Bill Tracker

KFTC's legislative issues during the

2019 Kentucky General Assembly

The session began January 8 and new bills may be introduced until mid-February. KFTC will monitor bills related to our platform. If you’d like to take action on any of the bills listed in the tracker, you can contact your legislators at 800-372-7181. Operators will help you find your legislator and it’s very simple to leave a message.

To read a bill or get additional information, click on the bill number in the Summary column.

You can get additional resources for taking action by visiting KFTC's General Assembly page. Here you will find resources for talking with your legislator, reporting back what you learn, information on lobby days, and more.

Finally, please like us on Facebook. That’s where we will provide the quickest, latest updates on important bills that begin to move or need action.

KFTC Supports Black Lung Benefits House Bill 75 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Angie Hatton, Robert Goforth & Travis Brenda	Summary House Bill 75 would repeal language in the 2018 worker comp law limiting who can perform evaluations in occupational disease claims; this law has been used to make it much harder for miners with black lung disease to qualify for compensation.	Additional Information HB 75 is assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee. Learn more about the crisis in black lung in Fixing What's Broke.
KFTC Supports Clean Energy Opportunity Act House Bill 213 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Mary Lou Marzian + 3 cosponsors	Summary House Bill 213 would require utilities to use increasing amounts of renewable energy, take energy-efficiency measures and implement energy-efficiency programs. House Bill 213 handout	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports the development of a clean energy economy in Kentucky. HB 213 would be an important step toward implementing the Empower Kentucky Plan. HB 213 is assigned the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee.
KFTC Supports Statewide Fairness House Bill 164 Senate Bill 166 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Mary Lou Marzian + 18 others; Sen. McGarvey + others	Summary House Bill 164 and Senate Bill 166 would expand anti-discrimination protections to Kentuckians based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment, public accommodations and financial transactions.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform opposes and condemns discrimination. HB 164 is assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. SB 166 is assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
KFTC Supports Death Penalty Abolition House Bill 115 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Chad McCoy + 15 others	Summary House Bill 115 would abolish the death penalty and create a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. Here's more information from the Kentucky Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports the abolition of the death penalty. HB 115 is assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
KFTC Supports Public Utilities House Bill 16 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Angie Hatton & Chris Harris	Summary House Bill 16 would establish pro-consumer provisions to limit fixed costs charged by utilities; these fixed costs hurt low-income ratepayers and disincentivize energy efficiency, reduced energy usage, and rooftop solar. The bill would also require the PSC to take into account if proposed rate changes are "affordable" to Kentuckians when deciding on utility rate cases, and would mandate a periodic management audit of all monopoly utilities, excluding rural electric cooperatives.	Additional Information When dealing with utilities, the Public Service Commission (PSC) is required to determine that the utility's rates are "fair and reasonable," and the PSC does that by looking at all of the utility's expenses and then setting a rate that guarantees utilities a 12% profit. There is no provision in the law for the PSC to take into account whether customers in the service territory can afford that rate. This law would add setting "rates that include affordability and balancing of interests of various parties affected by the rate" to their mandate. This bill sets a method for determining what the fixed rate should be. HB 16 is assigned to the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee.
KFTC Supports Minimum wage House Bill 182 Senate Bill 51 Bill Sponsor(s): Sens. Reginald Thomas & Gerald Neal; Rep. Mary Lou Marzian	Summary Senate Bill 51 and House Bill 182 both would increase the minimum wage to $15/hour though some of the particulars and other provisions in the bills differ. SB 51 would increase the the minimum wage incrementally until it reaches $15 by 2026; and the wage for tipped workers to $4.90/hour by 2022; and would allow local governments to pass a higher minimum wage. HB 182 would achieve the $15 rate by 2023 and also has provisions to prevent wage discrimination based on sex, race or national origin. Here's information about a minimum wage increase from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.	Additional Information SB 51 is assigned to the Senate Appropriations & Revenue Committee. HB 182 is assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee. Similar bills in recent legislative sessions have not received a hearing in this committee. KFTC's platform calls for a living wage for all Kentuckians.
