Bill Tracker

KFTC's legislative issues during the

2020 Kentucky General Assembly

The 2020 Kentucky General Assembly began on January 7 and adjourned on April 15, meeting for only 53 of the originally scheduled 60 days (reducing its schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic). KFTC monitored legislation throughout the session related to our platform. If you’d like to express your opinion on any of the bills listed in the tracker, contact your legislators at 800-372-7181. Operators will help you find your legislator and it’s very simple to leave a message. The Message Line stays open throughout the year, Monday-Friday.

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 Restore Voting Rights House Bill 6 Bill Sponsor(s): C. Booker, C. Stevenson	Summary House Bill 6 proposed amending the Kentucky Constitution to restore voting rights to those who have a felony conviction once their sentence is completed. It would send the amendment to Kentucky voters for ratification. KFTC HB 6 Handout	Additional Information HB 6 was a clean version of the Voting Rights bill with no exclusions based on the kinds of felonies. Everyone would get their right to vote after they’ve completed their prison time, probation, and/or parole. KFTC works to restore voting rights for folks who have a felony conviction in their past without exception. Many of the provisions in HB 6 were included in a House Elections & Constitutional Amendments Committee substitute to Senate Bill 62, which had already passed the Senate and made it as far as the House floor. However, House GOP leaders did not call SB 62for a vote. 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, contact Dave Newton at: dave@kftc.org
KFTC Supports Restoration of Voting Rights Senate Bill 62 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Jimmy Higdon	Summary As originally introduced, Senate Bill 62 proposed to allow the legislature to decide at some point in the future whether to give some people their right to vote back, though with numerous restrictions. Almost all of the people who possibly could get back the right to vote that way already got back their right to vote through Governor Beshear's Executive Action. A committee substitute approved by the House Elections & Constitutional Amendments Committee, 15-0, on March 12, improved the bill in significant ways. This House committee substitute provided for automatic restoration of voting rights with only a couple of exclusions for voter fraud and treason, and voting rights restoration would be automatic and immediate after completion of sentence, probation and parole. There is a 5-year waiting period for the restoration of all other civil rights, such as serving on a jury, holding public office, etc.	Additional Information KFTC supports a "clean" voting rights bill (such as HB 6) that excludes no one and includes no waiting period. SB 62, as originally filed and KFTC opposed, was approved by the Senate State & Local Government Committee on February 19 (see committee vote tally), and by the full Senate, 29-7, on February 27 (see Senate vote tally). On March 12, a committee substitute (see column to the left) to SB 62 was approved by the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. However, House GOP leaders did not bring the bill to a vote before the full House before the session adjourned.
KFTC Supports Tax Reform House Bill 416 Bill Sponsor(s): L. Willner + 19 others	Summary House Bill 416 included a broad ranging tax reforms that to require corporations and the wealthy to pay their fair share of Kentucky's taxes. In this way, Kentucky's budget would be able to provide for goods and services all of our state's communities depend on. Learn more about the variety of provisions contained in this bill in this blog post from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.	Additional Information House Bill 416 was assigned to the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Supports Study Renewable Energy Bill Sponsor(s): T. Bojanowski, M. Marzian, C. Cantrell	Summary House Joint Resolution 91 would have directed the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet to study renewable portfolio standards and make recommendations based on its findings.	Additional Information HJR 91 was assigned to the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the resolution.
KFTC Supports Statewide Fairness House Bill 225 Bill Sponsor(s): M. Marzian, P. Minter, M. Cantrell, L. Willner	Summary House Bill 225 would have expand anti-discrimination protections to Kentuckians based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment, public accommodations and financial transactions.	Additional Information House Bill 225 was assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Supports Declare Emergency in Martin Co Water Crisis Bill Sponsor(s): C. Harris	Summary House Resolution 122 asked the governor to declare a state of emergency in Martin County due to the ongoing drinking water crisis. If the governor declares an emergency, new funds could be freed up to use in efforts to address the crisis.	Additional Information HR 122 was assigned to the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the resolution.
