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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 299

Overview

SB 299 from the 2026 Regular Session (Kentucky) proposes a limited, time-bound pilot program in which the Kentucky State Police operate instruction permit testing in one public high school per congressional district. The pilot runs from September 1, 2027, to June 30, 2029, and is conducted in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education. The primary aim is to expand access to instruction permit testing and assess how school-based testing affects demand and efficiency at regional licensing offices.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a pilot to provide instruction permit testing at public high schools, reducing barriers to access for student test-takers.
  • Assess whether school-based testing can relieve congestion at regional licensing offices and improve appointment availability.
  • Generate data to inform future transportation and licensing policy decisions.

Key provisions and changes

  • Scope and duration
    • Establishes a pilot project from September 1, 2027, through June 30, 2029.
    • Operates in one public high school in each congressional district (totaling multiple districts across the state).
  • Administration and partnership
    • State Police (Department of Kentucky State Police) will administer the testing in collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Education.
    • In districts with multiple counties, the pilot must be located in a county within the district where the state police do not already provide permanent, full-time testing.
  • Implementation requirements
    • The State Police, with the DOE, will identify candidate high schools based on demand and resource availability.
    • The State Police must have an agreement with local boards of education to run the pilot.
    • Testing must occur at least once per school year at each selected high school.
    • Applications for testing slots will be accepted via the state police’s online portal.
    • Testing will be limited to residents of the county where the test is administered.
    • Testing will be limited to applicants seeking an instruction permit under KRS 186.450.
  • High school responsibilities
    • Each participating high school must obtain local school board approval.
    • Each school must designate a coordinator to manage the event, coordinating student participation and documentation.
    • Schools must provide internet access and a testing location on campus.
    • Schools must ensure county residents have access to the testing site.
  • Evaluation and reporting
    • The State Police will collect data on testing activity and report annually to the Legislative Research Commission (via the Interim Joint Committee on Transportation) starting by October 31, 2027, and each year thereafter.
    • Reports will include:
    • Availability of testing appointments, number of applicants served, unclaimed slots, and no-shows.
    • Impact on testing demand and operations at regional licensing offices.

Who would be affected

  • Public high schools within Kentucky (one per congressional district participating in the pilot).
  • Kentucky State Police (as administrator and data collector).
  • Kentucky Department of Education (as a partner in identifying schools and coordinating the program).
  • Local boards of education (through formal agreements and school coordination).
  • Prospective instruction permit applicants in participating counties (limited to residents of the testing county).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Pilot window: September 1, 2027 – June 30, 2029.
  • Annual reporting: Starting October 31, 2027, and each year thereafter.
  • Data to be reported: appointment availability, applicants served, unclaimed slots, no-shows, and effects on regional licensing office testing.

Notes

  • The bill creates a temporary, data-driven test to determine whether school-based permit testing improves access and reduces bottlenecks at licensing offices.
  • Specific operational details (e.g., exact number of participating schools per district beyond the minimum one, funding sources) are not provided in the text and would be fleshed out through the required agreements and planning process.

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

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