A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Governor to establish a sister city/state partnership between the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Shomron Regional Council of Israel.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Daniel Grossberg and 2 co-sponsors

The bill directs the Governor to establish a sister city/state partnership between Kentucky and the Shomron Regional Council of Israel to foster cultural, educational, economic, an

to State Government (H)

#governor #internationaltradeandrelations

Summary of HJR 56 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and intent

HJR 56 is a joint resolution directing the Governor of Kentucky to establish a sister city/state partnership between the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Shomron Regional Council of Israel.

The resolution frames the partnership as a formal, cooperative relationship intended to foster mutual understanding, cultural exchange, educational collaboration, economic ties, and broader diplomatic goodwill between Kentucky and the Shomron region.

Key provisions and changes

Direct instruction to the Governor: The bill requires the Governor to take official action to establish the sister city/state partnership.

Scope of partnership: While the resolution designates the Shomron Regional Council as the partner entity, it does not create a binding treaty or funding mechanism within the text of the resolution itself. The concrete activities would likely be determined by subsequent administrative actions and any implementing agreements.

Objectives of the partnership: Though not enumerated in exhaustive detail in the bill text, typical goals for such partnerships include:

Cultural exchanges (schools, arts, heritage programs)
Economic and trade交流 (commerce, joint ventures, tourism)
Educational collaborations (student and teacher exchanges, curriculum development)
Sharing best practices in governance, public safety, or municipal administration
Diplomatic goodwill and international relationship-building at a state level

Role of state entities: The Governor would presumably coordinate with relevant state agencies, local governments, and possibly private partners to implement the partnership and any associated programs.

Affected parties and stakeholders

Kentucky residents and state government: The primary actors responsible for establishing and maintaining the partnership, including potential administrative costs and program oversight.

Shomron Regional Council (Israel): The designated international partner, with whom Kentucky would formalize cooperative activities.

Local governments, schools, and businesses in Kentucky: Potential beneficiaries or participants in exchanges, joint projects, and cultural/economic initiatives arising from the partnership.

Educational and cultural institutions: May engage in exchanges or collaborative projects as part of the partnership.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and committee path:

Introduced in the Kentucky House of Representatives on February 4, 2026.
Referred to the Committee on Committees (H) on the same day, and subsequently moved to State Government (H) on February 18, 2026.

Nature of resolution: As a joint resolution, it expresses the legislature’s intent and directs executive action but does not by itself create statutory duties or dedicated funding. Any specific programs, funding, or implementing agreements would require subsequent actions, appropriations, or separate legislation or administrative decisions.

Observations

The bill signals legislative support for establishing international partnerships and reflects a focus on Kentucky’s engagement with Israeli regional entities.

The resolution’s impact depends on the Governor’s follow-through and the development of concrete programs, budgets, and memoranda of understanding with the Shomron Regional Council.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to typical sister-city/state partnership provisions or provide a hypothetical outline of implementing steps and potential funding considerations once the governor acts.