2017 Bill Tracker | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

2017 Bill Tracker

KFTC Supports

Voting Rights

House Bill 170
Senate Bill 69
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Darryl Owens, Sen. Gerald Neal
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
KFTC Supports

Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA)

House Bill 510
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Jim Wayne
KFTC Opposes

Anti-sanctuary cities

House Bill 501
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Lynn Belcher
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
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
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
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
KFTC Supports

Clean Energy Opportunity Act

House Bill 338
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Mary Lou Marzian
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
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform opposes and condemns discrimination.

KFTC Opposes

Local Immigration Compliance

House Bill 235
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Dan Johnson
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
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
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
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform supports policies that facilitate full democratic participation.

KFTC Supports

Campaign Contribution Limits

Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Mary Lou Marzian
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
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
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
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
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform condemns and opposes discrimination.

KFTC Opposes

"Bathroom Bill"

House Bill 106
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Rick Nelson
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
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
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
On Our Radar

Drug testing

House Bill 528
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. C. Morgan, M. Hart, D. Johnson, S. Wells
On Our Radar

Elections and voting rights

Senate Bill 251
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Morgan McGarvey
On Our Radar

Training for former coal miners

Senate Bill 196
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Ray Jones
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
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
On Our Radar

Minimum Wage

House Bill 420
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. Will Coursey, Joni Jenkins
Additional Information

KFTC's platform calls for a living wage for all Kentuckians.

On Our Radar

Public financing for campaigns

House Bill 398
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
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
On Our Radar

Hate crime laws

House Bill 370
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. Lynn Bechler, Phil Moffett, Toby Herald, Scott Wells
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
On Our Radar

Drug penalties & treatment

House Bill 352
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Gerald Watkins
On Our Radar

Conversion therapy

House Bill 342
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps Jim Wayne & Mary Lou Marzian
On Our Radar

Administrative regulations

House Bill 332
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. Addia Wuchner and Joe Fischer
On Our Radar

Payday Lending

House Bill 320
Senate Bill 168
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Darryl Owens and Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr
On Our Radar

Bathroom Bill #2

House Bill 141
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. Rick Nelson
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Additional Information

KFTC's platform support programs that promote the positive re-entry of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated prisoners into our communities.