The Kentucky General Assembly paid tribute to our legislative past by holding day 48 of the 2022 Regular Session at the Old State Capitol building in Frankfort. In association with the Kentucky Historical Society, the periodically held event is a tradition that allows lawmakers to recreate a moment in history. The former seat of the Kentucky state government hosted the state legislature from 1830 to 1910 before a new structure, the present-day Capitol, was erected. Notable Kentuckians like the “Great Compromiser,” Henry Clay, Isaac Shelby, and Thomas Metcalfe graced the chambers during their time in public office. It was a surreal experience providing us a moment to commemorate our past and embrace the progress of our commonwealth.
On Thursday, the Senate and House formed the Budget Conference Committee following the House decision to not concur with the Senate changes. The committee, consisting of select members from the majority and minority caucuses, will now deliberate on the details to devise a spending plan to which they can agree. The committee will continue meeting through early next week, at which point they will present the agreed-upon plan to the House and Senate. There will be more to come of this, so keep an eye out for details.
As an appointed member of the Budget Conference Committee, I look forward to bringing my experience from previous budgets and my current position on the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee. Legislators appointed to the committee will review the traditional 2-year biennial spending plan and negotiate how the surplus of dollars in this year’s budget will be appropriated. The Budget Conference Committee meetings can be viewed on KET online at ket.org/legislature.
In the Senate, our business continued with various bills being advanced by the body for further action. One measure that passed off the floor this week would clear the way for some felons and inmates to receive state financial aid for college in an effort to improve job opportunities and reduce recidivism among those with a criminal record. Senate Bill 163 (SB) would remove language in state law that has long prevented certain inmates and convicted felons from obtaining aid through the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES). It would also allow inmates to receive funds through the College Access Program Grant, the Kentucky Tuition Grant, and the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program. Another section of the bill would permit students to use scholarship funds for tuition at qualified proprietary schools.
SB 163 was amended before passage to narrow the list of offenders eligible for aid. The amendment disqualifies violent offenders, many drug traffickers, and those who have committed offenses against minors. I voted for the measure. SB 163 advanced off the Senate floor with a 33-4 vote and now goes to the House for further action.
Bills passed in the Senate this week:
SB 4 establishes a procedure for the legislature to track and determine the effectiveness and validity of executive orders. Under SB 4, a governor would have to file the order with the secretary of state, then the Legislative Research Commission before passing it onto the House and Senate for review. The bill would also make executive orders automatically expire 90 days after a governor leaves office. I feel this is another bill that ties the hands of the executive who is granted these powers within the Kentuckyconstitution. I voted no; however, it passed the Senate 27-8.
HB 121 requires a 15 minute public comment period before a local school board meeting. I agree and fully support a parent’s ability to interact with the administration and have input in their child’s education. It passed the Senate 25-10. The amended version now returns to the House for concurrence.
HB 263, known as “Kami’s Law,” raises the penalty of first-degree criminal abuse from a Class C felony to a Class B felony if the victim is under 12 years of age. We need a comprehensive overhaul of the penal code with lawmakers thoroughly reviewing statutes that dovetail with one another and sentencing. It is currently all over the board from year-to-year and issue-to-issue whether we lessen or strengthen them. For these reasons, I voted no. It passed the Senate 31-4 and now goes to the Governor to sign into law.
SB 276 expands the Medicaid program to individuals with sickle cell disease. The bill requires the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to conduct an annual review of all medications, services, and forms of treatment for enrollees diagnosed with sickle cell disease. It passed in the Senate with unanimous consent. SB 276 now goes to the House for further action.
HB 321 extends the term of temporary tags for motor vehicles from 30 to 60 days. It passed the Senate with unanimous consent. It now goes to the Governor to sign into law.
SB 321 prohibits pregnant women from receiving an abortion beyond the probable 15-week gestational age. SB 321 passed in the Senate 31-6. I voted yes. It now goes to the House for consideration.
We are now entering the final days of the session. Typically, this is the juncture when our business ramps up, bills begin churning off the floor, and legislators scramble to have their legislation considered before we break for veto days. There is one more full week remaining before we recess and allow the Governor time to review legislation, at which point he will either veto the measures or sign them into law. In addition to the surge of legislation we will hear before veto days, the conference committee will continue to deliberate budget negotiations.
For additional information on bills passed in the Senate and other measures making their way through the process, visit the legislative record online at legislature.ky.gov. As we enter the final stages of the 2022 session, having your voice heard is more important than ever. If I can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. To share feedback on an issue, you can email me at Robin.Webb@lrc.ky.gov or call the General Assembly Message Line at 1-800-372-7181. Kentuckians with hearing loss can use Kentucky Relay by dialing 711.