Dec. 1, 2025.
- SB 23 strengthens legislative oversight of administrative regulations, clarifying “full review” procedures and requiring agency cooperation. An emergency clause ensures immediate implementation. A Beshear administration amendment, requiring five-day notice before testimony, was accepted before final passage.
- SB 37 assigns burial or cremation decisions to the coroner or local government when no spouse or next of kin is available, ensuring clarity and dignified handling of remains.
- SB 43 improves fairness in driving privilege decisions by streamlining Medical Review Board hearings, improving communication, and allowing individuals access to medical reports. It also prevents license suspensions for unpaid taxes.
- SB 126 proposes a constitutional amendment suspending a governor’s power to issue pardons from 60 days before an election until inauguration, ensuring accountability. If passed with a three-fifths majority, voters would decide on the measure in the next general election.
People may contact Mills’ office at 502-564-8100 or Robby.Mills@kylegislature.gov if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas.