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Read. Follow. Verify.Kentucky Establishes Water Workforce Program with $1.35 Million Annual Appropriation
Last action · March 5, 2026: to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (H)Sponsor: Bobby McCool
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What This Bill Proposed
Kentucky creates the Kentucky Future Leaders of Water (FLOW) Program to fund s and water or wastewater operator apprenticeships, taking effect July 1, 2026.
Public water and wastewater systems can receive state reimbursements for employee wages up to $16,000 per apprentice annually, tuition costs, safety gear, and s.
- The Kentucky General Assembly is the state legislature responsible for enacting laws and passing state budget appropriations. context
- Workforce development and water infrastructure maintenance are key regulatory areas overseen by state labor and environmental cabinets in Kentucky. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Public water or wastewater systems
Eligible systems can apply for state reimbursement grants covering employee wages, training, tuition, and mentor stipends.
Apprentices in water systems operations
Apprentices receive structured on-the-job training, related technical instruction, and wage support through participating public utilities.
Education and Labor Cabinet
The cabinet is charged with administering the FLOW Program, issuing reimbursements, promulgating regulations, and publishing annual reports.
Key Facts
- Appropriates General Fund moneys of $1,347,500 in each fiscal year of the 2026-2028 fiscal biennium to the Kentucky FLOW Program Fund.
- Establishes the Kentucky FLOW Program to support up to 50 employees annually for utility manager accreditations and up to 50 new or continuing apprenticeships.
- Provides wage reimbursement up to 50% of an apprentice's hourly wage, capped at $8 per hour and 2,000 hours per year, for a maximum of $16,000 per apprentice per year.
- Offers training and tuition reimbursement up to $2,500 per employee for utility manager accreditation and up to $2,500 per apprentice for related technical instruction.
Show all 9 facts
- Provides licensure and testing reimbursement up to $1,000 per apprentice and mentor stipends up to $1,000 per apprentice per program year.
- Covers safety gear, basic tools, and required travel up to $1,500 per apprentice per program year.
- Allocates up to 10% of annual appropriations for program administration, outreach, technical assistance, evaluation, and data reporting.
- Gives funding priority to public water or wastewater systems serving disadvantaged communities, experiencing workforce shortages, or addressing noncompliance with environmental laws.
- Requires the Education and Labor Cabinet to publish an annual notice of funding and application by September 1, 2026, and an annual program report by September 1, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kentucky FLOW Program?
How much financial support is available for apprentices?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Mar 5, 2026HouseCommitteeto Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (H)
- Feb 26, 2026HouseIntroducedintroduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Creation of Dedicated Utility Training Fund
The legislation establishes a restricted fund in the State Treasury specifically financed through general appropriations, federal funds, civil penalties, and gifts to support water and wastewater system operators.
Connected Entities
Sources
apps.legislature.ky.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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