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HB 85KENTUCKYSession 2026RSState Billdead
Did Not Advance

Kentucky House Bill 85 restricts sanitation district fees and establishes connection timelines

Original title: AN ACT relating to sanitation districts.

Last action · January 14, 2026: to Local Government (H)Sponsors: T.J. Roberts and 2 others

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

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What This Bill Proposed

Kentucky House Bill 85 prohibits sanitation districts from charging fees or taxes on properties unless they are connected to a sewer, scheduled for connection within five years, or meet specific stormwater service criteria. The bill grants property owners a right to a refund with interest if promised sewer connections are not completed within the five-year window. Additionally, it permits sanitation districts to notify water providers to shut off service for non-payment of sewer charges.

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.

Directly affected

Property owners

Property owners gain restrictions on when sanitation districts can charge fees and acquire the right to sue for refunds if promised 5-year connection plans are not met.

Directly affected

Sanitation districts

Sanitation districts face new statutory limits on fee collection, refund liabilities for missed connection deadlines, and rules governing fund allocation.

Directly affected

Water service providers

Water providers are required to immediately shut off and restore water service upon receiving signed written notice from a sanitation district regarding delinquent user accounts.

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

Can a sanitation district charge a fee if my property is not connected to their sewer?
Generally no, unless the district has an approved plan to connect your property within five years, you receive specific stormwater services within 1,000 feet under a , or you have contracted with the district.
What happens if a sanitation district fails to connect my property within the promised five-year window?
Property owners charged under a five-year connection plan have a against the district for a refund of those charges with interest.
Can my water service be shut off for failing to pay sewer bills?
Yes, the sanitation district may send a signed written notice to the entity furnishing water to your premises to shut off water service until delinquent charges and turn-off/turn-on fees are paid in full.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

2 actions
  1. Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee
    to Local Government (H)
  2. Jan 7, 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

T.J. RobertsHouse · District 66RepublicanPrimary sponsor
Kim HollowayHouse · District 2RepublicanCosponsor
Candy MassaroniHouse · District 50RepublicanCosponsor

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

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

policy shift98% confidence

Strict Limitation on Unconnected Property Fees

The bill explicitly forbids sanitation districts from billing property owners unless specific connection, stormwater distance, or contractual criteria are met.

Connected Entities

Energy and Environment Cabinet, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
OrganizationEnergy and Environment Cabinet“Approves improvement plans for sanitary works”Map →
OrganizationGeneral Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky“Legislative body enacting the bill”Map →

Sources

Open source document

apps.legislature.ky.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz25
    Current news / social attention level

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