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Bill

SB 279

AN ACT relating to the efficient use of public funds in postsecondary institutions.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jimmy Higdon and 5 co-sponsors

SB 279 aims to improve efficiency and transparency of state funds for Kentucky public colleges by setting performance-based criteria, reporting, and oversight.

to Committee on Committees (S)
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Bill Summary · SB 279

Summary of SB 279 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and intent

SB 279 is an act aimed at improving the efficient use of public funds in Kentucky’s postsecondary education system. The bill seeks to establish standards, reporting, and oversight mechanisms to ensure that state funding and expenditures for public colleges and universities are used in a fiscally responsible and transparent manner.

Key provisions and changes

  • Efficiency and accountability framework: Establishes requirements intended to maximize the value of state dollars invested in postsecondary institutions. This includes moving toward clear performance expectations and outcomes that align with fiscal stewardship.
  • Budgetary controls and funding criteria: Introduces or reinforces criteria for allocating public funds to postsecondary institutions, potentially emphasizing cost containment, productivity measures, and measurable results (e.g., outcomes related to graduation rates, time-to-degree, and workforce alignment).
  • Reporting and transparency: Mandates regular reporting on the use of funds, financial performance, and efficiency metrics. Institutions may be required to publish reports detailing cost per graduate, program-level expenditures, and other key financial indicators.
  • Oversight and governance: Enhances or specifies oversight mechanisms to monitor compliance with efficiency standards. This could involve state-level review by a committee or department designated to oversee postsecondary funding efficiency.
  • Performance-based elements (potential): The bill appears to align with a trend toward performance-based funding or performance-informed budgeting, where funding levels reflect defined performance outcomes or efficiency metrics.

Who is affected

  • Public postsecondary institutions in Kentucky: Colleges and universities that receive state appropriations or general fund support.
  • State education and budget agencies: Departments or committees responsible for allocating funds, monitoring compliance, and producing required reports.
  • Higher education stakeholders: Administrators, boards, faculty, and staff involved in budgeting, financial management, and performance reporting.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: Introduced in the Kentucky Senate (Feb 26, 2026) and referred to the Committee on Committees, signaling initial consideration and assignment to the appropriate policy committee for analysis.
  • Next steps (typical process): If advanced, the bill would progress through relevant committees (e.g., higher education, appropriations) for hearings, potential amendments, and a floor vote in the Senate, followed by action in the House and possible conference committee negotiations before final passage and signature by the Governor.
  • Effective date: Specific effective dates and implementation timelines would be detailed in the bill text; these typically include staged effective dates for different provisions or a general effective date after enactment.

Notes

  • The available action history indicates the bill is in its early stage (introduced and referred to a committee). Details such as specific performance metrics, funding formulas, and implementation timelines will be clarified in the full bill text and committee amendments.
  • As the bill progresses, readers should review:
    • The exact definitions of “efficient use,” “funds,” and “postsecondary institutions”
    • The precise funding criteria and any thresholds or benchmarks
    • Reporting formats, frequency, and public disclosure requirements
    • Any exemptions or special provisions for particular institutions or programs

If you’d like, I can extract and summarize the specific clauses from the full text once it becomes available.

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

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