KFTC Supports Wage Bonds for Mining Permits Senate Bill 27 Bill Sponsor(s): J. Turner, C. Embry Jr., D. Harper Angel	Summary Senate Bill 27 would have prohibited the approval of mining permit applications for coal companies that are not compliant with the wage performance bonding requirements in state law. Penalties collected for violations of this requirement would be paid to employees harmed by the employer's failure to post the required performance bond. As we saw over the summer when Blackjewel declared bankruptcy, the state of Kentucky didn't enforce the already existing bond law to ensure that miners would receive severance pay. SB 27 tried to prevent that from happening to other workers by ensuring coal companies cannot get or maintain a permit to mine coal unless they have a bond to pay severance pay to their workers.	Additional Information SB 27 was approved by the Senate Natural Resources & Energy Committee on March 18, by an 11-0 vote (see how committee members voted). However, Senate GOP leaders did not allow the bill to be voted on by the full Senate and eventually killed the bill.
KFTC Supports Net Metering House Bill 323 Bill Sponsor(s): J. DuPlessis + 5 others	Summary House Bill 323 would have amended various provisions of the anti-solar energy net metering law that passed in 2019. It also would have provided more time before the full provisions of the 2019 law are implemented. HB 323 would have slowed some of the damage impacting the solar energy industry in the state from the 2019 legislation. KFTC HB 323 handout	Additional Information HB 323 was assigned to the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Jim Gooch, who is a strongly anti-renewable energy. House GOP leaders did not push for a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Supports Utility Rates House Bill 126 Bill Sponsor(s): A. Hatton + 5 others	Summary House Bill 126 called for the Public Service Commission to consider rate affordability when determining fair, just and reasonable utility rates. 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 offers utilities a 9.5 - 10.5% profit. There is no provision in the law for the PSC to take into account whether customers in the service area 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. KFTC HB 126 handout	Additional Information HB 126 was assigned to the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Supports Fair Maps Act House Bill 326 Bill Sponsor(s): J. Graviss, J. Jenkins + 29 others	Summary House Bill 326, the Fair Maps Act, is a redistricting bill that would have made redistricting less partisan in Kentucky. It set clear standards for maps and moved decision-making away from partisan decisions of the legislature. Legislative and congressional districts will be re-shaped after the 2020 Census. This effort to make redistricting nonpartisan is being spearheaded by the League of Women Voters of Kentucky.	Additional Information HB 326 was assigned to the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Supports Hairstyles & Civil Rights House Bill 33 Bill Sponsor(s): A. Scott + 12 others	Summary House Bill 33 would have provided definitions of "protective hairstyle" and "race" that include traits historically associated with race to various civil rights protections.	Additional Information House Bill 33 was assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Supports Pre-Existing Conditions House Bill 21 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. P. Minter + 39 others	Summary House Bill 21 would have prohibited pre-existing condition exclusion and higher premiums based on health status in health insurance plans offered in any market. It also protected folks from possible changes to federal law.	Additional Information House Bill 21 was assigned to the House Banking & Insurance Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Supports Raise Minimum Wage House Bill 39 Senate Bill 13 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. K. Hinkle + 13 others, & Sen. R. Thomas	Summary House Bill 39 and Senate Bill 13 would have raised the state minimum wage to $8.20 per hour in 2020 with annual increases until it reached $15 in 2027; also raised the minimum wage for tipped employees to $2.13 and incrementally until it reached $4.90 in 2023; the bills included language permitting local governments to establish minimum wage ordinances in excess of the state minimum wage.	Additional Information KFTC's platform calls for a living wage for all Kentuckians. House Bill 39 was assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee. Senate Bill 13 was assigned to the Senate Appropriations & Revenue Committee. House and Senate GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bills.
KFTC Supports Black Lung Benefits House Bill 239 Senate Bill 215 Bill Sponsor(s): A. Hatton, B. McCool + 12 others, P. Wheeler	Summary House Bill 239 and Senate Bill 215 would have repealed language in the 2018 workers' 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. Ensuring that folks who've worked in the mines have the health care, income and retirements they deserve requires a Just Transition. KFTC members and allies have been working at the state and federal levels to ensure that the epidemic in black lung disease is properly addressed. You can learn more about the work at the federal level at fixwhatsbroke.org. To learn more about ways you can help at the state level, email Lisa Abbott at: lisa@kftc.org.	Additional Information Senate Bill 215 was assigned to the Senate Economic Development, Tourism & Labor Committee. House Bill 239 was assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee. Senate and House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bills.
