Senate
Signed By Governor
2026 Regular Session

SB189

Log in to follow

AN ACT relating to the regulation of digital asset business.

Establish Subtitle 13 of KRS Chapter 286 and create new sections thereof to regulate virtual currency kiosks; establish definitions; provide for enforcement by the commissioner of the Department of Financial Institutions; establish license requirements for virtual currency kiosks; require regulatory filings to be submitted to a nationwide licensing system registry; establish initial and renewal application processes and requirements, reporting, surety bond and tangible net worth, and change of control requirements for virtual currency kiosk operators; require the commissioner to promulgate administrative regulations to establish format, document submission, fee, and trade practice requirements for virtual currency kiosk operators; establish record retention requirements for persons required to be licensed as virtual currency kiosk operators; establish trade practice requirements relating to protection of resident assets, virtual currency kiosk transactions, prohibited practices, and fraud and information security compliance procedures; authorize the commissioner to conduct investigations and examinations; provide for the confidentiality of certain documents provided to the commissioner; authorize the commissioner to share, disclose, and report information and take other actions to assist in the commissioner's duties; require the commissioner to submit an annual licensing report to the Legislative Research Commission; establish due process requirements for adverse actions taken by the commissioner against licensees and other persons; establish requirements for the denial, suspension, or revocation of a license; authorize the commissioner to enter cease and desist orders and emergency orders; authorize the commissioner to order civil penalties against persons that violate the subtitle; require the commissioner of the Department of Financial Institutions to promulgate any required emergency and ordinary administrative regulations on or before January 1, 2027; EFFECTIVE, in part, March 31, 2027.

Administrative Regulations and ProceedingsBanks and Financial InstitutionsCommerceConsumer ProtectionDigital AssetsEffective Dates, DelayedLicensingPeace Officers and Law EnforcementReports MandatedState Agencies

Introduced: February 12, 2026

Last action: April 13, 2026

Signed By Governor (Acts Ch. 126)
Read the full textKentucky LegislatureLegiScan

Legislative History

Feb 12, 2026 · Senate
Introduced In Senate
Feb 12, 2026 · Senate
To Committee On Committees (S)
Feb 20, 2026 · Senate
To Banking & Insurance (S)
Feb 24, 2026 · Senate
Reported Favorably, 1st Reading, To Calendar With Committee Substitute (1)
Feb 25, 2026 · Senate
Floor Amendment (1) Filed To Committee Substitute (clerical)
Feb 25, 2026 · Senate
2nd Reading, To Rules (clerical)
Feb 26, 2026 · Senate
Floor Amendment (2) Filed To Committee Substitute (clerical)
Feb 26, 2026 · Senate
Posted For Passage In The Regular Orders Of The Day For Friday, February 27 2026 (clerical)

Primary Sponsor

Portrait of Steve Rawlings
Steve Rawlings

Senator · Senate District 11

Primary sponsor
steve.rawlings@kylegislature.gov
BallotpediaOfficial profile

Co-sponsors (1)

Portrait of Robert Mills
Robert Mills

Senator · Senate District 04

Co-sponsor
Robby.Mills@kylegislature.gov

Roll calls

March 2, 2026

Senate: Passed 37-0 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (2)

Yea: 37
Nay: 0
LegiScan roll call
April 1, 2026

House floor vote

Yea: 81
Nay: 3
April 1, 2026

House: 3rd reading, passed 81-7 with Committee Substitute (1), Floor Amendment (2) and Committee Amendment (1-title)

Yea: 81
Nay: 7
April 1, 2026

Senate: Passed 38-0

Yea: 38
Nay: 0