Week 3 of the 2024 Legislative Session
The Kentucky General Assembly reconvened in Frankfort on Tuesday after observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to start the third week of the 2024 Regular Session.
This week’s notable development was the unveiling of the biennial budget proposal by the state House of Representatives. The proposed bills, House Bill (HB) 6 and HB 1, are now available for review at Bills – Legislative Research Commission. With these proposals in hand, the Senate will begin its review and formulate recommendations.
Near the end of the Senate on Thursday, I asked my colleagues to look at some of the articles and advocates’ perspectives from the world of child care to review what a lack of support in the state budget will mean for our child care industry. The ask will be significant, but this is a critical time for early childhood education in our commonwealth for multiple reasons. It influences workforce participation, economic growth, children’s health and well-being, and more. I am currently involved in developing legislative proposals that will be introduced soon. I will work to garner support for those proposals, hoping we can step up when working families and children need us most.
I will keep you updated on the pertinent details of the budget as it progresses.
There was an uptick in floor action this week as we passed several Senate bills (SB), including SB 10. This proposed measure aims to amend the Constitution of Kentucky (Section 95) by shifting elections for state constitutional officers to even-numbered years. The objective is to address voter fatigue, boost participation, enhance cost-efficiencies for local governments, and fortify the stability of government at various levels.
Despite recent bipartisan efforts to expand voting access, the 2023 general election saw an 8.7 percent decrease in turnout compared to four years prior. The amendment is anticipated to save local governments about $20 million annually and the state $1.9 million annually in those years that an election would no longer occur. Perhaps the most convincing argument favoring the measure is that voters would be given an additional year free from political campaign ads, mailers, and road signs. All indications are that voters are fatigued, as Kentucky holds elections three out of every four years. We are an outlier, with only a few other states holding odd-year elections.
If the Kentucky House of Representatives ultimately passes SB 10 and is backed by the majority of Kentucky voters, the amendment would be made to the Constitution of Kentucky. Elections for statewide offices would still occur every four years, starting after the November 2027 election. An additional year would be added to the term of officers elected that year, with the subsequent election set for 2032.
Other bills receiving approval this week include SB 24, which I co-sponsored. This bill has passed the Senate numerous years in a row but has not been approved by the state House of Representatives. It seeks to refine the landscape of managed care organizations contracted by the Department for Medicaid Services. Under its provisions, the department is now limited to engaging with no more than three such entities, a strategic move aimed at enhancing efficiency, optimizing service delivery, and saving millions for the state and those who are insured. The state currently contracts with six MCOs. By comparison, Tennessee contracts with three MCOs despite having a vastly larger population than Kentucky. I appreciate my friend and colleague, Sen. Steve Meredith’s continued commitment to making this reform. I hope this is the year we can get it across the finish line.
SB 17 also advanced through the Senate. This bill focuses on easing the regulatory burdens related to death certificates for county coroners and vital statistics. This legislative effort is designed to alleviate workloads and set realistic timelines for forensic studies, contributing to a more streamlined and effective system.
To bolster Kentucky’s bourbon and spirits industry and boost tourism, SB 62 successfully passed with a reduced passenger capacity for riverboats. The new threshold, set at 40 or more passengers, facilitates the legal service of alcoholic beverages on these vessels, supporting economic growth and enhancing the appeal of communities along Kentucky’s riverways.
Lastly, SB 63, having garnered approval, proposes a meaningful change by renaming the current Investments in Information Technology Improvement and Modernization Projects Oversight Board to the Information Technology Oversight Committee.
Find the status of legislation by calling 866-840-2835, legislative meeting information at 800-633-9650, or leaving a message for lawmakers at 800-372-7181. You can watch and follow legislative activity at KET/org/legislature and Legislature.ky.gov.
Thank you for your continued engagement in the 2024 Regular Session. It is a privilege to represent you in Frankfort. If you have any questions or comments about these or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at Danny.Carroll@LRC.ky.gov.