2017 Bill Tracker

KFTC Supports Voting Rights House Bill 170 Senate Bill 69 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Darryl Owens, Sen. Gerald Neal	Summary Senate Bill 69 and House Bill 170, the Restoration of Voting Rights Amendment, would allow voters statewide a chance to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights to most former felons upon the completion of their sentence.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform calls for restoring voting rights to former felons. KFTC's HB170/SB69 Handout.
KFTC Supports Tax Reform House Bill 263 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Jim Wayne + 11 cosponsors	Summary House Bill 263 will make Kentucky's tax system more fair, adequate and sustainable with a broad variety of reforms.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports creating a just economy that sustains communities, families and individuals, and establishing an equitable, fair and progressive tax structure. KFTC's HB 263 Handout.
KFTC Supports Statewide Fairness Senate Bill 63 Bill Sponsor(s): Sens. Morgan McGarvey, Denise Harper Angel	Summary Senate Bill 63 would prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations and financial transactions on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform opposes and condemns discrimination.
KFTC Supports Minimum Wage Increase House Bill 178 Senate Bill 33 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Sannie Overly. Sen. Reggie Thomas	Summary Senate Bill 33 would increase the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour for many workers, and for tipped workers to $4.90 per hour, over a three-year period. House Bill 178 goes further. It would increase the minimum wage to $8.80 per hour by Aug 1, 2017; to $10.35 by Aug 1, 2018; to $11.90 by Aug 1, 2019; to $13.45 by Aug 1, 2020; and to $15.00 by Aug 1, 2021.	Additional Information KFTC's platform calls for a living wage for all Kentuckians. Here's more information about a minimum wage increase from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.
KFTC Supports RECLAIM Act Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Angie Hatton & Chris Fugate	Summary House Concurrent Resolution 50 urges Congress to pass the RECLAIM Act.	Additional Information KFTC's platform maintains that since clean air, water and land are every Kentuckian’s right, KFTC supports protecting and preserving a clean environment and protecting health and bio-diversity by working for stronger regulations and better enforcement.
KFTC Supports Condemn Nazi Rally Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Ray Jones	Summary Senate Resolution 76 condemns the "recruitment" training and rally taking place in Floyd and Pike counties of the Traditionalist Worker Party/Nationalist Front/National Socialist Movement in April.	Additional Information KFTC's platform maintains that we will fight to create a fair and just society that respects human and civil rights, uplifts all people to their potential, and values the participation of everyone. The platform further condemns discrimination, oppression, and harassment of all peoples.
KFTC Supports Death Penalty Abolition House Bill 251 Senate Bill 131 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Jason Nemes, Sen. Gerald Neal	Summary Senate Bill 131 and House Bill 251 would abolish the death penalty and create a sentence of life imprisonment with parole.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports the abolition of the death penalty. Here's more information from the Kentucky Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
KFTC Supports Death Penalty Suspension Senate Bill 68 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Gerald Neal	Summary Senate Bill 68 would suspend death penalty executions until December 3, 2018, or until a newly established Task Force on the Death Penalty submits reccomendations on the state's use of the death penalty.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports the abolition of the death penalty. Here's more information from the Kentucky Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
KFTC Opposes Anti-labor bill Senate Bill 237 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Chris McDaniel	Summary SB 237 makes changes to labor law, including a lot of troubling changes such as exempting certain jobs from overtime rules, eliminating the minimum wage for workers under age 20 and certain other workers, and eliminating br
KFTC Supports Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) House Bill 510 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Jim Wayne	Summary HB 510 would apply statewide housing standards to encourage “landlords and tenants to maintain and improve the quality of housing.” These standards already exist with local governments having the option to adopt them, though many have not.
KFTC Opposes Anti-sanctuary cities House Bill 501 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Lynn Belcher	Summary HB 501 would require local law enforcement agencies and KSP to enforce immigration laws; prohibit local governments from adopting sanctuary policies; withhold state funding; prohibit educational institutions from enrolling, employing, or contracting with undocumented folks; require post-secondary educational institutions to keep records of immigration status; withhold state funding.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports the right of residents who are undocumented to be treated with the respect and dignity that all human beings are entitled to. We also support open pathways to citizenship for people who are undocumented.
