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HB 774

AN ACT relating to the reporting of costs, fines, and fees.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Decker and 1 co-sponsor

HB 774 aims to standardize and increase transparency in reporting all costs, fines, and fees imposed in Kentucky's criminal justice system.

to Committee on Committees (S)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 774

Bill Overview

HB 774 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky) is titled AN ACT relating to the reporting of costs, fines, and fees. The bill appears to focus on the transparency and reporting of criminal justice-related costs, fines, and fees imposed or assessed by state and local entities. The actions history indicates it progressed through both chambers in 2026, with a notable House passage on March 9, 2026 (3rd reading, 98-1) and advancement to the Senate thereafter.

Purpose and Intent

  • Improve transparency around the costs, fines, and fees that individuals encounter within the criminal justice system.
  • Ensure consistent reporting of these charges to aid oversight, budgeting, and public understanding.
  • Potentially address disparities or confusion related to the total financial burden placed on defendants by courts, agencies, and related entities.

Key Provisions and Changes (as implied by title and process)

  • Mandate or enhance reporting requirements for costs, fines, and fees:
    • Likely requires courts, local governments, or state agencies to report the amounts of fines, court costs, and any ancillary fees imposed on defendants.
    • May specify reporting frequency (e.g., quarterly or annually) and the level of detail (e.g., per-case totals, aggregate collections, and distributions).
  • Clarification of what constitutes a cost, fine, or fee:
    • Distinguish between court costs, fines, surcharges, restitution, and other assessments.
  • Public accessibility and accountability measures:
    • Provisions could require dashboards, annual reports, or publication of aggregated data for oversight by committees or the public.
  • Compliance and enforcement:
    • Include penalties or corrective actions for entities that fail to report or misreport data.
    • Establish oversight mechanisms or designated bodies (e.g., judiciary committees) to monitor compliance.

Note: The exact statutory text is not provided here, so the above reflects typical components of a reporting-clarification bill in this policy area, inferred from the title and legislative history.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Courts (district and circuit), magistrates, and clerks responsible for imposing or administering costs, fines, and fees.
  • State and local government agencies involved in funding or collecting these charges.
  • Fiscal departments and budget offices that track revenue streams from fines and costs.
  • Defendants and the public, as data transparency could influence understanding of total financial obligations and potential disparities.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction in the Kentucky House on February 26, 2026.
  • House Committee actions occurred through late February and early March 2026.
  • House Floor: Passed 3rd reading on March 9, 2026, with a substantial margin (98-1).
  • Senate: Received on March 11, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Committees (S).
  • Subsequent Senate consideration followed initial committee stage (typical in Kentucky process) with a March 11, 2026 committee referral, then likely hearings and potential floor action.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Increased transparency may improve public understanding of the total financial burden on defendants and whether certain charges are duplicative or excessive.
  • Enhanced data reporting could aid policymakers in evaluating the effectiveness and fairness of fines and costs, and inform reform proposals.
  • If penalties or strict reporting requirements are included, there could be compliance burdens on courts and local governments.
  • Depending on the final text, the bill could influence budget planning by providing clearer revenue data from fines and costs.

Overall assessment

HB 774 aims to clarify and standardize the reporting of costs, fines, and fees within Kentucky’s judicial and fiscal systems. By promoting transparency and accountability, the bill could help stakeholders better assess fiscal impacts, equity, and the use of collected funds. The bill was advanced quickly through the House in March 2026 and moved to the Senate for further consideration.

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

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