SB 69 Kentucky Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to the autism spectrum disorder trust fund and declaring an emergency.

Summary
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to allow a contribution to be made to the autism spectrum disorder trust fund through an income tax refund designation effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026; require the designation to be printed on the face of the individual income tax form; require a description of the trust fund in the individual income tax return instructions; require the Department of Revenue to transfer the funds designated to the autism spectrum disorder trust fund; create a new section of KRS Chapter 211 to create the autism spectrum disorder trust fund; amend KRS194A.624 to require the Advisory Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders to administer the trust fund; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission and to promulgate administrative regulations; EMERGENCY.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Apr 3, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Current/Final · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was significantly rewritten to replace a tax refund checkoff system with a dedicated trust fund funded by state appropriations and grants. The scope of the Advisory Council was expanded from a small group to include 24 specific members representing various state departments, universities, and community organizations to better coordinate autism services. The fund's purpose remains focused on research and services for Kentuckians with autism spectrum disorders.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from a voluntary taxpayer contribution mechanism to a state-administered trust fund, and the advisory council's composition was substantially broadened to include more diverse stakeholders.
FISCAL

Funding source changed from taxpayer income tax refund checkoffs to state appropriations, grants, and contributions.

REQUIREMENT

The Advisory Council membership was expanded from 14 members to 24 members, adding representatives from additional state agencies, universities, and specific autism organizations.

The Council's responsibilities were updated to include specific mandates for strengthening collaboration and gathering data on service quality.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was reorganized from a tax code amendment to a general state statute, changing the chapter reference from 141 to 194A.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2026

How they voted

440
Passed
Total votes 44
Mar 25, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican38
38 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
13
Committee
11
Apr 3, 2026
Signed into law
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 19)
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed 38-0
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in House Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 93-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 2nd reading, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Committee
to Appropriations & Revenue (H)
lower
Mar 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
returned to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Mar 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
taken from Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 37-0
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Committee
to Appropriations & Revenue (S)
upper
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.