News

Planning and zoning bill breaks ground February 25, 2025 Rep. John Hodgson, R-Fisherville, speaks on House Bill 18 before the House Local Government Committee on Tuesday. The bill would require local elected officials to have a say on new developments instead of leaving it solely up to unelected planning and zoning boards. A high-resolution…

Senate committee adopts SNAP-related resolution on workforce development February 25, 2025 Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald A. Neal, D-Louisville, speaks Tuesday on Senate Resolution 18 during a meeting of the Senate Families and Children Committee. The resolution calls on state health officials to explore strategies for maximizing the use of a workforce development effort…

Committee advances bill about moments of silence in schools February 20, 2025 Sen. Rick Girdler, R-Somerset, testifies Thursday during a Senate Education Committee meeting about legislation regarding moments of silence and reflection in public schools. A high-resolution photo can be found here. FRANKFORT — The Senate Education Committee on Thursday unanimously advanced Senate Bill…

Family Preservation and Accountability Act advances February 20, 2025 Rep. Nick Wilson, R-Williamsburg, testifies on House Bill 291 during Thursday’s House Families and Children Committee meeting. The bill would ask judges to consider a defendant’s status as a caretaker before imposing a sentence for a felony offense. A high-resolution photo can be found here.…

Bill on wearable panic buttons for teachers clears committee February 19, 2025 Rep. Kevin Jackson, R-Bowling Green, holds up a wearable panic alert system while Rep. Chad Aull, D-Lexington, looks on. The lawmakers are co-sponsoring House Bill 14, which would allow schools to implement a wearable panic alert system and set up the framework…

Senate committee green lights nuclear energy grant bill February 19, 2025 Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, speaks on Senate Bill 179 during Wednesday’s Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee meeting. Smith is committee chair. The measure would set aside funding for nuclear development grants in Kentucky. A high-resolution photo can be found here. FRANKFORT —…

Senate endorses juvenile justice bill February 19, 2025 Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, speaks Wednesday on Senate Bill 111 on the Senate floor. The measure would expand and improve services for high-acuity youth in Kentucky’s juvenile justice system. A high-resolution photo can be found here. FRANKFORT — A bill to expand and improve services for…

Senate committee advances bill to combat youth nicotine use February 18, 2025 Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, testifies on Senate Bill 100 during Tuesday’s Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee meeting. The measure seeks to combat youth nicotine use in Kentucky. A high-resolution photo can be found here. FRANKFORT — A measure to combat youth nicotine…

Automated license plate reader privacy bill advances February 18, 2025 Rep. John Hodgson, R-Fisherville, speaks on House Bill 20 before the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday. The bill would regulate automated license plate reader data and other electronic tracking measures. A high-resolution photo can be found here. FRANKFORT — A bill that would regulate…

House approves cigar bar legislation February 18, 2025 Rep. Chris Lewis, R-Louisville, speaks about House Bill 211 on the House floor on Tuesday. The legislation would create a regulatory framework for cigar bars and prevent local anti-smoking ordinances from prohibiting their operation. A high-resolution photo can be found here. FRANKFORT — Cigar enthusiasts may…