During legislative sessions,
Kentucky Retirement Systems tracks proposed legislation of importance to the Systems
and its members as the legislation moves through the process. We also assist legislators, government officials and other
stakeholders by providing information on KRS-administered benefit programs and
addressing constituent inquiries throughout the year.
The 2018 Regular Session began on
Tuesday, January 2, 2018 and adjourned Sine Die
on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Below you will find Legislative Summaries, information about Senate Bill 151 (the pension reform bill), a list of important KRS-related legislation that became law this Session, and the final Tracking Lists posted by the Systems after the General Assembly adjourned Sine Die.
1. Legislative Summaries - 2018 Kentucky General Assembly:
2018 Pension Reform Summary
House Bill 185 Summary
2. Senate Bill 151 Information:
On June 20, 2018 Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled Senate Bill 151, the pension reform bill, unenforceable because the legislative process violated certain provisions of the Kentucky Constitution. Judge Shepherd's ruling does not affect other bills related to KRS that were enacted during the 2018 legislative session.
The case has been appealed to the Kentucky Supreme Court and a hearing was held on September 20, 2018, but the Supreme Court has not issued their ruling yet. We will post additional information on this website and in our social media outlets when it becomes available.
Senate Bill 151 Summary
Actuarial Analysis for Nonhazardous
Actuarial Analysis for Hazardous
3. Legislative Update: KRS-Related Actions of the 2018 Kentucky General Assembly:
The Veto period for all bills that were passed on the last day of the 2018 Regular Session ended on April 26, 2018. Here are the main KRS-related Bills and Resolutions that passed the General Assembly this Session:
The following bills all had Emergency clauses, which means they became law as soon as the Governor signed them:
House Bill 185 (Death in Line of Duty – EMERGENCY). View HB185 Summary
House Bill 265 (HB 200 State Executive Branch Budget "Cleanup" bill – EMERGENCY). The Governor did not actually sign this bill, but it became law without his signature.
House Bill 362 (Voluntary cessation of participating agencies – EMERGENCY). The General Assembly voted to override the Governor's veto of this bill, and it became law on April 14, 2018.
House Bill 366 (Revenue bill – EMERGENCY). The General Assembly also voted to override the Governor's veto of this bill, and it became law on April 14, 2018.
The following bills took effect on Saturday, July 14, 2018, per Office of the Attorney General Opinion OAG 18-007 unless the bill contained language that specifies another effective date:
Senate Bill 88 (City mandates).
Senate Bill 151 (Pension reform bill). Portions of this bill become effective on specific dates. Please refer to the SB 151 summary for more information.
House Bill 200 (State Executive Branch Budget bill, covering Fiscal Years 2018-2019 and 2019-2020). The General Assembly voted to override the Governor's veto of this bill on April 14, 2018.
House Bill 487 (HB 362 cleanup bill). The Governor did not actually sign this bill, but it became law without his signature.
Due to legislative changes from the 2017 Session, Gubernatorial appointees to the KRS Board of Trustees now require Senate confirmation. The following Senate Resolutions were all passed on March 20, 2018:
Senate Resolution 280 confirmed the appointment of Patrick Kelly Downard to the KRS Board of Trustees.
Senate Resolution 281 confirmed the appointment of David Michael Gallagher to the KRS Board of Trustees.
Senate Resolution 282 confirmed the appointment of Matthew L. Monteiro to the KRS Board of Trustees.
Senate Resolution 283 confirmed the appointment of James Fulkerson to the KRS Board of Trustees.
Senate Resolution 284 confirmed the appointment of Wilburn Joe Brothers to the KRS Board of Trustees.
4. Final Tracking Lists for KRS-Related Legislation (2018 Regular Session):
5. Board of Trustees Annual Board Meeting (April 19, 2018):
Legislative Update Presentation
Please be advised that these legislative summaries are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice regarding the legislative meaning, purpose, intent, application or administration of a particular statutory change.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the impact of a particular piece of legislation, please contact the Legislative Research Commission or a qualified attorney. If you have questions regarding your Kentucky Retirement Systems benefits, please contact the Retirement Systems through our webpage at kyret.ky.gov or by telephone at (800) 928-4646.