Kentucky General Assembly

Comer Hopeful That Federal Farm Bill Will Include Hemp Provision

Kevin Willis | Kentucky Public Radio — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:49:59 +0000

Kentucky's agriculture commissioner says a recent legislative setback shouldn't cause hemp supporters to give up hopes of getting the crop legalized. James Comer says he's not surprised that language legalizing industrial hemp wasn’t added to the first drafts of farm bills in the U.S. House and Senate.

Last week, a group of Kentucky U.S. Senators and House members tried--and failed--to get the provision included in the legislation.

Independent State House Candidate Releases 10-Point Platform to Improve State Government

Phillip M. Bailey — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:56:30 +0000

Independent state house candidate John-Mark Hack released a 10-point platform aimed at making Kentucky's government more accountable and transparent.

Hack is running for the 56th House District seat covering Woodford County, including parts Frankfort and Lexington vacated by former state Rep. Carl Rollins, who resigned.

The three-way special election also features Republican Lyen Crews and Democrat James Kay, and is being closely watched due to the close party margins in the state House, where Democrats hold the majority by just a 5-seat margin.

The proposals unveiled by Hack's campaign on Friday include withholding the salaries of state lawmakers if they fail to pass a budget, creating a non-partisan commission to draw legislative district lines and eliminating annual sessions.

Hack says the proposals are about changing the political culture of "arrogance and self-interest" in Frankfort.

Check them out:

Beshear Wants to Call Fall Special Session on Redistricting

Kentucky Public Radio's Dan Conti — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:30:49 +0000

It appears likely that Governor Beshear will call a special session of the Kentucky General Assembly to redraw legislative districts for the House and Senate. The governor says details are still being worked out.

Kentucky Democrats, Republicans Focused on Special House Election

Kenny Colston — Sun, 05 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

The special election for the 56th House District—covering Woodford County and portions of Fayette and Franklin county—will likely be the only election this year.

Stumbo Pens Letter to Beshear Asking for Special Session for Redistricting

Kenny Colston — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:10:44 +0000

House Speaker Greg Stumbo is encouraging Gov. Steve Beshear to soon call a General Assembly special session so that lawmakers can pass new state legislative redistricting maps and end a federal lawsuit.

State Rep. Carl Rollins' Resignation Sparks Early Campaign Battle

Kenny Colston — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:39:14 +0000

Kentucky state Rep. Carl Rollins is resigning his House seat effective at the end of today, becoming the state first lawmaker to announce his retirement this cycle.

Rollins is resigning to become the executive director and the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority and the CEO of the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation.

Beshear May Still Call Special Session for Redistricting, Tax Reform

Kenny Colston — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Despite passing some pension and tax reforms in this year's Kentucky General Assembly session, state lawmakers aren't out of the clear when it comes to another special session.

A few big issues still remain for lawmakers—mainly redistricting and more tax reform.

Gov. Steve Beshear has the sole authority to call a special sessions and to set their agenda. And with Beshear continuing to express a need for more tax reform to pay for education, he's not ruling out calling a special session sometime this year.

Bill Limiting Drone Use Already Filed for Kentucky General Assembly's 2014 Session

Kenny Colston — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:53:36 +0000

A bill has already been pre-filed for the Kentucky General Assembly's 2014 session—and it deals with the use of drones in the state.

Republican state Rep. Diane St. Onge bill limits how unmanned aircraft can be used. It allows U.S. military personnel to use drones in Kentucky for practice purposes. And it also allows drones to be used by law enforcement agencies if they have a specific warrant to do so.

The Weird and Wacky Kentucky Laws Approved in the 2013 General Assembly Session

Kenny Colston — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Gov. Steve Beshear has acted on every bill approved in the 2013 Kentucky General Assembly session. Some bill are are stranger than others.

Every year, Kentucky legislators OK a handful of bills that make lobbyists and lawmakers rolling their eyes, and this year is no different.

Here are some examples:

Gov. Steve Beshear Vetoes Medicaid Prompt Pay Bill, Promises Changes to System

Kenny Colston — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:30:53 +0000

Gov. Steve Beshear has vetoed a bill sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo that would require prompt payment in the Medicaid managed care system.

The governor was expected to veto the bill, claiming it would cost the state too much money.

But in turn, Beshear says he will implement the spirit of the bill, including allowing the Department of Insurance to investigate late payment claims. Beshear also promised the administrative side of the managed care system would work better.