Rep. Nima Kulkarni

Repeal and reenact KRS 344.010 to define terms; amend KRS 344.020, relating to the purpose of the Kentucky's civil rights chapter, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.025, 344.040, 344.050, 344.060, 344.070, and 344.080, relating to prohibited discrimination in various labor and employment practices, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 210.033, 344.030, 344.100 and 344.110 to conform; amend KRS 344.120 and 342.140, relating to prohibited discrimination in places of public accommodation and advertisements, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.170, 344.180, 344.190, 344.300, and 344.310, relating to the state and local human rights commissions, to include the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the scope of their powers and duties; amend KRS 344.360, 344.370, 344.380, and 344.680, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain housing, real estate, and other financial transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.367, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain insurance sales, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.400, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain credit transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 18A.095 to conform; make technical corrections.

Amend KRS 141.019, relating to income tax, to define "professional membership dues" and "union dues"; allow a deduction from gross income for union dues and professional membership dues paid for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2031, and require the Department of Revenue to annually report information about this deduction to the Legislative Research Commission; amend KRS 131.190 to allow the department to report on the exclusion.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; establish the robotics competition fund; establish the Robotics Funding Selection Committee to award grants from the fund to eligible robotics teams competition sponsors; establish committee membership, duties, and set terms; require the Kentucky Department of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to establish procedures for grant applications and distribution of awards by April 1, 2027; set requirements for grant applications; require annual report by August 1 to Legislative Research Commission; provide for initial staggering of appointments; require the committee to hold its first meeting by October 15, 2026; provide that the Act may be cited as the Advanced Manufacturing Through Robotics Education Act.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 11, 2026, as Recovery Advocacy Day in Kentucky. It honors Kentuckians living in long-term recovery from substance use disorders and those supporting their journeys, while encouraging efforts to reduce stigma. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds; it is a symbolic recognition to celebrate resilience and promote awareness. It was adopted by the Kentucky House of Representatives via voice vote on February 11, 2026.

Create new sections of KRS Chapters 45A, 56, and 65 to require that state and local contracts contain a provision that any iron, steel, or aluminum used in all state and local projects be manufactured in the United States unless a waiver is granted; amend KRS 45A.343, 45A.352, 65.027, 162.070, 164A.575, 176.070, 176.080, and 424.260 to conform; provide that Section 1 to 3 of the Act may be cited as the Kentucky Buy American Act.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 establishing the refundable home installation credit, not to exceed $7,500 annually, for qualifying home installations to increase the habitability or efficiency of the residence for individuals that are age 65 or older or have a physical or mental impairment; effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2031; amend KRS 141.0205 to establish ordering of the credit; amend KRS 131.190 to allow information to be provided to the Legislative Research Commission.

Maddy summaryHB 437 eliminates the one-week waiting period for new unemployment benefit claims in Kentucky. It directly affects unemployed workers filing initial claims by allowing them to receive benefits immediately upon eligibility, rather than waiting a week. The bill amends Kentucky Revised Statute 341.350 to remove the requirement for a waiting week, while keeping all other eligibility rules - like work search activities and base-period wage requirements - unchanged. This change applies to all new claims filed after the law takes effect.

Amend KRS 61.315 to include additional cancers which, when they are the cause of death of a firefighter, would make the firefighter eligible for death benefits; make a technical correction.

Amend KRS 342.610 to exclude certain levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in the blood from the presumption that an injury was caused by the introduction of certain substances into the employee's body.

Amend KRS 64.012 to increase and modify fees received by the county clerk; after January 1, 2027, allow recalculation using the CPI-U, with the fee increase going to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund; apply to fees received by county clerks for services provided on or after August 1, 2026.