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2012 Bill Tracker

by Erik Hungerbuhler — last modified February-21-2012 01:30 PM

KFTC's 2012 legislative issues at a glance

Issue	Summary	Status
Saving Streams (and mountains) House Bill 231 KFTC position: Strongly 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.	HB 231 was introduced on January 9 with 7 cosponsors and has been assigned to the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee.
Voting Rights House Bill 70 KFTC position: Strongly 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 the House on Feb. 16. The vote was 78-18. HB 70 will next go to the Senate and be assigned to a committee. See how House members voted.
Tax Fairness House Bill 127 KFTC position: Strongly Support More information...	HB 127 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 127 has been assigned to the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee.
Clean Energy Opportunity Act House Bill 167 KFTC position: Strongly Support More information	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 Feed-in Tariffs that will set a guaranteed rate for renewable energy producers.	HB 167 has been assigned to the House Tourism, Development, and Energy committee
Expanding Net Metering House Bill 187 KFTC position: Strongly support	Net metering allows people who generate electricity at their home to put it back to the electric grid and receive a credit from their utility provider. This bill expands eligibility by allowing users (not just owners, as required now) of the renewable equipment to participate, and increasing the maximum capacity for eligible systems.	HB 187 has been assigned to the House Tourism, Development, and Energy committee
Green Schools House Bill 255 KFTC position: Support	HB 255 funds a Green Schools Initiative by making $50 million in a bond pool available as loans to schools for projects that will save a minimum of 25% in energy costs.	HB 255 was approved by the House Education Committee on Jan. 31 and is before the full House waiting a vote.
Death Penalty Senate Bill 63 KFTC position: Support	SB 63 would replace the death penalty with a life without parole sentence.	SB 63 has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Death Penalty House Bill 145 KFTC position: Support	HB 145 would end the use of the death penalty when the defendant severely mentally ill.	HB 145 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
Payday Lending House Bill 332 KFTC position: Support More information	HB 332 would cap the interest rate on payday loans and provide protections for consumers.	HB 332 has been assigned to the House Banking & Insurance Committee, where it failed last year to get enough votes to get out of committee.
Anti-discrimination House Bill 188 Senate Bill 69 KFTC position: Support	These bills would prohibit discrimination because of sexual orientation and sexual identity.	HB 188 and SB 69 are in their respective House and Senate Judiciary committees.

Other bills we are following

Issue	Summary	Status
Weakening federal mining regulations House Concurrent Resolution 12	HCR 12 urges the U.S. Office of Surface Mining and Enforcement to scale back its enforcement of mining laws and urges Kentucky's Congressional delegation to withhold funds for enforcement.	HCR 12 has been assigned to the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee. It has been posted in the committee and may be voted on soon.