KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
--- 2015 REGULAR SESSION ---
Bills are described as initially filed.
Later amendments are listed on each State Bill Page.
Prepared by: Kentucky Education Association Lobbying Team
Report created on March 18, 2024
 
HB2WAGES (STUMBO G) AN ACT relating to wages.

Amend KRS 337.010 to change the definition of "employees" of retail stores and service industries to increase the threshold of business that applies to the employer from $95,000 to $500,000; amend KRS 337.275 to raise the state minimum wage to $8.20 per hour on July 1, 2015, $9.15 per hour on July 1, 2016, and $10.10 per hour on July 1, 2017; 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 an acceptable methodology for determining equivalent skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions; require that the regulations be promulgated on or before July 1, 2016; provide that amendments to KRS 337.423 are EFFECTIVE July 1, 2017.
 Current Status:   3/11/2015 - Missing Action!
 Comments:   Increases minimum wage rates and requires equivalent pay for workers who do equivalent work.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB2.htm
 
HB4KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (STUMBO G) AN ACT relating to funding for Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System and making an appropriation therefor.

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 2015-2016; 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; amend 2014 Kentucky Acts Chapter 117, the state/executive branch budget bill, to authorize funding notes to be issued by the Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission for the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System not to exceed $3,300,000,000 and to provide that current appropriations dedicated to funding past benefit improvements under subsections (1) and (2) of KRS 161.553 of $116,798,700 shall be used in fiscal year 2015-2016 for debt service on the notes authorized by Sections 1 to 3 of this Act.
 Current Status:   3/23/2015 - Free Conference Committee Appointed in House
 Comments:   Refinances the existing liabilities of KTRS.  Legislature promises to pay future obligations to KTRS as they become due.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB4.htm
 
HB18ACADEMIC CREDIT (YONTS B) AN ACT relating to the transfer of academic credit.

Amend KRS 164.2951 to require the Council on Postsecondary Education to implement a dual credit course policy; amend KRS 164.583 to require acceptance of articulated credit courses at all public colleges and universities.
 Current Status:   2/10/2015 - House Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB18.htm
 
HB21INTERSCHOLASTIC 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:   1/6/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB21.htm
 
HB25TAX HOLIDAYS (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 the first weekend in August each year to exempt clothing, school supplies, school art supplies, computers, and school computer supplies; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   1/6/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB25.htm
 
HB30SCHOOL NOTIFICATIONS (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:   1/6/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB30.htm
 
HB33PUBLIC SCHOOL STANDARDS (KERR T) 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:   1/6/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   Forbids the use of academic standards unless the standards were generated by the local school board.  Reduces a school council's authority over school curriculum.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB33.htm
 
HB34DISTRICTS 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:   3/2/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB34.htm
 
HB47PUBLIC PENSION OVERSIGHT BOARD (YONTS B) AN ACT relating to the Public Pension Oversight Board.

Amend KRS 7A.200, 7A.210, 7A.220, 7A.240, and 7A.250 to add the Legislators' Retirement Plan, the Judicial Retirement Plan, and the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System to the Public Pension Oversight Board's review responsibilities; provide that members of the Public Pension Oversight Board appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the Governor with expertise in pensions or investments shall serve a term of four years; remove the prohibition on members and retired members from serving in these appointed positions; modify the annual report due date for the Public Pension Oversight Board from December 1 to December 31 of each year.
 Current Status:   3/20/2015 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   Allows more political control of public employee pension plans.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB47.htm
 
HB49RETIREMENT (WAYNE 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 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 modify the minimum requirements for gubernatorial appointees to the Kentucky Retirement Systems board of trustees with investment expertise; 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 161.250 to 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 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; establish noncodified sections to require the Public Pension Oversight Board to study and provide a report by December 1, 2014, 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, 2014, 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; provide that the amendments in this 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 August 1, 2014; provide that amendments in this Act modifying the requirements for gubernatorial appointments to the Kentucky Retirement Systems' board with investment expertise shall apply to appointments or reappointments made on or after the effective date of this Act.
 Current Status:   1/6/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   Sets numerous operational standards for public employee pension plans.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB49.htm
 
