summary
Introduced
02/26/2026
02/26/2026
In Committee
04/14/2026
04/14/2026
Crossed Over
03/18/2026
03/18/2026
Passed
04/14/2026
04/14/2026
Dead
Vetoed
04/13/2026
04/13/2026
Veto Overridden
04/14/2026
04/14/2026
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/14/2026
04/14/2026
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to make findings and declarations about locally driven innovation and the intent of the General Assembly to permit flexibility for school districts to improve practices; amend KRS 156.161 to modify the waiver process and the waiver authority of the Kentucky Board of Education; require the Kentucky Department of Education to assist local boards of education in the development of waiver requests; specify the analysis the department shall provide to the state board in reviewing a local board's waiver request; establish a process for a local board to submit a request for a school or program to be identified as a school of innovation with a set of waivers that operate collectively; provide protections for school districts that rely on waiver assistance from the department; create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to require the state board to establish a list of expedited waivers; establish the expedited waiver process and authority; require the state board to annually review all waivers granted to determine necessary changes to administrative regulations or statutes or identify new best practices; amend KRS 157.360 to conform; create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to establish the school of innovation pilot project; establish the school of innovation pilot project fund; provide procedures for the operation of the pilot project; conclude the pilot project on June 30, 2028; require the department to annually report information and findings from the pilot project to the Legislative Research Commission.
AI Summary
This bill aims to foster innovation in Kentucky's public education system by providing school districts with greater flexibility to implement new practices. It establishes a process for local school boards to request waivers from certain state laws and regulations, allowing them to experiment with innovative approaches, particularly in schools serving students with unmet needs. The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) will assist districts in developing these waiver requests and will provide analysis to the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE), which ultimately approves or denies them. The bill also introduces a "school of innovation" designation, which allows a school or program to operate with a set of collective waivers. Furthermore, it creates an expedited waiver process for certain situations, such as agreements with education service providers, and mandates an annual review of all granted waivers to inform potential changes to regulations or statutes. Finally, a pilot project for schools of innovation is established from August 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028, with a dedicated fund and reporting requirements to the Legislative Research Commission.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 180) (on 04/14/2026)
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/sb263.html |
| House Floor Amendment 1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/SB263/HFA1.pdf |
| House Committee Substitute 1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/SB263/HCS1.pdf |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/sb263/bill.pdf |
| Vote History for SB263 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/sb263/vote_history.pdf |
| Senate Committee Substitute 1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/SB263/SCS1.pdf |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/sb263/orig_bill.pdf |
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