Legislative Update

Public education advocates and school choice supporters pack a hearing on scholarship tax credits. The House budget panel moves to raise the pension income exclusion. The Senate approves reopening the current executive branch budget, and a bill to help limit vaping by students. Also, a look at medical marijuana, in vitro animal cell meat, and the 2020 census.

The Senate passes a tax clean-up measure. A bill to limit the Kentucky Secretary of State's access to voter registration information and to change the makeup of the state board of elections fails to pass a House Committee. Freshman lawmakers from Richmond, Paris, and Owensboro discuss their backgrounds and priorities.

The House debates and then gives final passage to a bill that allows concealed carry of deadly weapons without a permit. The School Safety and Resiliency Act heads to Gov. Bevin's desk. Three abortion measures advance through the legislature, as does a bill to have schools display the national motto. Activists rally for a statewide fairness law.

The Senate gives final passage to a school safety bill and approves a pro-life measure as well as a bill to change court venues in cases against a state government entity. Amid teacher protests, a House panel advances legislation to change the make-up of the KTRS board. The House considers kindergarten truancy and steps to improve math and reading instruction.

The House passes bills on school safety, displaying the national motto in Kentucky schools, and state universities seeking to leave KERS. A House panel considers concealed carry without a permit, while Senate committees hear about fetal heartbeat abortions, a foster child bill of rights, and e-cigarettes. The Senate passes a felony expungement measure.

The House votes to ban abortions in certain circumstances, but a tobacco-free schools bill remains in limbo. A House panel considers a bill to improve instruction in math and reading. The Senate approves measures on school resource officers and principal hiring in Jefferson County. The chamber also advances a plan to create special panels to hear legislative redistricting challenges.

The Senate Judiciary Committee considers a bill to allow lawsuits involving state government to be heard in courts other than Franklin Circuit Court, and a measure on minority youth in the criminal justice system. The Senate acts to control executive branch lobbying, update school accountability, and give the Finance Secretary approval of state contracts and legal settlements. A House panel approves changes to the tribunals that review teacher terminations.

The Senate discusses work accommodations for pregnant employees and incentives for teachers serving in low-performing schools. Some House members oppose a resolution on Pres. Trump's national emergency declaration. Rep. Adam Koenig explains his sports betting bill. Freshmen lawmakers from Cartersville and Louisville discuss their legislative priorities.

The full House approves fixes to last year's tax code overhaul and biennial budget, while a House committee considers a plan for regional universities to exit KERS. Senate panels advance measures on school accountability and felony expungement. The full Senate approves bills regarding employee arbitration agreements, licensing of midwives, and genetic testing for cancers.

House committees discuss school safety, sports betting, and abortion, while the full House approves a student day of prayer. A Senate panel debates personal service contracts, and the full Senate passes animal welfare bills and an ignition interlock measure. Freshmen lawmakers from Paducah and Bowling Green share their legislative priorities.