2018 Bill Tracker | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

2018 Bill Tracker

KFTC Supports

Tax Reform

House Bill 29
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Jim Wayne + 11 cosponsors
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports creating a just economy that sustains communities, families and individuals, and establishing an equitable, fair and progressive tax structure.

KFTC's HB 29 Handout.

KFTC Supports

Voting Rights

House Bill 376
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. George Brown
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform calls for restoring voting rights to former felons.

See our HB 376 handout.

KFTC Supports

Clean Energy Opportunity Act

House Bill 196
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Mary Lou Marzian + 3 cosponsors
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports the development of a clean energy economy in Kentucky. HB 196 could be an important step toward implementing the Empower Kentucky Plan.

House Bill 196 handout

KFTC Supports

Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act

House Bill 550
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. McKenzie Cantrell
Additional Information

KFTC's platform recognizes that good health is determined by a wide range of social and economic factors, including housing. We support quality, affordable, accessible housing for all persons. We demand just housing policies that protect the rights of renters to be treated fairly and encourage resident involvement in decision-making processes.

URLTA handout

KFTC Supports

Pipeline re-purposing

Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Rick Girdler
Additional Information

The KFTC platform oppose the construction of new pipelines, or the repurposing of existing pipelines, to carry oil, fracked gas or its by-products, tar sands oil or any toxic substances because of the proven vulnerability of pipelines to leaks and explosions that can adversely affect residents.

KFTC Supports

Caps on utility profits

House Bill 401
Senate Bill 147
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Ray Jones, Rep. John Blanton
KFTC Supports

RECLAIM Act

Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. Angie Hatton & Chris Fugate
Additional Information

KFTC's platform maintains that since clean air, water and land are every Kentuckian’s right, KFTC supports protecting and preserving a clean environment and protecting health and bio-diversity by working for stronger regulations and better enforcement.

KFTC Supports

Statewide Fairness

House Bill 195
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, Sen. Morgan McGarvey
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform opposes and condemns discrimination.

KFTC Supports

Minimum Wage Increase

House Bill 303
Senate Bill 17
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, Sen. Reggie Thomas
Additional Information

KFTC's platform calls for a living wage for all Kentuckians.

Here's more information about a minimum wage increase from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.

KFTC Supports

Local mimimum wage

House Bill 393
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. McKenzie Cantrell
KFTC Supports

Death Penalty Abolition

House Bill 155
Senate Bill 54
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Chad McCoy, Sen. Gerald Neal
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports the abolition of the death penalty.

Here's more information from the Kentucky Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

KFTC Supports

Ban the Box

House Bill 28
Senate Bill 172
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. George Brown, Sen. Gerald Neal
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform opposes discrimination based on current or former incarceration status.

KFTC Supports

Expungement

House Bill 377
Senate Bill 185
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. George Brown, Darryl Owens; Sen. Gerald Neal
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports working toward a more fair justice system, and programs that promote the positive re-entry of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated prisoners into our communities.

KFTC Supports

Restore Prevailing Wage

House Bill 233
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Mary Lou Marzian
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports the right to a living wage for all Kentuckians

KFTC Supports

Workers' Rights

House Bill 237
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. McKenzie Cantrell + 14 cosponsors
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports the right of workers to organize and the right to collective bargaining.

KFTC Supports

Early Voting

Senate Bill 14
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Reggie Thomas
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform supports policies that facilitate full democratic participation.

KFTC Supports

Medical Marijuana

House Bill 166
Senate Bill 118
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. John Sims, Sen. Stephen West
Additional Information

The KFTC platform supports the legalization of production, sale and consumption of cannabis and cannabis-based products for medical and recreational use, and amnesty of anyone currently experiencing legal ramifications of cannabis related charges. We support policies that restrict the monopolization of cannabis by corporate entities.

KFTC Supports

Repeal "Blue Lives Matter"

House Bill 181
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Attica Scott
Additional Information

KFTC's platform affirms that we will work toward a more fair justice system not mired in discrimination.

KFTC Supports

Repeal Marriage Amendment

House Bill 179
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Attica Scott
Additional Information

This is a basic civil rights issue and would make the state constitutional consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriages.

KFTC Supports

Earned Income Tax Credit

Senate Bill 180
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Morgan McGarvey
KFTC Supports

Repeal charter schools

House Bill 180
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Attica Scott, Rep. Rick Nelson
Additional Information

KFTC's platform calls for a system of high-quality public education, including pre-school through higher education, that is accessible and affordable for all Kentuckians. Charter schools take resources from public education and do not serve all students.

KFTC Supports

Campaign Contribution Limits

Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Mary Lou Marzian
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports campaign spending limits and public financing of elections to reduce the amount spent on elections and the power of big money contributors.

KFTC Opposes

Net metering

House Bill 227
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. Jim Gooch, Larry Brown, Matt Castlen, Sal Santoro, Jeff Greer, Brian Lender
Additional Information

KFTC's platform calls for energy policies that promote the development of community-scale, locally owned renewable energy sources, create local jobs, and help low-wealth households, enterprises, and communities to access energy efficiency measures and clean energy solutions. This bill attempts to do just the opposite. HB 227 would effectively end net-metering as we know it, also hurting Kentucky's independent solar installers.

KFTC Opposes

Bevin Budget

House Bill 200
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Steve Rudy
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform supports funding effective and efficient community services through an equitable, fair and progressive tax structure. HB 200 falls well short of this goal.

KFTC Opposes

Public pension system

Senate Bill 1
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Joe Bowen
Additional Information

On March 29, Republican House leaders re-wrote SB 151 into a 291-page pension bill. They rushed it through the House State Government Committee, a vote on the House floor (it passed 49-45) and finally a vote on the Senate floor (it passed 22-15) all in a matter of a few hours. Most legislators voted on the bill without having read it. See how legislators voted on the SB 151 after it became the pension bill.

