As the dust settles on the legislative session and preparation begins for the next, it is safe to say the biggest issue we tackle is drafting the budgets for state agencies and programs. However, several other bills go through the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee because they invest taxpayer resources. Those topics can range from economic development spending to incentivizing research at our universities.
Here are just a few examples:
Targeted One Time Investments, Rep. Jason Petrie – HB 1 provides $2.7 billion over the next two years to fund projects within state government and in communities throughout the Commonwealth, including $260 million for water and wastewater infrastructure projects in the first year, with another $84.7 million in the second year; $230 million over the biennium towards public pension liabilities; $35 million in each fiscal year for airport capital improvements; $35 million in each fiscal year towards economic development efforts through the Kentucky Product Development Initiative; $100 million in each fiscal year for the GRANT program; $50 million in each year to support approved mega-development projects; $10 million in each year to the Kentuckiana Works program to support workforce training; $18 million in each year for maintenance and upgrades at the Kentucky Horse Park; and $220 million for projects like the aviation program at Eastern Kentucky University, a vet tech program at Murray State University, and the applied energy research program at the University of Kentucky.
Executive Branch Budget – HB 6 provides a responsible $128.4 billion two-year spending plan with funding for the vast majority of state agencies and programs. The budget includes record funding for K-12 public schools, and strategic investments in public safety, infrastructure, and health services. HB 6 also includes major investments in mental health and substance abuse recovery, and programs that serve the state’s most vulnerable.
Legislative Branch Budget – HB 263 provides funding for the operations, maintenance, and support of the legislative branch for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
Judicial Branch Budget – HB 264 provides funding for the operations, maintenance, and support of the judicial branch for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
Transportation Operating Budget – HB 265 provides $7.2 billion across fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to fund the state’s transportation administration. The measure includes funds for critical projects like the I-69 Ohio River crossing.
Two-Year Road Construction Plan – HB 266 appropriates $4.9 billion towards the transportation infrastructure projects from the next two years of the biennial highway construction plan. This plan includes funding for high-growth counties, bridge repairs, resurfacing and other maintenance, and economic development projects.
Building on Broadband Expansions – HB 267 authorizes the Office of Broadband Development to implement the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
Providing Accurate Financial Analysis of Fiscal Impact – HB 635 would require that an actuarial analysis of proposed legislation include information used to arrive at the assumption as well as data to support it and a consideration of any cost savings a measure may have.
Support for Continued Disaster Recovery – HB 752 provides funding from the EKSAFE funds to pay for an area career and technical center destroyed in Breathitt County, as well as allocations from WKSAFE to fund the reconstruction of a fire station, police station, and city hall in Mayfield and the Graves County administration building.
Investing in Kentucky’s State Parks – HJR 56 authorizes the release of funds appropriated in 2022 for construction improvements at the Kentucky State Parks after Parks met contingency requirements.
Laying Groundwork for Future Road Projects – HJR 91 provides a listing of projects prioritized for the last four years of the state’s six-year road plan.
Prioritizing Local Road Improvements – HJR 92 provides a list of local road projects authorized to be funded with $20 million earmarked in HB 265 for fiscal year 2025.
Incentivizing Innovative Research – SB 1 establishes an endowed fund to incentivize collaborative, innovative research efforts between public universities. The Council on Postsecondary Education will administer the fund, which will provide awards to collaborative research among up to five groups that each include at least two universities. SB 1 requires that the Kentucky Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust be among the groups chosen.
Driving Interest in Aviation Careers – SB 127 creates the Kentucky Aerospace, Aviation, and Defense Investment Fund to be administered by the Council on Postsecondary Education. The Fund will promote collaborations between postsecondary programs, industry partners, and the state, taking aim at meeting aviation workforce demands.
Remember, most bills passed this session will take effect on Monday, July 15, with the exception of those that have emergency clauses or include a specific date.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at amy.neighbors@lrc.ky.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
(Laura Leigh Goins, Deputy Chief of Staff for Media Relations – House Majority Leadership)