Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Kentucky General Assembly, fetched 2026-09-25. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. This is the current version. The official bill page.
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1 AN ACT relating to public postsecondary education.
2 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
3 Section 1. KRS 164.321 is amended to read as follows:
4 (1) (a) Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Murray State
5 University, Western Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, and
6 Northern Kentucky University[, and the Kentucky Community and Technical
7 College System] shall each be governed by a board of regents appointed for a
8 term set by law pursuant to Section 23 of the Constitution of Kentucky.
9 (b)[(a)] Each board of the comprehensive universities listed in subsection (1)(a)
10 of this section shall consist of eight (8) members appointed by the Governor,
11 one (1) member of the teaching faculty, one (1) member of the university
12 nonteaching personnel, and one (1) member of the student body of the
13 respective university[ or college]. The members appointed by the Governor
14 shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate. The members of the board shall
15 select a chairperson annually[.
16 (b) The board of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System shall
17 consist of eight (8) members appointed by the Governor, two (2) members of
18 the teaching faculty, two (2) members of the nonteaching personnel, and two
19 (2) members of the student body. The members appointed by the Governor
20 shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.
21 1. No more than three (3) appointed members of the board shall reside in any
22 one (1) judicial district of the Kentucky Supreme Court as of the date of the
23 appointment.
24 2. A change in residency of a gubernatorial appointee after the date of
25 appointment shall not affect the appointee's ability to serve or eligibility for
26 reappointment, except an appointee who assumes residency outside the fifty
27 (50) United States shall become immediately ineligible to serve. The Council
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1 on Postsecondary Education shall notify the appointee of his or her
2 ineligibility to serve.
3 3. In making initial appointments, the Governor shall act so as to provide equal
4 representation of the two (2) sexes. In filling vacancies, the Governor shall act
5 so as to provide, inasmuch as possible, equal representation of the two (2)
6 sexes by appointing a member of the sex that is the lesser represented at the
7 time of the appointment. If the remaining membership already has an equal
8 number of males and females, the Governor may appoint a member of either
9 sex].
10 (c)[(2)] The terms of appointed members shall be for six (6) years and until their
11 successors are appointed and qualified, unless a member is removed by the
12 Governor pursuant to KRS 63.080(2), (3), or (4)[, except the initial
13 appointments to the board of regents for the Kentucky Community and
14 Technical College System shall be as follows:
15 (a) One (1) member shall serve a one (1) year term;
16 (b) One (1) member shall serve a two (2) year term;
17 (c) Two (2) members shall serve three (3) year terms;
18 (d) One (1) member shall serve a four (4) year term;
19 (e) One (1) member shall serve a five (5) year term; and
20 (f) Two (2) members shall serve six (6) year terms].
21 (d) New appointees of a board[ of regents] shall not serve for more than two (2)
22 consecutive terms.
23 (e) 1.[(3)] The gubernatorial appointments may include one (1) graduate of
24 the respective institution who resides outside the Commonwealth.
25 2. No[Not] more than two (2) appointed members of any board shall be
26 residents of one (1) county.
27 3. The appointments shall reflect the proportional representation of the two
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1 (2) leading political parties of the Commonwealth based on the state's
2 voter registration and the political affiliation of each appointee as of
3 December 31 of the year preceding the date of his or her appointment. A
4 particular political affiliation shall not be a prerequisite to appointment
5 to any board generally; however, if any person is appointed to a board
6 that does not represent either of the two (2) leading political parties of
7 the Commonwealth, the proportional representation by political
8 affiliation requirement shall be determined and satisfied based on the
9 total number of members on the board less any members not affiliated
10 with either of the two (2) leading political parties[. Membership on the
11 board shall reflect no less than proportional representation of the
12 minority racial composition of the Commonwealth based on the total
13 minority racial population using the most recent census or estimate data
14 from the United States Census Bureau. If the determination of
15 proportional minority representation does not result in a whole number
16 of minority members, it shall be rounded up to the next whole number].
17 4. Membership on the board shall not be incompatible with any state
18 office.
19 5. A change in residency after the date of appointment shall not affect a
20 member's ability to serve nor shall it prevent a member's eligibility for
21 reappointment, except a member who assumes residency outside the
22 fifty (50) United States shall become immediately ineligible to serve.
23 6. The Council on Postsecondary Education shall notify the appointee of
24 his or her ineligibility to serve.
25 (f)[(4)] Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made in the same manner and
26 within the same time after the occurrence of the vacancy as regular
27 appointments. The person appointed shall hold the position for the unexpired
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1 term only.
2 (g)[(5)] Each member of the board shall serve for the term for which the
3 member is appointed and until a successor is appointed and qualified, unless a
4 member is removed by the Governor pursuant to KRS 63.080(2), (3), or (4).
5 (h)[(6) (a)] The faculty member of a board[comprehensive university] shall be
6 a teaching or research member of the faculty of his or her respective
7 university of the rank of assistant professor or above. The faculty member
8 shall be elected by secret ballot by all faculty members of his or her university
9 of the rank of instructor, assistant professor, or above. The faculty member
10 shall serve for a term of three (3) years and until his successor is elected and
11 qualified. The faculty member shall be eligible for reelection, but he or she
12 shall not be eligible to continue to serve as a member of the board if he or she
13 ceases being a member of the teaching staff of the university. Elections to fill
14 vacancies shall be for the unexpired term in the same manner as provided for
15 the original election[.
16 (b) The faculty members of the Kentucky Community and Technical College
17 System shall be represented by one (1) faculty member elected from the
18 community colleges and one (1) faculty member elected from the technical
19 institutions to serve three (3) year terms and until their successors are named.
20 The faculty representative of each branch shall be elected by means of a
21 process established by the board. The faculty members may be reelected but
22 shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. A faculty member shall
23 be ineligible to continue to serve as a member of the board if he or she ceases
24 to be a member of the faculty at one (1) of the institutions within the system.
25 Elections to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term in the same manner
26 as provided for the original election. These two (2) members shall collectively
27 have one (1) vote which may be cast one-half (1/2) vote by each member].
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1 (i)[(7) (a)] The nonteaching personnel member of a board[ in a comprehensive
2 university] shall be any full-time staff member, excluding the president, vice
3 presidents, academic deans, and academic department chairpersons. He or she shall
4 represent all nonteaching university employees including[,] but not limited to[,]
5 building facilities and clerical personnel. The member shall be elected by secret
6 ballot by the nonteaching employees. The nonteaching personnel member shall serve
7 a term of three (3) years and until a successor is elected and qualified. The
8 nonteaching personnel member shall be eligible for reelection, but he or she shall not
9 be eligible to continue to serve as a member of the board if he or she ceases being an
10 employee of the university. Elections to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired
11 term in the same manner as provided for the original election[.
