Interim Joint Committee Reports
Appropriations and Revenue: Members heard from the Department of Revenue regarding the annual state and local transient room tax report. Next year the program will have centralized collection for state taxes but not for local taxes. It would take at least 12 months to integrate local taxes into the program, and it would require additional employees and over $2 million for the programming. The review featured figures from our surrounding states, which also do not have centralized statewide collection of local portions of the taxes. There are 108 different tax collecting entities in the state with eight different tax structures, and because of this, the department does not recommend having a centralized statewide collection for the local taxes. According to entities in Louisville, there is no problem with compliance by the companies collecting the taxes and remitting them.
Agriculture: Lawmakers met to review updates from Murray State University’s agricultural programs with an emphasis on theBreathitt Veterinary Center. The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association presented an overview on the impact agriculture has on our economy and provided legislative priorities for the members to focus on during the 2024 Regular Session, including a livestock innovation center, support for large animal veterinarians, food safety, and continuous research.
Education: Legislators heard from superintendents from across the state regarding innovative standardsbeing implemented in schools across the state to assist students in workforce certifications, personal leadership, and the personalization of their education. Discussion also included potential legislation to allow home schooled students in the commonwealth to collect more of their earned KEES money. As a homeschooling parent, I was thankful to be able to testify before the committee and advocate for homeschooled kids and other high school students who are currently ineligible for this program. Additionally, the yearly state assessment results were shared with the committee, showing slight increases across the testing areas. However, scores from high school students showed stagnation or regression across the testing subjects. I fully expect learning retention to be a topic of discussion going forward in our policy making process.
Banking and Insurance: Members met this week to consider an update from premiere banking and insurance stakeholders in the commonwealth. As we continue to rebuild as a state from the extreme weather events through the last 3 years, insurance companies have begun to consider the best way to cover roofs and dwellings. Additionally, I am happy to report that despite economic volatility, Kentucky banks remain some of the strongest in the nation. With strong returns on average assets and a robust leverage to capital ratio, Kentuckians should rest assured that the banking industry in the commonwealth is as strong and secure as ever.
Transportation: Legislators heard from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet gave an overview of projects happening throughout the state and the federal bonds received to pay for them. Additionally, they gave an update on funding metrics for the Brent Spence Bridge in northern Kentucky, as well as federal bonds issues for the Interstate 69 Ohio River Bridge project.
Judiciary: Members received the judicial branch’s annual State of the Judiciary address from Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter. VanMeter laid out the path of the Kentucky Court of Justice is going down in the upcoming year. He highlighted the lower wages for Kentucky Judiciary employees, as the state ranks in the bottom ten nationally for pay. He also highlighted the critical need in the commonwealth for renovations in court buildings and new construction projects to create a safe, efficient, and effective judicial center for its citizens. Deputy Chief Justice Lambert presented on the Kentucky Judicial Mental Health Commission. Established in 2022, the commission seeks to establish preventative resources and measures to assist and identify individuals with severe mental issues or substance use disorders. This will allow the courts and law enforcement be able to give the individuals alternatives to incarceration to properly rehabilitate them and allow for effective reentry into the community. The final topic was the implementation of SB 90 by representatives of the courts. This implementation involves the creation of courts specifically aimed at addressing mental health needs and 11 counties have a pilot program before its rollout across the state. The legislation laid out a process for these individuals to receive mental health treatment rather than face incarceration if they have committed qualifying offenses.