T.J. Roberts has been described as “Right of Liberty Caucus”in his tenure in the Kentucky House of Representatives. [10] In his capacity as a State Representative,T.J. Roberts has been an active legislator,sponsoring multiple bills that reflect his commitment to conservative principles and his political platform.
Notable 2025 Bills
HCR 50,also known as the Kentucky Discipline of Government Efficiency (KY DOGE),would establish an interim task force to examine Executive Branch expenditures,produce cost-saving measures to cut spending in following budget sessions,and move Kentucky toward Zero-Base Budgeting. [13]
HB 2 entitles individuals who have paid sales taxes on Gold,Silver,and Platinum bullion to refunds,applied retroactively,from the Kentucky Department of Revenue or Governor’s office. HB 2 became law on March 27,2025 after the legislature overrode Governor Andy Beshear’s veto. [14]
Known as the Kentucky REINS Act,HB 6 limits the executive branch's authority by requiring legislative approval for economically significant regulations. [15] In support of HB 6,which Roberts cosponsored,Roberts spoke on the importance of the legislature being the lawmaking branch,while condemning the Executive Branch’s regulations as “Executive Branch lawmaking.” Governor Andy Beshear named Roberts in a lawsuit over the adoption of HB 6 due to his floor speech. [16]
HB 82 would expand Kentucky’s prohibition on state and local officials enforcing federal gun control laws to all gun control laws enacted after December 15,1791,the day the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution was ratified. Rep. Roberts’HB 82 would have the effect of nullifying all federal gun laws in Kentucky. [17]
HB 83 would prohibit red flag laws in Kentucky. [18]
HB 141,also known as the Defend the Guard Act,which Roberts cosponsored with Rep. Candy Massaroni,would have prohibited the federal government from deploying National Guardsmen to combat zones unless Congress passes a declaration of war. [19]
HB 176 aims to establish a dollar-to-dollar tax refund for Kentuckians who have purchased regulated items under the National Firearms Act,including Suppressors,Short-Barreled Rifles,Short-Barreled Shotguns,and Machine Guns. [20]
HB 213 would prohibit sanctuary cities in Kentucky,requiring local governments to comply with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies. The bill would also give Kentuckians and their families a cause of action to sue local governments if the Kentuckian is hurt or killed by an undocumented immigrant who resided in a sanctuary city. [21]
HB 254 would ban taxpayer-funded lobbying,and establish civil and criminal penalties for those who engage in taxpayer-funded lobbying or campaigning. [22]
HB 281 proposes a sales and use tax exemption for firearm-related items,including firearms,ammunition,holsters,accessories,training courses,and safety devices. [23]
HB 316 would list the abortion pill as a Schedule IV drug in Kentucky,while establishing felony penalties against individuals and companies that import the abortion pill into Kentucky. [24]
HB 318 expands Kentucky’s Open Meetings Act by providing that any formal action of a public agency is voidable by a court if there was not substantial compliance with statutes regarding video teleconferencing of meetings,recording of minutes,and conditions for attendance. [25]
HB 353 would amend Kentucky’s eminent domain laws,which would make it more difficult for the government to take private property for development purposes. [26]
HB 376 would establish a bitcoin strategic reserve,allowing Kentucky to invest up to 10 percent of the Commonwealth’s rainy day fund into cryptocurrencies with a market cap of $750 billion (so far,only Bitcoin has met this market cap) and gold. This bill further bans the use of Central Bank Digital Currencies in Kentucky. [27]
HB 756 would amend the Kentucky Constitution to require new taxes/fees and tax/fee increases,at all levels of government,to go to the ballot. The ballot measure would include:1. What’s getting taxed;2. The rate at which it will be taxed;3. The cost to the average taxpayer;and 4. Where the tax money will go. [28]
