2020 Session – Week 3
Bet the House, but wait on the Senate.
HB137 (Koenig), a bill to legalize sports betting in Kentucky, passed out of committee unanimously and is headed to the floor.
After last year’s attempt to pass sports gaming, Rep. Koenig has gotten a boost this year in several ways: growing, bipartisan support includes 35 cosponsors plus a new Governor on board; a budget year means a simple majority is required instead of the 60-vote threshold last year; and the increasing list of outside voices signing on is expanding, from Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) to famed NASCAR driver and Kentucky native Michael Waltrip.
Proponents say sports betting is already taking place through underground channels, this bill allows the state to better regulate the industry and collect the money leaving the state. If passed, it’s expected to generate over $20 million in revenue. Despite momentum in the House, President Stivers and others in the Senate have expressed concerns on the measure, as have some conservative groups. Read more here.
Kentucky could change constitution to elect statewide officers in even-numbered years
For years, lawmakers have discussed a constitutional amendment to move the election of Kentucky constitutional officers (Governor/Lt. Governor and others) to even-numbered years. This week a bill to do just that cleared a major hurdle in one chamber. If SB3 (McDaniel) passes, and then is subsequently approved by voters this November, it will take effect in 2028; those elected in 2023 would serve for five years. Read more here.
Reduced costs and increased voter turnout for presidential and congressional races are cited by proponents as major advantages. Opponents say that odd years help to separate the election from the noise of the national level. Kentucky is one of five states with general elections in odd-numbered years. More on these states and their election histories here.
Special elections
A third vacancy in the 2020 General Assembly has now been filled: Mike Nemes won a special election taking the seat held by longtime Sen. Dan Seum. Nemes was previously a state representative and most recently a member of Governor Bevin’s cabinet. His son, Jason, is the current state representative for House District 33.
On February 25th, voters will head to the polls to replace two state representatives, both of whom took jobs in the Beshear Administration
District 67 (Campbell) held by Dennis Keene, now Commissioner of Local Government
District 99 (Elliott, Lewis, Rowan) held by Minority Leader Rocky Adkins, now Special Advisor to Governor Beshear
Governor Beshear State of the Commonwealth Address Recap
The Governor’s budget proposal will be unveiled next week in his Budget Address to a joint session Tuesday January 28. Kentuckians got a sneak peek on priorities likely to be funded based remarks during the State of the Commonwealth Address last week.
The Governor announced an agenda-setting acronym, WHERE – Wages, Health care, Education, Retirement, and Example:
Wages – economic growth through job creation, a minimum wage increase, investments in infrastructure such as high-speed internet and the Mountain Parkway;
Health care – coverage for those with preexisting health conditions, access to insulin, an end to surprise billing, continuing to fight the opioid epidemic and hold drug manufacturers accountable; he referenced his cancelling the managed care contracts and rescinding the Bevin 1115 Medicaid Waiver;
Education & Retirement – ending cuts to higher education institutions, $2,000 teacher salary raise, fulfilling the promise of retirement pensions, policies promoting public education; he referenced his Administration’s move to make the GED test free;
Example – he challenged the General Assembly to be an example of bipartisanship, to come together on vital legislation highlighting sports wagering and criminal justice reform.
Beshear stressed unity and avoiding any “partisan games” that would keep lawmakers from tackling “the reality before us.” Both House and Senate leaders acknowledged the tone of goodwill, but according to Speaker Osborne, “the only thing he didn’t propose was puppies.” Read more here.
Committee testimony could be given under oath
Senate President Stivers and House Speaker Osborne are considering a rule aimed at keeping committee testimony honest. Committee chairs could formally “swear in” witnesses or those speaking in committee for or against a bill. The penalty for falsehood is still being discussed. Others such as Sen. Reggie Thomas are also supportive of this new rule. Read more here.
In the News
Rep. Stan Lee (R-Lexington) Decides Not To Seek Re-Election (article)
Sanctuary Cities Bill Sponsor Plans Changes (article)
Pardon Commission Proposed By Senate President (article)
Beshear Says Kentucky Might Buy Private Prisons (article)
Related: 5 Big Messes That Await Beshear at Kentucky’s Justice and Public Safety Cabinet (article)
Quick summaries on bills moving
It’s day 10 of 60 – here’s a few additional topics on the move:
· SB56 (Alvarado) prohibits the sale of tobacco, alternative nicotine, or vapor products to persons under the age of 21. This moves Kentucky in line with the provision recently passed in the December federal spending package raising the legal age for tobacco use from 18 to 21. This state-level law would add enforcement mechanisms and penalties aimed at retailers selling to underage customers. Several bills this session specifically target vaping, including a tax for e-cigarettes and vaping products (HB32 - Miller), registration for retailers plus a ban on online sales (HB69 - Miller) and a ban on flavored products (HB158 - Wheatley). The Smoke-Free Tomorrow coalition has united on several of these proposals (article).
· HB12 (Bentley) caps private insurance co-pays at $100 for a 30-day supply of insulin. The bill is popular among legislators with a total of 44 cosponsors. Kentucky is one of many states around the country considering similar measures, all modeled after Colorado, which became the first state to pass such a law last year.
· HB129 (Moser) modifies the funding formula for local health departments regarding employment, services, and programs. The bill comes as a result of considerable bipartisan work in the interim to protect the commonwealth’s health departments through funding focused on public health transformation.
· HCR5 (Bentley) a resolution to “urge federal policymakers to expedite research regarding the safety and efficacy of the use of marijuana for medical purposes” is nearing passage in the House. A bill legalizing medical marijuana gained steam last year but never made it to the House floor. It’s back again with supporters optimistic for passage in the House, but faces an uphill battle in the Senate.
· SB7 (Schickel) shifts responsibility of principal hiring to the superintendent and balances teacher/parent representation on SBDMs to a minimum of two parents and two teachers each. The bill has received two readings but still awaits a committee hearing. Sen. Schickel filed the same bill last year.
Dates for your calendar
January 28: Governor’s Budget Address, 8pm ET (Tune in to KET or watch online at https://www.ket.org/)
February 21: Last day for bill requests
February 25: Special Elections in House District 67 and 99
March 2: Last day to file bills in the House
March 3: Last day to file bills in the Senate
April 15: Last day of session