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2010 Bill Tracker

by Erik Hungerbuhler — last modified June-10-2010 07:57 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 was assigned to the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee and there was no action on the bill. HB 396 & HB 416 are similar bills. Both were assigned to the House Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. There was no action on the bills.
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 died in the Senate State and Local Government Committee, as 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 went to the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee. There was no action on the bill.
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 was assigned to the House Natural Resources and the Environment committee. Committee chair Rep. Jim Gooch refused to allow a hearing or voted, or even mention of the bill.
Economic Development House Bill 335 KFTC position: Support	HB 335 would require more legislative oversight of economic development programs.	HB 335 was assigned to the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee. There was no action on the bill.
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. There was no action on the bill.
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 was assigned to the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee. It was approved by this committee but never made it through the Rules Committee to the Senate floor.
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 was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. There was no action on the bill.
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 was assigned to the House Banking and Insurance Committee. Committee chair Rep. Jeff Greer did 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 moved to the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee, where no action was taken. 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 was not considered 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 passed out of the House unanimously and passed out of the Senate State and Local Government committee. However, it did not through the Rules Committee to the Senate floor.
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. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee where it was amended to include language from Senate Bill 26 (see above). It passed the Senate 30-8 but was not considered in the House again for concurrence with Senate amendments. You can view a vote history here.