Senator Danny Carroll, of Paducah, has introduced Senate Bill 57, legislation aimed at accelerating nuclear energy development in Kentucky through the creation of a Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program.
The proposal would place the new program under the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority and establish partnerships between the state, utility companies, and private industry, including large-scale energy users and manufacturers.
Under the bill, costs would be shared evenly, with the state, utilities, and industry each contributing up to $25 million per site. That funding would support early site permitting, construction permits, and combined operating licenses required by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Projects would be limited to sites already designated through the state’s nuclear authority.
The program would support at least three sites across Kentucky, with the goal of attracting private investment, creating jobs, and strengthening the state’s long-term energy infrastructure. Carroll says the investment could generate tens of billions of dollars in economic returns and position Kentucky as a national leader in nuclear development, noting strong interest from utilities and industry leaders.
Carroll acknowledged that the bill may be adjusted as lawmakers and stakeholders continue discussions during the legislative process.
The legislation builds on nearly a decade of policy efforts to expand nuclear energy in Kentucky. The state lifted its nuclear development moratorium in 2017, created a Nuclear Energy Working Group in 2023, and established the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority in 2024.
Additional steps have included funding for nuclear workforce development, directing the Public Service Commission to prepare for nuclear permitting, and creating a grant program to support nuclear-related projects.
Those efforts have already attracted federal site designations and private nuclear investments, particularly in the Paducah area, and have increased Kentucky’s visibility in national nuclear policy discussions.
Carroll says the goal is to diversify Kentucky’s energy portfolio and ensure that the economic benefits of nuclear development are shared across all regions of the state.
Senate Bill 57 is available for review at legislature.ky.gov.
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Senator Aaron Reed, R-Shelbyville, is filing Senate Bill 7, a priority measure backed by Senate Republicans that would restore driver’s license renewal and duplicate services to local county offices in counties without regional licensing centers.
The bill allows eligible local officials—such as county clerks, circuit clerks, sheriffs or judge/executives—to issue renewals through agreements with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, which would provide the necessary equipment.
The proposal responds to widespread complaints about long wait times, limited appointments and concerns raised by recent investigative reporting into the state-run licensing system. SB 7 limits services to county residents unless interlocal agreements are in place and allows counties to share resources or partner with neighboring counties if needed.
The bill has 28 Senate co-sponsors and strong support from Senate leadership, including Transportation Committee Chair Jimmy Higdon and Senate President Robert Stivers. It also updates renewal terms for standard and REAL ID licenses. If approved, the changes would take effect July 1, 2027.
SB 7 is expected to be referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.
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Senator Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville, has filed Senate Bill 74 to ensure money Kentucky receives from a settlement with vaping manufacturer Juul Labs is used specifically for youth vaping prevention and cessation.
Kentucky has received more than $14 million from a multi-state settlement with Juul over marketing practices that targeted young people. However, the original settlement did not require the funds to be spent on anti-vaping or youth prevention efforts, and the money has not been formally allocated for that purpose.
SB 74 would create a Vaping Settlement Trust Fund within the state treasury, administered by the Office of the Attorney General. Under the bill, any future Juul settlement proceeds would be deposited into the fund and dedicated exclusively to youth vaping prevention and cessation programs.
The legislation directs the funds to the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program within the Department for Public Health to support education, prevention and cessation efforts aimed at reducing youth nicotine use. The bill also requires annual distribution of the funds and allows unused money to carry forward, supporting long-term, sustained investment rather than one-time spending.
Meanwhile, Doug Hogan, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said the bill would help ensure settlement funds are used as intended.
Senate Bill 74 is expected to be considered during the 2026 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
