https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=18

Samara Heavrin- 18th District State Representative, 702 Capital Avenue , Annex Room 383, Frankfort, KY (2026)

08/31/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
State Representative Samara Heavrin, 18th District

Week in Review: Medicaid, Agriculture, Tourism
The legislature continued preparing for the 2027 Regular Session with four interim joint committees (IJCs), one statutory committee, and two subcommittees meeting to hear updates and discuss issues. Chief on the agenda was harnessing data and information to make the state’s Medicaid program to make it both more effective at helping Kentuckians get healthier, and efficient in investing taxpayer dollars to help those who are truly eligible. Lawmakers then took the legislative process to the people with a series of meetings at the Kentucky State Fair. At the Fair, discussions focused on agriculture, the Fair’s impact on the Commonwealth, and tourism and economic development investments.

Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board: Members received an overview of Aetna’s Supporting Kentucky Youth (SKY) Managed Care Specialty Health Plan, which serves youth in Kentucky’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Presenters highlighted the program’s goals and successes in family engagement, community connection, keeping youth close to home, behavioral health, and well-child visits. Legislators then heard about Children's Alliance Independent Provider Association’s (CA-IPA) value-based partnership with Aetna, which brings providers together to increase access to and improve the quality of behavioral health services for Kentucky’s at-risk children and families. The presentation covered participating providers, quality measures, and key results.

Healthcare Transparency Dashboard Subcommittee: Legislators heard from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services about the data it collects and how it can be used to help make policy decisions. They also learned about Medicaid dashboards and partnerships that help bring different sources of health data together. Members then heard how Florida developed its Health Plan Transparency Dashboard, including how it chose the numbers and benchmarks used to measure performance. The meeting wrapped up with an overview of public dashboards created by the Legislative Research Commission’s Office of Health Data Analytics, which give the public a clearer look at Kentucky’s health care data.

Waiver Waitlist Management Subcommittee: Lawmakers first received an update on 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver enrollment and waitlist data, including how many people on a waitlist are already waiting for another waiver or already have a slot allocated in another waiver. Members then learned about Louisiana’s waiver waitlist management system, known as Screening for Urgency of Need (SUN) that prioritizes people for HCBS waiver opportunities based on urgency of need, considering factors such as current support needs, sustainability of existing supports, and potential consequences if additional supports are unavailable.

IJC on Agriculture: Legislators received an update on the Kentucky State Fair, including its role in promoting Kentucky agriculture and giving farmers, producers and agricultural organizations an opportunity to showcase their work. The fair also provides educational opportunities for families and visitors and helps highlight the importance of agriculture to Kentucky’s economy and communities. Members also received the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture’s 2025 Kentucky To***co Research and Development Center Annual Report.

IJC on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations: Members were updated by the Kentucky Lottery Corporation on key milestones and accomplishments during Fiscal Year 2026. In Fiscal Year 2026, the Lottery transferred a record $419.2 million to the Commonwealth to support scholarships and grant programs. Members also adopted a proposed administrative regulation establishing licensure requirements for the operation, services, and facility specifications of freestanding birthing centers in Kentucky. The regulation implements House Bill 90 from the 2025 Regular Session.

IJC on Economic Development and Workforce Investment and the IJC on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology: Lawmakers on these two committees met jointly heard about the transformation of a former landfill into the Waterfront Botanical Gardens and how the project has created a unique community asset while bringing new opportunities for education, recreation and tourism. Members also heard about the economic impact of conservation and outdoor recreation at Breaks Interstate Park, including how the park draws visitors to Eastern Kentucky and supports local businesses and communities.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

08/17/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Samara Heavrin, 18th District

Kentucky’s summer tradition
The Kentucky State Fair is one of the places where the Commonwealth comes together. Each August, the fairgrounds fill with laughter, the aroma of delicious food, cheers from livestock competitions, and the unmistakable pride of Kentuckians showcasing the very best of our communities. Our fair is a living and breathing display of who we are as people. We get to see the traditions, craftsmanship, music, history, and culture that define Kentucky take center stage.

For over a century, the Kentucky State Fair has served as a gathering place where the spirit of the Commonwealth comes alive. It has grown from a small agricultural event into a dynamic celebration that showcases everything uniquely Kentucky – from our farming communities to the creativity of our artisans and the excitement of live entertainment. Even as the fair has expanded and evolved, the fair has remained true to its original purpose: a place where Kentuckians of all backgrounds can connect, honor those who cultivate our land, and celebrate the resilience that shapes our state’s story.

