Wednesday, February 8, 2012 5:28 p.m.   Career-pathways, compulsory attendance bills clear Senate   The Senate approved measures today in an effort to increase the number of high school graduates in the Commonwealth.   Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Erlanger, seeks to create a career and technical curriculum in the public school system and calls for an appropriation.  Supporters hope the measure will keep at-risk students in high school by preparing them for careers in fields that do not require a college degree.  The bill was approved on a 36-0 vote.   Senate Bill 109, also sponsored by Westwood, allows local school districts to adopt a policy requiring students to stay in school until age 18 or graduation.  Under the proposal, school districts adopting such a policy must have an approved alternative education program, like the career and technical education curriculum, in place.    The measure passed on a 35-2 vote.       5:15 p.m.   Unauthorized worker bill heads to Senate   The Kentucky House voted 93-4 today to pass a bill that would require local governments and their contractors to electronically verify their employees’ eligibility to legally work in the U.S.   HB 5, sponsored by House Majority Caucus Chair Bob Damron, D-Nicholasville, would require local governments and their contractors and subcontractors to check employees’ U.S. work eligibility using E-Verify or a similar federal verification program. E-Verify is a federal database that instantly validates or denies someone’s work eligibility based on information gleaned from federal I-9 employment forms.   Contractors and subcontractors would be banned from contracting with public agencies for certain periods for violating the provisions in the bill, while government workers found unauthorized to work in the U.S. would be subject to dismissal.   The federal government would determine if an immigration violation has occurred, as it does now.   HB 5 “will ensure that those taxpayer dollars going to contractors are used to hire workers that are legal to work in Kentucky” Damron said.   The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.       Tuesday, February 7, 2012 5:45 p.m.   Unclaimed life insurance benefits bill passed House   A bill that would require life insurance companies to seek out beneficiaries of unclaimed policy benefits passed the Kentucky House by a 96-0 vote today.   House Bill 135, sponsored by House Majority Caucus Chairman Rep. Bob Damron, D-Nicholasville, now goes to the Senate for consideration.   HB 135 is based on national model legislation that requires insurers to compare Social Security death records against an insurer’s fully paid and protected policies on a regular basis to determine if any benefits need to be paid. If a match is made, the bill would require an insurer to take timely, documented steps to determine what benefits are due and help the designated beneficiary file a claim, if he or she can be found.   Any benefits left unclaimed after the insurer’s search would revert to the Kentucky State Treasury as unclaimed property, Damron said.    Exemptions to the proposed requirements in HB 135 would be made for life insurance policies that fund certain funeral contracts or “prearrangements” as well as policies issued to various creditors, according to the bill.   Currently there is over $1 billion in unclaimed life insurance benefits in reserve nationally, Damron said.       5:45 p.m.   For-profit college regulatory bill clears House   A new agency would regulate the state’s private, for-profit college and university industry under a bill that passed the Kentucky House this afternoon.   House Bill 308, sponsored by House Education Committee Chairman Carl Rollins, D-Midway, cleared the House by a vote of 91-5 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. “This is a start. This is a not a perfect bill, but this is a bill that is possible to get passed and it does make some progress,” Rollins said before the vote.   HB 308 would replace the current 11-member Kentucky Board for Proprietary Education with an 11-member Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education that would limit industry membership to four seats, down from six seats held by the industry on today’s board. Industry representatives would not be allowed to serve as the chair of the new commission as they do on the current board. The State Auditor’s Office would also have a seat on the commission.   The Kentucky Board for Proprietary Education—which oversees the dozens of private, for-profit colleges and universities operating in the Commonwealth—was criticized in a state audit last year, according to news reports.   Other provisions in HB 308 would include the creation of a compensation fund for student grievances—paid for by the industry—and a revised student complaint review process.       5:20 p.m.   Safety measure for horse-drawn buggies clears Senate   The Kentucky Senate voted unanimously today to allow horse-drawn buggies to use reflective tape as an alternative to the required vehicle triangle.   Senate Bill 75, sponsored by Sen. Ken Winters, R-Murray, was proposed as a compromise for members of Amish communities who feel the bright orange triangle emblem violates their religious convictions against showy displays.    