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SB 37 Kentucky Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to state symbols.

SB 37 designates the Treeing Walker Coonhound as Kentucky's official state dog. This bill, currently in committee, adds a specific designation to Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) Chapter 2 without creating new laws or affecting any policies. It directly affects Kentucky's official state symbols but has no impact on residents, regulations, or funding. The bill's sole provision is the formal naming of the breed as the state dog, based on its historical ties to Kentucky and recognition by kennel clubs.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Signed Apr 27, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Current/Final · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was expanded from a simple designation of the Treeing Walker Coonhound as the state dog to a broader 'state symbols' act. It now officially recognizes the Treeing Walker Coonhound as the state dog, domestic cats and dogs as official pets, the eastern spotted skunk as the state nongame mammal, and the eastern hellbender as the state amphibian. The text also added extensive 'Whereas' clauses justifying these designations by highlighting the importance of animal shelter adoption and conservation awareness.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a single animal designation to include four distinct state symbols (dog, pets, mammal, amphibian) and added legislative findings regarding animal welfare.
SCOPE

Added designations for domestic cats and dogs as official pets, the eastern spotted skunk as the state nongame mammal, and the eastern hellbender as the state amphibian.

Inserted multiple 'Whereas' clauses to provide legislative justification, focusing on animal shelter statistics, the need for adoption awareness, and environmental conservation.

Changed the title from 'designating the state dog breed' to 'relating to state symbols' to reflect the broader range of animals now included.

Updated the bill number and document headers to reflect the new bill number (SB 37) and its status as an engrossed version.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 15, 2026

How they voted

42–1
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 44
Apr 15, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican38
36 Yea 1 Nay 1
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
10
Committee
7
Amendments
3
Apr 27, 2026
Signed into law
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 200)
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed 36-1
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in Floor Amendments (1) and (3) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Introduced
posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendments (1) and (3) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 83-7 with Floor Amendments (1) and (3) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Introduced
floor amendments (3) and (4-title) filed
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Introduced
floor amendments (1) and (2-title) filed
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Committee
to Agriculture (H)
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 36-0
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
upper
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
to Agriculture (S)
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.