January 2026 District 36 Newsletter: start of The Long Session!

District 36 Newsletter

January 2026

Greetings!

Happy New Year!

I am enjoying the "calm before the storm"; we are back in Frankfort Jan 6, daily, for the long budget Session, until mid April.

The beautiful 116 year old marble Capitol is shut down for a multi-year renovation, so we are meeting in small "temporary chambers" in the parking lot. The (non-beautiful) Annex offices are still open for visits though!

Major Session goals are: producing a balanced KY Budget for 2 years, making a 2 year Road Budget, and a 6 year Road Plan. We will also consider probably over 1000 bills on every subject you can imagine. It is like drinking from a firehose, so I appreciate involved folks letting me know about bills and amendments they have concerns over.

Liberty is a team sport!

Watch live internet video of the session, committees, and task forces on this KET link.

My 6 assignments are:

Elections & Constitutional Amendments Committee (Vice Chair)
State Government Committee
Transportation Committee
Small Business and IT Committee
Information Technology Oversight Committee
Air Mobility and Aviation Economic Development Task Force

I welcome your input and perspective on legislative issues (online form here).

My office number is 351D in the Capitol Annex.

Office phone is 502-564-8100.

State email is John.Hodgson@KYLegislature.gov

I will do my best to answer your questions and consider your input on District 36 issues if you would like to contact me.

District 36 Road & Traffic Plans

Watterson Trail Widening?

A 2008 Design study showed that Watterson Trail/KY1819 was an overburdened 2-lane artery for daily commuters, with no turn lane, and inadequate space for the many semi-trucks from the Industrial Park to make turns at intersections safely.

As you know, competition for State road funds is fierce, with a big backlog.

The level of congestion has finally triggered a high enough SHIFT score for a state road budget priority for a major improvement project!

This still requires a vote of the Legislature in the 2026 enacted Road Plan budget, but we may see dirt moving at the end of 2026.

Please show your support (or concerns) for this project that touches multiple House districts.

Find out more at the public meeting, or check the project website.

These are the highest ranked near term road priorities in our District 36 for the 2027/28 Road Budget debate:

Widen KY155 (Taylorsville Road) from I265 to the Fisherville intersection.
Widen US60 (Shelbyville Road) to 6 lanes from Old Shelbyville Rd to North English Station
Reconstruct KY 1531 (Johnson Rd) to make it wider with smoother curves
Widen KY 155 (Taylorsville Rd) PHASE 2, from KY 148 on into Spencer County
Extend Plantside Drive from Rehl Road to Taylorsville road by I265 light
Widen KY 1819 through the Jtown Industrial Park (multiple phases)

Looking farther out, projects like the Johnson/Aiken intersection, the proposed I64 new exit and connector road did not rank high enough to be added to the 2 year budget, but will be on the horizon in the 6 year plan.

Help Metro stay on top of potholes by reporting online!

These District 36 projects from the 2025-26 budget cycle are funded for completion before the next budget takes over:

Gilliland Rd intersection at US 60 - in work
KY 1819/Billtown Rd reconstruction - in work
~~Eastwood-Fisherville I64 exit & Connector road study~~ DONE!
~~Clark Station bridge replacement~~ DONE!

Constitutional Minute

The Constitutional Principle of Judicial Review

This Month, we will look at Alexander Hamilton's Federalist Paper #78, written and published to get the voting public to embrace and ratify the Constitution in 1788.

Key points Hamilton makes in Federalist #78 about The Courts:

Judiciary is the weakest branch: “The judiciary… has no influence over either the sword or the purse… It may truly be said to have neither FORCE nor WILL, but merely judgment.”
Lifetime tenure is necessary for judicial independence (cannot be fired, but CAN be impeached for misbehavior)
Judges must be insulated from political pressure so they can protect the Constitution and minorities against majority tyranny.
The Constitution is supreme law; The Constitution is fundamental law enacted by the people; ordinary laws passed by Congress must conform to it.
Judicial review is essential: “No legislative act… contrary to the Constitution can be valid… The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts… Whenever a particular statute contravenes the Constitution, it will be the duty of the judicial tribunals to adhere to the latter.”
Courts protect individual rights: without an independent judiciary, “all the reservations of particular rights or privileges would amount to nothing.”

Bottom line:

Our system of 3 branches that check and balance each other is essential to maintaining our Constitutional Republic, and not allowing Executive or Legislative branches to become tyrants. However, the Courts have grabbed more and more power since 1788, and arguably some have become very political and are ruling in ways the Founders never intended and are themselves attempting "Judicial Tyranny".

Email me your thoughts on the way the Courts have evolved in our lifetime.

Legislative Update

2026 Planned Legislation now with videos!

[I will update this list as the session begins Jan 9, and can file bills and start having hearings]

I have a bunch of bills ready to file for 2026, including my good bills from 2025 that did not get voted in.