12 (b) The nonteaching personnel members in the Kentucky Community and
13 Technical College System shall be any full-time staff member excluding a
14 president, chancellor, vice president, academic dean, academic department
15 chair, or other administrator. They shall represent all nonteaching employees
16 in their respective branch institutions including, but not limited to, support
17 and clerical personnel. One (1) member shall be a representative from the
18 community colleges and one (1) member shall be a representative from the
19 technical institutions. They shall serve three (3) year terms and until their
20 successors are named. These two (2) members shall collectively have one (1)
21 vote which may be cast one-half (1/2) vote by each member. The nonteaching
22 personnel members of each branch shall be elected by means of a process
23 established by the board. A nonteaching personnel member may be reelected
24 but shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. A nonteaching
25 employee shall be ineligible to continue to serve as a member of the board if
26 that employee ceases to be a nonteaching employee at one (1) of the
27 institutions within the system. Elections to fill vacancies shall be for the
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1 unexpired term in the same manner as provided for the original election].
2 (j)[(8) (a)] The student body member of a[ on a comprehensive university]
3 board shall serve a one (1) year term beginning on July 1 after being elected and
4 sworn in as student body president and ending on the following June 30. If the
5 student member does not maintain the position as student body president or the status
6 as a full-time student at any time during that academic year, a special election shall
7 be held to select a full-time student member. The elected student member shall serve
8 for the remainder of the unexpired term[.
9 (b) Two (2) full-time student members shall be elected to the board of regents for
10 the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. One (1) shall
11 represent students of the community colleges and one (1) shall represent the
12 technical institutions. The student members shall be elected by means of a
13 process established by the board. The student members shall serve one (1)
14 year terms beginning on July 1 after being elected and sworn in as a student
15 member of the board and ending on the following June 30. If the student
16 member does not maintain the status as a full-time student, a special election
17 shall be held to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. The
18 two (2) members shall collectively have one (1) vote which may be cast one-
19 half (1/2) vote by each member].
20 (k)[(9)] All appointed and elected persons shall be required to attend and
21 complete an orientation and education program prescribed by the council
22 under KRS 164.020(24)[,] as a condition of their service and eligibility for
23 appointment or election to a second term.
24 (l)[(10)] Board members may be removed by the Governor under the following
25 circumstances:
26 1.[(a)] For cause, pursuant to KRS 63.080(2); or
27 2.[(b)] Pursuant to KRS 63.080(3) or (4).
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1 (m)[(11)] The inability of a[the] board[ or boards of the comprehensive
2 universities or Kentucky Community and Technical College System] to hold
3 quarterly meetings, to elect a chairperson annually, to establish a quorum, to
4 adopt an annual budget, to set tuition rates, to conduct an annual evaluation of
5 the president of the university[ or system], to carry out its primary function to
6 periodically evaluate the university's[ or system's] progress in implementing
7 its mission, goals, and objectives to conform to the strategic agenda, or to
8 otherwise perform its duties under KRS 164.350 shall be cause for the
9 Governor to remove all appointed members of the board[ or boards] and
10 replace the entire appointed membership pursuant to KRS 63.080(4).
11 (2) (a) The Kentucky Community and Technical College System shall be governed
12 by a board of regents appointed for a term set by law pursuant to Section 93
13 of the Constitution of Kentucky.
14 (b) 1. Beginning on October 1, 2026, the board of the Kentucky Community
15 and Technical College System shall consist of the following seventeen
16 (17) members:
17 a. Fourteen (14) members appointed by the Governor, as follows:
18 i. One (1) member selected from a list of three (3) names
19 submitted by the Kentucky Association of School
20 Administrators;
21 ii. One (1) member selected from a list of three (3) names
22 submitted by the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers;
23 iii. One (1) member selected from a list of three (3) names
24 submitted by the Associated General Contractors of
25 Kentucky;
26 iv. One (1) member selected from a list of three (3) names
27 submitted by the Kentucky Hospital Association;
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1 v. One (1) member selected from a list of three (3) names
2 submitted by the Kentucky Association for Economic
3 Development;
4 vi. One (1) member selected from a list of three (3) names
5 submitted by the Energy Planning and Inventory
6 Commission established in KRS 164.2807; and
7 vii. Eight (8) members appointed from the state at large; and
8 b. Three (3) members elected in accordance with subsection (2)(h)
9 of this section, as follows:
10 i. One (1) member of the KCTCS teaching faculty;
11 ii. One (1) member of the KCTCS nonteaching personnel;
12 and
13 iii. One (1) member of the KCTCS student body.
14 2. The members appointed by the Governor shall be subject to
15 confirmation by the Senate.
16 3. The members of the board shall select a chairperson annually.
17 (c) The terms of appointed board members shall be for four (4) years and until
18 their successors are appointed and qualified, unless a member is removed
19 by the Governor pursuant to KRS 63.080(2), (3), or (4).
20 (d) New appointees of the board shall not serve for more than two (2)
21 consecutive terms.
22 (e) 1. No more than one (1) appointed member of the board shall be a
23 resident of one (1) county.
24 2. At least one (1) but no more than three (3) appointed members of the
25 board shall reside in any one (1) judicial district of the Kentucky
26 Supreme Court as of the date of the appointment.
27 3. The appointments to the board shall reflect the proportional
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1 representation of the two (2) leading political parties of the
2 Commonwealth based on the state's voter registration and the political
3 affiliation of each appointee as of December 31 of the year preceding
4 the date of his or her appointment. A particular political affiliation
5 shall not be a prerequisite to appointment to the board generally;
6 however, if any person is appointed to the board that does not
7 represent either of the two (2) leading political parties of the
8 Commonwealth, the proportional representation by political affiliation
9 requirement shall be determined and satisfied based on the total
10 number of members on the board less any members not affiliated with
11 either of the two (2) leading political parties.
12 4. Membership on the board shall not be incompatible with any state
13 office.
14 5. a. A change in residency after the date of appointment shall not
15 affect a member's ability to serve, except that a member who
16 assumes residency:
17 i. Outside the fifty (50) United States shall become
18 immediately ineligible to serve; and
19 ii. That places the board in violation of the requirements of
20 subparagraphs 1. and 2. of this paragraph shall become
21 immediately ineligible to serve.
22 b. The Council on Postsecondary Education shall notify the
23 appointee of his or her ineligibility to serve.
24 6. No appointed member of the board shall have a conflict of interest in
25 accordance with KRS 45A.340 or be a relative of any employee of the
26 system.
27 (f) Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made in the same manner and
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1 within the same time after the occurrence of the vacancy as regular
2 appointments. The person appointed shall hold the position for the
3 unexpired term only.
