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HB 542KENTUCKYSession 2026RSState BillSigned into law
Enacted

Kentucky Imposes Strict Notice and Feasibility Rules on Eminent Domain and Protects Agricultural Land

Original title: AN ACT relating to eminent domain and declaring an emergency.

Last action · April 13, 2026: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 112)Sponsors: Myron Dossett and 3 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Does

Kentucky law now requires condemnors seeking private property through to provide detailed sworn reports proving a lack of feasible alternative locations, adhere to strict negotiation and notice rules, and protect agricultural infrastructure values, effective April 13, 2026. The legislation mandates written offers, grants property owners up to 60 days to obtain independent appraisals, and establishes grounds for court dismissal of non-compliant s.

Why it matters

Property owners facing gain mandatory pre-filing notification periods, the right to demand public meetings, and reimbursement for costs and attorney fees if condemnors use misleading tactics, while condemnors face stricter justification requirements and court dismissal risks for non-compliance.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Property owners

Property owners receive mandatory pre-filing notices, independent appraisal periods, protection against misleading negotiation tactics, and reimbursement rights for legal costs if violations occur during condemnation proceedings.

Directly affected

Agricultural district members

Members benefit from explicit consideration of agricultural infrastructure in property valuations, exemption from water service line assessments, annexation protections, and the right to request public hearings on takings.

Directly affected

Condemnors and government agencies

Condemnors must submit sworn alternative location reports, follow rigid delivery rules for purchase offers, fund appraisal windows, and risk dismissal of actions if statutory notice and negotiation rules are violated.

Directly affected

Subsurface rights owners

Subsurface rights owners must give prior written consent before property owners can transfer conservation easements on properties with outstanding subsurface rights.

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 happens if a condemnor uses misleading tactics during property negotiations?
The will be dismissed, and the property owner is entitled to recover costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney fees.
How much time does a property owner have to obtain an independent appraisal after receiving an offer?
The property owner has sixty days from the receipt of the initial offer, or thirty days from the date of refusal if they refuse delivery of the offer.
Can land inside an agricultural district be annexed?
No, land within the boundary of an certified agricultural district shall not be annexed.
What must a condemnor provide before entering private land to conduct surveys or appraisals?
The condemnor must provide written notification at least ten days prior to entry, delivered via certified mail or hand delivery, detailing the project purpose, property parcel designation, and owner rights.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

13 actions
  1. Apr 13, 2026HouseEnrolled
    signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 112)
  2. Apr 1, 2026HouseEnrolled
    enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House enrolled, signed by President of the Senate delivered to Governor
  3. Mar 31, 2026HouseFloor
    3rd reading, passed 38-0 received in House
  4. Mar 26, 2026House
    posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Friday, March 27 2026
  5. Mar 25, 2026HouseFloor
    2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill
  6. Mar 24, 2026House
    reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
Show 7 earlier actions
  1. Mar 20, 2026SenateCommittee
    to Agriculture (S)
  2. Mar 9, 2026SenateIntroduced
    received in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)
  3. Mar 6, 2026HouseFloor
    3rd reading, passed 90-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
  4. Mar 5, 2026HouseFloor
    2nd reading, to Rules posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 06 2026
  5. Mar 4, 2026House
    reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
  6. Feb 10, 2026HouseCommittee
    to Judiciary (H)
  7. Feb 3, 2026HouseIntroduced
    introduced 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

Myron DossettHouse · District 9RepublicanPrimary sponsor
Ryan BivensHouse · District 24RepublicanCosponsor
Beverly Chester-BurtonHouse · District 44DemocraticCosponsor
Mark HartHouse · District 78RepublicanCosponsor

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift99% confidence

Enhanced Protections for Agricultural Districts and Property Owners

The bill shifts the legal balance in eminent domain proceedings by requiring alternative location justifications, mandatory independent appraisal windows, and strict pre-entry notice rules.

General AssemblySoil and Water Conservation Commission

Connected Entities

Myron Dossett, Governor, General Assembly and 5 more
PersonMyron Dossett“Primary sponsor of House Bill 542.”Map →
PersonGovernor“Signed the bill into law on April 13, 2026.”Map →
OrganizationGeneral Assembly“The legislative body enacting the bill.”Map →
PersonMark Hart“Cosponsor of the bill.”Map →
OrganizationFinance and Administration Cabinet“Required to institute condemnation proceedings on behalf of state departments an”Map →
PersonRyan Bivens“Cosponsor of the bill.”Map →
PersonBeverly Chester-Burton“Cosponsor of the bill.”Map →
OrganizationSoil and Water Conservation Commission“Responsible for statewide administration of the agricultural district program.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

apps.legislature.ky.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance85
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy45
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz35
    Current news / social attention level

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