Agriculture has always been at the heart of the Kentucky State Fair. It remains the backbone of our economy, contributing billions of dollars each year, and providing tens of thousands of jobs across the Commonwealth. At the fair generations of farmers and families display their finest livestock, crops, and craftmanship, reminding us of the dedication that keeps Kentucky’s agricultural sector strong. The exhibits aren’t just competitions – they’re a celebration of the hard work and pride that continue to drive one of Kentucky’s more important industries.

Beyond traditions, the fair plays a meaningful role in Kentucky’s economy. Each year, thousands of visitors travel into the Louisville, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and businesses across the region. The fair also showcases Kentucky’s entrepreneurial spirit providing a platform for small businesses and vendors to share their carefully crafted products to a statewide audience. A powerful reminder that innovation continues to thrive in Kentucky.

Of course, the Kentucky State Fair is also a celebration on our rich culture. From music echoing across the grounds to hand-crafted quilts and family recipes, the fair captures the spirit of Kentucky creativity. A place where memories are made, traditions are shared, and the diverse stories of our people come together.

This year’s fair brings a special spotlight to America250, with a celebration unique to Kentucky. The United We Stand exhibit invites visitors to dive into the Commonwealth’s role in shaping America’s story, highlighting the people, places, and moments that connect Kentucky to our shared national heritage. Fairgoers can explore Kentucky history and trivia, watch live mural paintings, and compete in America250 events in cakes, quilts, and much more. Alongside this, horse shows, concerts, and countless family-friendly activities ensure that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The Kentucky State Fair is more than an event on our calendars – it’s a celebration of our people, traditions, and industries that define the Commonwealth. It reminds us that Kentuckians are united by our values of hard work, family, faith, and freedom. I hope to see you there experiencing the very best of our great state all in one place!

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

08/11/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Samara Heavrin, 18th District

Week in Review: Education, budget, natural resources
The first week of August provided an opportunity for several committees to meet, including a statutory committee, interim joint committees (IJC), and the legislature’s budget review (BR) committees. These panels heard testimony on a variety of issues, but more importantly asked questions and gathered information that will be used to shape legislation for the upcoming 2027 session.

Committee topics included:

Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee: Members discussed updates from the Education Professional Standards Board and reviewed district data profiles for the 2025 school year. The discussion included educator preparation and certification, legal and policy updates affecting the education profession, and an overview of district-level data compiled by the Office of Education Accountability. Members also examined school financial information and performance metrics to better understand trends across Kentucky's school districts and support future policy decisions.

IJC on Education: Members heard from a variety of stakeholders in primary and secondary education. The committee heard from Kentucky First Robotics, a program designed to help prepare students with career-ready technical, team-work, and problem-solving skills. Next, Warren County Public Schools presented on the benefits of kindergarten transition and allowing students additional time to develop socially, grow emotionally, and prepare academically. The district also testified about their efforts to increase postsecondary readiness through the Impact Center for Leadership and Innovation. Finally, the committee heard from the Kentucky Department of Education on Kentucky’s reading and math improvements and overall test scores.

IJC on Transportation: Members discussed the growing use of personal delivery devices, such as small autonomous robots that transport goods over short distances, and received a closeout report on the state's Road Fund for fiscal year 2026. They also reviewed implementation of House Bill 571, including new restrictions on highway lighting near agricultural land, received an update on progress of the Interstate 65 improvement project, and considered an administrative regulation related to peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing services.

BR on Justice and Judiciary: Legislators heard from the Department of Corrections regarding its inmate food service contract and offender work programs. Officials said they have contracted for food services since 2005, with Aramark serving as the awarded vendor. The contract provides meals at a cost of $4.39 a day per inmate for approximately 12,000 inmates in state correctional institutions. Offenders also participate in 13 prison industries and farm operations at three correctional institutions, employing up to 40 inmates and generating approximately $550,000 in annual profits, although the department does not currently operate any food production facilities.

