KentuckyBill would tie public-record requests to Kentucky residency
The proposal ties public-record requests to Kentucky residency and would let agencies ask requesters to explain how they qualify.
What it does
The text would let people who qualify as Kentucky residents inspect public records, subject to exceptions in state law.
An agency could ask a requester to explain how they qualify as a Kentucky resident and, if needed, provide proof.
The Attorney General would provide a standard request form, and public agencies would have to accept it. The form would ask for limited information, including how the requester qualifies as a Kentucky resident.
Argument forA standard request form with limited required information could make it easier for residents to submit requests and agencies to process them.
Argument againstPeople outside Kentucky who do not fit the listed categories might be unable to inspect public records through this process.
More detail
Public agencies would make public records available for inspection to people who qualify as Kentucky residents. The listed residents include people who live or work in Kentucky, certain businesses with a Kentucky location, property owners in the state, and news-gathering organizations. Access remains subject to exceptions in Kentucky's open-records laws.
An agency could ask a requester to explain how they qualify as a Kentucky resident and, in some cases, show proof. These rules apply to people requesting public records from a public agency. An agency may ask for a signed written application describing the records. It may request a government photo ID showing the person's address if they have one; without photo ID, it may ask for another form of identification or proof of residency.
The Attorney General would make a standard public-record request form, and agencies would have to accept it. Any person making a public-record request could use the form. The form would be limited to the requester's name, contact information when copies are requested, commercial purpose, a description of the records, a residency statement, and a signature. Agencies would accept the form for requests made on or after June 29, 2021.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 15recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)Latest
- Apr 1to Rules (H)Minor
- Vote recorded PASS HB 567 w/ SCS 1, SFA 5, SFA 2 (T). Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1received in House
- Apr 1passed 28-6 with Committee Substitute (1), Floor Amendment (5) and Floor Amendment (2-title)Passed Senate
- Apr 1floor amendment (4) withdrawn
- Apr 1floor amendment (3) withdrawn
- Apr 1floor amendment (1) withdrawn
- Apr 1committee amendment (1) withdrawn
- Apr 13rd readingMinor
- Mar 31floor amendment (5) filed to Committee SubstituteMinor
- Mar 31passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
- Mar 27Floor Amendments (3) and (4) filed to Committee Substitute and Floor Amendment (2-title) filed to billMinor
- Mar 27passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
- Mar 26floor amendment (1) filed to Committee SubstituteMinor
- Mar 26passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
- Mar 26placed in the Orders of the Day
- Mar 26taken from Rules
- Mar 26reported favorably, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)Minor
- Mar 25returned to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)
- Mar 252nd readingMinor
- Mar 25taken from Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)
- Mar 24returned to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)
- Mar 241st readingMinor
- Mar 24taken from Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)
- Mar 24to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)Minor
- Mar 16to Committee on Committees (S)Minor
- Mar 16received in Senate
- Mar 133rd reading, passed 71-19 with Floor Amendment (1)Passed House
- Vote recorded Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 12 2026
- Mar 2floor amendment (1) filedMinor
- Feb 272nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Feb 26reported favorably, 1st reading, to CalendarMinor
- Feb 12to State Government (H)Minor
- Feb 5to Committee on Committees (H)Minor
- Feb 5introduced in HouseIntroduced
Government & Ethics