2020 Bill Tracker | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

2020 Bill Tracker

KFTC Supports

Restore Voting Rights

House Bill 6
Bill Sponsor(s):
C. Booker, C. Stevenson
Additional Information

HB 6 was a clean version of the Voting Rights bill with no exclusions based on the kinds of felonies. Everyone would get their right to vote after they’ve completed their prison time, probation, and/or parole. KFTC works to restore voting rights for folks who have a felony conviction in their past without exception.

Many of the provisions in HB 6 were included in a House Elections & Constitutional Amendments Committee substitute to Senate Bill 62, which had already passed the Senate and made it as far as the House floor. However, House GOP leaders did not call SB 62for a vote.

To learn more about the movement to restore voting rights in Kentucky as well as KFTC's work on this issue, and to connect with Kentuckians taking action, contact Dave Newton at: [email protected]

KFTC Supports

Restoration of Voting Rights

Senate Bill 62
Bill Sponsor(s):
Sen. Jimmy Higdon
Additional Information

KFTC supports a "clean" voting rights bill (such as HB 6) that excludes no one and includes no waiting period.

SB 62, as originally filed and KFTC opposed, was approved by the Senate State & Local Government Committee on February 19 (see committee vote tally), and by the full Senate, 29-7, on February 27 (see Senate vote tally).

On March 12, a committee substitute (see column to the left) to SB 62 was approved by the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. However, House GOP leaders did not bring the bill to a vote before the full House before the session adjourned.

KFTC Supports

Tax Reform

House Bill 416
Bill Sponsor(s):
L. Willner + 19 others
Additional Information

House Bill 416 was assigned to the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Supports

Study Renewable Energy

Bill Sponsor(s):
T. Bojanowski, M. Marzian, C. Cantrell
Additional Information

HJR 91 was assigned to the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the resolution.

KFTC Supports

Statewide Fairness

House Bill 225
Bill Sponsor(s):
M. Marzian, P. Minter, M. Cantrell, L. Willner
Additional Information

House Bill 225 was assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Supports

Declare Emergency in Martin Co Water Crisis

Bill Sponsor(s):
C. Harris
Additional Information

HR 122 was assigned to the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the resolution.

KFTC Supports

Wage Bonds for Mining Permits

Senate Bill 27
Bill Sponsor(s):
J. Turner, C. Embry Jr., D. Harper Angel
Additional Information

SB 27 was approved by the Senate Natural Resources & Energy Committee on March 18, by an 11-0 vote (see how committee members voted). However, Senate GOP leaders did not allow the bill to be voted on by the full Senate and eventually killed the bill.

KFTC Supports

Net Metering

House Bill 323
Bill Sponsor(s):
J. DuPlessis + 5 others
Additional Information

HB 323 was assigned to the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Jim Gooch, who is a strongly anti-renewable energy. House GOP leaders did not push for a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Supports

Utility Rates

House Bill 126
Bill Sponsor(s):
A. Hatton + 5 others
Additional Information

HB 126 was assigned to the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Supports

Fair Maps Act

House Bill 326
Bill Sponsor(s):
J. Graviss, J. Jenkins + 29 others
Additional Information

HB 326 was assigned to the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Supports

Hairstyles & Civil Rights

House Bill 33
Bill Sponsor(s):
A. Scott + 12 others
Additional Information

House Bill 33 was assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Supports

Pre-Existing Conditions

House Bill 21
Bill Sponsor(s):
Rep. P. Minter + 39 others
Additional Information

House Bill 21 was assigned to the House Banking & Insurance Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Supports

Raise Minimum Wage

House Bill 39
Senate Bill 13
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. K. Hinkle + 13 others, & Sen. R. Thomas
Additional Information

KFTC's platform calls for a living wage for all Kentuckians.

House Bill 39 was assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee.

Senate Bill 13 was assigned to the Senate Appropriations & Revenue Committee.

House and Senate GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bills.

