When it comes to Northern Kentucky lawmakers getting their bills through the state legislature and to the governor’s desk, this year, Rep. Stephanie Dietz is (currently) leading the pack.
The Edgewood Republican is the lead sponsor of five bills and lead cosponsor of two bills that have been delivered to or signed by Gov. Andy Beshear so far this session. Among them? A bill outlawing child sex dolls and another that would put the director of the NKY Police and Sheriff’s Training Center on the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council.
Running a close second in the tally is Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser (R-Taylor Mill), who has managed to get five bills to the first floor of the Capitol where the governor’s desk sits.
LINK nky is tracking all NKY lawmakers to see how successful they’ve been at getting bills through the legislative process during the three-and-a-half month session ending April 15.
Read on for a tracker with a brief summary of each bill.
Please note: this tracker only includes legislation that the lawmaker filed (lead sponsor) or signed onto as a lead cosponsor, and that has made it to the governor or secretary of state. It does not include simple resolutions, and it does not account for the time lawmakers spend doing other legislative work, like serving on committees and meeting with their constituents.
(Bills delivered to the governor must either be signed by the governor or allowed to become law without his signature before they can officially become law.)
Rep. Stephanie Dietz (R-Edgewood)
House Bill 179 (lead cosponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
The bill would authorize life and health insurers to sell disability income insurance and paid family leave insurance while establishing requirements and setting limitations.
House Bill 194 (lead cosponsor) – delivered to governor on March 27
This legislation would add intentional harm or attempted harm to healthcare workers to the definition of third-degree felony assault.
House Bill 206 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
This bill would enact the Uniform Collaborative Law Act to regulate collaborative law — a voluntary type of alternative dispute resolution.
House Bill 207 (lead sponsor) – signed by governor on March 28
HB 207 would make it a sex crime in Kentucky to possess, transport or sell a child sex doll. It would also make it a sex crime in Kentucky distribute computer-generated material featuring a sexual performance by a minor.
House Bill 436 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
This bill would require the appointment of guardian ad litem for unrepresented minors in cases involving interpersonal and other types of protective orders.
House Bill 482 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
HB 482 would add the director of the NKY Police and Sheriff’s Training Center and chief of police of Owensboro Police Department to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council, the agency responsible for setting law enforcement training standards in Kentucky.
House Bill 715 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
This legislation would expand the Kentucky National Guard Adoption Assistance Program to include former members of the Kentucky National Guard. It also allows adoption of stepchildren to qualify under the program and removes post-deployment provisions relating to eligibility for the military family assistance trust fund.
Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser (R-Taylor Mill)
House Bill 115 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
HB 115 would prohibit additional cost-sharing for diagnostic breast exams or supplemental breast exams covered by a person’s health insurance plan. The state employee health plan and self-insured group health plans offered by public postsecondary schools would be required to comply. There is an exemption in the bill for health savings account-qualified high deductible health plans under some circumstances.
House Bill 194 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 27
This bill would allow those who harm or attempt to harm healthcare workers to be charged with third-degree felony assault.
House Bill 293 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
HB 293 would prohibit the manufacture and sale of certain extracts and products made from kratom – a plant-based substance that “can produce opioid and stimulant-like effects” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The bill would also prohibit the sale of kratom to individuals under age 21 and would require kratom products sold in the commonwealth to be clearly labeled for safe and effective use.
House Bill 385 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
HB 385 would add “adult friend” to the list of individuals authorized to make health care decisions for someone who doesn’t have a living will or advance directive and who can’t make those decisions on their own. It would also clarify rules for ordering a mental examination in court cases.
House Bill 505 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
This legislation would establish criteria for registration as a temporary alcohol and drug peer support specialist, among other provisions.
Sen. John Schickel (R-Union)
Senate Bill 11 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
SB 11 would require that a public or private school be notified before formal court action is taken against a student who has allegedly committed an offense that would be a felony or a misdemeanor sex, drug, assault, or gun-related crime if committed by an adult.
