Legislative Update

March 30, 2020


The legislature met once last week on March 26. The main order of business that day was passage of a bill to address the coronavirus. This measure was inserted into SB 150 and the original language was deleted. The bill eventually went to a conference committee and the free conference committee report is the final version.
 
SB 150 codifies what the governor has done by executive order, particularly with regards to taxes and unemployment insurance. It also includes good samaritan protections for those rendering assistance during the state of emergency. It gives the Board of Medical Licensure and the Board of Nursing the ability to waive or modify statutes and regulations relating to their professions.
 
The other major issue that still needs to be resolved is the budget. The legislature is scheduled to reconvene on April 1 to pass the budget. The budget conference committee is expected to meet Monday and Tuesday of the coming week. The final day of the 2020 General Assembly will be April 14 and/or 15 to consider any bills the Governor has vetoed.
 
HB 325, which expands historic preservation tax credits, is still in the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee. AIA Kentucky supports this legislation but given the reality on the ground at this point, it is unlikely the legislation will move this session.
 
HB 467, which allows local review of construction documents, is currently in the Senate State and Local Government Committee. The bill appears to be dead unless it shows up on another bill in the final two days. Current law grants local governments expanded jurisdiction on plan review with HBC approval. The bill would add educational facilities to the list of projects eligible for expanded jurisdiction.
 
HB 475, which is a Constitutional amendment granting local governments the authority to impose additional local taxes, was recommitted to the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee and is dead for the session.

Below is the full list of bills that AIA Kentucky is currently tracking.
Thank you,

    
Greg Brotzge 
AIA Kentucky Lobbyist 
 
Bill Activity Report

Click below for the current status of bills AIA Kentucky is tracking.
(Report created on March  30, 2020)   
 

Week In Review 
   (For the Week Ending March 28, 2020)  

Kentucky will receive about $1.7 billion from from the federal government as part of the coronavirus relief bill signed into law on Friday, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.
WFPL

Gov. Andy Beshear announced signing 36 bills into law on Saturday, in addition to vetoing two bills dealing with special taxing districts and government notices posted in newspapers.
Louisville Courier-Journal

A controversial bill to shift more power to the attorney general to regulate abortion clinics shot through a Senate committee Thursday, after no opponents attended or spoke because of potential coronavirus contagion.
Louisville Courier-Journal

A bill meant to reinforce emergency measures ordered by Gov. Andy Beshear during the coronavirus pandemic, including provisions to protect workers and businesses, passed the Kentucky General Assembly Thursday.
Louisville Courier-Journal

A Republican state lawmaker seeks to restrict Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's power to issue broad executive orders during the coronavirus crisis, and she would let businesses damaged by the shutdown sue the state of Kentucky for relief if they believe Beshear overreached.
Lexington Herald-Leader

Kentucky lawmakers negotiating the state's next two-year budget agreed Wednesday to fully fund the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System (KTRS), rejecting the Senate's proposal to withhold more than $1 billion in funding in exchange for structural reforms to the pension program.
WDRB
actionTRACK - Hannah News Service, Inc.
 
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
 

 

 

 

 
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

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!

HIGHLIGHTS 
2020 Legislative
Day at the Capitol




HIGHLIGHTS 
2019 Legislative 
Shadow Day