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FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 26, 2024) — Three high-profile bills on crime and housing sparked more rounds of debate this week, while several others on education, voting and hunting edged closer to passage in the Kentucky General Assembly.
Friday concluded week four of the 60-day legislative session, and throughout the week, lawmakers found common ground when they welcomed the return of a Lexington senator and remembered a departed colleague in the House.
Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe was caring for a horse when she was kicked in the face and had to undergo emergency surgery in mid-December. She returned to applause on the Senate floor Thursday.
Meanwhile, House members paused this week to honor and remember Rep. Lamin Swann, also from Lexington, who suddenly passed away last summer at the age of 45.
Legislators in both chambers also coalesced around resolutions to honor International Holocaust Remembrance Day this weekend.
On other issues, however, stark disagreements seemed to characterize much of the week.
House members sparred for more than two and half hours Thursday over an omnibus crime bill that seeks to ramp up the penalties for repeat violent offenders and other crimes.
Under the latest version of House Bill 5 – known as the Safer Kentucky Act – offenders could face a life sentence in prison if convicted of three violent felonies. Individuals could also face a manslaughter charge if they distribute fentanyl that causes a fatal overdose.
The 74-page bill would also create a felony carjacking law and call for violent felony offenders to serve at least 85% of their criminal sentences before release. Other provisions aim to curb shoplifting and street camping.
Supporters say the legislation will strengthen Kentucky’s approach to crime and reassert basic principles of safety and civility in response to years of growing disorder.
Critics counter that the bill would apply antiquated policies to complex problems and drive up incarceration costs in a state that already has a high rate of imprisonment.
HB 5 cleared the House floor 74-22 and now heads to the Senate.
The other bills spurring debate in the chambers were House Bill 18 and Senate Bill 25, both of which affirm the rights of landlords to decline tenants who use federal housing assistance.
The bills would prevent local governments from enacting any ordinances that require landlords to accept such rental agreements. HB 18 includes all federal housing assistance while SB 25 focuses on the Section 8 housing program.
Proponents say the legislation would protect foundational property rights, but others say the bills would slash housing options for low-income Kentuckians.
HB 18 won approval on the House floor Tuesday, and SB 25 passed off the Senate floor Wednesday.
Other legislation advancing this week ranged from a bill to require moments of silence in schools to a measure on voter identification. Here’s a look at some of the bills moving forward:
Hunting and Fishing Licenses: House Bill 217 would change a statute on hunting and fishing licenses for landowners. State law allows Kentuckians to hunt and fish without a license on their own farmland if the property is at least five acres. HB 217 would eliminate the acreage requirement. It won approval on the House floor Monday.
Artificial Intelligence: House Concurrent Resolution 38 calls for the creation of a new task force that would review the use of artificial intelligence in government and recommend possible legislation to protect consumers. The House passed the resolution on Monday.
Moments of Silence: House Bill 96 would require public schools to have a moment of silence at the beginning of each school day. The House Education Committee approved the bill Tuesday.
Teacher Misconduct: House Bill 275 would require school districts to fully investigate teacher misconduct – even if the teacher resigns before the investigation is complete. It would also require teacher applicants to undergo in-depth background checks and disclose recent disciplinary issues when applying for a new job. The House Education Committee advanced the legislation Tuesday.
Veteran Suicide Prevention: House Bill 30 calls for the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs to create a suicide prevention program for service members, veterans and their families. The program would raise awareness and help connect at-risk individuals with mental health resources. HB 30 cleared the House Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection on Tuesday.
KEES for Homeschoolers: Senate Bill 7 would expand the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship program to provide funds for homeschooled students based on certain academic metrics. A score on the Classic Learning Test would be one option for students. The Senate advanced the measure Tuesday.
Voter ID: Senate Bill 80 would disqualify certain forms of identification – such as credit cards and student IDs – as acceptable forms of identification for voting. The bill moved out of the Senate State and Local Government Committee on Wednesday.
Citizen Voting: House Bill 341 proposes an amendment to the state constitution to clarify that only U.S. citizens may vote in Kentucky elections. The House Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee advanced the measure Thursday.
Lawmakers are scheduled to gavel back in on Monday for day 19 of the session.
Kentuckians can track the action through the Legislative Record webpage, which allows users to read bills and follow their progression through the chambers. Capitol observers can also track budget bills on the 2024 Budget Bills webpage.
Citizens can also share their views on issues with lawmakers by calling the General Assembly’s toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181.
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