KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
---- 2016 REGULAR SESSION ----
Bills are described as initially filed.
See each State Bill Page for later amendments.
Prepared by: Kentucky Education Association Lobbying Team
Report created on March 19, 2024
 
HB1KENTUCKY TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM (STUMBO G) AN ACT relating to funding for the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 56.8605 to redefine "financing agreement" and "funding notes" to include financing or refinancing of pension obligations owed to Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System under KRS 161.550(1)(b); amend KRS 56.868 to authorize the Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission to issue funding notes to finance or refinance pension fund obligations owed to Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System under KRS 161.550(1)(b); authorize the Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission to issue funding notes in an amount not to exceed $3,300,000,000 in fiscal year 2016-2017; amend KRS 161.550 to provide that the state shall pay the additional amount needed to fund the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System pension fund on an actuarially sound basis beginning on July 1, 2015, and continuing for each year thereafter; provide that any funds used to finance statutory benefit improvements under KRS 161.553 that are repurposed and utilized to fund debt service on funding notes authorized under Sections 1 to 3 of this Act shall be included in the additional state appropriation required and to adjust the cost schedules of providing statutory benefit improvements for annuitants; establish intent of General Assembly to phase-into the full actuarially required contribution rate for the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System pension fund with direct state appropriations on a pro-rata basis from fiscal year 2016-2017 to fiscal year 2024-2025 and to utilize proceeds from funding notes authorized by Sections 1 to 3 of this Act to provide the additional funding needed to pay the full actuarially required contribution to the pension fund during the phase-in schedule and to pay the actuarially required contribution rate in fiscal year 2015-2016; establish non-codified language to state it is the intent of the General Assembly for biennial budgets occurring on or after July 1, 2016, to use both reductions in debt service due to previously issued bonds for the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System and funding for past statutory benefit improvements under subsections (1) and (2) of Section 5 of this Act as the debt service for funding notes issued on or after July 1, 2016, as authorized by Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this Act.
 Current Status:   3/24/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Appropriations and Revenue
 Comments:   HB1, HB153, HB172, HB238, HB241, HB263, HB271, HB293, HB300, HB328, HB427, HB443, HB448, HB470, HB506, SB2, SB45, SB172, SB189, and SB209 deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB1.htm
 
HB21HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS (BRATCHER K) AN ACT relating to the posting of historical documents.

Amend KRS 158.195 to require the postings of the preambles of the US Constitution and the Kentucky Constitution in all public school classrooms; allow a classroom teacher to choose placement within the classroom.
 Current Status:   1/5/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB21.htm
 
HB26SALES AND USE TAX (STEELE F) AN ACT relating to sales and use tax holidays and declaring an emergency.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 139 to establish a three day sales and use tax holiday during the first weekend in August each year to exempt clothing, school supplies, school art supplies, computers, and school computer supplies; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   1/5/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB26.htm
 
HB29SUPERINTENDENT SCREENING COMMITTEE (FLOOD K) AN ACT relating to superintendent screening committee membership.

Amend KRS 160.352 to require a school equity council member be appointed to the superintendent screening committee, if an equity council exists.
 Current Status:   3/28/2016 - (S) THIRD READING, passed 32-5 with Committee Substitute (1) and floor amendments (1-title) and (2)
 Comments:   HB29, HB399, and SB65 deal with superintendent screening committees.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB29.htm
 
HB33COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION (IMES K) AN ACT relating to the commissioner of education.

Amend KRS 156.148 to require Senate confirmation of the commissioner of education.
 Current Status:   1/5/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB33, HB60, and HR49 deal with the education commissioner.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB33.htm
 
HB37HEALTH INSURANCE TRUST FUND (MONTELL B) AN ACT relating to the Health Insurance Trust Fund and making an appropriation therefor.

Amend KRS 18A.2254 to specify how surplus funds from a prior plan year of the Public Employee Health Insurance Program shall be allocated.
 Current Status:   2/2/2016 - (H) reassigned to committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB37.htm
 
HB47CHILD SERVICES (KING K) AN ACT relating to school notification of persons authorized to contact or remove a child.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 620 to require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, if the cabinet is granted custody of a dependent, neglected, or abused child, to notify the school in which the child is enrolled of persons authorized to contact the child or remove the child from school grounds.
 Current Status:   1/5/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB47, HB111, and SB29 deal with child abuse.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB47.htm
 
HB50PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATIONS (FLOOD K) AN ACT relating to public benefit corporations.

Amend KRS 14A.3-010, 271B.1-400, 271B.2-020, 271B.6-260, 271B.7-400, 271B.8-300, 271B.13-020, and 271B.16-210, and create a new section of Subtitle 11 of KRS Chapter 271B to establish public benefit corporations.
 Current Status:   2/4/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB50.htm
 
HB60COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION (IMES K) AN ACT proposing to amend Sections 91, 93, and 95 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to the Commissioner of Education.

Propose to amend Sections 91, 93, and 95 of the Constitution of Kentucky to allow for statewide election for the Commissioner of Education, to be held during regular elections.
 Current Status:   1/5/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs
 Comments:   HB33, HB60, and HR49 deal with the education commissioner.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB60.htm
 
HB70CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (OWENS D) AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to persons entitled to vote.

Propose to amend Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky to restructure the voting restrictions contained therein relating to felons and persons with mental disabilities; submit to the voters for ratification or rejection.
 Current Status:   2/11/2016 - (S) reassigned to committee Senate Judiciary
 Comments:   HB70, SB213, and SB299 deal with felons' voting rights.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB70.htm
 
HB76INTERSCHOLASTIC EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (LEE S) AN ACT relating to interscholastic extracurricular activities.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to authorize participation in a public school interscholastic extracurricular activity by a private school student when the private school does not offer the interscholastic extracurricular activity; establish criteria for participation therein.
 Current Status:   1/5/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB76 and SB243 deal with the extracurricular activities of private school students.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB76.htm
 
HB81TUITION WAIVERS (BELCHER L) AN ACT relating to tuition waivers for foster children.

Amend KRS 164.2847 to permit tuition waivers for foster children enrolled in a dual credit or dual enrollment course in high school.
 Current Status:   1/5/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB81.htm
 
HB82MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE (BELCHER L) AN ACT relating to maximum class size.

Amend KRS 157.360 to prohibit the number of pupils enrolled in a class on the fifteenth student instructional day from exceeding the established maximum class size; amend KRS 157.420 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/5/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB82.htm
 
HB87MILITARY SERVICE (BRATCHER K) AN ACT relating to military service.

Amend KRS 159.035 to allow for any high school student participating in basic training required by a branch of the United States Armed Forces to be considered present for all purposes for up to ten days.
 Current Status:   4/13/2016 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB87.htm
 
HB89PUBLIC EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE TRUST FUND (DENHAM M) AN ACT relating to the public employee health insurance trust fund.

Amend KRS 18A.2254 to prohibit any fund transfers from the public employee health insurance trust fund to the general fund, and direct that as part of the annual premium-setting process any surplus determined to exist in the balance for a prior plan year shall be transferred to the plan year for which premiums are being set so as to reduce the cost of employee premiums in that year to the extent prudently and reasonably possible.
 Current Status:   2/2/2016 - (H) reassigned to committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Comments:   HB89, HB226, HB415 and HB458 deal with health insurance..
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB89.htm
 
HB92DISTRICTS OF INNOVATION (CLARK L) AN ACT relating to districts of innovation.

Amend KRS 160.107 to allow a waiver or modification of the statewide assessment system for schools participating in a district of innovation plan, under specific conditions; allow a district of innovation to use student assessments other than those required by the state board, under specific conditions.
 Current Status:   2/10/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB92.htm
 
HB99HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS (DENHAM M) AN ACT relating to the posting of historical documents.

Amend KRS 158.194 to require a principal to determine the most efficient manner to produce classroom copies of the Bill of Rights; allow each teacher to choose the placement of the document within the classroom and to remove during assessments; amend KRS 158.195 to require the postings of the preambles to the United States Constitution and the Kentucky Constitution in all public school classrooms; require a principal to determine the most efficient manner to produce classroom copies of the documents; allow each classroom teacher to choose placement of the documents within the classroom and to remove during assessments.
 Current Status:   4/12/2016 - (H) Posted for Passage in Regular Orders of the Day; w/HCS 1, HFA 1
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB99.htm
 
HB101QUALIFIED IMMUNITY (LEE S) AN ACT relating to qualified immunity.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 161 to limit a school official's civil liability resulting from any act or omission resulting from the supervision, care, or discipline, of students if undertaken under specific enumerated circumstances; provide that this Act does not apply to civil actions filed prior to the effective date of this Act.
 Current Status:   1/5/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB101.htm
 
HB107NONTEACHING TIME FOR TEACHERS (SMART R) AN ACT relating to nonteaching time for teachers.

Amend KRS 158.060 to require that teachers are provided a minimum of 60 minutes per day for nonteaching activities; require that at least 120 minutes per week be used for self-directed activities; specify the types of activities permitted during self-directed time.
 Current Status:   2/19/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB107.htm
 
HB111CHILD ABUSE INFORMATION (BELCHER L) AN ACT relating to child abuse information in schools.

Amend KRS 156.095 to require every public school to post the Kentucky child abuse hotline number.
 Current Status:   4/14/2016 - BECAME LAW WITHOUT GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE
 Comments:   HB47, HB111, and SB29 deal with child abuse.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB111.htm
 
HB114SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY (YORK J) AN ACT relating to school accountability.

Amend KRS 158.6455 to remove a student's scores from the accountability measure of a school if the student is enrolled in the school but has attended an alternative education program as a result of local school district policies or procedures for the three months prior to testing.
 Current Status:   1/5/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB114 and SB1 deal with accountability.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB114.htm
 
HB122CAREER READINESS (BELCHER L) AN ACT relating to career readiness.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require the Kentucky Board of Education to identify a student who obtains a minimum score of 36 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery as career-ready.
 Current Status:   3/2/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB122.htm
 
HB138STUDENT ASSESSMENTS (OWENS D) AN ACT relating to student assessments.

Amend KRS 158.6453 to require that, beginning in the 2017-2018 academic year, assessments authorized as part of the state assessment program shall not collectively consume more than five percent (5%) of any student's instructional time during a student instructional year.
 Current Status:   2/19/2016 - (H) posted in committee House Education
 Comments:   HB138 and SB1 deal with assessment.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB138.htm
 
HB139STUDENT TRANSPORTATION (DENHAM M) AN ACT relating to student transportation.

Amend KRS 156.153 to allow local boards of education to authorize the transportation of students in privately owned passenger vehicles under specific circumstances; limit liability when transporting students in a privately owned passenger vehicle; amend KRS 160.310 to set insurance requirements for transporting students in privately owned passenger vehicles; authorize the Kentucky Department of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to provide minimum insurance requirements; require boards to obtain and record evidence of adequate insurance.
 Current Status:   1/5/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB139, HB480, HR9, and SR27 deal with transportation.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB139.htm
 
HB153KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (MILLER J) AN ACT relating to volunteer service with an employer participating in Kentucky Retirement Systems.

Amend KRS 61.510 and 78.510 to provide that creditable compensation shall exclude nominal fees paid to volunteers of a participating agency who begin participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System and the County Employees Retirement System on or after August 1, 2016; define "volunteer" and "nominal fee"; amend KRS 61.637 to provide that retirees of Kentucky Retirement Systems who receive reimbursements of actual expenses or nominal fees for their volunteer services shall not be subject to the required breaks in employment and prohibitions on prearranged agreements prior to retirement if the retired member did not receive creditable compensation prior to retirement from the employer for which they are providing volunteer services, any reimbursements or nominal fees received prior to retirement have not been classified as creditable compensation or used to determine retirement benefits, the retired member has not purchased or received service credit for service with the participating employer for which he or she is providing volunteer services, and the retired member does not become an employee, leased employee, or independent contractor of the employer for which he or she is providing volunteer services for a period of at least 24 months.
 Current Status:   4/1/2016 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB153.htm
 
HB171GATTON AND CRAFT ACADEMIES (CARNEY J) AN ACT relating to students attending Gatton and craft academies.

