News

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…

This Week at the State Capitol Lawmakers ramp up the pace as dozens of bills sail through committees February 14, 2025 The Kentucky Senate convenes in the Old State Capitol to pass a measure designating June as Kentucky History Month. The proceedings were part of Old Capitol Day, a periodic event in which lawmakers…