2026 Regular Session - Day 50 - HB 601 | Rep. Jennifer Decker

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 601 would eliminate an unauthorized and very burdensome regulatory requirement that forces Kentucky landowners to pay the Transportation Cabinet 100 percent of any increase in the property value of their property that they find attributable to gaining access to a limited access highway, commonly known as a bypass. Based on my research that has been confirmed by the National Conference of State Legislatures, no other state, no other state legislature has authorized this type of charge. And in Kentucky, this requirement is only found in a, in a administrative regulation that has no authorization and statute. This authorization has not been made, and it is particularly unfair when the access requested could benefit the entire community by opening land for jobs, new jobs, services, housing, and not to mention increased property tax that would flow from local governments to local governments and schools. It's important to note that this bill would not stop the other fees currently charged to landowners before an access fee is permit, is granted. The bill does not stop the requirement that landowners must pay all administrative costs for obtaining an access permit, surveying fees, full road construction costs, and ongoing road maintenance. The bill also would not stop safety reviews, the enforcement of engineering standards, or any other reasonable and authorized permit condition. Those all stay in place. Instead, House Bill 601 is focused only on protecting Kentucky property owners by stopping the unauthorized regulatory practice of charging them for what is often called an enhancement fee that has not been authorized by the General Assembly. Mr. Speaker, if there are no questions, I move passage of House Bill 601.