KFTC Supports Limit Death Penalty House Bill 237 Senate Bill 154 Bill Sponsor(s): C. McCoy & others; J. Adams & others	Summary House Bill 237 and Senate Bill 154 would have prohibited 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. Senate Bill 154 was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 27, by a 8-3 vote (see how they voted). A vote by the full Senate was denied by Senate leaders and the bill reassigned to the Judiciary Committee and killed on March 17. House Bill 237 was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Supports Maternal Health Bill House Bill 138 Bill Sponsor(s): A. Scott, C. Booker + 9 others	Summary House Bill 138 required the Department for Public Health to track data on maternal death and severe morbidity, and other provisions.	Additional Information House Bill 138 was assigned to the House Health & Family Services Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Supports Ban Conversion Therapy House Bill 199 Senate Bill 85 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. L. Willner, P. Minter, + 15 others, Sens. A. Kerr, M. McGarvey + 2 others	Summary House Bill 199 and Senate Bill 85 would have banned LGBTQ "conversion therapy" for minors. CT, sometimes called "reparative therapy," is a practice that falsely claims to change folks' sexual orientation and gender identity.	Additional Information Senate Bill 85 was assigned to the Senate Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee. House Bill 199 was assigned to the House Health & Family Services Committee. Senate and House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bills.
KFTC Supports Voter Registration House Bill 81 Bill Sponsor(s): M. Sorolis, T. Bojanowski, G. Brown Jr., C. Stevenson, B. Wheatley	Summary House Bill 81 would have allowed each application for a driver's license a simultaneous application for voter registration, unless the applicant declined.	Additional Information House Bill 81 was assigned to the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Supports Same Day Voter Registration House Bill 80 Bill Sponsor(s): M. Sorolis, T. Bojanowski, G. Brown Jr., N. Kulkarni, C. Stevenson	Summary House Bill 80 would have allowed Kentuckians to register to vote at their polling location on election day.	Additional Information House Bill 80 was assigned to the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Supports Campaign Finance House Bill 111 Bill Sponsor(s): D. Graham, G. Brown Jr., C. Stevenson	Summary House Bill 111 would have required candidates for statewide offices to publically release five years of tax returns. This bill would help with transparency during election season as candidates would identify any financial conflicts of interest.	Additional Information House Bill 111 was assigned to the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Supports Early Voting House Bill 78 Senate Bill 43 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. M. Sorolis, T. Bojanowski, + 4 others, & Sen. R. Thomas	Summary House Bill 78 and Senate Bill 43 would have allowed early, in-person voting on three Saturdays prior to any election.	Additional Information House Bill 78 was assigned to the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. Senate Bill 43 was assigned to the Senate State & Local Government Committee. House and Senate GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.
KFTC Opposes Anti-Abortion Attorney General Overreach House Bill 451 Bill Sponsor(s): S. Lee + 6 others	Summary House Bill 451 would have expanded the power of the Attorney General to undermine the rights of Kentuckians to end a pregnancy and to seek medical care from health care providers in the state. This bill allowed the Attorney General to seek injunctions and impose administrative penalties, civil action or criminal penalties against abortion providers. House Bill 521 contained very similar provisions, but also with an emergency clause. We oppose HB 521 as well.	Additional Information HB 521 was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee and received no hearings or votes. HB 451 was approved by the House Judiciary Committee on March 4 (see how committee members voted) and the full House on March 10, 70-23 (see how they voted). In the Senate, HB 451 was approved, with a committee substitute, by the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 26, and passed the full Senate, 31-2, on April 15. However, the House did not have time to consider the Senate changes before the General Assembly adjourned. See the House and Senate floor vote tallies. However, provisions in HB 451 were added to Senate Bill 9 as a House floor amendment and passed on the last day of the session. See SB 9 floor roll call vote tallies. On April 24, Gov. Beshear vetoed SB 9 (see governor's veto message). Because the General Assembly is adjourned, lawmakers have no opportunity to override this veto.
