Kentucky House Committee Approves Bill Creating Unclaimed Property Week

Legislation would establish annual awareness week, modernize state treasury requirements

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Kentucky House Standing Committee on State Government unanimously approved legislation Wednesday that would designate the fourth week of September as Unclaimed Property Week, while also modernizing several state treasury requirements. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chris Freeland, R-Benton, aims to raise public awareness about nearly $88 million in unclaimed assets that have been returned to Kentucky residents in recent years.

Why it matters

Unclaimed property includes dormant bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, unclaimed insurance benefits, utility deposits and forgotten safe deposit box contents. The Kentucky State Treasury maintains custody of these assets until rightful owners — or their heirs — come forward to claim them. The bill seeks to better educate Kentuckians on how to reclaim property that is rightfully theirs.

The details

House Bill 456 would establish an annual Unclaimed Property Week during the fourth week of September. The bill also eliminates two outdated state requirements: a longstanding mandate that the state treasurer must live in Frankfort and a prohibition on unclaimed property claims related to mineral proceeds.

  • The Kentucky House Standing Committee on State Government unanimously approved the legislation on Wednesday.

The players

Rep. Chris Freeland

The Republican state representative from Benton, Kentucky who sponsored House Bill 456.

Kentucky State Treasury

The state agency that maintains custody of unclaimed property assets until rightful owners or their heirs come forward to claim them.

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What they’re saying

“'Unclaimed Property Week will be a time to highlight a function of our state treasury that many Kentuckians don't know about.'”

— Rep. Chris Freeland, Sponsor of House Bill 456 (marshallcountydaily.com)

“'My hope with this bill is that Kentuckians can become better educated on how to reclaim the property that is entitled to them.'”

— Rep. Chris Freeland, Sponsor of House Bill 456 (marshallcountydaily.com)

What’s next

The measure now advances to the full Kentucky House of Representatives for consideration.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to raise awareness about the millions of dollars in unclaimed property held by the Kentucky State Treasury, and make it easier for rightful owners to reclaim what is theirs. By establishing an annual Unclaimed Property Week and modernizing outdated treasury requirements, the bill seeks to connect more Kentuckians with the assets they are owed.