AN ACT relating to postsecondary education.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by James Tipton

Sets per diem of 100 for each Council on Postsecondary Education meeting and confines reimbursements to in-state travel for non-residents, with institutions covering their reps.

to Postsecondary Education (H)

#education #higher #technicalcorrections

Summary of HB 706 (2026RS) — AN ACT relating to postsecondary education (Kentucky)

Purpose and intent

The bill amends existing law to specify per diem and travel expense provisions for members of the Council on Postsecondary Education and for representatives of institutions and the chief state school officer (CSO).

Its primary focus is to govern financial reimbursements and travel allowances related to council meetings and related duties.

Key provisions

Per diem for council members: Council on Postsecondary Education members shall receive $100 per day for each council meeting attended.

Travel and related expenses: Members are reimbursed for “necessary traveling and other expenses” incurred while attending council meetings.

Out-of-state travel restriction: A member who resides outside the Commonwealth shall not be reimbursed for out-of-state travel.

Institutional responsibility for expenses: Each institution is responsible for paying the expenses of its own representatives.

Travel costs for the CSO: The expenses of the Chief State School Officer shall be paid by the state in the same manner as the CSO’s other traveling expenses.

Who is affected

Council on Postsecondary Education members (eligibility to receive per diem and reimbursements).

Representatives of higher education institutions who attend council meetings (expense coverage provided by their respective institutions).

Chief State School Officer (state-covered travel expenses consistent with existing practices).

Potentially, resident vs. non-resident members of the council (non-residents face a limitation on out-of-state travel reimbursements).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in the Kentucky House (HB 706) on February 24, 2026.

Referred to the Committee on Committees (H) and later to the Postsecondary Education committee (as indicated by action history).

The text provided is an unofficial copy and reflects a specific amendment to KRS 164.050, effective upon any enacted passage, subject to standard legislative process.

Practical impact

Provides a uniform per diem of $100 for attending council meetings.

Clarifies and limits travel reimbursements for non-resident council members to in-state engagements only.

Shifts responsibility for the travel costs of institution representatives to each respective institution, potentially reducing state expenditures for those individuals.

Aligns CSO travel expense treatment with other established travel reimbursements.

Notes

The bill’s scope appears narrow, focusing narrowly on compensation and reimbursement mechanics for postsecondary governance meetings.

The exact fiscal impact would depend on the number of meetings, attendee count, and existing administrative practices at each institution.