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Read. Follow. Verify.Kentucky creates residential safe room rebate program providing up to $5,000 for homeowners
Last action · March 23, 2026: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 5)Sponsors: Steve Meredith and 2 others
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What This Bill Does
Kentucky established a rebate fund to reimburse homeowners for up to 50% of construction or installation costs, capped at $5,000, provided the shelter is made available to the community during weather-related emergencies. The division administers the program, issues rebates biannually starting in January 2027, and reports annually to the Legislative Research Commission.
Qualifying residents who build storm shelters meeting specific federal guidelines can recover half their construction expenses up to $5,000, provided they sign an agreement to open their safe room to community members during severe weather.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Qualified homeowners
Homeowners who construct qualifying residential safe rooms may apply for financial rebates covering up to half of their costs, capped at $5,000.
Community members in severe weather areas
Residents gain access to public lists of available safe rooms and can utilize participating homeowners' shelters during severe weather events.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money can a homeowner receive from the safe room rebate program?
What are the requirements for a safe room to qualify for the rebate?
When will the division begin issuing rebate payments?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
15 actions- Mar 23, 2026SenateEnrolledsigned by Governor (Acts Ch. 5)
- Mar 20, 2026HouseEnrolledreceived in Senate enrolled, signed by President of the Senate enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House delivered to Governor
- Mar 19, 2026SenateFloor3rd reading, passed 84-8
- Mar 18, 2026SenateFloor2nd reading, to Rules posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 19 2026
- Mar 17, 2026Senatereported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
- Mar 11, 2026HouseCommitteeto Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (H)
Show 9 earlier actions
- Mar 10, 2026HouseIntroducedreceived in House to Committee on Committees (H)
- Mar 6, 2026SenateFloor3rd reading, passed 33-3 with Committee Substitute (1)
- Mar 4, 2026Senateposted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 06 2026
- Feb 25, 2026Senatereported favorably, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1)
- Jan 20, 2026SenateCommitteerecommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (S)
- Jan 16, 2026SenateFloor2nd reading, to Rules
- Jan 15, 2026Senatereported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
- Jan 14, 2026SenateCommitteeto Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)
- Jan 6, 2026SenateIntroducedintroduced in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)
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
Connected Entities
Sources
apps.legislature.ky.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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