FRANKFORT — The Kentucky General Assembly’s 2018 session reached its halfway point
this week. While several bills have already been delivered to the governor to be
signed in to law, much of lawmakers’ work so far has focused on laying the
foundation for what’s to come in the second half of the session.
Hundreds of bills are under consideration in the legislative committee system, which
gives lawmakers a chance study bills and hear testimony from people across the state
on how proposed changes to state law will affect them. At the same time, budget
subcommittees have been extensively digging into details of the proposed state
spending plan they received from the governor last month and are considering which
changes they should make to the spending plan before it is finalized.
More than 20 bills received approval from either the full Senate or House this week
while many more received favorable votes from committees. Legislation that advanced
this week includes bills on the following topics:
* Jail security. House Bill 92 would allow jail canteen profits to be used
for the enhancement of jail safety and security. With an 89-0 vote in the House to
show agreement to the addition of an emergency clause to the legislation, the bill
now goes to the governor for his signature. It would take effect immediately upon
being signed.
* Hemp. House Concurrent Resolution 35 requests that Congress remove hemp
from the definition of marijuana in the federal Controlled Substances Act. By
allowing Kentucky farmers to use hemp to its full advantage as an agricultural crop,
HCR 35 intends to benefit Kentucky’s economy. Passing the House by a vote of 93-2,
it now goes to the Senate for consideration.
* Police protection. House Bill 193 would make it a felony to intentionally
expose a law enforcement officer to bodily fluids or bodily waste. The legislation
would carry stiffer penalties if the bodily fluids or waste carry-or could carry-a
communicable disease. Both crimes would be considered felonies under the proposal.
After being approved by the House Judiciary Committee this week, the bill now goes
to the full House for consideration.
* Eye care. House Bill 191 would require that online eye exams and
prescriptions offered in Kentucky be accompanied by a real-time visit with a
Kentucky eye care provider. The bill was passed by the House with a 90-7 vote and is
headed for the Senate for consideration.
* Organ donation. House Bill 84 would require coroners or medical examiners
to release identifying and other relevant information about a deceased person to
Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates if the person’s wish to be an organ donor is known
and the body is suitable for medical transplant or therapy. In hopes to save many
lives, House Bill 84 has received final passage with a 30-0 vote. It now goes to the
Governor for his signature.
* Alcohol. Senate Bill 110 would preserve the status quo in determining how
many liquor licenses are issued in individual cities and counties throughout
Kentucky. This measure limits the number of licenses available for retail package
liquor stores and by-the-drink sales of liquor. Passing through a Senate committee
meeting this week, it now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
If you’d like to offer feedback to state lawmakers on issues under consideration,
please call the General Assembly’s toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181.