KFTC Supports Ban the Box House Bill 90 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. George Brown	Summary House Bill 90 would make it unlawful to require a job applicant to disclose their prior criminal history as part of the initial job application.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform opposes discrimination based on current or former incarceration status. HB 90 is assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee.
KFTC Supports Ban Conversion Therapy House Bill 211 Senate Bill 248 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Lisa Willner + 17 other Democrats	Summary House Bill 211 and Senate Bill 248 would would ban "conversion therapy" for minors.	Additional Information HB 211 is assigned to the House Health & Family Services Committee. SB 248 is assigned to the Senate Licensing, Occupations & Administrative Regulations Committee.
KFTC Supports Youth Voting in Local Elections Senate Bill 48 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Reggie Thomas	Summary Senate Bill 48 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow 16- and 17-year-old U.S. citizens to vote in school board and local elections; this would go before Kentucky voters in the November 2020 election.	Additional Information SB 48 is assigned to the Senate State & Local Government Committee.
KFTC Supports Extended Voting Hours & Days Senate Bill 63 Bill Sponsor(s): Sens. Reginald Thomas & Gerald Neal	Summary Senate Bill 63 would allow in-person early voting between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.	Additional Information SB 63 is assigned to the Senate State & Local Government Committee.
KFTC Supports Extended Voting Hours Senate Bill 134 Bill Sponsor(s): Sens. Adams, McGarvey, Alvarado, Thayer	Summary Senate Bill 134 would extend voting hours until 8 p.m.	Additional Information SB 134 is assigned to the Senate State & Local Government Committee.
KFTC Supports Election Day holiday Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Charles Booker	Summary House Resolution 85 urges Congress to adopt Election Day, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, as a national holiday.	Additional Information HR is assigned to the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.
KFTC Supports Officer Shooting Review House Bill 18 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Attica Scott & Kelly Flood	Summary House Bill 18 would establish an Officer Shooting Review Board to investigate any shooting of an individual by a law enforcement officer or any deadly incident involving law enforcement	Additional Information HB 18 is assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
KFTC Supports Jail Fatality Review House Bill 264 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Attica Scott & Susan Westrom	Summary House Bill 264 would establish the External Detainee Fatality Review Panel to conduct comprehensive reviews of all fatalities in county or regional jails.	Additional Information HB 264 is assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
KFTC Supports Repeal Charter Schools House Bill 17 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Attica Scott + 22 other Democrats	Summary House Bill 17 (and the similar House Bill 14) would repeal legislation establishing charter schools in Kentucky.	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. Both bills have been assigned to the House Education Committee.
KFTC Supports Landfill monitoring House Bill 222 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Maddox, Pratt and Hart	Summary House Bill 222 directs state agencies to make quarterly reports to local solid waste coordinators and fiscal courts on complaints, investigations and actions against solid waste facilities.	Additional Information HB 222 is assigned to the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee.
KFTC Supports Criminalize Animal Torture House Bill 25 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. W. Thomas	Summary House Bill 25 would make torture of a dog or cat a Class D felony and also increase penalties for people who harm animals as a part of domestic violence against a person.	Additional Information HB 25 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
KFTC Supports "Klaire's Law" House Bill 98 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Diane St. Onge	Summary House Bill 98, otherwise known as 'Klaire's Law,' would strengthen penalties for cruelty against horses.	Additional Information HB 98 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
KFTC Supports Criminalize Sexual Violence Against Animals Senate Bill 67 Bill Sponsor(s): Sens. J. Adams & D. Thayer	Summary Senate Bill 67 would criminalize sexual violence committeed against animals.	Additional Information Kentucky is one of five states where sexual assault of an animal is legal. SB 67 has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
KFTC Supports Hot Car Bill House Bill 36 Senate Bill 12 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Bratcher, Sen. Carroll + 3 others	Summary House Bill 36 and Senate Bill 12, otherwise known as "Hot Car Bills," would protect animals by granting civil immunity people who break into a car to save pets' and animals' lives. If people make a good-faith effort to save animals, they would not be reqired to pay for damages to vehicles.	Additional Information SB 12 has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. HB 36 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