KFTC Opposes Federal Constitutional Convention to require a balanced federal budget Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Scott Wells	Summary HCR 13 calls for KY to support a federal constitutional convention that would focus on requiring federal government to have a balanced budget	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports a healthy democracy. A Constitutional Convention would be a huge threat to our democracy.
KFTC Opposes Net metering Senate Bill 214 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Jared Carpenter	Summary SB 214 would require that net metering customers use a single meter on their premises, that the customers use the electricity generated for all or part of their electricity requirements, and to increase the allowable size of eligible electric generating facilities from 30 kilowatts to 1000 kilowatts. An attempt by the sponsor to find substitute language did not make the bill substantially better.	Additional Information This is a complex bill. It's an attempt to "repeal and replace" the existing net-metering law. It is designed to give monopoly utilities tight control over solar in KY, and ensure that they are the ones to benefit. It would effectively end net-metering as we know it and replace it with a much worse deal for consumers. That would also hurt Kentucky's independent solar installers. The utilities are claiming it's great, since part of what it does is raise the cap on net-metered systems from 30 to 1000 kilowatts. But in the process they add new charges to solar customers and the possibility that those charges could change any time there is a rate case. The bill also locks in current restrictions on 3rd party ownership, the ability to transfer net-metered credits from one account to another, and independent community solar. Those provisions are essential for solar energy to benefit low-income communities and customers.
KFTC Opposes Call for a Federal Constitutional Convention Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. DeCesare	Summary Passage of HJR 54 would add Kentucky to the list of states to get to the 34 needed to open up the U.S. Constitution for change.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports a healthy democracy. A Constitutional Convention would be a huge threat to our democracy.
KFTC Opposes State constitutional convention House Bill 353 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Phil Moffett	Summary HB 353 sets out a multi-year process for calling a convention for the purpose of revising the state constitution, to be decided by a popular vote.
KFTC Supports Clean Energy Opportunity Act House Bill 338 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Mary Lou Marzian	Summary HB 338 would require utilities to use increasing amounts of renewable energy, take energy-efficiency measures and implement energy-efficiency programs.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports the development of a clean energy economy in Kentucky.
KFTC Supports Statewide Fairness House Bill 327 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Mary Lou Marzian	Summary HB 327 would prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations and financial transactions on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform opposes and condemns discrimination.
KFTC Opposes Local Immigration Compliance House Bill 235 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Dan Johnson	Summary HB 235 would prohibit local governments from enacting policies that limit local cooperation with other federal, state, and local officials regarding immigration status information and enforcement.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports the right of residents who are undocumented to be treated with the respect and dignity that all human beings are entitled to. We also support open pathways to citizenship for people who are undocumented.
KFTC Supports Ban the Box House Bill 76 Senate Bill 71 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. George Brown & Attica Scott; Sen. Gerald Neal	Summary House Bill 76 and Senate Bill 71 would each make it unlawful to require a job applicant to disclose his or her criminal history prior to making an offer of employment.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform opposes discrimination based on current or former incarceration status.
KFTC Supports Early Voting House Bill 118 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Jody Richards	Summary House Bill 118 would establish a minimum 12 working day in-person early voting period, including two Saturdays, prior to an election day and to permit a county board of elections to establish a longer period of time for in-person absentee voting.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform supports policies that facilitate full democratic participation.
KFTC Supports Absentee Voting Senate Bill 65 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Julian Carroll	Summary Senate Bill 65 expands absentee voting for a medical condition to include mail-in absentee ballots.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform supports policies that facilitate full democratic participation.
KFTC Supports Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Mary Lou Marzian	Summary House Concurrent Resolution 46 urges Congress to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to allow Congress and the states to set reasonable limits on spending to influence elections.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports campaign spending limits and public financing of elections to reduce the amount spent on elections and the power of big money contributors.
