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Among the bills that were given final passage of both chambers before the veto recess deadline are:
House Bill 1 – This legislation makes historic, one-time investments in infrastructure and special projects by allocating nearly $3 billion from the budget reserve trust fund.
House Bill 3 – The legislation establishes a working group in the state attorney general’s office to address all aspects of human trafficking. The bill also requires hotels, bus stations, truck stops, rest areas, train stations and airports to post bilingual signage of the current National Trafficking Resource Center hotline number.
House Bill 5 – Also known as the Safer Kentucky Act, this bill makes comprehensive updates to Kentucky’s criminal code by cracking down on repeat, violent offenders; fentanyl trafficking, unlawful street camping, carjacking and more.
House Bill 7 – This bill regulates autonomous vehicles in the commonwealth.
House Bill 11 – This legislation brings Kentucky in-line with the FDA’s regulation on vapor nicotine products by prohibiting the sale of certain products and keeping all vapor nicotine products out of the hands of minors.
House Bill 87 – Certain adult family members will be allowed to inspect adoption records after both birth parents or the adoptee have passed away under this legislation.
House Bill 100 – This is a bipartisan bill that allows homeless youth who were born in Kentucky to obtain a copy of their birth certificate for free.
House Bill 142 – This bill bans all tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products in Kentucky public schools and requires school districts to adopt disciplinary procedures for violators.
House Bill 174 - When a parent or guardian is acting as the personal representative for a minor, they will have access to the child's medical record under HB 174. Currently, parents lose access to their child’s medical records when the child turns 13.
House Bill 179 – Private and public employers have the option to allow employees to purchase paid family leave insurance under this bill.
House Bill 194 – This bill makes assaulting any health care worker third-degree assault, which is a class D felony.
House Bill 258 – Also known as Ethan’s Law, HB 258 makes torture of a cat or dog a Class D felony on the first offense.
House Bill 278 – Penalties against individuals who sexually abuse, assault or exploit children are strengthened under this bill. This bill also requires age verification for access to websites that distribute or publish pornographic materials.
House Bill 293 – This bill regulates Kratom in the commonwealth by prohibiting anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing the addictive substance among other provisions.
House Bill 377 – This legislation establishes the Teacher Recruitment Student Loan Forgiveness Pilot Program and the Student Teacher Stipend Program.
House Bill 513 – Under this bill, any plans to install or remove statues, monuments or art on permanent display in the Capitol rotunda need to be submitted to and approved by the general assembly.
House Bill 535 – This legislation establishes new civics education standards for Kentucky high schoolers by requiring a half-credit course in civics and a passing grade of at least 70% on a civics exam.
House Bill 611 – Chronic absenteeism in public schools is addressed with this bill. School officials are required to file a complaint with the county attorney once a student misses more than 15 days of school unexcused.
House Bill 622 – In the event there is a vacancy for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, this bill lets voters decide who replaces the senator through a special election.
House Joint Resolution 56 – This resolution directs more than $62 million toward capital projects at Kentucky State Parks.
Senate Bill 2 – This comprehensive school safety bill allows school districts to employ guardians with basic SRO training. This bill also directs schools to form trauma-informed teams to support students impacted by trauma. Suicide prevention training for students and teachers is also expanded under this bill.
Senate Bill 11 – This bill sets up a process for schools to be notified in a timely manner if a student has been charged with a felony offense or certain misdemeanor offenses.
Senate Bill 20 – This bill seeks to address youth gun violence in the commonwealth. Juveniles charged with A, B and C felonies involving the use of a gun will have their cases transferred to circuit court under this bill. The circuit court could use a reverse waiver to send cases back to district court if the case meets certain criteria.
Senate Bill 128 – This legislation allows non-profits to employ youth at 12 and 13 years of age to help build life skills and employment skills. These programs will have state oversight. Youth will be paid minimum wage and will not be permitted to work on school days or more than 18 hours a week.
Senate Bill 140 – Some Kentuckians who applied for unemployment benefits during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic received notice they were awarded benefits in error. Those Kentuckians were ordered to pay those funds back. SB 140 gives amnesty for those who applied for benefits in good faith and will issue those who already started repayments a refund.
Senate Bill 151 – This bill would give relative or fictive kin serving as caregivers access to more state resources.
Senate Bill 240 – This legislation allows the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to give foster parents child-care benefits if the foster parent is working outside the home or teleworking inside the home.
The governor has 10 days to sign, veto or let the legislation become law without his signature.
My 4 Committee assignments are:
- Elections & Constitutional Amendments
- State Government
- Transportation
- Information Technology Oversight Committee (House Co-Chair)
Watch live internet video of the session and committees on this KET link.
I welcome your input and perspective on legislative issues (online form here).
My office number is 351D in the Capitol Annex.
Office phone is 502-564-8100.
State email is John.Hodgson@lrc.ky.gov
I will do my best to answer your questions and consider your input on District 36 issues if you would like to contact me.
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