Engrossed
2026 Regular Session

HB497

Log in to follow

AN ACT relating to postsecondary tuition waivers.

Amend KRS 164.515 to make the amount of tuition waived for the spouse or child of designated permanently disabled veterans a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.2841 to make the amount tuition waived for the survivor of police officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter killed in line of duty last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.2842 to make the amount of tuition waived for the survivor of police officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter permanently and totally disabled in line of duty a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.507 to make the amount of tuition waived for the non-married spouse or child of a deceased veteran a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.020 to delete the tuition waiver for employees and faculty of state and locally operated secondary area technology center staff.

DisabilitiesEducation, FinanceEducation, HigherFirefighters and Fire DepartmentsPolice, City and CountyPolice, StateTeachersUniversities and CollegesVeteransAged Persons and Aging

Introduced: January 28, 2026

Last action: February 26, 2026

To Committee On Committees (S)
Read the full textKentucky LegislatureLegiScan

Legislative History

Jan 28, 2026 · House
Introduced In House
Jan 28, 2026 · House
To Committee On Committees (H)
Feb 4, 2026 · House
To Postsecondary Education (H)
Feb 10, 2026 · House
Reported Favorably, 1st Reading, To Calendar With Committee Substitute (1)
Feb 10, 2026 · House
Floor Amendment (1) Filed To Committee Substitute (clerical)
Feb 11, 2026 · House
2nd Reading, To Rules (clerical)
Feb 11, 2026 · House
Floor Amendment (2) Filed To Committee Substitute (clerical)
Feb 18, 2026 · House
Posted For Passage In The Regular Orders Of The Day For Thursday, February 19 2026 (clerical)

Primary Sponsor

Portrait of James Tipton
James Tipton

Representative · House District 053

Primary sponsor
James.Tipton@kylegislature.gov
BallotpediaOfficial profile

Co-sponsors (1)

Portrait of Joshua Branscum
Joshua Branscum

Representative · House District 083

Co-sponsor
Josh.Branscum@kylegislature.gov

Roll calls

February 25, 2026

House floor vote

Yea: 57
Nay: 21
LegiScan roll call
February 25, 2026

House: 3rd reading, passed 56-36 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (3)

Yea: 56
Nay: 36