Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Kentucky
Votes with Republicans
98%
on 89 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 98%
Cast a vote
95%
Yea or Nay on 416 of 436 roll calls · Senate median 98%
Their bills that became law
13 of 23
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 7
Roll calls on record
436
2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 4, 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 Jimmy Higdon 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 Jimmy Higdon sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Jimmy Higdon is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
2 of 89 party-line votes.
HB904 · AN ACT relating to gaming.
Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4138 · 2026-04-01 · Passed 24–13 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB251 · AN ACT relating to the Department of Corrections.
Senate: Third Reading RSN# 3936 · 2026-03-16 · Passed 24–11 · most Republicans voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
HB904 · AN ACT relating to gaming.
Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4138 · 2026-04-01 · Passed 24–13
SB199 · AN ACT relating to pesticide labeling.
Senate: Veto Override RSN# 4084 · 2026-03-31 · Passed 24–12
SB251 · AN ACT relating to the Department of Corrections.
Senate: Third Reading RSN# 3936 · 2026-03-16 · Passed 24–11
SB223 · AN ACT relating to the regulation of cannabis-infused beverages.
Senate: Third Reading RSN# 3965 · 2026-03-20 · Passed 25–11
SB45 · AN ACT relating to agritourism.
Senate: Third Reading RSN# 3821 · 2026-02-12 · Passed 26–12
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.
Keturah HerronDemocrat · District 35 · 92 shared contested votes
12%
Gary ClemonsDemocrat · District 37 · 91 shared contested votes
9%
Karen BergDemocrat · District 26 · 84 shared contested votes
8%
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 (20 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Kentucky Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Jimmy Higdon 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.
Introduced23
Out of committee18
Passed one chamber18
Passed both chambers14
Became law13
Never left committee5
For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 7 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Memorials 12Transportation 4Motor Vehicles 3State Agencies 3County Clerks 3Education, Elementary and Secondary 2
AN ACT relating to the Public Pension Oversight Board.
In plain English Adds legislative leaders and the State Treasurer to the Public Pension Oversight Board and changes member qualifications.
Official synopsis: Amend KRS 7A.220 to amend the membership and membership qualifications of the Public Pension Oversight Board by adding the chairs or vice chairs of the Senate State & Local Government Standing Committee and House State Government Standing Committee to the board, adding the State Treasurer…
Vetoeddelivered to Secretary of State · 2026-04-23
AN ACT relating to actuarial costs of annual leave payments in the Teachers' Retirement System.
Amend KRS 161.540 to specify payment obligations for the inclusion of annual leave payments in a retiring member's pension benefits from the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) by requiring the state to pay the actuarial costs for annual leave accrued through July 31, 2026, and the…
Passed one chamberrecommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H) · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to the dual credit scholarship program.
Amend KRS 164.786 to define "eligible high school apprentice" and "eligible registered teacher apprenticeship program"; include eligible registered teacher apprenticeship programs in the dual credit scholarship program; establish student and school district eligibility and participation requirements in the eligible registered teacher apprenticeship scholarship program.
Passed one chamberfloor amendment (3) filed to Committee Substitute , floor amendments (1) and (2-title) filed to bill · 2026-04-01
A RESOLUTION recognizing May 2026 as Love Your Smile Month.
Recognize May 2026 as Love Your Smile Month in Kentucky.
Became lawadopted by voice vote · 2026-03-27
A RESOLUTION honoring and remembering Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt upon her passing as she made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Adjourn in honor and remembrance of Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt upon her passing and making the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Became lawadopted by voice vote · 2026-03-17
A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of Caroline Whitlock Mudd.
Adjourn in honor and loving memory of Caroline Whitlock Mudd.
Became lawadopted by voice vote · 2026-03-16
AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to restoration of rights.
Propose to amend Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky to restore the voting rights of persons convicted of certain felonies after completion of imprisonment, probation, or parole; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.
Passed one chamberto Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H) · 2026-03-13
A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of John Douglas "Doug" Hubbard.
Ajourn in honor and loving memory of John Douglas "Doug" Hubbard.
Became lawadopted by voice vote · 2026-03-09
AN ACT relating to operating a motor vehicle.
Repeal and reenact KRS 189.292 to define "mobile electronic device"; prohibit the use of a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle; establish exceptions; amend KRS 189.294 to define "mobile electronic device"; amend KRS 189.990 to establish penalties for violation of KRS 189.292 and…
Passed one chamberto Transportation (H) · 2026-03-09
AN ACT relating to motor carrier safety regulation.
Amend KRS 281.600 to require the Department of Vehicle Registration to enforce federal standards for motor carriers contained in Title 49 of the United States Code and the ensuing federal regulations, unless otherwise exempted; eliminate existing exemptions from certain federal regulations for fertilizer wagons.
Not out of committeeto Committee on Committees (S) · 2026-03-02
A JOINT RESOLUTION designating the Lt. Brian Hatt Memorial Highway in Marion County.
Direct the Transportation Cabinet to designate a portion of KY 84 in Marion County as the Lt. Brian Hatt Memorial Highway.