KFTC Opposes "Senate" Budget Bill House Bill 352 Bill Sponsor(s): S. Rudy, B. Reed	Summary House Bill 352 was the Executive Branch budget bill, passed by the House and amended by the Senate. The Senate version was particularly problematic as it did not address Kentucky's revenue crisis and therefore reduced needed spending and withhelds teacher pension contributions until benefit cuts were made.	Additional Information Read an in-depth analysis by the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy of this bill here. KFTC opposed the Senate version of the bill (and there were many problematic aspects in the House version, passed earlier). However, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the final bill looked much different and included a state budget for one year rather than the normal two years.
KFTC Opposes Anti-Abortion Auditor Overreach House Bill 391 Bill Sponsor(s): S. Lee + 12 others	Summary House Bill 391 would grant the State Auditor broad power to "investigate" abortion providers, including access to examine all books, accounts, records, money and property of any abortion clinic. From the ACLU of Kentucky: This bill will "expand the role of the Auditor of Public Accounts to audit the vital statistics reports of Kentucky's only abortion clinic. The Auditor of Public Accounts is charged with ensuring public resources are protected, accurately valued and properly accounted for, and also effectively employed to raise the quality of life for Kentuckians. Kentucky's abortion clinic does not receive any public funding. The clinic complies with all state law and is already monitored by numerous state agencies.	Additional Information HB 391 was approved by the House Health & Welfare Committee on March 5 (see how they voted). On March 17, the bill was recommitted to the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee.
KFTC Opposes Family Separation Bill Senate Bill 1 Bill Sponsor(s): D. Carroll, J. Schickel, D. Thayer + other Republicans	Summary Senate Bill 1 requires all state agencies to comply with federal anti-immigration enforcement; bars DACA (Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals) students and students without documentation from enrollment in higher education; prohibits any sanctuary spaces, and more. KFTC SB 1 Handout Harsh Measure Threatens Kentucky’s Families and Finances	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 acknowledge the legality of all peoples' right to seek asylum, and we seek the end of family separation, detentions and criminal prosecutions of immigrants at our borders and elsewhere. We also support open pathways to citizenship for people who are undocumented. SB 1 was approved the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 30, by a 7-2 vote (see how they voted). The full Senate passed the bill, 28-10 on February 4 (see how they voted) after defeating a floor amendment that would have removed the worse provisions of the bill. SB 1 is now before the House Judiciary Committee. See KFTC's Action Alert targeted at Judiciary Committee members.
KFTC Opposes Anti-Sanctuary Bill House Bill 51 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. L. Bechler + 17 others	Summary House Bill 51 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. House Bill 51 is a bad bill that is somewhat different from Senate Bill 1, the Family Separation Bill. Most of the legislative focus concerns SB 1. We oppose and will monitor HB 51 as well.
KFTC Opposes Restrictive Voter ID Senate Bill 2 Bill Sponsor(s): R. Mills, D. Thayer, + 10 others	Summary Senate Bill 2 contains a variety of provisions adding restrictive requirements for voter IDs and provisional ballots. This bill requires voters to have a photo ID to cast a ballot instead of the variety of identification methods currently allowed. More information here: Kentucky bill would make it harder for formerly incarcerated people to vote	Additional Information KFTC’s platform supports policies that facilitate full democratic participation. Senate Bill 2 passed the Senate State & Local Government Committee by an 8-3 vote on January 22, and because it was fast-tracked by Senate Republicans got a vote by the full Senate the following day and passed, 29-9. See how Senate committee members voted. See how the full Senate voted. SB 2, with a committee substitute, was approved by the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, 11-7, on February 20 (see how committee members voted). Forty-two floor amendments were filed in attempt to improve the bill. House Speaker David Osborne would not allow most of them to be heard. On March 3, SB 2 passed the House, 62-35, with all Republicans voting for it and most Democrats voting against the more restrictive voter law (see how House members voted). On March 5, however, the Senate rejected the House's modest changes. On March 10, the House refused to recede from its changes. Both chambers appointed members to a conference committee, and on March 17 the committee reported that it could not agree on a compromise. This was not an unusual or unexpected outcome as it allowed a Free Conference Committee to be appointed, with more leeway in what it can put into a final bill. The Free Conference Committee reported its final version of the bill on March 19, and both chamber quickly approved it (the Senate 25-2 and the House 58-25). On April 3, Gov. Beshear vetoed SB 2, acknowledging that it would create a barrier to voting when, because of the public health crisis, many offices where an ID could be obtained are closed. On April 14, legislators overrode the veto, 27-6 in the Senate and 60-29 in the House. See SB 2 vote history.
