AN ACT relating to riverport authorities and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 65.520 to prohibit riverport authorities from delegating policy-making to outside entities; amend KRS 65.530 to change the purpose of riverport authorities and, unless agreed to in writing, mandate compliance with comprehensive plans, land use, and design regulations of planning units; amend KRS 65.540 to allow for a joint riverport authority to be created by a combination of counties; require adoption of a code of ethics, establish membership, and prohibit direct or indirect interest in the business of the authority; EMERGENCY.

Introduced: February 26, 2026

Last action: March 13, 2026

Returned To Local Government (H)

Read the full text Kentucky Legislature LegiScan

AI-generated — always verify with primary sources

Plain-language summary

Beta

This bill changes how riverport authorities in Kentucky operate by requiring them to follow local planning and land use rules, adopt a code of ethics, and prohibit authority members from having a financial interest in the authority's business. It also prevents riverport authorities from handing over their decision-making power to outside organizations, and allows counties to join together to create a shared riverport authority. Who it may affect: local governments and planning agencies near rivers, riverport authority members, and businesses or developers operating in areas governed by riverport authorities.

Open official bill text (PDF)·Report a problem with the summary