KY HB349

Increases Kentucky's minimum wage from $7.25/hour to $11/hour upon enactment, then incrementally to $12.50 (July 2027), $14 (July 2028), $15.50 (July 2029), and $17 (July 2030), with automatic annual adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index beginning July 2031

Establishes a separate tipped employee minimum wage schedule starting at $8/hour upon enactment, rising to $10 (July 2027), $12 (July 2028), $13.50 (July 2029), $15 (July 2030), and $17 (July 2031)

Raises the gross sales threshold for minimum wage exemption for retail stores, service industries, hotels, motels, and restaurants from $95,000 to $500,000 in average annual gross volume over the preceding five years

Authorizes cities, counties, and local governments to adopt and enforce minimum wage ordinances higher than the state minimum, with consolidated local governments having sole authority to set countywide minimum wages

Requires the state minimum wage to automatically increase to match the federal minimum wage if federal rates exceed state rates at any point