Beech Tree News Network

Work Starts in Frankfort While General Assembly Awaits Budget Address-The first full week of the 2014 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly is in the book, and while we await the start of debate and discussion on the top issue facing us, drafting a new budget, several bills began being heard in committees.

One of those bills is House Bill 70, which was approved by the House Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs.  This bill, which is co-sponsored by House Republican Floor Leader Jeff Hoover, and Representative Jesse Crenshaw, a Democrat from Lexington, would put a constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall for voters to decide whether 180,000 Kentuckians convicted of a felony and who have completed their sentence should having their voting rights restored.
As important as this legislation may be to some, the fact the bill is co-sponsored by a Republican and a Democrat gives hope that the spirit of bipartisanship will ring true in 2014, much the same way bipartisanship helped pass pension reform legislation during the 2013 Regular Session.  In addition to support across the aisle, U.S. Senator Rand Paul and Agriculture Commissioner James Comer have expressed their support for House Bill 70.

The past week also saw a flurry of bills filed by Republican legislators, including House Bill 186, which I sponsored.  This proposal if passed would provide a tax credit of up to $1,000 to any certified volunteer firefighter.  HB 186 is co-sponsored by Rep. Michael Meredith of Brownsville, and Rep. Richard Heath from Mayfield.

Also filed this week is House Bill 198, sponsored by Rep. David Meade of Stanford.  House Bill 198 would suspend the parental and visitation rights of a person convicted of sexual abuse if the victim of the crime conceives and delivers a child due to the criminal act.  According to Rep. Meade currently only a judge can decide whether to suspend parental or visitation rights in these cases.

And Rep. Kenny Imes of Murray has filed House Bill 200, which seeks to put elections in Kentucky back on a four-year cycle by allowing the next set of statewide constitutional officers to serve a one-time five year term.  Rep. Imes says he has introduced legislation because of calls from county clerks that it will save taxpayer funds by going back to the old election calendar.

Next week the budget will take front and center, as the Governor is scheduled to present his budget address to a joint session on Tuesday.

I welcome your comments and concerns on any issues impacting our Commonwealth during the 2014 Regular Session.  I can be reached through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181, or you can contact me via e-mail at [email protected]. You can keep track of committee meetings and potential legislation through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page at www.lrc.ky.gov, and I also encourage you to follow the House Republican Caucus on Facebook and Twitter.