KFTC Opposes Requiring Bonds by Community Groups Appealing Development Decisions House Bill 72 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Jerry Miller	Summary HB 72 would essentially bar the ability of any person or group to appeal a Circuit Court decision on a development or zoning issue unless that person or group posted an appeal bond covering all potential loss to the developer for the delay. Here's an analysis of HB 72 from the Kentucky Resources Council. HB 72 passed the House on February 14 by a 63 to 32 vote. See how House members voted HERE.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports fighting to create a just economy that sustains communities, families and individuals, promotes health, protects resources for the future, and supports social investment that eliminates structural poverty. We support communities that value socio-economic diversity. This is a complicated bill. On the one hand, the bill would require a neighborhood group, for example, to post a bond if it wanted to try to delay, through litigation, the construction of an affordable housing development. On the other hand, if a community group wants to stop an industrial construction project that would release toxic air, they too would have to post a bond if they want to appeal a lower court decision. In terms of intersectionality, this bill as written could remove a barrier to the development of affordable housing but would also undermine the right of communities to oppose unsafe developments. Kentucky Resources Council opposes the bill as written, calling the bonds unconstitutional. Metropolitan Housing Coalition in Louisville is working to attach some amendments that would make the bill better.
KFTC Opposes "Right to "Work" House Bill 1 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Jeff Hoover	Summary House Bill 1 is the misnamed "Right To Work" bill to allow workers to benefit from union activities and negotiated contracts without membership in or financial support of that labor union.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports the right of workers to organize and the right to collective bargaining. HB 1 was fast-tracked by Republican leaders – introduced on January 3, passed the House 58-39 on January 5, and passed the Senate 25-12 in a special Saturday session on January 7. See how House & Senate members voted HERE.
KFTC Opposes Prevailing Wage House Bill 3 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Jeff Hoover	Summary House Bill 3 removes the requirement for local governments to require contractors to pay market-level wages to their employees, resulting in a potential pay cut for workers on government contracts.	Additional Information KFTC's platform support the right of workers to organize and the right to collective bargaining. HB 3 was fast-tracked by Republican leaders – introduced on January 3, passed by the House, 57-40, on January 5, and passed the Senate, 25-12, in a special Saturday session on January 7. See how House and Senate members voted HERE.
KFTC Opposes Anti-Local Fairness Laws House Bill 105 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Rick Nelson	Summary House Bill 105 would create a broad definition of religious, expressive, artistic and/or creative freedom – that is designed to allow any individual, business or organization to use religion as an excuse to discriminate against others, especially the LGBTQ community. It is designed specifically to make it possible to render the Fairness Ordinances in 8 Kentukcy cities un-enforceable if anyone claims a religious objection.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform condemns and opposes discrimination.
KFTC Opposes "Bathroom Bill" House Bill 106 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Rick Nelson	Summary House Bill 106 would require the state to designate every multiple occupancy bathroom or changing facility to only be used by persons based on their biological sex.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform supports affirming people's gender identities and gender expressions and opposes discrimination.
KFTC Opposes "Blue Lives Matter" House Bill 14 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Kevin Bratcher	Summary House Bill 14 seeks to undermine the Black Lives Matter movement and upend hate crimes law by adding the occupations of police and first responders as a protected class.	Additional Information HB 14 is aimed at diminishing the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement, and does nothing to increase protections for law enforcement personnel. Also, there already are increased criminal penalties for harming a police officers, first responders and certain other public employees. This bill is very controversial. The following analysis by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is helpful: "While violence against police officers is entirely unacceptable, these type of bills are very concerning for several reasons. First, these bills could create hundreds of new and enhanced offenses which would result in increased incarceration. Even minor offenses, like resisting arrest, could be subject to extreme sentencing enhancements. Second, these bills misunderstand the very purpose of hate crimes - to protect communities that have been marginalized within our society and who are at a higher risk of facing violence simply because of an immutable characteristic they share. Police officers do not fit this understanding of a protected class, because (1) police officers have never been historically marginalized, (2) their choice of profession is not an immutable characteristic, and (3) as a community, they are already protected in all 50 states by laws that make it a serious crime to assault or kill a police officer. If we decide to expand hate crimes beyond marginalized groups who share an immutable characteristic, there is a significant risk that any group that is viewed as unpopular could receive special protections and corresponding enhanced offenses."
