Bill > HB427

This bill appropriates funds for the operations, maintenance, and support of the Legislative Branch of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, and July 1, 2027, and ending June 30, 2028. * **General Assembly:** $23,902,900 from the General Fund and $75,000 from Restricted Funds in fiscal year 2026-27, and $25,910,000 from the General Fund and $175,000 from Restricted Funds in fiscal year 2027-28. This includes specific allocations for the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission ($567,700 from the General Fund annually, and the specified Restricted Funds amounts). Funding for the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center is suspended for this biennium. Legislators' compensation and interim expense allowances will remain at 2024-2026 biennium levels, adjusted by the state employee salary increment on January 1, 2027. * **Legislative Research Commission:** $65,767,600 from the General Fund in fiscal year 2026-27, and $67,701,400 from the General Fund in fiscal year 2027-28. Distribution of the Legislative Record is suspended. Electronic versions may be used for official publications at the discretion of the LRC Director. Employees of the Legislative Research Commission will receive salary adjustments consistent with state employees. * **Unexpended Balances:** Any unexpended balances at the close of fiscal year 2025-2026 will carry over into fiscal year 2026-2027, and similarly for subsequent fiscal years, rather than lapsing. * **General Provisions:** The Director of the Legislative Research Commission has broad authority to expend appropriated funds for legislative operations, free from restrictions by executive agencies. Capital construction expenditures for the Capitol and Capitol Annex are exempt from certain statutes. The bill includes standard provisions regarding severability, duplicate appropriations, priority of appropriations, and revisions to restricted funds. Members of the House of Representatives will receive $350 and Senators $650 in lieu of stationery. The Legislative Branch will participate in budget reduction or surplus expenditure plans, with exemptions for obligations essential to its constitutional duties.