The Kentucky General Assembly is one step closer to giving the state the chance to opt in to a federal tax credit program, which would allow for scholarship donations for K through 12 students in public or private schools.

Our Emily Sisk has more from today's Senate Education Committee.

Simply put, Kentucky students can't afford to miss out on this opportunity.

Northern Kentucky Republican Representative T.J.

Roberts says House Bill one will benefit both public and private school students in Kentucky.

The bill would authorize the Secretary of State to opt Kentucky in to the federal tax credit program.

Donors can give up to $1,700 a year, which will go to scholarship granting organizations that can then award the money to K through 12 students.

Anybody who owes a dollar in federal taxes or above can give.

If you own a dollar, you could give that dollar right to one of these organizations, right?

Roberts clarified only families with an income at or below 300% of the area's gross median income would be eligible to receive the scholarship money.

The dollars can be used for a variety of things, from private school tuition to transportation, internet access, tutoring, and more.

The Republican sponsors emphasized these scholarships would not use any state funding.

Is anything in this bill cost any citizen in the state of Kentucky any money?

Not a penny.

Senator, it doesn't cost the people of Kentucky a penny to pass House Bill one.

There has been some concern over HB one and its similarity to amendment to the school choice ballot measure from back in 2024.

Kentucky voters overwhelmingly voted against amendment two, which would have allowed for public school dollars to be used at nonpublic schools.

And Oldham County Republican asked how House Bill one was different.

There's a lot of talk about this being the next new voucher program, and some some people who are opposed to this idea are using that to say we voted against, you know, the state of Kentucky voted against this already.

This is very different.

Am I correct?

So amendment two was specifically worded about the use of state general funds.

This bill designates it to the Secretary of State's office, which is a fee driven agency.

It's not a general fund driven agency.

In other words, at no point does the Kentucky General Fund get touched by this bill.

The Senate Minority Caucus chair still opposed the bill, saying he couldn't support any dollars going to private schools.

These kind of programs negatively impact and are harmful to our public schools.

Every dollar that's taken away from the federal Treasury.

Here we talk about the federal Treasury is dollars left that we have to spend on very critical areas like defense, like transportation, like education, like health care.

Senate Education Committee Chair Stephen West was critical of the Democrats reasoning, saying not passing the bill would leave money on the table for Kentucky.

This should not be a public school versus private school debate.

This particular federal law is basically the federal government coming to Kentucky and with a silver platter and saying, here's some of your money that you take it take.

Senate majority Leader Max wise was also critical of arguments made by the two minority members who voted no.

And he made this promise.

We're going to pass this bill.

We'll pass it off the Senate floor.

Governor may veto it.

We'll be right there to override it.

But I will tell you, those that are voting no and those that are sharing misinformation about this bill, this could be something that can be a game changer for your school district.

I don't care if your school districts is in Covington or if it's in Louisville or Campbellsville or wherever it may be.

This is a piece of legislation that's for kids.

HB one passed the Senate Education Committee with a vote of 11 to 2.

It moves on to the full Senate for consideration for Kentucky edition.

I'm Emily Sisk.

Thank you.

Emily.

State representative T.J.

Roberts, a Republican, said right now, 27 other states participate in the federal tax credit program.

It was made possible through President Donald Trump's one big, beautiful bill, which Congress passed last year.