KFTC Opposes Expanding Police Powers Senate Bill 89 Bill Sponsor(s): S. Meredith	Summary Senate Bill 89 would have allowed police to stop a person in public and demand identification if the officer had a reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in criminal activity. It also allowed police to detain a person who failed to identify themselves for up to 2 hours. Senate Bill 89 has BEEN WITHDRAWN by its sponsor.	Additional Information Under this bill, anyone who declined police demands for identification and explanations for their behavior, to the satisfaction of the officer, could be detained for up to two hours. That detention would not be considered an arrest, so the person would not have the right to call an attorney, and no official record would be made of the detention. This bill targets minority and immigrant communities by encouraging police harassment and profiling. This bill has broad implications concerning policing in communities across the state. Senate Bill 89 has BEEN WITHDRAWN by its sponsor.
KFTC Opposes Damage to Rental Property Senate Bill 11 Bill Sponsor(s): J. Schickel, C. Embry Jr., R. Girdler	Summary Senate Bill 11 would have criminalized intentional damage to rental property. Senate Bill 11 would have made the renter a criminal where there is damage, even though landlords already have the ability to sue for money and compensation. This bill would have had a disproportionate impact on the poor, working class folks, Black folks and people of color, and likely added to Kentucky's very high incarceration rate. To learn more about this bill and its impacts, connect with the Metropolitan Housing Coalition as well as Black Lives Matter - Louisville.	Additional Information Senate Bill 11 passed the Senate Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee on January 14, the the full Senate, 29-5, on January 16. I SB 11 was approved with a committee substitute by the House Judiciary Committee on March 18 (see how committee members voted). On April 14, the full House passed the bill, 74-14. Because of House changes, the Senate voted a second time to pass the bill, 31-3, on April 15 (see how Senate and House members voted). On April 24, Gov. Beshear vetoed SB 11 (see govern's veto message).
KFTC Opposes Pipeline Protest Bill House Bill 44 Bill Sponsor(s): J. Gooch Jr., A. Bowling	Summary House Bill 44 would make it a felony to participate in certain types of protests against natural gas pipelines. It is modeled after a surge of similar legislation across the country which attacks the right of peaceful assembly as it pertains to gas and oil pipelines. It aims to create new criminal and civil penalties for conduct, including peaceful protest, around gas and oil pipelines and other infrastructure facilities. HB 44 has moved through the House committee, House, and Senate committee. It now awaits a vote on the Senate Floor. Before moving through the House, HB 44 was amended to reduce some of the harm of the bill. The amendment removed some of the language that could have discouraged protests, so that now criminal penalties only increase for any activity that "tampers with a [pipeline or other infrastructure asset] in a manner that renders the operations harmful or dangerous”–while the original penalties could have applied a much wider range of protest activity. For civil actions, the amendment now only holds liable those who “knowingly direct or cause a person to engage in mischief that involves tampering with critical infrastructure.” Although better, the amended bill ultimately makes penalties harsher for behavior that is already illegal. And because of the inherent biases of our criminal justice system, it's likely that these penalties could be enforced in a way that discriminates against people of color and indigenous folks. KFTC maintains its position that, instead of passing unnecessary legislation or trying to amend down a bill whose original intent was in clear violation of the First Amendment, our legislators should say no to HB 44 altogether. KFTC HB 44 handout (not yet updated with amendments)	Additional Information House Bill 44 was approved by the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee on January 30, despite several committee members (who voted yes) acknowledging flaws in the bill. It passed the full House with a floor amendment, 71-17, on February 10 (see how House members voted). In the Senate, HB 44 was approved by the Natural Resources & Energy Committee on February 26. On March 5, HB 44 passed the full Senate, 31-4 (see how senators voted). HB 44 was signed into law by Gov. Beshear on March 16.
KFTC Opposes Health Care Refusal Senate Bill 90 Bill Sponsor(s): S. Meredith, C. Embry Jr., R. Girdler, P. Hornback	Summary Senate Bill 90 maintains that medical professionals and health care providers who refuse to provide services that "violate their conscience" cannot be discriminated against. This bill also exempts health care providers from liability for refusing to provide medical services based on their personal conscience. SB 90 is promoted by its sponsors as targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Some interpret the language to also allow health care providers to refuse any services related to ending a pregnancy.	Additional Information SB 90 was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 20 by the 8-3 vote (see how committee members voted). A vote by the full Senate was denied by Senate leaders and the bill reassigned to the Judiciary Committee on March 17.
