Housing

in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 204: AN ACT relating to duplexes.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 100 to define "duplex"; allow duplexes as a permitted use in all residential zones; prohibit a planning unit from adopting or enforcing regulations that would exclude duplexes in residential zones or impose requirements or fees on duplexes different than those for single-family homes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows duplexes in all residential zones, removing barriers to higher-density housing and increasing supply without additional fees, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 16, 2026

HB 295: AN ACT relating to the screening of residential tenants.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 383 to prohibit landlords from charging screening fees without notice to the applicant; require screening criteria from landlords; require landlords to provide notice of denial to applicants; allow applicants to view the property before a security deposit is paid.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits undisclosed screening fees, mandates transparent criteria/denial notices, and allows property viewing before deposit - strengthening tenant protections under landlord-tenant law.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 319: AN ACT relating to landlords and tenants.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to establish a civil cause of action for a tenant against a landlord who receives a citation for a violation of a local housing code and does not remedy the violation within 90 days; provide that if the cost of the repair exceeds 12 months' rent, the landlord may refund rent and obtain possession of the property within 30 days; establish procedure for determining cost of repair; specify recoverable damages; establish procedure for maintaining a forcible detainer action during the pendency of the tenant's civil action; require rent due during pendency of civil action to be paid into court; declare a waiver of rights to be unenforceable; provide that the Act may be cited as the Make Our Landlords Diligent (M.O.L.D) Act.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tenant legal recourse for landlord non-compliance with housing codes, strengthening tenant protections against unsafe conditions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Kentucky · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 54: AN ACT relating to short-term rentals.

SB 54 defines "short-term rental" in Kentucky law as any dwelling rented for less than 30 days and grants local governments (cities, counties, etc.) authority to regulate these rentals. It requires short-term rentals to comply with existing state and local zoning, building, and fire safety rules. Local governments can implement specific measures like creating rental registries, charging fees, restricting locations, limiting the number of rentals, or requiring owner occupancy during rentals. The bill does not override current safety or zoning laws but gives localities new tools to manage short-term rental operations within their jurisdictions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill empowers local governments to limit short-term rentals, preserving housing stock for long-term residents and preventing displacement, aligning with affordable housing goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 228: AN ACT relating to a tax credit for renters.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to establish a refundable qualified rent payment credit for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2031, in the amount of 25% of the qualified rent payments made during the taxable year, not to exceed $1,000; amend KRS 141.0205 to order the credit; amend KRS 131.190 to allow reporting by the Department of Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRefundable tax credit for renters provides direct tax relief to lower-income households, reducing their tax burden under state tax code.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides refundable tax credit (25% of rent, up to $1,000) for renters, directly reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Kentucky · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 139: AN ACT relating to disabled veterans.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 40 to define terms; create the Residential Ease of Access for Disabled Veterans Program for funding the construction and installation of accessibility ramps on residences of disabled veterans; establish the Residential Ease of Access for Disabled Veterans Program grant fund to be used for the program and administered by the Kentucky Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates a grant fund for housing accessibility modifications (ramps) for disabled veterans' residences, directly funding housing-related improvements under a dedicated program.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates state-funded program for accessibility ramps on veterans' homes, directly expanding housing benefits for disabled veterans through new grant fund administered by VA.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 271: AN ACT relating to affordable housing.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 198A to establish the abandoned home pool fund to be administered by the Kentucky Housing Corporation to purchase and improve vacant and abandoned homes for rental to eligible individuals and families; specify application process and eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new state fund (abandoned home pool fund) under Budget & Financial Administration to finance housing improvements, directly allocating state resources to support affordable housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates abandoned home pool fund to purchase/improve homes for affordable rentals, directly advancing housing access for eligible families per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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in committee · Kentucky · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 142: AN ACT relating to affordable housing, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 198A to define terms; establish the abandoned home pool fund to be administered by the Kentucky Housing Corporation; specify eligible recipients, activities, and uses of fund; amend KRS 64.012 to increase county clerk recording fees and add a $2 fee to be deposited in the abandoned home pool fund; appropriate $25,000,000 from the General Fund to the abandoned home pool fund; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $25M from General Fund to affordable housing fund, directly funding a public service program per budget & appropriations subjects.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAppropriates $25M to abandoned home pool fund for affordable housing initiatives, directly funding housing development and rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Affordable Housing

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in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 242: AN ACT proposing to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to property exempt from taxation.

Propose to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to exempt from taxation a portion of the assessed value of real property maintained as the permanent residence of an owner who is a veteran or first responder; require an owner to meet the disability requirements under Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky; allow real property maintained as the permanent residence of the surviving spouse of a veteran or first responder to receive an exemption based on the qualifiers of the veteran or first responder prior to his or her death; allow the General Assembly to set qualification requirements by law; prohibit a property from receiving more than 1 exemption under this new section of the Constitution of Kentucky; allow the exemption to be in addition to the exemption provided in Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky; provide that the exemptions supersede contrary provisions of Sections 171, 172, and 174 of the Constitution of Kentucky; apply the exemptions to property assessed on or after January 1, 2028; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts veterans' and first responders' primary residences from property tax, providing direct tax relief to eligible homeowners per constitutional change.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax exemption for veterans' and first responders' primary residences, supporting property rights within housing policy by reducing tax burden on specific owner-occupants.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans' primary residence from property tax, providing direct financial benefit per constitutional amendment proposal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 233: AN ACT proposing to amend Section 172B of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to property exempt from taxation.

Propose to amend Section 172B of the Constitution of Kentucky to expand the freeze on an assessment or reassessment moratorium to include the development of property and to remove the 5-year expiration date for the moratorium; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends property tax assessment moratorium indefinitely, providing ongoing tax relief for property owners by preventing reassessment increases.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax freeze on property development, removing expiration, which incentivizes housing construction and development per tax policy indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Development Property Taxes

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