Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Kentucky
Republican
· Representative
James Tipton
Represents District 53 in the House of Representatives.
Votes with Republicans
99%
on 132 party-line votes · House Republicans median 98%
Cast a vote
99%
Yea or Nay on 477 of 481 roll calls · House median 92%
Their bills that became law
6 of 22
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 1
Roll calls on record
481
2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 10, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 2026 Regular Session.
How James Tipton votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where James Tipton sits in the House
Each dot is one member of the House, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. James Tipton is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
1 of 132 party-line votes.
SB251 · AN ACT relating to the Department of Corrections.
In plain English Allows the Department of Corrections to set execution protocols through internal policy instead of requiring formal administrative regulations.
House: Veto Override RCS# 392 · 2026-03-31 · Passed 68–23 · most Republicans voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
HB2 · AN ACT relating to Medicaid, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.
In plain English Requires Medicaid eligibility to be conditioned on community engagement, imposes cost-sharing requirements by January 2027, and requires eligibility redeterminations every six months, among other changes.
House: Adopt HFA 16 RCS# 169 · 2026-02-27 · Failed 25–25
HB534 · AN ACT relating to elections.
House: Veto Override RCS# 203 · 2026-03-05 · Failed 19–20
HB500 · AN ACT relating to appropriations measures providing funding and establishing conditions for the operations, maintenance, support, and functioning of the government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its various officers, cabinets, departments, boards, commissions, institutions, subdivisions, agencies, and other state-supported activities.
House: Veto Override RCS# 160 · 2026-02-26 · Failed 20–21
SB199 · AN ACT relating to pesticide labeling.
House: Veto Override RCS# 265 · 2026-03-17 · Failed 18–20
HB503 · AN ACT making appropriations for the operations, maintenance, and support of the Legislative Branch of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
In plain English Appropriates funds for the operations, maintenance, and support of Kentucky's Legislative Branch.
House: Veto Override RCS# 179 · 2026-03-03 · Failed 20–23
Democrats they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Matt LehmanDemocrat · District 67 · 133 shared contested votes
36%
Ashley LafertyDemocrat · District 95 · 96 shared contested votes
34%
Tina BojanowskiDemocrat · District 32 · 145 shared contested votes
33%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (4 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Kentucky Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills James Tipton was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced22
Out of committee7
Passed one chamber7
Passed both chambers6
Became law6
Never left committee15
For comparison, the median Republican member of the House has 1 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Education, Elementary and Secondary 10State Agencies 9Education, Higher 8Universities and Colleges 6Teachers 5Education, Finance 5
AN ACT relating to education.
In plain English Requires at least 85% of adult education funding to go toward adult education programs, and allows paper test options for high school equivalency diplomas.
Official synopsis: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 151B to require no less than 85% of general fund appropriations to the Office of Adult Education to be used for programs fulfilling the adult education mission and goals of the office; amend KRS 151B.403 to require a…
Became lawsigned by Governor (Acts Ch. 197) · 2026-04-23
A RESOLUTION commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.
Commemorate July 4th, 2026, as the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.
Became lawadopted by voice vote · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to the postsecondary education working group and declaring an emergency.
In plain English Changes the membership of the postsecondary education working group and requires it to meet on a calendar year basis instead of a fiscal year basis.
Official synopsis: Amend KRS 164.092 to change the membership of the postsecondary education working group of the Council on Postsecondary Education; require the working group to convene on a calendar year basis rather than a fiscal year basis; EMERGENCY.
Became lawdelivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 176) · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to education and declaring an emergency.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; require the Kentucky Department of Education to establish an approved list of reading curriculum and interventions that do not use a three-cueing system; prohibit school districts from using any curriculum or program that employs…
Became lawsigned by Governor (Acts Ch. 74) · 2026-04-10
AN ACT relating to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System.
Amend KRS 161.520 to remove the requirement for dependent children over the age of 18 to have their mental or physical condition approved by a majority of a medical review committee to receive survivor benefits; amend KRS 161.605 to raise the minimum amount a retired…
Became lawsigned by Governor (Acts Ch. 34) · 2026-04-07
AN ACT relating to proactive postsecondary admission.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 164 to define terms; establish a proactive postsecondary admissions program to be managed by the Council on Postsecondary Education; require each public postsecondary education institution in Kentucky to establish the minimum academic qualification for prospective admission to the…
Became lawsigned by Governor (Acts Ch. 35) · 2026-04-07
AN ACT relating to school districts.