Some supporters of the bill think the reflective-tape alternative is safer than the triangular emblem.  It would require at least 100 inches of white or silver reflective tape outlining the back of the buggy, as well as several feet of tape on each side and the front.    The bill now goes to the House for consideration.  If passed, an attached clause will make the law effective upon signing by the governor.         10:55 a.m.   Refugee high school graduation bill clears committee Teenage refugees and legal resident aliens who would be over age 21 when they graduate from high school could earn their diploma from a Kentucky public school under a bill that cleared the House Education Committee today.   House Bill 183, sponsored by Rep. Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, would allow—not require—local school boards to enroll refugees and legal immigrants who are not U.S. citizens in their four-year high school programs even if the students would be over age 21 at graduation, according to the bill. State guaranteed base school funding, known as SEEK funding, would be adjusted to cover the instructional costs of refugees or legal aliens age 21 or older who complete their diploma, Richards said.   To read more, click here.       Friday, February 3, 2012 2:15 p.m.   Calendar changes; session to end April 11   Lawmakers’ decision not to convene in the Senate or House chambers today means the expected final adjournment date of the 2012 session has been pushed back one day, to April 11.   The change to the legislative calendar also pushes back the beginning and end of the veto recess. The recess is scheduled to run from March 30 – April 10.   Lawmakers will return to the Senate and House chambers at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6.   The revised 2012 session calendar can be viewed here.       11:00 a.m.   This week in Frankfort   To catch up on this week's legislative highlights, click here.       Thursday, February 2, 2012 4:55 p.m.   Early graduation bill approved by full Senate   A bill that would allow interested high school students in Kentucky to graduate one year early was passed by the Senate on a 34-4 vote today.   Senate Bill 86, sponsored by Sen. Ken Winters, R-Murray, would require students to submit a letter of intent to graduate early before undertaking advanced coursework.  Under the provision, students must maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA and meet benchmark scores on the ACT and statewide end-of-year exams.    As further incentive to complete post-secondary educations, students choosing to enroll at a two- or four-year college in the Commonwealth during what would have been their senior year of high school, would receive scholarship money based on the amount of state funding their school district receives for per-pupil attendance.   KEES assistance awards would be recalculated so students wouldn’t be penalized for graduating early.   The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.       4:55 p.m.   Sports coach training would be expanded under House bill   All interscholastic—not just high school—coaches would have to complete a sports safety course that teaches them how to recognize neck, facial, and head injuries under a bill that received unanimous approval today in the Kentucky House.   House Bill 281, sponsored by Rep. Joni Jenkins, D-Shively, now goes to the Senate for consideration.    Should it become law, HB 281 would also spell out the actions that must be taken before an athlete with a suspected head injury, including a concussion, can return to play.  The bill includes an emergency clause, which means it would become law when signed by the governor.   HB 281 is the latest bill regarding sports injuries filed by Jenkins. The Jefferson County lawmaker was also the sponsor of legislation passed in 2009 that requires high school coaches trained in heat illnesses and other medical conditions to be present at all practices and games.  A requirement that records be kept on high school sports injuries in the state is also part of the law.   The 2009 law was introduced by Jenkins after the heatstroke death of high school football player Max Gilpin, of Louisville.       2:45 p.m.   High school attendance bills gain panel approval   The Senate Education committee approved legislation today aimed at decreasing the number of students who drop out of high school.   Senate Bill 109, sponsored by Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Erlanger, would allow local school districts to adopt a policy requiring students to remain enrolled in school until age 18 or graduation.  Those school districts wishing to change their compulsory attendance age from 16 to 18 would be required to have an approved alternative education program in place to meet the needs of students at-risk for dropping out.  If made law, the provisions would begin in the 2014-2015 school year.   Senate Bill 38, also sponsored by Westwood, calls for an appropriation for career and technical curriculum in Kentucky’s high school.  Being called a “career-pathways bill,” the measure seeks to keep at-risk students in high school by preparing them for careers in local business and industry that do not require a college degree.    “If we want to keep our students in school until they graduate, we need to make what goes on in the classroom relevant,” Westwood said.   Both bills will now go to the full Senate for  consideration.       Wednesday, February 1, 2012 4:25 p.m.   Energy incentive expansion bill heads to Senate   Legislation that would expand the kinds of alternative and renewable energy projects and facilities eligible for state incentives cleared the House today by a 94-0 vote.   House Bill 246, sponsored by House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, now goes to the Senate for its consideration.   Should it become law, HB 246 would expand the types of facilities that qualify for incentives under the Kentucky Alternative Fuel and Renewable Energy Fund and Incentives for Energy Independence Act. The bill would also exempt some geothermal drilling supplies and tools from state sales and use tax.   HB 246 is the latest among several energy bills that Adkins says have made Kentucky a national leader on energy issues since the passage of HB 1 in 2007.   “The energy incentive package that we have passed has been a very aggressive energy incentive package,” Adkins said. “All this legislation does is expand those incentives to the actual manufacturing of the components, pieces and parts that it takes to build the energies and technologies of the future here in Kentucky.”       1:55 p.m.   Pauper cremation bill heads to House   A bill that would reduce the cost of county pauper burials by letting coroners choose cremation over burial of unclaimed bodies has cleared the House Local Government Committee.   House Bill 107, sponsored by Rep. Linda Belcher, D-Shepherdsville, would allow county coroners to cremate certain unclaimed bodies notwithstanding an inquest or the possibility that an unclaimed body will be used as criminal evidence.    The committee approved the bill and sent it to the House for approval. Some lawmakers who voted in favor of the bill said they did so with the understanding that a floor amendment addressing the placement of the cremated remains and possible religious concerns with cremation will be called when the bill comes to the House floor for a vote.   “We want to make sure we are honoring those who have passed away,” Belcher told the committee.   Belcher's district inlcudes a portion of Bullitt County, which she said had 24 pauper burials last year.   With the cost of some burial plots in the area running between $1,400 and $1,600 each, based on recent bids, Belcher explained that the burials are costly to local governments.       Tuesday, January 31, 2012 4:45   American Indian tribe recognition bill heads to Senate   The Kentucky House of Representatives decided today that American Indian groups seeking formal recognition by the Commonwealth should have a clear process to get it.   House Bill 182, sponsored by Rep. Reginald Meeks, D-Louisville, would allow a group desiring to be formally recognized as an American Indian tribe to submit a petition for such recognition to the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission (KNAHC). The bill authorizes the KNAHC to approve petitions that meet certain criteria and send them to the governor, who can decide whether to issue an executive order recognizing the approved group.       4:25 p.m.   Alternative high school diploma bill passes Senate   A bill that would provide diplomas to students with disabilities who finish modified high school curriculums gained unanimous Senate approval today.    Under Senate Bill 43, special needs students would receive alternative high school diplomas after completing their individual courses of study.  The diploma would replace the certificate of completion those students currently receive.   Supporters of the measure feel it is important for every student completing high school coursework to receive a diploma.  “It’s a bill that rights a wrong,” said sponsor Sen. Dennis Parrett, D-Elizabethtown.    The bill now goes to the House for consideration.       8:27 a.m.   Resolution to study state’s wild hog problem clears House Legislation asking a state agency to issue a report on Kentucky’s growing wild hog population by this fall cleared the House by a vote of 94-0 yesterday.   House Concurrent Resolution 76, sponsored by House Agriculture and Small Business Chairman Tom McKee, D-Cynthiana, now goes to the Senate for its consideration. Should the legislation pass both chambers, it would request that the state Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources study and issue the preliminary report on Kentucky’s wild hog numbers—and related problems—for state legislative review by Oct. 31, 2012.   Wild hogs have grown in number across the Commonwealth in recent years. The numbers of wild hogs are largest in far West Kentucky where farmers have lost crops and income because of the feral animals, some lawmakers say.   “It is a real problem, particularly in the (far western counties),” said Rep. Steven Rudy, R-West Paducah, adding that he and another lawmaker plan to file legislation on the issue in the House this week. “Kentucky needs to be ahead of the game in addressing the wild hog problem.”   The resolution would also request that the department develop a long-range plan to control and manage, and attempt to eradicate, Kentucky’s growing wild hog population.        