KFTC Supports

Black Lung Benefits

House Bill 239
Senate Bill 215
Bill Sponsor(s):
A. Hatton, B. McCool + 12 others, P. Wheeler
Additional Information

Senate Bill 215 was assigned to the Senate Economic Development, Tourism & Labor Committee.

House Bill 239 was assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee.

Senate and House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bills.

KFTC Supports

Limit Death Penalty

House Bill 237
Senate Bill 154
Bill Sponsor(s):
C. McCoy & others; J. Adams & others
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports the abolition of the death penalty.

Senate Bill 154 was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 27, by a 8-3 vote (see how they voted). A vote by the full Senate was denied by Senate leaders and the bill reassigned to the Judiciary Committee and killed on March 17.

House Bill 237 was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Supports

Maternal Health Bill

House Bill 138
Bill Sponsor(s):
A. Scott, C. Booker + 9 others
Additional Information

House Bill 138 was assigned to the House Health & Family Services Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Supports

Ban Conversion Therapy

House Bill 199
Senate Bill 85
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. L. Willner, P. Minter, + 15 others, Sens. A. Kerr, M. McGarvey + 2 others
Additional Information

Senate Bill 85 was assigned to the Senate Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee. House Bill 199 was assigned to the House Health & Family Services Committee. Senate and House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bills.

KFTC Supports

Voter Registration

House Bill 81
Bill Sponsor(s):
M. Sorolis, T. Bojanowski, G. Brown Jr., C. Stevenson, B. Wheatley
Additional Information

House Bill 81 was assigned to the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Supports

Same Day Voter Registration

House Bill 80
Bill Sponsor(s):
M. Sorolis, T. Bojanowski, G. Brown Jr., N. Kulkarni, C. Stevenson
Additional Information

House Bill 80 was assigned to the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Supports

Campaign Finance

House Bill 111
Bill Sponsor(s):
D. Graham, G. Brown Jr., C. Stevenson
Additional Information

House Bill 111 was assigned to the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. House GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Supports

Early Voting

House Bill 78
Senate Bill 43
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. M. Sorolis, T. Bojanowski, + 4 others, & Sen. R. Thomas
Additional Information

House Bill 78 was assigned to the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.

Senate Bill 43 was assigned to the Senate State & Local Government Committee.

House and Senate GOP leaders did not allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

KFTC Opposes

Anti-Abortion Attorney General Overreach

House Bill 451
Bill Sponsor(s):
S. Lee + 6 others
Additional Information

HB 521 was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee and received no hearings or votes.

HB 451 was approved by the House Judiciary Committee on March 4 (see how committee members voted) and the full House on March 10, 70-23 (see how they voted). In the Senate, HB 451 was approved, with a committee substitute, by the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 26, and passed the full Senate, 31-2, on April 15. However, the House did not have time to consider the Senate changes before the General Assembly adjourned. See the House and Senate floor vote tallies.

However, provisions in HB 451 were added to Senate Bill 9 as a House floor amendment and passed on the last day of the session. See SB 9 floor roll call vote tallies.

On April 24, Gov. Beshear vetoed SB 9 (see governor's veto message). Because the General Assembly is adjourned, lawmakers have no opportunity to override this veto.

KFTC Opposes

"Senate" Budget Bill

House Bill 352
Bill Sponsor(s):
S. Rudy, B. Reed
Additional Information

Read an in-depth analysis by the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy of this bill here.

KFTC opposed the Senate version of the bill (and there were many problematic aspects in the House version, passed earlier). However, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the final bill looked much different and included a state budget for one year rather than the normal two years.

KFTC Opposes

Anti-Abortion Auditor Overreach

House Bill 391
Bill Sponsor(s):
S. Lee + 12 others
Additional Information

HB 391 was approved by the House Health & Welfare Committee on March 5 (see how they voted).

On March 17, the bill was recommitted to the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee.

