KACP KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING MARCH 15
Friday, March 15, marked the 52nd day of the 60-day legislative session.
This coming week, the General Assembly will not go into session Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday; Tuesday and Wednesday will be committee meetings only. The General Assembly will reconvene Thursday, March 21st, for the 53rd day of the session.
Senate budget released
The Senate has released its version of the state’s two-year budget through Senate Committee Substitutes to House Bill 6, the two-year spending plan, and HB 1, which features one-time spending. The committee subs were filed by Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, chairman of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee.
The budget bills include:
- $50 million for the proposed Madisonville Police Academy; not included in the House budget.
- KLEFPF funding of $4,412 in FY 2024-25 and $4,527 in FY 2025-26; less than the House budget.
KACP is continuing meetings with legislators on the budget. Conference committees that will negotiate an agreement on the differences between the House and Senate versions of the plan are scheduled to begin meeting the week of March. 18.
The Kentucky League of Cities has more information on the budget on its website.
Pension System Health Insurance
KACP is still in ongoing discussions 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.). We are hoping legislation will be introduced this week.
SB20, related to violent offenders
Filed by Matthew Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, the bill includes in the definition of “violent offender” a person who has been convicted of burglary in the first degree, assault in the second degree and wanton endangerment in the first degree involving the discharge of a firearm; other changes. Passed the Senate 25-9-1 and assigned to House Judiciary Committee. Support
SB71, related to mental health evaluations
Filed by Sens. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, the bill eases the burden that requires law enforcement officers to be present during a 202A evaluation until a facility agrees to hold the individual. This can take hours and keeps officers off the streets. KACP and KLC are supporting the Senate version as revised by the House committee sub with no amendments. Please be on the watch for a legislative alert that KACP will issue in the next day or two. Support
HB 482, which is related to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. Filed by Rep. Stephanie Dietz, R-Edgewood, the bill adds the chief of police of the Owensboro Police Department and the director of the Northern Kentucky Police and Sheriff’s Training Center to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. The House passed the bill 96-0 and is awaiting a Senate committee assignment. KACP met last week with Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, the chairman of the Senate State and Local Government Committee, to ask him to please call the bill. Rep. Dietz made a similar request. We believe that there is no fundamental problem with the bill, but it is just caught in timing as the legislature winds down. KACP will continue to push for passage. Support.
HB551, related to cold cases
Filed by Rep. Keturah, D-Louisville, and co-sponsored by Rep. John Blanton, R-Salyersville, the bill allows law enforcement agencies to contract with retired officers to assist with homicide cold cases. KACP Executive Director Shawn Butler testified in favor of the bill, which unanimously passed out of committee and awaits action on the House floor. Support
THE LATEST ON LEGISLATION
SB2, related to placing “guardians” in public schools
Filed by Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, the bill would establish a framework for employment of Kentucky guardians in schools to provide school safety. The bill passed 28-10 in the Senate and now awaits action in the House Education Committee. KACP President Thomson met with Sen. Wise to express some concerns. The bill will not take effect until 2025-26 school year, Sen. Wise said he would work with us during the interim to address concerns. Changes could be made in the 2025 session. Monitoring.
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, homeless encampments and allow businesses to use force to stop shoplifters. Bill has passed both House and Senate. 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. Passed out of Senate Judiciary Committee. Chief Todd Kelley testified on behalf of KACP. The bill has passed both the House and Senate without a single “no” vote. Due to an amendment, the bill was sent back to the House where it awaits final passage. 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. Passed The House 96-0, assigned to Senate Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee. Support
SB162, related to vehicle accident reports.
Filed by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, the bill allows law enforcement agencies to retain copies of accident reports filed with the KSP and allows agencies to contract with third parties to provide the reports to other entities that are eligible to receive them. The bill passed the Senate 37-0 and was approved by the House Local Committee. It awaits a final vote in the House. Executive Director Butler has testified in committee in favor of the bill. Support.
