One of the questions I get asked most often is about our priorities for upcoming sessions.
While a few bills are drafted to address last-minute issues, most of the legislation that becomes law is the result of months of hard work, preparation and study by committees and working groups. During the 2024 Legislative Interim, the House and Senate developed four task forces to study specific issues impacting our state today.
All but one of the task forces will consist of a bipartisan group of 10 legislative members from throughout the state. The exception is the Efficient and Effective School District Governance Task Force, which will have a total of 13 members, including five private citizens.
Each task force will hear from stakeholders, collect and review data, and investigate how other states approach similar issues. Each will meet during the 2024 Interim and submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, for referral to the appropriate committee or committees.
Artificial Intelligence Task Force: The direct result of conversations around House Concurrent Resolution 38, this task force will continue efforts to address the exponential growth in both the current use and future potential of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that allows computers and other machines with computers to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving skills. Members will look into AI’s role in both the public and private sector, what can be done to ensure security; and how other states are addressing it.
Kentucky Housing Task Force: Like most of our nation, Kentucky faces a shortage in housing. In fact, a recent study showed the state needs 200,000 or more housing units and the shortage impacts rural, urban, and suburban communities throughout the state. While some have advocated for investing billions in free or low-cost housing, the issue is far more complex than that and task force members will look at the housing market, financing, and how state and local rules and ordinances impact construction, rentals, and housing in general.
Workforce Attraction and Retention Task Force: Kentucky has experienced tremendous economic growth over the past seven years, with historic investments in new employers, the creation of new jobs, and a stable economy. We even managed to navigate the effects of the shutdown during the pandemic. However, the need for more workers of all skill levels continues to plague our efforts. In fact, we have one of the worst workforce participation rates in the nation – which means too many people who could be and should be working are not.
We all know what having a job can mean to individual Kentuckians – to borrow the old adage, jobs are the best anti-poverty program in existence. But, thousands of Kentuckians remain out of the workforce. We know some do not want to work, but far more face hurdles like transportation, education, and childcare. Ultimately, we need to come up with solutions that get everyone into a productive role. This task force will continue our effort to identify barriers to employment and how the state might help prepare Kentuckians for the workforce.
Efficient and Effective School District Governance Task Force: Systemic issues within Jefferson County Public Schools led to the creation of this working group. The 13-member panel will focus on the district’s governance and administration and how it impacts its ability to educate students. Almost 100,000 students attend school in the district, an enrollment that is larger than the population of all but two of Kentucky’s cities. Members will take a comprehensive approach to identifying potential improvements to the district, including engaging parents, teachers, students, local leaders, and advocates along the way.
For more information about these panels, or to access meeting materials and other information, visit the special committees section of the committees page on legislature.ky.gov.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at Samara.Heavrin@lrc.ky.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
Rep. Samara Heavrin, R-Leitchfield
