Eleven interim joint committees and subcommittees met during the first week of this year’s legislative interim, with discussions ranging from an update on state revenue to the implementation of a new program aimed at modernizing car, truck, and boat licensing and titling. As a member of both the Interim Joint Committee on Transportation and the Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture, the work that myself and my colleagues are doing during this period is critical to preparing for the upcoming session and many of the issues you see us working on between now and December will evolve into legislation when we convene the 2025 Regular Session on January 7.
While I am including a brief overview of the committee’s work in this week’s update, more information can be found on the individual committee page at legislature.ky.gov. You can also watch meetings – both live and recorded – on the legislature’s YouTube page, @KYLRC Committee Meetings.
IJC on Agriculture: Members received a presentation from the Kentucky Agricultural Council regarding the agency’s Strategic Roadmap, which is aimed increasing jobs and economic investment in agriculture. According to the presentation, the council worked with over 120 participants to identify the industry’s needs. Specifically, members of the committee discussed the importance of addressing food insecurity and mental health for farmers in Kentucky.
IJC on Appropriations and Revenue: Lawmakers heard from the Legislative Research Commission on the history and trends of general fund appropriations and revenue as well as discussing revenue measures enacted in the 2024 Regular Session. Members also heard from the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs on the USA Cares Appropriation.
IJC on Education: Members received updates from Kentucky State University, the Office of Adult Education, and the Kentucky Department of Education. Kentucky State University gave the committee discussed their progress toward meeting the requirements of HB 250 from 2022. This measure was passed to improve the finances and operation of the university. The Office of Adult Education provided an overview of their mission. Finally, the Department of Education presented on High Quality Instructional Resources and how KDE develops curriculum and resource recommendations for Kentucky’s 171 school districts.
IJC on Judiciary: Lawmakers discussed and heard testimony about HB 67, HB 178, and HB 599 all which were brought before the committee during the 2024 Regular Session. HB 67 is a measure designed to protect children from sex offenders by increasing the distance a sex offender can be from a high school, middle school, elementary school, preschool, publicly owned or leased playground, or licensed day care facility from 1,000 feet to 3,000 feet. HB 178 is a measure designed to compensate the wrongfully convicted. Currently, Kentucky is 1 of only 13 states that has not does not compensate the wrongfully convicted. If a claimant can prove he or she was wrongfully convicted, the claimant will receive $65,000 for each year of imprisonment and could earn an additional $25,000 for each additional year served on parole, post incarceration supervision, or each year the claimant had to register as sex offender. Claimants are also eligible to receive health care, counseling, housing assistance, and personal financial literacy assistance. Additionally, claimants will receive a certificate of innocence and have their records sealed and expunged. HB 599 is a measure designed to better protect public servants and the public at large from destructive devices and booby trap devices, which are defined in-depth in the proposed bill. Additionally, this measure lays out the parameters for first degree and second-degree criminal possession of a destructive device or booby trap device.
IJC on Natural Resources and Environment: Members heard from the Kentucky Public Service Commission regarding the current state of our commonwealth’s energy prices as well as what we can expect in the near future. Gas prices are 60% lower than what they were during this same period in 2022, the United States is continuing to export mass amounts of natural gas abroad, and coal continues to be the most reliable supplier for Kentucky’s energy needs. Members also heard from industrial utility customers such as Nucor Steel and Toyota Motors regarding their concerns about changes in the energy environment and how certain federal regulations and initiatives may affect the reliability and efficiency of their operations.
IJC on Transportation: Legislators heard from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet regarding the implementation of a new system used by county clerks to process car, truck, and boat registrations, titling, and other vehicle-related transactions. The program, KAVIS, replaces another system that dates back to 1978. While overall the implementation has gone well, lawmakers expressed concerns about several parts, including the backlog in titling - including rebuilt titles. The delays are a hardship for constituents and, according to testimony, are being addressed.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at amy.neighbors@lrc.ky.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