8:27 a.m.   House, Senate vote to extend congressional filing deadline The Kentucky General Assembly voted yesterday to extend by one week the filing deadline for Kentucky’s six congressional races.   The legislation sent to the governor would give Kentucky’s congressional candidates another week to file to run for office by extending the congressional filing deadline from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7. The filing deadline extension in House Bill 2 only applies to the 2012 election year.       Friday, January 27, 2012 2:40 p.m.   This week in Frankfort   To catch up on this week's legislative highlights, click here.       2:23 p.m.   Senate ag committee approves bill allowing hershares   A measure approved yesterday by the Senate Agriculture Committee would affirm Kentuckians’ right to enter into shared ownership arrangements for livestock and poultry.  Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, would ensure that individuals entering into such contracts could use and consume products from their animal shares, such as meat, eggs, and raw or unpasteurized milk.   While lawmakers who support the bill say it will help Kentuckians can get the farm products they want, others expressed concerns about potential public health issues.   “You're talking about helping the dairy farmer,” said Sen. Joey Pendleton, D-Hopkinsville, speaking about possible problems in public perception, “The first headline we get that says 'school child gets sick on raw milk' then we'll hurt the whole dairy industry.”   John Mark Hack, a former state agriculture official, urged his support of the legislation, stating that this bill could be another tool for creating a robust farm economy, viable local markets, and clearly establishing the importance of Kentucky's local food economies.   The bill passed with favorable expression and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.       Thursday, January 26, 2012 12:20 p.m.   Panel approves informed consent bills   Two measures that would affect abortion procedures in Kentucky were approved by the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee today.   Under current law, a woman seeking an abortion must be presented with information regarding the procedure, as well as fetal development, 24 hours before it is performed.   Senate Bill 102, sponsored by Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, and Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Erlanger, would ensure that the information is presented in a face-to-face meeting with a physician, nurse or social worker rather than over the phone.   Senate Bill 103, sponsored by Sen. Joe Bowen, R-Owensboro, and Westwood would require an ultrasound prior to informed consent being given for the procedure.  While the woman could choose not to look at the images, the physician or technician would be required to explain what the images are showing.   “Life changing and life ending decisions need as much information as possible,” Bowen said.   Opponents of the bills were concerned about the added financial expense of the measures to women, especially those with lower incomes in rural areas of the state.  Some also questioned potential legal implications of technicians explaining ultrasound images.   SB 102 and SB 103 were both approved by the committee on 8-3 votes. The bills now go to the full Senate for consideration.       11:45 a.m.   Energy incentive expansion bill clears House committee   Legislation that would expand the kinds of alternative and renewable energy projects and facilities eligible for state incentives—including renewable geothermal energy—was approved by the House Tourism Development and Energy Committee today.   To read more, click here.       Wednesday, January 25, 2012 2:07 p.m.   Panel approves safety measure for horse-drawn buggies   A bill that would allow reflective tape as an alternative to the triangular emblem for horse-drawn buggies was unanimously approved by the Senate Transportation Committee today.   Some members of Amish communities in Kentucky feel that using the triangular emblem would violate their religious convictions and have been jailed for refusing to comply with the mandate.  This measure was proposed as a safe compromise for them.   Senate Bill 75 requires the tape to be white or silver in color and to outline the back of the buggy.  Tape would also be required on the sides of the vehicle, as well.    Sen. Ken Winters, R-Murray, sponsor of the bill, said he felt the reflective tape alternative was safer than the triangular emblem because it allows buggies to be seen from the side at crossroads and makes them visible to vehicles more quickly when driving over hills.   The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.       2:02 p.m.   Amendment to abolish Treasurer’s Office advances   A proposed amendment to the state constitution that would eliminate the office of the State Treasurer was approved in the Senate State and Local Government Committee today by a 6-2 vote.    Senate Bill 51 was sponsored by Committee Chair Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, who said he felt the office was no longer necessary.  He said the office’s duties could be performed by the Finance Cabinet.   