FRANKFORT — State lawmakers returned to the Capitol this week to start the second
part of the General Assembly’s 2017 session. The first portion of the session, held
over the course of five days in early January, featured a quick start as seven bills
were passed into law.
The second part of the session is sure to feature its own history-making moments as
lawmakers consider hundreds of bills – each with the potential to affect people
across the state.
The moment that received the most attention in the Capitol this week came as the
Senate and House met in a joint session to hear Gov. Matt Bevin’s State of the
Commonwealth Address. Amid a host of subjects covered by the governor in the his
second such address, his call for tax reform and additional efforts to strengthen
the state’s public pension systems generated headlines across the state.
By week’s end, dozens of bills on subjects ranging from school calendars to pension
transparency had taken steps forward in the legislative process. Bills that advanced
this week include the following:
Senate Bill 2 is aimed at making state retirement system transactions more
transparent. The legislation would hold state retirement systems accountable when
contracting out services. It would also codify a reorganization of the Kentucky
Retirement Systems board that was called for in an executive order issued by the
governor last year. The Senate approved the bill on a 37-0 vote and sent the measure
to the House for consideration.
House Bill 14 would make an attack on a first responders, such as police, fire
fighters and EMTs a hate crime. The bill was approved by the House Judiciary
Committee and now awaits action in the House chamber.
Senate Bill 17 would specify in statutes that students are permitted to voluntarily
express religious or political viewpoints in school assignments free from
discrimination. The bill passed the Senate on a 31-3 vote and now goes to the House
for consideration.
House Bill 38 would prohibit registered sex offenders from being on public
playgrounds without advanced written permission of the playground owner or manager.
Violators would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor which can carry up to 12
months in jail. The bill was approved by the House Judiciary Committee and has been
sent to the full House for consideration.
Senate Bill 50 would give school districts more flexibility when setting school
calendars. Districts that choose to start the school year no earlier than the Monday
closest to August 26 wouldn’t have to meet the state’s 170-day requirement for the
school year, as long as students were still receiving 1,062 hours of instruction
each year, which is considered the equivalent of 170 school days. The bill passed
the Senate on a 33-1 vote and has been sent to the House.
Senate Bill 78 proposes a ban on tobacco products at public schools. The measure
would prohibit use of tobacco products by students, school personnel, and visitors
in schools, school vehicles, properties, and at school activities. The bill was
approved by the Senate Education Committee and has been sent to the full Senate for
a vote.
House Bill 147 would require students to submit proof of immunizations against
measles, mumps, rubella and other diseases before being able to enroll in Kentucky
public or private colleges. The bill was approved by the House Health and Family
Services Committee and now awaits action in the House chamber.
House Bill 174 is aimed at helping farmers transport their goods by extending a 10
percent weight tolerance for vehicles carrying poultry, livestock, meats, crop
products, or feed for livestock and poultry on state roads other than interstate
highways. The measure was approved by the House Agriculture Committee and Senate to
the House chamber for consideration.
Members of the General Assembly are eager to receive feedback on the issues under
consideration. You can share your thoughts with lawmakers by calling the General
Assembly’s toll-free message line at 800-372-7181.
You can also write any legislator by sending a letter with the lawmaker’s name to:
Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.