Louisville senator Gary Clemons seeks to repeal Kentucky’s 2017 right-to-work statute in 2026 session

A renewed push targets a law adopted in early 2017

A Louisville-area lawmaker is preparing legislation aimed at rolling back Kentucky’s right-to-work framework, a policy in place since January 2017 that bars requiring workers to join a union or pay union fees as a condition of employment. State Sen. Gary Clemons, a Democrat who took office in early January 2026 after a special election in Jefferson County, said he intends to file a bill to overturn the state’s right-to-work status.

Kentucky’s right-to-work provisions were enacted as House Bill 1 during the first week of the 2017 regular session and were signed into law with an emergency clause, taking effect immediately. The law amended state labor statutes to restrict compulsory union membership or financial support tied to employment in covered workplaces.

What the current statute does

In practical terms, the right-to-work framework prohibits union-security arrangements that would otherwise require covered employees to pay dues, fees, or assessments to a labor organization as a condition of obtaining or keeping a job. Kentucky law also includes provisions addressing authorizations for dues deductions and related compliance requirements.

The Kentucky Supreme Court has previously upheld the constitutionality of the 2017 law, rejecting a challenge brought shortly after its passage. As a result, changing the policy now would largely be a legislative question rather than a judicial one, unless new litigation were to arise from any amendments or repeal.

How the proposal fits into a broader labor debate in Frankfort

Clemons’ planned filing comes amid continued debate in the General Assembly about the balance between worker protections, union influence, and business climate. Kentucky lawmakers have seen repeated efforts in recent sessions to revisit labor policy, including bills that would alter collective bargaining rules or modify labor-related enforcement mechanisms. While the right-to-work issue has been politically divisive since its adoption, prior repeal proposals have not advanced through the Republican-controlled legislature.

• Supporters of repeal argue that limiting compulsory fee collection can weaken unions’ ability to fund representation and bargaining, and they link stronger collective bargaining to wage growth and workplace standards.

• Opponents of repeal generally contend that right-to-work protections preserve individual choice and are important for recruiting and retaining employers, particularly in manufacturing and logistics sectors.

What the data show about union membership in Kentucky

Kentucky’s union membership rate has remained below the national average in recent years. Federal labor statistics reported that union members accounted for 8.8% of Kentucky wage and salary workers in 2024, compared with 9.9% nationally. The same data set estimated Kentucky had about 156,000 union members in 2024, with additional workers covered by union contracts without being members.

Any repeal proposal would need majority support in both chambers and the governor’s signature, and its prospects will depend on committee action and leadership priorities during the 2026 session.

As of early February 2026, a bill number and finalized legislative text tied directly to Clemons’ announcement had not been publicly detailed in the initial disclosure, and the scope of any proposal—full repeal versus targeted amendments—will be determined when the filing is made and assigned for committee consideration.