If the bill passes both chambers, Kentuckians will make the final decision on whether or not to abolish the State Treasurer’s Office by voting on the issue in November.   SB 51 now goes to the full Senate for consideration.        10:55 a.m.   Panel urges study on feral pigs   With interest in resolving the Commonwealth’s feral pig problem growing, a House committee today encouraged a state-wide study on the issue.   House Concurrent Resolution 76, sponsored by Rep. Tom McKee, D-Cynthiana, passed out of the House Committee on Agriculture and Small Business today. The resolution would urge the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to study the feral pig population growth in Kentucky.  The study would address the dangers and problems that feral pigs present for the state’s environment, farmers, landowners, and citizens.   “I think the Department of Agriculture can do more without expending a lot of money just by classifying these animals as varmints,” said Rep. Tom Riner, D-Louisville, adding that the animals should be permitted “to be hunted throughout the year and at night.”   The resolution passed without objection, and now moves to the full House for consideration.       10:35 a.m.   Restoration of voting rights measure advances   A proposal that would allow Kentucky voters to decide by constitutional amendment whether or not to restore felon voting rights has passed out of committee yesterday.   House Bill 70, sponsored by Rep. Jesse Crenshaw, D-Lexington, passed out of the House Standing Committee on Elections. The bill is the latest attempt to give voters the ability to amend the constitution to restore voting rights for convicted felons after they have completed their sentence or probation or parole requirements.   HB 70 passed with favorable expression and now goes to the full House for consideration.       Tuesday, January 24, 2012 3:57 p.m.   Bill to alter school council makeup advances A bill that would change the qualifications for teachers and at least one parent serving on school site-based decision making councils cleared the House by a 62-33 vote today.   House Bill 89, sponsored by Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort, would require that at least one of the two parent representatives on a school council live within the boundaries of the school district. It would also prohibit non-tenured teachers from serving on a school council unless no tenured teachers are willing or available to serve. The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.   “The intent of (the first part of) this bill is to have more involvement in school decisions by the main stakeholders of the district—that being the taxpayer of the district,” said Graham. “The second part of the bill establishes that tenured teachers are to serve on the school councils and, if no tenured teacher is willing to serve or is unavailable to serve, this bill allows for some flexibility for those non-tenured teachers to serve…”   Some lawmakers felt the changes proposed by the legislation would limit involvement on school councils. Rep. David Floyd, R-Bardstown, said, “I do know that in several districts throughout the state it is difficult to get parents to volunteer to serve in this role…and so I would hope that we would not try to exclude anyone willing to do that.”   Graham said, “The whole purpose of this bill is to be inclusive, and … it has some flexibility.”   State law requires each school council be comprised of two parents, three teachers and the school principal or school administrator. School councils are located in all 174 school districts in Kentucky, which include 120 county districts and 54 independent districts.       Friday, January 20, 2012 2:55 p.m.   This week in Frankfort   To catch up on this week's legislative highlights, click here.       12:30 p.m.   National Guard child adoption bill passes House   Any Kentucky National Guard member would be eligible for state military financial assistance to help pay child adoption costs under a bill that cleared the Kentucky House today. House Bill 224, sponsored by Rep. Tanya Pullin, passed the House by a vote of 93-0.   The bill would provide any Kentucky National Guard member up to $5,000 to cover the cost to adopt a child with special needs, or up to $3,000 to cover adoption costs for another child, from the state’s military family assistance trust fund. The funds could be used to pay unreimbursed direct costs related to the adoption, including licensed adoption agency fees, legal fees, court costs or medical costs.   Currently only regular military, Kentucky National Guard or Reserve members called to federal active duty and state employees are eligible for adoption assistance from the trust fund, according to state law.    “Our Kentucky National Guard is sometimes caught in the middle … so this bill would allow them to have this benefit to help them to adopt children,” Pullin said.   HB 224 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.       Wednesday, January 18, 2012 4:20 p.m.   School bus advertising bill passes House   School districts could sell advertising space on the outside of their school buses under a bill that passed the House by a 67-29 vote today.   “It’s a simple bill with the sole intent of generating revenue for local school districts,” said House Bill 30 sponsor Rep. Terry Mills, D-Lebanon.   