LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nearly a dozen new laws will go into effect in Kentucky on Jan. 1, 2024. Here are some highlights:
State income tax
The state income tax in Kentucky will decrease from 4.5% to 4% on Jan. 1.
It is unclear; however, if the state will meet the requirements to continue lowering the income tax to $3.5% in 2025.
Registered sex offenders
Registered sex offenders who move to another county or face homelessness now have new rules to follow in the interest of public safety in Kentucky.
The new law requires those on the sex offender registry who move outside of their old county to notify their new county's parole office within five days of moving.
For registered sex offenders who don't have a permanent home, they must under this new law report in person to their parole officers every 30 days and disclose where they are temporarily staying.
Retirement changes
A new bill will allow members of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System or State Police Retirement System to receive a one-time lump sum and monthly retirement allowances, with or without survivor rights.
Electric vehicles fee
Kentucky drivers with electric or hybrid vehicles will now have to pay an annual ownership fee.
EV owners will owe the state $120, which will go toward Kentucky's Road Fund. Hybrid or electric motorcycle owners will pay $60 every year.
Another portion of the bill also charges a tax for all electric vehicle charges.
'Automatic renewal' subscriptions
A law has just gone into effect in Kentucky that helps people who sign up for a free subscription that turns into a paid one without your consent.
This new provision requires businesses to clearly show customers continuous, automatic renewals, like subscriptions.
The law also requires businesses to get a shopper's consent before charging them, and to include an easy way for shoppers to cancel. Violations of this new law could lead to lawsuits against the companies.
Health insurance and biomarker testing
Another bill going into effect this year will require health insurers and Medicaid to cover biomarker tests. These tests analyze a person's genes and can help doctors with deciding treatment plans. This kind of testing is mostly used for cancer patients.
The tests must also be offered at a minimal costs, but this would only apply to health benefit plans issued or renewed after Jan. 1, 2024.
Military licenses and plates
There are several changes to how U.S. military members will maintain vehicle registrations in Kentucky.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will no longer require those in the military to get a Kentucky drivers' license in order to change their vehicle registration to Kentucky.
All special license plates currently available to the military will now also be available for motorcycles.
Kentucky's General Assembly return to Frankfort on Jan. 2 to begin the new legislative session.
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