Veterans

This resolution honors Senator Jimmy Higdon upon his retirement from the Kentucky Senate after serving multiple terms. It formally recognizes his contributions to the state, including his leadership on transportation and veterans' committees, and directs the Senate to adjourn in his honor. The document also outlines his personal background and specific achievements, such as overseeing major infrastructure projects and establishing Military Kids Day.

This resolution directs the Kentucky Senate to adjourn its session in honor of Mac Meadows, who recently passed away. The measure formally expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and acknowledges his life as a veteran, church member, and community resident. By adopting this text, the legislative body pauses its business to pay tribute to Meadows rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Recognize the filing of the Major Richard Star Act in the United States Congress, a bill exploring an opportunity for veterans with disabilities to receive their full United States Department of Defense retirement pay and United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation without offset.

Recognize and celebrate the patriotic service and community contributions of veterans and the importance of protecting the earned benefits of our veterans from retaliatory and punitive measures.

Propose to amend Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky to exempt property owned by seniors who are 65 years of age or older and property owned by a former member of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard, who is 100% service-connected combat-related disabled and, upon his death, property owned by his or her surviving spouse; apply to property assessed on or after January 1, 2027; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

This resolution directs the Kentucky Senate to adjourn in honor of Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, a U.S. Army soldier who died from injuries sustained during an attack on a military base in Saudi Arabia. The bill formally recognizes his service as a member of the elite 1st Space Brigade and acknowledges his posthumous promotion to staff sergeant. It requires the Senate Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Senator Matthew Deneen for presentation to Pennington's family. The measure is a commemorative action with no operational policy changes, focusing solely on honoring the deceased soldier's sacrifice.

Commend the valor of Chief Warrant Officer Five Eric A. Slover for demonstrating gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving his country in the United States Army and honoring him as a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

This bill limits the number of students from outside a school district who can enroll in that district's virtual school programs. It requires districts to set a policy for nonresident enrollment and allows them to charge tuition fees for students who do not live in the district. The law establishes enrollment caps, starting with a statewide limit of 1% of total student enrollment and a district-specific limit of 10% of each district's student enrollment, with specific exceptions for military dependents, siblings, and students with medical needs. School districts must report enrollment data to the state, and the department will monitor and enforce these limits, with a provision that districts must stop accepting nonresident virtual students after June 30, 2028, unless further permission is granted.

This bill directs the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to officially name a bridge on Route 2523 in Lewis County as the Lewis County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge. The resolution requires the agency to install signage identifying the bridge within 30 days of the bill's effective date. This measure serves as a commemorative designation honoring Vietnam War veterans and does not alter any operational or funding aspects of the bridge. The bill focuses solely on renaming the infrastructure to recognize the service of veterans from that conflict.

Urge the United States Department of War and the federal government to protect the earned benefits of our veterans from retaliatory and punitive measures.