Kentucky Senate Stalls 'Troy's Law' After House Approval

Legislation aimed at improving safety for tow truck drivers faces roadblock in state legislature.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:09am

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A bill known as 'Troy's Law' that would allow tow truck operators in Kentucky to install green warning lights on their vehicles has stalled in the state Senate after passing the House earlier this year. The legislation is named after Troy Caldwell, a 54-year-old tow truck driver who was killed on Interstate 64 in Bath County after being struck by a semi-truck. Bubba Johnson, Caldwell's friend and fellow tow truck driver, has been advocating for the bill's passage, but it has not advanced in the Senate since being assigned to a committee in March.

Why it matters

The proposed law is intended to increase visibility and safety for tow truck drivers and roadside crews responding to incidents on Kentucky's highways. Tow truck operators say close calls are far more common than reported fatalities, and they hope the green warning lights would help prevent such tragedies.

The details

House Bill 282, also known as 'Troy's Law,' would allow tow truck operators and roadside crews to install green warning lights on the front and rear of their vehicles. The lights would only be used when the vehicles are stopped to respond to incidents, not while driving. The bill was first introduced in 2025 but did not advance. It was refiled in 2026 and passed the House in early March, but has since stalled in the Senate.

  • The bill was first introduced in 2025 but did not advance.
  • The bill was refiled in 2026 as House Bill 282.
  • The House passed House Bill 282 in early March 2026.
  • The Senate has not taken up the bill since its House passage.

The players

Troy Caldwell

A 54-year-old tow truck driver who was killed on Interstate 64 in Bath County after being struck by a semi-truck, inspiring the proposed 'Troy's Law'.

Bubba Johnson

Caldwell's friend and fellow tow truck driver who has been advocating for the passage of 'Troy's Law'.

Kentucky House of Representatives

The state legislative chamber that approved House Bill 282, also known as 'Troy's Law'.

Kentucky Senate

The state legislative chamber that has not taken up House Bill 282 since its passage in the House.

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What they’re saying

“It's very sad that the Senate automatically wouldn't take a bill like this that had full House support and so much support throughout Kentucky. I mean, the support that we've gained for Troy's Law in the past two years is really astronomical.”

— Bubba Johnson, Tow truck driver and advocate for 'Troy's Law'

“Allowing us to put [green] lights on the rear of our tow trucks. They'd be rear-facing not only the only time you'd be using them, but when he was at a wreck or on the side of the highway loading the vehicle. You wouldn't be using them going up and down the highway or for any other reason in there, on the rear of the vehicle only.”

— Bubba Johnson, Tow truck driver and advocate for 'Troy's Law'

“They hear about these deaths real regularly because it's a big thing. People really are dying out here on the side of the highway. But what they don't hear about is how the almost or the 'Oh man, that was a close call.' Nobody hears about that stuff. If they had that number to piled in with the number of deaths, this wouldn't even be on table.”

— Bubba Johnson, Tow truck driver and advocate for 'Troy's Law'

What’s next

Bubba Johnson said he will continue to push for the passage of 'Troy's Law' in the Kentucky Senate.

The takeaway

The stalling of 'Troy's Law' in the Kentucky Senate despite its House approval highlights the challenges of enacting safety legislation, even when there is widespread support for measures aimed at protecting vulnerable workers like tow truck drivers.