HB20 / BR14 ALPR Limitations: limits use, retention and sale of license plate reader data PASSED HOUSE 90-1, but failed to get out of the Senate VIDEO HERE

BR 80 - outlaw "Balance billing" by laboratories when patient has already paid insurance negotiated rate. (Certain providers seek payment they are not legally owed via overbilling). I know many folks who have been turned over to collection agencies by this shady process. VIDEO HERE

HB22 /BR17 Geoengineering Ban - Short video here. We got an interim hearing on Aug 29: Committee hearing Long video here

HB41/ BR 13 Ky Emergency Volunteer Corps - did not get heard, refiling 2026. Creates a structure for organized and trained emergency volunteers in every county to respond to floods, tornados, and other civil emergencies to offload simpler tasks from the KY National Guard. Added benefit is training and fitness for young volunteers.

BR 201 - Legal Employment Act - making it a misdemeanor for illegal aliens to seek employment in KY

HB21 / BR 15 Malicious Use of AI Deepfakes Ban - did not get heard

BR16 - Warrent-less Tracking ban - makes it illegal to place an electronic tracker on a person or their gear to track them without their permission or a warrant.

HB31/BR29 Road Damage Bonding for Weight Limit Exceedance: - did not get heard, refiling 2026

BR 79 - allow certain State Boards to meet via video (avoid travel reimbursement, saves time and taxpayer money)

BR 160 - Inter-County agreements on development approval binding elements (avoiding Clark Station Road type situations)

"In case you missed it" section:

Bills I have authored and passed into KY law in previous years:

2025 (Short session)

SB129/HB18 Limits on Zoning Board Approvals Passed 76-12 watch video

HB19 Drone Privacy Passed 90-1

HB45 Ban Foreign Donations for Ballot Measures Passed 85-12

2024 (long session)

HB5 -Safer Kentucky Act I was a primary co-sponsor along with 6 others. Passed 75-23

HB43 : requires Fire Districts to notify homeowners and local elected officials before downgrading fire protection services in a way that impacts insurance rates. passed 93-0

HB44 Voter roll cleanup Bill passed 75-17 watch video here.

HB53 Post-election "eyeball" audits passed 87-8 watch video here.

The Budget bills

The Road Plan

Summary listing of all the budget items.

2023 (short session)

HB 144 Ban on warrant-less government surveillance on private land Passed 81-13

District 36 Community Spotlight

Fire Mission Ministries - Helping Veterans

Some of our District 36 neighbors at ASRIK Farm are involved in a veteran-run non-profit dedicated to serving the physical and spiritual needs of veterans. Vets can struggle with re-integrating into society after returning from deployment, especially if they have PTSD and/or substance dependency issues. Fire Mission offers comprehensive resources for veterans addressing food, shelter, and critical needs.

"At Fire Mission Ministries, we strive to meet the vital needs of veterans, both physically and spiritually. We know the war does not end when veterans come home. We strive to help veterans by showing them the love of Christ and meeting their needs. We want to help veterans who feel left behind and all alone struggling with the trauma of war and addiction. If you know of a veteran in need of help, call in a Fire Mission. We will be their direct support on the battle field. We will identify their needs and help them overcome the enemy, whatever it may be with the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit!"

If you’re interested in making a difference in this area, you can learn more at: https://www.firemissionministries.com/

They could use your help spreading the word to vets in need, in addition to volunteers and donors.

Let's protect faith, family, and freedom in KY - Liberty is a team sport!

Political Happenings in Dist 36

Re-Election Filing Time!

Correction: I had a broken link in here last month, let's try this again:

Everyone filing to run for office in 2026 has to do so by Jan 9.

Your favorite local state rep filed at the Secretary of State's office the first day (photo above)

Running every 2 years is what the Founders intended, to keep House Reps in touch with the voting public, and if you have read this far, I think you will at least agree I solicit input and keep you informed.

A Democrat opponent has filed, whose positions are pretty much the opposite of mine on most important issues, things like school taxes, controlling crime, east end overdevelopment, illegal immigration, social issues, etc. He is a nice enough guy to meet, but we do not share anything close to the same viewpoint on critical issues and developing Kentucky laws.

If you like the representation you are getting from me, this is a shameless request to show your support by chipping in a few bucks to the cause: Donation link here

Even small donations are welcome, because they show you have some "skin in the game".

I use all funds for direct voter contact, no paid campaign staff, just dozens of friends and volunteers. With the price of postage and electronic advertising, it costs at least $40,000 to reach every voting household in this district enough times to get the vote out, and can cost upwards of $120,000 if a race gets hot due to outside organization involvement.

I will be working hard in session in Frankfort Jan-April, no time to fundraise or door-knock, so... your support is appreciated! Donation link here