The Republican measure that strips control from local governments to prevent some housing discrimination passed after heated debate Tuesday.
Sponsored by Republican Rep. Ryan Dotson from Winchester, House Bill 18 would almost certainly conflict with a Louisville city ordinance that says landlords cannot deny housing to a person solely because they receive housing vouchers.
Doston said he does not believe this is an issue of local control, but of property rights.
“Property ownership is a basic tenet of capitalism that we should protect. No one should be forced to do business with the government,” Dotson said.
The bill passed the Kentucky state House 74 to 20, on straight-party lines, and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
A related bill is awaiting a vote in the state Senate. Senate Bill 25 contains similar provisions but appears smaller in scope.
While HB18 bans the anti-discrimination laws surrounding all federal housing programs — including those assisting veterans and people with disabilities — SB 25 bans local ordinances that require a landlord to participate in specifically Section 8 housing programs.