FRANKFORT — With over 1,200 bills on the docket this session and a mere 60 days to sift through them, it’s inevitable that some legislation will be left by the wayside as time runs out.
This week marks the final stretch for the General Assembly to push bills through before the impending veto period commences on Friday. Following this, Gov. Andy Beshear will have until April 9 to veto any bills, after which the House and Senate will reconvene for two additional days to deliberate on overriding potential vetoes.
Despite the ticking clock, legislators often employ procedural maneuvers to resuscitate bills that seem doomed. Therefore, it’s wise to reserve judgment until the session’s last day on April 15.
Resurrecting Dead Bills
One tactic for reviving defunct bills involves attaching them to unrelated legislation through amendments. Here are a couple of instances where this strategy could come into play:
Momnibus Bill Faces Controversial Amendment:
The bipartisan “Momnibus” bill, crafted during the legislative recess to address Kentucky’s concerning maternal mortality rate, encountered a roadblock concerning abortion-related provisions. A Senate committee recently added a contentious amendment mandating perinatal palliative care for nonviable fetuses, sparking dissent among Democratic lawmakers. The fate of the revised Momnibus now rests on Senate and House approval.
Abortion-related Amendment Looms Over Child and Maternal Fatality Review Bill:
A seemingly innocuous bill aiming to establish a child and maternal fatality review team could potentially incorporate an abortion-related amendment requiring schools to include videos on human development in sex education curriculum. This proposed addition, spearheaded by Rep. Nancy Tate, awaits House and Senate endorsement.
Bills on the Brink
Several bills teeter on the edge of failure, facing obstacles that may impede their passage:
Lunch Break Bill:
Rep. Phillip Pratt’s controversial bill seeking to overhaul labor laws, including the elimination of overtime pay for the seventh consecutive workday, has yet to secure a House floor vote despite committee support.
Childcare ‘Horizons’ Bill:
Sen. Danny Carroll’s ambitious childcare reform bill, proposing a foundation fund for child-care centers, remains stalled in the Senate budget committee due to its substantial financial implications.
Autonomous Vehicles Legislation:
Rep. Josh Bray’s bill on autonomous vehicles, previously vetoed by Gov. Andy Beshear, awaits a Senate floor vote after initial approval, with labor unions closely monitoring its progress.
Property Tax Exemptions for Seniors:
Senate Bill 23, advocating for property tax freezes for homeowners aged 65 and above, has languished in a House committee since early March.
Inactive Bills
While bills can theoretically be revived at the eleventh hour, certain proposals are likely beyond resuscitation:
CARR Bill:
Senators Westerfield and Yates’ bill addressing firearm removal during mental health crises, known as SB 13, faces significant opposition and remains stagnant in committee.
Tampon and Diaper Tax Bills:
Several bills aiming to eliminate taxes on menstrual products have stalled in both the House and Senate without committee assignments.
Cannabis Decriminalization Bills:
Proposals by Rep. Nima Kulkarni to decriminalize cannabis for adults have failed to progress beyond committee consideration.
In Vitro Fertilization Legislation:
Bills safeguarding IVF access in Kentucky, sponsored by various legislators, have yet to receive committee hearings despite the national spotlight on IVF issues.
Upcoming Legislative Milestones
- March 27 & 28: Deadline for concurrence on House and Senate bills
- March 29 – April 9: Veto period for the governor
- April 12 & April 15: Final legislative session days for potential veto overrides
For inquiries, contact Rebecca Grapevine at [email protected] or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @RebGrapevine. For updates from reporter Hannah Pinski, reach out at @hpinski @courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.