KFTC Opposes Anti-Abortion Constitutional Amendment House Bill 67 Bill Sponsor(s): J. Fischer, S. Maddox + 25 others	Summary House Bill 67 proposes a constitutional amendment which maintains that Kentucky's Constitution does not secure or protect a right to abortion or funding of abortion as a health care choice.	Additional Information This bill seeks a constitutional amendment to state that Kentuckians have no stated right to an abortion. This move would essentially take abortion rights away from the courts and into the hands of the legislature. It is an attempt to add political, anti-abortion language to Kentucky's Constititution, and to turn out anti-abortion voters on Election Day. House Bill 67 was approved by the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee on February 20, 11-7 (see how committee members voted). It passed the House on March 10, 71-21 (see how House members voted).
KFTC Opposes Abortion Gag Rule Bill House Bill 142 Bill Sponsor(s): L. Bechler, D. Hale, K. King, S. Lee, M. Prunty	Summary House Bill 142 would prohibit public funds to go to any entity, organization or individual that performs, induces, refers for or counsels in favor of an abortion as a health care choice.	Additional Information This bill would mandate healthcare providers only be able to suggest abortion as one of many options, but not advise their patient either way, regardless of expert medical advise. This bill would limit pregnant Kentuckians and their families doing what is best for them by limiting the options they can be counseled on – regardless of the circumstances of their pregnancy. House Bill 142 has been assigned to the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee.
KFTC Opposes War on the Poor 2020 House Bill 1 Bill Sponsor(s): D. Meade, D. Osborne, C. McCoy, S. Miles, J. Tipton	Summary House Bill 1 would make it harder for Kentuckians to get help for food, doctor’s appointments, child care, and more – right when we need it the most. HB 1's provisions undermine health care and Medicaid, SNAP & food benefits, and more. The bill is a War on the Poor, creating more obstacles for Kentuckians who are already struggling to make ends meet. A House committee amendment did not change the basic puntitive intent of this bill. KFTC's House Bill 1 handout (This is for the original bill. We'll update this as soon as we can with the impacts of the amendments and the committee substitute. The only substantial change that we've tracked is that the bill no longer bans people with drug convictions from Medicaid, SNAP, and cash assisstance.) House Bill 1 Proposes Costly and Unworkable Barriers to Well-Being (Kentucky Center for Economic Policy)	Additional Information In 2019, lawmakers worked to advance legislation dubbed "War on the Poor." This year's bill is somewhat different in it's details, the same intentions have driven both efforts, to damage programs that help poor and working class folks. HB 1 was fast-tracked by House Republicans who gave the unamended version of the bill a reading on the House floor even before it came up in committee. The House Health & Family Services Committee approved the bill with a minor amendment on February 20 by a 12-7 vote (see how committee members voted). HB 1 received immediate approval by the Rules Committee and then by the full House, after it defeated several floor amendments that would have improved the bill, 58-32, on February 21 (see how they voted). In the Senate, HB 1 is ssigned to the Health & Welfare Committee. On March 17, Senate Republican leaders began fast tracking the bill for quick passage on the Senate floor.
KFTC Opposes Armed Police in Schools Senate Bill 8 Bill Sponsor(s): M. Wise + 11 others	Summary Senate Bill 8 requires schools to have security officers present and that they carry a firearm.	Additional Information Senate Bill 8 was approved by the Senate Education Committee on January 23, and by the full Senate, 34-1, on January 27. A floor amendment by Sen. Gerald Neal to "allow SROs to carry firearms at the discretion of the local board of education" was defeated. See how senators voted. In the House, SB 8 was approved by the Education Committee on February 4 by a 16-5-1 vote (see how committee members voted). The full House approved SB 8 by a 78-8 vote on February 7 after defeating floor amendments to eliminate the mandate that SROs carry guns (see how House members voted). Gov. Andy Beshear signed the bill into law on February 21.