Amend KRS 157.110 to require local school districts to pay for textbooks used by their enrolled students attending the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science or the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, not to exceed $500 per academic year.
 Current Status:   1/6/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB171.htm
 
HB172TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM (NELSON R) AN ACT relating to survivor benefits in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System.

Amend KRS 161.520 to remove marriage as a disqualifying event for a widow or widower that is receiving survivor's benefits from the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System.
 Current Status:   4/15/2016 - received in House w/Letter
 Comments:   See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB172.htm
 
HB179CONCEALED DEADLY WEAPONS (COUCH T) AN ACT relating to concealed deadly weapons.

Amend KRS 527.070 to allow vocational school teachers and administrators with valid concealed carry permits to carry deadly weapons on vocational school property; amend KRS 237.110 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/7/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB179.htm
 
HB184SCHOOL COUNCILS (DONOHUE J) AN ACT relating to school councils.

Amend KRS 160.345 to provide an alternative principal selection process for county school districts in a county with a consolidated local government adopted under KRS Chapter 67C; set penalties for a school council member violating confidentiality of the alternative principal selection process; make any discretionary action taken under the alternative method of principal selection subject to provisions of employer-employee bargained contracts between districts and employees.
 Current Status:   4/13/2016 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   HB184 and SB35 deal with school councils.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB184.htm
 
HB225OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE (RICHARDS J) AN ACT relating to occupational licensure for military service members and veterans.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 12 to require administrative bodies to issue professional licenses or certificates to military service members or veterans within two years of an honorable discharge if the training received by the service member or veteran could reasonably be expected to provide the necessary experience and skills; grant the administrative body the right to deny licensure or certification if training is not equivalent; allow appeal rights; require administrative bodies to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the provisions of the Act.
 Current Status:   4/19/2016 - delivered to Secretary of State
 Comments:   HB225 and SB52 deal with professional licensure of veterans.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB225.htm
 
HB226PHARMACY BENEFITS (HOWARD C) AN ACT relating to Pharmacy benefits.

AN ACT relating to Pharmacy beCreate a new section of Subtitle 17A of KRS Chapter 304 to prohibit an insurer offering a health benefit plan from requiring the use of a mail-order pharmacy to fill a prescription; create a new section of KRS Chapter 18A to prohibit any plan offered by the Personnel Cabinet to require an employee or employee's covered dependent from requiring the use of a mail-order pharmacy to fill a prescription.
 Current Status:   1/21/2016 - (H) posted in committee House Banking and Insurance
 Comments:   HB89, HB226, HB415 and HB458 deal with health insurance.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB226.htm
 
HB238PUBLIC PENSION PLAN REPORTING (YONTS B) AN ACT relating to public pension plan reporting.

Amend KRS 6.350 to specify that the actuarial analysis required on retirement legislation shall include the impact on funding levels and unfunded liabilities over time; specify the qualification requirements of the actuary completing the analysis; amend KRS 7A.240 to require the state-administered retirement systems to pay the cost of actuarial services required by amendments to KRS 7A.250; amend KRS 7A.250 to require the Public Pension Oversight Board to retain an actuary to perform an actuarial audit of the state-administered retirement systems at least once every 10 years and to review state-administered retirement system budget requests prior to each budget biennium; amend KRS 21.440, 61.670, and 161.400 to provide that all state-administered retirement systems shall include in their actuarial valuation a description of funding methods utilized or required by state law in the development of the valuation, a description of any changes in actuarial assumptions and methods that have occurred since the last valuation, the actuarially recommended employer contribution rates for the upcoming budget period, a 20-year projection of employer contribution rates, funding levels, and unfunded liabilities, and a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impact of changes in key assumptions on employer rates, funding levels, and unfunded liabilities; require the systems to conduct an actuarial experience study at least once every 5 years and to perform a 20-year impact of the proposed changes to the systems' employer rates, funding levels, and unfunded liabilities; require the systems to perform a 20-year impact on employer rates, funding levels, and unfunded liabilities for any changes in assumptions, funding methods, retiree health subsidies, or other changes enacted by the board of trustees of the systems that impact system liabilities; require the actuary certifying the results of the annual actuarial valuation and the 5 year experience study to be a fellow of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries or a member of the American Academy of Actuaries; require electronic distribution of actuarial valuations, experience studies, or analysis of changes made by the boards of trustees to the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) and require LRC to distribute information to chairs and committee staff of committees with jurisdiction over the systems; make technical amendments; require completion of the actuarial valuations by November 15 following the close of the fiscal year; amend KRS 48.040 to provide that on or before August 15 prior to a budget session, that the state-administered systems shall prepare a preliminary projection of the actuarially required contribution rates for the upcoming budget biennium and to provide updated values by November 15 of the same year once the actuarial valuation is completed; require submission to the state budget director's office and the LRC and require LRC upon receipt to distribute information to chairs and committee staff of committees with jurisdiction over the systems.
 Current Status:   4/18/2016 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB238.htm
 
HB241KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (YONTS B) AN ACT relating to Kentucky Retirement Systems.

Amend KRS 16.505 to clarify that lump-sum payments or nonrecurring payments provided to members of the State Police Retirement System (SPRS) shall, as determined by the board, be credited when earned or classified as a lump-sum bonus and averaged over the career of the member as it relates to "creditable compensation"; clarify that for members entering SPRS on or after September 1, 2008, compensatory time payments excluded from "creditable compensation" shall apply to lump-sum compensatory time payments; amend the definition of "final compensation" to utilize partial fiscal years in determining the final compensation of a member who began participating in SPRS on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, in situations where the member does not have three complete fiscal years of service; make technical and clerical amendments; amend KRS 16.582 to remove language which prohibited an injury or disease resulting from military service from being considered a disabling condition for hazardous members of Kentucky Retirement Systems; amend KRS 16.642 to clarify that the board of trustees shall have the power to invest SPRS funds in the same fashion as KERS funds under KRS 61.650; amend KRS 61.510 and 78.510 to utilize partial fiscal years in determining the final compensation of a member who began participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS) and the County Employees Retirement System (CERS) on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, in situations where the member does not have the required three (hazardous) or five (nonhazardous) complete fiscal years of service; clarify that lump-sum payments or nonrecurring payments shall, as determined by the board, be credited when earned or classified as a lump-sum bonus and averaged over the career of the member as it relates to "creditable compensation"; provide that interim positions in KERS and probationary positions in CERS shall not be renewable by the employer for the same employee unless the employee has not been employed by the agency for 12 months; clarify that for members entering KERS or CERS on or after September 1, 2008, compensatory time payments excluded from "creditable compensation" shall apply to lump-sum compensatory time payments; make technical and clerical amendments; amend KRS 61.542 to remove the requirement that the estate be designated as beneficiary of a member's account when he or she requests a refund of contributions prior to retirement; provide that the member's estate shall be beneficiary of his or her account from Kentucky Retirement Systems if prior to retirement the member fails to designate a beneficiary or the beneficiary designation is found to be void; provide that a beneficiary shall not be changed on or after the first day of the month in which a retired employee begins receiving retirement benefits; provide that reemployed retirees who establish a second retirement account will have their estate named beneficiary if they fail to designate a beneficiary for their new account; amend KRS 61.545 to remove provisions allowing a member who is simultaneously eligible for participation in more than one retirement system administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems to select participation in only one system; make conforming amendments; amend KRS 61.552 to clarify and conform to federal law the payment options available to members for purchasing service credit; remove service purchase provisions no longer applicable to current members; require agencies who fail to report employees to the retirement system to pay penalties and interest on employer contributions from the date the contributions should have been reported to the system; make technical amendments; amend KRS 61.555 to provide that the service credit that is granted without cost to employees who are called to active duty military deployment shall be limited to those whose rights to such benefits have not been terminated under the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA); require employees participating in the hybrid cash balance plan on or after January 1, 2014, who are called to active duty military deployment to pay their employee contributions if they are granted service credit, as required by USERRA, for the period of active duty deployment; require employers to make contributions for service credited to employees who are called to active duty military deployment as required by USERRA; make conforming amendments; amend KRS 61.557 to make technical amendments; amend KRS 61.560 to clarify that retirees reemployed on or after September 1, 2008, shall not pay into the systems and to make conforming amendments; amend KRS 61.590 to make technical changes and to clarify that a retiring employee must separate employment with all participating system employers; amend KRS 61.645 to allow the Kentucky Retirement Systems board to promulgate an administrative regulation to conduct trustee elections by electronic ballot; amend KRS 61.650 to increase the Kentucky Retirement Systems investment committee membership from five to seven trustees and to make technical amendments; amend KRS 61.680 to provide for consolidation of accounts with other state-administered retirement systems only if the member retires simultaneously from all state-administered retirement systems or retires from the other state-administered retirement systems within one month of retiring from the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems; make technical amendments; amend KRS 61.702 to require Medicare-eligible retirees who are reemployed with an employer offering a group health plan to enroll in that plan in lieu of the KRS health plans; define "monthly contribution rate"; require a recipient or the spouse or dependent children of a recipient of a retirement allowance, who is eligible to participate in Medicare to participate in the plans administered by the systems for Medicare-eligible recipients; provide that a member who retired prior to July 1, 2003, who has established a second retirement account shall not receive more than the monthly contribution rate for retiree health benefits: make technical amendments; amend KRS 78.790 to clarify that the board of trustees shall have the power to invest CERS funds in the same fashion as KERS funds under KRS 61.650; amend KRS 16.520, 61.525, 61.526, 61.5525, 61.592, 78.540, 78.610, and 78.615 to make technical and conforming amendments; provide noncodified sections to provide that the successor of the additional board trustee elected by CERS that was added by SB 2 in the 2013 Regular Session shall be elected in the same period as all other CERS trustees in 2017 and shall have a shortened term from 2017 to 2021 to coincide with all other future CERS trustee terms of office; state that amendments to KRS 16.642 and 78.790 are made to conform to amendments made to KRS 61.650 in 2002 to show intent to apply KRS 61.650 changes to SPRS and CERS.
 Current Status:   1/14/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB241.htm
 
HB263KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (YONTS B) AN ACT relating to the Kentucky Retirement Systems' board of trustees.

Amend KRS 61.645, relating to the Kentucky Retirement Systems' board of trustees, to change the definition of "investment experience"; require two members of the Board of Trustees to be chartered financial analysts; provide that each appointment may be made from a list of three applicants submitted by the CFA Society of Louisville; apply to appointments or reappointments on or after the effective date of this Act.
 Current Status:   3/29/2016 - received in House w/Letter
 Comments:   See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB263.htm
 
HB268EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BOARD (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to the Education Professional Standards Board.

Amend KRS 161.155 to allow the transfer of sick leave for a school district employee who changes employment to the Education Professional Standards Board.
 Current Status:   3/29/2016 - (S) Reported Favorably to Rules
 Comments:   HB268 and HB294 deal with sick leave. HB268, HB284, HB567, and SCR8 deal with the EPSB.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB268.htm
 
HB270SCHOOL SAFETY (DUPLESSIS J) AN ACT relating to school safety.

Amend KRS 520.070 to include school marshals as persons exempt from the prohibition against possession of a firearm on school property if authorized by a local school board or governing body of a private or parochial school; create a new section of KRS Chapter 527 to allow for the appointment of a school marshal by a local school board or governing body of a private or parochial school; specify that a person authorized and appointed under this section is designated as a school marshal and enumerate restrictions on school marshal's powers; provide that persons certified to act as peace officers under KRS 15.380 are exempt from restrictions; establish requirements of eligibility for a school marshal's appointment; enumerate board's or governing bodies' responsibilities; require that schools designated as school marshal sites collaborate with the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement on safety procedures prior to appointment of a school marshal; provide limits on liability for school boards or governing bodies that appoint school marshals; establish limits on the possession, transport, deposit, or carrying of firearms by a school marshal while on school property; limit liability for school marshals for acts or omissions undertaken pursuant to this section; provide that the school marshal is responsible for expenditures related to the purchase of a firearm, ammunition, or any other associated costs; allow that a local school board or governing body may pay compensation for expenses incurred undertaking school marshal's duties or appointment requirements; specify that otherwise lawful possession of a firearm as provided under KRS 527.070 or any other state or federal law is not restricted; exclude postsecondary or higher education institutions from coverage; require that any board of a local public school district or governing body of a private or parochial school that appoints a school marshal adopt guidelines to carry out school marshal's requirements.
 Current Status:   1/19/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary
 Comments:   HB270, HR9, SB24 and SB223 deal with school safety.  HB270 and SB223 deal with school marshals.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB270.htm
 
HB271PUBLIC PENSION OVERSIGHT BOARD (MILLER J) AN ACT relating to the Public Pension Oversight Board.

