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Read. Follow. Verify.Kentucky bill requires University of Kentucky and University of Louisville to schedule regular athletic games against state public universities
Last action · January 14, 2026: to Postsecondary Education (H)Sponsors: Matt Lehman and 1 other
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What This Bill Proposed
Kentucky House Bill 42 requires the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville to regularly schedule and play intercollegiate football and basketball games against each other and other public postsecondary institutions in the state, unless blocked by existing contracts.
The measure mandates scheduling changes for major state university athletic departments, dictating annual matchups in football and basketball starting each academic year.
- The General Assembly is the legislative branch of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. context
- Murray State University is a public postsecondary institution located 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.
University of Kentucky
Must schedule mandatory annual and biennial football and basketball games against specific in-state public universities.
University of Louisville
Must schedule mandatory annual and biennial football and basketball games against specific in-state public universities.
Eastern Kentucky University
Eligible to be scheduled by the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville for multiple sports competitions.
Kentucky State University
Eligible to be scheduled by the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville for multiple sports competitions.
Morehead State University
Eligible to be scheduled by the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville for multiple sports competitions.
Murray State University
Eligible to be scheduled by the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville for multiple sports competitions.
Northern Kentucky University
Eligible to be scheduled by the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville for multiple sports competitions.
Western Kentucky University
Eligible to be scheduled by the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville for multiple sports competitions.
Key Facts
- The General Assembly finds that regular intercollegiate athletic competitions among the Commonwealth's public universities promote economic activity and enhance institutional profiles.
- The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville must endeavor to play against Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, and Western Kentucky University in multiple sports each academic year.
- The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville must compete against each other annually in at least one varsity-level football game and one men's and women's varsity-level basketball game scheduled between December 14 and January 6.
- The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville must each play at least one varsity-level football game every two academic years against another Kentucky public postsecondary institution.
Show all 7 facts
- The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville must each play two varsity-level basketball games for both men's and women's teams against at least two other Kentucky public postsecondary institutions each academic year.
- Scheduled games may be postponed or cancelled due to events beyond institutional control, such as acts of God, natural disasters, epidemics, labor disruptions, war, or civil disturbances, and such actions still satisfy the requirement.
- The requirements of the act are unenforceable during any academic year where compliance would violate a pre-existing contract entered into by any of the listed public universities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which universities are required to play against each other under HB 42?
What happens if a game must be cancelled due to a natural disaster or strike?
Does the bill override existing athletic contracts?
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 · in House committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jan 14, 2026HouseCommitteeto Postsecondary Education (H)
- Jan 7, 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
Connected Entities
Sources
apps.legislature.ky.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 40)
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment15Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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