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The Kentucky House of Representatives unanimously passed two hemp measures on Wednesday.
House Concurrent Resolution 43, sponsored by Representative Richard Heath, would urge Facebook, YouTube, eBay and Amazon to stop blocking websites designed to market hemp products. Owners of multiple hemp enterprises say their ability to reach consumers declined after Facebook removed their business pages.
Heath has also sponsored House Bill 197, which redefines industrial hemp to better align with federal law. Hemp is now a legal product after the passage of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, otherwise known as the ‘Farm Bill.’
The resolution and bill move to the Senate for consideration.
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Republicans in Kentucky are trying again with a bill that would make changes to the state's troubled public pension plan for teachers.
Republican Rep. Scott Lewis filed House Bill 504 on Wednesday. It would make changes to the retirement system for any teacher hired after Jan. 1, 2020.
Teachers would still be in a defined benefit pension plan, but they would have to work until age 55 before they could retire with full benefits. Right now, teachers can retire once they reach 27 years of service.
The GOP-controlled legislature passed a pension bill last year over the objections of many teachers who closed schools to protest at the state Capitol. The state Supreme Court struck the law down in December.
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Kentucky's bourbon industry is teaming with leaders of Mothers Against Drunk Driving to push a bill aimed at expanding use of ignition interlock devices.
The measure would make the devices available to first-time DUI offenders. Offenders opting against having the devices installed in their vehicles would face longer license suspensions.
Supporters say the bill would steer more DUI offenders into using the devices that test the sobriety of drivers.
The bill was passed by the Senate on Wednesday and now goes to the House.
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Kentucky lawmakers have taken the first step to legalize sports betting. A legislative committee approved House bill 175 on Wednesday.
The bill would make it legal to bet on sports in Kentucky. It would also make internet poker and fantasy sports gambling legal.
Bill sponsor Republican Rep. Adam Koenig said the bill could bring in as much as $20 million a year in new
taxes.
Family Foundation Executive Director Kent Ostrander opposes the bill because he said it would hurt Kentucky families.
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Lawmakers in the Kentucky House have approved legislation that would create a day of prayer in public schools.
The measure would designate the last Wednesday in September as a Day of Prayer for students.
It's sponsored by Republican Representative Regina Huff of Williamsburg, who says it would allow students of all faiths to participate.
Opponents say the General Assembly has no business legislating prayer.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
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The House unanimously passed House Bill 64, sponsored by Rep. Danny Bentley, which would make it easier for patients to access life-saving medication in emergency situations.
The bill, otherwise known as “Kevin’s Law,” would permit pharmacists to dispense medication - such as insulin and inhalers - to patients who need it and in the amount that they need. Current law mandates that emergency medication only be given to patients to cover a 72-hour period, but this bill would ensure that drugs like insulin are given to cover a 30-day period, so patients get the care they need.
The bill will move to the Senate for consideration.
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House Democratic Leader Rocky Adkins has filed legislation that would have candidates for the General Assembly follow the same recount procedures as nearly all other candidates in close races.
Under Leader Adkins’ House Bill 495, candidates running for a seat in the General Assembly would have 10 days from the end of an election to file a petition for a recount with the circuit court in the county where they live. The one making the request is responsible for the recount costs.
“This process has worked well for many years, and it just makes sense that legislative candidates follow the same rules,” Adkins said. “If this becomes law, only gubernatorial slates will still petition the General Assembly for a recount.”
The bill comes in response to the close outcome of the 13th House District in Daviess County, where State Rep. Jim Glenn won the election by a single vote, which was upheld in a recanvass. His opponent then petitioned the Kentucky House of Representatives to conduct an election contest, but dropped the request following a contested recount of the votes even though that recount ended in a tie.
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Kentucky lawmakers have started advancing a bill to require public schools to display the national motto, "In God We Trust," in a prominent location starting in the fall.
The measure cleared the House Education Committee on Wednesday.
Its lead sponsor, Republican Rep. Brandon Reed, says locations could include school entryways, cafeterias or common areas where students are likely to see the motto.
The bill's opponents included the Rev. Jason Crosby, a Baptist minister from Louisville. Crosby says the bill would send a "thinly veiled message" that only students who believe in God are welcomed at schools.
