Legislative Update - Week 7, 2024
I want to begin this week's legislative update by reminding all military families in Kenton County that the final day to submit an application for a child to participate in Military Kids Day is Friday, February 23.
Military Kids Day is an annual event at the state Capitol that provides an opportunity to recognize the children of military mothers and fathers. Kids are recognized in the House and Senate chambers, they engage in the legislative process, and participate in a Capitol tour and scavenger hunt. This year we are excited to partner with the Kentucky Aviation Museum to have flight simulators on site for these great kids to enjoy. If you know a child of a mom or dad who serves in the armed forces, please have them contact Senate Clerk Donna Holiday at Donna.Holiday@lrc.ky.gov to apply. Applications are available online at Legislature.ky.gov.
Senator Chris McDaniel speaks with LEX 18 News' Karolina Buczek following a meeting of the Senate State and Local Government Committee, which approved his Senate Bill 126. The bill proposes a constitutional amendment that, if adopted, would place reasonable restrictions on gubernatorial pardon powers and ensure a governor is accountable to the voters of Kentucky for their actions. February 14, 2024. Photo Credit: David Hargis, Photographer, Public Information Office, Legislative Research Commission.
Having passed the midpoint of the 2024 Regular Session, it's a pivotal time to reflect and renew our dedication to our legislative responsibilities. With just under 30 legislative days remaining, we recommit ourselves to the crucial tasks that lie ahead.
My colleagues and I continue to dissect the budget proposal made by the House and various budget requests continue to come in from stakeholders and members. The recent January monthly revenue receipts I alluded to in my previous legislative update are a sign that our budgeting philosophy since 2017 is working. Income taxes are lower, the tax base has been broadened, and we are generating more revenue all while being able to leave more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. This disciplined philosophy and refusal to buy into the failed progressive tax and spend ideas of the past is something I will maintain as Senate budget chair.
On the topic of disciplined budgeting and meeting financial obligations, the Senate approved Senate Bill (SB) 4 to ensure that all teachers and administrators in urban and rural districts are operating on the same standard regarding the sick leave program. It ensures all earned sick leave for teachers and administrators is protected and sets a 10 sick day annual maximum that can be calculated toward final retirement benefits. The bill also sets up a reporting mechanism to know the true costs we owe for our teachers' sick leave program by requiring the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System (TRS) to collect the information from local school districts. School districts already have this information, but we learned TRS was not monitoring it and thus did not know what the state owes for the sick leave program.
The Kentucky General Assembly paid off $380 million in liabilities for the program several years ago thinking we had paid off the full liability only to later learn from TRS that the liability was still over $500 million. For the long-term solvency of our teacher's pension system, we must know the true financial liability of the sick leave program. Above all else, the General Assembly's top priority must be to give our teachers confidence they will always receive their monthly retirement checks.
Since 2017, lawmakers have committed to improving the solvency of our teachers' retirement system. Approximately $10 billion has been poured into the ailing system. That includes almost $4.5 billion over what state law would have required to be put in. Estimates indicate that by 2030, lawmakers will need to spend $2 billion annually to help sustain TRS. Currently, we are placing well over 10 percent of our annual budget into this single retirement system. Those costs do not include the largest pension system for state employees. Despite the incredible financial investments we've made into TRS, the funding ratio since 2017 has only improved by 0.9 percent. This is troubling but gets to the point of why bills like SB 4 are so vital.
SB 20 is a bill I co-sponsored would address the growing trend of violent crimes committed by youth across the commonwealth. It would amend current law to default certain violent crimes committed by juveniles above the age of 15, who are charged with a Class A, B, or C felony in which a firearm was used in the commission of the offense, to be tried as an adult. Additionally, convicted violent juvenile offenders of a Class C felony for wanton endangerment with the discharge of a firearm or an assault in the second degree would be required to serve at least 50 percent of their sentence before they are eligible for probation, shock probation, parole, conditional discharge, or other form of early release. Importantly, the bill provides discretion for local trusted elected officials, the county attorney and commonwealth's attorney—who are more likely to be familiar with a juvenile—to move the defendant back to juvenile court.
SB 6 would ensure students and employees of public postsecondary institutions are not penalized for refusing to endorse discriminatory concepts. It also prohibits preferential treatment based on political or social ideology and mandates that courses don't advocate discriminatory concepts as fact. Additionally, SB 6 mandates new student orientation programs and allocates at least 50 percent of diversity initiative employees' duties to supporting Pell grant students. The attorney general can enforce the act through civil action, and institutions must publish designated course information on their website.
SB 11 would enhance school safety efforts by requiring schools to be notified within 24 hours when a juvenile is charged with certain crimes, ensuring better communication and proactive measures to protect our students. We had some northern Kentucky law enforcement officials in Frankfort to testify on behalf of this bill during its Senate committee hearing. I appreciate their efforts to bring this bill forward. SB 11 is another step in Kentucky's efforts to lead in school safety. This measure will go a long way in strengthening communication among school personnel and law enforcement.
In observance of Presidents' Day, the General Assembly will not convene on Monday, February 19.
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.