Create a new section of KRS 7A.200 to 7A.260 to require the state-administered retirement systems to disclose data on each member or recipient of a benefit, including a unique identification number which shall not be the member's Social Security number or personal identification number issued by the systems, information on the retirement status, actual or projected benefits payments, and other retirement information for each member; establish noncodified sections to require the Public Pension Oversight Board to study and provide a report by December 1, 2016, as to whether or not legislative action should be taken to separate the administration of the County Employees Retirement System from the Kentucky Retirement Systems; require the Public Pension Oversight Board to study and provide a report by December 1, 2016, as to whether or not legislative action should be taken to transfer administration of the Judicial Retirement Plan and the Legislators' Retirement Plan to the Kentucky Retirement Systems; require the Public Pension Oversight Board to study and provide a report by December 1, 2016, as to whether or not legislative action should be taken to consolidate administrative and investment functions of all of the state-administered retirement systems, which shall include a review of investment returns, investment expenses, and administrative expenses.
 Current Status:   4/1/2016 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   HB271, HB328, HB506, and SB45 deal with disclosure of retirement information.  See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB271.htm
 
HB275EDUCATOR EXPENSES (LINDER B) AN ACT relating to an income tax deduction for educator expenses.

Amend KRS 141.010 to permit an additional deduction for certain educators for expenses paid that would qualify for deduction except for a federal limitation.
 Current Status:   1/20/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB275.htm
 
HB278WAGES (STUMBO G) AN ACT relating to wages.

Amend KRS 337.275 to raise the state minimum wage to $8.20 per hour on August 1, 2016, $9.15 per hour on July 1, 2017, and $10.10 per hour on July 1, 2018; amend KRS 337.010 the definition of employees of retail stores and service industries, to increase the applicable threshold of business that applies to from $95,000 to $500,000; amend KRS 337.420 to define "equivalent jobs" as those that are equal under the federal Equal Pay Act, or jobs that are dissimilar but equivalent in skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions; amend KRS 337.423 to prohibit wage discrimination on the basis of sex, race, or national origin by prohibiting wage differentials for employees who perform equivalent jobs; provide exceptions for wage differentials based on seniority or merit systems, systems that measure wages by quantity or quality of production, and factors other than sex, race, or national origin; amend KRS 337.425 to require the promulgation of administrative regulations to specify criteria for determining jobs that are dominated by employees of a particular sex, race, or national origin, and acceptable methodology for determining equivalent skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions; require that the promulgation occur on or before July 1, 2017; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2018.
 Current Status:   4/12/2016 - (H) Posted for Passage in Regular Orders of the Day; w/HCS 1, HFA,1,2,3,4
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB278.htm
 
HB284TEACHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION (NELSON R) AN ACT relating to teacher disciplinary actions.

Amend KRS 161.120 to prohibit the Education Professional Standards Board from taking any action against a certified school employee following an allegation of criminal offense or wrongdoing by the employee that results in no criminal charges or no finding or action by a school district against the employee.
 Current Status:   1/25/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB268, HB284, HB567, and SCR8 deal with the EPSB.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB284.htm
 
HB289CPR TRAINING (GREER J) AN ACT relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in schools.

Retain original provisions, except require public high schools to provide CPR training while students are enrolled in a health, physical education, or Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps course that meets the physical education graduation requirement.
 Current Status:   1/25/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB289 and SB33 deals with CPR.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB289.htm
 
HB293TEACHER RETIREMENT (NELSON R) AN ACT relating to teacher retirement.

Amend KRS 161.630 so that a member who fails to elect a new optional plan of payment within 60 days of marriage or remarriage, or the death of the designated beneficiary from January 1, 2006, until November 1, 2016, may alternatively make that election on or before December 31, 2016.
 Current Status:   1/26/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB293.htm
 
HB294TEACHER SICK LEAVE (STEWART J) AN ACT relating to teacher sick leave.

Amend KRS 161.155 to allow for the donation of sick leave from teachers and employees of one school district to the teachers and employees of another school district; authorize the Department of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to establish an interdistrict sick leave donation program.
 Current Status:   1/26/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB268 and HB294 deal with sick leave.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB294.htm
 
HB300KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to Kentucky Retirement Systems board of trustees.

Amend KRS 61.645 to require that vacancies in an elected position on the Kentucky Retirement Systems board of trustees be filled, for the remaining term of office, by a majority vote of the remaining elected trustees rather than by a majority vote of the remaining full board of trustees.
 Current Status:   3/17/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate State and Local Government
 Comments:   See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB300.htm
 
HB301TEACHERS (STEWART J) AN ACT relating to teachers.

Amend KRS 161.740 to allow a superintendent to recognize up to four years of a teacher's prior service credit from outside the district toward the four years required for continuing contract status; amend KRS 156.844 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/27/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB301, SB88, SB109 and SB194 deal with teacher tenure or discipline.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB301.htm
 
HB303EXECUTIVE BRANCH BUDGET (RAND R) AN ACT relating to appropriations and revenue measures providing financing and conditions for the operations, maintenance, support, and functioning of the government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its various officers, cabinets, departments, boards, commissions, institutions, subdivisions, agencies, and other state-supported activities.

The State/Executive Branch Budget: appropriate from the General Fund (Tobacco), General Fund, Restricted Funds, Federal Funds, Road Fund, Bond Funds, Agency Bonds, Capital Construction Surplus, Investment Income, Statewide Deferred Maintenance Fund, and other funds, $182,013,700 in fiscal year 2015-2016, $33,287,508,100 in fiscal year 2016-2017, and $32,051,036,100 in fiscal year 2017-2018 as follows: General Government 2015-2016 $22,370,700 2016-2017 $1,504,467,800 2017-2018 $1,538,644,000 Economic Development Cabinet 2015-2016 $975,000 2016-2017 $21,082,900 2017-2018 $22,017,500 Department of Education 2016-2017 $5,015,844,100 2017-2018 $5,006,558,900 Education and Workforce Development Cabinet 2015-2016 $900,000 2016-2017 $833,470,500 2017-2018 $847,236,600 Energy and Environment Cabinet 2016-2017 $244,344,100 2017-2018 $240,848,700 Finance and Administration Cabinet 2016-2017 $874,431,800 2017-2018 $919,630,900 Health and Family Services Cabinet 2015-2016 $111,126,200 2016-2017 $12,952,760,300 2017-2018 $13,442,186,100 Justice and Public Safety Cabinet 2015-2016 $21,157,300 2016-2017 $1,038,865,300 2017-2018 $1,041,148,500 Labor Cabinet 2016-2017 $233,085,300 2017-2018 $237,495,100 Personnel Cabinet 2016-2017 $65,055,000 2017-2018 $66,863,300 Postsecondary Education 2015-2016 $3,054,500 2016-2017 $7,630,081,700 2017-2018 $8,052,714,200 Public Protection Cabinet 2016-2017 $107,373,900 2017-2018 $108,306,900 Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet 2015-2016 $15,880,000 2016-2017 $234,406,800 2017-2018 $238,146,000 Budget Reserve Trust Fund 2016-2017 $153,436,000 2017-2018 $160,960,900 Not included in the above appropriation amounts are capital project amounts as follows: Capital Projects 2015-2016 $6,550,000 2016-2017 $2,378,802,600 2017-2018 $128,278,500.
Full summary can be found in miscellaneous documents.
 Current Status:   4/27/2016 - Line items vetoed
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB303.htm
 
HB316STUDENT SAFETY (SMART R) AN ACT relating to the safety and well-being of students.

Amend KRS 158.148 to define bullying; require a school board's code of acceptable behavior to prohibit bullying; require the code to include procedures for investigating and responding to reports of bullying and a method to protect a person reporting a bullying incident.
 Current Status:   4/15/2016 - (S) Returned to Committee Senate Rules
 Comments:   HB316 and SB142 deal with bullying.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB316.htm
 
HB318CHARTER SCHOOLS (RIGGS S) AN ACT relating to charter schools.

Amend KRS 156.108 and 160.107 to change the terms "district of innovation" and "school of innovation" to "public charter district of innovation" and "public charter school of innovation."
 Current Status:   2/1/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB318, HB589, and SB253 deal with charter schools.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB318.htm
 
HB328PUBLIC RETIREMENT INFORMATION (BUTLER D) AN ACT relating to the disclosure of public retirement information and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 61.661,161.585, and 21.540 to require the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, State Police Retirement System, Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, Legislators' Retirement Plan, and Judicial Retirement Plan to disclose upon request the names of members and actual benefit payments to recipients of a retirement allowance from the systems or plan; require the systems and plans to also make the information available on a searchable database on each system's or plan's Web site or on a Web site established by the executive or judicial branch to provide government expenditure and salary data to the public; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   2/4/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   HB271, HB328, HB506, and SB45 deal with disclosure of retirement information.  See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB328.htm
 
HB332SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS (RUDY S) AN ACT relating to school bus drivers.

Amend KRS 189.540 to require a person who seeks to operate a school bus while under the effects of medication to notify supervisor if medication may affect the driver's ability to operate the school bus safely and to refrain from operating a school bus; amend KRS 189.990 to establish penalties for school bus drivers who fail to notify supervisors or operate under the effects of medication and the operation causes a physical injury, serious physical injury, or death.
 Current Status:   2/8/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB332.htm
 
HB336EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES (THOMPSON T) AN ACT relating to opportunities in education.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to provide a nonrefundable income tax credit for contributions made to an entity exempt from taxation which supports public education; create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to establish a separate income tax credit for tuition assistance based on contributions made to a qualified scholarship-granting organization; create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to provide goals and reporting of metrics related to those goals; amend KRS 141.0205 to establish the order in which the credits may be taken; create a new section of KRS 136.500 to 136.575 to allow financial institutions to take both tax credits against the tax imposed by KRS 136.505; create a new section of KRS 136.500 to 136.575 to order all bank franchise tax credits.
 Current Status:   2/8/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB336.htm
 
HB364STUDENT PRIVACY (HALE D) AN ACT relating to student privacy and declaring a emergency.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 158 to ensure that student privacy exists in school restrooms, locker rooms, and showers; require students born male to use only those facilities designated to be used by males and students born female to use only those facilities designated to be used by females; require schools to provide the best available accommodation to students who assert that their gender is different from their biological sex; identify consequences for using facilities designated for the opposite biological sex; identify the Act as the Kentucky Student Privacy Act; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   2/9/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB364.htm
 
HB386LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION (MILES S) AN ACT relating to local boards of education.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to permit a local board of education to choose to allow an inspirational message be expressed during a school function; require oral notice to be given that participation is voluntary prior to an inspirational message being expressed.
 Current Status:   2/11/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB386, SB15, SB106, and SB278 deal with religion.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB386.htm
 
HB399SUPERINTENDENT SCREENING COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP (NELSON R) AN ACT relating to superintendent screening committee membership.

Amend KRS 160.352 to allow a high school student enrolled in the district to be selected by his or her peers to serve as a nonvoting member of the superintendent screening committee.
 Current Status:   2/16/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB29, HB399, and SB65 deal with superintendent screening committees.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB399.htm
 
HB415HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS (HEAVRIN S) AN ACT relating to negotiation of health benefit plans.

