Beech Tree News Network

The first week of the Kentucky General Assembly’s 2019 Regular Session is in the books. We had a productive few days in Frankfort and leave in good spirits about what is to come this session.

 This week, the Senate’s activity involved some procedural measures. We welcomed everyone back to Frankfort to swear in members and confirm the Senate Leadership.  Senator Robert Stivers (R-Manchester) will remain the Senate President and Senator David Givens (R-Greensburg) will serve as the new Senate President Pro Tempore. We were also thrilled to officially welcome Senator Matt Castlen (R-Owensboro) and Senator Robby Mills (R-Henderson) as our newest members. Other tasks included confirming new committee appointments and adopting the Senate rules for the 2019 session.

Additionally, the Senate introduced legislation regarding electronic campaign filing, a constitutional amendment moving the statewide election date, and school safety.

Bills must be presented at a public committee meeting and passed with a majority vote before heading back to the Senate to be voted on by the entire Senate body. Once the Senate approves a Senate bill, it heads to the Kentucky House of Representatives where the same process occurs. The Senate has to agree to any changes the House makes to the bill before it is submitted to the Governor for his approval and is finally signed into law.

 We have listened to the feedback of our constituents and the Senate majority has several priority bills that we would like to see ratified during the 2019 Regular Session.  Following the tragic 2018 shooting at Marshall County High School, legislators formed the bipartisan School Safety Working Group for the purpose of developing a solution to better ensure the safety of our schools in Kentucky. I am proud to be co-sponsoring Senate Bill 1, the School Safety and Resiliency Act, alongside Senator Max Wise (R-Campbellsville). This pivotal legislation was drafted as a result of the findings of the working group. The Senate Majority is encouraged by the overwhelming support of this proposed legislation and we look forward to continuing discussion with the House on how to address this critical issue.

 The Senate was able to pass five bills out of chamber in the initial week of session. By the third day, Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Senator Chris McDaniel (R-Taylor Mill) was passed out of the chamber by a 31-4 vote. This bill is a proposed amendment to the Kentucky Constitution to move the elections of statewide constitutional offices to even-numbered years. Supporters said Senate Bill 5 would save about $15.5 million in taxpayer money, double voter turnout in down-ballot races, and simplify the election system by aligning Kentucky’s election cycle with presidential elections. As a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 5, I am thrilled with the progress made on this legislation in our initial week of session. I am also a proud co-sponsor of Senate Bill 50. This bill is sponsored by Senator Robby Mills (R-Henderson), and relates to the reporting of prescriptions intended or designed to induce an abortion.

 This session, I will be sponsoring Senate Bill 55, an act relating to veterans at risk. Senate Bill 55, allows any agency searching for a veteran at risk to refer to the alert as a “Green Alert”. This legislation provides a clear and identifiable alert for at risk veterans. As vice-chairman of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection committee, I am always eager to instate legislation that helps ensure the safety and well-being of Kentucky’s Veterans.

 Due to a constitutional requirement, the General Assembly will adjourn for 3 weeks following the conclusion of the first part of session. The Senate will return to session on February 5^th. In the meantime, we will continue to discuss legislative issues in committee meetings.

 Bill summaries, amendments and resolutions, in addition to the next day’s committee-meeting schedule and agendas, are updated daily on the Kentucky Legislature’s home page at www.lrc.ky.gov throughout the session, with final adjournment scheduled for March 29.

 If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at [email protected].  You can also review the Legislature’s work online at www.lrc.ky.gov.

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Note:  Senator C.B. Embry, JR (R-Morgantown) represents the 6th District including Butler, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, and Ohio Counties.He is vice chairman of Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection Committee and co-chairman of the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee. He also serves as a member of the Natural Resources and Energy Committee; the Transportation Committee, and the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education.