HB 10 Kentucky House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to executive branch operations and declaring an emergency.

Summary
Amend KRS 15.020 to define "entity of the executive branch"; require the Attorney General, in consultation with the Finance and Administration Cabinet, to review and approve or disapprove any settlement of pending or threatened litigation within 180 days before a gubernatorial inauguration that exceeds $1,000,000; amend KRS 18A.111 to require a 24-month probationary period to any person who at any time in 18 months prior to a gubernatorial inauguration is appointed to a position in the classified service and who held a position that was unclassified under KRS 18A.115; deny that person any preferences in hiring or reemployment; amend KRS 45A.095 to define "executive branch agency"; require any contract executed or renewed through noncompetitive negotiation within 180 days preceding a gubernatorial inauguration be certified as necessary due to an emergency condition by the State Treasurer and secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet; amend KRS 171.530 to require certain records be preserved in the 12 months preceding a gubernatorial inauguration for the Governor-elect and his or her transition team; amend KRS 171.990 to find any person who violates KRS 171.530 be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor; grant the Attorney General concurrent original jurisdiction to enforce.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Signed Apr 14, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Current/Final · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was significantly rewritten to shift its focus from general gubernatorial transition procedures to broader executive branch operations and ethics. It now includes new definitions for executive branch roles, establishes immunity for whistleblowers who report criminal conduct or ethics violations by officials, and creates new secretary positions for specific program cabinets.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a narrow focus on the transition period to include ongoing executive branch operations, new personnel roles, and whistleblower protections.
DEFINITION

New definitions were added to clarify who counts as an 'entity of the executive branch' and 'executive branch official' for legal and ethical purposes.

ENFORCEMENT

A new provision grants immunity from criminal prosecution and ethical penalties to individuals who report evidence of misconduct by executive branch officials, provided they do not commit perjury.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were established to create secretary positions for specific program cabinets, with these secretaries serving as chairpersons and requiring Senate confirmation.

SCOPE

The bill's title and primary purpose were changed from 'gubernatorial transitions' to 'executive branch operations,' indicating a broader legislative intent.

Floor votes · House Feb 18, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
56
Key actions
23
Committee
21
Apr 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
passed 32-6
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Vetoed
posted for passage for consideration of Governor's veto
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
passed 79-19
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Vetoed
veto overridden
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Vetoed
posted for consideration of Governor's veto
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Committee
to Rules (H)
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Vetoed
Vetoed
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
passed 72-17
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Free Conference Committee report adopted in House
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
posted for passage for consideration of Free Conference Committee Report
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Committee
to Rules (H)
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
passed 32-5
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Free Conference Committee report adopted in Senate
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
posted for passage for consideration of Free Conference Conference Committee Report
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Free Conference Committee report filed in House and Senate
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Free Conference Committee appointed in House and Senate
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Committee report adopted in House and Senate
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Committee report filed in House and Senate
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Committee appointed in House and Senate
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
lower
Mar 27, 2026
Committee
to Rules (H)
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 32-6 with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 2nd reading, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Committee
to State & Local Government (S)
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 78-18 with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Committee
to State Government (H)
lower
Jan 16, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Jan 16, 2026
Introduced
introduced in House
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.