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Bill Summary · SB 333

Summary of SB 333 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and Intent

SB 333 proposes to create and fund a body armor grant program using proceeds from the sale of firearms and related items confiscated by the Kentucky State Police (KSP). The act directs how confiscated firearms are handled, how proceeds are allocated, and who is eligible to receive grants for body armor and related safety equipment.

Key Provisions

Firearms disposition and proceeds (KRS 16.220)

  • Confiscated firearms that are not retained for official use (per KRS 500.090) are to be sold at public auction.
  • Sales are limited to:
    • Federally licensed firearms dealers, compatible with the firearm type; or
    • For firearms used in homicides, individuals may bid only if they commit to leaving the firearm with KSP for destruction after auction.
    • Government bodies are not eligible buyers under certain circumstances.
  • Auction proceeds usage:
    • KSP retains 20% of gross proceeds for departmental use.
    • Remaining proceeds are transferred to the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General (the Homeland Security designation appears in brackets in the bill; the amendment clarifies use by the Office of the Attorney General).
    • For firearms sold under the homicide-bid provision, the firearm is destroyed.
  • Pre-sale checks:
    • KSP will attempt to determine if the firearm is stolen or unlawfully obtained from an innocent owner and return it if possible, provided the owner is legally eligible to purchase.
  • Handling of other confiscated firearms:
    • Firearms not retained for official use, not returned, or not transferred to another agency or museum, follow the same sale process.

Grant program for body armor and other safety gear (Amendment to KRS 16.220)

  • Proceeds from firearms sales are to fund grants administered by the Office of the Attorney General (historically Homeland Security designation is superseded by the Attorney General’s office in the amendment).
  • Eligible grant recipients:
    1. Local police departments (city, county, consolidated governments, unified urban counties, etc.).
    2. University safety and security departments (per KRS 164.950).
    3. School districts employing school resource officers (as defined by KRS 61.900).
    4. Airport safety and security departments (per KRS 183.880).
    5. Sheriff's departments.
  • Eligible grant purchases include:
    • Body armor for sworn officers and service animals.
    • Firearms or ammunition.
    • Electronic control devices (ECDs/ECWs) or electro-muscular disruption technology.
    • Body-worn cameras.
  • Priority (as originally drafted in the Senate amendment):
    • First: provide and replace body armor.
    • Second: provide firearms and ammunition.
    • Remaining funds: body-worn cameras and other electronic safety devices.
  • Armor standards: Body armor purchased with grant funds must meet or exceed National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standards.
  • Replacing armor: Departments may not apply for armor grants unless armor has been in actual use for at least five years.
  • Policy submission: Departments applying for body-worn camera grants must develop and submit a usage policy with the grant application.
  • Transfer/cleanup provisions:
    • The bill allows transfer of certain high-risk weapons to the federal ATF when no eligible recipient will take them; otherwise, those weapons follow the same sale/disposal process as other confiscated firearms.

Administrative structure (KRS 147A.002)

  • The Department for Local Government remains the umbrella agency, with specific offices for Financial Management and Administration, Federal Grants, State Grants (including the body armor program), Legal Services, and Field Services.
  • The Office of State Grants is responsible for administering the body armor program among other state grants.

Who Is Affected

  • Law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and university levels eligible to receive grants for body armor, firearms, ECDs, and body-worn cameras.
  • School districts with special law enforcement officers.
  • Airports with safety and security departments.
  • Sheriff departments and related governmental entities.
  • Kentucky State Police, which handles confiscated firearms and proceeds distribution.
  • The Office of the Attorney General (as the grants administrator).

Timeline and Procedures

  • The bill outlines ongoing processes for confiscated firearms sales and grant administration.
  • Armor grants include a five-year usage requirement before applying for replacement armor.
  • Grants require policy submission for body-worn cameras as part of the application.

Note: An amendment (SFA 1) clarifies the grant administration and removes the earlier Homeland Security designation, directing proceeds to the Attorney General’s Office for grant disbursement.

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

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