Kentucky · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 679: AN ACT relating to tourism and declaring an emergency.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 679 is a bill introduced in the Kentucky House on February 19, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT relating to tourism and declaring an emergency. Primary sponsor: Aaron Thompson (Republican), John Blanton (Republican), Chris Fugate (Republican), David Hale (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 26, 2026): to Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (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.
Amend KRS 142.406 to require the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet to establish criteria to administer a regional marketing and matching funds program; require the program to provide financial and marketing assistance for projects that directly support the promotion and marketing efforts of a tourism attraction event or geographic area; establish 9 tourism regions in the state; require a tourism regional committee to be established within each tourism region; set requirements for the appointment of members to the tourism regional committee; require the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet to establish terms and operating policies of the tourism regional committees; require at least 25% of the moneys available in the tourism, meeting, and convention marketing fund to be divided equally among the tourism regions for the payment of eligible expenses; require the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet to work in partnership with the tourism regional committees to use the money provided to the tourism regions; require at least 10% of the moneys in the tourism, meeting, and convention marketing fund to be dedicated to the regional marketing and matching funds program; require the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet to implement initial strategic plans for marketing and promoting tourism in each tourism region; mandate reporting to the Legislative Research Commission by the secretary of the cabinet; create a new section of KRS Chapter 148 to mandate reporting by the commissioner of the Department of State Parks to the Legislative Research Commission on state park occupancy rates; EMERGENCY.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 4
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Thompson | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 98 |
| John Blanton | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 92 |
| Chris Fugate | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 84 |
| David Hale | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 74 |
“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 Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (H)
- to Committee on Committees (H)
- introduced in House