27 Days into the 60-Day Session
We wrapped the 27th day of session this Friday, and it was a long week in many ways. As promised here is a look at what bills were passed off the house floor so you can see what is heading over to the Senate Chamber for next steps. Below I have included my vote on the bill as well as the ability for you to see the full vote from all House members.
On Monday, an idea that’s no stranger to the general assembly advanced off the House floor. House Bill 7 would allow school districts to install stop-arm cameras on school buses and collect a civil penalty from violators. Similar legislation has been filed several times in recent years.
If a school district chooses to install stop-arm cameras, HB 7 dictates the vendor would collect the data and share the violator's information with local law enforcement. From there, law enforcement would review the footage before contacting the violator and issuing a civil penalty.
Violators would be fined $300 on the first offense and $500 on the second or subsequent offense, according to the bill. To ensure due process, fined individuals would have up to 60 days to file an appeal in district court. (Yes/Vote)
House Bill 253-A major education-related bill focused the three-cuing system teaching model for reading would be banned in Kentucky public schools by the 2029-30 school year under this legislation. When using the three-cuing method, students memorize what words look like instead of developing the ability to understand letter sounds and decode language. ( Yes/Vote)
House Bill 305 – or the Crystal Rogers Act – would extend the statute of limitations for illegally recording a grand jury proceeding to 10 years. Advocates say this would ensure individuals who illegally record or share information on grand jury proceedings can be held accountable for longer than what is currently allowed under Kentucky law. Violators would be charged with a class A misdemeanor, unless the violator is a public servant. Public servants would be charged with a class D felony.
Rogers’s family was in Frankfort last week to testify in favor of the legislation. Illegal grand jury recordings became an issue in the pursuit to find justice for Rogers, they said. (Yes/Vote)
House Bill 44: This legislation would establish the Robotics Funding Selection Committee and create a state trust fund for promoting robotics education in Kentucky high schools. The House gave unanimous approval to the bill on Wednesday. (Yes /Vote)
House Bill 66: This bill would require public agencies to publish the name, term and official method of contact for board or commission members. Additionally, the bill would allow video teleconference meetings for public agencies under certain circumstances. (Yes/Vote)
House Bill 264: Fraudulent and deceptive real estate listings would be added to the theft by deception statute under this bill. (Yes / Vote)
House Bill 293: Large vehicles with iron, steel or wooden wheels that weigh more than a gross ton would be required to add a rubber strip to the wheels. Horse drawn carriages would be exempt from the requirement. (Yes / Vote)
House Bill 508: This bill seeks to put an end to bad actors assisting veterans with accessing benefits by requiring transparency and accountability for the industry. (Yes / Vote ) . The first two weeks of the session were very quiet, but by the third week, committees began meeting and hearing bills. I am trying to play catch-up, so I thank you in advance for your patience while waiting to get this update. I have heard from many of you asking me to support or oppose bills that come to your attention. Please continue your advocacy. I need to know where our district stands at all times to acutely reflect our values as a district and as Kentuckians.