District 36 Newsletter
September 2023
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Greetings!
Following on the success of my HB144 law banning warrentless surveillance on private land last session, my first bill for 2024 has already had an early public hearing. Giddy up!
Here is the news report and the video of the hearing. This bipartisan electronic privacy bill restricts the misuse of drone surveillance, license plate reader data, AI generated "deepfakes" and human microchipping - all things that were science fiction a few years ago, but are very real risks now. Here is the text of the bill if you would like to review in detail. We may add a couple of things before filing officially in January.
Working with 6 other Louisville legislators, we are deep into developing a comprehensive bill to combat our epidemic of violent crime, which includes a ban on "street camping", details next month.
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We are in the "Interim Joint Committee" part of the year, where I am meeting regularly in Frankfort with House and Senate committees to discuss 2024 proposed bills in detail, and hear testimony from interested parties. I am also attending national legislative conferences to learn from other states how they are addressing issues in technology, elections, crime, education etc.
- Elections & Constitutional Amendments
- State Government
- Transportation
- Information Technology Oversight Board (newly formed)
Watch live internet video of the session and committees on this KET link.
My office number is 351D in the Capitol Annex.
Office phone is 502-564-8100.
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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Let's protect faith, family, and freedom in KY - Liberty is a team sport! |
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District 36 Road & Traffic Plans |
KYTC Studying new I64 Exit near Eastwood
KYTC held 2 public meetings in August to discuss a $750,000 study of a potential new I64 Exit and a connector road from Shelbyville Rd to Taylorsville Rd. The intent is to relieve traffic on Shelbyville Rd and allow more people ready access to I64 without having to drive all the way to the Gene Snyder or Simpsonville. Don't get too excited yet, we are likely 8-10 years from actual road/exit construction, but KYTC is seeking citizen input on where the connector road and exit should be to accommodate the relentless growth and traffic in our area. The analysis will be complicated, and there is no perfect answer, but be sure to share your opinions here.
Sign up here for email ROAD CONSTRUCTION & DETOUR UPDATES
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We will update The State Road Plan in 2024 - it is a complicated and competitive process, as there are 99 other Legislators like me who are seeking the limited project funds for the next 2 years. Click here for an explanation of the process.
Bottom Line: I will be making sure that District 36 competes effectively for scarce road funds in the Budget Planning process over the next few months, and there may be a time that I need to call for some "helpful pressure" from community groups to make sure the rest of KY understands our needs. Stay tuned. Community involvement is important. I welcome any feedback or information you have.
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Discipline of Members of Congress and the Legislature |
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US Constitution, Section 5: Powers and Duties of Congress
- Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members.
- a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
- Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Most of the time Congress is fairly orderly these days, but it has not always been so. In 1856, rhetoric was personal and heated in the Senate over the issue of slavery, and it escalated. Pro-slavery Representative Brooks beat abolitionist Senator Sumner almost to death on the Senate floor with a cane, saved by the intervention of KY Representative Crittenden. Amazingly, nobody apologized, or was expelled or censured, and the attacker even got re-elected. It has been said that "politics is war without bloodshed". Congress failed to discipline its members for violence, and 4 years later well over 2% of the US population was killed in the bloody war between the states. Read the 1856 story here
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Perhaps learning from the events of 1856, Section 39 of The KY Constitution of 1891 allows each house to punish its members for disorderly conduct, and Section 239 prohibits anyone from holding office who has participated in a duel with deadly weapons. Elected officials at all levels have to swear an oath they have not dueled! Rules keep things from getting too hostile on the floor of the KY Legislature, and do not even permit Legislators to call each other by name in speeches, only title. And of course, personal insults are not allowed. The ability to have civil discourse when we disagree is essential!
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Legislative Update - Families and Children Committee Bills Passed 2023 |
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Addressing the benefits cliff, Rep, Jonathan Dixon – HJR 39 requires the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to implement a benefits cliff calculator tool; identify opportunities to address the benefits cliff within public assistance programs; look into the cost of maintaining changes to the Child Care Assistance Program; and create a federal Earned Income Tax Credit outreach and education program.
Prohibiting discrimination in organ donation services, Rep. Wade Williams – HB 238 prohibits discrimination based solely on an individual's disability when providing care related to an organ donation.
Establishing standards for recovery residences, Rep. Samara Heavrin – HB 248 sets requirements for the certification, operation, and oversight of substance abuse recovery residences.
Increasing access to care for those with intellectual disabilities, Rep. DJ Johnson – HB 334 allows intermediate care facilities to increase the number of beds for individuals with an intellectual disability if they meet specific qualifications.
Improving maternal mental health outcomes, Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer – SB 135 directs the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide access on its website to an evidence based clinical assessment designed to detect the symptoms of perinatal mental health disorders. It seeks to create awareness and better educate about the symptoms of perinatal mental health disorders to expectant and new mothers.
Increasing access to public assistance for disabled Kentuckians, Sen. Danny Carroll – SB 160 exempts money held in STABLE Kentucky accounts from consideration when determining eligibility for public assistance programs.
Reporting of child abuse and neglect, Sen. Julie Raque Adams – SB 229 ensures that the reporting of child abuse and neglect is properly communicated to the appropriate agencies. The measure also allows DCBS to initiate an assessment or an investigation when child abuse is suspected and allows discretion to make announced or unannounced home visits depending on the severity of the case.
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Political Happenings in Dist 36 |
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Public Events in September |
There will be a Daniel Cameron for Governor Rally Sept 26th, 6PM at the Eagles Lodge - 201 Outer Loop.
Free admission, all are welcome.
Hear his vision for Kentucky in person!
District 36 resident Lucas Frazier, founder of the highly effective advocacy group "Louisville Keep your Fork", is hosting an event called "Arise" to teach people of faith how to make a difference in their communities and in government.
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Northeast Christian Church: 9900 Brownsboro Rd, Louisville, KY
8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
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School Group Touring the Capitol? See my intro video here.
Archived Recent Newsletters:
August 2023 - Road budget process, interim committees, Licensing and Admin Regulation bills
July 2023 - Energy & Environment bills, I64/Gene Snyder project, November election lineup
June 2023 - Primary election, crime legislation update, Billtown Road project
May 2023 - 2023 Education bills, Taylorsville road project, 2024 priorities
March 2023 - legislative session, N English Station road project, Taiwan ambassador
February 2023 - Part 2 of Session, Eastwood cutoff project, election law
January 2023 - How to track the Session and bills, new legislation, Eastwood Cutoff project
December 2022 - Election recap, legislative preview, how a bill becomes law
September '22 – Eastwood Cutoff project, Constitutional Privacy protection
August '22 – KY 155 / Pope Lick project, Limitations on Government Power
July '22 – First newsletter – our God-given Rights
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Thanks for reading and being involved!
John Hodgson
State Representative District 36
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Address: PO Box 74
Fisherville, KY 40023
Phone: (502) 276-5213
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