Amend KRS 160.020 to modify the minimum enrollment requirements for independent school districts to continue to operate; establish criteria for the Kentucky Board of Education to consider in an appeal of that requirement; amend KRS 160.041 to provide a merger process for any contiguous school…
Not out of committeeto Primary and Secondary Education (H) · 2026-03-10
A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the establishment of the Real Estate Modernization Task Force.
Direct the Legislative Research Commission to establish the Real Estate Modernization Task Force to conduct a review of the real property laws of the Commonwealth; establish task force membership; require the task force to meet at least monthly during the 2026 Interim; require the task…
Not out of committeeto Judiciary (H) · 2026-03-09
AN ACT relating to postsecondary education.
Amend KRS 164.050 to insert gender-neutral language.
Not out of committeeto Postsecondary Education (H) · 2026-03-03
AN ACT relating to postsecondary education.
Amend KRS 164.050 to insert gender-neutral language.
Not out of committeeto Postsecondary Education (H) · 2026-03-03
AN ACT relating to postsecondary tuition waivers.
Amend KRS 164.515 to make the amount of tuition waived for the spouse or child of designated permanently disabled veterans a last-dollar scholarship that shall not exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less any state or federal grants; amend KRS 164.2841 to make…
Passed one chamberto Committee on Committees (S) · 2026-02-26
AN ACT relating to liquified petroleum gas.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 367 to define terms; allow a residential customer of a supplier of liquified petroleum gas or propane to have an alternative, temporary supplier fill the customer's tank whenever the regular supplier has failed to fill an order and…
Not out of committeeto Natural Resources & Energy (H) · 2026-02-25
AN ACT relating to the abolition of the death penalty.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 532 to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without parole for inmates presently sentenced to death; amend KRS 532.030, relating to authorized dispositions for felony offenses, to remove the death penalty; amend KRS 533.010,…
Not out of committeeto Judiciary (H) · 2026-02-13
AN ACT relating to an exemption from sales and use tax for religious institutions.
Amend KRS 139.495 to define "educational or charitable institution" and "religious institution"; exempt purchases and sales of tangible personal property, digital property, or services made by qualifying religious institutions from state sales and use taxes; make technical changes.
Not out of committeefloor amendments (1) and (2-title) filed · 2026-02-09
AN ACT relating to the Council on Postsecondary Education's oversight of public postsecondary education institutions.
Amend KRS 164.096 to require each public postsecondary education institution to provide the Council on Postsecondary Education its annual operating budget by August 1 of each fiscal year; require each institution to provide the council a quarterly budget-to-actual report within thirty (30) days following the…
Not out of committeeto Postsecondary Education (H) · 2026-01-29
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
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HR141 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION censuring Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Kelly Thompson for his intemperate remarks that threatened attorneys and legislators participating in pending impeachment proceedings with professional discipline and criminal prosecution, and directing a complaint to be filed against him with the Judicial Conduct Commission. (House: Veto Override RCS# 506)
HR141 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION censuring Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Kelly Thompson for his intemperate remarks that threatened attorneys and legislators participating in pending impeachment proceedings with professional discipline and criminal prosecution, and directing a complaint to be filed against him with the Judicial Conduct Commission. (House: Adopt RCS# 507)
SB197 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT providing funding and establishing conditions for state government agencies and institutions, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 505)
SB98 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to welding safety. (House: Veto Override RCS# 501)
SB133 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to the fiscal reporting of local entities. (House: Veto Override RCS# 489)
HB869 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to fiscal matters and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 512)
SB129 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to unemployment insurance. (House: Veto Override RCS# 496)
SB324 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to the entertainment industry. (House: Veto Override RCS# 502)
SJR74 · 2026-04-15
A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Legislative Research Commission and state agencies to collaborate to create a statewide fiscal map of substance use disorder programs and funding sources. (House: Adopt RCS# 497)
SB56 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics in the Medicaid program. (House: Veto Override RCS# 494)
SB56 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics in the Medicaid program. (House: Veto Override RCS# 495)
SCR66 · 2026-04-15
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville to explore opportunities to participate in federal nuclear-related programs and to expand their curricula to offer courses and degree paths to train the workforce that will construct and operate the next generation of nuclear energy facilities. (House: Adopt RCS# 491)
SB312 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to court-ordered transports. (House: Veto Override RCS# 493)
HB826 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to education. (House: Veto Override RCS# 508)
SB66 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to the operation of a motor vehicle. (House: Veto Override RCS# 500)
HB311 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to railroad crossings. (House: Veto Override RCS# 488)
SJR116 · 2026-04-15
A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Eastern Kentucky University to coordinate a search for actionable solutions to physician shortages and to explore and expand health care opportunities in medically underserved areas in collaboration with community, state agency, professional associations, and other stakeholders. (House: Veto Override RCS# 498)
SJR116 · 2026-04-15
