Beech Tree News Network

After reconvening for the February portion of the 2019 General Assembly on Tuesday, legislators spent the majority of this week filing legislation and meeting with our committees to consider bills and resolutions. On Thursday night, legislators from the House and Senate convened a joint session to hear the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth Address.

The top issue of the session continues as legislators on the House Education Committee heard testimony this week about the School Safety and Resiliency Act. This proposal has been filed as HB 1 and SB 1, symbolic of its importance and how much bipartisan support it has in both the House and Senate. The bill seeks to strengthen both our schools and our children, placing an emphasis on security and mental health.

 One of the first bills approved by a committee this week was a deregulatory bill aimed at easing occupational and licensing requirements for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) contractors. The requirements established under HB 133 would allow equivalent work experience as a mechanical engineer to count towards licensing requirements as a master heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractor and permit an uncertified inspector who meets all other requirements to begin employment on the condition that certification is obtained within the following twelve months. This would in turn give more hard working individuals the ability to overcome regulatory burdens and put their previous work experience to good use.

 A measure aimed at helping addicts beat their addictions cleared the House Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday. The bill, HB 121, would prevent insurance companies from requiring prior authorization for medication-assisted addiction treatments. So many Kentuckians struggle with drug addiction, there are very few lives that have not been touched by it. According to testimony, the standard five to ten day wait that approval for insurance coverage requires before medication-assisted treatment can be prescribed is just one barrier to an addict’s recovery.

 Also approved by Health and Human Services is HB 11, legislation that would outlaw the use of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, on school property. The ban would apply only to use, not possession. Enforcement will be up to local school boards. According to supporters, 42 percent of schools across the state already have bans in place. The measure has the support of education groups like the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents and the Kentucky School Boards Association, as well as the tobacco industry and e-cigarette company JUUL.

 The Health and Human Services Committee also approved HCR 5, a resolution that calls on Congress to expedite research on medical marijuana. Medical marijuana has become a hot topic across the nation as 31 states have already legalized it in some form. The resolution calls on federal regulators to move forward with research into the benefits and risks of the drug in order to provide us with evidence-based and scientifically sound medical marijuana policies before we take any action on the issue.

Among the bills filed this week is HB 4, legislation that would allow legislators more oversight into the state’s regulatory process, ensuring that the intent of the bills we passed is actually followed when state agencies make regulations. The legislature currently has the ability to monitor regulations and point out issues, but the agencies that write the regulations are under no obligation to actually address legislator’s concerns. House Bill 4 would require the legislature to issue an annual report on regulations that legislators feel do not meet legislative intent. The legislature would then have the opportunity to clarify the issue through new legislation.

Legislation, HB 205, which would create a tuition-assistance program for private school students was also filed this week. Under the bill’s provisions, children in foster care, those who have special needs or disabilities and those who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals will be given first priority for the scholarship. Students from families whose annual household income isn't more than 200 percent above the federal threshold for free or reduced-price lunches are also eligible for the scholarships. House Bill 205 also makes donations to the scholarship a tax incentive.

As of Friday, we have 22 legislative days left in this year’s session. Over the next few weeks I will continue to update you on our progress. In the meantime, I can be reached here at home anytime, or through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181.If you would like more information, or to e-mail me, please visit the legislature's website at www.legislature.ky.gov.

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