KFTC Opposes

Family Separation Bill

Senate Bill 1
Bill Sponsor(s):
D. Carroll, J. Schickel, D. Thayer + other Republicans
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports the right of residents who are undocumented to be treated with the respect and dignity that all human beings are entitled to. We acknowledge the legality of all peoples' right to seek asylum, and we seek the end of family separation, detentions and criminal prosecutions of immigrants at our borders and elsewhere. We also support open pathways to citizenship for people who are undocumented.

SB 1 was approved the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 30, by a 7-2 vote (see how they voted). The full Senate passed the bill, 28-10 on February 4 (see how they voted) after defeating a floor amendment that would have removed the worse provisions of the bill.

SB 1 is now before the House Judiciary Committee. See KFTC's Action Alert targeted at Judiciary Committee members.

KFTC Opposes

Anti-Sanctuary Bill

House Bill 51
Bill Sponsor(s):
Reps. L. Bechler + 17 others
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports the right of residents who are undocumented to be treated with the respect and dignity that all human beings are entitled to.

House Bill 51 is a bad bill that is somewhat different from Senate Bill 1, the Family Separation Bill. Most of the legislative focus concerns SB 1. We oppose and will monitor HB 51 as well.

KFTC Opposes

Restrictive Voter ID

Senate Bill 2
Bill Sponsor(s):
R. Mills, D. Thayer, + 10 others
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform supports policies that facilitate full democratic participation.

Senate Bill 2 passed the Senate State & Local Government Committee by an 8-3 vote on January 22, and because it was fast-tracked by Senate Republicans got a vote by the full Senate the following day and passed, 29-9. See how Senate committee members voted. See how the full Senate voted.

SB 2, with a committee substitute, was approved by the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, 11-7, on February 20 (see how committee members voted). Forty-two floor amendments were filed in attempt to improve the bill. House Speaker David Osborne would not allow most of them to be heard. On March 3, SB 2 passed the House, 62-35, with all Republicans voting for it and most Democrats voting against the more restrictive voter law (see how House members voted).

On March 5, however, the Senate rejected the House's modest changes. On March 10, the House refused to recede from its changes. Both chambers appointed members to a conference committee, and on March 17 the committee reported that it could not agree on a compromise. This was not an unusual or unexpected outcome as it allowed a Free Conference Committee to be appointed, with more leeway in what it can put into a final bill.

The Free Conference Committee reported its final version of the bill on March 19, and both chamber quickly approved it (the Senate 25-2 and the House 58-25). On April 3, Gov. Beshear vetoed SB 2, acknowledging that it would create a barrier to voting when, because of the public health crisis, many offices where an ID could be obtained are closed.

On April 14, legislators overrode the veto, 27-6 in the Senate and 60-29 in the House. See SB 2 vote history.

KFTC Opposes

Expanding Police Powers

Senate Bill 89
Bill Sponsor(s):
S. Meredith
Additional Information

Under this bill, anyone who declined police demands for identification and explanations for their behavior, to the satisfaction of the officer, could be detained for up to two hours. That detention would not be considered an arrest, so the person would not have the right to call an attorney, and no official record would be made of the detention.

This bill targets minority and immigrant communities by encouraging police harassment and profiling. This bill has broad implications concerning policing in communities across the state.

Senate Bill 89 has BEEN WITHDRAWN by its sponsor.

KFTC Opposes

Damage to Rental Property

Senate Bill 11
Bill Sponsor(s):
J. Schickel, C. Embry Jr., R. Girdler
Additional Information

Senate Bill 11 passed the Senate Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee on January 14, the the full Senate, 29-5, on January 16. I

SB 11 was approved with a committee substitute by the House Judiciary Committee on March 18 (see how committee members voted). On April 14, the full House passed the bill, 74-14. Because of House changes, the Senate voted a second time to pass the bill, 31-3, on April 15 (see how Senate and House members voted).

On April 24, Gov. Beshear vetoed SB 11 (see govern's veto message).

