Beshear signs legislation to protect Kentuckians from severe weather

FRANKFORT, Ky. – On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 11 into law, creating a residential safe room rebate program and fund to protect eligible Kentuckians from severe weather.

According to the governor’s office, the program is aiming to help save lives during natural disasters and will be administered by Kentucky Emergency Management. Homeowners will qualify for a rebate of 50% of the costs incurred to construct or install a safe room in their primary residence, not to exceed $5,000, officials say.

“Kentucky has faced 15 federally declared weather disasters in just six years and I am committed to doing everything possible to help protect our families from future weather events,” Beshear says. “This legislation will help Kentuckians build more safe spaces for shelter during severe weather, creating safer homes and protecting more lives.”

Kentucky Emergency Management has overseen FEMA-funded community safe room projects over the past 15 years, the governor’s office says.

These projects have constructed 97 safe rooms in 32 counties, with a $46.7 million value and the capacity to protect more than 44,000 Kentuckians, according to officials.

For the projects, officials say FEMA has supplied $35 million, while the Commonwealth has provided $5.6 million, and applicants have provided $6 million.

Beshear’s office says he urged legislators to designate funding for this bill’s implementation since KYEM does not have funds available from its own budget or from FEMA.

According to the governor’s office, the residential safe room rebate program and fund will start in January 2027.