Sen. Jimmy Higdon reappointed to Kentucky housing task force
Legislative Research Commission
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 — Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, has been reappointed as a Kentucky Housing Task Force member for the 2025 Interim. His continued leadership in this capacity follows a productive legislative session in which the General Assembly passed several housing-related measures, including Senate Bill 129 and House Bills 160 and 321, to expand tools to address vacant and abandoned property and address zoning challenges.
The reauthorized Housing Task Force will build on the progress made during the 2025 Regular Session and continue its work to identify long-term solutions to the state’s growing housing needs. The task force will explore issues ranging from zoning reform and infrastructure planning to public-private partnerships and housing affordability across urban, suburban, and rural communities.
“Jimmy brings an invaluable presence to any policy discussion he participates in because his heart is always in the right place and he is incredibly engaged, be it with stakeholders or his constituents,” Senate President Robert Stivers said. “He brought great ideas forward last session, so I’m excited to have him serve in this capacity again. This group will continue to bring forward good ideas to address the state’s housing challenges.”
During the 2025 Legislative Session, Higdon introduced Senate Bill 50, a faith-based initiative to help address Kentucky’s affordable housing challenges through small-government solutions. The bill stemmed from conversations with constituents and the recommendations of the 2024 Affordable Housing Task Force. If enacted, it would have removed regulatory barriers and allowed religious institutions to utilize their properties for affordable housing development. While the Senate approved it, the bill did not reach final passage.
“I’m motivated to continue serving on this task force and appreciate President Stivers’ continued trust in me,” Higdon said. “This isn’t an issue unique to Kentucky, so I’m interested in continuing to review opportunities, like with Senate Bill 59, on how we can look at what other states are doing. There are a lot of great ideas out there, so bringing stakeholders back together for continued work on this task force is much-needed.”
The 2025 Housing Task Force will study a range of policy areas, including the impact of housing costs on workforce development, the availability of infrastructure in underserved regions, and barriers to new construction. In addition to building on legislative achievements, the task force will engage with local governments, developers, advocates, and other stakeholders to inform its recommendations for future action.
States nationwide grapple with rising housing costs, aging infrastructure, and population shifts. Kentucky’s Housing Task Force aims to keep the commonwealth ahead of the curve by developing strategies that fit its unique geographic, economic, and demographic landscape.
The Housing Task Force will meet monthly during the 2025 Interim.
Click here for additional information on the Housing Task Force and other special committees authorized by the Kentucky General Assembly. Information on the upcoming 2025 Interim, including meeting materials and schedules, is available at legislature.ky.gov.
Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees, and additional resources.
Lawmakers returned to Frankfort on Tuesday, June 3, to start the 2025 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2026 Regular Session, which begins Tuesday, Jan. 6.
The full 2025 Interim Calendar is available here. A weekly schedule with meeting times, topics, and agendas can be viewed at legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeCalendar.
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