HB349, related to in line of duty disability benefits
Filed by Rep. Emily Callaway, R-Louisville, the bill would provide full hospital and medical insurance benefits for a member of the retirement system, their spouse, and their dependents if a member becomes disabled in the line of duty with a hazardous disability. Passed committee, awaiting full action by the House. Support.
HB661, related to spiking
Filed by Rep. John Blanton, R-Salyersville, the bill exempts system-wide raises from anti-spiking legislation. The bill passed 96-0 in the House and awaits a Senate committee assignment. Support
HB687, related to incarceration
Filed Rep. Ryan Dotson, Winchester, the bill would mandate cities to enter into an interlocal agreement with the county to subsidize the cost of lodging persons in jail who were arrested within the city’s boundaries and provide for a default payment if a contract is not agreed to. This has a strong potential to impact police department budgets if it were to become law. KACP and KLC are opposing the bill. Awaiting committee assignment. Oppose
HB782, related to telecommunicators
Filed by Rep. Scott Lewis, R-Hartford, the bill makes changes to telecommunicator training requirements. Passed the House 94-0. Awaiting Senate committee assignment. Monitoring
LEGISLATION KACP SUPPORTS
HOUSE
HB293, related to kratom
Kratom is an herbal drug frequently sold online and in convenience stores. The bill would prohibit sales to people under 21 and provide guidelines for labeling and advertising. Filed by Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, the bill would regulate the sale and licensing of kratom. Chief Todd Kelly testified in support of the bill in committee. The bill has passed the House 87-7. Assigned to Health Services Committee. Support.
SENATE
SB11, related to juvenile justice
Filed by Sen. John Schickel, the bill requires notice to schools prior to filing of a public offense petition against a child in certain cases. Passed Senate. Assigned to House Education Committee. Support.
LEGISLATION KACP OPPOSING
SENATE
SB114, concealed carry/school buildings
Filed by Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg, the bill would modify the prohibiting of weapons on school grounds. Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Oppose.
SB115, related to federal law enforcement officers
Filed by Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg, the bill would remove the authority of delineated federal law enforcement officers to function as peace officers in Kentucky. Assigned to Senate Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee. Oppose.
LEGISLATION KACP FOLLOWING/MONITORING
HOUSE
HB782, related to telecommunicators
Filed by Rep. Scott Lewis, R-Hartford, the bill makes changes to telecommunicator training requirements. Passed House 94-0. Awaiting Senate committee assignment. Monitoring.
SENATE
SB13, relate to crisis aversion and rights retention orders.
Filed Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill, the will would allow law enforcement officers to petition a court to issue an extreme risk protection order when a respondent poses a present danger of causing serious physical injury to themselves or others through purchasing, processing or receiving a firearm, other provisions. Assigned to House Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Cabinet. Monitoring.
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. Passed out of House committee. Awaiting action by the full House. Monitoring.
SB178, related to firearms
Filed by Sen. Karen Berg, D-Louisville, and Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, the bill permits the destruction of confiscated firearms and requires the destruction if the firearm was used in the commission of a violent offense. Assigned to Senate Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee. Monitoring.
SB187, related to modified weapons
Filed by Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton, the bill provides definitions of modified weapons and provides that a dealer may not deliver a modified weapon until seven days have elapsed from the date of purchase application; also regulates the possession and buying of a modified weapon by persons under 21. Assigned to Senate Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee. Monitoring
SB190, related to firearms
Filed by Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton, the bill establishes requirements for individuals to voluntarily request inclusion on a list the prohibits the purchase or possession of firearms for specified periods and to voluntarily commit their firearms to law enforcement for safe storage or permanent surrender. Assigned to Senate Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee. Monitoring.
SB196, related to retirement
Filed by Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, the bill relates to optional retirement benefits for hazardous duty employees participating in CERS’s hybrid cash balance plans. Awaiting committee assignment. Monitoring.
LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
March 29 – April 9: Veto recess
April 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.