Republican Senate President Robert Stivers said he will ask Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear to call a special session so lawmakers can strengthen penalties for heroin dealers.
The Kentucky General Assembly adjourned for the year at midnight Tuesday without passing a heroin bill that had the support of both parties and statewide elected officials.
A spokeswoman for Beshear said the governor was traveling on Wednesday and that it was too early to decide if a special session was needed. State officials estimate a special session would cost taxpayers about $60,000 per day.
The Senate passed a bill in January that would make high-volume heroin dealers serve longer sentences. It also would have required the state to pay substance abuse treatment and education programs. The House never voted on the bill.
Governor Steve Beshear issued a statement Wednesday evening, saying, “After the
end of a long general session, there are always some worthy bills that don’t
make it through the legislative process. My first priority is to review the 19
bills that we received this week, including the road plan and transportation
budget, and take appropriate action on those. It’s too early to determine if a
special session on any topic is prudent or needed.”
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