Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
Became law
Last action · April 14, 2026
Became Law Without Governor's Signature (Acts Ch. 148)

Introduced January 28, 2026

House
Enacted
2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Amend KRS 15.460 to allow Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources game wardens to receive annual supplements from the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program fund; remove the requirement that a game warden's annual training stipend be paid from the game and fish fund; amend KRS 150.010 to remove the definitions for "administrative regulation," "navigable waters," and "public roadway"; add definitions for "exotic wildlife," "native wildlife," and "roadway" and amend the definition for "livestock"; amend KRS…

In effect since July 15, 2026

Acts from the 2026 Regular Session that don't carry an emergency clause or set their own effective date took effect 90 days after the session adjourned (Ky. Constitution § 55).

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Plain-language summary
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This bill updates a wide range of rules governing the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. It changes how game wardens are paid and sets new salary standards to help the department hire and keep officers, updates definitions and penalties related to wildlife, doubles fines for wildlife violations, and adjusts rules around hunting, seizure of illegal wildlife, boating accident reporting, and pay lake operations. It also removes an outdated requirement that the department pay…

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Legislative History

Jan 28, 2026 · House
Introduced In House
Jan 28, 2026 · House
To Committee On Committees (H)
Feb 4, 2026 · House
To Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (H)
Feb 26, 2026 · House
Reported Favorably, 1st Reading, To Calendar With Committee Substitute (1)
Feb 27, 2026 · House
2nd Reading, To Rules (clerical)
Mar 4, 2026 · House
Recommitted To Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (H) (clerical)
Mar 12, 2026 · House
Reported Favorably, To Rules With Committee Substitute (2)
Mar 12, 2026 · House
Taken From Rules (clerical)
Mar 12, 2026 · House
3rd Reading, Passed 93-0 With Committee Substitute (2)
Yea: 93
Nay: 0
Absent: 7
LegiScan roll call
Mar 31, 2026 · Senate
3rd Reading, Passed 38-0
Yea: 38
Nay: 0
LegiScan roll call

Primary Sponsor

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Portrait of David Hale

David Hale

Representative · House District 074

Primary sponsor
David.Hale@kylegislature.gov

Co-sponsors (7)

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Portrait of John Blanton

John Blanton

Representative · House District 092

Co-sponsor
John.Blanton@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Daniel Fister

Daniel Fister

Representative · House District 056

Co-sponsor
Daniel.Fister@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Chris Fugate

Chris Fugate

Representative · House District 084

Co-sponsor
Chris.Fugate@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Mark Hart

Mark Hart

Representative · House District 078

Co-sponsor
Mark.Hart@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Kevin Jackson

Kevin Jackson

Representative · House District 020

Co-sponsor
kevin.jackson@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of William Lawrence

William Lawrence

Representative · House District 070

Co-sponsor
William.Lawrence@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Billy Wesley

Billy Wesley

Representative · House District 091

Co-sponsor
Bill.Wesley@kylegislature.gov

Bill Text Versions

Enacted: Acts chapter (final law)

Most current
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Engrossed (passed one chamber)

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Introduced (original)

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