Kentucky House Approves Slew of Bills, Including School Bus Safety and 'Food is Medicine'

Lawmakers in Frankfort consider over 800 bills as key deadlines approach.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Kentucky House of Representatives approved a range of bills this week, including measures to improve school bus safety, strengthen election integrity, and establish a 'Food is Medicine' program. The flurry of legislative activity comes as lawmakers face key deadlines for filing new bills in the coming weeks.

Why it matters

The bills passed by the House this week address a variety of issues important to Kentuckians, from ensuring the safety of schoolchildren to promoting evidence-based approaches in education and healthcare. As the legislative session progresses, these measures will now move to the Senate for consideration, shaping the policy landscape in the Commonwealth.

The details

The House approved several notable bills this week, including HB 7 to allow school districts to use camera systems on buses to enforce penalties against drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. HB 139 would strengthen election integrity procedures, while HB 253 would phase out the 'three-cueing' reading method in favor of evidence-based instruction. HJR 25 would declare Kentucky a 'Food is Medicine' state, encouraging state agencies to expand programs using nutrition as part of medical care and disease prevention.

  • The House passed these bills on February 13, 2026.
  • March 4 is the final day for new House bills to be filed.
  • March 2 is the deadline for new Senate bills to be filed.

The players

Kentucky House of Representatives

The lower chamber of the Kentucky state legislature, responsible for introducing and passing bills.

Kentucky Senate

The upper chamber of the Kentucky state legislature, which will now consider the bills passed by the House.

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What they’re saying

“The pace will only quicken as key deadlines approach: March 4 marks the final day for new House bills to be filed, and March 2 is the deadline in the Senate.”

— Staff Report (marshallcountydaily.com)

What’s next

The bills passed by the House will now move to the Kentucky Senate for consideration, where they must be approved before being sent to the governor for signature or veto.

The takeaway

The flurry of legislative activity in Frankfort reflects the wide range of priorities and concerns voiced by Kentuckians, with lawmakers working to address issues such as school safety, election integrity, and innovative approaches to healthcare and education.