The House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue advanced House Bill 2, as amended by PHS 2, on a roll call that the chair later reported as 19 yes, 1 no and 2 passes. The bill clarifies an existing sales-tax exemption for the purchase of currency and bullion, authorizes refunds for taxes paid since Aug. 1, 2024, and states explicitly that the $1,000-per-day penalty provision will apply only prospectively upon adoption of the bill.

Sponsor Representative TJ Roberts told the committee the measure “is about vindicating a tax exemption we already ratified last year” and said most changes are technical clarifications; the only substantive change is defining which provisions take effect retroactively. He told members the bill “makes clear that the $1,000 penalty per day is not retroactive” while the refund authority would apply to taxes collected since Aug. 1, 2024.

The bill responds to a disputed line‑item veto in last year’s revenue package and to an attorney‑general opinion that the veto did not stand. Roberts and other presenters said KRS 49.22 gives the Tax Board of Appeals exclusive jurisdiction over many tax disputes and that the bill is intended to provide an avenue for taxpayers to recover taxes they were charged while the exemption’s status was contested.

Committee members asked about the fiscal effect and legal exposure. Representative Bojanowski said he had submitted an open‑records request for total bullion and currency sales figures; Roberts replied the budget adopted last session accounted for the exemption and the refund “would not have an impact on our current budget.” Roberts also confirmed a fiscal note accompanies the bill packet.

Several members raised concerns about potential liability. Representative Gentry said the matter had a “sniff of a political stunt” and asked whether courts should resolve the constitutional question. Roberts replied the constitution reserves revenue decisions to the legislature, and that the bill clarifies remedies and liability paths. Representative Vojanowski, who asked to explain his no vote during the roll call, said, “I can’t sit here and support taking away taxes for gold bars when parents are paying taxes for diapers,” and recorded his opposition.

On procedure, the committee first approved a committee substitute (PHS 2) and then the amended bill. The committee’s roll call included multiple recorded "yes" votes; the chair reported the committee action will be reported with a favorable recommendation to the full House.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 2 (as amended by PHS 2) — Committee outcome: approved; recorded tally: 19 yes, 1 no, 2 passes. The committee reported the bill with a favorable recommendation.

Next steps: The committee chair told members the bill will be reported to the floor and that members should review the fiscal material and legal analyses if they have follow‑up questions.

Ending: The committee concluded the HB2 discussion and moved on to other agenda items.