Disaster Task Force Releases Legislative Recommendations

In response to the increasing natural disasters that affected many of Kentucky’s communities in recent years, the 2025 Kentucky General Assembly created the Kentucky Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force. Throughout the interim, the task force has examined the commonwealth’s disaster response systems and sought to develop policy recommendations aimed at strengthening Kentucky’s preparedness, coordination, and recovery efforts moving forward. 

The final meeting of the task force was on Friday, Nov. 21. Disaster Task Force Co-Chairs Senator Robin Webb (R-Grayson) and Representative Chris Freeland (R-Benton) presented recommendations they will share during the 2026 session for consideration. 

The primary recommendation of the task force was to establish a state resilience office. This office, as described, would be organized in phases. The first is to focus on data that would highlight areas such as tracking, mapping, history, and projections. Senator Webb hopes this office will work to tear down silos between state agencies to have accountability for government expenditures as well as recognition when there is a duplication of expenditures. This office would be led by the state resilience officer.  

A second recommendation was to continue the work of this Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force. The task force asks that the General Assembly consider continuing its work, whether by the creation of a committee or the continuation of this task force, so that the commonwealth is accountable to the federal government, taxpayers, or other entities that fund disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. 

It was noted that several pieces of legislation could come from these recommendations, or from members of the task force in the 2026 General Assembly. 

KLC supports statutory updates that give all cities a meaningful role in emergency preparedness and response — direct access to KYEM funding, participation in emergency plan development, access to local emergency operations plans, and clear precedence for city plans within municipal boundaries.