Create a new section of Subtitle 17A of KRS Chapter 304 to authorize the purchase of health benefit plans across state lines, and allow negotiation of terms based on the purchaser's needs without regard to state-mandated health insurance benefits; provide individuals and groups the ability to form pools to seek greater advantage in negotiations for health benefit plans.
 Current Status:   2/17/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Banking and Insurance
 Comments:   HB89, HB226, HB415 and HB458 deal with health insurance.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB415.htm
 
HB427KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (YONTS B) AN ACT relating to pension surcharges to benefit the Kentucky Retirement Systems and Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System and declaring an emergency.

Create new sections of KRS 61.510 to 61.705 to create a surcharge on state contracts for personnel hired in lieu of hiring a state employee; require the surcharge to be paid to the unfunded liability trust fund created under KRS 61.706; apply to all participating employers and for all memoranda of agreement and personnel service contracts, as defined in KRS 45A.690 of the Model Procurement Code; create a surcharge on Kentucky Community and Technical College System employees not participating in Kentucky Employees Retirement System; create new section of KRS 161.220 to 161.716 to create a surcharge on Kentucky Community and Technical College System employees not participating in Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System; amend KRS 164.350, 164.365 and 164.5805 to conform; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   2/23/2016 - (H) posted in committee House State Government
 Comments:   See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB427.htm
 
HB432ADULT EDUCATION (TIPTON J) AN ACT relating to adult education.

Amend KRS 164.0064 to establish under the Kentucky Adult Education program a High School Equivalency Testing program using at least one training and testing program based on National College and Career Standards for Adult Education; require recognition of at least two tests, if available, aligned with the National College and Career Standards for Adult Education to serve as qualifying tests, which upon passing shall entitle students to receive a High School Equivalency Diploma; require the issuance of a High School Equivalency Diploma upon passage of a recognized test; grandfather in previously recognized high school equivalency diplomas; forbid invalidation of issued High School Equivalency Diplomas due to changes in test selection; lower the minimum age for participating in an alternative high school diploma program to 18; amend KRS 164.0062, 15.382, 15.3971, 15.540, 18A.201, 18A.204, 61.906, 95.951, 141.0205, 151B.131, 158.145, 158.146, 158.6455, 158.842, 159.010, 160.180, 161.011, 161.044, 164.0232, 164.0234, 164.7874, 164.7879, 194A.717, 197.045, 198B.712, 205.704, 237.120, 316.030, 317.450, 317A.050, 317B.025, 326.040, 342.730, 342.732, and 533.200 to conform.
 Current Status:   3/29/2016 - (H) recommitted to committee House State Government
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB432.htm
 
HB448KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEM PARTICIPATION (YONTS B) AN ACT relating to agencies that discontinue participation in Kentucky Retirement Systems.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 61 to provide that an employer ceasing participation in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System as provided by KRS 61.522 that elects to provide an alternative retirement plan with mandatory employee contributions may "pick-up" the employee contributions in the alternative retirement plan so that the contributions will be made on a tax-deferred basis; amend KRS 141.010 to conform.
 Current Status:   3/22/2016 - Senate State and Local Government, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
 Comments:   HB448 and SB209 deal with employers who leave KERS or CERS.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB448.htm
 
HB456DRUG EDUCATION (JENKINS J) AN ACT relating to drug education.

Amend KRS 160.345 to require the council or, if no council exists, the principal in each school containing any grades five through 12, to adopt a policy to administer a drug abuse prevention program, that includes opioid abuse prevention; require the program to be designed to ensure delivery to students, at a minimum once during grades five through eight and once during grades nine through 12; and amend KRS 158.442 to require the Center for School Safety to provide program development and implementation expertise and technical support to schools for drug abuse prevention programming.
 Current Status:   3/11/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB456.htm
 
HB458PHARMACY BENEFITS (GREER J) AN ACT relating to pharmacy benefits.

Amend KRS Chapter 304.17A-165 to prohibit insurers from requiring the use of mail-order pharmacies, except for specialty drugs which cannot be provided by retail pharmacies, and prohibit a difference in cost-sharing between retail and mail-order; define specialty drugs; amend KRS 18A.225 to require any plan offered by the Personnel Cabinet to prohibit the requirement of mail-order pharmacies, and to prohibit a difference in cost-sharing.; amend KRS 205.522 to require a managed care organization that provides Medicaid benefits from requiring the use of mail-order pharmacies, except for specialty drugs which cannot be provided by retail pharmacies, and prohibit a difference in cost-sharing between retail and mail-order.
 Current Status:   3/16/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Appropriations and Revenue
 Comments:   HB89, HB226, HB415 and HB458 deal with health insurance.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB458.htm
 
HB470KENTUCKY TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System and declaring an emergency.

Create a new section of KRS 161.220 to 161.716 to permit the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System (KTRS) to use and accept electronic signatures as deemed appropriate; amend KRS 161.220 to clarify that annual compensation does not include benefit or salary adjustments that are not available to all members of an agency; amend KRS 161.290 to require all public employers to provide paid leave to teacher trustees serving on the KTRS board; amend KRS 161.310 to clarify the types of remuneration included in retirement incentives; amend KRS 161.340 to require KTRS to contract for insurance; amend KRS 161.430 to require the KTRS board to contract with money managers and allow it to contract with one or more general investment consultants; remove references to the book value of assets in regard to limitations on funds managed internally by the system's investment staff; remove the requirement that the board investment committee consist of the executive secretary of the system and two trustees; require the system's staff to be subject to fiduciary requirements applicable to board members and investment consultants and managers; make technical amendments; amend KRS 161.470 to make technical corrections; amend KRS 161.480 to automatically designate a KTRS member's spouse as beneficiary for an active member's account balance upon employment until changed by the member; declare the member's spouse as beneficiary of the active member's account balance in the event all named beneficiaries predecease the active member or the member fails to designate a beneficiary; amend KRS 161.500 to provide allow a full year of service credit for contracts of at least 185 and 180 days if no more than five unpaid leave days are taken during a year; amend KRS 161.515 to clarify the retirement factor for service purchases; amend KRS 161.520 to delete the requirement of physicians' statements corroborating the mental competency of an adult child waiving survivorship benefits; amend KRS 161.540 to add eligibility requirements for including annual leave credit in the retirement calculation for year-round contracts; amend KRS 161.545 to provide that full-time sabbatical leave by university staff participating in the KTRS shall be deemed full-time employment for retirement purposes; require employee and employer contributions to be paid during the period of sabbatical leave; amend KRS 161.553 to adjust the cost schedules of providing statutory benefit improvements for annuitants; amend KRS 161.560 to require participating employers to file contribution data with KTRS 15 days after each payroll period and set penalties for noncompliance; amend KRS 161.597 to require a refund of prior installment payments and a reduction in service credit for a member in default on installment payments; amend KRS 161.605 to make technical changes; require a refund of retirement contributions made on compensation that exceeds salary limitations; provide that breaks in service are required before returning to work for the employer even if in a position not covered by KTRS if the member is under age 60; begin running of breaks in service from date of retirement; prohibit prearranged agreements between a retiring member and employer for member to return to work after retirement and require certification thereof; allow KTRS to provide medical insurance to retired members who return to work when medical insurance is not available from the employer; allow the commissioner of education to pay reemployed retirees in excess of statutory maximums if the commissioner deems that the employees have the necessary experience to provide services and support to persistently low-achieving schools as provided by KRS 160.346; require retired members under age 60 returning to work for certain state universities and state community colleges to comply with the separation-from-service requirements, effective July 1, 2017; amend KRS 160.612 to reduce the $500 minimum monthly disability benefit by benefit payments from all state-administered retirement systems for part-time employees and substitute teachers participating in the KTRS who apply for disability benefits on or after July 1, 2016; provide that part-time employees and substitute teachers are not eligible to apply for a disability retirement allowance if they are eligible for a nondiscounted service retirement allowance; amend KRS 161.614 to include mediation awards; amend KRS 161.620 to clarify the option for seeking inflation adjustments; amend KRS 161.630 to make technical change; amend KRS 161.643 to authorize KTRS to require more frequent submission of annual reports on reemployed employees by participating employers; amend KRS 161.650 to automatically designate a KTRS member's spouse as beneficiary for a retired member's remaining account balance at the time of death unless changed by the member; declare the member's spouse as beneficiary of the retired member's remaining account balance in the event all named beneficiaries predecease the retired member or the member fails to name a beneficiary for the account balance; amend KRS 161.655 to automatically designate a KTRS member's spouse as beneficiary for the life insurance benefit available to active and retired members unless changed by the member; declare the member's spouse as beneficiary of the life insurance benefit available to active and retired members if, upon the death of the member, all named beneficiaries predecease the member or the member fails to name a beneficiary; amend KRS 161.661 to provide that members who begin participating on or after July 1, 2016, shall not be eligible for a disability benefit if they are eligible for any unreduced benefit and that they shall have their $500 minimum monthly disability benefit reduced by benefit payments from all state-administered retirement systems; amend KRS 161.680 to clarify the system's authority to collect overpayments; amend KRS 161.550 to conform; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   3/3/2016 - House State Government, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB470.htm
 
HB480SCHOOL BUS SAFETY (RICHARDS J) AN ACT relating to school bus safety.

Amend KRS 158.110 to require local boards of education to establish a program allowing an adult or secondary school student to volunteer to ride a school bus and accompany a child safely to his or her boarding and drop-off location; require adult volunteers to undergo criminal background check to be paid for by the local board; and identify the Act as Jayden's Law.
 Current Status:   2/24/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB139, HB480, HR9, and SR27 deal with transportation.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB480.htm
 
HB506PUBLIC RETIREMENT INFORMATION (BENVENUTI R) AN ACT relating to the disclosure of public retirement information.

Amend KRS 61.661, 161.585, and 21.540 to require the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, and the Judicial Form Retirement System to disclose upon request the names, status, projected or actual benefit payments, and other retirement information of each member or recipient of a retirement allowance of the systems; require the systems to also make the information available on a searchable database on the systems' Web site or on a Web site established by the executive or judicial branch to provide government expenditure and salary data to the public.
 Current Status:   2/29/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   HB271, HB328, HB506, and SB45 deal with disclosure of retirement information.  See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB506.htm
 
HB533SCHOOL CALENDARS (STONE W) AN ACT relating to school calendars.

Amend KRS 158.070 to require schools to be closed on primary and regular election days if any school in the district is used as a polling place; clarify that districts with no schools that are used as a polling place may choose to be closed on an election day.
 Current Status:   3/1/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB533.htm
 
HB534PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (COURSEY W) AN ACT relating to the recitation of the United States Pledge of Allegiance.

Amend KRS 158.175 to require local boards of education to develop procedures for the daily recitation of the United States Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each school day; provide for students choosing not to participate to sit or stand quietly; prohibit the recitation entirely should the words "under God" be removed by court order.
 Current Status:   3/1/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB534.htm
 
HB541PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to public school funding.

Amend KRS 157.360 to exempt a school district's local effort from the SEEK calculation if more than 60% of the real property located in the district is exempt from taxation.
 Current Status:   3/1/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB541 and SB148 deal with SEEK.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB541.htm
 
HB543SCHOOL FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION (FLOOD K) AN ACT relating to the School Facilities Construction Commission and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 157.617 to revise the membership of the School Facilities Construction Commission; attach the commission to the Department of Education for administrative purposes; create a new section of KRS 157.611 to 157.665 to include the Kentucky School for the Blind and the Kentucky School for the Deaf in the school construction funding program, education technology funding program, and the emergency and targeted investment fund; amend various sections to conform; amend KRS 157.420 to include the Kentucky School for the Blind and the Kentucky School for the Deaf in the facilities evaluation process; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   3/1/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB543.htm
 
HB544ASSAULT (BELL J) AN ACT relating to assault.