A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Eastern Kentucky University to coordinate a search for actionable solutions to physician shortages and to explore and expand health care opportunities in medically underserved areas in collaboration with community, state agency, professional associations, and other stakeholders. (House: Adopt RCS# 499)
SB70 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to the Public Pension Oversight Board. (House: Veto Override RCS# 490)
HB727 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to education and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 504)
SB214 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to agriculture and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 492)
SB261 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to pedestrian swinging bridges. (House: Veto Override RCS# 503)
SB37 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to state symbols. (House: Veto Override RCS# 509)
SB37 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to state symbols. (House: Adopt HFA 3 RCS# 510)
SB37 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to state symbols. (House: Veto Override RCS# 511)
SB251 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to the Department of Corrections. (House: Veto Override RCS# 484)
HB490 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to employment at public postsecondary education institutions and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 465)
HJR50 · 2026-04-14
A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Auditor of Public Accounts to study the applicable statutes, administrative regulations, and agency policies and processes that directly impact the opening and operation of licensed and certified child care services in the Commonwealth. (House: Veto Override RCS# 474)
HB904 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to gaming. (House: Veto Override RCS# 482)
SB4 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to education and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 476)
HB10 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to executive branch operations and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 456)
HB501 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to appropriations providing financing and conditions for the operations, maintenance, support, and functioning of the Transportation Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. (House: Veto Override RCS# 468)
HB500 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to appropriations measures providing funding and establishing conditions for the operations, maintenance, support, and functioning of the government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its various officers, cabinets, departments, boards, commissions, institutions, subdivisions, agencies, and other state-supported activities. (House: Veto Override RCS# 466)
SB291 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to recyclers and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 486)
HB652 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to critical facility mapping and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 472)
HB607 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to consolidated local governments. (House: Veto Override RCS# 470)
SB263 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to education. (House: Veto Override RCS# 485)
HB355 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to real property appraisers. (House: Veto Override RCS# 462)
HB669 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to child welfare. (House: Veto Override RCS# 473)
SB100 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 480)
HB96 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to the postsecondary education working group and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 458)
HB757 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to revenue measures and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 467)
HB503 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT making appropriations for the operations, maintenance, and support of the Legislative Branch of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. (House: Veto Override RCS# 469)
HB619 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to public postsecondary education. (House: Veto Override RCS# 471)
SB77 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to ibogaine research in the Commonwealth. (House: Veto Override RCS# 479)
HB2 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to Medicaid, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 455)
HB504 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT making appropriations for the operations, maintenance, support, and functioning of the Judicial Branch of the government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its various officers, boards, commissions, subdivisions, and other state-supported activities. (House: Veto Override RCS# 483)
SB1 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to education. (House: Veto Override RCS# 475)
HB387 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to veterinarians and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 464)
HB142 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to depredating wildlife and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 460)
HB139 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to elections and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 459)
HB379 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to postsecondary education. (House: Veto Override RCS# 463)
SB173 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to legislative oversight of the Medicaid state plan and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 481)
HB312 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to concealed firearms and deadly weapons. (House: Veto Override RCS# 461)
SB65 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to deficient administrative regulations and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 478)
SB59 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and resources. (House: Veto Override RCS# 477)
HB78 · 2026-04-14
AN ACT relating to firearms liability protections and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 457)
SB8 · 2026-04-01
AN ACT relating to public utilities and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 450)
HB904 · 2026-04-01
AN ACT relating to gaming. (House: Veto Override RCS# 452)
SB185 · 2026-04-01
AN ACT relating to Kentucky State University and declaring an emergency. (House: Veto Override RCS# 412)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 481 total roll-call votes this session).
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