FRANKFORT — The Kentucky General Assembly continues to work through the process of hearing testimony and considering 319 pieces of legislation that have been filed in the House of Representatives and 119 filed in the Senate.
Despite some bruised feelings over the passage of a redistricting plan that is now being litigated in Franklin Circuit Court, last week in the House we came together to pass bipartisan legislation to remove the competitive disadvantage confronted by the suppliers of durable medical supplies in Kentucky. The passage of House Bill 21 by a vote of 91-0, sponsored by Rep. David Floyd, will insure if state laws in which the home office of an out-of-state supplier of durable medical products require Kentucky distributors to have an office in that state to do business, the same will apply to those coming into Kentucky.
This nearly unanimous vote follows action late last week when we voted 99-0 for legislation to require the notification of the presiding judge and all witnesses in the case when the individual is released from care or escapes.
Reps. Myron Dossett, Ben Waide and Ryan Quarles are working to build support for House Resolution 60, calling on the members of the Kentucky congressional delegation to oppose proposed changes by the United States Department of Labor to substantially alter the Fair Labor Standards Act regarding minors engaged in the agricultural industry. The proposed changes in the standards have the potential to negatively impact 4-H and Future Farmers of America programs across the country. The changes would also affect equipment that can be operated by minors as well as their ability to be involved in the care of livestock and the cultivation of tobacco and other crops.
This week began the hearing process on a budget for the 2012-2014 biennium. State Budget Director Mary Lassiter made her first appearance before the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee, and a number of subcommittee hearings will now take place as members are given an opportunity to participate in the budget development process.
Among the issues likely to be discussed as part of the budget process will be legislation introduced to exempt purchases of many supplies for the operation of an equine operation. Finally, this week saw House Bill 26, a bill sponsored by me and Rep. Lonnie Napier, continue to build support in the House where 55 members have signed on as co-sponsors. This bill would require the Cabinet for Health Services to develop a plan for drug screening for recipients of public assistance. The law would require the state to develop a graduated system of monitoring to include blood and urine tests to determine if recipients are involved in the use of illegal drugs. In those instances where documented abuse is ongoing, the state could suspend services to adult recipients.
While the bill has not yet received its first hearing, a bipartisan coalition of support is growing as House legislative leaders, including Speaker Greg Stumbo, Republican Floor Leader Jeff Hoover, Republican Caucus Chairman Dr. Bob DeWeese, Republican Whip Danny Ford, Democratic Whip Tommy Thompson and former Speaker Jody Richards have all signed on as co-sponsors of the proposed law.
As always, I welcome your comments and concerns for the upcoming session. I can be reached at (859) 749-0909, or through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. A taped message containing information on legislative committee meeting schedules is available by calling 1-800-633-9650, and information on the status of each bill is available by calling 1-866-840-2835. If you have Internet access, I can be reached at Donna.Mayfield@lrc.ky.gov, or you may keep track of legislation through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page at www.lrc.ky.gov.
