Senator Danny Carroll's Legislative Update

As we approach the latter days of the 2019 Regular Session, the Capitol remains as busy as ever. Countless visitors from across Kentucky advocated important issues in a week that had no shortage of legislative activity.

Significant bills are heading to Governor Bevin's desk with the hope that they will soon be signed into law. As the result of months of discussion and collaboration, Senate Bill 1, the School Safety and Resiliency Act, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the House. SB 1, sponsored by Senator Max Wise and one I co-sponsored, would boost school safety by improving the type of personnel, systems and structures, and student culture in Kentucky's schools. While in the House, improvements were added to the language such as creating the position of the state school safety marshal, whose role would be similar to that of a state fire marshal. We are hopeful that this pivotal school safety bill will soon be signed into law.

Senate Bill 4 is also awaiting a signature from the Governor. SB 4, sponsored by Senator Damon Thayer, would require all candidates running for a public office in Kentucky to electronically file their campaign finance reports starting in 2020. This bill eliminates the option of filing a paper report with the exception of candidates whose campaigns raise less than $3,000. As more filing measures move to digital platforms, SB 4 establishes an organized and efficient way to report campaign finances.

The Senate passed two substantial bills this week, which were sponsored by Senate President Robert Stivers. Senate Bill 6 addresses executive branch ethics by requiring the disclosure of executive agency lobbyist compensation. Senate Bill 2 would allow a broader representation of elected judges to hear cases which affect the entire Commonwealth and its constituency rather than two circuit judges who are elected by only the residents of Franklin County.

I sponsored several bills that passed out of the Senate this week.  Senate Bill 29 would allow cities with a population of less than 20,000 and counties that do not have a city with a population greater than 20,000 to impose a license fee of no more than 5% on the sale of alcoholic beverages.  Senate Bill 162 would create the Kentucky State Police School Resource Office (KSPSRO) program and allow KSP officers to contract with schools districts.  The bill would also allow school districts to hire retired sworn law enforcement officers as school security officers without the burden of benefit contributions. Senate Bill 246 makes important changes to three incentive programs utilized by the Economic Development Cabinet to assist in attracting business and industry to our state. And, Senate Bill 128  would make conditions safer in our Assisted Living facilities across the state.

Additionally, we passed a pro-life bill commonly known as the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. Senate Bill 227, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield, requires that medical professionals take all appropriate steps necessary to preserve the life and health of an infant who is born alive after a failed abortion. This commonsense bill is another legislative stride to protect life here in Kentucky.

I want to thank Mr. Jack Lawrence, a 6th grader from Carlisle County, for doing such a great job paging for me on Thursday. Jack was accompanied to Frankfort by his mom, Holly.  I was also very excited to welcome several Sunny Pages from various counties across the state this week.  This page program for students with special needs continues to grow!!  Finally, I want to thank Miss Constance Lents, a student at the U.K. College of Medicine from Benton, for coming to speak with me about legislation of concern to her, Captain Nathan Torian, with the Paducah Fire Department, who represented  the Kentucky Firefighters Association and teachers Chad Davidson (McCracken County) and Clay Tilford (Carlisle Co.) who stopped by to discuss issues related to education.

Thank you for your continued feedback and support. It is an honor to represent you in Frankfort, and I look forward to continued discussion on a number of issues facing our district and the Commonwealth.

If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at danny.carroll@lrc.ky.gov.  You can also review the Legislature's work online at www.legislature.ky.gov.

Senator Danny Carroll (R-Paducah) represents the 2nd District encompassing Ballard, Carlisle, Marshall and McCracken counties. Senator Carroll is the chairman of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee, as well as the co-chairman of the Program Review and Investigations Committee. He also serves as a member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education; the Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government; the Health and Welfare Committee, the Judiciary Committee; the Medicaid Oversight Committee, and the School Safety Working Group.