Not out of committeeto Transportation (S) · 2026-03-02
A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of Garland A. Davis.
Adjourn in honor and loving memory of Garland A. Davis.
Became lawadopted by voice vote · 2026-02-27
A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of Joseph H. Mattingly, Jr.
Adjourn in honor and loving memory of Joseph H. Mattingly, Jr.
Became lawadopted by voice vote · 2026-02-26
AN ACT relating to transportation.
Amend KRS 186.230 and 186.120 to conform to gender-neutral language.
Not out of committeeto Committee on Committees (S) · 2026-02-25
A RESOLUTION honoring Father Patrick McDowell on the occasion of his ordination into the priesthood.
Honor Father Patrick McDowell on the occasion of his ordination into the priesthood.
Became lawadopted by voice vote · 2026-02-25
“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.
Loading committees…
SR244 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Marilyn Mason to the Kentucky Housing Corporation Board of Directors. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4223)
SR243 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Chad Mills to the Kentucky Housing Corporation Board of Directors. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4222)
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. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4263)
SB98 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to welding safety. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4259)
SB133 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to the fiscal reporting of local entities. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4257)
HB869 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to fiscal matters and declaring an emergency. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4264)
SB324 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to the entertainment industry. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4261)
HB220 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to pension spiking in the systems administered by the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4189)
HB826 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to education. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4256)
SB66 · 2026-04-15
AN ACT relating to the operation of a motor vehicle. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4260)
SR268 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of as Joseph Koester to Board of Directors of the Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance Authority. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4246)
SR237 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Edward Hatchett to the Kentucky State University Board of Regents. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4216)
SR231 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Andrew Wood to the Public Service Commission. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4210)
SR258 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Kenton W. Bottoms II to the Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4237)
SR271 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Dr. Kenny Burdine to the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4249)
SR257 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Debra Wulfeck to the Northern Kentucky University Board of Regents. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4236)
SR269 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of William Jones to the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance Authority. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4247)
SR253 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Mark Kleiner to the Kentucky Lottery Corporation Board of Directors. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4232)
SR245 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Amy Miller to the Board of Tax Appeals. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4224)
SR227 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Anne Veno to the Board of Nursing. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4206)
SR273 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Steven Olt to the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4251)
SR228 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Hope Jones to the Board of Nursing. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4207)
SR251 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Kathryn Thomas to the Board of Claims. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4230)
SR264 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Fritz Giesecke to the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4242)
SR266 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Sean Garber to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4244)
SR216 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Nicholas Pace to the Education Professional Standards Board. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4195)
SR265 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Madison Silvert to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4243)
SR248 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of James P. Gray II to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4227)
SR218 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Michael R. Eaves to the Eastern Kentucky University Board of Regents. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4197)
SR252 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of John Stovall to the Kentucky Lottery Corporation Board of Directors. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4231)
SR247 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Paul Todd Case to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4226)
SR230 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Arthur Ryan to the Board of Nursing. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4209)
SR241 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Justin Kyle Mitchell to the Education Professional Standards Board. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4220)
SR272 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Frank Penn to the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4250)
SR233 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Ken Hunt to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Board of Regents. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4212)
SR213 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Jai Y. Bokey to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4192)
SR263 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Heather Graham to the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4241)
SR242 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Elijah Edwards to the Education Professional Standards Board. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4221)
SR246 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Leon Clark Williams to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4225)
SR238 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Merideth Murphy Pittman to the Education Professional Standards Board. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4217)
SR229 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Monica Kennison to the Board of Nursing. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4208)
SR232 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Angela Hatton to the Public Service Commission. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4211)
SR239 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Lisa Marie Rudzinski to the Education Professional Standards Board. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4218)
SR250 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Hilary Sykes to the Crime Victims Compensation Board. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4229)
SR249 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Elaine Wilson to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4228)
SR260 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Andrew Marshall Coyle to the Kentucky State Fair Board. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4238)
SR215 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Elizabeth G. Dinkins to the Education Professional Standards Board. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4194)
SR267 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of F. Bruce Williams to the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance Authority. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4245)
SR234 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Tara Horn to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Board of Regents. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4213)
SR221 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Misdee Wrigley Miller to the Kentucky Film Leadership Council. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4200)
SR254 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Victoria Grooms to the Northern Kentucky University Board of Regents. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4233)
SR223 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Steve Zahn to the Kentucky Film Leadership Council. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4202)
SR224 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Soozie Eastman as a member of the Kentucky Film Leadership Council. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4203)
SR262 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Darrin Benton to the Kentucky State Fair Board. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4240)
SR217 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Wilton Currie Milliken to the Western Kentucky University Board of Regents. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4196)
SR219 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of William Crawford to the Board of Trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4198)
SR226 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Michael James to the Parole Board. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4205)
SR276 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Jonathan Rabinowitz to the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4254)
SR270 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Michael McGhee to the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance Authority. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4248)
SR222 · 2026-04-15
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Jeremy Winton as a member of the Kentucky Film Leadership Council. (Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4201)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 436 total roll-call votes this session).
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