GA 2026: In the Governor’s Hands
KCC “Hot Bill” list- These are significant bills nearing final actions
On bills up for a veto, contact the Governor here.
On remaining bills, call the legislative message line at 1-800-372-7181 (Monday-Friday 7AM-6PM) to express your views. You may also email your legislators if the phone lines are closed.
Few Days Left for the Governor to Act
The Governor’s veto period began on April 2nd. He now has up to this coming Monday, April 13th to complete his work on bills before lawmakers return on April 14-15 for the final two days of the 2026 General Assembly.
the Governor has 10 days (excluding Sundays) to sign, veto, or allow a bill to become law without a signature. The General Assembly can override a veto with a simple majority vote (50% + 1) in both the House and Senate. Any bills passed in the final two days of the session ("Sine Die") cannot be overridden if vetoed.
Governor’s Actions This Past Week: Of the bills that KCC has reviewed, the Governor signed House Bill 111 and Senate Bill 155 on animal health care, and Senate Bill 57 on nuclear energy (more on nuclear below). He also signed Senate Bill 222 relating to environmental covenants and House Bill 436 allowing the PGA HOPE program to use golf courses at state parks.
He also allowed Senate Bill 19 designating the Indigo Milkcap as the official state mushroom to become law without his signature.
This week the Governor also vetoed Senate Bill 59 related to prohibited uses of tax dollars and resources. His veto message in part stated: “As written, Senate Bill 59 is far too broad and violates the First Amendment. It would prohibit members of the General Assembly from speaking from their annex offices or on state or public property about constitutional amendments set to appear on the ballot…”
There are still many bills remaining for action. See KCC’s “Hot Bill List” for highlights. These bills can change daily, so check this list daily for updates.
Nuclear Legislation Signed
This past Wednesday, Governor Beshear signed Senate Bill 57 into law, establishing the Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program. The program will support early-stage development of advanced nuclear energy projects in the state, assisting with federal permitting and licensing while maintaining accountability measures to protect taxpayers. The law allows the state to invest up to $25 million per approved project, with $75 million in authorized funding secured to support up to three initial projects. The pilot program is designed to coordinate efforts across state government, research institutions, utilities and private-sector nuclear developers to accelerate project readiness and attract long-term economic development. This is the latest legislative action to move nuclear projects in Kentucky.
This comes on the heels of news at the end of March where Governor Beshear announced a $1.76 billion project by Global Laser Enrichment would be coming to Paducah to re-enrich depleted uranium, making it the largest capital investment in the history of western Kentucky.
In 2017, Kentucky's nuclear development moratorium was lifted through Senate Bill 11.
During the 2023 session, lawmakers passed Senate Joint Resolution 79, calling for the formation of the Nuclear Energy Development Working Group to identify barriers in place to the deployment of nuclear power generation. KCC was one of over twenty members within this working group.
In 2024, the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority was created through Senate Bill 198 to coordinate strategy and attract private-sector investment.
Still Time to Submit Public Comments on Nuclear
The Public Service Commission has now completed a series of six in-person public information meetings held around the state to hear public comments on Kentucky’s plans for nuclear projects. If you were not able to attend these meetings in person, we urge you to send comments to the Public Service Commission, Case No. 2025-00186. You can submit comments to the Kentucky Public Service Commissionby email to psc.info@ky.gov or by mail to 211 Sower Blvd, PO Box 615, Frankfort, KY 40602, ensuring you include the relevant case number. Comments are public record and can also be submitted online through the PSC website.
KCC and Allies at Housing Conference
We were glad to see a “full house” at this week’s Metropolitan Housing Coalition conference“Beyond the Rent: Policy Driven Solutions for Housing and Utility Burdens.”We want to thank MHC for inviting KCC to facilitate a panel on renewable energy along with guests Andy McDonald and Seth Long, who answered our most pressing questions on how renewables can impact residential affordability. While the conference is over, there are valuable reports from the conference that can be found on the conference website linked above. We urge you to explore these resources! More here.
Upcoming Events for Earth Month and Beyond
You may see KCC at several events starting this Earth Month and throughout the Summer. Here’s where you can find us over the next few months, so come visit with us!
April 14, 2026 (Tuesday, 9AM-4PM) -KCC will be at the 6th annual Bluegrass Greensource Sustainability Summit at the University of Kentucky Gatton Student Center. The Summit brings together community and business leaders seeking to move the sustainability needle and enact change in their own communities.
April 18, 2026 (Saturday, 10AM-2PM) The 2026 Danville Boyle County Earth Day Festival will be held on Saturday, April 18, at Constitution Square Park, 100 E. Main St., Danville. This will be the fifteenth Earth Day Festival in our community. From past experiences, we expect around 500 participants and 30 to 40 exhibitors. In addition to the exhibits, there will be music, service projects, food vendors, and children’s activities.
April 19, 2026 (Sunday Noon-3PM) Earthapalooza! An Earth Day celebration at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington, 3564 Clays Mill Rd, Lexington.
April 25, 2026 (Saturday 9AM-4PM) New Pioneers Green Festival, Springfield, KY. The Springfield Green Festival is annual event that builds awareness of environmental issues and inspires action to support a healthy and sustainable planet.
April 25th, 2026 (Saturday 10AM-4PM) KCC at Bluegrass Birding Festival, McConnell Springs Park, Lexington.
May 12, 2026 (Tuesday) Kentucky Gives Day -KY Gives Day is an opportunity for Kentuckians (near and far) to come together to make donations to participating Kentucky charities in an effort to raise as much money as possible in 24 hours. The Kentucky Conservation Committee’s foundation will be a participant this year.
May 12-13, 2026 (Tuesday-Wed 8AM-5PM) KCC at Nuclear Innovations conference, Frankfort, KY.
May 16, 2026 (Saturday 9:30AM-5PM) KCC at the Kentucky Solar Energy Society Annual Meeting, Lexington.
May 30, 2026 (Saturday, 8:30AM-2PM) KCC at Bluegrass Greensource Riverfest, Clifton Boat Ramp, Woodford County.
August 28, 2026 (Friday Evening) KCC hosts the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, Lexington.
September 19, 2026 (Saturday 10AM-2PM) —KCC at Monarch Fest - Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, Lexington. This free event will feature kids’ crafts, monarch tagging, make-your-own-pollinator seed mix, and other activities.
October 24, 2026 (Saturday, 10AM) — KCC at Louisville Earth Walk, Seneca Park, Louisville. Come join KCC and other environmental nonprofits for a celebration of safe and clean water, air and soil.