As lawmakers reconvene in Frankfort for the 2024 Interim, we embark on a crucial period of review and preparation for the next legislative session. This week, we highlight significant developments in the Department for Juvenile Justice (DJJ), natural resources, transportation, and judiciary.
As Senate chair for the Families and Children Committee, I co-chair the Interim Joint Committee (IJC) on Families and Children. The first meeting of the IJC on Families and Children is set for Wednesday, June 19, at noon local time (1 p.m. EDT). It will take place in room 149 of the Capitol Annex building. The agenda for the meeting includes a critical discussion on foster care and adoption processes. Many guests will join to participate, including representatives from the Department of Community Based Services, Kentucky Youth advocates, and others. Like other legislative meetings, it will stream live at KET.org/Legislature and on the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) YouTube Channel.
Off the heels of the 60-day budget session, the Budget Review Subcommittee (BR Sub.) on Justice and Judiciary welcomed DJJ representatives to give us an update on ongoing challenges. Testimony expressed concerns about increasing incarceration rates and the challenges of room for youth across facilities. I worked very closely with DJJ and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services over the 2024 session. Through our efforts, we made budget requests for a high-acuity mental health facility for our most troubled youth. We also asked for two female-only facilities. Unfortunately, the final budget did not include funding for these projects. In light of 2023’s Senate Bill 162, which provided millions to DJJ and enacted meaningful reforms, I am deeply disappointed that we could not meet our commitment on this front. The final state budget included language directing DJJ to provide more information on the proposal for a high-acuity mental health facility for juveniles and the associated costs. I remain committed to working on this critical goal.
The IJC on Judiciary, of which I am a member, examined a proposal for compensating wrongfully convicted individuals in Kentucky. The bill under discussion offers up to $50,000 per year for wrongful imprisonment, along with job training, education assistance, and mental health services for exonerees. Personal testimonies highlighted the devastating impacts of wrongful convictions, which underscored the need for this reform to align Kentucky’s standards with those of other states.
Discussions centered on Kentucky’s energy landscape in the IJC on Natural Resources and Energy meeting. Despite advances in renewable energy, coal remains the backbone of our state’s energy production, supplying nearly two-thirds of our electricity. Kentucky’s energy strategy remains focused on stability and affordability. Efforts I have focused on to increase Kentucky’s all-of-the-above energy portfolio include further steps in developing nuclear energy. I will update you as my Senate Bill 198 and Senate Joint Resolution 140 are implemented. SB 198 establishes the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority and will lead steps in education and community preparation for potential development. SJR 140 simply prepares the state’s Public Service Commission to meet its obligations in the realm of energy services.
The IJC on Appropriations and Revenue meeting featured a review of allocations made across executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in biennial budgets. In total, $128 billion in taxpayer dollars were allocated to the state budget. We also appropriated $2.7 billion from the budget reserve trust fund for one-time transformative projects across the commonwealth. We were able to do this all while lowering your income taxes.
Shifting our focus to transportation, the IJC on Transportation received a comprehensive update on the Kentucky Automated Vehicle Information System (KAVIS). This monumental modernization project, transitioning over 250 million records from the outdated AVIS system, has encountered processing delays and unexpected system bugs. However, it’s essential to highlight the significant strides made, with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) collecting over $656 million in vehicle-related fees this year. Ongoing efforts are dedicated to improving system speed, enhancing bulk transaction capabilities, and ensuring all vehicle-related legislation is integrated effectively, all of which demonstrate the positive impact of this project.
During Thursday’s IJC on Agriculture meeting, discussions focused on regulatory frameworks, potential revenue streams, and the need for comprehensive research on cannabis’s impacts. Key findings include a significant market opportunity, the necessity for robust legal and regulatory structures, and strategies to integrate cannabis into existing agricultural practices. Talks emphasized the importance of aligning with other states’ best practices and preparing for a legal cannabis market to support the state’s economic and agricultural growth.
In the IJC on Education, of which I am a member, the focus shifted to Kentucky State University (KSU), which has faced significant financial challenges. The General Assembly has provided vital support including the most significant general fund allocation in the school’s history. Recent budget provisions redirected funds to asset preservation, which allows KSU to prioritize upgrades to dormitories and other facilities. These improvements are designed to attract more students and better serve the university’s long-term goals. KSU’s Board of Regents celebrated a record-breaking graduating class and an increase in graduation rates, both signs of positive momentum.
Commemorating D-Day
June 6 was the 80th anniversary of D-Day when our heroes stormed the beaches and protected the world from tyranny. These members of our greatest generation are now less than 70,000, with an average of 30 passing away daily. With the continued loss of World War II veterans, the 80th anniversary might be the last milestone anniversary we can spend with living heroes. If you know one of these great heroes, please express your love and appreciation for their sacrifices. The world will never again have men as great as them.
Stay engaged
As we navigate the 2024 Interim, I urge constituents to remain informed and engaged. Your active participation is crucial in shaping the legislative outcomes. The full interim calendar and committee meeting materials are available on the Legislative Research Commission’s website, with live streams on Kentucky Educational Television (KET) and the LRC YouTube Channel. For feedback and questions, please contact the General Assembly’s Message Line at 1-800-372-7181 or the meeting information line at 1-800-633-9650. Your ongoing support and involvement are invaluable as we strive for meaningful legislative progress.