KentuckyKentucky law requires competitive pay for fish and wildlife officers
The law requires competitive pay for Kentucky's fish and wildlife officers and provides game wardens a yearly training payment comparable to the police officer pay supplement.
What it does
Kentucky's fish and wildlife commissioner must set officer pay that competes with other police agencies. The Personnel Cabinet must take the steps needed to put that pay structure in place.
Kentucky game wardens participate in the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program fund and receive a yearly training payment comparable to the annual police officer pay supplement.
Argument forPay that competes with other police agencies could help Kentucky's fish and wildlife department attract officers and keep experienced staff.
Argument againstRequiring pay to compete with other police agencies could limit the fish and wildlife department's flexibility when setting officer salaries.
More detail
The fish and wildlife commissioner must set a competitive pay structure for sworn officers. The requirement covers sworn employees of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources' Division of Law Enforcement. Pay must compete with other state and local law enforcement agencies in Kentucky and be adequate to meet the department's hiring and staff retention goals. State personnel rules and benefits also apply.
Game wardens receive an annual training payment comparable to the annual police officer pay supplement. This provision covers game wardens appointed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
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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 14became law without Governor's Signature (Acts Ch. 148)Became Law
- Apr 13filed without Governor's signature with the Secretary of State
- Apr 1delivered to Governor
- Apr 1enrolled, signed by President of the SenateTo Governor
- Apr 1enrolled, signed by Speaker of the HouseMajor
- Mar 31received in House
- Vote recorded CONSENT PASSAGE OF HB 506. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 313rd reading, passed 38-0Passed Senate
- Mar 31posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 31 2026
- Mar 262nd reading, to Rules as a consent billMinor
- Mar 25reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent CalendarMinor
- Mar 18to Natural Resources & Energy (S)Minor
- Mar 13to Committee on Committees (S)Minor
- Mar 13received in Senate
- Mar 123rd reading, passed 93-0 with Committee Substitute (2)Passed House
- Vote recorded Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 12placed in the Orders of the Day
- Mar 12taken from Rules
- Mar 12reported favorably, to Rules with Committee Substitute (2)Minor
- Mar 4recommitted to Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (H)
- Feb 272nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Feb 26reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)Minor
- Feb 4to Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (H)Minor
- Jan 28to Committee on Committees (H)Minor
- Jan 28introduced in HouseIntroduced
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