4 (g) Each member of the board shall serve for the term for which the member is
5 appointed and until a successor is appointed and qualified, unless a member
6 is removed by the Governor pursuant to KRS 63.080(2), (3), or (4).
7 (h) Members elected to the board shall be as follows:
8 1. The teaching faculty member of the board shall be a teaching member
9 of the faculty of the KCTCS. The faculty member shall be elected by
10 secret ballot by all regular full-time faculty members of the KCTCS.
11 The faculty member shall serve for a term of three (3) years and until
12 a successor is elected and qualified. The faculty member shall be
13 eligible for reelection, but he or she shall not be eligible to continue to
14 serve as a member of the board if he or she ceases being a member of
15 the teaching faculty of the KCTCS. Elections to fill vacancies shall be
16 for the unexpired term in the same manner as provided for the
17 original election;
18 2. The nonteaching personnel member of the board shall be any full-
19 time staff member, excluding the president, chancellor, provost, vice
20 presidents, academic deans, academic department chairpersons, and
21 any other administrator who supervises two (2) or more employees and
22 reports directly to the president or chancellor. He or she shall
23 represent all nonteaching employees of the KCTCS, including but not
24 limited to building facilities and clerical personnel. The member shall
25 be elected by secret ballot by the nonteaching employees. The
26 nonteaching personnel member shall serve a term of three (3) years
27 and until a successor is elected and qualified. The nonteaching
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1 personnel member shall be eligible for reelection, but he or she shall
2 not be eligible to continue to serve as a member of the board if he or
3 she ceases being an employee of the KCTCS. Elections to fill
4 vacancies shall be for the unexpired term in the same manner as
5 provided for the original election; and
6 3. The student body member of the board shall be elected by means of a
7 process established by the board. The student member shall serve a
8 one (1) year term beginning on July 1 after being elected and sworn in
9 as the student body member of the board and ending on the following
10 June 30. If the student member does not maintain status as a full-time
11 student, a special election shall be held to fill the vacancy for the
12 remainder of the unexpired term.
13 (i) All appointed and elected board members shall be required to attend and
14 complete an orientation and education program prescribed by the council
15 under KRS 164.020(24) as a condition of their service and eligibility for
16 appointment or election to a second term.
17 (j) Board members may be removed by the Governor under the following
18 circumstances:
19 1. For cause, pursuant to KRS 63.080(2);
20 2. Pursuant to KRS 63.080(3) or (4); or
21 3. Upon the request of the president or chairman of the board after the
22 member has failed to attend three (3) consecutive regularly scheduled
23 meetings, which shall be considered gross neglect of duty pursuant to
24 KRS 63.080(2)(d).
25 (k) The inability of the board to hold quarterly meetings, to elect a chairperson
26 annually, to establish a quorum, to adopt an annual budget, to set tuition
27 rates, to conduct an annual evaluation of the president of the system, to
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1 carry out its primary function, to periodically evaluate the system's progress
2 in implementing its mission, goals, and objectives to conform to the strategic
3 agenda, or to otherwise perform its duties under Section 2 of this Act shall
4 be cause for the Governor to remove all appointed members of the board
5 and replace the entire appointed membership pursuant to KRS 63.080(4).
6 Section 2. KRS 164.350 is amended to read as follows:
7 (1) The government of each of the state universities and the Kentucky Community and
8 Technical College System is vested in its respective board of regents. Each board[
9 of regents], when its members have been appointed and qualified, shall constitute a
10 body corporate, with the usual corporate powers, and with all immunities, rights,
11 privileges, and franchises usually attaching to the governing bodies of educational
12 institutions. Each board may:
13 (a) Receive grants of money and expend the same for the use and benefit of the
14 university or college;
15 (b) Require such reports from the president, officers, faculty, and employees as it
16 deems necessary and proper from time to time;
17 (c) Determine the number of divisions, departments, bureaus, offices, and
18 agencies needed for the successful conduct of the affairs of the university or
19 college; and
20 (d) Grant diplomas and confer degrees upon the recommendation of the president
21 and faculty.
22 (2) Each board shall adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations for the governance of its
23 members, officers, agents, and employees, which shall reference the member
24 removal and replacement provisions of KRS 63.080, and the board shall enforce
25 obedience to such bylaws, rules, and regulations.
26 (3) Each board[ of regents] shall periodically evaluate the institution's progress in
27 implementing its missions, goals, and objectives to conform to the adopted strategic
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1 agenda. Officers and officials shall be held accountable for the status of the
2 institution's progress.
3 (4) (a) In addition to the duties required in subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this
4 section, the board[ of regents] for the Kentucky Community and Technical
5 College System, upon recommendation of the president of the system, shall:
6 1. [(a) Develop and implement guidelines for the preparation of biennial
7 budget requests by the administrators of the colleges within the system.
8 The guidelines shall define the processes for review and approval by the
9 boards of directors for the colleges;
10 (b) Adopt a]Review the president's biennial budget request for the
11 Kentucky Community and Technical College System[ upon the
12 recommendation of the president of the system;
13 (c) Adopt an allocation process for distributing funds to the colleges within
14 the system;
15 (d) Consider recommendations from the boards of directors of the colleges
16 to improve the overall budget planning and allocation processes];
17 2.[(e)] Designate each college with a name;
18 3.[(f)] Encourage and accept donations of land and funds to be used in
19 the acquisition, construction, or operations of colleges in the system.
20 The board may commemorate donations from private persons or
21 corporations with suitable memorials;[ and]
22 4.[(g)] Accept federal grants when deemed appropriate to be used in the
23 acquisition, construction, or operations of colleges in the system;[.]
24 5. Review[The board of regents shall ensure that] the budget planning and
25 implementation processes to ensure consistency[are consistent] with the
26 adopted strategic agenda and biennial budget and with the missions of
27 the colleges[institutions] within the system; and
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1 (b) The board of regents shall adopt policy specifying the minimum
2 qualifications of the president of the system and the chancellors of the
3 colleges, which shall be the same.
4 Section 3. KRS 164.365 is amended to read as follows:
5 [(1) ]Anything in any statute of the Commonwealth to the contrary notwithstanding, the
6 power over and control of appointments, qualifications, salaries, and compensation
7 payable out of the State Treasury or otherwise, promotions, and official relations of all
8 employees of Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, Murray State
9 University, Northern Kentucky University, and Morehead State University, as provided
10 in KRS 164.350 and 164.360, and of Kentucky State University and the Kentucky
11 Community and Technical College System, shall be under the exclusive jurisdiction of
12 the respective governing boards of each of the institutions named[.
