Committee clears resolution to map Kentucky substance‑use disorder spending

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously reported Senate Joint Resolution 74, a measure directing the Legislative Research Commission and state agencies to create a statewide fiscal map of substance‑use disorder programs and funding sources.

The sponsor (speaker did not identify their name on the record) told the committee the resolution aims to inventory programs across multiple cabinets and funding streams so policymakers can identify service gaps and redundancies and allocate resources more effectively. "Kentucky invests hundreds of millions of dollars annually across multiple cabinets," the sponsor said, describing the current system as a "hodgepodge" without a centralized view.

Supporters on the panel said the proposal would help target investments toward programs that reduce recidivism and improve outcomes. A committee member who identified earlier in the hearing as Senator Wheeler commented that a fiscal map is necessary to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent where programs are succeeding.

The committee voted 8–0 to report the resolution favorably. The resolution, if adopted by both chambers, would create a public‑facing report to help lawmakers and the public understand how state, federal and local funds flow to substance‑use disorder services and where additional alignment or oversight is needed.

Next steps: The resolution was reported favorably and will be transmitted with the committee's recommendation; operational details and timelines for producing the map were not specified during the hearing.