The content of advertising allowed on school buses under HB 30 would be left up to local school boards with the exception of political or campaign advertising and ads for tobacco, alcohol or sexually oriented businesses, which would be prohibited. All ads would have to be located below the bus windows, behind the front wheel and then only in areas that would not interfere with the effectiveness of warning equipment and reflectors, according to the bill.   Rep. Brad Montell, R-Shelbyville, said HB 30 will help school districts that “are strapped for revenue.”   HB 30 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.       Tuesday, January 17, 2012 7:15 p.m.   Digital citizenship bill clears House   Legislation that would require local school districts to set policies for school employee and student use of technology at school has cleared the Kentucky House.   House Bill 91, sponsored by Rep. Linda Belcher, D-Shepherdsville, passed the House by a vote of 59-35. The legislation now goes to the Senate for its consideration.   The legislation would call for school districts to set “acceptable use” policies that include measures on appropriate online conduct.       6:50 p.m.   School dropout bill clears House Education Committee   A proposal to raise Kentucky’s school dropout age from 16 to 18 over the next five years cleared the House Education Committee today.   House Bill 216, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Greer, D-Brandenburg and Rep. Reginald Meeks, D-Louisville, now goes to the full House for consideration. The legislation is supported by Gov. Steve Beshear, who proposed raising the dropout age to age 18 in his State of the Commonwealth speech in early January.   Should the bill become law, the dropout age would be phased in over a two-year period by increasing from age 16 to 17 as of July 1, 2016 and age 17 to 18 as of July 1, 2017. Most of the current school year’s freshman class would be affected by the legislation, said Greer, who has sponsored similar proposals three years in a row.   “We want to continue to keep the issue out front,” said Greer.   First Lady Jane Beshear, who spoke on the bill before the committee this afternoon, said Kentucky’s dropout age has been age 16 since the 1920s when farming and coal mining were the state’s top employers.   “I think we all realize that if we want the jobs for the future….that begins with the minimum of a high school diploma,” Beshear said.       1:45 p.m.   Amended calendar calls for April 10 adjournment   Final adjournment of the General Assembly’s 2012 session will occur on April 10, one day later than originally planned, under a recently amended session calendar.   The calendar changed when lawmakers did not meet in session on Friday, January 13, as originally planned.   Under the new calendar, the veto recess begins on March 28 and runs through April 9.   The 2012 session calendar can be viewed here.       1:35 p.m.   Joint session, governor’s address at 7 p.m.   Members of the Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives will meet in a joint session in the House chamber at 7 p.m. to hear Gov. Steve Beshear’s Budget Address.   Senate President David L. Williams and House Speaker Greg Stumbo will answer reporters’ questions during a press conference held shortly after the speech in room 327 of the Capitol.        Friday, January 13, 2012 10:50 a.m.   This Week in Frankfort   Lawmakers have wrapped up the second week of work in the General Assembly's 2012 session. For a recap of some of this week's activity, click here.   Thursday, January 12, 2012 4:40 p.m.   Chambers will not convene tomorrow   A change to the 2012 legislative calendar means state lawmakers will not convene in the House or Senate chambers on Friday, January 12.   Monday, January 16, remains a legislative holiday in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.   Lawmakers will return to the State Capitol to resume the 2012 legislative session on Tuesday, January 17. Both chambers are scheduled to convene at 4 p.m. that day.       3:35 p.m.   Colon cancer screening bill advances   Kentucky’s Colon Cancer Screening program would receive an $8 million dollar boost over the next two years under a plan approved today by the House Committee on Health and Wellness.     House Bill 55, sponsored by Rep. Jim Glenn, D-Owensboro, calls for an appropriation of $3 million in fiscal year 2013 and $5 million in fiscal year 2014 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Health in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.   The bill would also require the Department of Public Health to charge an income-based fee for screenings, although the fee would be “such that the screening is affordable and accessible to the largest possible number of individuals throughout the Commonwealth.”   If approved, these funds would assist in providing wider access to early cancer screenings for uninsured Kentuckians between the ages of 50 and 64.   A House Concurrent Resolution was also passed at the committee meeting that would create a new caucus for within the General Assembly. HCR 24, also sponsored by Glenn, would create the Cancer Survivors and Friends Caucus, which Glenn said will work to promote and develop public outreach and policy initiatives in the Kentucky General Assembly.       