Legislative Update

The Senate votes to give schools more remote instruction days. A House panel considers a student mental health measure and a bill on financial aid applications. Legislative leaders discuss the budgeting process and benefits of pre-kindergarten. Gov. Beshear previews his spending proposals for infrastructure, economic development. and tourism.

Lawmakers complete their work on redistricting bills and a measure on legal challenges to the new maps. The Senate debates legislation that gives school superintendents the power to hire and fire principals and to set school curricula. A House committee considers aid for tornado-damaged communities. Gov. Beshear previews his proposed state budget.

Renee Shaw looks back at the first week of the General Assembly session as lawmakers move closer to final passage of new legislative and judicial district maps. Gov. Beshear delivers his State of the Commonwealth Address and legislative leaders offer their reactions. Lawmakers discuss the prospects for medical marijuana.

Lawmakers give final passage to a bill that moves this year’s candidate filing deadline. The Senate passes bills to redraw state Senate and Congressional districts, and to create a new process for legal challenges to redistricting. The House approves new maps for state House and state Supreme Court districts. A Senate panel advances measures on principal hiring and remote instruction.

Gov. Andy Beshear delivers his State of the Commonwealth Address to a joint session of the General Assembly, and legislative leaders offer their reactions to his speech. A Senate panel approves new state Senate and Congressional district maps. The House debates a delay in this year’s candidate filing deadline. Lawmakers remember former Louisville Rep. Darryl Owens.

On the first day of the 2022 General Assembly session, House Democrats denounce rules proposed by Republican leadership to place time limits on debate. Reps. Jerry Miller, David Meade, and Angie Hatton discuss the redistricting plan for state House districts.

In a special session of the General Assembly, lawmakers debated actions to help Kentucky weather the ongoing COVID pandemic. They approved measures to extend the state of emergency, allow local school boards to decide on mask mandates, create regional monoclonal antibody clinics, and more. They also allocated $350 million for economic development projects.

Renee Shaw recaps the last day of the 2021 Kentucky General Assembly.

In the penultimate day of the 2021 session, the General Assembly overrides gubernatorial vetoes on a series of measures, including bills on school choice, teacher pensions, the executive branch budget, how U.S. Senate vacancies are filled, and broadband internet installation.

The House and Senate act on school choice, spending of federal COVID relief funds, and a retirement package for new teachers. Legislators also approve a do-over school year for students, allocate $250 million for broadband deployment, negotiate a compromise on state Board of Education membership, and move to expand voting options in elections.