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Bill Summary · HB 364

Summary of HB 364 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and Intent

HB 364 is an act related to benefits for Kentucky National Guard members. The bill aims to enhance or adjust benefits available to members of the Kentucky National Guard, addressing eligibility, administration, and potentially funding for those benefits. The exact scope of benefits is not specified in the summary materials provided, but the bill is framed to improve support for Guard members, likely in areas such as financial assistance, health or education benefits, or employment-related provisions.

Key Provisions and Changes (as indicated by the bill’s progression)

  • The bill is positioned within the state’s framework for veterans and military affairs, aligning with related statutes governing benefits for National Guard members.
  • It has undergone committee review and a floor amendment process, indicating specific changes or clarifications were proposed and debated in both chambers.
  • A floor amendment was filed (March 3), and a floor amendment was adopted (March 5) as part of the legislative process, suggesting targeted adjustments to the bill’s language or the scope of benefits.
  • The bill advanced from the House to the Senate, with the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection receiving it (March 9) and later forwarding it to the Appropriations & Revenue Committee (S) for potential fiscal considerations, indicating that cost and funding implications were a consideration.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Kentucky National Guard members, including active Guard members and potentially their families, depending on the final language.
  • Administrative impact: State agencies responsible for veterans’ benefits and National Guard programs would implement the changes, including eligibility determinations, benefit disbursement, and related reporting.

Procedural Timeline and Status

  • Introduced in the Kentucky House on January 13, 2026.
  • Referred to the Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (H) and progressed through hearings and votes.
  • House actions:
    • January 13: Introduced and assigned to committees.
    • January 21: Reported favorably by the House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection Committee (H).
    • March 3-6: Floor amendments filed and a third reading, with the House passing the bill 96-0, including a floor amendment (March 5).
    • March 9: Sent to the Senate; referred to the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S).
  • Senate actions:
    • March 12: Reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar.
    • March 13: 2nd reading to Rules; recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (S) for potential fiscal review.
  • The current status (as of the latest action) indicates the bill is in the appropriations/revenue stage in the Senate, where funding considerations will be evaluated before final passage.

Fiscal and Administrative Considerations

  • The recommitment to Appropriations & Revenue (S) suggests the bill includes financial implications that require funding authorization or appropriation.
  • Any new or modified benefits would require ongoing funding for sustainability and might affect state budget projections or veterans’ programs.

Potential Impacts and Implications

  • Benefits: If enacted, eligible Kentucky National Guard members could see expanded or revised benefits, with potential improvements in access, eligibility criteria, or benefit amounts.
  • Accessibility: Administrative processes would be updated to reflect new eligibility rules, eligibility verification, and benefit delivery mechanisms.
  • Budget: Funding for the proposed benefits would be scrutinized in the Senate Appropriations & Revenue Committee, potentially influencing the bill’s final form and viability.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on a particular area (e.g., specific benefit categories, eligibility changes, or budgetary impact) once the final text or amendments are available.

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

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