13 (2) The board of regents for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System
14 shall develop personnel rules for the governing of its members, officers, agents, and
15 employees by June 30, 1998. The board shall adopt interim policies to govern
16 employees hired from July 1, 1997, until the permanent rules are adopted.
17 (3) Upon receipt of a written authorization from an employee of the Kentucky
18 Community and Technical College System, the board shall deduct dues from the
19 employee's paycheck for employee membership organizations, except that no
20 deduction shall be made for labor organization membership dues, fees, assessments,
21 or contributions for political activities. Dues shall be deducted at a rate established
22 by the organization, and shall be discontinued upon written notification by an
23 employee to both the system and the employee organization. On a quarterly basis,
24 the Kentucky Community and Technical College System shall provide to each
25 employee membership organization an updated list that includes the names and
26 home addresses of the employees who are having dues deducted from their
27 paychecks for the purpose of maintaining membership in that organization].
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1 Section 4. KRS 164.580 is amended to read as follows:
2 (1) The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is established and[. The
3 Kentucky Community and Technical College System] shall provide:
4 (a) A general two (2) year academic curriculum with credits transferable to two
5 (2) year and four (4) year colleges and universities;
6 (b) Technical and semiprofessional programs of two (2) years or less;
7 (c) Within a two (2) year college curriculum, courses in general education,
8 including adult education, not necessarily intended for transfer nor technically
9 oriented; and
10 (d) Services to Kentucky's employers and the general public to provide
11 continuing education and customized training for purposes of improving the
12 knowledge and skills of Kentucky workers and citizens in all regions of the
13 state.
14 (2) The KCTCS[Kentucky Community and Technical College System] shall be
15 responsive to the needs of students and employers in all regions of the
16 Commonwealth with accessible education and training to support the lifelong
17 learning needs of Kentucky citizens in order to:
18 (a) Increase the basic academic and literacy skills of adults through adult basic
19 education and remedial education services;
20 (b) Increase the technical skills and professional expertise of Kentucky workers
21 through associate and technical degrees, diploma, and certificate programs;
22 (c) Increase the access for students to complete [the ]prebaccalaureate associate
23 degrees[degree in arts or associate degree in science for ease of transfer to
24 four (4) year institutions];
25 (d) Enhance the relationship of credentials between secondary and postsecondary
26 programs which permit secondary students to enter programs through early
27 admission, advanced placement, or dual enrollment;
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1 (e) Facilitate transfers of credit between certificate, diploma, technical, and
2 associate degree programs;
3 (f) Develop a pool of educated citizens to support the expansion of existing
4 business and industry and the recruitment of new business and industry;
5 (g) Enhance the flexibility and adaptability of Kentucky workers in an ever-
6 changing and global economy through continuing education and customized
7 training for business and industry;
8 (h) Promote the cultural and economic well-being of the communities throughout
9 Kentucky; and
10 (i) Improve the quality of life for Kentucky's citizens.
11 (3) Students attending a college under the administration of the board of regents for the
12 KCTCS[Kentucky Community and Technical College System] may pursue a[three
13 (3) kinds of] degree, certificate, or diploma through the following programs:
14 (a) [Associate degree programs approved by the board of trustees as of the
15 effective date of the transfer of the management responsibilities of the
16 University of Kentucky Community College System to the Kentucky
17 Community and Technical College System;
18 (b) ]Associate degree programs developed by the KCTCS[Kentucky Community
19 and Technical College System], approved by the board of regents and the
20 Council on Postsecondary Education. The board of regents shall confer
21 degrees and award diplomas for the approved programs;[ and]
22 (b)[(c)] Joint degree programs developed between the KCTCS[Kentucky
23 Community and Technical College System] and other institutions; and
24 (c) Certificate and diploma programs developed by the KCTCS and reviewed by
25 the board of regents that do not lead to an associate degree.
26 (4) [University of Kentucky Community College System students who were officially
27 enrolled on or before June 30, 1999, in associate degree programs approved by the
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1 board of trustees of the University of Kentucky and who complete the associate
2 degree programs on or before June 30, 2004, shall have their degrees conferred by
3 the University of Kentucky board of trustees. The degrees for all other students
4 enrolled shall be awarded by the board of regents for the Kentucky Community and
5 Technical College System.
6 (5) ]The board of regents for the KCTCS[ Kentucky Community and Technical College
7 System] shall expedite, whenever possible, action on requests for any new technical
8 or associate degree program of a vocational-technical or occupational nature.
9 (5)[(6)] The president of the KCTCS shall be responsible for oversight and
10 management of the system, including but not limited to:
11 (a) The supervision of all administrative and managerial aspects of the
12 KCTCS's operations, including personnel matters and fiscal management;
13 (b) Oversight of the operational and facilities plans of the KCTCS;
14 (c) Establishment of partnerships with community members, local
15 governments, and other entities to enhance the mission of the KCTCS; and
16 (d) Approval, modification, and discontinuance of academic and workforce
17 programs after input and recommendations from college faculty relating to
18 curriculum and consultation with the board of regents[Kentucky
19 Community and Technical College System college faculty senates shall have
20 the primary responsibility for determining academic policy and curricula
21 development that shall be recommended to the president of the Kentucky
22 Community and Technical College System.
23 (7) Technical colleges, through their faculty and accrediting procedures, may develop
24 degree programs that shall be considered for approval by the board of regents and
25 the Council on Postsecondary Education. A graduate of a program within three (3)
26 years of the program becoming an accredited degree program shall receive all or
27 partial credit toward the degree, based on criteria established by the institution and
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1 approved by the board of regents. The board of regents shall confer degrees and
2 award diplomas for these programs].
3 SECTION 5. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 164 IS CREATED TO
4 READ AS FOLLOWS:
5 (1) By August 1, 2026, the president of the Kentucky Community and Technical
6 College System shall employ a chief financial officer who shall be responsible for
7 the development, administration, and oversight of the systemwide operating and
8 capital budgets in accordance with the following:
9 (a) The chief financial officer shall provide the president with timely, accurate,
10 and comprehensive financial information, including but not limited to
11 systemwide and college-level:
12 1. Budget summaries;
13 2. Revenue and expenditure reports;
14 3. Fund balances and reserves;
15 4. Cash flow projections;
16 5. Financial risks, variances, and material changes;
17 6 Any other financial information necessary for informed executive
18 decision-making or requested by the president; and
19 7. Any other information requested by the president;
20 (b) The chief financial officer shall provide financial information to the board
21 of regents:
22 1. Quarterly or more often at the request of the president or the board of
23 regents;
24 2. In a standardized format that allows comparison across colleges and
25 over time; and
26 3. In writing and in person at a regularly scheduled meeting;
27 (c) The chief financial officer shall certify the accuracy of financial reports
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1 provided to the president or the board of regents;
2 (d) The chief financial officer shall immediately disclose any material
3 misstatements, omissions, or financial concerns upon discovery to the
4 president and the board of regents; and
5 (e) The chief financial officer shall oversee and ensure cooperation with all
6 required audits and financial reviews of the KCTCS.
