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HR 13

A RESOLUTION honoring and expressing support for law enforcement officers in Kentucky and throughout the United States.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kim King and 1 co-sponsor

Nonbinding resolution honoring law enforcement and urging federal and local action to recruit, train, equip, and support officers and strengthen penalties for assaults.

to Committee on Committees (H)
#commendationsandrecognitions #peaceofficersandlawenforcement #police #cityandcounty #state #publicsafety
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 13

Summary of HR 13 (2026RS) – Kentucky

What the bill does

  • HR 13 is a nonbinding resolution that honors and expresses support for law enforcement officers in Kentucky and across the United States.
  • It recognizes the sacrifices and risks faced by officers, highlights statistics about injuries, assaults, and fatalities, and urges action at federal and local levels to improve officer safety and well-being.

Purpose and intent

  • To show formal respect and appreciation for law enforcement personnel.
  • To advocate for policy measures aimed at increasing recruitment and retention, enhancing training and equipment, strengthening penalties for assaults on officers, expanding mental health resources, and ensuring overall safety for officers and the communities they serve.
  • To encourage collaboration between the Kentucky General Assembly and federal and local governments in promoting these safety and support measures.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1: Expresses the Kentucky House’s high respect for law enforcement officers in Kentucky and the United States.
  • Section 2: Honors officers who have died or been injured in the line of duty and commends their families.
  • Section 3: Urges federal and local governments to take specific actions to improve officer safety and well-being, including:
    • Recruiting and retaining more law enforcement officers.
    • Improving training and equipment for officers.
    • Implementing harsh penalties for assaults or killings of law enforcement personnel (where jurisdiction allows).
    • Increasing mental health resources for officers.
    • Ensuring officers have necessary support and resources to keep communities safe.
    • Encouraging promotion of these measures by the Senate in coordination with the House (to the extent each chamber’s powers allow).
  • Section 4: Directs the Clerk of the Kentucky House to transmit a copy of the resolution to Representative Candy Massaroni.

Who and what is affected

  • Primarily symbolic and aspirational in nature, affecting:
    • Kentucky House of Representatives and its procedures (adoption of the resolution).
    • Law enforcement officers in Kentucky and across the United States (through public recognition and potential influence on policy discussions).
    • Families of officers who have died or been injured (recognition and honor).
    • Policymakers at federal and local levels, who are urged to consider and potentially implement the recommended measures.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • History: Introduced in the Kentucky House on January 7, 2026; referred to the Committee on Committees.
  • Being a resolution, it does not create new law or fiscal obligations; it serves as a formal expression of support and a call to action.
  • No specific dates for implementation are included; it signals policy priorities for future consideration by lawmakers.

Notable context from the bill (statistical framing)

  • Cites statistics to underscore risks and challenges faced by law enforcement, including:
    • More than 800,000 officers nationwide; over 7,000 in Kentucky.
    • Historical line-of-duty deaths (24,000 nationwide; 670 from Kentucky).
    • 2023 saw over 79,000 assaults on officers and 1,055 officers shot in the past three years (with 172 killed in the line of duty).
    • Decline in full-time state and local officers by 5.3% from 2019 to 2021 (about 37,000 fewer officers).
    • Emphasizes higher exposure to traumatic events for officers and a comparatively elevated suicide rate.

Overall assessment

  • HR 13 is a ceremonial and aspirational measure aimed at recognizing law enforcement service, honoring fallen and injured officers, and urging heightened safety, training, resources, and penalties to protect officers and communities. It signals support for policy improvements without creating new statutory duties or funding mandates.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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