Kentucky Lawmakers Advance Education, Data Center Bills in Final Days of Session

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As the Kentucky General Assembly heads into the final two legislative days, Republican lawmakers have advanced a flurry of bills covering education, data centers, and other policy areas. The pace has picked up as the GOP supermajority works to hammer out differences and determine which measures will become law before the governor's veto period begins.

Why it matters

The bills moving through the legislature reflect the Republican priorities in Kentucky, including tightening school discipline policies, restricting how public schools can discuss ballot measures, and providing tax incentives for data centers. The final days of the session will determine which of these proposals make it to the governor's desk.

The details

Key bills include SB 101 to mandate longer expulsions for students who attack school staff, SB 2 to limit superintendent pay raises, SB 59 to prohibit schools from advocating on ballot measures, and SB 197 to create tax credits for rural data centers while regulating their impact on utility costs. Other measures address topics like firearm liability, public records requests, and driver's license renewals.

• The legislative session has two days remaining before the governor's veto period begins.
• Next Wednesday is the last day to pass 'veto-proof' bills.
• Lawmakers will return in mid-April to potentially override any of the governor's vetoes.

What’s next

The House and Senate must still reconcile differences on several bills before they can be sent to the governor. Beshear will then have the opportunity to sign or veto the legislation during the upcoming veto period.