Lawmakers prepare for 2024 Legislative Interim
Rep. Steve Rawlings (District 66) and Rep. Mark Hart (District)
The reps’ offices provide a look at the work of joint committees ahead of the 2025 legislative session beginning January 7.
Legislature begins legislative interim
Rep. Mark Hart (District 78)
Rep. Hart explains the purpose of the Kentucky legislature’s interim session and offers links to residents’ many options for staying informed about various committees’ work.
Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection
Rep. Steve Rawlings (District 66)
While Memorial Day was created to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our nation, this week also provides an opportunity to reflect on the work of the House Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee. This committee’s jurisdiction includes military affairs; the Kentucky National Guard; military posts and bases; veterans’ nursing homes, cemeteries, rights, benefits, and education opportunities; and military memorials. Public protection responsibilities also include the state’s oversight of fire prevention and protection; and some public health and sanitation regulations.
Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs
Rep. Steve Rawlings (District 66)
With the primary election looming, Rep. Rawlings looks at a few of the laws passed during the 2024 session to safeguard election integrity.
Checks, balances, and the process of overriding vetoes
Rep. Marianne Proctor (District 60)
[A] duty of the legislature is overriding the governor’s vetoes on legislation that has passed both chambers of the legislative branch. To override a veto, a vote from a simple majority of members in both the House and Senate must be cast. This means that 51 members of the House and 20 members of the Senate must vote in the affirmative. From there, the legislation is given to the Secretary of State to be enrolled in our statutes.
Infrastructure funding benefiting Boone County
Sen. John Schickel (District 11)
Sen. Schickel describes projects he championed that benefit Boone County’s infrastructure. Included in the state’s two-year road plan, House Bill (HB) 266 was an incredible $136,397,610 for planning, designing, obtaining rights-of-way, utility work, and construction of various projects in the county.
50 years after historic tornadoes, Kentucky remains committed to disaster prep, response
Rep. Steve Rawlings (District 66)
As part of the budget bill, HB 6, Lawmakers have expanded support for emergency management, an area of state government that does a tremendous job of supporting local communities and first responders as they face disasters ranging from ice storms, to tornadoes, to flooding.
Rural Kentucky remains a legislative priority
Rep. Mark Hart (District 78)
For rural Kentucky, economic challenges, including limited job opportunities and declining industries, weigh heavily on residents. Access to quality healthcare and education can be scarce, amplifying issues as a whole. Infrastructure deficiencies, such as inadequate roads and limited broadband access, hinders progress, and connectivity. Because of these issues, we take steps in ensuring that rural Kentucky is considered in the legislation that we pass.
Lawmakers override vetoes
Rep. Marianne Proctor (District 60)
Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a historic number of measures during his tenure. The legislature carefully considered each veto and overrode almost all of them.