Artificial Intelligence, Workforce Development & More
Rep. Marianne Proctor highlights items discussed during the legislative interim ahead of the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
IJC on Economic Development and Workforce Investment: Members heard a workforce data update from the Center for Policy and Research, a branch of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Concerns were raised about workforce participation, population growth, and birthrates in Kentucky and throughout the nation. In 2023 alone, we have 142,000 job openings with almost twice as many job vacancies as available workers. While it may still be a challenge in some areas to find gainful employment, metrics have been on an uptick since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislature has fought diligently to get Kentuckians back to work, and this effort is reflected in the current statistics.
IJC on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations: Legislators listened to testimony on a wide variety of topics to be addressed in the upcoming legislative session. Officials from the Kentucky Retail Federation spoke on issues with alcohol delivery vehicle licensing requirements, alongside a brief discussion on the intricacies of alcohol sales licensing quotas for retail businesses, particularly in rural communities. Additionally, members of the Kentucky State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors were in attendance to discuss proposed alternative options for aspiring surveyors, a field which currently experiences a workforce shortage. The meeting concluded with a brief testimony from the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling to share efforts the commonwealth is taking to ensure funds from legalized sports wagering are being reinvested in safe and healthy activities. With House Bill 551 (RS 2023) going into effect and with wagering set to begin with the football season, having safeguards in place to protect vulnerable consumers is integral to upholding the best interest of consumers across the commonwealth.
IJC on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology: Lawmakers met with experts from the management consulting firm Gartner to discuss the positives and negatives of generative AI and how it could be a useful tool in governments and agencies. While the technology is quite immature, Gartner expressed the capabilities of generative AI and the benefits regarding business workflow. As we continue seeing artificial intelligence in the headlines and becoming even more readily available to consumers, I fully expect the legislature to tackle issues surrounding the technology as they become more prevalent.
IJC on Judiciary: Members heard an update from the Department of Public Advocates that highlighted its retention struggles and its need for the upcoming budget year. Testimony was heard on potential legislation to protect healthcare workers from honest mistakes while performing their duty. This is in an effort to encourage healthcare workers to report accidents without the fear of criminal indictment. Additionally, more suggested legislation was presented that seeks to protect Kentuckians from violations of their privacy against drones, involuntary microchipping, license plate data collection, and artificial intelligence generated information.
IJC on Natural Resources and Energy: Lawmakers gathered to hear testimony on the current and future state of the power grid from PJM Interconnections, the regional grid operator for Kentucky as well as 13 other states. As it stands today, the majority of power plants being retired across the country are coal-fired power plants. At any time, two thirds of the nation’s grid that is not powered through PJM is at risk of failure. Because of the rapid retirement of these plants due to national and local policy decisions, there is a risk of grid failure down the road. New power supply plants are not keeping up with the pace of plant closures, which poses questions about the future adequacy of our electric infrastructure. As the interim continues, I expect this committee to investigate ways to protect electricity in the commonwealth.