BR on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement: Members heard an update on veterans nursing homes operated by the state. Committee staff presented data on capacity, the cost of care and facility management, the process for veterans accessing care, and recommendations for improvements made to the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs. Facility capacity was a key issue discussed. Transitioning rooms at the centers from double occupancy to single occupancy is one reason for the decrease in capacity, but improves the quality of life for residents. Statewide capacity will increase with the opening of the Bowling Green Veterans Center and the completion of the new HVAC installation at the Radcliff Veterans Center.

BR on Transportation: Members received updates on planned highway construction projects scheduled to be awarded during fiscal year 2027, along with expected construction spending over the current two-year budget cycle. They also reviewed the status of federal transportation grants, including funding opportunities and ongoing projects, and received the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's annual year-end report on the Road Fund and the state's transportation finances.

IJC on Appropriations and Revenue: Legislators heard from Kentucky State University on its continued progress toward becoming Kentucky's polytechnic institution following the passage of SB 185 during the 2026 Regular Session. University officials highlighted the comprehensive academic program review now underway. Members also discussed the fiscal year 2026 budget closeout with the Office of the State Budget Director. General Fund revenues exceeded the enacted estimate by $476.6 million, representing a 1.7% increase, driven by strong growth in income tax, sales and use tax, major business taxes, lottery receipts, and coal severance revenues.

IJC on Judiciary: Members received an update on the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel, including its efforts to examine child fatalities and near fatalities to identify trends, improve coordination among agencies, and strengthen child safety. They also heard a presentation on a law enforcement tool designed to help officers safely control and de-escalate dangerous situations without using deadly force. Finally, members discussed the use of a real-time crime index to provide more timely crime data, improve public safety analysis, and support informed policymaking.

IJC on Natural Resources and Energy: Lawmakers reviewed the recent purchase of land by The Nature Conservancy in Bell and Whitley counties. The recent purchase of land is part of continued conservation efforts in the Appalachian region. The land known as the Thacker Tract connects other protected areas, Mountain River Farms and Cumberland Forest, to expand conservation work between them. Members also heard a quarterly report from the Public Service Commission on fulfilment of requests for utility pole attachments for broadband access across the state.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

08/05/2026

As students and teachers in the 18th District are beginning to start school for the upcoming school year, I want to wish each and every one of them a successful year!

08/04/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Samara Heavrin, 18th District

Strengthening school bus safety
As summer winds down, families across the Commonwealth are preparing for the start of a new school year. For students, this means meeting new teachers, learning new class schedules, and, for many, getting back into the routine of riding the bus.

Each school day, thousands of school buses activate stop arms and flashing lights as they pick up and drop off students. These measures are designed to keep students safe by alerting drivers to stop.

Despite this, lawmakers continue to hear from school bus drivers, parents, and law enforcement about the alarming number of drivers who illegally pass school buses with deployed stop arms each day. Far too often, we’re reading stories, seeing videos on social media, or witnessing drivers ignoring the law and putting our students at risk.

That is why the General Assembly passed House Bill 7, a school bus safety bill, during the 2026 Regular Session. The goal of the legislation is simple: to keep students safe by reducing the number of illegal school bus passing incidents statewide and holding more drivers accountable.

One way HB 7 aims to improve school bus safety is by requiring more vehicles to stop. Now, a driver must stop for a school or church bus with an activated stop arm and signal lights unless a roadway has four or more lanes divided by an elevated barrier or unpaved median.

HB 7 also takes steps to make it easier for school districts and law enforcement to hold drivers who fail to obey the law accountable.

Under the new law, school districts that choose to participate may contract with a private vendor or manufacturer and equip their buses with camera monitoring systems to help document stop arm camera violations. Importantly, buses equipped with these systems must display a warning sign notifying drivers and can only record while a stop arm is deployed. Recorded images must also be reviewed by law enforcement to verify that a violation took place before a notice is issued.

If law enforcement determines that no violation took place, the recorded images produced must be destroyed within 31 days of being captured. If a violation is confirmed, the owner of the vehicle will receive a notice in the mail within 30 days of the violation, which will include information like the date and time of the violation, location of the violation, civil penalty amount, and payment deadline. The vehicle owner will also receive a copy of the recorded images for the stop arm camera violation and a signed, sworn statement from a law enforcement officer verifying the violation.

Verified violations will result in a civil penalty of $300 to the vehicle owner for the first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense within a three-year period, with generated revenue retained by the school district operating the camera monitoring system. No points will be assessed against the driving record of the owner or operator of the vehicle in violation, and vehicle owners who believe they were wrongly cited can contest the violation in district court.

