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Legislative Update: Senate at work advancing its 2020 legislative priorities

By JIMMY HIGDON
14th District State Senator

Friday, Jan. 17, 2020 — The 60-day legislative session is moving right along here in Frankfort as the General Assembly begins to advance 2020 legislative priorities this week.

SEN. JIMMY HIGDON

First, allow me to offer my congratulations to our newest colleague, Senator-elect Mike Nemes, who was elected with an overwhelming majority in the 38th Senate District, which encompasses Bullitt County and part of Jefferson County. I look forward to welcoming him to our caucus.

On Tuesday, Kentuckians and legislators from both sides of the aisle listened to Governor Beshear proposed policy goals and recommendations to the Kentucky General Assembly in his first State of the Commonwealth Address. The Governor also noted his legislative priorities for 2020, which included fully funding pension obligations, criminal justice reform, and plans to improve Kentucky public education, starting with a statewide teacher salary increase. As the legislature begins to prepare the biennial budget, Governor Beshear will also be delivering a budget address on January 28. Both of these addresses are customarily presented each year by the governor and serve as a beneficial element in our state’s separation of powers. We eagerly await to hear how the Governor plans to execute the ideas he has laid out.

Crafting a budget will not be an easy task. Demands placed on state government by our priorities, and other costs continue to outpace revenue growth. In the coming weeks, legislative branch staff and other resources will be utilized to help the General Assembly better determine a path forward for this year’s budgetary balancing act. Per the Kentucky Constitution, budget bills must start in the House. I will keep you informed as the Senate begins to deliberate budgetary matters in the coming weeks.

While the new administration formulates its agenda and presents it to the legislature, the majority leadership in the General Assembly is continuing to move forward with a legislative agenda supported by Kentucky voters. Committee meetings are now in full swing, as this past week legislators began discussing bills recently assigned to their respective committees.

In our first meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Education, we received a briefing on the implementation of 2019’s Senate Bill 1, the School Safety and Resiliency Act. Myself, Chairman Max Wise and fellow committee members are encouraged by the information that we were provided. I would like to thank the representatives from the Center for School Safety, Dept. of Behavior Health, Dept. of Education, and the Dept. of Criminal Justice training for their thorough report.

Senate Bill 56 (SB 56) passed unanimously out of the Health & Welfare Committee on Wednesday during its first meeting of the 2020 Session. The committee heard student testimony as well as a presentation from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. SB 56 ensures Kentucky complies with the federal minimum legal age for the sale, purchase and use of tobacco products. It also eliminates possession penalties for youth up to age 21.

Following its passage through the Licensing, Occupation, and Administrative Regulation Committee – in which I am a member – Senate Bill 11 (SB 11) passed the Senate with a vote of 26-5. SB 11 provides recourse for property owners to pursue legal action for intentional damages done to residential rental property. It would classify intentional or wanton destruction, defacement, or damage to such property as criminal mischief under Kentucky Law.

The State Senate passed Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) on Thursday. This a bill that proposes a constitutional amendment to the voters of Kentucky. If adopted, the amendment would move Kentucky’s statewide elections to even number years, in unison with Presidential elections. This would save the state $3.5 million dollars and counties $13 million dollars. It’s a fiscally responsible measure that will both alleviate voter fatigue, and increase voter engagement in the election of our state Constitutional Officers.

SB 3 and SB 11 will now head over to the House for consideration.

Finally, I would like to bring to your attention the Community Action Partnership program that is in your county. There are 23 Community Action Agencies throughout Kentucky and offer various programs, one of which is called the Weatherization Assistance Program. The program was created to reduce energy wastes and help qualifying households lessen their energy bills. Eligibility for the program is based on household income up to 200% of the current Poverty Income Guidelines. Professionally trained crews and technicians can perform in-depth energy analysis on a home to determine ways that energy consumption can be reduced.

In Casey County is the Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency. Contact that office at 270-343-4600 or visit LC-CAA.org to find out what beneficial programs you may be eligible for.

In Marion County is the Central Kentucky Community Action Council. Contact that office at 270-692-2136 or visit CKCAC.org to find out what beneficial programs you may be eligible for.

In Spencer County is the Multi-purpose Community Action Agency. Contact that office at 502-633-7162 or visit MPCAA.org to find out what beneficial programs you may be eligible for.

In Nelson County is the Central Kentucky Community Action Council. Contact that office at 270-692-2136 or visit CKCAC.org to find out what beneficial programs you may be eligible for.

As we head into the third week of the 2020 Regular Session, your input is greatly appreciated. Kentuckians have many avenues to follow the General Assembly throughout the session, including seeing legislative action in person here in Frankfort, or viewing online at KET.org/legislature.

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 (office) or (270) 692-6945 (home) or email me at Jimmy.Higdon@LRC.ky.gov. You can also review the legislature’s work online at www.legislature.ky.gov.

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