Senator Jimmy Higdon’s Legislative Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 9, 2026

Contact: Dustin R. Isaacs

Dustin.Isaacs@kylegislature.gov

(C.) 502-682-2591| (O.) 502-564-2450 (Ext: 59230)

SENATOR JIMMY HIGDON'S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Week one of the 2026 Legislative Session

As the 2026 Legislative Session begins, I want to start with a personal note. This is my final term serving as your state senator. I’ve got to say it’s been one of the greatest honors of my life to represent the good people of LaRue, Marion, Nelson, Spencer, and Washington counties.

I’ve truly enjoyed our time together—whether through legislative coffee events, local visits, or just catching up across the district. I also want to thank our local newspapers for faithfully printing these updates. I look forward to staying in touch throughout the session and hope you’ll follow along.

I would like to invite you to attend the 24th Annual Josephine Nuckols Legislative Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, January 17, at Lebanon Methodist Church, located at 236 N. Spalding Ave. Breakfast will be served at 8 a.m., followed by the prayer service at 9 a.m. The guest speaker for this year’s event will be Brother Lee Watts.

To begin, you’ll probably notice a change in your paycheck this month. The state income tax rate dropped to 3.5 percent on January 1. That’s down from 6 percent just a few years ago. Each half-percent cut leaves about $700 million with Kentucky families.

The first week is mostly procedural, but it kicks off our 60-day budget session. As your senator, I’ll keep pushing for responsible, pro-growth policies. The governor shared his budget suggestions on Wednesday, and we now await the House’s proposal, which the Senate will review once it’s passed.

We’ve got a full plate this session—economic growth, affordability, education, housing, public safety—but our biggest job is passing a new two-year state budget and road plan. 

As Senate Transportation Committee chair, I’ll be focused on building a solid, forward-looking road plan. I also serve as co-chair of the Public Pension Oversight Board, where I’ll continue pushing for full pension funding to keep our retirement systems strong for teachers and state employees. They’ve seen a lot of improvement over the last decade. 

We’re also reviewing policy proposals, and I’ve filed two in particular that I want to highlight.

SUPPORTING LOCAL TEACHER WORKFORCE

Senate Bill 22 helps students become teachers and stay in the communities they love. It supports Kentucky’s “grow your own” effort by expanding free dual credit for high school students in registered teacher apprenticeship programs. Starting in 2027, eligible students could earn up to 20 college credit hours toward a teaching degree -- all while still in high school.

School districts that participate must offer those students a guaranteed job once they’re certified, as long as there’s a vacancy. I’ve seen this work in our area, and I believe we can grow a strong, homegrown teacher workforce across Kentucky.

HONORING CAMBERLEIGH BURNS AND SAVING LIVES

Senate Bill 28, the Phone Down Kentucky Act, is deeply personal. Alyssa Burns, a young mother from Kentucky, lost her 2-year-old daughter, Camberleigh, in a crash caused by a distracted driver. That driver never even hit the brakes.

Right now, our law bans texting while driving, but it still allows folks to scroll, dial, or hold their phones. This bill would close that loophole by requiring hands-free use -- no touching the phone while driving. The goal isn’t punishment, it’s prevention. Every Kentuckian deserves to make it home safe, and I believe this bill will help save lives.

ADDITIONAL BILLS FILED

Other bills filed this week include one that’d boost classroom safety by letting certain students who assault teachers be tried as adults and face a mandatory 12-month expulsion. It would also require that all attempted assaults on school staff be reported, with penalties for noncompliance.

Our Senate Budget chair, Chris McDaniel of northern Kentucky, has also filed a proposed constitutional amendment that would reasonably limit a governor’s power to issue pardons at the end of their term. If approved by three-fifths of both chambers, the measure would go on the general election ballot for voters to decide. Senate leadership marked it as a top-10 priority.

I’m also planning to co-sponsor a bill from Sen. Aaron Reed of Shelbyville, which would return some driver’s licensing services to the county level. I expect that to be filed soon.

All these bills, and others, can be reviewed at legislature.ky.gov. You’ll also find updates and press releases at KYSenateRepublicans.com. I encourage you to sign up for email updates from the Senate Majority Caucus while you’re there.

STAYING INVOLVED

As committee work ramps up during week two, it’s a great time to stay engaged. You can stream committee hearings and Senate sessions live or on demand through KET or the Legislative Research Commission’s YouTube channel. Archived footage of recent meetings is also available on those pages.

Week one sets the tone, but the hard work lies ahead. I’ll keep giving you my very best and listening to your concerns as I work every day to represent you in Frankfort.

You can reach my office at 502-564-8100 or by emailing me atJimmy.Higdon@kylegislature.gov.

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Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, represents the 14th Senate District, including LaRue, Marion, Nelson, Spencer, and Washington Counties. Higdon serves as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, overseeing efforts to craft biennial road plans, advance Kentucky’s transportation infrastructure, and improve public safety. He also serves as Senate co-chair of the Public Pension Oversight Board, focusing on stabilizing and strengthening Kentucky’s pension systems through reform and surplus investment. Additionally, Higdon is a member of the Senate Committees on Education, Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection, and Licensing and Occupations. He is also a member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation. During the 2025 interim, he served on the Kentucky Housing Task Force. In September, Higdon announced he will retire from the state Senate at the conclusion of his current term at the end of 2026. The 2026 Budget Session will be his final representing the 14th Senate District. 



Visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate114.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Higdon.