KFTC Opposes

Pipeline Protest Bill

House Bill 44
Bill Sponsor(s):
J. Gooch Jr., A. Bowling
Additional Information

House Bill 44 was approved by the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee on January 30, despite several committee members (who voted yes) acknowledging flaws in the bill. It passed the full House with a floor amendment, 71-17, on February 10 (see how House members voted).

In the Senate, HB 44 was approved by the Natural Resources & Energy Committee on February 26. On March 5, HB 44 passed the full Senate, 31-4 (see how senators voted).

HB 44 was signed into law by Gov. Beshear on March 16.

KFTC Opposes

Health Care Refusal

Senate Bill 90
Bill Sponsor(s):
S. Meredith, C. Embry Jr., R. Girdler, P. Hornback
Additional Information

SB 90 was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 20 by the 8-3 vote (see how committee members voted). A vote by the full Senate was denied by Senate leaders and the bill reassigned to the Judiciary Committee on March 17.

KFTC Opposes

Anti-Abortion Constitutional Amendment

House Bill 67
Bill Sponsor(s):
J. Fischer, S. Maddox + 25 others
Additional Information

This bill seeks a constitutional amendment to state that Kentuckians have no stated right to an abortion. This move would essentially take abortion rights away from the courts and into the hands of the legislature. It is an attempt to add political, anti-abortion language to Kentucky's Constititution, and to turn out anti-abortion voters on Election Day.

House Bill 67 was approved by the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee on February 20, 11-7 (see how committee members voted). It passed the House on March 10, 71-21 (see how House members voted).



KFTC Opposes

Abortion Gag Rule Bill

House Bill 142
Bill Sponsor(s):
L. Bechler, D. Hale, K. King, S. Lee, M. Prunty
Additional Information

This bill would mandate healthcare providers only be able to suggest abortion as one of many options, but not advise their patient either way, regardless of expert medical advise. This bill would limit pregnant Kentuckians and their families doing what is best for them by limiting the options they can be counseled on – regardless of the circumstances of their pregnancy.

House Bill 142 has been assigned to the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee.

KFTC Opposes

War on the Poor 2020

House Bill 1
Bill Sponsor(s):
D. Meade, D. Osborne, C. McCoy, S. Miles, J. Tipton
Additional Information

In 2019, lawmakers worked to advance legislation dubbed "War on the Poor." This year's bill is somewhat different in it's details, the same intentions have driven both efforts, to damage programs that help poor and working class folks.

HB 1 was fast-tracked by House Republicans who gave the unamended version of the bill a reading on the House floor even before it came up in committee. The House Health & Family Services Committee approved the bill with a minor amendment on February 20 by a 12-7 vote (see how committee members voted).

HB 1 received immediate approval by the Rules Committee and then by the full House, after it defeated several floor amendments that would have improved the bill, 58-32, on February 21 (see how they voted).

In the Senate, HB 1 is ssigned to the Health & Welfare Committee. On March 17, Senate Republican leaders began fast tracking the bill for quick passage on the Senate floor.

KFTC Opposes

Armed Police in Schools

Senate Bill 8
Bill Sponsor(s):
M. Wise + 11 others
Additional Information

Senate Bill 8 was approved by the Senate Education Committee on January 23, and by the full Senate, 34-1, on January 27. A floor amendment by Sen. Gerald Neal to "allow SROs to carry firearms at the discretion of the local board of education" was defeated. See how senators voted.

In the House, SB 8 was approved by the Education Committee on February 4 by a 16-5-1 vote (see how committee members voted). The full House approved SB 8 by a 78-8 vote on February 7 after defeating floor amendments to eliminate the mandate that SROs carry guns (see how House members voted).

Gov. Andy Beshear signed the bill into law on February 21.

