The 2018 session of the Kentucky General Assembly started January 2, and this session is moving much slower than the 2017 session when the legislature passed major policy changes in the first five days. The 2018 session will last for 60 days, ending no later than April 15. Legislators are awaiting the election filing deadline of January 30 to learn if they will have opposition for re-election. Many hold any controversial legislation until after this date in order to not raise concerns of voters who may file to run.
Passing a biennial budget is weighing heavy on the minds of legislators and Governor Matt Bevin as the state grapples with declining revenues and a budget shortfall. The Senate has set many of its priorities for the session, which include pension reform, tort reform, carving pharmacy benefits away from the Medicaid Managed Care Organizations and a constitutional amendment creating crime victims’ rights. The House also has stated that pension reform is a priority along with changes to the workers’ compensation system, legislation requiring schools to teach essential skills, and the crimes victims’ rights constitutional amendment.
Already, nearly 200 bills have been filed, but there are likely many more to come before the late-February deadlines for introduction of new bills.
Leadership and Committee Chairs Shuffle
There is a new Senate President Pro Tem—Senator Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon)—a retired grocer. Higdon moved from Senate Majority Whip to President Pro Tem after Senator David Givens (R-Greensburg) resigned the position. There also is a new Senate Majority Whip. Senator Mike Wilson (R-Bowling Green) was elected by his peers to serve in the leadership role. Wilson is the former Senate Chair of the Education Committee, which will now be chaired by Senator Max Wise (R-Campbellsville).
Three new committee chairs have been appointed in the House. Representative Ken Upchurch (R-Monticello) will serve as House Transportation Committee Chair, which was vacant after the former Chair Marie Rader resigned her seat. Representative Phil Pratt (R-Georgetown) will take the helm of the Economic Development and Workforce Committee. The final new chair is freshman Representative Rob Rothenberger (R-Shelbyville) who will serve as head of the House Local Government Committee. Prior to serving in the General Assembly, he was the judge executive of Shelby County.