SENATOR PHILLIP WHEELER’S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Week 9 of the 2024 Legislative Session
The Kentucky General Assembly has wrapped up the ninth legislative week of the 2024 Regular Session. The week marked the final period for lawmakers to submit new bills. By the end of the week, 838 bills were filed in the state House of Representatives and 382 in the state Senate.
Tuesday brought our annual Military Kids Day event, where children of military families engaged in various Capitol activities from a committee meeting introduction to enjoyable experiences like flight simulators, cornhole, and a Capitol tour and scavenger hunt. The event is a day dedicated solely to children of military moms and dads. It was a joy to recognize them and hopefully sow some seeds that may one day grow into their own public service.
We also celebrated Small Business Day in the Capitol on Wednesday. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and provide a strong foundation for communities to thrive.
We passed quite a few bills this week on various topics including. Some of the measures seeking Senate approval were:
Senate Joint Resolution 149 directs the Energy and Environment Cabinet to consult with entities that discharge perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or commonly known as “forever chemicals” into the commonwealth’s water supply and provide clear guidance on the best practices for mitigation and abatement.
Senate Bill 193 proposes a streamlined structure for the Kentucky Animal Control Advisory Board, reducing its membership from 12 members to eight. It also adjusts representation from affiliated organizations from two members to one per organization. A new member from Kentucky Animal Action is added to enhance spay and neuter advocacy representation since the board’s revenues are derived from the spay/neuter license plate. SB 193 implements staggered appointments after the effective date to ensure balance. The changes aim to address quorum issues and promote efficiency in board decision-making.
SB 1 would establish an endowed research fund managed by the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) to support collaborative research initiatives across higher education institutions. CPE would oversee the application process, including soliciting, accepting, and reviewing applications from universities to select five eligible research groups for seed funding over a five-year period. Additionally, the legislation establishes a review mechanism to assess ongoing eligibility for funding and directs the CPE to address any vacancies that may arise if a consortium becomes ineligible.
SB 71 is a bill that I sponsored as a public safety measure that would provide transportation services for individuals who wish to voluntarily leave a chemical dependency treatment program. The bill puts in place safety provisions such as requiring notifications for family, court officials, the county attorney, and local law enforcement that a resident has left the treatment facility. It also ensures the individual is only transported to their home, a public transportation location, or a ride-sharing service. It also creates an arrestable offense for those committed to a rehabilitation center at “Casey’s Law” so that vulnerable people in addiction can be detained until a judge is notified that they are trying to leave a facility and appropriate actions can be taken.
SB 118 aims to safeguard property rights and address criminal trespassing by permitting private property owners to use purple paint marks as a clear notice of no trespassing. It eliminates the need for a written notice, allowing property owners to rely on the visual indicator of purple paint on trees, fences, or other objects. The bill establishes specific requirements for using purple paint to mark private property, providing a legal means for property owners to communicate and enforce boundaries without the necessity of written warnings.
SB 174 which is a bill that I personally introduced, would improve efficiency and service to Kentucky consumers. The bill would exempt communication service providers from the requirement to call 811 before they hook up residences and other properties to communication terminals. This process typically only requires communication service providers to dig down a few inches, where it is highly unlikely to impact other utilities in the area. The requirement to call 811 in advance can delay hooking up the service.
SB 198 aims to enhance Kentucky’s energy sector by incorporating nuclear energy and establishing the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (KNEDA), managed by the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research. KNEDA’s role is to inform communities about advanced nuclear energy, disseminate information to the public, promote economic opportunities, interact with regulators, and facilitate collaboration in the nuclear energy ecosystem. The bill empowers KNEDA to conduct a site suitability study, address workforce and educational needs, run an educational campaign on nuclear technologies, initiate a financial assistance grant program, and define criteria for a voluntary nuclear-ready community designation, which includes public meetings, suitable sites, and community support.
SJR 140 is complementary to SB 198. It focuses on equipping Kentucky for a robust nuclear energy ecosystem and provides specific direction to the Public Service Commission. Once passed, the PSC will survey nuclear regulatory staff in other states for insights, hire experts in nuclear regulatory matters, provide training for existing staff on nuclear siting and construction issues, amend administrative regulations to mandate electric utilities consider all generation resources, including nuclear in their planning, and review current regulations to remove any hindrances to effective regulation and the growth of the nuclear industry in the state.
SB 229 enhances the representation and focus on blockchain technology in municipal utilities by replacing key members with designated representatives from the Kentucky League of Cities. Additionally, it grants more autonomy to address operational needs efficiently by doubling the maximum spending limit for superintendents employed by electric plant boards contracting with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Two bills made their way to the governor’s desk in week nine, one of which, SB 5, was signed into law by the Governor. They include:
- SB 5, recognized as a 2024 legislative priority, addresses a specific public concern by eliminating the five-acre ownership requirement for residential landowners seeking exemptions from sport hunting and sport fishing license requirements.
- House Bill 18 prevents local governments from imposing restrictions on landlords and ensures they cannot demand emergency response fees from property owners for incidents outside their control. HB 18 was recently amended to include provisions of SB 25, a related measure that passed earlier in the session. HB 18 carries an emergency designation, meaning it would take effect upon filing with the Secretary of State’s Office.
The session is entering its last month and many bills will begin to move in both the House and the Senate. In addition, the final negotiations on the state budget and the transportation budget will be taking place. I will be fighting hard for investments in eastern Kentucky so that we can move our region forward.
Thank you for your continued engagement in the 2024 Regular Session. It is a privilege to represent you in Frankfort.
I’m excited for this session and take my responsibilities representing you seriously, and will continue to ensure that legislation is passed with eastern Kentucky’s best interest in mind. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if I or my staff can assist you by emailing me at Phillip.Wheeler@lrc.ky.gov or calling toll-free at 1-800-372-7181.
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Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, represents Kentucky’s 31st Senate District, including Elliott, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, and Pike Counties. Wheeler is vice chair of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor, and the Senate Judiciary committees. He is also Capital Planning Advisory Board co-chair. Additionally, Wheeler serves as a member of the Senate Transportation, Natural Resources and Energy, State and Local Government, and Transportation committees.
