House
Veto Override
2026 Regular Session

HB490

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AN ACT relating to employment at public postsecondary education institutions and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 164.360, 164.230, and 164.830 to allow for the removal of faculty members at public postsecondary education institutions for bona fide financial reasons; require the boards of regents and trustees of the institutions to establish the process for removal based on financial reasons with specified parameters; EMERGENCY.

Boards and CommissionsEducation, HigherEffective Dates, EmergencyUniversities and Colleges

Introduced: January 27, 2026

Last action: April 14, 2026

Delivered To Secretary Of State (Acts Ch. 169)

In effect since April 14, 2026

This act carries an emergency clause, so it took effect as soon as it became law instead of waiting the usual 90 days after the session adjourned (Ky. Constitution § 55).

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This bill changes state law to allow public colleges and universities in Kentucky to remove faculty members when there is a genuine financial need. It requires each institution's governing board to create a formal process for carrying out such removals, with specific guidelines they must follow. The bill took effect immediately upon passage due to its emergency designation. Who it may affect: faculty members at public colleges and universities, and the governing boards of those institutions.

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Bill Text Versions

Enacted — Acts chapter (final law)

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Enrolled (passed both chambers)

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Engrossed (passed one chamber)

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Introduced (original)

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Legislative History

Jan 27, 2026 · House
Introduced In House
Jan 27, 2026 · House
To Committee On Committees (H)
Feb 3, 2026 · House
To Postsecondary Education (H)
Feb 10, 2026 · House
Reported Favorably, 1st Reading, To Calendar
Feb 11, 2026 · House
2nd Reading, To Rules (clerical)
Feb 12, 2026 · House
Floor Amendment (1) Filed (clerical)
Feb 13, 2026 · House
Posted For Passage In The Regular Orders Of The Day For Tuesday, February 17 2026 (clerical)
Feb 17, 2026 · House
3rd Reading, Passed 72-21 With Floor Amendment (1) (clerical)

Primary Sponsor

Portrait of Aaron Thompson
Aaron Thompson

Representative · House District 098

Primary sponsor
aaron.thompson@kylegislature.gov
BallotpediaOfficial profile

Co-sponsors (1)

Portrait of James Tipton
James Tipton

Representative · House District 053

Co-sponsor
James.Tipton@kylegislature.gov

Roll calls

February 17, 2026

House: 3rd reading, passed 72-21 with Floor Amendment (1)

Yea: 72
Nay: 21
Absent: 7
LegiScan roll call
March 27, 2026

Senate: 3rd reading, passed 30-7 with Committee Substitute (1)

Yea: 30
Nay: 7
Absent: 1
April 1, 2026

House: Passed 75-18

Yea: 75
Nay: 18
Absent: 7
April 14, 2026

House floor vote

Yea: 80
Nay: 19
Absent: 1
April 14, 2026

Senate floor vote

Yea: 32
Nay: 6

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