Since adjourning the 2023 Regular Session, I have used this update to share our work to prepare for this session. Interim committees met and heard testimony, gathered information, and focused on how to use the knowledge and data gained to craft thoughtful, intentional policies to help address the challenges our state faces.
Because we did our homework, we are ready for this legislative session. When we gaveled in on Tuesday, we hit the ground running because we were well-prepared for the task. We used the first week to address administrative tasks, as members of the House filed more than a hundred bills and resolutions for consideration.
Ethics Training: Kentucky’s legislative ethics laws are recognized as some of the strongest in the nation. Unfortunately, that came about after federal investigations into conduct three decades ago, but the Legislative Ethics Commission remains vigilant in providing guidance, oversight, and accountability into how we conduct business today. We are mandated by law – a law passed by the legislature, of course – to attend an ethics training each year and it is traditionally offered the first week of session.
Committee Assignments: While legislative committees will not begin meeting until the second and third week of January, I am pleased to share that I will serve on the House committees on BR Sub. on Postsecondary Education, Natural Resources and Energy, Education, Appropriations and Revenue, and Transportation. Legislative committees are the first stop in the legislative process for bills and I am looking forward to putting the discussions, research, and drafting we did during the interim to work.
State Budget: The Kentucky Constitution is clear that the budget must begin in the House of Representatives. However, lawmakers have historically waited weeks and used the Governor’s budget as a starting place – which is really terrible public policy. By filing our own proposal, we have an opportunity to get plenty of input from state agencies and programs and other stakeholders, as well as work with our colleagues in the Senate. I will share more about the House proposal once it is filed, but I am overall pleased that there is a continued commitment to meeting our state’s needs without spending every dollar available to us.
Session Agenda: In addition to the budget, we will also allocate funding for roads and bridge maintenance and construction. I believe you will also see us take steps to address crime, improve maternal health, and look closely at any legislative fixes for workforce shortages. Education will remain on our priority list as well, particularly since statewide students are still suffering from learning loss from the shutdown.
Visiting the Capitol: As the seat of state government for more than two centuries, Frankfort is a great place to visit – particularly during a legislative session. All of our meetings, including committees and House Floor activities, are open to the public but please be aware that seating is first come, first served. If you are interested, please let me know so that I may arrange a tour of the Capitol, the Old Capitol, the Kentucky History Center, and/or the Kentucky Military History Museum.
Livestreaming: The Kentucky General Assembly offers livestreaming of all legislative committee meetings at the Legislative Research Commission’s YouTube site, @KYLRCCommitteeMeetings. Kentucky Educational Television (KET) also offers livestream coverage of House Floor proceedings and most legislative committee meetings on their website, which can be found at ket.org/legislature/. Both sites maintain archives of past meetings.
Website: The Legislature’s administrative body, the Legislative Research Commission (LRC), maintains legislature.ky.gov, a website with links to legislation, schedules, current statutes, and individual legislators. The website also includes information from previous sessions and legislative interims.
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 email at bobby.mccool@lrc.ky.gov and keep track of interim committee meetings through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.