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HB 78 Kentucky House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to firearms liability protections and declaring an emergency.

Summary
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 411 to define terms; establish liability protections for manufacturers and sellers of firearms against specified legal actions arising from criminal or unlawful use of firearms or ammunition; establish criteria for proceedings including timelines and burden of proof; establish a civil cause of action for violation of the extended protections for manufacturers and sellers and delineate available damages; provide the Attorney General with enforcement authority; provide that the Act may be cited as the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms (PLCAA) Clarification Act of 2026; EMERGENCY.
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 7, 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 tighten liability protections for firearms manufacturers and sellers. The original version allowed lawsuits to proceed if a manufacturer violated specific state or federal laws regarding firearm sales. The new version removes this exception, making it much harder to sue manufacturers unless the product itself was defective or the seller knowingly gave a gun to someone who would misuse it.
Scope change
The bill's scope of protection for manufacturers was expanded by removing the 'negligent marketing' exception that previously allowed certain lawsuits to proceed based on violations of firearm sales laws.
ELIGIBILITY

Removed the provision allowing lawsuits to proceed if a manufacturer violated a state or federal statute regulating firearm sales.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Qualified product' and expanded the definition of 'Negligent entrustment' to clarify when sellers are liable.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific exclusions to prevent lawsuits based on design defects, breach of contract, or harm caused by criminal acts of the user.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the text to emphasize that manufacturers should not be held liable for the criminal misuse of lawfully sold products.

Floor votes · House Mar 17, 2026

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
43
Key actions
14
Committee
11
Amendments
1
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 31-6
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 80-19
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 3, 2026
Vetoed
Vetoed
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
passed 76-16
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
House concurred in Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Mar 27, 2026
Committee
to Rules (H)
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 32-6 with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Committee
to Judiciary (S)
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 75-17 with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
to Judiciary (H)
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Introduced
introduced in House
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.