Last week, lawmakers traveled to Covington to hold interim joint committee (IJC) meetings. Each year, lawmakers use the legislative interim to study issues, meet with constituents, and prepare for the upcoming legislative session. While most committee meetings are typically held in Frankfort, the Interim’s schedule provides legislators with the opportunity to occasionally convene in other parts of the state. Several committees are already scheduled to meet at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville. These “field trips” bring the government closer to the people, allowing those who cannot make the journey to Frankfort to still hear directly from their lawmakers.
Committee members heard from local leaders, industry experts, and state officials on a wide range of issues impacting Kentuckians. These discussions offer valuable insight that will help shape policy for the upcoming legislative session:
IJC Economic Development and Workforce Investment, and IJC on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology: Members of these two committees met jointly this week to discuss high growth entrepreneurship, and to learn about ongoing tourism initiatives. Regarding entrepreneurship, members heard from Blue North, one of six innovation hubs located across the commonwealth. They highlighted the need for Kentucky to catch up with the rest of the nation through additional capital investments, connecting locals interested in buying businesses with the resources to do so, and expanding the scope of our workforce’s education. Regarding tourism, speakers highlighted efforts to bring attention and investment to US Route 23, the Country Music Highway, as well as Covington’s River Roots festival set to take place in October.
IJC on Health Services: Lawmakers first heard from the Kentucky Academy of Science, who works to advance STEM education and research across the Commonwealth by providing resources to professionals, students, and educators. Members also received an update from the Kentucky Department for Public Health on the most recent measles outbreak, including concerns over childhood vaccination rates. Committee members also discussed the state’s suicide prevention efforts, with Mental Health America of Kentucky outlining their educational resources and training opportunities it provides to students, teachers, and parents in communities all over the state. Finally, the Office of the Attorney General provided an update on ongoing lawsuits filed against Meta and TikTok.
IJC on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations: Legislators heard from the Building Industry Association of Northern Kentucky about how regulatory costs and other factors impact the price and affordability of new homes. According to a 2021 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) study, regulatory costs total $93,870 per home on average, representing 23.8% of the average home price. Additionally, NAHB found that even a $1,000 increase in the cost of a new home can price out hundreds or thousands of Kentucky households in various metropolitan areas, underscoring the need to address regulatory burdens and other factors contributing to rising home prices. Members then discussed the provisions of HB 79, which was filed during the 2025 Regular Session. The measure would address licensure in the state of Kentucky for marriage and family therapists licensed in other states, as well as healthcare workforce data reporting. Lastly, members received an occupational board update for the Kentucky Board of Architects. The update addressed the ongoing need for architects in the state, as well as the challenges the board is currently facing.
IJC on Natural Resources and Energy: Lawmakers discussed Kentucky’s electric utilities. They heard testimony from officials with Kentucky’s major power companies and cooperatives, including East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Owen Electric Cooperative, LG&E and KU. Members discussed their ongoing and upcoming economic development projects and their plans to increase the state’s overall load. The cooperatives proposed strategies to continue to meet Kentucky’s growing energy demands, particularly from the development of large data centers, and diversify the state’s energy portfolio.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and questions. You may reach me through the toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181 or by email at amy.neighbors@kylegislature.gov. You may also track our work at legislature.ky.gov.
(HD21 – News From the Office of Rep. Neighbors)