Kentucky lawmakers had considered eliminating telework for employees in all state government branches last year, but that effort did not make it into law.
This year, the provision did survive in the Transportation Cabinet budget, dubbed House Bill 501. Gov. Andy Beshear had used a line-item veto to attempt to strike down the provision, but it was restored by the GOP-led General Assembly.
The measure does provide for exemptions, but only if they are specifically approved by the Secretary of the Transportation Cabinet. And the exemptions must be reported to the Legislative Research Commission quarterly.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the provision affects roughly 4,000 workers and represents the latest move to pull government employees back toward on-site work following the pandemic — which led many to shift toward remote work.
In 2024, the federal cost-cutting effort led by tech mogul Elon Musk, known as DOGE, sought to require in-person work, describing remote work as a "COVID-era privilege."