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Bill > SB64


KY SB64

KY SB64
AN ACT relating to the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and declaring an emergency.


summary

Introduced
01/12/2026
In Committee
01/15/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Amend KRS 154.15-010 to remove the definition of "executive director" of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA); amend KRS 154.15-020 to administratively attach the KCNA to the Finance and Administration Cabinet; remove references to the executive director and the advisory group of the KCNA; abolish the KCNA advisory group; remove references to KCNA staff and require the executive director of the Commonwealth Office of Technology (COT) to assign COT personnel to carry out the functions and responsibilities of the KCNA; require the secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, the Treasurer, and the executive director of the Commonwealth Office of Technology serve as ex officio members on the board of directors for any nonprofit organization incorporated to carry out activities associated with the responsibilities of the KCNA or its board; amend KRS 154.15-030 to remove all current members of the KCNA board except for the representative designated by the Center for Rural Development and replace them with the chief information officer of the Department of Education, who shall serve as chair, the Attorney General, the Governor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Secretary of State, and the Treasurer, or their designees; amend KRS 42.726 to add carrying out the functions and responsibilities of the KCNA to the roles and duties of the COT; amend KRS 42.732 to remove the executive director of the KCNA from the Kentucky Information Technology Advisory Council; amend KRS 12.020, 12.023, and 42.014 to conform; require that on the effective date of the Act, all functions and responsibilities previously undertaken by KCNA personnel shall be transferred to existing COT personnel; require all records, files, or documents previously maintained by KCNA personnel to be transferred to the COT; require that the position of executive director of the KCNA shall be terminated on the effective date of the Act; allow the executive director of COT to determine on or before June 30,2026, which staff previous employed by KCNA shall be retained and employed by COT; EMERGENCY.

AI Summary

This bill fundamentally restructures the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA), which is responsible for the Commonwealth's open-access broadband network, KentuckyWired. Key provisions include administratively attaching the KCNA to the Finance and Administration Cabinet, abolishing its advisory group, and transferring all its functions and responsibilities to the Commonwealth Office of Technology (COT). The KCNA's executive director position will be terminated, and the executive director of COT will assign COT personnel to manage the KCNA's duties. The bill also reconstitutes the KCNA's board of directors, replacing most existing members with specific state officials like the chief information officer of the Department of Education (who will chair the board), the Attorney General, the Governor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Secretary of State, and the Treasurer, or their designees, while retaining a representative from the Center for Rural Development. Additionally, the secretaries of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, the Treasurer, and the COT executive director will serve as ex officio members on the board of any nonprofit organization formed to carry out KCNA activities. The bill also mandates the transfer of all KCNA records to COT and allows the COT executive director to decide by June 30, 2026, which former KCNA staff, if any, will be retained by COT. The bill declares an emergency, meaning it will take effect immediately upon its passage.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (14)

Last Action

to State & Local Government (S) (on 01/15/2026)

bill text


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