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The 2 Year State Budget Bills
Much of the session was devoted to Budget. This month, I am highlighting parts of HB6 that support our efforts to reduce crime and improve public safety, spending more than $3 billion over 2 years. The Legislature will invest the money necessary to make sure violent criminals are prosecuted and taken off the street, future crimes are prevented, and victims get justice. This remains my top priority.
We used this budget to invest in those who protect and serve our citizens. HB 6 includes significant resources for the Kentucky State Police, forensic crime laboratories, and the body armor grant program administered by the Attorney General’s Office. The budget we passed includes:
· Increases by $20 million in FY 25 to replace American Rescue Plan funds that supported the Rural Infrastructure Improvement Fund and were allocated to the Department of Corrections
· Includes an additional $9.8 million in FY 25 and $19.8 million in FY 26 to support staffing and services stemming from the expansion of Little Sandy Correctional Complex
· Provides $30.9 million over the biennium to support medical, mental health, and utility costs at adult correctional institutions
· Increases funding by $450,000 in each fiscal year to support the Child Exploitation Specialized Investigation and Prosecution Unit
· Increases by $1 million in each fiscal year the allocation for Freedom House, administered by Volunteers of America
· Includes $546,900 in additional funds over the biennium to support the development and operations of the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel
· Increases by $160,000 over the biennium to support the required federal match for the Violence Against Women Act
· Includes $22.5 million in additional funds over the biennium to the KSP for pay increases for 1,013 troopers and commercial vehicle enforcement officers
· Increases funding by $6 million in FY 25 and $16.6 million in FY 26 to support classes of 75 Trooper cadets in each fiscal year
· Provides $2.6 million in FY 26 towards the purchase of a total of 50 marked and 50 unmarked KSP cruisers
· Includes an additional $27.9 million for the unified prosecutorial system for raises and new positions in commonwealth’s attorney and county attorney offices, a new case management system, and the rocket docket system
· Adds $2.5 million in each fiscal year for additional positions in Commonwealth’s Attorneys offices
· Includes language that prevents commonwealth’s and county attorneys from hiring family members after the passage of HB 6
· Increases by $2.2 million over the biennium for toxicology and DNA equipment as well as increased costs for evidence collection kits
· Provides $480,000 in additional funds to support the transition to agency-issued cell phones, which also replaces antiquated digital audio recorders and cameras
· Includes $710,000 in each fiscal year to both support seven additional full-time positions within the Sex Offender Registry program and provide for increased software service contract fees
· Provides an additional $15 million over the biennium to increase access to the Body Armor Grant Program administered by the Attorney General’s Office to local governments
· Increases funding by $20 million in FY 26 to support a medical services contract for primary care and mental health care at all juvenile justice facilities
· Includes $7.8 million in additional juvenile justice funding over the biennium towards alternative to detention programming
· Provides $7 million in additional funds over the biennium to support additional positions, screening tools, and training to implement evidence-based programming within juvenile justice
· Provides $169,600 in each fiscal year to support leasing 22 police-related vehicles for law enforcement vehicle operation training
· Includes $2.8 million in each fiscal year to support a transfer from the KLEFPF to the Office of the KY Law Enforcement Council Support
· Provides $325,000 in FY 25 to update the system used to track inmate, probationer, and parolee sentences, program credits, and services received for proper sentence completion dates
I will cover more of the 215 enacted bills in future newsletters. There were nearly 1000 bills that were introduced and not passed - some good, some bad, some will be re-filed.
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.
In Case You Missed It:
Here are some links to my key bills from the recent Session -
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