More than 100 bills were passed in Kentucky during the 2025 legislative session, with many becoming law on Friday, June 27. Kentucky’s Constitution states that new laws take effect 90 days following the adjournment of the Kentucky General Assembly. These new laws include several priorities of the business community.
House Bill 1, which further reduces the individual income tax rate to 3.5%, will take effect January 1, 2026.
Bills that take effect on June 27:
Occupational Safety and Health
House Bill 398 implements key reforms to Kentucky’s occupational safety and health regulations to streamline compliance for businesses while continuing to ensure safe workplaces. This legislation will improve Kentucky’s overall business competitiveness. New de minimis violations and potential reductions in training expenses will also lead to direct savings for employers, as employers will now have to comply with one set of rules instead of a combination of state and federal rules.
Planning and Zoning
House Bill 321 requires planning commissioners and board of adjustment members to have specific training on the impact of planning and zoning on housing supply and accessibility. This bill also provides that only individuals or entities that own real property within the same zone of a final action may claim to be injured or aggrieved by said final action of a board of adjustments. This will prevent unnecessary delays to needed development projects in local communities.
Advanced Educational Opportunities
House Bill 190 requires Kentucky school boards to develop plans for advanced coursework and accelerated learning for students in grades 4-12, including automatic enrollment.
Military Health Care Personnel
House Bill 303 directs the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to create academic pathways and bridge programs that help military health care personnel transition to civilian health care careers.
Film Industry
Senate Bill 1 establishes the Kentucky Film Office within the Cabinet for Economic Development to promote and support the state’s film industry and creates the Kentucky Film Leadership Council.
Air Quality Monitoring
House Bill 137 ensures that only the most current air quality data collection methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are used to enforce air quality standards in Kentucky.
Bills that are already in effect through an emergency clause:
Air Permit Fees
House Bill 346 updates Kentucky’s air quality regulations by defining “emergency stationary internal combustion engine,” setting standards for emissions fee assessments.
Driver Licensing
House Bill 15 allows 15-year-olds to apply for a motor vehicle instruction permit, giving them more time to gain driving experience before obtaining an intermediate license at 16.
Critical Infrastructure Protection
Senate Bill 64 expands protections against tampering with or damaging critical infrastructure in Kentucky, such as cable, telephone, broadband, and electrical highway infrastructure.
Highway Work Zones
House Bill 664 establishes a pilot program for automated speed enforcement in highway work zones, issuing civil citations to drivers exceeding the speed limit by over 10 miles per hour when workers are present.
Regulated Beverages
Senate Bill 202 establishes a regulatory framework for hemp-derived beverages.
See more bills passed during the 2025 legislative session by reading the Kentucky Chamber’s 2025 Results for Business publication.