KFTC Supports End Diaper Tax House Bill 24 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Attica Scott + 20 others	Summary House Bill 24 would exempt child and adult diapers, breast pumps, baby wipes, and other baby products from sales tax.	Additional Information HB 24 has been assigned to the Appropriations & Revenue Committee.
KFTC Supports End Tampon Tax House Bill 23 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Attica Scott + 21 others	Summary House Bill 23 would exempt feminine hygiene products from sales tax.	Additional Information HB 23 has been assigned to the Appropriations & Revenue Committee.
KFTC Opposes Anti-rooftop solar Senate Bill 100 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Brandon Smith	Summary Senate Bill 100 is the extreme anti-solar bill designed to smash solar businesses and shatter Kentucky's opportunity to create a clean energy economy. Utilities failed to pass the bill the last two legislative sessions but appear to have lined up Republican leaders for passage in 2019. Floor amendment 1 was added in the House and makes several significant improvements to the bill but falls short of making it a good bill. Follow SB 100 on KFTC's action page. Our current action is to ask senators to accept the changes to SB 100 made by the House.	Additional Information On February 13 morning, SB 100 quickly passed the Senate Natural Resources & Energy Committee (see how committee members voted), was placed at the last minute onto the Senate agenda that afternoon (after a spur-of-the moment Rules Committee meeting), and passed 23-12 on the Senate floor (see how senators voted). Senate Republican leaders had the bill on the fast track to passage even before it was assigned to a committee earlier in the week. This maneuvering prevented a favorable amendment from Sen. Reggie Thomas from even being considered on the Senate floor. That same afternoon, the bill was received in the House, and House Republicans waived the 3-day posting rule so it could be heard in the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee the next morning. It was and passed 10-4 (see how committee members voted). Six amendments were offered on the House floor; two were considered and one was adopted. SB 100 then passed the full House, 71-24, on February 15 (see how House members voted). SB 100 will be returned to the Senate for concurrence with or rejection of the House amendment.
KFTC Opposes Public education funding House Bill 205 Senate Bill 118 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. John Carney + others;	Summary House Bill 205 and Senate Bill 118 would re-direct public education funds to private and charter schools. These bills are presented in the context of school vouchers for private schol students. However these vouchers could funnel tens of millions of dollars away from our public schools every year and is a back-door way of funding charters schools. The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy explains: "Direct public spending on private schools through vouchers is prohibited by Kentucky’s constitution. Accomplishing the same purpose through the tax code instead with an almost 100 percent tax credit seemingly circumvents this prohibition, which is why these programs, currently existing in 17 other states, are also called “back door vouchers” or “neo-vouchers.”	Additional Information HB 118 is assigned to the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee. SB 118 is assigned to the Senate Appropriations & Revenue Committee.
KFTC Opposes Anti-sanctuary cities House Bill 38 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Lynn Bechler + 4 others	Summary House Bill 38 would require local law enforcement agencies and KSP to enforce immigration laws; prohibit local governments from adopting sanctuary policies; withhold state funding; prohibit educational institutions from enrolling, employing, or contracting with undocumented folks; require post-secondary educational institutions to keep records of immigration status; withhold state funding.	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. HB 38 is assigned to the House State Government Committee.
KFTC Opposes Anti-abortion Senate Bill 9 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Matt Castlen + other Republicans	Summary Senate Bill 9 would require a person who intends to perform an abortion to determine whether the fetus has a detectable fetal heartbeat; prohibit a person from performing an abortion after the detection of a fetal	Additional Information KFTC’s platform calls for quality, affordable, comprehensive health care including … reproductive health services and access to abortion … for all Kentuckians. SB 9 passed the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection Committee and the full Senate, 31-6, on February 14. It has been received in the House. See how senators voted.
KFTC Opposes Anti-abortion Senate Bill 50 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Robby Mills + other Republicans	Summary Senate Bill 50 would require a report when drugs intended to end a pregnancy are dispensed; make report public.	Additional Information SB 50 was approved by the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee on January 10 (see how committee members voted). The full Senate passed SB 50 the following morning, 30-6 (see how senators voted). The bill is not before the House Health and Family Services Committee.

