Call it the Kentucky General Assembly's cram session.
Wednesday marks the last day lawmakers can approve more controversial bills and retain the option to override a veto by the governor on the final two days of the session in mid-April.
Among the measures making their way to the governor's desk are bills adding new restrictions to what forms of ID can be used by voters and increasing campaign donor limits, setting up statewide rules governing license plate readers, and hastening the process for approving rules for executions — which could resume in Kentucky pending the outcome of a case in Franklin Circuit Court.
Lawmakers are also putting the final touches on the only pieces of legislation they are required to pass: state budget bills. Discussing what's commonly called the "revenue bill," Lexington Democratic Sen. Reggie Thomas — a yes on the measure — noted his disappointment in the removal of the occupational license tax as a tool to raise money for Fayette County schools.
"Section 77 of that provision does remove a significant source of income for Fayette County, and if you look at the quality of the schools that we produce and the resources we have you understand why we are successful," he said.
A proposed hike in that tax is what triggered a lengthy budget battle in the school system.
Starting this Thursday, a ten-day window will open for Gov. Andy Beshear to issue vetoes. They are often symbolic, given the ability of GOP supermajorities to easily overturn them. Legislators will return on April 14 and 15 for the last days of the 2026 General Assembly.