Legislative Update - Week 4, 2024
The 2024 Legislative Session in Frankfort is nearing the one-third mark of the 60-day budget session, as Friday marked the 18th day. The committee process is picking up steam; with that, more bill proposals are proceeding through the legislative process.
Please check out the KYSenateRepublicans.com website to find press releases from the Senate Majority Caucus. Information on our members—your elected officials—can be found there along with other valuable resources.
McDaniel Remarks on Senate Bill (SB) 126.
I proposed another constitutional amendment this week. While we are limited to a maximum of four constitutional amendment recommendations on a general election ballot, I feel passionate about both measures I have proposed. In previous updates, I've detailed Senate Bill 10, which would move constitutional office elections such as the governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and others to even-numbered years. New analysis from the Legislative Research Commission shows the cost savings for local governments is much greater than expected at approximately $20 million each year a primary and general election would no longer be held.
My new constitutional amendment bill, Senate Bill 126, relates to the governor's constitutional authority to grant pardons. It would not remove the governor's ability to issue a pardon, but it would put in place what I believe are reasonable restrictions. It would ensure that a governor is accountable to Kentucky voters. If the Senate and House pass SB 126 with a three-fifths vote and a majority of voters choose to ratify the amendment, it would restrict a governor from issuing pardons thirty days before a gubernatorial election until the next inauguration.
The need for this change is evident in former Governor Matt Bevin's careless and misguided actions. While other governors have misused this constitutional power, Bevin's actions were egregious. In floor remarks on Wednesday, I shared the example of Gregory Wilson, who was convicted of abduction, rape, robbery, and murder in 1987 of Deborah Pooley, a Covington woman, before being sentenced to death. That was until Bevin's commutation. After 20 years in prison, Gregory Wilson now has a chance at parole after standing before the justice system and being sentenced.
I led some initial conversations in the Senate this week as we began to review the budget proposals from the state House and the executive branch. The two most significant budget proposals submitted by the House are HB 1, which utilizes a portion of the Budget Reserve Trust Fund, and HB 6, which is the biennial budget using general fund revenues. Those bills have not yet been approved by the Appropriations and Revenue Committee in the House, so they remain a way away from reaching the Senate. As Senate budget chair and your state senator, I commit to the disciplined use of your hard-earned tax dollars. A strong objective of mine and the Kentucky General Assembly will be to limit new reoccurring expenses that put taxpayers on the hook for permanent programs. We will be especially mindful of this in reviewing our revenue projections.
Senate Bill (SB) 7 provides a means for students enrolled in non-certified Kentucky schools (homeschool) to have more access to the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES). The scholarships will include the base amount for grade point average (GPA) by using an equivalent GPA based on the student's American College Test (ACT) score. Eligible non-certified school graduates can only access the "supplemental" KEES award as earned on a student's ACT score. This bill changes their annual total KEES award up to $2,500 to align with other public, private, and parochial school students. Their award will be based on their equivalent GPA and the supplemental awards. For example, a 2.7 GPA would equal an 18 ACT score, and a 4.0 would be equivalent to a 28+ ACT score. We believe these students work just as hard academically and should be awarded accordingly. Plus, we'd like these students to pursue higher education here in Kentucky and enter our workforce, strengthening our state.
SB 25 respects the rights of Kentucky property owners by prohibiting local governments from adopting or enforcing an ordinance mandating a landlord participate in a housing program under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. The bill also prohibits local governments from adopting or enforcing an ordinance relating to landlord and tenant laws that conflict with any state law. The measure would prevent these business owners from being forced to accept a voluntary program, making them take less than market value for their properties.
Thank you for your continued engagement in the 2024 Regular Session. It is a privilege to represent you in Frankfort. Find the status of legislation by calling 866-840-2835, legislative meeting information at 800-633-9650, or leaving a message for lawmakers at 800-372-7181. You can watch and follow legislative activity at KET/org/legislature and Legislature.ky.gov. You can learn more about these bills and others by visiting www.legislature.ky.gov. Thank you for staying engaged in the legislative process. It is an honor to serve you in Frankfort.