KFTC Opposes

Bathroom Bill

House Bill 132
Bill Sponsor(s):
D. Hale + 8 others
Additional Information

House Bill 132 targeted transgender students' privacy. HB 132 was assigned to the House Education Committee but did not receive a hearing or a vote.

Bills to Watch
On Our Radar

Surprise Medical Billing

House Bill 179
Bill Sponsor(s):
C. Stevenson
Additional Information

House Bill 179 has been assigned to the House Banking & Insurance Committee.

On Our Radar

Ban The Box

House Bill 43
Bill Sponsor(s):
G. Brown Jr., C. Booker, D. Graham, N. Kulkarni, R. Meeks, A. Scott
Additional Information

KFTC’s platform opposes discrimination based on current or former incarceration status.

House Bill 43 has been assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee.

On Our Radar

Repeal Youth Incarceration Bill

House Bill 62
Bill Sponsor(s):
A. Scott, C. Booker, G. Brown Jr., J. Glenn, D. Graham, R. Meeks
Additional Information

The 2018 Youth Incarceration bill layered on the punishment against young people who are alleged to have ever had a gang association. It promoted racial profiling and focuses on punishment rather than prevention.

House Bill 62 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

On Our Radar

Repeal Charter Schools

House Bill 25
Bill Sponsor(s):
A. Scott, M. Marzian, + 10 others
Additional Information

KFTC's platform calls for a system of high-quality public education, including pre-school through higher education, that is accessible and affordable for all Kentuckians. Charter schools take resources from public education and do not serve all students.

House Bill 25 has been assigned to the House Education Committee.

On Our Radar

Officer Shooting Review

House Bill 10
Bill Sponsor(s):
A. Scott, C. Booker, G. Brown Jr., J. Glenn
Additional Information

House Bill 10 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

On Our Radar

Trans Youth Healthcare Ban

House Bill 321
Bill Sponsor(s):
S. Maddox, M. Prunty, J. Fischer, K. King
Additional Information

HB 321 has been assigned to the House Health & Family Services Committee.

On Our Radar

Plastic Ban

House Bill 85
Bill Sponsor(s):
M. Marzian + 4 others
Additional Information

HB 85 has been assigned to the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee.

On Our Radar

School Councils

Senate Bill 7
Bill Sponsor(s):
J. Schickel + 11 others
Additional Information

School councils in Kentucky are composed of parents, teachers and administrators. They are responsible for establishing school policies that create positive learning environments for students. School councils ensure that the voices of students, parents and teachers are heard in schools' decision-making processes. This bill would dilute the voices of students, parents and teachers in decision making and shift more control to district administrators.

SB 7 was approved by the Senate State & Local Government Committee on February 5 by an 8-3 vote (see how they voted) and by the full Senate, 20-15 (see how the full Senate voted), on February 6.

SB 7 originally was assignred in the House to the Education Committee. On March 17, however, House leaders took the bill from that committee, gave it its first reading and reassigned the bill to the House Local Government Committee. It received its second reading on March 18 but has yet to be voted on in committee.

On Our Radar

Reduced Marijuana Penalties

House Bill 221
Bill Sponsor(s):
C. Booker
Additional Information

House Bill 221 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

On Our Radar

Repeal Unlicensed Concealed Carry

House Bill 31
Bill Sponsor(s):
C. Booker
Additional Information

In 2019, the state passed a law which allows concealed weapons to be carried by someone over 21 without a concealed carry license – meaning no required gun safety training, no background checks, no records to aid police in investigations.

House Bill 31 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

On Our Radar

Restore Prevailing Wage

House Bill 77
Bill Sponsor(s):
N. Kulkarni
Additional Information

KFTC's platform supports the right to a living wage for all Kentuckians.

House Bill 77 has been assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee.

On Our Radar

End Tampon Tax

House Bill 26
Bill Sponsor(s):
A. Scott, C. Booker, G. Brown Jr., J. Glenn, D. Graham, R. Meeks
Additional Information

House Bill 26 has been assigned to the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee.