Second Amendment, Veterans’ Benefits, Math Education, First Responders, Certificate of Need, Transportation Infrastructure Funding

Second Amendment Privacy Act/HB 357: This legislation would prohibit financial institutions from requiring retailers to use a firearm code to track the sale of firearms. It also prohibits the keeping or requiring any list, record, or registry of private firearm ownership. 

Protecting Veterans’ Benefits/HB 39: This legislation would protect veterans from excess fees and predatory advertising associated with referrals from private companies to veterans’ benefits. HB 39 implements a compensation cap on private businesses and requires them to notify any veterans they are serving that there are free options for referrals to benefits. Additionally, it prevents these organizations from using their own doctor to review cases involving veterans’ benefits and from using offshore data centers for matters related to veterans’ benefits. 

Improving Math Education/HB 162: Much like the Read to Succeed Act from 2022, the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act would reform and improve how public schools teach math. HB 162 would provide additional resources and support, including a math academy for elementary and middle school educators. The bill also requires school districts to select and give a universal screener for math.

Prioritizing Mental Health of First Responders/HB 212 would allow rescue squad members to participate in the Alan “Chip” Terry Professional Development and Wellness Program. The program is named after former Covington Firefighter Chip Terry. The measure would direct the Division of Emergency Management and the Kentucky Fire Commission to enter into an agreement to ensure that rescue squad members have access to the program. This is another small but important step in the fight for more protections of our first responders, especially those dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Certificate of Need: If you received updates from me through the 2023 legislative interim, you probably remember several updates regarding the Certificate of Need task force that I worked with over the last year. At the beginning of the 2024 Regular Session, I filed HB 204, a measure that takes aim at the assisting stakeholders who are in the process of applying for a CON. This legislation would allow CON applicants the ability to request a public hearing when their application is being reviewed so there is better understanding of the decision-making process. Additionally, HB 204 establishes a decision appeal process if an application is turned down. While this measure will not solve all of the problems revolving around Certificates of Need, I do believe it will begin the process of leveling the playing field, especially in the Northern Kentucky Region. As it stands today, HB 204 has been assigned to the House Committee on Health Services. It has not been considered for a vote yet, but I will continue my efforts to make sure this legislation stays on our agenda.

Road Plan: Every two years the legislature crafts and passes a plan for the funding of transportation construction and maintenance throughout the commonwealth. The current road budget accounts for right at $3.8 billion in state and federal tax dollars and covers a six-year window, allowing us to plan for the future and make sure today’s needs are met. This year’s proposal is HJR 91. A companion resolution, HJR 92, would implement a new, more responsible way to provide for local priority projects. I expect more details about both plans to be available in the next few days and will share with you when I have more information.