Legislative Update

Senators debate lawmakers calling themselves into special session. Western Kentucky school superintendents testify about tornado damage to their districts. Senate panels consider a scholarship program for special needs students and tougher penalties for the theft of packages from front porches. The House passes an essential caregiver bill.

House Democratic leader Jodi Jenkins announces her retirement. A House committee considers a bill to allow the legislature to defend the constitutionality of bills that it passes. Senate panels discuss enabling lawmakers to call themselves into special session, a bill to prevent child abuse and neglect, and mental health supports for first responders.

A House panel votes to require public comment periods at school board meetings and to expand KEES scholarships to trade school students. The Senate acts to declare an administrative regulation deficient, set standards for using lobbyists, and limit the number of Medicaid managed care organizations. Rep. Patrick Flannery discusses his car tax legislation.

he House passes bills on treatment for people with severe mental illness, the licensing of audiologists, and the reapportionment of county magisterial districts. School choice advocates rally at the capitol as lawmakers introduce new school choice legislation. State Budget Director John Hicks explains Gov. Beshear’s recommendations for spending American Rescue Plan Act funds.

A recap of the third week of the General Assembly session includes arguments over the new redistricting maps. Republicans move quickly on the state budget, while Democrats call for more investments. Lawmakers also consider bills on overdose reversal drugs, the Read to Succeed program, mental health absences for students, and essential caregivers.

Gov. Beshear vetoes the new legislative and Congressional district maps, and the Republican-controlled General Assembly overrides those vetoes. The House debates and passes its version of a new two-year, state budget and the Transportation Cabinet budget. Senate committees consider bills on expungement and the statewide education accountability system.

The Senate debates allowing more options to reverse drug overdoses, and funding for a childhood literacy program. A Senate committee moves to reduce the number of managed care organizations in Kentucky, and to allow compassionate care visitors in nursing homes and state mental facilities. State Budget Director John Hicks briefs lawmakers on Gov. Beshear’s budget proposal. A House panel considers bills on home incarceration and the definition of incest.

The House considers giving students excused absences for mental health reasons. The Senate passes a bill that would reclassify stroke centers, and a measure to allow assisted living communities to provide additional services. Legislative leaders discuss potential tax reforms, revenue options, state employee pay raises, medical marijuana, and other priorities.

Gov. Andy Beshear delivers his budget address. Lawmakers give final passage to an education bill that deals with states of emergency. A Senate panel discusses early literacy education, while a House committee considers COVID-related death benefits for first responders. School choice advocates introduce measures to give parents and students more education options.

The House and Senate pass a bill that will provide disaster relief for those impacted by the December tornadoes.

The Senate votes to give schools more remote instruction days. A House panel considers a student mental health measure and a bill on financial aid applications. Legislative leaders discuss the budgeting process and benefits of pre-kindergarten. Gov. Beshear previews his spending proposals for infrastructure, economic development. and tourism.

Lawmakers complete their work on redistricting bills and a measure on legal challenges to the new maps. The Senate debates legislation that gives school superintendents the power to hire and fire principals and to set school curricula. A House committee considers aid for tornado-damaged communities. Gov. Beshear previews his proposed state budget.

Renee Shaw looks back at the first week of the General Assembly session as lawmakers move closer to final passage of new legislative and judicial district maps. Gov. Beshear delivers his State of the Commonwealth Address and legislative leaders offer their reactions. Lawmakers discuss the prospects for medical marijuana.

Lawmakers give final passage to a bill that moves this year’s candidate filing deadline. The Senate passes bills to redraw state Senate and Congressional districts, and to create a new process for legal challenges to redistricting. The House approves new maps for state House and state Supreme Court districts. A Senate panel advances measures on principal hiring and remote instruction.

Gov. Andy Beshear delivers his State of the Commonwealth Address to a joint session of the General Assembly, and legislative leaders offer their reactions to his speech. A Senate panel approves new state Senate and Congressional district maps. The House debates a delay in this year’s candidate filing deadline. Lawmakers remember former Louisville Rep. Darryl Owens.

On the first day of the 2022 General Assembly session, House Democrats denounce rules proposed by Republican leadership to place time limits on debate. Reps. Jerry Miller, David Meade, and Angie Hatton discuss the redistricting plan for state House districts.

In a special session of the General Assembly, lawmakers debated actions to help Kentucky weather the ongoing COVID pandemic. They approved measures to extend the state of emergency, allow local school boards to decide on mask mandates, create regional monoclonal antibody clinics, and more. They also allocated $350 million for economic development projects.

Renee Shaw recaps the last day of the 2021 Kentucky General Assembly.

In the penultimate day of the 2021 session, the General Assembly overrides gubernatorial vetoes on a series of measures, including bills on school choice, teacher pensions, the executive branch budget, how U.S. Senate vacancies are filled, and broadband internet installation.

The House and Senate act on school choice, spending of federal COVID relief funds, and a retirement package for new teachers. Legislators also approve a do-over school year for students, allocate $250 million for broadband deployment, negotiate a compromise on state Board of Education membership, and move to expand voting options in elections.