Senate Bill 14 (lead cosponsor) – signed by governor on March 29
This legislation would add two members to the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology, among other provisions.
Senate Bill 16 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
SB 16 would prohibit the operation of drones, video or audio recording devices or photography on or above commercial food processing plants or animal feeding operations – dubbed “key infrastructure assets” – without prior consent. Exceptions would be made for public utilities and federal, state or other officially authorized personnel.
Senate Bill 215 (lead cosponsor) – delivered to governor on March 26, filed with Secretary of State on March 29 without governor’s signature
This bill would prohibit the state from adopting or enforcing new motor vehicle emissions standards that are the same as those established by the State of California.
Sen. Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown)
Senate Bill 299 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
SB 299 would reform the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission – the current regulator of horse racing, historic horse racing machines (HHR), sports betting and charitable gaming in the commonwealth – by creating a new Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation to oversee regulated gaming in the state.
Senate Joint Resolution 175 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 27
This resolution is designed to expedite broadband service in Kentucky by speeding up the state regulatory process for utility pole attachments, among other requirements.
Senate Bill 5 (lead cosponsor) – signed by governor on Feb. 29
SB 5 would exempt resident owners of less than five acres of farmland from sport hunting and fishing license requirements when hunting or fishing on their own farmland.
Rep. Kim Banta (R-Fort Mitchell)
House Bill 68 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
HB 68 would set an initial issue fee and renewal fee of $51 per plate (including the $6 clerk’s fee) for personalized license plates issued for recreational vehicles (RVs).
House Bill 377 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
This bill would recreate the Teacher Recruitment Student Loan Forgiveness Pilot Program and Student Teacher Stipend Program and define who is eligible for both, plus define award amounts. Funding for the program is included in the biennial state budget passed by the General Assembly and delivered to the governor last week.
Rep. Mike Clines (R-Alexandria)
House Bill 361 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 27
HB 361 would change how physician assistants on the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee are selected and make changes to the state Board of Medical Licensure. Specifically, it would allow the state public health commissioner, dean of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, vice dean for clinical affairs at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and dean of the University of Pikeville College of Osteopathic Medicine to appoint a designee to the board.
House Bill 561 (lead cosponsor) – delivered to governor on March 27
HB 561 would establish a certified child care community designation program to help increase child care and early childhood education opportunities by encouraging local zoning reform. Specifically, the state would encourage local governments to apply local zoning and land use regulations in ways that benefit child care providers.
Rep. Mark Hart (R-Falmouth)
House Bill 142 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
This bill would require school districts to provide nicotine-cessation materials to students (and their parents) who bring vaping products and other nicotine products into school. It would also allow in-school or out-of-school suspension of habitual offenders.
House Bill 528 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 28
HB 528 would make slight adjustments to state law impacting funding for “next-generation” statewide 911 initiatives.
Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer (R-Alexandria)
Senate Bill 164 (lead sponsor) – signed by governor on March 29
SB 164 would allow licensed proprietary schools and public school districts or state area technology centers to enter into agreements for academic work or training needed for licensure in the building trades. The state Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction would be required to recognize and honor the agreement in regulated professions including electrician, plumber and HVAC fields.
Sen. Chris McDaniel (R-Ryland Heights)
Senate Bill 139 (lead sponsor) – delivered to governor on March 27
This legislation would establish a registration exemption for private fund advisers, require investment advisers to comply with registration requirements within 90 days of becoming ineligible for an exemption, and allow the Department of Financial Institutions to waive certain provisions.
Sen. Gex Williams (R-Verona)
Senate Bill 5 (lead sponsor) – signed by governor on Feb. 29
SB 5 would exempt resident owners of less than five acres of farmland from sport hunting and fishing license requirements when hunting or fishing on their own farmland.
NKY lawmakers not listed have not yet had bills delivered to or signed by the governor this legislative session. Stay tuned for updates as the session concludes this month.