Two measures impacting Kentucky cities advanced today from the House Standing Committee on State Government with favorable expression. House Bill 467 and House Bill 589 both continue moving through the legislative process.  

Expanding Local Opportunities for State-Owned Real Property  
House Bill 467, sponsored by Representative DJ Johnson (R-Owensboro), provides cities with greater opportunity to identify, acquire, and utilize surplus or underutilized state-owned real property located within their city limits.  

This legislation establishes a formal process for cities to inquire about surplus property through the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Capitol Planning Advisory Board. The Secretary of Finance and Administration Cabinet must provide a written response to the city’s chief executive officer within 60 days of receiving notice. The bill also requires the state agency to maintain and secure the property until the sale is complete.  

These updates provide an additional tool to support local revitalization. Read the full bill text here.  

Providing Structured Flexibility for Rehiring Retired Firefighters  
House Bill 589, sponsored by Representative Stephanie Dietz (R-Edgewood), advanced with favorable expression and addresses staffing challenges facing municipal fire departments across the Commonwealth.  

Current law allows cities to rehire retired police officers under structured conditions but does not extend that same flexibility to firefighters. HB 589 creates clear statutory authority for cities to rehire retired firefighters who meet strict eligibility requirements, including at least 20 years of service credit, compliance with required separation periods, and no pending administrative charges.  

Employment would be limited to one-year contracts, renewable at the city’s discretion, and compensation must align with the department’s standard pay scale. A committee substitute was included that requires employers to pay the minimum normal CERS contributions, which are currently about 7% for nonhazardous and 12% for hazardous positions. The bill also limits the number of retirees a department may hire based on department size to ensure this tool supplements, rather than replaces, the existing workforce.  

Read the full bill text here.