Amend KRS 508.020 and 508.025 to adjust penalty levels; create new section of KRS Chapter 508 to create enhancement mechanism for assault offenses; amend various sections to conform; repeal KRS 508.032.
 Current Status:   3/1/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB544.htm
 
HB550AT RISK STUDENTS (COURSEY W) AN ACT relating to educational programs for at-risk students operated by the Kentucky National Guard.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to recognize the importance of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe academies in providing training and mentorship for at-risk students; identify the requirements of the Division of Military Affairs, resident school districts, and nonresident school districts relating to the ChalleNGe academy and academy students; amend KRS 159.030 to exempt from compulsory attendance requirements a student enrolled in a nonresident district and attending a ChalleNGe academy; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157 to include students enrolled in a nonresident district and attending ChalleNGe academies in the student count used for determining SEEK funding and allow funding generated by the students to be transmitted to the academy; require a local district to accept secondary credits earned by a student at a nonresident district while attending a ChallenNGe academy and apply them towards graduation requirements, as appropriate; amend KRS 157.350 to allow ChalleNGe academies to receive SEEK funding for nonresident students.
 Current Status:   3/2/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB550.htm
 
HB553PUBLIC SCHOOL STANDARDS (BECHLER L) AN ACT relating to public school standards.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to prohibit the Kentucky Board of Education and the Kentucky Department of Education from implementing the English language arts and mathematics academic content standards developed by the Common Core Standards Initiative and the science academic content standards developed by the Next Generation Science Standards Initiative; require the state board to recommend new content standards to school districts and schools after consultation with the Council on Postsecondary Education; require public involvement in standards development; clarify the authority of the local board of education to adopt standards which differ from or exceed the standards approved by the state board; prohibit the local board from adopting mathematics standards developed by the Common Core Standards Initiative; clarify that the school-based decision making councils shall develop policies based upon the standards adopted by the local boards of education; prohibit state officials from ceding control of education content standards and assessments; prohibit withholding of state funds from school districts for adopting different academic content standards; amend KRS 158.6453 to permit a local board of education to supplement the state board-approved academic content standards with higher and more rigorous standards and require school councils to use them to fulfill curriculum policy requirements; amend KRS 160.345 to clarify school council curriculum policy authority.
 Current Status:   3/2/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB553, SB1, and SB210 deal with content standards.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB553.htm
 
HB566EDUCATION (OVERLY S) AN ACT relating to education.

Amend KRS 156.690 to insert gender-neutral language.
 Current Status:   3/2/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB566.htm
 
HB567EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS (CARNEY J) AN ACT relating to educational professional standards.

Amend KRS 12.020 to reorganize the Department of Education to include within the department the Education Professional Standards Board; reassign to the department the functions and duties of the EPSB and amend various statutes to conform; amend KRS 161.027 to require the Council on Postsecondary Education to establish the requirements for principal preparation programs; amend various statutes to reassign to the council various functions and duties of the EPSB; repeal KRS 161.1222 to conform.
 Current Status:   3/18/2016 - (H) WITHDRAWN
 Comments:   HB268, HB284, HB567, and SCR8 deal with the EPSB.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB567.htm
 
HB589CHARTER SCHOOLS (MONTELL B) AN ACT relating to charter schools and making an appropriation therefor.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 160 to describe the intent of the General Assembly and the purposes of authorizing public charter schools; establish a charter school pilot project and identify charter school authorizers; define terms; describe the characteristics and the requirements of a charter school; establish the Kentucky Public Charter School Commission and identify membership selection and responsibilities of members; identify the requirements and the components of a charter school application; describe the responsibilities of authorizers; describe charter school renewal and revocation processes; identify the components of a charter school annual report; identify the requirements for student enrollment; establish the Kentucky Public Charter School Commission trust fund and identify uses of the fund; create a new section of KRS Chapter 159 to identify student enrollment and withdrawal requirements to be followed by a charter school; create a new section of KRS Chapter 161 to identify employment conditions for charter school staff; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157 to specify the charter school funding process; amend KRS 161.220 to include a qualified teacher employed by the of board of directors of public charter schools in the state-sponsored retirement system; amend KRS 78.510 to include charter schools in the definition of "county" so as to include noncertified employees of public charter schools in the state-sponsored retirement system; APPROPRIATION.
 Current Status:   3/2/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB318, HB589, and SB253 deal with charter schools.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB589.htm
 
HB613EDUCATION (RICHARDS J) AN ACT relating to education.

Amend KRS 156.690 to insert gender-neutral language.
 Current Status:   3/2/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB613.htm
 
HB618LEAVE OF ABSENCE (KAY II J) AN ACT relating to leave of absence.

Amend KRS 161.770 to clarify that a board of education must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, and any other applicable federal law in placing a teacher or superintendent on leave due to a physical or mental disability; prohibit a board from requesting unnecessary medical information or disclosing any medical information.
 Current Status:   4/15/2016 - Enrolled, Signed by President of the Senate
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB618.htm
 
HB620INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION ACCOUNTS (WUCHNER A) AN ACT relating to individual education accounts and making an appropriation therefor.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 157 to establish the Individualized Education Accounts Program and the Individualized Education Accounts trust fund; define eligibility of students, schools, providers, and qualified expenses for the program; direct the State Treasury to administer the program; direct the Kentucky Department of Education to transfer the state portion of SEEK funds on behalf of each eligible student to the State Treasury on the student's behalf; require each parent to enter into an agreement with the State Treasury to participate in the program; describe the responsibilities of the State Treasury, resident school district, Kentucky Department of Education, participating schools, and parents; APPROPRIATION.
 Current Status:   3/2/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB620 and SB273 deal with private school vouchers.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HB620.htm
 
HCR14ELECTION SPENDING (MARZIAN M) A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Congress of the United States to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to allow Congress and the States to set reasonable limits on spending to influence elections.

Urge Congress to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to allow Congress and the states to set reasonable limits on spending to influence elections.
 Current Status:   4/12/2016 - (H) Posted for Passage in Regular Orders of the Day
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HC14.htm
 
HCR97KENTUCKY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TASKFORCE (CLARK L) Direct the Legislative Research Commission to establish a Kentucky Workforce Development Task Force to study issues regarding workforce development and workforce education and to develop consensus recommendations concerning those issues; set forth the membership of the task force; require its final report to be submitted to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, 2016.

 Current Status:   2/12/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HC97.htm
 
HCR106EMPLOYEE RIGHTS (NELSON R) A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the rights of employees in the education workplace and urge employers to respect those rights.

Recognize the rights of employees in the education workplace and urge employers to respect those rights.
 Current Status:   2/1/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HC106.htm
 
HCR109BUDGET REFORM TASK FORCE (WUCHNER A) A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION establishing the Priorities of Government Spending and Budget Reform Task Force; direct the task force to study the priorities of government spending and budget reform and report findings to the Legislative Research Commission no later than November 30, 2016.

Establish the Priorities of Government Spending and Budget Reform Task Force; direct the task force to study the priorities of government spending and budget reform and report findings to the Legislative Research Commission no later than November 30, 2016.
 Current Status:   2/1/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HC109.htm
 
HJR115STUDENT LUNCH PERIODS (WESTROM S) A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate or amend administrative regulations to require lunch periods of at least 30 minutes so that public school students in kindergarten through grade five have adequate time, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. whenever feasible, to enjoy a complete meal; direct the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate or amend administrative regulations to allow a minimum of 30 minutes for lunch each day to be counted as instructional time for grades kindergarten through five.

Direct the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate or amend administrative regulations to require lunch periods of at least 30 minutes so that public school students in kindergarten through grade five have adequate time, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. whenever feasible, to enjoy a complete meal; direct the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate or amend administrative regulations to allow a minimum of 30 minutes for lunch each day to be counted as instructional time for grades kindergarten through five.
 Current Status:   2/2/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HJR115 and SJR114 deal with elementary school lunch periods.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HJ115.htm
 
HR9SCHOOL BUS SAFETY (DECESARE J) A RESOLUTION encouraging school bus safety.

Encourage the Kentucky Center for School Safety to provide additional support for school bus safety; encourage the Kentucky Department of Education to provide additional training specifically geared for bus safety of young students; encourage the Kentucky School Boards Association to provide model policies to ensure greater safety for young students while boarding and disembarking from school buses.
 Current Status:   1/5/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB139, HB480, HR9, and SR27 deal with transportation.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HR16.htm
 
HR49KENTUCKY EDUCATION (GRAHAM D) A RESOLUTION to recognize Kentucky's educational progress and welcome Dr. Stephen L. Pruitt as the Commonwealth's new Commissioner of Education.

recognize Kentucky's educational progress and welcome Dr. Stephen L. Pruitt as the Commonwealth's new Commissioner of Education.
 Current Status:   1/14/2016 - to House Floor
 Comments:   HB33, HB60, and HR49 deal with the education commissioner.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HR49.htm
 
HR74FAMILY RESOURCE AND SERVICES COALITION (KING K) Recognize the 25th anniversary of the Family Resource and Services Coalition of Kentucky/Family and Youth Services Centers.

Recognize the 25th anniversary of the Family Resource and Services Coalition of Kentucky/Family and Youth Services Centers.
 Current Status:   2/16/2016 - adopted by voice vote
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HR74.htm
 
HR93KENTUCKY CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH (GRAHAM D) A RESOLUTION to recognize February as Kentucky Career and Technical Education month.

recognize February as Kentucky Career and Technical Education month.
 Current Status:   2/9/2016 - adopted by voice vote
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/HR93.htm
 
SB1PUBLIC EDUCATION (WILSON M) AN ACT relating to public education and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 156.557 to require schools districts to develop and implement a professional growth and effectiveness system based on a statewide framework; prohibit the Kentucky Department of Education from imposing reporting requirements related to the system on local districts; prohibit the system from using student growth data in the system; require the local school board to adopt guidelines for its superintendent to use in implementing the system; require evaluations annually for teachers who have not attained continuing service status and every three years for teachers with continuing service status, principals, and assistant principals; and prohibit evaluation results from being included in school accountability; amend KRS 156.160 to allow a foreign language course, career and technical education course, or a computer technology or programming course to meet the arts and humanities requirement for high school graduation; amend KRS 158.305 to require the Department of Education to provide assistance in implementing a response-to-intervention system if requested by a local district; amend KRS 158.645 to expand sufficient grounding in the arts to include specific coursework application experience; amend KRS 158.6453 to implement a process for reviewing academic standards and assessments; require the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate regulations for the administration of the process; delete program reviews and audits from the statewide assessment system; delete social studies from the statewide assessment requirements; require a college admissions and placement exam to be given in the fall of grade nine and require the Kentucky Department of Education to pay for it; prohibit norm-referenced exams from being used as a measure of academic growth; and delete provisions regarding WorkKeys assessments; amend KRS 158.6455 to delete program reviews and college admissions and placement exams from the accountability system; require school improvement results to look at growth over three years as compared to similar schools; include progress toward English proficiency, quality of school climate and safety, high school graduation rates, and postsecondary readiness in the accountability system; require the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to annually compile a list of industry-recognized certifications; require the Kentucky Department of Education to pay for the cost of initial assessments taken to achieve industry-recognized certifications; prohibit scores of certain exceptional children or youth from being included in a school's accountability scores; and amend the criteria for schools and districts receiving consequences and assistance under regulations promulgated by the Kentucky Board of Education; amend KRS 158.649 to requires schools to set achievement gap targets every three years and require reporting to the commissioner of education when gap reductions do not occur in three years; amend KRS 158.782 to change the criteria for the Kentucky Board of Education providing highly skilled education assistance to schools and districts; amend KRS 158.805 to allow Commonwealth school improvement funds to be used for personnel costs; amend KRS 158.840 to prohibit the Kentucky Department of Education from requiring intervention reporting except in certain circumstances; amend KRS 160.345 to delete language regarding principal replacement; amend KRS 160.346 to add definitions for focus school, initial intervention school, and priority school and add provisions for each; define and describe a turnaround audit and intervention process for priority schools; delete provisions pertaining to current school audit process; delete the current intervention options approved by the Kentucky Board of Education; require schools that meet certain criteria to participate in an intervention option approved by the Kentucky Board of Education; require schools that are not successful under the current audit and intervention process to implement the turnaround audit and intervention process; and allow a district that has success with the turnaround intervention process to implement it in other priority schools; amend KRS 158.6458, 158.6459, 160.107, and 164.7874 to conform; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   2/22/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB114 and SB1 deal with accountability.  HB138 and SB1 deal with assessment.  HB553, SB1, and SB210 deal with content standards.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB1.htm
 
SB2RETIREMENT (BOWEN J) AN ACT relating to retirement.

