Senate moves to put ‘Marsy’s Law’ on ballot for vote

dannycarroll

By Danny Carroll
State Senator (R-Paducah)

The threat of extreme winter weather conditions caused us to call off session in Frankfort on Friday, Jan. 12, but not before we passed significant bills in the Senate earlier in the week. We hit the ground running during the second week of the 2018 Session—standing committees began to meet to discuss and pass proposed bills which then went to the Senate for a full vote.

The Senate body passed a number of bills this week beginning with Senate Bill (SB) 3, a constitutional amendment which would create a crime victims’ bill of rights, also known as “Marsy’s Law.” This bill ensures that crime victims are not forgotten in the criminal justice process. Because it is a constitutional amendment, Marsy’s Law will be put on the ballot for voters to decide on in November. As a co-sponsor of this legislation I encourage you vote for the measure.

In addition to Marsy’s Law, we passed SB 4. Senate Bill 4 is another constitutional amendment that would change elections of statewide officers, including the governor’s office, to even-numbered years. This measure will save the state and local governments millions of dollars by cutting down on election costs. It will also increase voter turnout because elections will be held in federal election years, raising awareness that elections are occurring and allowing easier access to the ballot. This is also a bill I co-sponsored and support.

Senate Bill 7 was also passed and headed to the House. This bill establishes the Kentucky Rare Disease Advisory Council and creates a Rare Disease Trust Fund to finance the operation of the Council and support rare disease research and treatment.

Friday, Jan. 12 would have been Day 9 of 60 but because we did not meet that day, we can now make up that day later in the session. We are scheduled to adjourn on April 13 but the snow day could mean we will be in session on April 14 as a makeup day.

Just as cold weather returns to the region, we returned after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend on Jan. 16 to begin the third week of the session. That same day, Governor Bevin is set to address a joint session of the General Assembly. He will use the event to present his proposed biennial budget. Passing a two-year state budget bill for each branch of state government is the General Assembly’s biggest job during these 60-day sessions that only take place in even-numbered years. This year this task is matched in importance by pension reform.

The pace in Frankfort is getting quicker and I anticipate an increase of visitors and advocates from across the Commonwealth. As always, I welcome your input on these issues and I am honored to be your voice in Frankfort.

If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at danny.carroll@lrc.ky.gov<mailto:danny.carroll@lrc.ky.gov>. You can also review the Legislature’s work online at www.lrc.ky.gov<http://www.lrc.ky.gov>.

Sen. Danny Carroll (R-Paducah) represents the 2nd District encompassing Ballard, Carlisle, Marshall and McCracken counties.