KY lawmakers limit public access to 2026 session. How to attend, watch & demonstrate
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kentucky's Capitol closed for multi-year renovation; temporary chambers lack gallery.
- Public access limited to four Capitol Annex viewing rooms and KET livestreams.
- Event requests overseen by Finance Cabinet; routine scheduling via Statehouse desk.
Kentucky’s 2026 lawmaking session kicked off Tuesday, but this year will look very different for lawmakers and those in the general public following their work.
The 60-day session includes the crucial task of passing a new two-year state budget. Lawmakers have also already signaled plans to tackle federal cuts to Medicaid and food assistance, and they could also dig in on hot-button issues such as artificial intelligence and redistricting.
And all their work will play out in a new, temporary structure as the Kentucky Capitol undergoes extensive renovations expected to last years.
The temporary chambers, in a building attached to the Annex, just behind the Capitol, for the state Senate and House of Representatives doesn’t include a public gallery. Senate President Robert Stivers previously told the media, during a tour of the temporary space in June, the cost of a gallery “didn’t seem like a relevant expenditure that we wanted to incur.”
“We’ve done streaming (and) we’re going to have rooms set up to where the media will have access here,” Stivers said at the time.
But many, including Gov. Andy Beshear, have criticized the decision as a bid to shut the public out of the legislative process.
“This is their government, but our legislature decided to build their temporary chambers without any viewing area at all,” Beshear recently told Spectrum News in an end-of-year interview. “The legislators talk about the costs there, but they could have bleachers, you could have seats. There could be lots of other ways.”
Indeed, Tuesday, the first day of session, Democratic legislators took aim at rule changes to accommodate the move they say further hinders public engagement in the lawmaking process.
“The changes in the rules have resulted in less notice to the public, less transparency and less opportunity for these citizens of this state to engage,” Minority Floor Leader Rep. Pamela Stevenson, D-Louisville, said. “The rule where we’re cutting the time for motions, petitions and communications, is another rule that limits the opportunity for us to speak for our constituents.”
So what options does the public have to follow the lawmaking process as it plays out or participate in events at the Capitol during this year’s legislative session? Here’s what to know.
How can Kentuckians access the state Capitol during renovations?
Responding to questions via email, Kentucky Legislative Research Commission spokesperson Mike Wynn forwarded a communication stating only legislators, legislative staff and credentialled members of the media will have access to the temporary chambers themselves.
Four public viewing rooms have been set aside in the Capitol Annex, each with a live video feed of either House or Senate proceedings. They include rooms 149, 154, 169 and 171. Each room’s seating capacity is as follows:
- Room 149 - seating available: 166, maximum occupancy: 250
- Room 154 - seating available: 166, maximum occupancy: 250
- Room 169 - seating available: 120, maximum occupancy: 150
- Room 171 - seating available: 120, maximum occupancy: 150
Kentucky Educational Television also broadcasts livestream feeds of House and Senate proceedings via its website.
According to Wynn, Kentucky’s Finance and Administration Cabinet will continue to oversee any requests for events on the Capitol’s campus. Asked about contingency plans for protests with large crowds, Wynn referred additional comments to the Finance Cabinet.
In a Jan. 8 statement, finance cabinet officials said, in part, “While the building is closed, the Capitol steps have remained available as a public space for gatherings. As during any legislative session, the Finance and Administration Cabinet will review applications to hold rallies in publicly available areas on Capitol grounds.”
To submit a request, the spokeperson said, fill out an application available on the Finance and Administration Cabinet’s website and submit it via email to capitol.tourdesk@ky.gov. You can also mail the request to the Department for Facilities and Support Services, Attn: Capitol Tour Desk Capitol Education Center, 706 Capitol Ave., Frankfort, KY 40601.
Herald-Leader reporter Piper Hansen contributed to this report.
Do you have a question about lawmaking or Kentucky’s 2026 General Assembly session for the Herald-Leader? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published January 7, 2026 at 7:41 AM.