Wednesday, January 11, 2012 4:20 p.m.   Tattoo warning bill clears House committee   Tattoo parlors would be required to warn customers that certain prominent tattoos automatically disqualify them from serving in the U.S. military under a bill that passed a House committee today.   House Bill 32, sponsored by Rep. Ron Crimm, R-Louisville, cleared the House Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee and now goes to the full House for consideration.   The bill would require tattoo shops to conspicuously display a sign warning customers that any tattoo on the neck, forearm or lower leg would mean automatic disqualification from service in the U.S. Armed Forces, according to Crimm   Kentucky Department for Military Affairs Division Director Col. Steve Bullard, who testified on the bill alongside Crimm, said the number of individuals with tattoos on their neck, forearms and lower legs became clear at a recruitment booth set up recently at an area university.     “Every single one had a tattoo that was unacceptable,” said Col. Bullard. “We could not qualify a single person that day” for military service.   HB 32 now goes to the full House for consideration.       4:20 p.m.   Committee approves veterans drivers' licenses   Veterans would have proof of their military service on drivers’ licenses under a bill approved today by the House Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee.   House Bill 221 would provide drivers’ licenses and state identification cards with “veteran” designations. The cards would be available to anyone who served in the armed forces, including the Coast Guard, who left the service honorably. There would be no additional fees.   Having the “veteran” designation on forms of identification was requested by some veterans to make it easier for them to obtain various discounts and special services that require proof of service.       4:10 p.m.     Debt ceiling bill approved by Senate committee   The Senate State and Local Government Committee approved legislation today that would set a limit on the Commonwealth’s debt supported by General Fund appropriations at 6 percent of revenues.    According to the bill's sponsor, Sen. Joe Bowen, R-Owensboro, many Kentuckians are concerned about the level of government spending and debt.   Senate Bill 56 would help to establish a threshold for the legislature to work within when determining future budgets, he said.     Historically, the legislature has tried to stay within the 6 percent parameter that is used by bond rating agencies, Committee Chair Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, said.  “This would, of course, set that in the Constitution,” he said.   Some committee members expressed concern about this provision being added to the Constitution.  Sen. R.J. Palmer, D-Winchester, stated he thought it might be better suited as a policy.    A clause in the proposal would allow the Governor to exceed the 6 percent cap in a calamitous situation by four-fifths majority vote of the General Assembly.   The measure was passed by the committee on a 7-3 vote. If approved in both legislative chambers, the proposed amendment will be voted on by Kentuckians when they head to the polls in November.       4:10 p.m.   Committee told about threats from feral pigs   Wild hogs in Kentucky are a threat to farmland, natural habitats and human health, a panel of lawmakers was told today.   Information on the growth of feral pigs in Kentucky was presented today to the House Committee on Agriculture and Small Business by new Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer and staff from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.   Wildlife Division Director Karen Waldrop said the pigs cause damage to local agricultural revenue and the habitats of native Kentucky species and pose a risk for the spread of disease. The hog population has risen sharply in recent years due those illegally releasing them for hunting opportunities. According to Wildlife Biologist Chad Soard, the hogs can also grow to be over 400lbs with tusks up to one-and-a-half inches long, have no natural predators, and are aggressive toward humans.   Waldrop detailed several successful eradication methods used by the department, including shooting the feral pigs with high-powered rifles from helicopters. “In February alone (Wildlife Services) shot 197. They were also here in December and they shot an additional 61,” said Waldrop, noting that 490 have been removed in total statewide. Other successful methods involved using corral traps whose costs are shared by local landowners, allowing year-round hunting, and the creation of the Wild Pig Task Force.    Chair of the committee, Rep. Tom McKee, D-Cynthiana, said that a concurrent resolution on the issue is anticipated to be filed by Friday.         Tuesday, January 10, 2012 11:10 a.m.   Bill to allow ads on school buses advances   The House Education Committee approved a bill today that would give local school boards the option of selling advertising on school buses.   House Bill 30, sponsored by Rep. Terry Mills, D-Lebanon, is aimed at producing revenues for schools while allowing individual school districts to decide on the content of advertisements.    