summary
Introduced
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
In Committee
02/23/2026
02/23/2026
Crossed Over
02/23/2026
02/23/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amend KRS 150.170 to exempt a bona fide private landowner from any fishing restrictions imposed in KRS Chapter 150 or the administrative regulations promulgated thereunder relating to creel, possession, size, or method of take; allow a private landowner to extend the same rights and privileges relating to fishing in lakes or ponds located on the landowner's property to any person in written or electronic form; allow the stocking of certain largemouth bass in private lakes and ponds without restriction; exempt a bona fide private landowner from any lake or pond stocking restrictions except with regard to prohibitions on the stocking of invasive fish.
AI Summary
This bill amends existing Kentucky law (KRS 150.170) to grant significant new fishing privileges to bona fide private landowners regarding lakes and ponds on their property. Specifically, it exempts these landowners from all fishing restrictions related to creel limits (how many fish can be kept), possession limits, fish size, and the methods used to catch them, as outlined in Chapter 150 of Kentucky Revised Statutes and its associated regulations. Furthermore, private landowners can now authorize any person to fish in their private lakes or ponds by providing written or electronic permission, detailing the permissible dates and locations. The bill also removes restrictions on stocking largemouth bass in private lakes and ponds, with the exception of prohibiting invasive species, and clarifies that "private lake or pond" means a body of water not connected to public waters.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (17)
Gary Boswell (R)*,
Jared Carpenter (R),
Matt Deneen (R),
Don Douglas (R),
Greg Elkins (R),
Rick Girdler (R),
Jimmy Higdon (R),
Jason Howell (R),
Stephen Meredith (R),
Robby Mills (R),
Matt Nunn (R),
Steve Rawlings (R),
Craig Richardson (R),
Lindsey Tichenor (R),
Steve West (R),
Phillip Wheeler (R),
Mike Wilson (R),
Last Action
to Committee on Committees (H) (on 02/23/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/sb39.html |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/sb39/bill.pdf |
| Vote History for SB39 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/sb39/vote_history.pdf |
| Senate Floor Amendment 6 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/SB39/SFA6.pdf |
| Senate Floor Amendment 5 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/SB39/SFA5.pdf |
| Senate Floor Amendment 4 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/SB39/SFA4.pdf |
| Senate Floor Amendment 3 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/SB39/SFA3.pdf |
| Senate Floor Amendment 2 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/SB39/SFA2.pdf |
| Senate Floor Amendment 1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/SB39/SFA1.pdf |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/sb39/orig_bill.pdf |
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