The Kentucky General Assembly has wrapped up the ninth legislative week of the 2024 Regular Session.
Last week marked the final period for lawmakers to submit new bills. By the end of the week, 838 bills were filed in the state House of Representatives and 382 in the state Senate.
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Tuesday brought our annual Military Kids Day event, where children of military families engaged in various Capitol activities, from a committee meeting introduction to enjoyable experiences like flight simulators, cornhole, and a Capitol tour and scavenger hunt. The event is a day dedicated solely to children of military moms and dads. It was a joy to recognize them and hopefully sow some seeds that may one day grow into their own public service.
We passed quite a few bills this week on various topics, including:
SB 118, which I am proud to sponsor this session, aims to safeguard property rights and address criminal trespassing by permitting private property owners to use purple paint marks as a clear notice of no trespassing. It eliminates the need for a written notice, allowing property owners to rely on the visual indicator of purple paint on trees, fences, or other objects. The bill establishes specific requirements for using purple paint to mark private property, providing a legal means for property owners to communicate and enforce boundaries without the necessity of written warnings.
SB 1 would establish an endowed research fund managed by the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) to support collaborative research initiatives across higher education institutions. CPE would oversee the application process, including soliciting, accepting, and reviewing applications from universities to select five eligible research groups for seed funding over a five-year period. Additionally, the legislation establishes a review mechanism to assess ongoing eligibility for funding and directs the CPE to address any vacancies that may arise if a consortium becomes ineligible.
SB 71 is a public safety measure that would provide transportation services for individuals who wish to voluntarily leave a chemical dependency treatment program. The bill puts in place safety provisions such as requiring notifications for family, court officials, the county attorney, and local law enforcement that a resident has left the treatment facility. It also ensures the individual is only transported to their home, a public transportation location, or a ride-sharing service.
SB 174 would improve efficiency and service to Kentucky consumers. The bill would exempt communication service providers from the requirement to call 811 before they hook up residences and other properties to communication terminals. This process typically only requires communication service providers to dig down a few inches, where it is highly unlikely they would impact other utilities in the area. The requirement to call 811 in advance can delay hooking up the service.
SB 193 proposes a streamlined structure for the Kentucky Animal Control Advisory Board, reducing its membership from twelve members to eight. It also adjusts representation from affiliated organizations from two members to one per organization. A new member from Kentucky Animal Action is added to enhance spay and neuter advocacy representation since the board’s revenues are derived from the spay/neuter license plate. SB 193 implements staggered appointments after the effective date to ensure balance. The changes aim to address quorum issues and promote efficiency in board decision-making.
SB 198 aims to enhance Kentucky’s energy sector by incorporating nuclear energy and establishing the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (KNEDA), managed by the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research. KNEDA’s role is to inform communities about advanced nuclear energy, disseminate information to the public, promote economic opportunities, interact with regulators, and facilitate collaboration in the nuclear energy ecosystem. The bill empowers KNEDA to conduct a site suitability study, address workforce and educational needs, run an educational campaign on nuclear technologies, initiate a financial assistance grant program, and define criteria for a voluntary nuclear-ready community designation, which includes public meetings, suitable sites, and community support.
Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 140 is complementary to Senate Bill 198. It focuses on equipping Kentucky for a robust nuclear energy ecosystem and provides specific direction to the Public Service Commission. Once passed, the PSC will survey nuclear regulatory staff in other states for insights, hire experts in nuclear regulatory matters, provide training for existing staff on nuclear siting and construction issues, amend administrative regulations to mandate electric utilities consider all generation resources, including nuclear in their planning, and review current regulations to remove any hindrances to effective regulation and the growth of the nuclear industry in the state.
Two bills made their way to the governor’s desk in week nine, including:
SB 5, recognized as a 2024 legislative priority, addresses a specific public concern by eliminating the five-acre ownership requirement for residential landowners seeking exemptions from sport hunting and sport fishing license requirements.
House Bill (HB) 18 prevents local governments from imposing restrictions on landlords and ensures they cannot demand emergency response fees from property owners for incidents outside their control. HB 18 was recently amended to include provisions of SB 25, a related measure that passed earlier in the session. HB 18 carries an emergency designation, meaning it would take effect upon filing with the Secretary of State’s Office.
SB 5 has been signed into law. HB 18 may be signed into law, allowed to pass without the governor’s signature (after 10 legislative days), or vetoed. If vetoed, the House and Senate can override the veto with a majority vote of both chambers.
It is a privilege to represent you in Frankfort. Please feel free to share your thoughts and stay connected throughout the session by reaching out to my office at (502)-564-8100 or via email at Stephen.Meredith@lrc.ky.gov. Additionally, you can stay informed and follow legislative activities through live broadcasts on www.KET.org/legislature and by visiting www.Legislature.ky.gov.
Sen. Steve Meredith, R-Leitchfield