Amend KRS 21.540 to require the Legislators' Retirement Plan and Judicial Retirement Plan to follow the provisions of KRS Chapters 45, 45A, 56, and 57 regarding procurement of services, goods, and property; provide that no funds of the Legislators' Retirement Plan or Judicial Retirement Plan shall be used to pay placement agents; amend KRS 61.645 to require Senate confirmation of, and modify the minimum requirements for, gubernatorial appointees to the Kentucky Retirement Systems board of trustees and for the executive director; require the Kentucky Retirement Systems to follow the provisions of KRS Chapters 45, 45A, 56, and 57 regarding budgeting and the procurement of services, goods, and property; require the Kentucky Retirement Systems to disclose on its Web site and upon request investment fees in addition to investment holdings and commissions; require the Kentucky Retirement Systems to disclose on its Web site and upon request all contracts and offering documents for services, goods, or property purchased or utilized by the systems; provide that no funds of the Kentucky Retirement Systems shall be used to pay placement agents; amend KRS 61.650 to provide that the Kentucky Retirement Systems board, staff, and investment advisors shall adhere to the CFA Institute's codes of conduct; amend KRS 161.250 to increase by six the number of trustees on the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System board of trustees, two of whom shall have investment experience, to be appointed by the Governor subject to Senate confirmation; require Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System to disclose on its Web site and upon request investment fees in addition to investment holdings and commissions; require the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System to disclose on its Web site and upon request all contracts and offering documents for services, goods, or property purchased or utilized by the systems; amend KRS 161.340 to require the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System to follow the provisions of KRS Chapters 45, 45A, 56, and 57 regarding budgeting and the procurement of services, goods, and property; amend KRS 161.430 to provide that the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System's board, staff, and investment advisors shall adhere to the CFA Institute's codes of conduct; provide that no funds of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System shall be used to pay placement agents; provide that the amendments in the Act requiring the state-administered retirement systems to be subject to state procurement laws and banning the use of system assets to pay placement agents shall apply to contracts established or renewed on or after July 1, 2016; provide that amendments in the Act requiring Senate confirmation and modifying the requirements for gubernatorial appointments to the Kentucky Retirement Systems' board shall apply to appointments or reappointments made on or after the effective date of the Act; provide that amendments requiring Senate confirmation of executive director and executive secretary shall apply to appointments or employments after the effective date of the Act; provide a transition schedule of appointments of new trustees to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System board.
 Current Status:   4/12/2016 - (H) Posted for Passage in Regular Orders of the Day; w/HFA 1,2
 Comments:   See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB2.htm
 
SB3CONTRACTS (STIVERS R) AN ACT relating to contracts.

Amend KRS 336.130 to prohibit mandatory membership in or financial support of a labor organization as a condition of employment and to name this section the "Kentucky Right to Work Act"; amend KRS 336.180 to define "employer"; amend KRS 336.990 to make a violation of the Act a Class A misdemeanor, award damages, and provide injunctive relief; create new sections of KRS Chapter 336 to exempt existing contracts or agreements and other federal agreements and require the Attorney General to investigate complaints and prosecute those who violate Section 1 of the Act.
 Current Status:   1/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB3.htm
 
SB9PREVAILING WAGE (SCHRODER W) AN ACT relating to prevailing wage.

Amend KRS 337.010 to exclude the construction of educational buildings and facilities from the definition of "public works" and from meeting the requirements of the prevailing wage law.
 Current Status:   2/4/2016 - House Labor and Industry, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
 Comments:   SB9 and SB94 deal with prevailing wage.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB9.htm
 
SB15EXPRESSION (ROBINSON A) AN ACT relating to the expression of religious and political viewpoints in public schools and public post-secondary institutions.

Amend KRS 158.183 to permit students to voluntarily express religious or political viewpoints in school assignments free from discrimination; require local boards of education to ensure that the selection of student speakers is made in a viewpoint-neutral manner, the student's prepared remarks are not altered before delivery without student's consent, religious and political organizations are allowed equal access to public forums on the same basis as nonreligious and nonpolitical organizations, no recognized religious or political student organization is discriminated against in the ordering of its internal affairs; allow students to display religious messages on items of clothing, access public school facilities during noninstructional time as a religious student organization, use school media to announce student religious meetings, and meet as a religious student group during noninstructional time and before and after school to the same extent as students undertaking such actions in a nonreligious manner, permit public schools to sponsor artistic or theatrical programs that advance students' knowledge of society's cultural and religious heritage; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to allow a teacher to teach about religion with the use of the Bible or other scripture without providing religious instruction, and to teach about religious holidays in a secular manner; amend KRS 158.186 to require annual notification to local school boards, school-based decision making councils, and certified employees of statutes pertaining to religious freedom and expression in schools; create a new section of KRS Chapter 164 to require public postsecondary education institution governing boards to ensure that students are permitted to voluntarily express religious or political viewpoints in assignments free from discrimination, the selection of student speakers is made in a viewpoint-neutral manner, the student's prepared remarks are not altered before delivery without student's consent, religious and political organizations are allowed equal access to public forums on the same basis as nonreligious and nonpolitical organizations, no recognized religious or political student organization is discriminated against in the ordering of its internal affairs, and there are no restrictions on speech that occurs outdoors on campus and is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, except for restrictions that are reasonable, justified without reference to speech content, narrowly tailored to serve governmental interest, and limited to provide alternative options for the communication of the information.
 Current Status:   2/8/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB386, SB15, SB106, and SB278 deal with religion.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB15.htm
 
SB24SCHOOL SAFETY (CARROLL J) AN ACT relating to school safety and declaring an emergency.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require school resource officers to have basic and advanced training provided by the Department of Criminal Justice Training; amend KRS 158.441 to conform; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   1/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary
 Comments:   HB270, HR9, and SB24 deal with school safety.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB24.htm
 
SB29ERIN'S LAW (JONES R) AN ACT relating to prevention-oriented child sexual education.

Amend KRS 156.070 to permit the establishment of age-appropriate education programs pertaining to the recognition of child physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect and how to report suspected abuse; create a short title, "Erin's Law," for Section 1 of this Act and KRS 156.095(7).
 Current Status:   1/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HB47, HB111, and SB29 deal with child abuse.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB29.htm
 
SB32FINANCIAL LITERACY (PARRETT D) AN ACT relating to financial literacy.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require the Department of Education to develop and implement the Kentucky Financial Literacy Program; require a high school student to complete instruction in financial literacy, included within the existing curriculum, prior to graduation.
 Current Status:   1/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB32.htm
 
SB33CPR TRAINING (WISE M) AN ACT relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in schools.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require that students receive CPR training one time while enrolled in grades 7-12.
 Current Status:   4/9/2016 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   HB289 and SB33 deals with CPR.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB33.htm
 
SB35SCHOOL COUNCILS (SCHICKEL J) AN ACT relating to school councils.

Amend KRS 160.345 to require the school superintendent or designee to consult with the principal or principal's designee and the school council when establishing school policy, making personnel decisions, determining instructional materials, and student support services; allow a principal vacancy to be filled by the superintendent; require the superintendent to adopt policies to be implemented in the schools; require the superintendent to plan professional development; require the principal or principal's designee to develop and implement a wellness policy; amend KRS 158.197 to allow the principal or principal's designee to authorize the display of specific educational materials; amend KRS 158.153, 158.792, and 158.844 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HB184 and SB35 deal with school councils.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB35.htm
 
SB42EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN (THOMAS R) AN ACT relating to exceptional children.

Amend KRS 157.200 to provide that programs for an exceptional child be provided until the end of the student instructional year in which the exceptional child reaches the age of 22; amend KRS 159.990,158.100, and 159.150 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB42.htm
 
SB44EDUCATION (ALVARADO R) AN ACT relating to opportunities in education.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to provide a nonrefundable income tax credit for contributions made to an entity exempt from taxation which supports public education; create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to establish a separate income tax credit for tuition assistance based on contributions made to a qualified scholarship-granting organization; create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to provide goals and reporting of metrics related to those goals; amend KRS 141.0205 to establish the order in which the credits may be taken; create a new section of KRS 136.500 to 136.575 to allow financial institutions to take both tax credits against the tax imposed by KRS 136.505; create a new section of KRS 136.500 to 136.575 to order all bank franchise tax credits.
 Current Status:   1/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Appropriations and Revenue
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB44.htm
 
SB45PUBLIC RETIREMENT INFORMATION (MCDANIEL C) AN ACT relating to the disclosure of public retirement information.

Amend KRS 61.661, 161.585, and 21.540 to require the disclosure, upon request, of the retirement benefit information of current and former members of the General Assembly, including their name, status, and projected or actual retirement benefit payments and benefits of the same from Kentucky Retirement Systems, Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, Legislators' Retirement Plan, and the Judicial Retirement Plan.
 Current Status:   4/12/2016 - (H) Posted for Passage in Regular Orders of the Day; w/HFA 1P,2T,3,4T
 Comments:   HB271, HB328, HB506, and SB45 deal with disclosure of retirement information.  See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB45.htm
 
SB50SCHOOL CALENDAR (GIRDLER C) AN ACT relating to the school calendar.

Amend KRS 158.070 to require schools to schedule the first student attendance day no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26, unless a school has adopted a year-round calendar; allow a waiver when a school has missed at least seven days each year for five previous years due to inclement weather.
 Current Status:   3/10/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB50.htm
 
SB52ALTERNATE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS (WISE M) AN ACT relating to alternative certification programs.

Amend KRS 161.048 to allow a veteran with a bachelor's degree in any area to be issued a provisional teaching certificate if other criteria are met.
 Current Status:   1/25/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB225 and SB52 deal with professional licensure of veterans.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB14.htm
 
SB65SUPERINTENDENT SCREENING MEMBERSHIP (THOMAS R) AN ACT relating to superintendent screening committee membership.

Amend KRS 160.352 to require the appointment of a school equity council member to the superintendent screening committee, if an equity council exists; allow a board to add a high school student to the superintendent screening committee.
 Current Status:   1/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HB29, HB399, and SB65 deal with superintendent screening committees.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB65.htm
 
SB81MILITARY CONNECTED STUDENTS (WESTERFIELD W) AN ACT relating to military connected students.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to require the Department of Education to develop a military-connected student identifier in the student information system; direct the Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations for the creation and maintenance of the military-connected student identifier.
 Current Status:   3/16/2016 - (H) recommitted to committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB81.htm
 
SB86SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS (WEST S) AN ACT relating to school board elections.

Amend KRS 118.315 to require an election petition for a board of education member to have 20 petitioners.
 Current Status:   1/12/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate State and Local Government
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB86.htm
 
SB88TEACHERS (GIVENS D) AN ACT relating to due process for teachers.

Amend KRS 161.790 to clarify the causes for which a contract of a teacher may be terminated; require the commissioner of education to initiate the appropriate due process procedures in response to a teacher's appeal of a superintendent's termination charge; establish hearing procedures and appointment of hearing officers for the appeal of a termination case; amend KRS 161.765 and 163.032 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/13/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HB301, SB88, SB109 and SB194 deal with teacher tenure or discipline.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB88.htm
 
SB94PREVAILING WAGE (MCDANIEL C) AN ACT relating to prevailing wage.

Create a new section of KRS 337.505 to 337.550 to allow local governments and special purpose governmental entities to opt out of prevailing wage requirements for public works.
 Current Status:   3/15/2016 - (S) recommitted to committee Senate Education
 Comments:   SB9 and SB94 deal with prevailing wage.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB94.htm
 
SB100EDUCATION (WILSON M) AN ACT relating to education.

Amend KRS 156.690 to insert gender-neutral language.
 Current Status:   1/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB100.htm
 
SB106RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION (SMITH B) AN ACT relating to the expression of religious viewpoints in public schools.

