Having surpassed the midpoint of the 2024 Regular Session, it’s a pivotal time to reflect and renew our dedication to our legislative responsibilities. With just under 30 legislative days remaining, we recommit ourselves to the crucial tasks that lie ahead.
Throughout the session, we’ve had the privilege of hosting various student groups and esteemed guests within the halls of our Capitol. Their presence has infused our deliberations with fresh perspectives, reminding us of the importance of civic engagement and the responsibility we bear to mentor and empower the next generation of leaders in the commonwealth.
In the words of John Quincy Adams, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” As we navigate the complexities of governance, this quote reminds us that true leadership is marked by its ability to inspire others to reach their fullest potential.
As we approach Presidents’ Day, it’s fitting to pay homage to the exemplary leadership and selfless sacrifices of those who have held our nation’s highest office. Much like John Quincy Adams, our past presidents have steered the course of history with their visionary leadership, guiding us through moments of adversity and transformation. In observance of this Presidents’ Day, the General Assembly will not convene on Monday, February 19.
The pace of activity picked up in the Senate this week and I filed legislation I believe is important to help curb pharmacy costs for every Kentuckians. Senate Bill 188 (SB 188) will empower citizens to choose where they purchase their medication, prevent further closures of community pharmacies, and ensure fair reimbursement rates for these essential healthcare providers. SB 188 would prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from mandating mail-order prescriptions and preventing steering of patients to pharmacies owned by the PBM. It would ensure fair reimbursement rates for community pharmacies and allow them to fill 90-day prescriptions for maintenance drugs. SB 188 would specifically prohibit higher co-pays at community pharmacies compared to PBM-owned pharmacies and protect them from retaliation for providing cost-saving information to patients.
We passed several other bills this week and delivered them to the House:
SB 6: Ensures that students and employees of public postsecondary institutions are not penalized for refusing to endorse discriminatory concepts. It also prohibits preferential treatment based on political or social ideology and mandates that courses don’t advocate discriminatory concepts as fact. Additionally, SB 6 mandates new student orientation programs and allocates at least 50 percent of diversity initiative employees’ duties to supporting Pell grant students. The attorney general can enforce the act through civil action, and institutions must publish designated course information on their website.
SB 11: Enhances school safety efforts by requiring schools to be notified within 24 hours when a juvenile is charged with certain crimes, ensuring better communication and proactive measures to protect our students.
SB 16: Broadens protection of key infrastructure assets including commercial food manufacturing and processing facilities, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), and animal feeding operations (AFOs). The bill would define an offense of trespass upon key infrastructure assets, stating that individuals may be charged if they knowingly operate unmanned aircraft systems or recording devices over properties containing CAFOs, AFOs, or commercial food facilities without the owner’s consent. Additionally, recording or distributing footage from any part of these facilities would be considered an offense. The legislation specifies that the trespass statute does not apply to electric, water, or natural gas utility companies, or individuals acting on their behalf for legitimate business purposes.
SB 20: Expands the definition of a violent offender to include individuals convicted of discharging a firearm while committing either burglary in the first degree, assault in the second degree, or wanton endangerment in the first degree. Additionally, convicted violent offenders must serve at least 50 percent of their sentence before being eligible for probation, shock probation, parole, conditional discharge, or other form of early release. The legislation also addresses the growing trend of violent crimes committed by youth across the commonwealth. Senate Bill 20 will mandate that an individual between the ages of 15-18, who is charged with a violent crime be tried as an adult.
SB 29: Aims to restrict insured individuals from transferring their insurance policy rights to third parties for motor vehicle glass repair or replacement claims. The bill mandates repair shops obtain either a claim number from the insured or written confirmation of lack of coverage for repairs to proceed. It also requires repair shops to advise insured individuals on the necessity of taking vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems to the manufacturer’s certified dealership or qualified specialist for calibration or recalibration if their attempts fail. SB 29 also addresses liability limits for underinsured motorists.
SB 139: Aims to allow private fund advisers to conduct business in Kentucky without needing an investment adviser registration license. However, they would still be required to pay fees and submit reports to the Department of Financial Institutions. To qualify, they must not have serious violations under federal law, manage funds limited to venture capital or certain investor types, and provide required disclosures.
SB 158: Allows financial institutions to open restricted savings accounts, restricted investment accounts, or issue annuities on behalf of minors entering into certain settlements. A court order will no longer be needed to open the account or issue the annuity. This saves time and money by eliminating the need to navigate the courts to get an order to open an account.
We also passed two measures that are proposed changes to our Kentucky Constitution.
SB 23: This constitutional amendment would exempt homeowners 65 and older from property valuation increases, providing much-needed relief to our senior citizens. SB 143 aims to prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from participating in the voting process within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
To enact either of these changes, the bills would require support from three-fifths of both the Senate and House of Representatives. Once endorsed by the required majority, the proposed amendments would then be presented to Kentucky voters during a future General election. If the majority of voters favor the amendment, it would subsequently be adopted.
You can find the status of this legislation and others by calling 866-840-2835 or receiving legislative meeting information at 800-633-9650. You can also watch and follow legislative activity at KET.org.legislature and Legislature.ky.gov.
Thank you for your continued interest and engagement in the 2024 Regular Session and it is a privilege to represent you in Frankfort. Please contact me by email at max.wise@lrc.ky.gov or reach my office toll-free at 1-800-372-7181.
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Senator Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, represents the 16th Senate District, including Adair, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Taylor Counties and eastern Warren County. He is Senate Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee chair. Wise also serves as a Senate Education Committee member and is a member of the newly formed Families and Children Committee and Health Services Committee. Additionally, he is an Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee member.
(Angela Billings, Director of Communications – Senate Majority Leadership)