7 (2) By August 1, 2026, the president of the KCTCS shall name a workforce liaison
8 who shall provide guidance to the president regarding ways the system shall
9 remain responsive to local labor market demands, foster strong employer
10 relationships, and support the success of students and graduates in the workforce.
11 The workforce liaison shall:
12 (a) Work closely with the Cabinet for Economic Development and the
13 Education and Labor Cabinet to ensure the KCTCS is available and ready
14 to provide workforce training in necessary areas based on economic
15 development needs;
16 (b) Facilitate employer engagement;
17 (c) Support recruitment and placement of students and graduates; and
18 (d) Represent the system in discussions and planning relating to policy
19 discussions with the Cabinet for Economic Development and the Education
20 and Labor Cabinet, community members, college staff, and students.
21 Section 6. KRS 164.583 is amended to read as follows:
22 (1) Each [community ]college in[of] the Kentucky Community and Technical College
23 System may offer, within the two (2) year academic curriculum of the college, any
24 and all lower division academic courses offered for undergraduate credit at any and
25 all of the four (4) year public colleges and universities.
26 (2) All lower division academic courses offered by the KCTCS[community colleges]
27 shall be transferable for academic credit to any and all four (4) year public colleges
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1 and universities, regardless of the number of academic credits earned by any
2 student at one (1) or more KCTCS colleges[community college].
3 (3) [Nothing in ]This section shall not be construed or interpreted to change, reduce, or
4 otherwise affect the required distribution between lower division and upper division
5 courses now required for matriculation in an undergraduate program at any
6 institution of higher education.
7 (4) (a) If the KCTCS seeks to offer a new accredited program which will require
8 dedicated general fund appropriations for capital or operating expenses
9 beyond the system's regular appropriations, the president shall submit a
10 proposal to the board of regents of KCTCS for review and approval. The
11 board's review shall include but not be limited to:
12 1. The proposed program's alignment with the mission and goals of the
13 system;
14 2. The statewide or regional need the proposed program seeks to fill and
15 how the system, through the offering of this program, would meet this
16 need;
17 3. Student demand for the proposed program;
18 4. Employer demand for the proposed program, including any potential
19 industry partners;
20 5. Utilization of existing institutional resources to deliver the proposed
21 program and how the program would complement existing program
22 offerings and not shift resources away from those existing programs;
23 6. A five (5) year budgetary analysis of the proposed program, including
24 program costs, funding sources projected to support the program, and
25 the amount of general fund appropriations needed for capital or
26 operating expenses;
27 7. The proposed program curriculum;
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1 8. Any specialized accreditation or licensure requirements for the
2 proposed program and analysis of how those requirements would be
3 met;
4 9. Admission and graduation requirements for the proposed program;
5 and
6 10. Administrative oversight to ensure the quality of the proposed
7 program.
8 (b) A proposal approved by the KCTCS board shall be submitted to the council
9 for consideration in the system's budget request for the next biennial budget
10 in accordance with KRS 164.020(10) and 164.7915.
11 (5) The Council on Postsecondary Education shall review each proposal submitted in
12 accordance with subsection (4)(a) of this section and shall determine if the
13 proposal should be included in the biennial budget request pursuant to KRS
14 164.7915.
15 (6) If the new accredited program will not require dedicated general fund
16 appropriations for capital or operating expenses beyond the system's regular
17 appropriations, the KCTCS may proceed with the new program in accordance
18 with KRS 164.020(15).
19 Section 7. KRS 164.591 is amended to read as follows:
20 (1) If the president of the KCTCS determines that there is a necessity to create or
21 expand any college or campus requiring an appropriation by the General
22 Assembly due to a new accredited program or workforce initiative program
23 proposed in accordance with subsection (4)(a) of Section 6 of this Act, the
24 president shall:
25 (a) Include a plan for review and approval by the KCTCS board of regents for
26 inclusion in the biennial budget request pursuant to KRS 164.7915; and
27 (b) The president shall not be authorized to move forward to create or expand
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1 any college or campus under this subsection unless the General Assembly
2 appropriates funds and the council approves the proposal in accordance
3 with subsection (5) of Section 6 of this Act.
4 (2) No later than thirty (30) days after approval of the proposed plan by the council,
5 the KCTCS shall submit the proposed plan in its entirety and a report on the
6 proposed plan to the Legislative Research Commission for referral to the Interim
7 Joint Committees on Education and Appropriations and Revenue or, when the
8 General Assembly is in session, to the Senate Standing Committees on Education
9 and Appropriations and Revenue and the House Standing Committees on
10 Postsecondary Education and Appropriations and Revenue, which includes the
11 following as it relates to the proposed plan:
12 (a) An accounting of all necessary expenditures by fund source;
13 (b) A detailed accounting of all administrative expenses;
14 (c) A detailed accounting of all expenses not otherwise classified;
15 (d) Identification of any reduction in expenditures;
16 (e) An explanation of any new expenses or cost savings expected to be realized
17 based on the plan; and
18 (f) An explanation of how the plan aligns with the operational plan of the
19 KCTCS and the strategic plan of the council.
20 (3) The KCTCS shall submit documentation of capital and operating expenses
21 associated with and specific to the plan with the next biennial budget request.
22 (4) Final approval of the proposed plan shall require the president of the KCTCS to
23 obtain approval by the General Assembly by means of an act or joint resolution
24 explicitly identifying and authorizing implementation of the plan.
25 (5) By October 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the KCTCS shall submit a report to
26 the Legislative Research Commission for referral to the Interim Joint Committees
27 on Education and Appropriations and Revenue providing the location, size of
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1 property, square footage of buildings, whether owned, leased, or rented, and the
2 use of each property or building utilized by each college within the system,
3 including all main campuses and satellite facilities, buildings, and properties as
4 of January 1 of the year of submission[A community college or extension of a
5 community college shall be maintained in each of the following locations: Ashland,
6 Carrollton, Cumberland, Elizabethtown, Glasgow, Henderson, Hopkinsville,
7 Fayette County, Madisonville, Owensboro, Paducah, Prestonsburg, Somerset,
8 Blackey-Hazard, Jefferson County and Mason County. The headquarters of the
9 administration of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System shall be
10 maintained in Woodford County. Western Kentucky University may continue to
11 operate a community college in Bowling Green. Additional extension centers may
12 be established by the board of regents for the Kentucky Community and Technical
13 College System with approval of the Council on Postsecondary Education. New
14 community colleges shall require approval of the General Assembly].
