Committee advances bill to match grants for neighborhood storm shelters in rural Kentucky

Sen. Steve Meredith introduced Senate Bill 11 and its committee substitute, proposing a matching grant to encourage private homeowners or neighborhood groups to build storm shelters and make them available to neighbors. Meredith and supporters said long travel times to centralized shelters in rural counties make small, local shelters a pragmatic resilience strategy.

Mayor Billy Phelps of Morgantown described his county’s situation and supported the approach, saying residents are unlikely to drive long distances during severe weather and that neighborhood shelters would increase the number of people with access to safe space. The program described in committee materials would provide up to $10,000 per shelter, requiring a $5,000 recipient contribution and a $5,000 state match.

Supporters framed the pilot as tailored to rural Kentucky and pointed to a perceived increase in tornado activity across more southern states. Gracie Kelly of the Kentucky League of Cities registered support for the concept.

The committee adopted the committee substitute on a motion by Sen. Richardson with a second from Sen. Maiden and recorded 11 aye votes and no nays. The measure passed out of committee with favorable expression.

The bill text in committee materials would require shelters participating in the grant to be made available to neighbors and set program conditions; details on selection criteria, long-term maintenance responsibilities, and total program funding were not specified in testimony.