House Bill 526

Actions | Amendments
Last Action 02/17/26: to Committee on Committees (S)
Title AN ACT relating to members of the bar.
Bill Documents Current
Introduced
Bill Request Number 1831
Sponsors S. Doan, J. Decker, P. Griffee, J. Nemes, J. Petrie, T. Roberts, M. Whitaker, N. Wilson
Summary of Original Version Create a new section of KRS Chapter 21A to establish parameters for compulsory dues for members of the bar; define who is a member of the bar for purposes of the section; amend KRS 21A.300 and 21A.310 to conform; repeal KRS 21A.160, relating to organization and control of State bar being vested in the Supreme Court.
Index Headings of Original Version Associations - Kentucky Bar Association, membership dues, parameters, establishment
Attorneys - Kentucky bar, membership dues, parameters, establishment
Court, Supreme - Kentucky bar, membership dues, parameters, establishment
Jump to Proposed Amendments House Committee Substitute 1
House Floor Amendment 1
House Floor Amendment 2
House Floor Amendment 3
House Floor Amendment 4
Votes Vote History

Actions

Top | Amendments
01/29/26
  • introduced in House
  • to Committee on Committees (H)
02/05/26
  • to Judiciary (H)
02/06/26
  • reassigned to Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)
02/11/26
  • reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
  • floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
02/12/26
  • 2nd reading, to Rules
  • floor amendment (2) filed to Committee Substitute , floor amendment (3) filed to bill
  • posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, February 13 2026
02/13/26
  • floor amendment (4) filed
  • 3rd reading, passed 70-21 with Floor Amendment (3)
02/17/26
  • received in Senate
  • to Committee on Committees (S)

Proposed Amendments

Top | Actions
Amendment House Committee Substitute 1
Summary Retain original provisions; declare that the United States and Kentucky Constitutions protect individual freedoms, including the right to refrain from compelled speech or compelled association; state that the General Assembly finds that requiring membership or dues for a professional association as a condition for holding a professional or occupational license compels association and financial support; prohibit a member of the bar from being required to conduct activities with a professional association to practice law.
Index Headings General Assembly - Attorney practice, compelled association, prohibition
Associations - Attorney practice, compelled association, prohibition
Attorneys - Bar association, compelled association, prohibition
Constitution, Ky. - Attorney practice, compelled association, prohibition
Constitution, U.S. - Attorney practice, compelled association, prohibition
Court, Supreme - Attorney practice, compelled association, prohibition

Amendment House Floor Amendment 1
Sponsor L. Burke
Summary Retain original provisions except establish that a member of the bar shall not have access to free services or continuing legal education programs provided by the Kentucky Bar Association; establish a requirement for increased professional liability insurance coverage for those members who have paid membership dues limited to the costs associated with admission to the bar and the discipline of members of the bar.
Index Headings Associations - Kentucky Bar Association, dues required, exceptions, establishment
Attorneys - Nonparticipation in association, benefits prohibition, establishment
Court, Supreme - Attorneys, nonparticipation in association, professional liability insurance limit, establishment
Insurance - Attorneys, professional liability, minimum coverage requirements, establishment
Occupations And Professions - Attorneys, membership dues, exceptions, establishment

Amendment House Floor Amendment 2
Sponsor S. Doan
Summary EFFECTIVE July 1, 2027.
Index Headings Effective Dates, Delayed - Attorneys, nonparticipation in association, July 1, 2027

Amendment House Floor Amendment 3
Sponsor S. Doan
Summary Delete original provisions; declare that the United States and Kentucky Constitutions protect individual freedoms, including the right to refrain from compelled speech or compelled association; state that the General Assembly finds that requiring membership or dues for a professional association as a condition for holding a professional or occupational license compels association and financial support; prohibit a member of the bar from being required to conduct activities with a professional association to practice law; create a new section of KRS Chapter 21A to establish parameters for compulsory dues for members of the bar; define who is a member of the bar for purposes of the section; amend KRS 21A.300 and 21A.310 to conform; repeal KRS 21A.160, relating to organization and control of the State bar being vested in the Supreme Court; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2027.
Index Headings Associations - Attorney practice, compelled association, prohibition
Attorneys - Bar association, compelled association, prohibition
Constitution, Ky. - Attorney practice, compelled association, prohibition
Constitution, U.S. - Attorney practice, compelled association, prohibition
Court, Supreme - Attorney practice, compelled association, prohibition
General Assembly - Attorney practice, compelled association, prohibition
Effective Dates, Delayed - Attorneys, nonparticipation in association, July 1, 2027

Amendment House Floor Amendment 4
Sponsor L. Burke
Summary Retain original provisions, except establish that a member of the bar shall not have access to free services or continuing legal education programs provided by the Kentucky Bar Association; establish a requirement for increased professional liability insurance coverage for those members who have paid membership dues limited to the costs associated with admission to the bar and the discipline of members of the bar.
Index Headings Associations - Kentucky Bar Association, dues required, exceptions, establishment
Attorneys - Nonparticipation in association, benefits prohibition, establishment
Court, Supreme - Attorneys, nonparticipation in association, professional liability insurance limit, establishment
Insurance - Attorneys, professional liability, minimum coverage requirements, establishment
Occupations And Professions - Attorneys, membership dues, exceptions, establishment

Last updated: 2/18/2026 5:41 PM (EST)