15 Section 8. KRS 164.600 is amended to read as follows:
16 (1) As used in this section and Sections 1 and 7 of this Act, unless the context requires
17 otherwise:
18 (a) "Campus" means a location of a college of the system that is not located
19 contiguous to the main college location["Chief executive officer" means a
20 president or the head administrator of a college within the Kentucky
21 Community and Technical College System];
22 (b) "Chancellor" means the chief officer of a college or colleges within the
23 system;
24 (c) "College" means a community college, a technical college, or a community
25 and technical college within the system;
26 (d)[(c)] "KCTCS president" means the president[chief executive officer] of the
27 system;
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1 (e)[(d)] "Relative" means father, mother, brother, brother-in-law, sister, sister-
2 in-law, husband, wife, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, first cousin, son-in-law, and
3 daughter-in-law; and
4 (f)[(e)] "System" or "KCTCS" means the Kentucky Community and Technical
5 College System.
6 (2) There shall be a chancellor named for each[board of directors for each community
7 college or community and technical] college under the Kentucky Community and
8 Technical College system.[, except as provided in KRS 165.160. The board of
9 regents may designate that a local board of directors serve more than one college.
10 Each board of directors shall]
11 (3) Each chancellor shall be responsible for creating an annual budget request for
12 his or her college and submitting it to the KCTCS president for consideration in
13 the creation of the systemwide budget request to be submitted to the General
14 Assembly.
15 (4) Each chancellor shall create and implement an operations plan for his or her
16 college that is developed in coordination with local employers, civic leaders,
17 campus constituents, and other postsecondary institutions in the region and
18 consistent with the strategic agenda of the Council on Postsecondary Education.
19 The KCTCS president shall review and approve each operations plan prior to
20 implementation by the chancellor of each college[:
21 (a) Recommend one (1) candidate for college chief executive officer from three
22 (3) candidates provided by the president. The president shall have the
23 authority to make the final appointment and shall not be bound by the
24 recommendation from the board of directors;
25 (b) Evaluate the college chief executive officer and advise the president of his or
26 her performance. The president has final authority for the appointment and
27 termination of the college chief executive officer;
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1 (c) Approve budget requests for recommendation to the Kentucky Community
2 and Technical College System;
3 (d) Adopt and amend an annual operating budget and submit it to the board of
4 regents for approval as to the compliance with its guidelines;
5 (e) Approve a strategic plan that is developed in coordination with local
6 employers, civic leaders, campus constituents, and other postsecondary
7 institutions in the region and that is consistent with the strategic agenda of the
8 General Assembly].
9 (5)[(3)] Each chancellor[The chief executive officer of each college] shall implement
10 his or her college's[have full authority and discretion regarding the use and
11 management of the] budget within the system budget as approved by the KCTCS
12 board of regents[ for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System]
13 under KRS 164.350.
14 (6) Each chancellor shall be responsible for the day-to-day operations of his or her
15 college[
16 (4) Each board of directors shall consist of ten (10) members, seven (7) of whom
17 shall be appointed by the Governor from nominees of the respective college nominating
18 commission established under KRS 164.602 for a term set by law pursuant to Section 23
19 of the Constitution of Kentucky. The other three (3) board members shall be one (1)
20 member of the teaching faculty, one (1) member of the staff, and one (1) member of the
21 student body. An appointed member's term shall be six (6) years.
22 (5) The faculty member shall be on the teaching or research faculty of the college.
23 The faculty member shall be elected by secret ballot of all full-time faculty members of
24 the college. Faculty members shall serve for terms of three (3) years and until their
25 successors are elected and qualified. Faculty members shall be eligible for reelection, but
26 they shall be ineligible to continue to serve as members of the boards if they cease to be
27 members of the teaching staff of the college. Elections to fill vacancies shall be for the
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1 unexpired term in the same manner as provided for original election.
2 (6) The staff member shall be a classified or midmanagement employee who does
3 not hold faculty rank and who does not hold an upper administrative position. The staff
4 member shall be elected by secret ballot of all full-time staff members of the college.
5 Staff members shall serve for terms of three (3) years and until their successors are
6 elected and qualified. Staff members shall be eligible for reelection, but shall be
7 ineligible to continue to serve as members of the boards if they cease to be members of
8 the staff of the college. An election to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term shall be held
9 in the same manner as an election to an original full term.
10 (7) The student member shall be elected by secret ballot from the student body of
11 the college to serve a term of one (1) year. The student member shall be a full-time
12 student who maintains permanent residency in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
13 (8) If a board of directors is designated by the board of regents to serve more than
14 one college as permitted under subsection (2) of this section, the board of regents shall
15 define procedures for the selection of the faculty, staff, and student representatives to the
16 board of directors to ensure that there is opportunity for all colleges to be represented.
17 (9) The members of the board of directors shall receive no compensation for their
18 services but shall be paid for their actual and necessary expenses.
19 (10) No citizen member of the board of directors shall have a conflict of interest in
20 accordance with KRS 45A.340 or be a relative of any employee of the college under its
21 jurisdiction. A person who is a member of the board on July 15, 1998, who is a relative of
22 an employee of the college may finish out the appointed term of office but the member
23 may not be reappointed].
24 Section 9. KRS 164.011 is amended to read as follows:
25 (1) There is hereby created and established a Council on Postsecondary Education in
26 Kentucky as an agency, instrumentality, and political subdivision of the
27 Commonwealth and a public body corporate and politic having all powers, duties,
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1 and responsibilities as are provided to it by law, appointed for a term set by law
2 pursuant to Section 93[23] of the Constitution of Kentucky. The council shall be
3 composed of the commissioner of education, a faculty member, a student member,
4 and thirteen (13) citizen members appointed by the Governor. The citizen members
5 shall be confirmed by the Senate under KRS 11.160, and the commissioner of
6 education shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member. Citizen council members
7 shall be selected from a list of nominees provided to the Governor under the
8 nominating process set forth in KRS 164.005. If the General Assembly is not in
9 session at the time of the appointment, persons appointed shall serve prior to
10 confirmation, but the Governor shall seek the consent of the Senate at the next
11 regular session or at an intervening extraordinary session if the matter is included in
12 the call of the General Assembly.
