Legislative Update

March  11, 2019


Four days remain in the 2019 General Assembly. Three of the four are scheduled for this week. Taxes and net metering continue to be the major focus of concern in the coming week.

 

HB 354, which is the tax legislation, passed the House and Senate in different forms last week. It has been sent to a conference committee that is charged with resolving the differences. Both the Senate and House versions include language that exempts all non-profits from paying sales tax on admissions. 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 for 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, has been delivered to the Governor. 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 not to pursue HB 498 this session so that our respective boards may 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  11, 2019)
  


Week In Review 
   March 9, 2019     
       
Like many of the other candidates for governor, Adam Edelen's platform focuses on improving education and healthcare, fighting the opioid epidemic and bringing good jobs to Kentucky.
WFPL

The Kentucky Court of Appeals has sided with a lower court judge in dismissing a lawsuit seeking to overturn the state's ban on marijuana for medical purposes.
WDRB

Vice President Mike Pence campaigned Friday for Republican Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, making one of the Trump administration's first forays into a trio of 2019 Southern governor's races that could serve as a harbinger of the 2020 presidential campaign.
Associated Press

A bill that would have rescinded restrictions on the types of physicians who can diagnose black lung disease will likely not get a vote in the Kentucky House of Representatives this year, said Rep. Angie Hatton, one of the bill's sponsors.
Lexington Herald-Leader

Prospects for a bill supported by bourbon producers and Mothers Against Drunk Driving improved Wednesday when Kentucky lawmakers reversed course to advance the proposal aimed at increasing the use of a device that blocks a vehicle from starting if the driver isn't sober.
WKMS

A bill that would allow Kentucky employers to force workers into signing a binding arbitration agreement as a condition of employment moved closer to final passage on Tuesday, after clearing a state House committee on a party-line vote.
Insider Louisville

Kentucky Republicans took a major step Wednesday in peeling power away from Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, who has been criticized for her use of the state's voter registration system.
Louisville Courier-Journal

For the second time in a week, a sick-out forced Jefferson County Public Schools to close. The Capitol was awash in red as Jefferson County teachers let their voices be heard. They're unhappy about Senate Bill 250, sponsored by Republican Julie Raque Adams.
Spectrum News

Republican Phillip Wheeler has defeated Democrat Darrell Pugh in a special election to fill an eastern Kentucky state Senate seat.
Kentucky Today

Two Republicans voted with Democrats Monday to reject a bill that would limit Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes' power over the State Board of Elections.
Lexington Herald-Leader

Governor Matt Bevin tells our Gray D.C. correspondent that he plans to sign the permitless conceal carry legislation when it gets on his desk.
Associated Press
An amended tax reform clean up bill made it out of a senate committee.
Spectrum News

Kentucky lawmakers sided with a powerful gun-rights organization Friday in approving a bill to let people carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training.
WKMS

The Kentucky House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bill that would make sexual harassment an offense under the ethics code for state lawmakers. The bill still needs to pass the Senate and be signed by the governor to become law.
WFPL

Time is growing short for the 2019 Kentucky General Assembly. Monday is the 23rd day of a session that can meet no more than 30 days.
Louisville Courier-Journal

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!