The bill would exclude advertisements of alcohol and tobacco products, as well as any political or campaign advertisement, but states that it will not exclude or show preference for specific advertisers within industry, business sectors, or other classes identified as appropriate.    Some committee members expressed concern that HB 30 could pose safety risks by creating visual distractions to drivers, or could open the door to advertisements for school-inappropriate products.   “I don’t think [excluding alcohol and tobacco] goes far enough,” said Rep. Jim DeCesare, R-Rockfield. “I think there are are a lot of other items out there that we probably don’t want on school buses.”   Supporters of the bill say that school districts will have the authority to make decisions on the type of ads that would be allowed.   HB 30 now goes to the full House for consideration.     Friday, January 6, 2012 2:30 p.m.   This Week in Frankfort   Lawmakers have closed out the first week of the General Assembly's 2012 session. For a recap of some of this week's activity, click here.       Thursday, January 5, 2012 8:42 a.m.   Senate, House leaders to hold weekly press conferences   Senate President David L. Williams and House Speaker Greg Stumbo will hold Friday morning press conferences throughout the 2012 legislative session.   The press conferences will start at 8:30 a.m. each Friday in room 327 of the State Capitol. The first one will be held tomorrow.   Wednesday, January 4, 2012 2:25 p.m.   Press conference will follow speech   Senate President David L. Williams and House Speaker Greg Stumbo will answer reporters’ questions in room 327 of the Capitol after the governor’s State of the Commonwealth address tonight. The speech will be delivered during a 7 p.m. joint session of the General Assembly, with the press conference starting shortly after the session concludes.     1:50 p.m.   Joint session, speech at 7 p.m.   Gov. Steve Beshear will present his State of the Commonwealth address to a joint session of the Kentucky General Assembly in the House chamber at 7 p.m.   The session will be broadcast live on Kentucky Educational Television.     Tuesday, January 3, 2012 3:45 p.m.     Bunch sworn in as House member   The House gained a new member today with the swearing in of Rep. Regina Bunch, R-Williamsburg.   Bunch succeeds her husband as the representative of the state’s 82nd District in Laurel and Whitley counties. Former Rep. Dewayne Bunch resigned from the House in October, several months after being seriously injured while breaking up a fight between students at the high school where he taught math and science.   There’s currently one vacant seat in the House of Representatives due to the resignation of former Rep. James Comer, R-Tompkinsville, who was sworn in yesterday as the state’s Agriculture Commissioner.       12:40 p.m.   Lawmakers begin 2012 legislative session   The Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives were gaveled to order today, starting a 60-day session in which lawmakers will work on the state’s next two-year budget and consider drawing new lines for state legislative and judicial districts, along with the state’s six Congressional districts.   A summary of some of the other issues that will be considered, including a measure that would require a prescription for some cold medicines that can be used to illegally make methamphetamines, is available by viewing bills that were prefiled last year in anticipation of the 2012 session.   Citizens have numerous ways to follow legislative action, including seeing legislative action in person in the State Capitol’s legislative chambers and committee meeting rooms, which are open to the public.   The Kentucky Legislature Home Page (www.lrc.ky.gov)   is updated daily to provide the latest legislative information. Web surfers can view the issues before lawmakers by browsing through bill summaries, amendments, and resolutions. The website is regularly updated to indicate each bill’s status in the legislative process, as well as the next day’s committee-meeting schedule and agendas.   In addition to general information about the legislative process, the website also provides information on each of Kentucky’s senators and representatives, including their phone numbers, addresses, and legislative committee assignments.   The Kentucky General Assembly also maintains toll-free phone lines to help citizens follow legislative action and offer their input.   People who want to give lawmakers feedback on issues under consideration can call the Legislative Message Line at (800) 372-7181. People who prefer to offer their feedback in Spanish can call the General Assembly's Spanish Line at (866) 840-6574. Citizens with hearing impairments can use the TTY Message Line at (800) 896-0305.   A taped message containing information on the daily schedule for legislative committee meetings is available by calling the Legislative Calendar Line at (800) 633-9650.   Information on the status of each bill lawmakers are considering is available on the Bill Status Line, (866) 840-2835.   Citizens can write to any legislator by sending a letter with a lawmaker's name on it to: Legislative Offices, 701 Capitol Ave., Frankfort, KY 40601.       Top of Page

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