13 (2) [By no later than thirty (30) days after May 30, 1997, ]The Governor's
14 Postsecondary Education Nominating Committee shall submit nominations to the
15 Governor as set forth in KRS 164.005. On making appointments to the council, the
16 Governor shall ensure broad geographical and political representation and[; ensure
17 equal representation of the two (2) sexes, inasmuch as possible;] ensure no less than
18 proportional representation of the two (2) leading political parties of the
19 Commonwealth based on the state's voter registration and the political affiliation of
20 each appointee as of December 31 of the year preceding the date of his or her
21 appointment[; and ensure that appointments reflect the minority racial composition
22 of the Commonwealth based on the total minority racial population using the most
23 recent census or estimate data from the United States Census Bureau. If the
24 determination of proportional minority representation does not result in a whole
25 number of minority members, it shall be rounded up to the next whole number]. A
26 particular political affiliation shall not be a prerequisite to appointment to the
27 council generally; however, if any person is appointed to the council that does not
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1 represent either of the two (2) leading political parties of the Commonwealth, the
2 proportional representation by political affiliation requirement shall be determined
3 and satisfied based on the total number of members on the council less any
4 members not affiliated with either of the two (2) leading political parties.[ In filling
5 vacancies to the council, the Governor shall act so as to provide, inasmuch as
6 possible, equal representation of the two (2) sexes by appointing a member of the
7 sex that is the lesser represented at the time of the appointment. If the remaining
8 membership already has an equal number of males and females, the Governor may
9 appoint a member of either sex.] No more than two (2) members of the council shall
10 hold an undergraduate degree from any one (1) Kentucky university, and no more
11 than three (3) voting members of the council shall reside in any one (1) judicial
12 district of the Kentucky Supreme Court as of the date of the appointment. However,
13 change in residency after the date of appointment shall not affect the ability to
14 serve.
15 (3) One (1) member shall be a full-time faculty member employed at a state institution
16 of postsecondary education. The faculty member shall be appointed to a four (4)
17 year term by the Governor from a list of three (3) nominees selected and submitted
18 by majority vote of the ten (10) faculty members who serve as faculty
19 representatives of the boards of trustees and boards of regents of the nine (9)
20 postsecondary education institutions.
21 (4) One (1) member shall be enrolled as a full-time student at a state institution of
22 postsecondary education and shall be selected annually in the following manner:
23 not later than June 1 of each year, the eight (8) student body presidents of the four
24 (4) year state public institutions of higher education, the [two (2) ]student body
25 member of[members to] the Kentucky Community and Technical College System
26 board of regents, and one (1) student body president representing the members of
27 the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities shall elect by
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1 majority vote three (3) nominees to submit to the Governor. From this list of
2 nominees, the Governor shall appoint a student member.
3 (5) In filling any vacancies, the Governor shall ensure the continuing representation
4 upon the council of the broad constituencies as set forth in subsection (2) of this
5 section. Vacancies on the council shall be filled for the unexpired term in
6 accordance with the procedures established for the original appointments.
7 (6) Each newly appointed citizen member shall serve a term of four (4)[ six (6)] years
8 unless removed by the Governor for cause[, except the initial appointments shall be
9 as follows:
10 (a) Two (2) appointments shall expire December 31, 1997;
11 (b) Three (3) appointments shall expire December 31, 1998;
12 (c) Two (2) appointments shall expire December 31, 1999;
13 (d) Two (2) appointments shall expire December 31, 2000;
14 (e) Two (2) appointments shall expire December 31, 2001; and
15 (f) Two (2) appointments shall expire December 31, 2002].
16 (7) Any person, other than the chief state school officer, holding either an elective or
17 appointive state office or who is a member of the governing board of any state
18 university in Kentucky, shall be ineligible for membership or appointment on the
19 council during his term.
20 (8) The members of the council shall elect the chair and the vice chair of the council
21 from among the council's membership, and the chair and vice chair shall serve at
22 the pleasure of the council. The vice chair shall serve as chair in the absence of the
23 chair.
24 (9) The council shall meet at least quarterly and at other times upon the call of the chair
25 or a majority of the council.
26 (10) A quorum shall be a majority of the appointive membership of the council.
27 (11) A quorum shall be required to organize and conduct the business of the council,
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1 except that an affirmative vote of eight (8) or more appointive members of the
2 entire council shall be required to dismiss from employment the president of the
3 council, and to adopt or amend the state strategic postsecondary education agenda.
4 (12) New appointees to the council shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.
5 (13) New appointees to the council shall complete an orientation and education program
6 set forth in KRS 164.020(24) to be eligible for appointment to a second term.
7 Section 10. KRS 164.0211 is amended to read as follows:
8 (1) The student body president of each four (4) year public university, the student
9 member of[two (2) student regents to be designated by] the board of regents of the
10 Kentucky Community and Technical College System, and one (1) student body
11 president representing the members of the Association of Independent Kentucky
12 Colleges and Universities shall serve on an advisory board to be known as the
13 Board of Student Body Presidents. The student body president representing the
14 independent colleges and universities shall be selected under a process established
15 by the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities.
16 (2) The Board of Student Body Presidents shall advise the legislative and executive
17 branches regarding postsecondary education issues and concerns of students.
18 (3) At least once each year, the Board of Student Body Presidents shall meet with the
19 Council on Postsecondary Education and the Advisory Conference of Presidents.
20 (4) The Board of Student Body Presidents shall submit the names of three (3) nominees
21 to the Governor for consideration in the appointment of a student member to the
22 Council on Postsecondary Education pursuant to KRS 164.011.
23 Section 11. KRS 164.001 is amended to read as follows:
24 As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:
25 (1) "Administrator" means the chief executive officer of the institution;
26 (2) "Adult basic education" means instruction in mathematics, science, social studies,
27 reading, language arts, and related areas to enable individuals to better function in
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1 society;
2 (3) "Benchmarks" means objective measures developed where applicable or practical
3 by the Council on Postsecondary Education to judge the performance of the
4 postsecondary education system and progress toward the goals as stated in KRS
5 164.003(2);
6 (4) "Board" or "governing board" means the board of trustees for the University of
7 Kentucky or the University of Louisville, the board of regents for a comprehensive
8 university, or the board of regents for the Kentucky Community and Technical
9 College System;
10 (5) "Board of regents" means the governing board of each comprehensive university
11 and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System;
12 (6) "Committee" means the Strategic Committee on Postsecondary Education created
13 in KRS 164.004;
14 (7) "Comprehensive university" means the following public institutions: Eastern
15 Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University,
16 Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, and Western Kentucky
17 University;
18 (8) "Council" means the Council on Postsecondary Education created in KRS 164.011;
19 (9) "Customized training" means training in specific academic areas, work processes,
20 or technical skills that are designed to serve a specific industry or industries to
21 upgrade worker skills;
22 (10) "Goals" means the six (6) goals specified in KRS 164.003(2);
23 (11) "Independent institution" means a nonpublic postsecondary education institution in
24 Kentucky whose instruction is not solely sectarian in nature, is accredited by a
25 regional accrediting association recognized by the United States Department of
26 Education, and is licensed by the Council on Postsecondary Education;
27 (12) "Institution" means a university, college, community college, health technology
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1 center, vocational-technical school, technical institute, technical college, technology
2 center, or the Kentucky Community and Technical College System;