For those who fail to pay or contest the civil penalty within 60 days, the law enforcement agency or officer can notify the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) of nonpayment. KYTC will then send a notice of suspension and suspend the registration of the motor vehicle until the civil penalty is paid.

At its heart, this bill is all about prevention and keeping students boarding and exiting school buses safe. While no legislation can completely eliminate these stop arm violations from happening, HB 7 gives school districts and law enforcement another tool to improve school bus safety while increasing accountability for drivers who fail to follow the law. If we can prevent one tragedy or injury from occurring or make one driver pay more attention, HB 7 will have served its purpose.

So, as we enter a new school year, please remember to pay attention, slow down, and watch for school buses. Together, we can all do our part to strengthen school bus safety across the Commonwealth.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

07/30/2026

Free flights for youths ages 8-17 at the Leitchfield/Grayson County Airport. Register for the event below!

07/27/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Samara Heavrin, 18th District

Understanding the annual child fatality and near fatality report
During their July meeting, members of the Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children reviewed the most recent annual report compiled by the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel. This panel was established in 2013 by the General Assembly to provide the Commonwealth with robust information related to cases of death or near death of a child that are suspected to be the result of abuse or neglect. Since 2021, the panel has provided annual reports and updates to the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee, and has presented to the Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children since its inception in 2022.

The 2025 annual report, reflects a review of child welfare cases from the 2024 fiscal year. The first key finding of the panel was that children four years old or younger are at the highest risk of abuse or neglect, totaling 82% of the cases. Children under the age of one comprised 44% of the panel’s cases alone.

Ingestion of illicit or harmful substances: The panel found that cases of overdose or ingestion continue to rise, year over year. In FY 23 there were 76 such cases, but in FY 24 this number had risen to 98. These children were commonly ingesting substances such as cannabinoids (28%), fentanyl (19%), methamphetamines (16%), and amphetamines (10%). Of the ninety-eight children, eleven lost their lives due to overdose and ingestion of dangerous or illicit substances.

During the 2026 Regular Session, the General Assembly passed House Bill 778 into law, which strengthened the commonwealth’s approach to inhalation and ingestion cases. This law added ingestion and inhalation to the criminal abuse or neglect statutes, classifying these events as Class A misdemeanors. Additionally, the legislation directs state employees across several cabinets to receive training and education services on pediatric ingestion and inhalation of controlled substances. These changes should help our commonwealth curb the rise of child overdose and ingestion.

Plan of Safe Care: Plans of Safe Care are designed to protect infants from prenatal exposure to harmful drugs and substances. In fiscal year 2024, there was a decrease of substance exposed infants, but an increase in infants with Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome. Overall, 741 cases were reported through the Kentucky Public Health Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, which is a decrease from the previous year’s total of 792. There has been a 30% increase in prenatal cannabinoid exposure. Roughly, 76% of all in utero drug exposure involved cannabinoids, followed by methamphetamines and amphetamines (43%) and Buprenorphine and Methadone (35%).

Physical abuse: The Commonwealth saw an increase in physical abuse cases from 42 in fiscal year 2023 to 55. Both years involved 13 fatalities, but in FY 24 there were 42 near fatality cases. The panel found that the families involved often had preexisting Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) issues (49), financial issues (45), or many others including substance abuses in the home (37).

The panel recommends that child welfare staff and medical providers receive additional training on the indicators of physical abuse to better identify cases before they escalate to fatality or near fatality. Additionally, they recommend that DCBS implement a monitoring system to track case work compliance with standard operating practices.

The 2025 Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel report can be found with the committee’s meeting materials at https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/CommitteeDocuments/369/.

These reports help the General Assembly create legislation to better serve Kentucky families and protect our kids. While the contents of the reports are often tragic and heartbreaking, they are an important reminder that there is much more work to be done in our communities from legislative approaches to the way programs are implemented at a local, district, and regional level.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

07/24/2026

The Kentucky State Treasury’s Unclaimed Property team is coming to Hardin County on Friday, July 24, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Hardin County Government Center to help residents search for missing money and answer questions about the claims process.

Hardin County has more than $11.3 million in unclaimed property waiting to be claimed. Stop by and see if you have property waiting for you — you might be surprised by what turns up!
Can’t make it? Search anytime at treasury.ky.gov.

