More than 100 new laws go into effect tomorrow here in Kentucky.

They were all passed during the 2025 General Assembly.

Republican leaders in the state Senate explained some of the new laws during a press conference yesterday.

Emily Sisk was there in Frankfort and has more on what you need to know in tonight's legislative update.

More than 100 new state laws take effect this week, ranging from protections in schools to housing and spending cuts.

Senate Bill two prohibits gender reassignment surgery or treatment for inmates.

Senator Mike Wilson said funding had been ongoing without the public's knowledge.

Let me be clear Kentucky taxpayers should not be required to fund elective transgender surgeries.

Well, hormone therapies for inmates and procedures that are medically unnecessary, ideologically driven, and unsupported by most correctional health experts.

This bill ends the secretive policy that allowed these procedures to proceed without public or legislative knowledge.

Another bill taking effect restricts how teachers contact students outside of the classroom.

Senate Bill 181 requires all communication between school staff and students to be traceable, not over social media or text.

The intent of Senate Bill 181 is about child protection.

It's about student safety, and it's about communication between in school employees and parents.

If parents want teachers to be able to contact their child in a different way, they could fill out a waiver.

Some teachers have complained this law puts up unnecessary barriers and punishes the rule instead of the exception.

Wise said saving children from online predators is worth the inconvenience, inconveniences by waivers and getting permission for his son.

That's nothing compared to what that family had to deal with.

Housing, or the lack thereof, was another point of discussion on Wednesday, where some 200,000 housing units short in the state of Kentucky.

Bills related to housing are taking effect this week.

Senate Bill 25, which mill sponsored, says that only property owners can challenge a planning and zoning appeal.

We think this is going to help housing, units go up in our urban areas, and Kentuckians are paying less in taxes.

State treasurer Mark Metcalf crunched the numbers on Kentuckians tax liability when the Senate and House majority took over in 2017.

Each Kentucky taxpayer owed $39,000.

Each Kentucky taxpayer today owes only $13,000.

So from 39,000 to $13,000.

I call that progress, and I call it the right path for Kentucky.

After a tornado struck parts of south central Kentucky last month, Governor Andy Beshear said the recovery could cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Fisher said he might need to call a special legislative session to allocate more disaster relief money.

Lawmakers were asked about the possibility of a special session.

There was quite a substantial amount of storm damage.

It does take time to recover.

And, you know, we've got a few months and we're back in session.

So I think we're just in a wait and see mode, see the numbers that the governor gives us and says, and I think I need X amount, and we'll probably have a response back to that.

We had $200 million that's accessible to him over the next six months.

And if he needs more, we can do a one day session.

Wait, second readings.

And I have something to him.

Within days, if needed.

Senator Mills said for now, the governor should have all the money he needs.

But they'll keep a close eye on any further requests.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Emily Sisk.

Thanks, Emily.

Other notable bills that will become law tomorrow include House Bill one, which cuts the state's income tax to 3.5% beginning January 1st.

Lawmakers predict the reduction will leave more than $700 million in the pockets of Kentucky taxpayers during the first year.

House Bill 38 makes violating a protective order three times in five years a class D felony, and House Bill 208 requires school districts to adopt a policy for cell phone use during instructional time.

House Bill 240 requires a reading proficiency screener for every kindergarten and first grade student.

Those who are falling behind will be held back a year.

And Senate Bill 73, which makes sexual extortion a felony.

Provides legal remedies to victims and prioritizes prevention education for students.