KFTC Opposes Bathroom Bill House Bill 132 Bill Sponsor(s): D. Hale + 8 others	Summary House Bill 132 would have required trans students to only use restrooms in accordance with their sex assigned at birth. It would also allow cisgender people who encounter trans students in restrooms to sue school districts.	Additional Information House Bill 132 targeted transgender students' privacy. HB 132 was assigned to the House Education Committee but did not receive a hearing or a vote.

Bills to Watch
On Our Radar Surprise Medical Billing House Bill 179 Bill Sponsor(s): C. Stevenson	Summary House Bill 179 would limit patients' financial liability for uninteneded out-of-network medical care.	Additional Information House Bill 179 has been assigned to the House Banking & Insurance Committee.
On Our Radar Ban The Box House Bill 43 Bill Sponsor(s): G. Brown Jr., C. Booker, D. Graham, N. Kulkarni, R. Meeks, A. Scott	Summary House Bill 43 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. House Bill 43 has been assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee.
On Our Radar Repeal Youth Incarceration Bill House Bill 62 Bill Sponsor(s): A. Scott, C. Booker, G. Brown Jr., J. Glenn, D. Graham, R. Meeks	Summary House Bill 62 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. House Bill 62 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
On Our Radar Repeal Charter Schools House Bill 25 Bill Sponsor(s): A. Scott, M. Marzian, + 10 others	Summary House Bill 25 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. House Bill 25 has been assigned to the House Education Committee.
On Our Radar Officer Shooting Review House Bill 10 Bill Sponsor(s): A. Scott, C. Booker, G. Brown Jr., J. Glenn	Summary House Bill 10 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 House Bill 10 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
On Our Radar Trans Youth Healthcare Ban House Bill 321 Bill Sponsor(s): S. Maddox, M. Prunty, J. Fischer, K. King	Summary HB 321 would prevent trans youth from receiving gender affiriming health care and prevent health care professionals from providing gender affirming health care to minors.	Additional Information HB 321 has been assigned to the House Health & Family Services Committee.
On Our Radar Plastic Ban House Bill 85 Bill Sponsor(s): M. Marzian + 4 others	Summary House Bill 85 would establish a ban on some plastic, single-use containers, styrofoam containers and more. The bill contains some additional provisions about providing single use products at customers' request.	Additional Information HB 85 has been assigned to the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee.
On Our Radar School Councils Senate Bill 7 Bill Sponsor(s): J. Schickel + 11 others	Summary Senate Bill 7 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. This bill would dilute the voices of students, parents and teachers in decision making and shift more control to district administrators. SB 7 was approved by the Senate State & Local Government Committee on February 5 by an 8-3 vote (see how they voted) and by the full Senate, 20-15 (see how the full Senate voted), on February 6. SB 7 originally was assignred in the House to the Education Committee. On March 17, however, House leaders took the bill from that committee, gave it its first reading and reassigned the bill to the House Local Government Committee. It received its second reading on March 18 but has yet to be voted on in committee.
On Our Radar Reduced Marijuana Penalties House Bill 221 Bill Sponsor(s): C. Booker	Summary House Bill 221 would make the penalty for possession of a personal use quantity of marijuana a prepayable non-criminal fine. It would also allow expungement of convictions for possession of a personal use quantity of marijuana.	Additional Information House Bill 221 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
On Our Radar Repeal Unlicensed Concealed Carry House Bill 31 Bill Sponsor(s): C. Booker	Summary House Bill 31 would repeal laws that allow Kentuckians over 21 to carry concealed deadly weapons without a license.	Additional Information In 2019, the state passed a law which allows concealed weapons to be carried by someone over 21 without a concealed carry license – meaning no required gun safety training, no background checks, no records to aid police in investigations. House Bill 31 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
On Our Radar Restore Prevailing Wage House Bill 77 Bill Sponsor(s): N. Kulkarni	Summary House Bill 77 would reinstitute prevailing wage requirement for all public projects.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports the right to a living wage for all Kentuckians. House Bill 77 has been assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee.
On Our Radar End Tampon Tax House Bill 26 Bill Sponsor(s): A. Scott, C. Booker, G. Brown Jr., J. Glenn, D. Graham, R. Meeks	Summary House Bill 26 would exempt feminine hygiene products from sales tax.	Additional Information House Bill 26 has been assigned to the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee.

Search form

Bill Tracker