Amend KRS 158.183 to permit public schools to sponsor artistic or theatrical programs that advance students' knowledge of society's cultural and religious heritage and traditions.
 Current Status:   3/7/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB386, SB15, SB106, and SB278 deal with religion.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB106.htm
 
SB107COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAMS (GIVENS D) AN ACT relating to computer science programs in public schools.

Amend KRS 156.095 to allow teacher academies to include developing disciplines, developing beyond the core including computer sciences; amend KRS 156.553 to include computer science teachers as eligible for teachers' professional growth funds; amend KRS 156.670 to require the master plan for education technology to include network capacity and the readiness of laboratories for computer science education; amend KRS 158.846 to include computer sciences as a key area of the knowledge-based economy; amend KRS 158.847 to allow the science and mathematics advancement fund to provide grants to local school districts to develop and implement computer science programs; amend KRS 161.048 to include persons with computer science expertise among those eligible for adjunct instructor certification.
 Current Status:   2/8/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB107.htm
 
SB109TEACHER CONTRACTS (CARROLL D) AN ACT relating to teacher contracts.

Amend KRS 161.720 to include failure to successfully meet the requirements of a professional growth plan for a maximum two years as a reason for termination or suspension of a continuing service contract entered into after July1, 2017; amend KRS 161.740 to establish a new process for teachers who are first hired after July 1, 2017, to achieve continuing service contract status; amend KRS 156.844 and KRS 156.846 to conform.
 Current Status:   3/10/2016 - Senate Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
 Comments:   HB301, SB88, SB109 and SB194 deal with teacher tenure or discipline.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB109.htm
 
SB127KENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP (WISE M) AN ACT relating to the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship and making an appropriation therefor.

Amend KRS 164.7881 to permit high school seniors, beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year, and high school juniors and seniors, beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year, to use their KEES awards to pay for dual credit courses; require that the funds they would have received as eligible postsecondary students be reduced proportionally over a four, or in some cases, five year period by an amount equal to the amount used for dual credit; amend KRS 164.7885 to conform; designate the expenditures as necessary governmental expenses if KEES funds appropriated for fiscal year 2017-2018 is not adequate; APPROPRIATION.
 Current Status:   2/1/2016 - (S) recommitted to committee Senate Appropriations and Revenue
 Comments:   HB555 and SB127 deal with KEES.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB127.htm
 
SB129ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS (HARRIS E) AN ACT relating to administrative regulations.

Amend KRS 13A.010 to change the defined term "government" to "local government" and to establish a definition for "written comments"; amend KRS 13A.020 to provide that a monthly meeting may be rescheduled, rather than canceled, by agreement of both co-chairs; amend KRS 13A.040 to clarify that an administrative body may submit a written request for a technical amendment and provide examples of technical amendments, rather than a complete list; require the regulations compiler to refuse to accept for filing administrative regulations that do not comply with specified requirements for emergency administrative regulations, statements of consideration, and amended-after-comments versions; amend KRS 13A.050 to correct the name of the Administrative Register of Kentucky; amend KRS 13A.070 to authorize, rather than require, the LRC to promulgate administrative regulations; delete the requirement that the regulations compiler refuse to accept any administrative regulation that does not conform to KRS Chapter 13A and the administrative regulations thereunder; specify that administrative regulations promulgated by LRC shall be signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives; amend KRS 13A.125 to require that a current proposed administrative regulation be withdrawn prior to filing a subsequent proposed administrative regulation with the same number or title; amend KRS 13A.190 to require that emergency administrative regulations be published in the Administrative Register in accordance with the publication deadline established in KRS 13A.050(3); clarify provisions governing when a subsequent emergency administrative regulation with the same number or title or governing the same subject matter may be filed; establish the filing requirements for emergency administrative regulations; amend KRS 13A.220 to require that the electronic version be filed at the same time as, or prior to, filing the paper version; require that the electronic version be saved as a single document for each administrative regulation; specify that a section shall not be divided into lower levels of division if there is only one item in that level of division; require that the contact person's information include an email address; authorize administrative bodies to file letters and notifications electronically with the regulations compiler; amend KRS 13A.221 to require that, before filing an administrative regulation, an administrative body review the entire administrative regulation for compliance with KRS Chapter 13A and current law governing the subject matter of the administrative regulation; amend KRS 13A.222 to require that all changes made to the text of an existing administrative regulation be marked with new words underlined and deleted words struck through and placed in brackets; establish requirements for definitions in administrative regulations; remove the prohibition against using the phrase "at the time" in an administrative regulation; authorize the use of "et seq." in citations; require that citations accompany only the first usage of a popular name in an administrative regulation; amend KRS 13A.2251 to require that the incorporation-by-reference section of an administrative regulation state the regular office hours of the administrative body, rather than the set times of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; amend KRS 13A.2255 to establish the process for amending material previously incorporated by reference; amend KRS 13A.230 to require that the electronic version of an administrative regulation be filed at the same as, or prior to, filing the paper version; require that the electronic version be saved as a single document for each administrative regulation; amend KRS 13A.240 to require the regulatory impact analysis to state the administrative regulation's number and the contact person's name, e-mail address, and telephone number; delete the requirement that the LRC prepare a written analysis of all regulatory impact analyses and administrative regulations; amend KRS 13A.250 and KRS 13A.255 to require inclusion of each contact person's name, e-mail address, and telephone number in the fiscal note and notification regarding fees; amend KRS 13A.270 to specify that the comment period shall end at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the calendar month in which the administrative regulation is published in the Administrative Register, rather than having the end of the comment period dependent on whether the last day is a workday or a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday; require that the contact information include the contact person's e-mail address; clarify that the provisions for notification if a government may be impacted by an administrative regulation apply for local government, impact not both state and local government impact; delete the requirement that administrative bodies telephone the regulations compiler about the holding or canceling of public hearings and whether public comments were received; amend KRS 13A.280 to specify the filing requirements for a statement of consideration and an amended-after-comments version; amend KRS 13A.290 to require that ARRS review of an administrative regulation include the entire administrative regulation and all attachments filed with the administrative regulation; delete the requirement that a copy of the minutes of each meeting be sent to the promulgating administrative body; require that referrals to the second committee be made on the first Wednesday of the following month instead of at the next regularly scheduled LRC meeting; establish the voting requirements at the second committee level in order to amend an administrative regulation or find an administrative regulation deficient; amend KRS 13A.300 to establish requirements for deferring an administrative regulation scheduled for review at the second committee level; amend KRS 13A.310 to establish the effective date of a repealing administrative regulation if the repealer states an effective date that is after the normal effective date for an administrative regulation; amend KRS 13A.312 to specify that the regulations compiler shall alter administrative regulations pursuant to a statutory change or executive order after receipt of a written request from an administrative body; amend KRS 13A.315 to require that an administrative regulation expire if the statement of consideration and, if applicable, the amended-after-comments version not filed before a specified deadline, rather than requiring expiration if any item is not filed before a deadline; amend KRS 13A.320 to establish requirements for amendments made at a subcommittee meeting; amend KRS 13A.100, 13A.110, 13A.120, 13A.130, 13A.180, 13A.200, and 13A.224 to make technical corrections; and repeal KRS 13A.075 and 13A.140, relating to promulgation of administrative regulations.
 Current Status:   4/9/2016 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB129.htm
 
SB142STUDENTS (RIDLEY D) AN ACT relating to the safety and well being of students.

Amend KRS 158.148 to define "bullying"; require a school board's code of acceptable behavior to prohibit bullying; require the code to include procedures for investigating and responding to reports of bullying and a method to protect a person reporting a bullying incident.
 Current Status:   2/3/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HB316 and SB142 deal with bullying.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB142.htm
 
SB144CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (MCGARVEY M) AN ACT proposing an amendment to section 226 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to casino gaming.

Amend Section 226 of the Constitution of Kentucky to authorize the General Assembly to define and permit casino gaming; prior to July 1, 2027, require that proceeds be used to pay for oversight of casino gaming, mandate that 90 percent of proceeds go to retirement systems, with the remaining amount going to the benefit of the horse industry; after July 1, 2027, allow the General Assembly to allocate proceeds.
 Current Status:   2/4/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB144.htm
 
SB148PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING (CARROLL J) AN ACT relating to public school funding.

Amend KRS 157.360 to exempt a school district's local effort from the SEEK calculation if more than 60% of the real property located in the district is exempt from taxation.
 Current Status:   2/5/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Appropriations and Revenue
 Comments:   HB541 and SB148 deal with SEEK.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB148.htm
 
SB172RETIREMENT BENEFIT ELECTION (MCDANIEL C) AN ACT relating to retirement benefit election.

Create a new section of KRS 21.345 to 21.580 permitting a member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Form Retirement System to opt out of the traditional defined benefit plan and elect to participate in the hybrid cash balance plan; provide that, on the member's effective election date, the value of the member's accumulated contributions, less any interest, be deposited into the member's hybrid cash balance account and be considered part of the member's accumulated account balance; provide that on the member's effective election date, an employer pay credit shall be applied to the member's accumulated account balance for each contributing month prior to the effective election date; require the Judicial Form Retirement System to provide the electing member with information detailing the consequences of the member's election; provide that a member shall not be eligible to make an election until a letter ruling by the IRS; make benefit election under this section irrevocable; amend KRS 21.402 to conform; create a new section of KRS 61.510 to 61.705 permitting a member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, or the State Police Retirement System to opt out of the traditional defined benefit plan and elect to participate in the hybrid cash balance plan; provide that, on the member's effective election date, the value of the member's accumulated contributions, less any interest, be deposited into the member's hybrid cash balance account and be considered part of the member's accumulated account balance; provide that on the member's effective election date, an employer pay credit shall be applied to the member's accumulated account balance for each contributing month prior to the effective election date; require the Kentucky Retirement Systems to provide the electing member with information detailing the consequences of the member's election; provide that a member shall not be eligible to make an election until a letter ruling by the IRS; make benefit election under this section irrevocable; amend KRS 61.597 and 16.583 to conform; make technical and conforming amendments to KRS 6.525, 16.645, and 78.545.
 Current Status:   3/16/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB172.htm
 
SB189RETIREE BENEFICIARY PAYMENTS (SCHRODER W) AN ACT relating to retiree beneficiary payments in the Kentucky retirement systems.

Amend KRS 61.542 to allow a retiring member of Kentucky Retirement Systems to designate up to four individuals as beneficiary upon retirement; allow a retired member to change beneficiary designations in the event of the beneficiary's death or upon marriage or remarriage if the member files the proper forms within 90 days of death, marriage, or remarriage; require recalculation of benefit upon change in beneficiary to ensure actuarial equivalence; create exceptions; amend KRS 61.635 to offer a multiple beneficiaries survivorship option to provide lifetime benefits for to up to four beneficiaries based upon percentages assigned by the member at retirement; provide that a lifetime benefit may be provided to a trust under the single beneficiary or multiple beneficiaries survivorship option and provide that the age of trust beneficiaries shall be used to determine actuarial equivalence; amend KRS 61.630 to conform; amend KRS 61.640 and 16.578 to provide that for death prior to retirement, a trust naming a single beneficiary may select the single beneficiary survivorship option; provide that multiple beneficiaries may select the multiple beneficiary survivorship option.
 Current Status:   2/19/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate State and Local Government
 Comments:   See HB1 comments for a list of bills that deal with state retirement systems.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB189.htm
 
SB192CIVICS EDUCATION (CARPENTER J) AN ACT relating to civics education in public schools.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require all public high school students to pass a civics test in order to receive a regular diploma; direct the Kentucky Department of Education to prepare or approve the test with 100 questions drawn from the test administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to persons seeking to become naturalized citizens, and to disseminate the test to all public school districts; allow students the opportunity to retake the test as often as needed in order to pass; set the passing score at 60% of the total questions answered correctly; make these requirements subject to the accomodations for special needs students with individualized education programs as defined in KRS 158.281 or Section 504 Plans as defined in KRS 156.027.
 Current Status:   3/18/2016 - (H) posted in committee House Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB192.htm
 
SB194BACKGROUND CHECKS (ADAMS J) AN ACT relating to background checks of child abuse and neglect records.

