News
Final Legislative Update - March 31, 2025
- Monday, March 31st, 2025
The 2025 General Assembly adjourned sine die on Friday, March 28, 2025. The legislature reconvened for the final two days of session on March 27 and 28 to pass final pieces of legislation and override Governor Beshear’s prior vetoes. Below is an update on several pieces of legislation WKU has been following.
House Bill 4
House Bill (HB)4 limits diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Kentucky’s public universities while preserving academic freedom, free speech, and federally mandated programs. Governor Beshear vetoed HB4, however the General Assembly overrode the veto. View the final version of HB 4 here. View the WKU leadership message here.
House Bill 424
House Bill (HB)424 pertains to employment at public postsecondary education institutions. HB424 requires the boards of each public university to approve a performance and productivity evaluation process for presidents and faculty members by January 1, 2026. As this legislation relates to WKU, this will require the Board of Regents to vote to formally adopt our already existing evaluation process. Governor Beshear vetoed HB424, however the General Assembly overrode the veto. View the final version HB424 here.
Senate Bill 77
Senate Bill (SB)77 creates a pathway for Kentucky’s public comprehensive universities to offer PhD and doctoral programs for professional licensure. Relevant to WKU, it will allow us to seek approval from CPE to offer a limited number of PhD programs, further paving the way for the university to achieve Carnegie R2 status. Governor Beshear signed SB77 into law on March 19, 2025. View the final version of SB77 here.
Senate Bill 237
Senate Bill (SB)237 is an act relating to peace officer certification. Current law (KRS 164.925) limits university police departments to employing no more than five retired police officers at a time. WKU successfully advocated for a floor amendment to SB237, which removed this restriction. Governor Beshear signed SB237 into law on March 23, 2025. View the current version of SB237 here.
Senate Joint Resolution 55
Senate Joint Resolution (SJR)55 directs the governing board of each public university to adopt policies to combat antisemitism and requires the polices to be in place until June 30, 2028. SJR55 also requires universities to report the number of reports alleging antisemitism; number of reports alleging violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that are connected to antisemitism; and the number of actions brought against the university under KRS 344.450 and the outcomes of the actions. SJR55 was given final passage on Friday, March 28 and was sent to Governor Beshear for further action. View the final version of SJR55 here.
Senate Resolution 105
Senate Resolution (SR)105 confirms the appointment of Mr. Derrick Helms to the WKU Board Regents for a term expiring June 30, 2030. The Senate confirmed SR105 on Thursday, March 27, 2025. View SR105 here.
You can view all legislation WKU tracked this session here.