The Karnataka government has re-sent six bills to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for his approval, including the contentious amendment that seeks to curtail the governor’s authority in appointing vice-chancellors at a state university.

Among the key pieces of legislation is the Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (Amendment) Bill, which was passed in December 2024. The bill, initially returned by the governor, has now been sent back to Raj Bhavan. The amendment replaces the governor with the chief minister as the chancellor of the Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University, thereby removing the governor’s existing role in appointing the university’s vice-chancellor.

Another significant bill forwarded for the governor’s assent pertains to the establishment of the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), modelled on the lines of the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA). This bill is intended to streamline urban planning and development in Mysuru, similar to the framework that governs Bengaluru’s urban governance.\

The Karnataka Public Service Commission (Conduct of Business and Additional Functions) (Amendment) Bill, which was passed during the budget session of the legislature in March 2025, has also been returned by Governor Gehlot but has now been re-sent by the government. The bill seeks to do away with the requirement that the government consult the KPSC while framing certain rules, thereby expanding the executive’s autonomy in service matters.

Three other bills passed in July 2024 have also been re-sent to Raj Bhavan. These are the Gadag-Betageri Business, Culture and Exhibition Authority Bill, the Karnataka Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, and the Karnataka Souharda Sahakari (Amendment) Bill. Governor Gehlot had earlier returned all three, citing various concerns.

Recently, Governor Gehlot gave his assent to the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024. With this, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is set to undergo major restructuring. The bill will lead to the creation of multiple smaller municipal corporations, aimed at improving local governance, streamlining services, and enhancing infrastructure management.