Amend KRS 160.380 to require that school superintendents conduct a name- based background check of child abuse and neglect records maintained by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services when considering employment decisions.
 Current Status:   3/15/2016 - (S) recommitted to committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HB301, SB88, SB109 and SB194 deal with teacher tenure or discipline.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB194.htm
 
SB196PRESCHOOL BOOKS (HUMPHRIES S) AN ACT relating to books for preschool children and making an appropriation therefore.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 171 to establish the Books for Brains Program to promote the development of a comprehensive statewide program for encouraging preschool children to develop an appreciation of books; attach the program to the Department for Libraries and Archives for administrative purposes; establish a governing board of seven members appointed by the Governor for staggered four-year terms; require governing board members to be reimbursed for expenses as funds become available; establish the Books for Brains Program trust fund to consist of funds collected through state appropriations, gifts, grants, and any other funds from the public and private sectors; direct the department to promulgate administrative regulations to establish the procedures for working with local partners to provide books for registered children; APPROPRIATION.
 Current Status:   4/15/2016 - veto not acted upon
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB196.htm
 
SB209KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (BOWEN J) AN ACT relating to agencies that discontinue participation in Kentucky retirement systems.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 61 to provide that an employer ceasing participation in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System as provided by KRS 61.522 that elects to provide an alternative retirement plan with mandatory employee contributions may "pick-up" the employee contributions in the alternative retirement plan so that the contributions will be made on a tax-deferred basis; amend KRS 141.010 to conform.
 Current Status:   4/13/2016 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   HB448 and SB209 deal with employers who leave KERS or CERS.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB209.htm
 
SB210PUBLIC SCHOOL STANDARDS (SCHICKEL J) AN ACT relating to public school standards.

Create a new section to KRS Chapter 158 to prohibit the Kentucky Board of Education and the Kentucky Department of Education from implementing the English language arts and mathematics academic content standards developed by the Common Core Standards Initiative and the science academic content standards developed by the Next Generation Science Standards Initiative; require the state board to recommend new content standards to school districts and schools after consultation with the Council on Postsecondary Education; require public involvement in standards development; clarify the authority of the local board of education to adopt standards which differ from or exceed the standards approved by the state board; clarify that the school-based decision making councils shall develop policies based upon the standards adopted by the local boards of education; prohibit state officials from ceding control of education content standards and assessments; prohibit withholding of state funds from school districts for adopting different academic content standards; amend KRS 156.070 to limit disclosure of personally identifiable information; direct the Kentucky Board of Education to require that the Department of Education and all school districts adhere to transparency and privacy standards when outsourcing data and Web-based tasks to vendors; clarify vendor contract requirements; amend KRS 158.6453 to permit a local board of education to supplement the state board-approved academic content standards with higher and more rigorous standards and require school councils to use them to fulfill curriculum policy requirements; amend KRS 160.345 to clarify school council curriculum policy authority.
 Current Status:   2/24/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HB553, SB1, and SB210 deal with content standards.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB210.htm
 
SB213CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (NEAL G) AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to persons entitled to vote.

Propose to amend Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky to allow persons convicted of a felony, other than felonies designated by the General Assembly, the right to vote; submit to the voters for ratification or rejection.
 Current Status:   2/29/2016 - (S) reassigned to committee Senate Judiciary
 Comments:   HB70, SB213, and SB299 deal with felons' voting rights.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB213.htm
 
SB223SCHOOL SAFETY (WEST S) AN ACT relating to school safety.

Amend KRS 520.070 to include school marshals as persons exempt from the prohibition against possession of a firearm on school property if authorized by a local school board or governing body of a private or parochial school; create a new section of KRS Chapter 527 to allow for the appointment of a school marshal by a local school board or governing body of a private or parochial school; specify that a person authorized and appointed under this section is designated as a school marshal and enumerate restrictions on school marshal's powers; provide that persons certified to act as peace officers under KRS 15.380 are exempt from restrictions; establish requirements of eligibility for a school marshal's appointment; enumerate board's or governing bodies' responsibilities; require that schools designated as school marshal sites collaborate with the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement on safety procedures prior to appointment of a school marshal; provide limits on liability for school boards or governing bodies that appoint school marshals; establish limits on the possession, transport, deposit, or carrying of firearms by a school marshal while on school property; limit liability for school marshals for acts or omissions undertaken pursuant to this section; provide that the school marshal is responsible for expenditures related to the purchase of a firearm, ammunition, or any other associated costs; allow that a local school board or governing body may pay compensation for expenses incurred undertaking school marshal's duties or appointment requirements; specify that otherwise lawful possession of a firearm as provided under KRS 527.070 or any other state or federal law is not restricted; exclude postsecondary or higher education institutions from coverage; require that any board of a local public school district or governing body of a private or parochial school that appoints a school marshal adopt guidelines to carry out school marshal's requirements.
 Current Status:   2/25/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations
 Comments:   HB270, HR9, SB24 and SB223 deal with school safety.  HB270 and SB223 deal with school marshals.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB223.htm
 
SB228EDUCATION (CARROLL D) AN ACT relating to education.

Amend KRS 158.645 to insert gender-neutral language.
 Current Status:   4/9/2016 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   SCS deals with bullying.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB228.htm
 
SB243INTERSCHOLASTIC EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (WESTERFIELD W) AN ACT relating to interscholastic extracurricular activities.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to authorize participation in a public school interscholastic extracurricular activity by a private school student when the private school does not offer the interscholastic extracurricular activity; establish criteria for participation in the activity.
 Current Status:   3/2/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HB76 and SB243 deal with the extracurricular activities of private school students.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB243.htm
 
SB244CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (SCHRODER W) AN ACT proposing to amend Section 29 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to administrative regulations.

Propose to amend Section 29 of the Constitution of Kentucky to permit the General Assembly or an agency or committee it creates to review, approve, or disapprove any administrative regulation of the executive branch during or between regular sessions of the General Assembly; submit to the voters for approval or disapproval; supply ballot language.
 Current Status:   3/23/2016 - (H) posted in committee House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB244.htm
 
SB253CHARTER SCHOOLS (WILSON M) AN ACT relating to charter schools and making an appropriation therefore.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 160 to describe the intent of the General Assembly and the purposes of authorizing public charter schools; establish a charter school pilot project and identify charter school authorizers; define terms; describe the characteristics and the requirements of a charter school; establish the Kentucky Public Charter School Commission and identify membership selection and responsibilities of members; identify the requirements and the components of a charter school application; describe the responsibilities of authorizers; describe charter school renewal and revocation processes; identify the components of a charter school annual report; identify the requirements for student enrollment; establish the Kentucky Public Charter School Commission trust fund and identify uses of the fund; create a new section of KRS Chapter 159 to identify student enrollment and withdrawal requirements to be followed by a charter school; create a new section of KRS Chapter 161 to identify employment conditions for charter school staff; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157 to specify the charter school funding process; amend KRS 161.220 to include a qualified teacher employed by the of board of directors of public charter schools in the state-sponsored retirement system; amend KRS 78.510 to include charter schools in the definition of "county" so as to include noncertified employees of public charter schools in the state-sponsored retirement system; APPROPRIATION.
 Current Status:   3/18/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB318, HB589, and SB253 deal with charter schools.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB253.htm
 
SB256MILITARY SERVICES (MCGARVEY M) AN ACT relating to military services.

Amend KRS 159.035 to allow for any high school student participating in basic training required by a branch of the United States Armed Forces to be considered present for all purposes for up to ten days.
 Current Status:   4/8/2016 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB256.htm
 
SB270DISPROPORTIONATE MINORITY CONTACT (WESTERFIELD W) AN ACT relating to disproportionate minority contact.

Create new sections of KRS Chapters 15A, 27A, 158, and 194A to require quarterly reporting of statistics, including age, race, and gender, to determine whether there is disproportionate minority contact with the juvenile justice, social welfare, and educational discipline systems; amend various sections to conform.
 Current Status:   3/15/2016 - floor amendments (1) and (2) filed to Committee Substitute
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB270.htm
 
SB273INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTS (WILSON M) AN ACT relating to individualized educational accounts and making an appropriation therefor.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 157 to establish the Individualized Education Accounts Program and the Individualized Education Accounts trust fund; define eligibility of students, schools, providers, and qualified expenses for the program; direct the State Treasury to administer the program; direct the Kentucky Department of Education to transfer the state portion of SEEK funds on behalf of each eligible student to the State Treasury on the student's behalf; require each parent to enter into an agreement with the State Treasury to participate in the program; describe the responsibilities of the State Treasury, resident school district, Kentucky Department of Education, participating schools, and parents; APPROPRIATION.
 Current Status:   3/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HB620 and SB273 deal with private school vouchers.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB273.htm
 
SB275EDUCATION (GIVENS D) AN ACT relating to education.

Amend KRS 156.690 to insert gender-neutral language.
 Current Status:   3/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB275.htm
 
SB278BIBLE LITERACY COURSES (WEBB R) AN ACT relating to bible literacy courses in public schools.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to require the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to establish an elective social studies course on the Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament of the Bible, the New Testament, or a combination of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament of the Bible; require that the course provide students knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory, and public policy; permit students to use various translations of the Bible for the course; amend KRS 158.197 to permit a school council to offer an elective social studies course on the Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament of the Bible, the New Testament, or a combination of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament of the Bible.
 Current Status:   3/16/2016 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB386, SB15, SB106, and SB278 deal with religion.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB278.htm
 
SB299CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (STIVERS R) AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to persons entitled to vote.

Propose to amend Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky to allow persons convicted of certain felonies the right to vote as provided by the General Assembly; submit to voters with question.
 Current Status:   3/23/2016 - (H) posted in committee House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs
 Comments:   HB70, SB213, and SB299 deal with felons' voting rights.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SB299.htm
 
SCR8CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CARROLL J) A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION encouraging the Kentucky Board of Education to continue and expand collaboration with the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Education Professional Standards Board, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and industry interests to develop and align policies and practices to support strong career pathways that help more students earn industry and postsecondary credentials and obtain good jobs.

Encourage the Kentucky Board of Education to continue and expand collaboration with the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Education Professional Standards Board, and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to align policies and practices in support of career and technical education.
 Current Status:   1/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HB268, HB284, HB567, and SCR8 deal with the EPSB.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SC14.htm
 
SCR22SCHOOLS (THOMAS R) A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the work of the Prichard Committee Student Voice Team and encouraging districts to incorporate student representation within school governance structures

recognize the work of the Prichard Committee Student Voice Team and encouraging districts to incorporate student representation within school governance structures.
 Current Status:   1/7/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SC22.htm
 
SJR114LUNCH PERIODS (KERR A) A JOINT RESOLUTION to direct the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate or amend administrative regulations to require lunch periods of at least 30 minutes so that public school students in kindergarten through grade five have adequate time, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. whenever feasible, to enjoy a complete meal; direct the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate or amend administrative regulations to allow a minimum of 30 minutes for lunch each day to be counted as instructional time for grades kindergarten through five.

Direct the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate or amend administrative regulations to require lunch periods of at least 30 minutes so that public school students in kindergarten through grade five have adequate time, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. whenever feasible, to enjoy a complete meal; direct the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate or amend administrative regulations to allow a minimum of 30 minutes for lunch each day to be counted as instructional time for grades kindergarten through five.
 Current Status:   2/10/2016 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Appropriations and Revenue
 Comments:   HJR115 and SJR114 deal with elementary school lunch periods.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SJ114.htm
 
SR27SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS (SCHICKEL J) Recognize all Kentucky school bus drivers for their service to the Commonwealth and its children.

Recognize all Kentucky school bus drivers for their service to the Commonwealth and its children.
 Current Status:   1/12/2016 - adopted by voice vote
 Comments:   HB139, HB480, HR9, and SR27 deal with transportation.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/16RS/SR27.htm
 
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