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HB 138

AN ACT relating to the compensation of coroners.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ryan Bivens and 20 co-sponsors

HB 138 modifies Kentucky coroner compensation, affecting death investigation quality, county budgets, and the attractiveness of the coroner position statewide.

to Local Government (H)
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Bill Summary · HB 138

Legislative bill overview

HB 138 is a Kentucky bill that modifies the compensation structure for coroners in the state. The bill was introduced in January 2026 and is currently in the House Committee on Local Government. Without access to the full bill text, the specific changes to coroner compensation cannot be detailed, but such legislation typically addresses salary adjustments, fee structures, or reimbursement procedures for death investigation expenses.

Why is this important

Coroner compensation directly affects the quality and consistency of death investigations across Kentucky counties, which impacts public safety, justice system integrity, and family closure in suspicious death cases. Adequate compensation helps attract qualified candidates to these elected or appointed positions and ensures counties can maintain proper investigation standards.

Potential points of contention

  • Rural vs. urban equity: County coroners in less-populated areas may have significantly different workloads and funding capacities than urban counterparts, potentially creating disputes over whether compensation should be uniform or tiered
  • Funding source burden: Changes to coroner pay may shift costs between county budgets and state funding, affecting which local governments bear the financial responsibility
  • Qualifications and training: Compensation changes may be tied to education/certification requirements, raising questions about accessibility of the position to candidates without advanced credentials

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

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