LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Bill 185, a comprehensive restructuring of Kentucky State University designed to stabilize the institution while maintaining its historic mission as the commonwealth's only public Historically Black College and University.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Christian McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, proposes shifting KSU toward a workforce-focused, polytechnic model with increased financial oversight. The measure passed the House Committee on Appropriations and Revenue and cleared the House floor 90-1 before receiving final Senate passage with a 37-0 vote Wednesday.

Lawmakers had considered closure following a campus shooting last year amid ongoing financial mismanagement concerns. Instead, they focused on stabilizing finances and aligning academic programs with statewide workforce needs. McDaniel said legislators met with KSU President Koffi Akakpo and became convinced that partnership in redefining the institution was the appropriate course.

The final version of the bill, revised after community feedback, would establish KSU as a four-year residential polytechnic institution emphasizing technical and applied learning while continuing liberal arts courses aligned with workforce needs and the institution's historical mission.

The legislation includes significant fiscal controls. The Council on Postsecondary Education will review financial transactions exceeding $20,000 and receive monthly reports during a five-year financial exigency period. The bill also implements debt collection measures, including tax refund interception for debts over $1,000, while protecting students with approved payment plans.

Enrollment standards requiring a 2.5 GPA and an 18 ACT score remain unchanged, but the revised bill adds language to include dual-credit students, veterans and nontraditional students. The university must maintain faculty and staff to support enrollment of at least 1,000 students.

The bill preserves KSU's HBCU status and allows recognized fraternities and sororities in good standing to remain on campus. Rep. George Brown Jr., D-Lexington, emphasized the university's historic role, noting KSU was founded in 1886 when African Americans could not attend predominantly white institutions.

House Minority Whip Joshua Watkins, D-Louisville, praised the collaborative process. Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald A. Neal, D-Louisville, an KSU alumnus, expressed encouragement about the framework reaffirming the university's original mission while carving out a future aligned with statewide needs.

The bill has been delivered to the governor for final consideration.