Beech Tree News Network

FRANKFORT— The state’s two-year budget plan is another step closer to passage after the Senate voted Wednesday to approve the amended bill and send it back to the House.

The proposed $105 billion proposal includes funds for state employee raises, school needs, a training range for police, more lung cancer screening, major renovations to the state Capitol, improvements to state parks and many other efforts.

FRANKFORT— Parents may soon be making the decision on whether or not their child wears a mask at school.

House Bill 51 would allow parents of students in public K-12 schools to opt out of any COVID-19-related facial covering guidance issued by local school boards. An amended version of the measure advanced off the House floor on Tuesday by a 56-35 vote.

The bill’s primary sponsor, Rep. Lynn Bechler, R-Marion, said HB 51 does not seek to ban masks in school completely.

Butler County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Monday, February 28, at the Butler County Courthouse. All magistrates were in attendance.

Beech Tree News provides courthouse statistics on a regular basis.  Courthouse information provided in this article is a matter of public record.  The following records are from the Butler County Circuit Clerk’s and Butler County Clerk’s offices and covers:

February 1 – 28, 2022

FRANKFORT— Newly elected constables in Kentucky could soon be required to be certified as a peace officer in order to have the same powers as a peace officer.

The Kentucky House of Representatives approved House Bill 239 by a 59-38 vote on Monday. The bill would require newly elected constables to undergo the same training as police officers and sheriff’s deputies before performing certain duties.

Primary sponsor Rep. Adam Koenig, R-Erlanger, said the goal of the bipartisan measure is to make communities safer.

FRANKFORT—Some Kentuckians are closer to having more money in their pockets after the Kentucky Senate voted Monday to advance a bill that would provide state tax refunds.

Senate Bill 194 would give a one-time tax rebate of up to $500 to single taxpayers and up to $1,000 to joint filers, not to exceed the amount of taxes they paid last year. The money is available through billions in budget surplus funds in the current fiscal year.

FRANKFORT— A resolution that would end the COVID-19 declaration of emergency in Kentucky next month received approval Thursday on the Senate floor.

Senate Joint Resolution 150, which passed 28-8, would terminate Kentucky’s declaration on March 7. The measure’s primary sponsor, Sen. Donald Douglas, R-Nicholasville, told lawmakers it’s time to move past the emergency.

Butler County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Monday, February 14, courthouse. All magistrates were in attendance.

FRANKFORT— The House State Government Committee approved a bill Thursday that seeks to protect houses of worship and religious organizations from discrimination.

House Bill 43 would prohibit a governmental entity from prohibiting religious services during an emergency to a greater extent than imposed on other organizations or businesses that provide essential services.

Primary sponsor Rep. Shane Baker, R-Somerset, said the restrictions in place at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired the legislation.

A Butler County man facing three counts of murder has now been indicted on multiple counts of sexual abuse as well.