 March 28, 2008
As we wound up the last full week of the 2008 session of the Kentucky General Assembly, much of our time has been spent working out differences on House bills amended by the Senate and participating in conference committees on the state budget, the state employee pension issue and other legislative matters.
Funding the state budget is the most pressing issue to resolve with the House proposing a revenue package from debt restructuring, government efficiencies, and savings from state employee retirements. The Senate's budget would depend mostly on increased state lottery contributions, proposed reductions in the state's prison population and savings from state retirements.
The last day for the General Assembly to meet is Tuesday, April 1, before we recess for the governor's veto period. When we return, we can then override any vetoes he may have made, and the session will end on April 15th.
But there is much work to do before we gavel out the 2008 session.
Several House and Senate bills were passed this week that will protect families, promote economic development and strengthen Kentucky's streams and waterways.
The Kentucky Recreational Trails Authority was created to implement programs for off-road activities including pedestrians, bicycles, mountain bicycles, horses, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and off-highway vehicles. Senate Bill 196 would allow the state to enter into agreements with owners of private property for use of their land for such activities as horseback riding, fishing, hunting and motorized vehicle use. It would also provide limited liability protections for landowners. SB 196 passed the House by a vote of 99-0.
Senate Bill 203 aims to improve the safety of amusement rides and attractions in Kentucky. SB 203 would require that the ride operator conduct ride inspections each day and the age of the operator would be raised to 18 from 16. The ride owner would maintain inspection records for one year; and ride owners would have to notify the commissioner of Department of Agriculture within 12 hours of an accident. The bill passed 98-0.
I sponsored House Bill 666 which would address the disproportionate number of black children in Kentucky's child welfare system. Census information shows that 19% of the 7,200 children in state care are black even though African Americans make up only about 7% of Kentucky's population. HB 666 would create an office within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to collect and analyze data by race, evaluate and implement a plan to address disproportionality; require an annual report to the Governor, Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare, and the public each year. HB 666 passed by a vote of 95-0.
House Bill 717 would create local authorities that would select water restoration and cleanup projects around Kentucky. These decisions are currently handled by either the U.S. Corps of Engineers or the state Fish and Wildlife Department. Developers, road builders, and companies that disturb waterways or cause excessive runoff that pollutes streams and rivers must pay what are called mitigation fees to the U.S. Corps of Engineers or Fish and Wildlife to manage clean-up.
Under HB 717, local authorities could seek the Corps of Engineers' permission to manage such a project. HB 717 passed by a vote of 99-0 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
I encourage you to call me of you have any questions about the legislative session. Please leave a message for me in Frankfort by calling the legislative toll-free Message Line at 800-372-7181, or through this web site, or the Legislative Research Commission's website at www.lrc.ky.gov.
Thank you,
Rocky
|