KFTC Opposes

"Bathroom Bill"

House Bill 326
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. David Hale
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform supports affirming people's gender identities and gender expressions and opposes discrimination.

KFTC Opposes

Marriage discrimination

House Bill 372
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Jason Petrie + 37 Republicans
Additional Information

The KFTC platform condemns and opposes discrimination, oppression and harassment of all people by public or private individuals or institutions based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, familial status and other defining characteristics.

KFTC Opposes

Call for a Federal Constitutional Convention

Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Regina Huff, Rep. Scott Wells
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports a healthy democracy. A Constitutional Convention would be a huge threat to our democracy.

HJR 81/HJR 119 handout

KFTC Opposes

Anti-sanctuary cities

House Bill 240
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. Lynn Bechler, Brandon Reed
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports the right of residents who are undocumented to be treated with the respect and dignity that all human beings are entitled to. We also support open pathways to citizenship for people who are undocumented.

KFTC Opposes

Workers' Compensation

House Bill 2
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Adam Koenig
Additional Information

HB 2 was approved 15-7-1 by the House Economic Development and Workforce Investment Committee on February 15, and by the full house, 55-39, on February 21. See how House members voted.

An amended HB 2 was passed by the Senate, 23-14, on March 22. The House concurred with the Senate changes by a 55-39 votes on March 27.

KFTC Opposes

Wage Discrimination

Senate Bill 35
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. John Schickel
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports the right to a living wage for all Kentuckians; we oppose wage discrimination.

SB 35 was passed by the Senate on January 29 by a 19-16 vote. See how they voted.

KFTC Opposes

Energy subsidies

Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. John Blanton
Additional Information

The KFTC platform calls for energy policies that promote the development of community-scale, locally owned renewable energy sources, create local jobs and help low-wealth households, enterprises and communities to access energy efficiency measures and clean energy solutions.

KFTC Opposes

Voter ID

House Bill 215
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. Jerry Tipton, Kim King
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform supports policies that facilitate full democratic participation.

KFTC Opposes

Renters' rights

House Bill 378
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Melinda Prunty
KFTC Opposes

Plastic Bags Ban

Senate Bill 82
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Mike WIlson
Additional Information

The city of Louisville has considered a local ban on plastic bags, and Sen. Wilson's bill intends to undermine that local authority.

KFTC Opposes

State constitutional convention

House Bill 76
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Phil Moffett
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports a healthy democracy. A state constitutional convention would be a huge threat to Kentucky's democratic government.

KFTC Opposes

Free Speech limits

House Bill 53
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. C. Wesley Morgan
KFTC Opposes

Youth Incarceration

House Bill 169
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. R. Benvenuti, C. Morgan
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports a transition from our current punitive justice system to a more restorative system that honors the inherent dignity of all individuals. We oppose the inappropriate use of police powers, call for an immediate end to the mass incarceration of African Americans and other people of color, and the practices by which mass incarceration is currently implemented.
Read – Fact Sheet: HB 169 'Gang' Bill is Not an Evidence-Based Approach

KFTC Opposes

Bodily fluids

House Bill 193
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Stan Lee
KFTC Opposes

Confederate statues

House Bill 54
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. C. Wesley Morgan
Bills to Watch

Wage Discrimination

Senate Bill 99
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Morgan McGarvey
Additional Information

KFTC's platform opposes wage discrimination based on gender, race, ability, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigration status, or any other defining characteristic.

Limit Death Penalty

Senate Bill 107
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Julie Raque Adams
Additional Information

KFTC supports the abolition of the death penalty.
SB 107 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 1 but appears to have been stopped by Senate leaders.

Paid sick leave

House Bill 182
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. McKenzie Cantrell

Paid maternity leave

House Bill 197
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. James Kay and others

Voting Hours

Senate Bill 47
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Julie Raque Adams
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform supports policies that facilitate full democratic participation.

Constitutional Convention

House Bill 282
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Scott Wells

Pay Equity

House Bill 297
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. Jim Wayne, Mary Lou Marzian

Tuition tax credits

House Bill 134
Senate Bill 36
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. John Carney, Sen. Ralph Alvarado
Additional Information

KFTC's platform calls for a system of high-quality public education, including pre-school through higher education, that is accessible and affordable for all Kentuckians.

Sex Education

Senate Bill 71
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Stephen Meredith
Additional Information

SB 71 passed the Senate, 32-5, on January 25. See how senators voted.

Pregnant Workers' Rights

House Bill 320
Senate Bill 38
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr, Rep. Chris Harris
Additional Information

SB 38 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 8.

See how committee members voted.

Medical billing

Senate Bill 79
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Ralph Alvarado

Class D felonies

House Bill 126
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Attica Scott

Three Strikes

House Bill 60
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Gerald Watkins
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform supports a transition from our current punitive justice system to a more restorative system that honors the inherent dignity of all individuals.

Drug testing

House Bill 35
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. C. Wesley Morgan

Terrorism

Senate Bill 57
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Max Wise
Additional Information

SB 57 passed the Senate 38-0 on February 1.

Gun safety

House Bill 31
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Jim Wayne
Additional Information

KFTC's platform calls for responsible gun ownership to address the problem of gun violence.

Conceal Carry

House Bill 36
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. C. Wesley Morgan
Additional Information

KFTC's platform calls for responsible gun ownership to address the problem of gun violence.

Conversion therapy

House Bill 258
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps Jim Wayne & Mary Lou Marzian

Guns on campus

House Bill 210
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. Tim Moore, C. Wesley Morgan

Payday lending

House Bill 317
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Myron Dossett