Beech Tree News Network

The final two days of the 2013 session of the Kentucky General Assembly were filled with a mix of emotions ranging from frustration to exhilaration.  The Republican Caucus began at 10:00 a.m. with a meeting to discuss the proposed changes to the Kentucky public employee pension systems; we moved quickly to the floor of the House at noon and found ourselves in recess shortly before 2:00 p.m.  The recess would last late into the evening, little action was taken and day one ended in deep frustration the issue that had overshadowed the session would remain unresolved.

Day two began slowly, but legislation began to move around noon, as caucus meetings and recesses followed one after another.

Following an early evening recess, the House was called into session and debate began anew on the passage of House Bill 279, the “Religious Freedom Act”.  The action before the House was whether to override the veto of Governor Steve Beshear.  After fiery speeches on both sides of the issue the bill was called for a final vote and every member of the House Republican Caucus voted to override the governor’s action.  The bill passed on a vote of 79-15, with six Democrats choosing not to cast a vote.

Another issue which drew significant attention throughout the session was that enhanced safety in our schools.  Bills were introduced in the House and Senate, numerous hearings were held and stakeholders from all facets of the education, law enforcement, and homeland security fields were call in to offer advice. In a strong demonstration of support for the safety of our children in the classroom, the House voted 98-2 in favor of the new measures.

At 6:08 p.m., the 228 page State Pension Reform Bill, SB 2, was placed on our computers.  Debate on the bill started just after 7 p.m. with the controversial legislation passing 70-28 at 7:55 p.m.  Few, if any, legislators had a chance to fully read and study the latest draft of the state pension proposal.

With pension reform in place and religious freedoms having been safeguarded, legislation began to move at a fast pace, even for Frankfort.  Action in the waning hours of the session brought passage of Senate Bill 1, a measure to allow military personnel to secure ballots electronically; expediting their access to ballots was approved overwhelmingly.  With less than one hour left before the midnight adjournment, legislation approving Agriculture Commissioner James Comer’s recommended development of an industrial hemp program to be overseen by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture after background checks are completed on the perspective licensed growers by the Kentucky State Police became law.

What had been a slow and some might say less than productive session ended with several pieces of significant legislation gaining final approval.  The final 48 hours brought us a pension system, safer schools, better ballot access for those defending our freedoms abroad, and state protection of one of our most precious freedoms, the right to worship our God as we see fit.

I welcome your comments and concerns on any issues impacting our Commonwealth. 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 legislation for the 2013 session through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page at www.lrc.ky.gov.