Engrossed
2026 Regular Session

HB683

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AN ACT relating to recreation and tourism development.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 148 to define terms; establish the Burnside Island Development Authority to develop, finance, maintain, and improve lodging and restaurant facilities on General Burnside Island State Park and surrounding area; require the authority to be governed by a board; establish board membership, terms, powers, and duties; establish duties and purposes of the authority; require the board and authority to be subject to the Kentucky Open Meetings Act and Kentucky Open Records Act; require the board to acquire authorization from the General Assembly prior to the sale, trade, or disposal of real property valued greater than $400,000 that is owned by the Commonwealth and managed by the Department of Parks; require that bond debt service be payable solely from the revenue of the bonds; require the Department of Parks to operate and maintain General Burnside Island State Park until an agreement between the authority and a private partner takes effect; amend KRS 132.195 to exempt the acquisition or lease of General Burnside Island State Park from taxation requirements; set forth the staggering of initial board terms.

Local MandateAmusements And RecreationsBoards and CommissionsBonds, PublicCitiesCountiesEconomic DevelopmentGeneral AssemblyGovernorLand UseLocal GovernmentParks and ShrinesPublic MeetingsPublic Records and ReportsState AgenciesTaxation, PropertyTourism

Introduced: February 19, 2026

Last action: March 18, 2026

To Committee On Committees (S)
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Legislative History

Feb 19, 2026 · House
Introduced In House
Feb 19, 2026 · House
To Committee On Committees (H)
Feb 26, 2026 · House
To Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H)
Mar 12, 2026 · House
Reported Favorably, 1st Reading, To Calendar
Mar 13, 2026 · House
2nd Reading, To Rules (clerical)
Mar 16, 2026 · House
Posted For Passage In The Regular Orders Of The Day For Tuesday, March 17 2026 (clerical)
Mar 17, 2026 · House
3rd Reading, Passed 94-0 (clerical)
Mar 18, 2026 · Senate
Received In Senate

Primary Sponsor

Portrait of Ken Upchurch
Ken Upchurch

Representative · House District 052

Primary sponsor
Ken.Upchurch@kylegislature.gov
BallotpediaOfficial profile

Co-sponsors (4)

Portrait of Shane Baker
Shane Baker

Representative · House District 085

Co-sponsor
Shane.Baker@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Joshua Branscum
Joshua Branscum

Representative · House District 083

Co-sponsor
Josh.Branscum@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Josh Bray
Josh Bray

Representative · House District 071

Co-sponsor
Josh.Bray@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of David Meade
David Meade

Representative · House District 080

Co-sponsor
David.Meade@kylegislature.gov

Roll calls

March 17, 2026

House: 3rd reading, passed 94-0

Yea: 94
Nay: 0
LegiScan roll call