Kentucky · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 497: AN ACT relating to postsecondary tuition waivers.
Passed one chamber Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 497 is a bill introduced in the Kentucky House on January 28, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT relating to postsecondary tuition waivers. Primary sponsor: James Tipton (Republican), Josh Branscum (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 26, 2026): to Committee on Committees (S).
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.
Amend KRS 164.515 to make the amount of tuition waived for the spouse or child of designated permanently disabled veterans a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.2841 to make the amount tuition waived for the survivor of police officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter killed in line of duty last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.2842 to make the amount of tuition waived for the survivor of police officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter permanently and totally disabled in line of duty a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.507 to make the amount of tuition waived for the non-married spouse or child of a deceased veteran a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.020 to delete the tuition waiver for employees and faculty of state and locally operated secondary area technology center staff.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Tipton | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 53 |
| Josh Branscum | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 83 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- to Committee on Committees (S)
- received in Senate
- 3rd reading, passed 56-36 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (3)
- floor amendment (3) filed to Committee Substitute
- posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 19 2026
- floor amendment (2) filed to Committee Substitute
- 2nd reading, to Rules
- floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
- reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
- to Postsecondary Education (H)
- to Committee on Committees (H)
- introduced in House