2024 Session continues with economic development

2024 Session continues with economic development,

My colleagues and I have concluded another week of working to make the Commonwealth a better place, one piece of legislation at a time. The legislation we passed ranges from efforts to improve watershed dams, helping attract motor sports events, expanding access to health care, and protecting Kentucky children in our schools. Here are just a few examples:

Streamlining permitting for racing events: HB 29 would build on our ongoing efforts to expand tourism and economic development centered around motor sports. The measure would allow local governments to issue permits for racing events on state-maintained highways. This would in turn open new avenues for tourism, bringing in economic support for businesses where these events take place.

Revitalizing our watershed dams: HB 130 would establish the framework for future funding to be used for the restoration of dams throughout the Commonwealth that have become a liability to their corresponding water conservation district. Additionally, HB 130 would allow neglected dams to be kept by their designated water conservation district or turned over to local fiscal courts for maintenance and upkeep. Kentucky is home to roughly 200 of these dams which were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s. Because they have reached the end of their life expectancy, it is time we put the work in to keep them functional.

Increasing access to state grant: HB 299 would require the secretary of state to establish a database for state grants to enable easier access. If signed into law, this measure would level the playing field for everyone in the state who may not have access to information regarding grant funding.

Serving those who serve us: HB 200 covers a variety of legal definitions and adds the U.S. Space Force to the definition of military service, along with new license plates that honor our service members. HB 200 also would strengthen the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children by adding National Guardsmen and Reservists to the definitions of those who can collect benefit from that compact.

Honoring our Kentucky National Guard: HB 86 would allow Kentucky National Guard and Reserve members not qualified by “veteran status” service to be buried in one of Kentucky’s state veterans cemeteries. Additionally, this measure establishes a framework to evaluate the eligibility of the families of Kentucky National Guard and Reserve members who would like to be buried alongside their loved one. This measure is designed to honor the Kentucky National Guard and Reserve members for their service and sacrifices.

Clarifying the division of marital assets: HB 155 would allow courts the ability to consider criminal actions taken against a spouse by their partner during the division of their joint property. This would put an end to unjust property division during a time that is already difficult.