KACP KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING JAN. 12
Friday, Jan. 12 marked the ninth day of the 60-day legislative session. A total of 362 bills have been filed; 254 in the House and 108 in the Senate.
The General Assembly will not meet on Monday, Jan. 15, due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
THE LATEST ON LEGISLATION
HB5, the crime bill
Sponsored by Rep. Jared Bauman, R-Louisville, the 72-page bill is dubbed the Safer Kentucky Act, among its provisions is a three strikes law to require a life sentence after a person’s third violent felony, along with increasing penalties for crimes like carjacking and fentanyl trafficking that causes an overdose death. It would also crack down on vandalism and allow businesses to use force to stop shoplifters. Awaiting committee assignment. Support
KACP PRIORITIES
KLEPF Increase/budget
During the session, the legislature will also craft and enact a two-year budget. KACP has already met with Senate Appropriations & Revenue Committee Chairman Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, to discuss a potential increase in the annual KLEFPF training stipend. Further discussions are planned. Under Kentucky’s constitution, revenue bills must first be filed in the House; as of Friday, the budget bill had not been filed.
Health insurance
KACP is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Jan. 16, with Sen. James Higdon, R-Lebanon, to discuss 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.)
LEGISLATION KACP SUPPORTS
HOUSE
HB134, taxing of retirement distributions
Sponsored by Ashley Tackett Laferty, D-Martin, the bill increases the retirement distribution exclusion from $31,110 to $41,100 for taxable years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2025. Awaiting committee assignment. Support
HB143, retirement benefits
Sponsored by Rep. Rachel Roberts, D-Newport, the bill would make changes to retirement benefits for members in the State Police Retirement System (SPRS) or in a hazardous position in either the Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS) or County Employees Retirement System (CERS) who are hired after Jan. 1, 2014, but before Jan. 1, 2025. Awaiting committee assignment. Support
HB207, related to sex dolls
Sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Dietz, R-Edgewood, the bill prohibits the possession, trafficking, importing and advancing of a child sex doll. Awaiting committee assignment. Support
HB 248, relating to reinstatement of police and fire department employees
Sponsored by Rep. Killian Timoney, R-Fayette, Amend KRS 95.440 to remove the requirement that a person shall only be eligible for reinstatement to a police or fire department within one year following separation from employment. Support
SENATE
SB32, driving under the influence of marijuana
Sponsored by Sen. Johnnie Turner, R-Harlan the bill creates a per se limit for marijuana concentration measured by a blood test. KACP will meet with the sponsor for more details on the legislation. Assigned to Senate Judiciary Committee. Support
LEGISLATION KACP FOLLOWING/MONITORING
HOUSE
HB20, cost-of-living increase retirement benefits
Sponsored by Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo, D-Lexington, the bill provides a one-time, 2 percent COLA adjustment for KERS nonhazardous and hazardous duty recipients and State Police Retirement System recipients. KACP is concerned the bill does not include CERS recipients and we plan to speak with the sponsor about making that change. Awaiting committee assignment.
HB45, privacy protection
Sponsored by Rep. John Hodgson, R-Louisville, the bill defines terms related to automated license plate readers, establishes limitations on the use and sale of data captured by the readers and defines terms and establishes limitations on the use of drones. Awaiting committee assignment.
HB142, nicotine products
Sponsored by Rep. Mark Hart, R-Falmouth, the bill requires the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to establish a vapor retail license and establishes penalties for under the age of 21 who purchase or attempt to purchase alternative nicotine, tobacco or vapor products. Awaiting committee assignment.
HB157, interrogation of children
The bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville, and Rep. Mike Nemes, R-Louisville, prohibits a child from being interrogated using deceptive methods. Awaiting committee assignment. KACP is seeking a meeting with the sponsor.
HB216, related to retirement
Sponsored by Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort, the bill would provide supplemental payment for recipients of a monthly retirement allowance from the systems administered by KERS. KACP is concerned the bill does not include CERS recipients and we plan to speak with the sponsor about making that change.
SENATE
SB45, missing adults
Sponsored by Sen. David Yates, D-Louisville, the bill requires KSP to create and operate the Kentucky Ashanti Alert System to provide public notification through the use of media providers and highways signs when an adult is missing and may have been abducted or kidnapped or may be in physical danger. Assigned to Senate Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee.
LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
Jan. 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; legislature not in session
Feb. 19: Presidents Day holiday; legislature not in session
Feb. 26: Last day for introduction of new House bills
Feb. 28: Last day for introduction of new Senate bills
March 29 – April 9: Veto recess
March 12, 15: 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 or KACP lobbyist Patrick Crowley, who can be reached at 859-462-4245 or pcrowley@strategicadvisersllc.com.
You can also follow the legislative activity through the Kentucky General Assembly website.