Kentucky · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 749: AN ACT relating to the establishment of the Office of Public Defense.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 749 is a bill introduced in the Kentucky House on February 25, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT relating to the establishment of the Office of Public Defense. Primary sponsor: T.J. Roberts (Republican), Steven Doan (Republican), Josh Calloway (Republican), Ryan Dotson (Republican), John Hodgson (Republican), Thomas Huff (Republican), Bill Wesley (Republican). Most recent recorded action (March 4, 2026): to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (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 new sections of KRS Chapter 16 to define terms; establish the Office of Public Defense within the Department of Kentucky State Police to acquire and transfer machine guns to qualified persons; establish the duties of the office and its director; require the director or designee to issue a transfer certificate upon transfer of a machine gun to a qualified person; require a qualified person who becomes ineligible to possess a firearm to return a machine gun to the office within 7 days of learning of his or her prohibited status; allow a qualified person to transfer a machine gun to another qualified person; establish the public defense fund; provide civil immunity to the Commonwealth, the office, and the office's director, officers, and employees in the performance of their duties; provide that the Commonwealth, the office, and the office's director, officers, and employees shall not be civilly or criminally liable for acts or omissions of qualified persons; amend KRS 12.020 and 15A.020 to conform.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 7
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T.J. Roberts | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 66 |
| Steven Doan | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 69 |
| Josh Calloway | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 10 |
| Ryan Dotson | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 73 |
| John Hodgson | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 36 |
| Thomas Huff | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 49 |
| Bill Wesley | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 91 |
“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 Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (H)
- to Committee on Committees (H)
- introduced in House