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Kentucky · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 397: AN ACT relating to trophy catfish.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 397 is a bill introduced in the Kentucky House on January 15, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT relating to trophy catfish. Primary sponsor: D.J. Johnson (Republican), Kim Banta (Republican), Vanessa Grossl (Republican), Matt Lehman (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (April 15, 2026): recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H).

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 150 to define terms; require that any permit issued to take a lower Ohio River trophy catfish shall expire on May 31, 2027; prohibit the issuance or reissuance of an any lower Ohio River trophy catfish permits after that date; after the effective date of the Act, prohibit the transfer or reissuance of any lower Ohio River trophy catfish permit; prohibit the transportation of live trophy catfish except by boat while in the course of legally fishing; amend KRS 150.990 to make a violation of the prohibition on transporting live trophy catfish a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class D felony for each subsequent offense.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1 · Republican 3

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
D.J. JohnsonPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse13
Kim BantaPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse63
Vanessa GrosslPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse88
Matt LehmanPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse67

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)
  2. floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
  3. 2nd reading, to Rules
  4. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
  5. to Natural Resources & Energy (H)
  6. to Committee on Committees (H)
  7. introduced in House

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source