Legislative Update

The Senate and House approve a one-year state budget. The Senate agrees to House changes to a bill creating a commission on racial equity, and approves new guidelines for appointments to the Kentucky Board of Education. A Senate committee considers a hybrid retirement plan for future teachers.

The House votes on Open Records Act requests, vaccination opt-outs, police misconduct, and cryptocurrency mining incentives. A House committee approves a new process for filling a U.S. Senate vacancy. Both chambers pass a bill on emergency executive orders. Conversations with new lawmakers Rep. Killian Timoney and Sen. Adrienne Southworth.

The House passes a school choice bill and a limit on pandemic emergency executive orders. The Senate approves a measure on riot-related crimes and insulting police officers, and legislation on Open Records Act requests. A Senate panel discusses Kentucky Board of Education membership

The House approves unemployment overpayment relief, transitional help for the formerly incarcerated, assistance for pregnant inmates, and penalties for rental property damage. The Senate votes on quasi-governmental agency pension obligations and insulin co-payments. A House panel considers a do-over school year. Conversations with new lawmakers Rep. Matt Lockett and Sen. Brandon Storm.

The House gives final passage to a school reopening plan. House committees advance unemployment overpayment relief and exemptions for mandatory immunizations. Senate panels discuss riot-based crimes, the felony theft threshold, and a death penalty exception for those with a mental illness. A conversation with new lawmaker Sen. Karen Berg.

The House approves aid packages for rural broadband deployment and rural hospitals, financial protection for the gun industry, and a tax break for cryptocurrency miners. Senate committees discusses pension relief for quasi-governmental agencies and postpartum care for female inmates, while the full Senate sets a date for schools to restart in-person instruction.

The Senate passes liability protections for some businesses during the pandemic, and approves bills to give the General Assembly more flexibility in the legislative calendar. A Senate panel discusses civilian review boards for police departments. The House acts on water bill late fees and school tax recall petitions.

The House votes to make some new voting options permanent, to rewrite the state’s Open Records Act, and to expand KEES-eligible institutions. The Senate approves unemployment overpayment relief, while a Senate committee discusses how U.S. Senate seat vacancies are filled.

The Senate votes to limit the use of no-knock search warrants. The House approves a proposed constitutional amendment on abortion and a bill to stabilize the state Board of Education. House committees consider reopening unemployment offices, purchases of personal protective equipment, and voting options in elections.

The Senate votes to create a commission on racial inequities, while Senate committees act on mental health parity, substance abuse counselors, and legislative session scheduling. A House panel discusses prosecution of protest-related crimes, while the full House passes a measure that would require schools return to in-person instruction, and a bill on unemployment insurance.

House panels act on U.S. Senate vacancies, paper ballots, broadband access, firefighter mental health, state Board of Education appointments, student financial aid, and school bus cameras. A Senate committee passes unemployment overpayment relief. The full House moves on insulin prices and on County Employees Retirement System severability.

The House updates guidelines for child support, increases the threshold for felony nonsupport, and approves a tax break for visiting utility workers. Lawmakers move to make permanent COVID-related measures on telehealth, sales of grocery items by restaurants, and cocktails to go. The Senate acts to eliminate Medicaid copayments. A conversation with freshman Rep. William Lawrence.

The House gives final approval to a legal fix for historical horse racing games. The Senate passes a police accountability measure and a bill on gun possession by youth offenders. A House panel considers a constitutional amendment on abortion, while a Senate committee acts to protect rights of conscience for health care providers. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul addresses lawmakers on election reform.

House committees advance measures on historical horse racing and live organ donors. The full House approves pension relief for quasi-governmental agencies, an increase to the felony threshold for theft and fraud, and protections for sports officials. The Senate moves to end solitary confinement for pregnant women, while a Senate panels act on several measures.

Senate Republicans split on historical horse racing legislation, while the House passes a mental health parity measure. A House panel votes to make convicted felons eligible for KEES money, and a Senate committee approves an alcohol-to-go measure. Transportation Sec. Jim Gray updates COVID vaccination efforts. House Democrats unveil a plan to modernize the state’s unemployment program.

A House committee discusses increasing the felony theft threshold, while a Senate panel approves an opt-out for vaccinations. Lawmakers also consider bills on state agricultural boards, tenants who intentionally damage rental property, and mental health parity. A conversation with new lawmakers Rep. Josh Branscum and Rep. Pamela Stevenson.

Lawmakers approve an updated bill for new courts to hear constitutional challenges. The impeachment committee meets. The Senate passes its versions of the budget bills while senators consider training for certain in-home care-givers. A conversation with freshman Rep. Jennifer Henson Decker.

House members discuss the impeachment petition against Gov. Andy Beshear. Senators review a plan for a judicial super circuit and discuss making intentional damage to residential rental property a felony. A conversation with freshman Rep. Josh Bray.