Bill > HB189

This bill establishes new rules for pedestrians on state-maintained rights-of-way, which are defined as any land or infrastructure maintained by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for public transportation purposes, including travel lanes, shoulders, medians, ramps, and adjacent grassy or drainage areas not specifically designated for pedestrian use. Generally, it prohibits people from sitting, kneeling, reclining, standing, or remaining stationary in any part of a state-maintained right-of-way that isn't meant for pedestrians, with exceptions for medical or vehicle emergencies, emergency personnel, public utility workers, and those in designated pedestrian areas like sidewalks or crosswalks. Local governments can create their own ordinances to allow limited exceptions, provided they have a clear process for authorization, apply rules uniformly, base decisions on objective criteria, limit the duration and scope of any granted exceptions, and keep records of justifications. The Transportation Cabinet is also authorized to create regulations for minimum pedestrian safety standards on these rights-of-way. The bill also makes conforming changes to an existing law (KRS 189.570) that outlines pedestrian rights and responsibilities, including clarifying that drivers must not drive through safety zones and that pedestrians must yield to emergency vehicles.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb189.html