Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Kentucky
Democratic
· Representative
Joshua Watkins
Represents District 42 in the House of Representatives.
Votes with Democrats
97%
on 122 party-line votes · House Democrats median 91%
Cast a vote
83%
Yea or Nay on 397 of 481 roll calls · House median 92%
Their bills that became law
1 of 12
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 0
Roll calls on record
481
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 Joshua Watkins 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 Joshua Watkins 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. Joshua Watkins is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
4 of 122 party-line votes.
HB387 · AN ACT relating to veterinarians and declaring an emergency.
House: Veto Override RCS# 464 · 2026-04-14 · Passed 83–16 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB900 · AN ACT relating to government agencies, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.
House: Veto Override RCS# 227 · 2026-03-10 · Passed 85–13 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB194 · AN ACT relating to cigar bars.
House: Veto Override RCS# 50 · 2026-02-03 · Passed 69–24 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB194 · AN ACT relating to cigar bars.
House: Third Reading RCS# 50 · 2026-02-03 · Passed 69–24 · most Democrats 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.
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
HB503 · AN ACT making appropriations for the operations, maintenance, and support of the Legislative Branch of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
House: Veto Override RCS# 179 · 2026-03-03 · Failed 20–23
SB263 · AN ACT relating to education.
House: Veto Override RCS# 410 · 2026-04-01 · Failed 18–25
Republicans 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.
Scott LewisRepublican · District 14 · 107 shared contested votes
28%
Kevin JacksonRepublican · District 20 · 109 shared contested votes
27%
Vanessa GrosslRepublican · District 88 · 108 shared contested votes
26%
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 (84 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Kentucky Delegation
NayNayNayYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaAbsentAbsentYeaNayNayAbsentNayNayNayNayNayYeaNayNayNayNayYeaNayNayNayNayNayNayNayNayNayYeaNayNayNayNayNayNayNayNayNayYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Joshua Watkins 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.
Introduced12
Out of committee1
Passed one chamber1
Passed both chambers1
Became law1
Never left committee11
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the House has 0 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Reports Mandated 6Taxation 4Appropriations 4State Agencies 4Effective Dates, Emergency 4Taxation, Income–Individual 3
AN ACT relating to the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 164 to establish the Kentucky Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program fund; require the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority to administer the fund; require the authority to disburse funds for student loan repayment to recruit and retain eligible…
Not out of committeeto Appropriations & Revenue (H) · 2026-03-11
AN ACT relating to interrogation of children.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 610 to define terms; prohibit the use of deceptive methods when a child is being interrogated; create a new rule of evidence to limit the admissibility of statements made during the interrogation of a child in violation of…
Not out of committeeto Judiciary (H) · 2026-03-10
AN ACT relating to community improvement districts.
Amend KRS 107.310, relating to community improvement districts, to define "green infrastructure", "green bond", and "social impact bond"; amend KRS 107.330 to increase the scope of community improvement districts to include public infrastructure, housing, public safety and health, and economic development tools; amend KRS 107.340…
Not out of committeeto Local Government (H) · 2026-03-10
AN ACT relating to public transportation, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.
Amend KRS 96A.096 to include voluntary contributions by a Kentucky employer up to 0.05% of the Kentucky employer's total payroll in the Kentucky public transportation development fund; require the fund to be administered by the Transportation Cabinet; require the moneys received from the voluntary contributions…
Not out of committeeto Appropriations & Revenue (H) · 2026-03-10
AN ACT relating to Medicaid eligibility.
Amend KRS 205.592 to extend Medicaid eligibility for new parents from 12 months to 24 months postpartum; require the Cabinet for Health and Familly Services or the Department for Medicaid Services to seek federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary; provide…
Not out of committeeto Health Services (H) · 2026-03-06
AN ACT relating to postsecondary education students.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 164 to define terms, require postsecondary education institutions to designate at least 1 employee to serve as a liaison between the institution and a homeless student or student in care who is enrolled at the institution; detail responsibilities…
Not out of committeeto Postsecondary Education (H) · 2026-03-06
AN ACT relating to postsecondary education.
Amend KRS 164.020 to direct the Council on Postsecondary Education to postpone the approval of any new program at a state postsecondary educational institution if the institution has not met its equal educational opportunity goals; amend KRS 164.011, 164.131, 164.321, 164.821, and 335B.010 to conform;…
Not out of committeeto Postsecondary Education (H) · 2026-02-26
A RESOLUTION recognizing February 11, 2026, as Recovery Advocacy Day in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Recognize February 11, 2026, as Recovery Advocacy Day in the Commonwealth.
Became lawadopted by voice vote · 2026-02-11
AN ACT relating to homelessness prevention, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 194A to create the homelessness prevention fund to be administered by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for continuum of care funds; specify eligible uses and eligible entities; amend KRS 198A.027 to allow appropriations to be used…
Not out of committeeto Appropriations & Revenue (H) · 2026-01-21
AN ACT relating to residential safety.
Create a new section of KRS 227.200 to 227.400 to require an owner, seller, or lessor to have functional smoke detectors in all existing single-family and multifamily residential units; require a seller or lessor to verify compliance in an affidavit prior to transfer or tenancy…
Not out of committeeto Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H) · 2026-01-20
AN ACT relating to housing, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 198A to create the affordable housing loan pool fund to be administered by the Kentucky Housing Corporation to provide rehabilitation and construction loans to eligible entities; specify terms and process; amend KRS 198A.080 to modify criteria for housing…
Not out of committeeto Appropriations & Revenue (H) · 2026-01-14
AN ACT relating to a tax credit for renters.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to establish a refundable qualified rent payment credit for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2031, in the amount of 25% of the qualified rent payments made during the taxable…
Not out of committeeto Appropriations & Revenue (H) · 2026-01-14
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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