Bills to Watch
On Our Radar Forcible Entry House Bill 297 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. J. Petrie	Summary House Bill 297 would allow proceedings for forcible entry or detainer to include claims for damages and back rent.	Additional Information The Forcible Entry and Detainer process is an expedited process to get possession of real estate. This bill adds getting money from renters to that process. Presently, there are processes for monetary judgements between landlords and tenants. Those processes include the ability for renters to respond and file counter claims. This bill would remove these normal processes.
On Our Radar Foster Care & Adoption Discrimination House Bill 160 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. J. Petrie + 5 others	Summary House Bill 160 would essentially legalize discrimination in adoption decisions. A religious organization or an individual employed by a religious organization while acting in the scope of that employment cannot be required to provide foster care or adoption services to a person if the action would cause the organization or individual "to violate a sincerely held religious belief."
On Our Radar Call for a Federal Constitutional Convention Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. J. Miller	Summary House Joint Resolution 87 (HJR 87) would add Kentucky to the list of states to get to the 34 needed to open up the U.S. Constitution for change. The resolution is directed at "fiscal restraint" and "limiting the powers and jurisdiction of the federal government" – which basically means that they could propose about any changes to our constitution.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports a healthy democracy. A Constitutional Convention would be a huge threat to our democracy. A Constitutional Convention under Article V of the US Constitution is unprescedented. To learn more about this issue, you can like and follow the Kentucky Constitutional Convention Watch page on facebook. HJR 87 has been assigned to the House Elections, Constit. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.
On Our Radar Accessible Renewable Energy House Bill 146 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. R. Meeks	Summary House Bill 146 would allow for "third party ownership" of solar or wind installations and removes the current capacity limit on renewable energy generation for those systems. The bill also sets standards for how the Public Service Commission (PSC) can interact with, and regulate, this third-party ownership.	Additional Information The implications of this bill are that it would greatly expand public access to renewable energy. Individuals, schools, churches, and other institutions could all access solar energy and lowered bills without paying the high upfront cost of a solar installation, by leasing energy from the third-party owner.
On Our Radar Repeal Youth Incarceration Bill House Bill 50 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Attica Scott	Summary House Bill 50 would repeal portions of the problematic "Youth Incarceration" Bill that became law during the 2018 legislative session.	Additional Information The 2018 Youth Incarceration bill layered on the punishment against young people who are alleged to have ever had a gang association. It promoted racial profiling and focuses on punishment rather than prevention.
On Our Radar Medical Marijuana House Bill 136 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Diane St. Onge + 6 others	Summary House Bill 136 would establish requirements for the cultivation, production, processing, distribution, and sale of medical cannabis. It would also restrict medical cannabis to certain patients with qualifying debilitating conditions.	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.
On Our Radar School Security House Bill 1 Senate Bill 1 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Carney & Sen. Wise + 45 others	Summary House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1 would establish requirements for school safety and security. These bills include a variety of regulations, including school security risk assements and requirements and regulations for law enforcement.
On Our Radar Hate Crimes and Sentencing House Bill 145 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. R. Meeks	Summary House Bill 145 would create the offense of hate crime and determine when a judge may determine during sentencing whether a crime was committed as a result of a hate crime.
On Our Radar Hate Crimes House Bill 129 Senate Bill 44 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. R. Meeks & Sen. G. Neal	Summary House Bill 129 and Senate Bill 44 would create and outline the offense of hate crimes.
On Our Radar Voting Rights House Bill 91 Senate Bill 90 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Brown & Booker, Sens. Neal & McGarvey	Summary House Bill 91 and Senate Bill 90 (as well as Senate Bill 91 and Senate Bill 93) would restore voting rights to folks formerly convicted of a felony, each include a variety of exclusions and regulations.	Additional Information KFTC is working to restore voting rights to folks who have been convicted of a felony in their past through advancing a clean restoration bill without exclusions. To learn more about the movement to restore voting rights in Kentucky as well as KFTC's work on this issue, and to connect with Kentuckians taking action for the restoration of voting rights, contact Dave Newton at: dave@kftc.org
On Our Radar School Councils Senate Bill 3 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. John Schickel + other Republicans	Summary Senate Bill 3 would make a variety of changes to the regulations that govern the ways that school boards and school councils relate to one another.	Additional Information School councils in Kentucky are composed of parents, teachers and administrators. They are responsible for establishing school policies that create positive learning environments for students. School councils ensure that the voices of students, parents and teachers are heard in schools' decision-making processes. SB 3 would dilute the voices of students, parents and teachers in decision making and shift more control to district administrators.
On Our Radar Limit Death Penalty Senate Bill 17 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Julie Raque Adams + 3 others	Summary Senate Bill 17 would prohibit application of the death penalty if the accused has a diagnosis of serious mental illness.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports the abolition of the death penalty. SB 17 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 7 and next goes to the full Senate.
On Our Radar Recreational Marijuana Senate Bill 80 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Dan Seum	Summary Senate Bill 80 would legalize marijuana use and possession for adults 21 years old and above and establish regulations.
On Our Radar Taxing Pension Income House Bill 15 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. John Blanton + 3 others	Summary House Bill 15 (and House Bill 58) would increase the pension income exclusion from $31,110 to $41,110.
On Our Radar Paid Maternity Leave House Bill 48 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. McKenzie Cantrell & Joni Jenkins	Summary House Bill 48 would require employer with 50 or more employees to provide six weeks of paid maternity leave for an employee who has been employed for at least one year.
On Our Radar Paid Sick Leave House Bill 47 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. McKenzie Cantrell & Joni Jenkins	Summary House Bill 47 would require employers to provide earned paid sick leave to employees.
On Our Radar Surprise Medical Billing House Bill 138 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. John Sims & Cherlynn Stevenson	Summary House Bill 138 would limit patients' financial liability for uninteneded out-of-network medical care.
On Our Radar Early Voting Senate Bill 63 Bill Sponsor(s): Sens. Reggie Thomas & Gerald Neal	Summary Senate Bill 63 would allow in-person early voting on the three Saturdays before any election.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform supports policies that facilitate full democratic participation.
On Our Radar Kentucky Pregnant Workers Act Senate Bill 18 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Alice Kerr + 3 others	Summary Senate Bill 18, the Kentucky Pregnant Workers Act, would ensure that pregnant workers are given fair treatment on the job and would promote equal opportunity in the workplace.	Additional Information Read a Health Impact Assessment about SB 18 from the Center for Health Equity in Louisville. one-page handout full report
On Our Radar Payday Loans Senate Bill 43 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Dennis Parrett	Summary Senate Bill 43 would limit interest rates on deferred deposit transactions (payday loans) at 36%, among other restrictions.

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