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2010 Bill Tracker

by Erik Hungerbuhler last modified March-05-2010 08:45 AM

KFTC's 2010 legislative issues at a glance

Issue Summary Status

Saving Streams

(and mountains)

Senate Bill 139
House Bill 396, House Bill 416

KFTC position: Support

More information...

This legislation would prohibit the dumping of mine wastes into "an intermittent, perennial, or ephemeral stream or other water of the Commonwealth."

These are mostly headwater streams that are essential to the quality of waterways upstream and downstream. Mine wastes could be placed back on the mine site as part of the reclamation process already specified in state and federal law - rather than dumped over the side of the hill into the valleys and streams below.

SB 139 was introduced on Feb. 4.  It has been assigned to the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee.

HB 396 & HB 416 are similar bills. Both have been assigned to the House Natural Resources and the Environment Committee.

Voting Rights

House Bill 70

KFTC position: Support

More information…

HB 70 calls for a constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights to former felons upon the completion of their sentence.

HB 70 passed out of the House with a vote of 83-16!  Here is a list of how representatives voted.  The bill now is before the Senate State and Local Government Committee, and chair Sen. Damon Thayer refuses to allow a hearing or vote.

Tax Fairness

House Bill 13

KFTC position: Support

More information...

HB 13 contains four different tax reforms to make our tax system more fair and to raise more revenue in order to make progress in key areas like education, higher education, health care, housing and the justice system.

HB 13 is in the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee.

Energy and economic development

House Bill 408

KFTC position: Support

Pass a Renewable and Efficiency Portfolio Standard requiring utilities in Kentucky to get an increasing share of their energy from clean, renewable sources and energy efficiency programs.

Establish production-based incentives for renewable energy, designed to increase private investment and generate new jobs through in-state renewable energy production.

HB 408 has been assigned to the House Natural Resources and the Environment committee.  The bill has 4 co-sponsors.

Economic Development

House Bill 335

KFTC position: Support

HB 335 would require more legislative oversight of economic development programs.

HB 335 has been assigned to the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee.

Economic Development

House Bill 336

KFTC position: Support

HB 336 would require systematic review of tax breaks, and automatic sunsetting unless reauthorized.

HB 336 has been assigned to the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee.

Economic Development

House Joint Resolution 122

KFTC position: Monitor

HJR 122 would direct the Legislative Research Commission to examine the effectiveness of existing economic development programs

HJR 122 was passed out of the House unanimously and has been assigned to the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee.

Expungement

House Bill 127

KFTC position: Endorse

HB 127 would expunge criminal records for persons found not guilty or for whom charges have been dismissed, or when convictions are reversed on appeal or retrial.

HB 127 his before the House Judiciary Committee.

Pay Day Loans

House Bill 381

KFTC position: Support

HB 381 would put eliminate fees and put a cap on interest rates by pay day lenders can charge for their services.

HB 381 has been assigned to the House Banking and Insurance Committee. Committee chair Rep. Jeff Greer will not allow a vote on the bill.

Nuclear Power

Senate Bill 26

KFTC position: Oppose

SB 26 will lift an existing moratorium on the construction of new nuclear power plants by eliminating the requirement to have a means to permanently dispose of nuclear waste.

SB 26 has passed out of the Senate by a vote of 27-10. It now moves to the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee.

See how senators voted.

Carbon Regulation

House Joint Resolution 20

KFTC position: Strongly Oppose

HJR 20 will prevent state and local agencies from regulating carbon dioxide emissions within their jurisdictions.

HJR 20 is awaiting a vote in the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee.

Carbon Regulation

House Resolution 132

KFTC position: Strongly Oppose

HR 132 is a resolution to encourage Congress to pass legislation to stop the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases.

HR 132 has passed out of the House of Representatives 76-16. You can view a vote history here.

As a simple resolution, HR 132 expresses the views of the House and does not need any Senate action.

Supporting fossil fuels

House Concurrent Resolution 84

KFTC position: Oppose

HCR 84 would establish the Kentucky Natural Resources Caucus to support the coal, oil, and natural gas industries.

HCR 84 has passed out of the House unanimously.  It now moves to the Senate State and Local Government Committee.

Property Rights

House Bill 213

KFTC position: Strongly Oppose

HB 213 will give oil and gas companies the power of eminent domain in order to construct pipelines to carry carbon dioxide to underground wells.

HB 213 passed out of the House with a vote of 91-5-1.  You can view a vote history here. The bill been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.