KFTC Opposes Three Strikes House Bill 70 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Gerald Watkins	Summary House Bill 70 would create a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possiblity of parole for offenders with three or more independent convictions for Class A or B felonies.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform supports a transition from our current punitive justice system to a more restorative system that honors the inherent dignity of all individuals.

Bills to Watch
On Our Radar Gun Violence Study Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Gerald Neal	Summary SCR 119 would create the Task Force on Local Governments and Gun Violence to study potential changes to Kentucky law that would allow local government control of firearms and ammunition while increasing public safety and reducing gun viol
On Our Radar Drug testing House Bill 528 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. C. Morgan, M. Hart, D. Johnson, S. Wells	Summary HB 528 requires substance abuse screening for adults receiving or seeking to receive public assistance, food stamps, and state medical assistance.
On Our Radar Elections and voting rights Senate Bill 251 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Morgan McGarvey	Summary SB 251 makes constitutional changes affecting elections, term limits, and restores civil rights to former felons.
On Our Radar Training for former coal miners Senate Bill 196 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Ray Jones	Summary SB 196 directs the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet to educate and retrain dislocated coal miners; those with five years of mining experience be given preference in state employment; directs the Kentucky Housing corporation to e	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports policies aimed at significantly increasing the development of energy conservation, energy efficiency.
On Our Radar Juvenile Justice Senate Bill 20 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Whitney Westerfield	Summary SB 20 would require the development and reporting of plans to ameliorate disproportionate minority contact with juvenile justice and education systems	Additional Information KFTC's platofrm supports a fair justice and education systems that doesn't discrimante based on race or age and moves away from a punitive punishment and to a restorative system
On Our Radar Telephone deregulation Senate Bill 10 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Paul Hornback	Summary SB 10 would remove PSC regulatory authority over retail phone service in all exchanges not previously deregulated (exchanges with fewer than 15,000 households).
On Our Radar Minimum Wage House Bill 420 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Will Coursey, Joni Jenkins	Summary HB 420 would raise the minimum wage for tipped workers to $3 per hour beginning in 2018, and increases 95 cents an hour each year thereafter unti it is 70% of the minimum wage of non-tipped workers.	Additional Information KFTC's platform calls for a living wage for all Kentuckians.
On Our Radar Public financing for campaigns House Bill 398	Summary HB 398 would establish a campaign finance credit program to give registered voters two campaign finance credits valued at $50 each to give to the candidate of their choice for statewide office or the General Assembly; candidates forfeit pa	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports campaign spending limits and public financing of elections to reduce the amount spent on elections and the power of big money contributors.
On Our Radar Mine Safety House Bill 384 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Robert Benvenutti	Summary HB 384 would reduce the number of annual underground mine inspections from 6 to 3 and require only "monitoring" instead of surveillance.	Additional Information KFTC's platform demands enactment and enforcement of occupational health and safety laws that protect all workers in Kentucky, especially workers in occupations that continue to suffer high rates of preventable work-related death, disability, and illness such as coal miners, coal truckers, and other coal industry workers.
On Our Radar Payment of wages House Bill 378 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Jim DeCesare	Summary HB 378 makes a number of changes to labor law, but a provision that is troubling would allow employers to pay wages in the form of debit cards.
On Our Radar Hate crime laws House Bill 370 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Lynn Bechler, Phil Moffett, Toby Herald, Scott Wells	Summary HB 370 would repeal Kentucky hate crime statutes.	Additional Information KFTC's platform affirms that we will work toward a more fair justice system not mired in discrimination.
On Our Radar Low-income housing tax credit House Bill 355 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Adam Koenig, James Kay	Summary HB 355 would establish the Kentucky affordable housing tax credit (for investors) that mirrors the federal low-income housing tax credit.
