KentuckyLocal governments may fund care of public pedestrian swinging bridges
Counties and several other local governments may use public money to care for pedestrian swinging bridges open for recreation, while covered free users face limited landowner claims.
What it does
Counties may care for and maintain pedestrian swinging bridges that people use for recreation and public enjoyment.
Several types of local government may spend public money to care for pedestrian swinging bridges used for recreation and public enjoyment.
Local governments maintaining covered bridges generally receive the same recreational-use liability limits as other landowners when people enter without paying, with important safety and fee exceptions.
Argument forPublic funding authority could help local governments keep recreational pedestrian bridges open and in usable condition.
Argument againstBroad liability protection could make it harder for injured recreational users to recover damages after a free visit, although serious misconduct remains covered.
More detail
A county may care for and maintain pedestrian swinging bridges using its governmental powers. The bridges must be available for recreation and public enjoyment.
A city, unified local government, urban-county government, or consolidated local government may spend public funds on bridge care and maintenance. This applies to pedestrian swinging bridges available for recreation and public enjoyment in Kentucky.
A local government that maintains a covered bridge generally does not owe recreational users a duty to make the land safe or warn about dangers when access is free. The rule applies when a local government maintains one or more covered bridges on land leased for recreation, and the recreational access is without charge. The protection does not cover willful or malicious failures to guard against or warn about danger. It does not apply when the person entering the land is charged for recreational use, subject to the stated lease exception. People using the land must still use reasonable care, and the rule does not create or remove other duties beyond its terms.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 23signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Acts Ch. 192)Became Law
- Apr 15delivered to Governor
- Vote recorded Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 15enrolled, signed by Speaker of the HouseTo Governor
- Apr 15enrolled, signed by President of the SenateMajor
- Apr 15received in Senate
- Apr 153rd reading, passed 93-3Passed House
- Apr 15placed in the Orders of the Day
- Apr 15taken from Rules
- Apr 15reported favorably, to RulesMinor
- Apr 15to Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H)Minor
- Apr 15taken from Committee on Committees (H)
- Apr 1returned to Committee on Committees (H)
- Apr 12nd readingMinor
- Apr 1taken from Committee on Committees (H)
- Mar 31returned to Committee on Committees (H)
- Mar 311st readingMinor
- Mar 31taken from Committee on Committees (H)
- Mar 13to Committee on Committees (H)Minor
- Mar 13received in House
- Mar 123rd reading, passed 37-0 with Committee Substitute (1)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded PASS SB 261 w/ SCS 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
- Mar 9posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 11 2026
- Mar 52nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Mar 4reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)Minor
- Mar 2to State & Local Government (S)Minor
- Feb 26to Committee on Committees (S)Minor
- Feb 26introduced in SenateIntroduced
Public SafetyTransportationGovernment & Ethics