The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Kentucky HB 911 restricts local zoning rules on commercial filling stations, vehicle shops, and drive-throughs
Last action · March 16, 2026: taken from Local Government (H) 2nd reading returned to Local Government (H)Sponsor: Steven Rudy
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What This Bill Proposed
Kentucky HB 911 prohibits local s from enforcing zoning rules that discriminate against retail filling stations, vehicle repair shops, and drive-through facilities, or from imposing specific design mandates such as open space caps or tree canopy minimums in commercial zones. The measure invalidates contrary local ordinances, requires single-lot commercial developments meeting local criteria to be approved without a development plan, and creates a private right of action in Circuit Court for aggrieved persons.
Property owners and commercial developers gain relief from local mandates on parking, tree canopy, architectural design, and fueling infrastructure, while local governments face court challenges and mandatory attorney fee awards if they enforce prohibited zoning restrictions.
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.
planning units
Local planning units are prohibited from enforcing specific zoning, design, open space, and tree canopy restrictions in commercial zones and face legal liability and attorney fees for violations.
commercial developers
Commercial developers are relieved from local mandates regarding open space caps, tree preservation minimums, building height and bulk ratios, and mandatory development plans for single-lot projects.
retail filling station operators
Operators of retail filling stations and vehicle service establishments receive protections against discriminatory local clustering, density, or spacing rules and canopy placement bans.
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
What specific commercial businesses does HB 911 protect from discriminatory local zoning rules?
Can a local planning unit require developers to install electric vehicle charging stations under this bill?
What happens if a local planning unit enforces a zoning rule prohibited by this bill?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · on the House floor.
Procedural history
4 actions- Mar 16, 2026HouseFloortaken from Local Government (H) 2nd reading returned to Local Government (H)
- Mar 13, 2026HouseCommitteetaken from Local Government (H) 1st reading returned to Local Government (H)
- Mar 11, 2026HouseCommitteeto Local Government (H)
- Mar 4, 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.
State Preemption of Local Commercial Design Standards
HB 911 systematically strips local planning units of the authority to regulate specific commercial design features such as tree canopy minimums, open space caps, and architectural rules.
Connected Entities
Sources
apps.legislature.ky.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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