On Our Radar Drug penalties & treatment House Bill 352 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Gerald Watkins	Summary HB 352 would lower the crime for possession of certain drugs and paraphenalia from a Class D felony to a Class A misdemeanor; require completion of a drug treatment
On Our Radar Conversion therapy House Bill 342 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps Jim Wayne & Mary Lou Marzian	Summary HB 342 would prohibit medical practitioners from engaging in conversion therapy, including the compensation and advertisement for conversion therapy.
On Our Radar Administrative regulations House Bill 332 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Addia Wuchner and Joe Fischer	Summary HB 332 would delay the effective date of ordinary administrative regulations with a major economic impact until approved by the legislature.
On Our Radar Payday Lending House Bill 320 Senate Bill 168 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Darryl Owens and Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr	Summary HB 320 and SB 168 would limit the abuses of payday lending, including setting an annual cap on interest rates at 36%.
On Our Radar Bathroom Bill #2 House Bill 141 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Rick Nelson	Summary HB 141 requires students use only those school facilities designated consistent with their sex at birth; require schools to provide the best available accommodation to students who assert that their gender is different from their biologica	Additional Information KFTC’s platform supports affirming people's gender identities and gender expressions and opposes discrimination.
On Our Radar Diversified Energy Plan Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Reginald Thomas	Summary SCR 21 would recognize the importance of diversifying energy sources in Kentucky and encourages the development of a statewide energy strategy.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform speaks to the need have good energy policies.
On Our Radar Criminal Justice Reform Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Whitney Westerfield	Summary SB 120 includes numerous provisions and proposes various reforms to the state's criminal justice system.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports working toward a more fair justice system. For more information on this bill, see this article in the Louisville Courier Journal. For competing views, see this op-ed by Amy Hannah (Criminal Defense Lawyers) and this op-ed by Sherry Currens and Eileen Recktenwald.
On Our Radar IDs & Licenses for Formerly-Incarcerated Senate Bill 110 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Ernie Harris	Summary SB 110 would allow those released from Federal custody to obtain IDs and Licenses in the same manner as those released from State custody.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports programs that promote the positive re-entry of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated prisoners into our communities.
On Our Radar Reporting Arrest-Related Deaths Senate Bill 44 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Reginald Thomas	Summary SB 44 would require coroners to notify the Medical Examiner's Office of arrest-related deaths and require an annual public report.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform oppose the inappropriate use of police powers to address problems.
On Our Radar Liability for Timber Theft Senate Bill 38 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. C.B. Embry, Jr.	Summary SB 38 would hold a person liable for three times the stumpage value and three time the amount of property damage due to timber theft.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform supports strengthening present timber theft laws in Kentucky. This bill is not aimed at that. While it gives timber theft victims another lever for receiving compensation, it does little to stop the crime from happening.
On Our Radar "Religious Freedom" for Schools Senate Bill 17 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Albert Robinson	Summary SB 17 would do a number of things including allow students to express religious or political views in assignments free from discrimination; give equal access to religious and political organizations to forums and such on the same basis as a	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports fighting to create a fair and just society that respects human and civil rights, uplifts all people to their potential, and values the participation of everyone.
On Our Radar Public Resources for Abortion Services Senate Bill 8 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Max Wise	Summary SB 8 defines how public funds shall be granted to entities providing family planning services. This is specifically written to deny funds to Planned Parenthood.	Additional Information KFTC's platform advocates for quality and affordable health coverage, including reproductive health services.
On Our Radar Conceal Carry Senate Bill 7 Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Robinson	Summary SB 7 would remove the requirement to apply for and receive a permit in order to conceal carry a firearm in Kentucky, which would include removing certain qualifications like training and a stronger background check.	Additional Information KFTC's platform calls for responsible gun ownership to address the problem of gun violence.
On Our Radar Expand Absentee Voting for People with Disabilities House Bill 258 Senate Bill 137 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. James Tipton and Sen. Jullian Carrol	Summary HB 258 would extend the allotted time during which a qualified voter with disabilities can apply for a mail-in absentee ballot from 7 to 12 days.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports policies that facilitate full democratic participation, including accommodations for people with disabilities.