3 (13) "Kentucky Community and Technical College System" or "KCTCS" means the
4 system composed of public community and technical colleges, including those
5 postsecondary institutions operated by the former Cabinet for Workforce
6 Development and those community colleges in the University of Kentucky
7 Community College System on May 30, 1997.
8 The system also includes institutions created by the board of regents for the
9 Kentucky Community and Technical College System and approved by the General
10 Assembly;
11 (14) "Literacy" means an individual's ability to read, write, and speak in English and
12 compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the
13 job and in society to achieve one's goals and develop one's knowledge and
14 potential;
15 (15) "Lower division academic course" means any academic course offered for college
16 or university credit that is designated as a freshman or sophomore level academic
17 course;
18 (16) "Nonteaching personnel" means any employee who is a full-time staff member,
19 excluding a president, chancellor, vice president, academic dean, academic
20 department chair, or administrator;
21 (17) "Postsecondary education system" means the following public institutions:
22 University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Eastern Kentucky University,
23 Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University,
24 Northern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, and the Kentucky
25 Community and Technical College System;
26 (18) "P-16 council" or "council of partners" means a local or state council that is
27 composed of educators from public and private preschools, elementary, secondary,
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1 and postsecondary education institutions, local board of education members, and
2 may include community and business representatives that have voluntarily
3 organized themselves for the purpose of improving the alignment and quality of the
4 education continuum from preschool through postsecondary education as well as
5 student achievement at all levels;
6 (19) "Public" means operated with state support;
7 (20) "Relative" means a person's father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, son,
8 daughter, aunt, uncle, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law;
9 (21) "Remedial education" means any program, course, or activity that is designed
10 specifically for students who have basic deficiencies in reading, written or oral
11 communication, mathematics, study skills, or other skills necessary to do beginning
12 postsecondary work as defined by the institution;
13 (22) "Standardized degree program" means a program, approved by the Council on
14 Postsecondary Education, that consists of specific competencies, curriculum, and
15 performance requirements regardless of the providing institution;
16 (23) "Strategic agenda" means the state strategic postsecondary education agenda
17 described in KRS 164.0203;
18 (24) "Technical institution" means an educational institution that offers certificates,
19 diplomas, or technical degrees in technical or occupational-related programs,
20 including a facility called a vocational-technical school, technical institute, health
21 technology center, technology center, technical college, or similar designation; and
22 (25) "Learning outcomes" means the knowledge, skills, and abilities that students have
23 attained as a result of their involvement in a particular set of educational
24 experiences.
25 Section 12. KRS 164.7011 is amended to read as follows:
26 As used in KRS 164.7011 to 164.7021:
27 (1) "Advisory committee" means the Kentucky Aerospace, Aviation, and Defense
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1 Investment Fund Advisory Committee established in KRS 164.7013;
2 (2) "Aviation" means the operation, maintenance, or manufacturing of aircraft or other
3 aerospace equipment, aerospace initiatives and efforts, and defense-related products
4 related to aerospace and aviation;
5 (3) "Aviation industry partner" means a grantor to the fund that the council determines
6 customarily employs individuals with an eligible aviation or aerospace credential in
7 a relevant aviation role in the usual course of the grantor's business;
8 (4) "Aviation program":
9 (a) Means an education or training program located in Kentucky that issues
10 eligible aviation or aerospace credentials or is a specific requirement to
11 earning an eligible aviation or aerospace credential, including but not limited
12 to a public high school vocational program; and
13 (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection, does not include a flight
14 training program unless that program is a certified pilot school regulated by
15 the Federal Aviation Administration in accordance with 14 C.F.R. pt. 141, a
16 certified public postsecondary pilot school regulated by the Federal Aviation
17 Administration in accordance with 14 C.F.R. pt. 61, or is a public high
18 school vocational program;
19 (5) "Council" means the Council on Postsecondary Education;
20 (6) "Dedicated moneys" means a gift, grant, or donation to the fund that is subject to
21 restrictions imposed by a private grantor under KRS 164.7015;
22 (7) "Eligible aviation credential" means:
23 (a) Any license or certification issued by the Federal Aviation Administration;
24 (b) A Bachelor of Science in aviation issued by a postsecondary education
25 institution overseen or licensed by the council and located in Kentucky;
26 (c) Any engineering degree issued by a postsecondary education institution
27 overseen or licensed by the council and located in Kentucky; or
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1 (d) A career and technical education license or certification determined by the
2 council, in collaboration with the advisory committee, to be in high demand
3 and relevant to the aerospace industry;
4 (8) "Fund" means the Kentucky aerospace, aviation, and defense investment fund
5 established in KRS 164.7013;
6 (9) "Grantor" means an individual or an entity that gifts, grants, or donates moneys to
7 the fund;
8 (10) "Immediate family" means an individual's parents, siblings, spouse, and children;
9 (11) "Kentucky resident" means a Kentucky resident as defined by the council pursuant
10 to KRS 164.020(8); and
11 (12) "Public aviation program" is an aviation program that is a public high school
12 vocational program or institution that is a member of Kentucky's public
13 postsecondary education system.
14 Section 13. The following KRS sections are repealed:
15 164.586 Personnel dispute resolution system.
16 164.587 Medical and accident insurance program for students.
17 164.594 Service area of Prestonsburg Community College to include Pike County.
18 164.602 Nominating commission for appointments to board of directors.
19 164.5833 Transferability of course work accepted prior to establishment of system.
20 Section 14. (1) Notwithstanding subsection (2)(c) of Section 1 of this Act,
21 initial appointments to the board of regents of the Kentucky Community and Technical
22 College System under subsection (2)(b)1.a.i. to vi. of Section 1 of this Act shall be as
23 follows:
24 (a) One member shall serve a one-year term;
25 (b) One member shall serve a two-year term;
26 (c) Two members shall serve a three-year term; and
27 (d) Two members shall serve a four-year term.
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1 (2) Upon the expiration of the initial appointments under subsection (1) of this
2 section, members shall be appointed under subsection (2)(b)1.a.i. to vi. of Section 1 of
3 this Act to four-year terms in accordance with subsection (2)(c) of Section 1 of this Act.
4 (3) The eight members appointed to the board of regents of the Kentucky
5 Community and Technical College System by the Governor under KRS 164.321 before
6 the effective date of this Act shall continue to serve on the board until the expiration of
7 their terms, at which time their successors shall be appointed in accordance with Section
8 1 of this Act.
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HB061990.100 - 113 - XXXX 4/14/2026 3:37 PM Vetoed and OverriddenEvery fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.