Legislative Update

March  4, 2019


Eight days remain in the 2019 General Assembly. Taxes and net metering continue to be a major focus of concern in the coming week.

HB 354 which is the tax legislation passed the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee last week. Both the Senate and House versions include language that exempts all non-profits from paying sales tax on admissions. The differences in the Senate and House versions of the bill will likely be resolved in a conference committee between now and the end of the session. The fact that our language is in both versions increases its chances of being in the final version.

SB 100 which is the current version of net metering is back in the House. The Senate refused to concur with the House amendment and has asked the House to recede from their amendment. The bill will likely go to a conference committee to iron out the differences. If the House recedes we will be left with a very bad net metering law. All members are encouraged to call their Representative and ask them not to recede.

SB1, the school safety legislation passed the House last week. The House included several minor amendments which the Senate will likely adopt. AIA Kentucky supports SB1.

The latest version of the Boards and Commissions bill (HB178) is still in House Licensing and Occupations and is dead for the session.

We are opposed to HB498 which would give the Board of Engineers the authority to determine what constitutes the incidental practice of engineering by an architect. An agreement was reached last week not to pursue HB 498 this session to allow our respective boards to address the issue over the interim.

Below are all the bills AIA Kentucky is tracking. 

    
Greg Brotzge 
AIA Kentucky Lobbyist 
 
Click below for the current status of bills AIA Kentucky is tracking.
(Report created on March  4, 2019)
  
Week In Review 
   March 2, 2019     
       
It's just 10 pages long, but House Bill 525 packs a major change to the Teachers' Retirement System Board of Trustees in those 10 pages.
Spectrum News

An amended version of the School Safety and Resiliency Act is headed back to the Senate for consideration as the House voted 96-3 to approve it today.
Northern Kentucky Tribune

Kentucky's bourbon industry has a bracing message for its home state lawmakers as they consider whether to relax restrictions on wine sales: What's good for California vineyards should also apply to the bluegrass state's signature spirit.
Associated Press

Kentucky's two largest school districts will be closed Thursday after a grassroots network of teachers called for a sickout to protest a bill that would restructure the board that oversees the state's teacher pension system.
Louisville Courier-Journal

A bill that would slash the $375,000 salary of Kentucky Chief Information Officer Charles Grindle by nearly half passed unanimously through the House budget committee Tuesday.
Louisville Courier-Journal

Attorney General Andy Beshear threw down a challenge to his fellow Democratic gubernatorial nominees Saturday: sign a pledge to not run any negative television or radio ads in the primary.
Lexington Herald-Leader

Four big utility interests pumped $327,050 into the political committees of legislative candidates and the political parties during the 2018 election cycle.
Louisville Courier-Journal

The Republican senator behind this year's "net-metering" bill has introduced a measure that would fast track rate cases and limit oversight from state utility regulators.
WFPL

With Republicans holding overwhelming majorities in the Kentucky General Assembly for their third consecutive session, lawmakers this winter have filed a half-dozen bills to restrict access to abortion.
Lexington Herald-Leader

Doctors would be required to tell patients seeking a medically-induced abortion that the procedure can be reversed, under a bill advancing through the Kentucky legislature despite warnings from medical professionals.
Ashland Daily


Questions or comments may be directed to Legislative Chair Eric Steva, AIA, Lobbyist Greg Brotzge or Executive Director Kelly Ives.
 
Kelly E. Ives, AIA
Executive Director
AIA Kentucky
(859) 223-8201
In This Issue
Bill Activity Report
Week in Review
Summary
 

 

 

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS 
2019 Legislative Day
 






AIA Kentucky Government Affairs Committee
The AIA Kentucky Government Affairs Committee reviews, provides feedback, and recommends positions on pending legislation. 

Eric Steva, AIA is the AIA Kentucky Government Affairs Committee chair. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact AIA Kentucky Executive Director Kelly Ives, AIA at 859-221-0154. Any AIA Kentucky member in good standing is eligible to serve.
 

KSA Political Action Committee
Please consider contributing to the Kentucky Society of Architects Political Action Committee (KSA PAC)! 

The importance of our participation in the political process becomes more and more evident each time we must take action to cope with legislative proposals that have the potential to negatively impact our profession. 

You can join many of your fellow members who have already contributed by making a donation of any amount that you are comfortable with. Visit our KSAPAC website to donate online and find out more about how you can lend your support!