On Our Radar Permitting Firearms on School Property House Bill 249 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Tim Moore	Summary HB 249 would allow those with valid concealed carry permits to carry concealed weapons on public elementary, secondary, and post-secondary school property.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports responsible gun ownership and initiatives to address the problem of gun violence.
On Our Radar Expand Death Penalty House Bill 219 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Robert Benvenuti, III	Summary HB 219 would add the murder of a victim aged 12 years old or younger as an aggravating circumstance for the death penalty.	Additional Information KFTC's platform calls for the abolition of the death penalty.
On Our Radar Equal Pay House Bill 179 Bill Sponsor(s): Reps. Sannie Overly & Kelly Flood	Summary HB 179 would prohibit wage discrimination on the basis of sex, race, or national origin.	Additional Information KFTC's platform opposes wage discrimination based on gender, race, ability, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigration status, or any other defining characteristic.
On Our Radar Tax Incentive for Coal Use House Bill 165 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Jim DePlessis	Summary HB 165 would offer tax incentives for use of Kentucky coal. This tax incentive was previously on the books but sunsetted in 2009.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports fighting to create a just economy that sustains communities, families and individuals, promotes health, protects resources for the future, and supports social investment that eliminates structural poverty.
On Our Radar Public Resources for Abortion Services House Bill 149 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Stan Lee	Summary HB 149 and HB 358 would prohibit the use of public funds for organizations and individuals, or their affiliates, that provide abortion services.	Additional Information KFTC's platform advocates for quality and affordable health coverage, including reproductive health services.
On Our Radar Charter Schools House Bill 103 Senate Bill 70 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Phil Moffett, Rep. C. Wesley Morgan, and Sen. Gerald Neal	Summary HB 103 and SB 70 outline and establish various policies governing charter schools.	Additional Information KFTC's platform calls for a system of high quality public education, including pre-school through higher education that is accessible and affordable for all Kentuckians. See an op-ed in The Courier-Journal discussing ALEC's charter school agenda as promoted by Gov. Bevin.
On Our Radar Nuclear Power House Bill 90 Senate Bill 11 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Watkins, Rep.Richards and Sen. Danny Carroll	Summary HB 90 and SB 11 would lift ban on new nuclear power plants and allow new plants to be approved provided that they have a means for storage rather than permanent disposal of spent nucl	Additional Information KFTC’s platform opposes the expansion of nuclear power.
On Our Radar Expanding List of Expungement-Eligible Felonies House Bill 86 Senate Bill 72 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Darryl Owens, Sen. Gerald Neal, and Sen. Denise Harper Angel	Summary HB 86, HB 328, and SB 72 would make additional offenses eligible for expungement and reduce filing fees for felony expungemen	Additional Information KFTC’s platform supports programs that promote the positive re-entry of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated prisoners into our communities.
On Our Radar Campaign Finance Reporting House Bill 82 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Kenny Imes	Summary HB 82 would reduce the number of campaign finance reports that are required of candidates.	Additional Information KFTC’s platform supports expanding democratic participation that makes government open, honest, and responsive to the needs of the people.
On Our Radar Coal Severance Tax House Bill 61 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Jim Gooch	Summary HB 61 would increase the coal severance tax distribution to the local government economic assistance fund from 50% to 100% over 5-years.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports the collection of coal severance taxes and calls for an increasing return of severance tax funds to promote sustainable economic development in coalfield counties.
On Our Radar Unmined Minerals Tax Exemption House Bill 37 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Tim Couch	Summary HB 37 would exempt unmined coal reserves from state and local property taxes.	Additional Information KFTC's platform supports the continued fair taxation of unmined minerals.
On Our Radar Reduces Expungement Filing Fees House Bill 17 Senate Bill 37 Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Rick Nelson and Sen. Gerald Neal	Summary HB 17 would reduce the filing fee for felony expungement from $500 to $200.	Additional Information KFTC's platform support programs that promote the positive re-entry of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated prisoners into our communities.

Search form

2017 Bill Tracker