07/22/2026

In-state tuition averages about $10,000 a year for U.S. public colleges and universities. A year of childcare is more than $13,000. That’s like a second mortgage for a young family. “It’s jaw-dropping,” says Jenna Bannon, associate director of NCSL’s Children and Families Program. “The c...

07/16/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Samara Heavrin, 18th District

Week In Review: Education, state and local government, and statutory committees
During the first full week of July, legislators met in interim committees to study issues affecting communities across Kentucky while also carrying out one of the legislature's most significant administrative moves - selecting a new executive director to lead the Legislative Research Commission, the nonpartisan agency that provides the research, legal, fiscal, administrative, and operational support that keeps the General Assembly functioning year-round. Our new executive director brings a unique perspective, having served in all three branches of Kentucky government, experience that will strengthen the legislature's ability to serve the people of the Commonwealth.

Along with that leadership transition, lawmakers continued reviewing issues ranging from education and agriculture to public safety and government spending. Here are summaries of committee meetings the week of July 6.

IJC on Education: Members heard from a variety of stakeholders in the K-12 education system. First, the committee heard an overview on the status of advanced coursework options across the state. Next, the Kentucky Department of Education provided an update on the education strategy for students with dyslexia and/or dysgraphia. Finally, the panel heard from leading advocates for a traditional, analog education in K-12 schools. Presenters highlighted the decline in reading and math scores across the nation since the digitization of education.

IJC on Local Government: Lawmakers heard from the Kentucky Association of Counties and the Kentucky League of Cities on a recent decision by the Kentucky Court of Appeals regarding the legal framework surrounding the proposed project in Breckinridge County. The case stems from a lawsuit filed by Clover Creek Solar and affected landowners in Breckinridge Circuit Court, where the court issued a declaration of rights finding that the county's solar ordinance was not a zoning ordinance and, therefore, permitted solar facilities to locate anywhere within the county. Additionally, members discussed the coroner's issues including their request to increase compensation.

IJC on State Government: Members discussed Kentucky agriculture and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives. Through the employee health plan, the University of Kentucky offers vouchers to help employees cover the cost of CSA memberships, which provide weekly boxes of locally grown produce, meat, and other agricultural products during the growing season. University representatives highlighted benefits including improved employee health, stronger support for local farms, and keeping food dollars in Kentucky. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture proposed allowing state employees to earn wellness points through CSA participation under the Kentucky Employee Health Plan beginning in 2027. Legislators also approved an administrative regulation implementing SB 85, which allows special needs trusts to be used within Kentucky’s state-administered retirement systems in order to provide financial security for families planning for the long-term care of loved ones with disabilities.

Government Contract Review: Legislators heard funding requests and contract proposals from Kentucky agencies and organizations. The committee received testimony on contracts to provide consulting services for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Department for Medicaid Services, as well as a contract to support ongoing litigation aimed at reducing electric costs for Kentuckians. Members also reviewed funding requests, including those for Kindergarten Readiness Screener assessments, and questioned agency officials about contract cost increases, the availability of federal funding, and the justification for significant expenditures.

Information Technology Oversight Committee: Legislators received updates on the status of KentuckyWired from the Office of the Attorney General, Ledcor Technical Services, and the KentuckyWired Operations Company. Testimony focused on ongoing litigation, network operations, and efforts to complete and manage the statewide high-speed broadband network. Members questioned officials about project costs, contractual obligations, system performance, and long-term sustainability as Kentucky continues working to expand reliable broadband infrastructure for government agencies, schools, businesses, and communities across the Commonwealth.

Legislative Oversight and Investigations: Lawmakers received the 2026 update from the Kentucky Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel, including improvements to its case management system and trends in the cases it reviews. Representatives from the University of Kentucky discussed the impact of recent state legislation on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements and efforts to keep Kentucky's universities competitive in recruiting student-athletes. The Kentucky State Police also updated members on the Statewide Emergency Responders Voice System (SERVS), a statewide radio communications network designed to improve communications between law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, and other first responders. Officials said the project is progressing but will require additional funding to complete the statewide system.

As you can see, the General Assembly's work does not end when the regular session adjourns. All of these meetings are archived on the legislature’s YouTube channel, Committee Meetings.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

Samara Heavrin- 18th District State Representative

08/31/2026

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