Week 6 of the 2024 Legislative Session
The Senate recently received budget recommendations from the state House of Representatives. House Bill (HB) 1 and HB 6, along with related appropriation and revenue bills, will shape the state’s next two-year operating budgets for the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. In its unique constitutional role within the budget process, the Senate exercises patience in reviewing proposals, crafting recommendations grounded in disciplined use of taxpayer dollars.
The budget bills, particularly the one-time funding proposals from the House, are promising. I believe the Senate aligns with the proposal’s general philosophy, especially the wise use of the budget reserve trust fund. A decade ago, Kentucky lacked rainy-day funds, but through conservative spending and business-friendly economic policies, the current reserve has soared to a record $3.7 billion. Furthermore, the January monthly receipts of state revenues show further growth, so I am encouraged by that continued trend despite significant reductions in the state income tax.
I consider two areas relating to Kentucky’s children to be the most significant needs in this budget session, and I will be a vocal advocate for substantial investments. Our children are always worth it! The two areas I’m referring to are the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and Early Childhood Education. A legislative proposal to support the Early Childhood Education industry will be filed next week and I will be sure to update you on the bill’s provisions. It is time to support early childhood education for what it is…EDUCATION, and not just support our kids but their working mothers and fathers and business owners, including early childhood education centers across the state. I am encouraging my colleagues to be supportive of the measure and I look forward to unveiling it alongside stakeholders.
As the 2024 Legislative Session approaches its midpoint, the Senate has approved several bills that are now advancing for consideration by the House. Here’s an overview of the legislation approved by the Senate during the sixth legislative week.
I was happy to support Senate Bill (SB) 151, and I remain grateful for colleagues like Sen. Julie Raque Adams, who always keeps Kentucky’s children at the center of her heart. This bill aims to incorporate new foster care supports and services for relatives and fictive caregivers to access funding support in their care for a child. The bill would allow children to suggest potential relatives or fictive kin caregivers to a district court if they are removed from their homes. Additionally, it would set criteria for when a relative or fictive kin caregiver can apply to be certified as a child-specific foster home through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
SB 145 is another excellent bill that I supported. It seeks to allow Kentucky health facilities and Medicaid-enrolled health care providers to submit their current and prospective employees to child abuse and neglect or adult abuse background checks. The checks would utilize the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Human Services’ existing child abuse and neglect and adult caregiver misconduct registries.
SB 127 aims to strengthen Kentucky’s aviation and aerospace workforce pipeline by establishing scholarship funds and fostering collaboration between public programs and industry partners. The bill creates the Kentucky Aerospace, Aviation, and Defense Investment Fund to address workforce demands and support collaborations, addressing a projected global need for nearly 800,000 new pilots over the next two decades. Our regional airports are a sign of a thriving economy, so I hope to see further growth in Kentucky’s already strong aviation industry. The industry currently supports almost 100,000 employees. This legislation would also be a resource for WKCTC’s new Aviation Mechanic program.
SB 18 would enable school districts to purchase bus equipment meeting federal safety standards from various manufacturers, promoting cost savings and supplier diversity. The bill mandates the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) to provide standards to the Finance and Administration Cabinet for monitoring price contracts.
Thank you for your continued engagement in the 2024 Regular Session. It is a privilege to represent you in Frankfort. Find the status of legislation by calling 866-840-2835, legislative meeting information at 800-633-9650, or leaving a message for lawmakers at 800-372-7181. You can watch and follow legislative activity at KET/org/legislature and Legislature.ky.gov. If you have any questions or comments about these or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me Danny.Carroll@LRC.ky.gov.