The Kentucky General Assembly kicked off the 2025 legislative session today. Since this year is a so-called “short session” of just 30 days, the legislature will only meet four days this week, break and then returns to Frankfort Tuesday, Feb. 4th for the remainder of the session, which is scheduled to end March 28th.
A couple of quick points to know about this session:
- There are 21 new lawmakers – 15 in the House and six in the Senate.
- There are new members of Senate leadership, and many committees have new chairs and members.
- The short sessions were originally enacted for the legislature to handle smaller issues and do “clean up” bills. But over the years, hundreds of bills were filed during the session. Leadership of both chambers is now saying they want to return to a more traditional short session, meaning the number of bills heard and passes could be significantly reduced this year.
- With this new approach, KACP is trying to limit legislative priorities to a smaller number of bills and initiatives. As always, KACP will monitor legislation and support or oppose bills that impact law enforcement, pensions and other issue. Additional priorities may be added as the session continues.
- To learn how to contact legislators, review and track bills, watch committee meetings – either live or taped – and daily House and Senate proceedings and more visit the website of the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (LRC). The site is easy to navigate, is updated daily with new bill filings and legislative committee and floor votes and provides tremendous information.
KACP PRIORITIES
Pension System Health Insurance
KACP has been in ongoing discussions, with legislators, about legislation that would increase the healthcare stipend for some law enforcement officers in the pension system. (Tier 1 who began participation after July 2003; all Tier II and III.).
Open Records
KACP is working on legislation with KLC that would limit the release of records for an ongoing investigation.
LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
Feb. 4: Legislature reconvenes
Feb. 17: Presidents Day holiday; legislature not in session
Feb. 18: Last day for introduction of new Senate bills
Feb. 19: Last day for introduction of new House bills
March 17-26: Veto recess
March 28-29: Final legislative days
FOR MORE INFO
As always, questions, suggestions, comments or concerns can be directed to Executive Director Shawn Butler, who can be reached at 859-743-2920 or sbutler@kypolicechiefs.org .