HB50CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES (WUCHNER A) AN ACT relating to controlled substances and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 15.334 to require that the Department of Criminal Justice Training provide mandatory regionalized in-service training on the topic of heroin; amend KRS 72.026 to increase the scope of mandatory coroner reporting in deaths involving Schedule I controlled substances; create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to enumerate the controlled substance treatment services to be offered by the Department for Medicaid Services; amend KRS 217.186 to provide that peace officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and school employees authorized under KRS 156.502 to administer medication may receive, possess, and administer naloxone to a person suffering from an apparent opiate-related overdose; establish requirements relating to the use of maloxone on school premises; create a new section of KRS Chapter 218A to require that all substance abuse treatment or recovery providers that receive state funding must give pregnant women priority in accessing and cannot refuse service if certain conditions are met; create a new section of KRS Chapter 218A to provide that a person shall have a defense for the possession of a controlled substance if the person in good faith seeks medical assistance from a public safety answering point, emergency medical services, law enforcement office or health practitioner and meets certain additional criteria; amend KRS 218A.1412 to provide minimum service time requirements for persons convicted of trafficking in the first degree of heroin; require that if as a result of a defendant’s violation of the crime of trafficking in the first degree of heroin, a person dies as a result of the use of heroin trafficked by the defendant, this is a Class A felony; establish service fees for persons convicted of trafficking 2 grams or more of heroin and above; provide that any service fees collected pursuant to this section be remitted to KY-ASAP to be used as supplemental funding for substance abuse treatment programs operating in county jails that are located within the region in which the offense was committed; allow upon a motion by the Commonwealth, a court to consider lowering the minimum service time requirement for a person who is convicted of trafficking in the first degree who provides substantial assistance to the Commonwealth for the prosecution of another; amend KRS 439.340 to require substance abuse treatment or education courses as a condition of release for persons convicted under KRS Chapter 218 for a violation of trafficking in heroin; amend KRS 625.050 to forbid the termination of parental rights of a woman solely because of her use of a controlled substance if certain conditions are met; encourage the Department of Corrections to offer video, audio, oral, and written materials to persons housed at correctional facilities within the state that concentrate on educating inmates on Kentucky's drug trafficking laws, associated penalties, and treatment options; title the "Herion Impact Act"; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   1/6/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary
 Comments:   Permits school employees to provide medical treatment to "an individual suffering from an apparent opiate-related overdose."  Sets rules for storing and administering the medication that the school employees will have to use.  Compare with HB105, which does not pertain to school employees.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB50.htm
 
HB52CAREER READINESS (CARNEY J) 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 sufficient score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and signs enlistment papers for any branch of service as career-ready.
 Current Status:   1/6/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB52.htm
 
HB62PUBLIC AGENCIES (YONTS B) AN ACT relating to public agencies.

Create a new section of KRS 61.510 to 61.705 to provide that certain employers participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS) and the County Employees Retirement System (CERS) may elect to voluntarily cease participation in the system and that any agency may be required to involuntarily cease participation in KERS or CERS in the event the board of trustees has determined the employer is no longer eligible to participate in a governmental plan or has failed to comply with the provisions of KRS 61.510 to 61.705 or 78.510 to 78.852; establish requirements for voluntary and involuntary cessation of participation by the employer, including requiring any employer voluntarily ceasing participation to adopt a resolution to cease participation and submit the resolution the Kentucky Retirement Systems' board, requiring the cessation of participation to apply to all employees of the employer ceasing participation, requiring the employer to pay for an actuarial cost study to determine the cost to the employer for discontinuing participation, requiring an employer voluntarily ceasing participation to offer an alternative retirement plan to impacted employees, and requiring the employer to pay the system for the full actuarial cost of discontinuing participation either in a lump-sum payment or in installments under the terms established by the board; provide that the full actuarial cost shall not include those employees who elect to take a refund of their account balance within 60 days of the employer's cessation date; provide that the employer's full actuarial cost shall be fixed once the employer makes the lump-sum payment or first installment payment; provide that employees hired after the employer ceases participation will not participate in KERS or CERS for the ceased employer; provide that employees participating in the systems with the employer ceasing participation will not earn benefits after the employer has ceased participation, but will be vested for those benefits accrued prior to the employer's cessation date; provide that the voluntary cessation of participation provisions shall not apply to certain KERS employers including Commonwealth's attorney offices, county attorney offices, local and district health departments governed by KRS Chapter 212, master commissioners, property valuation administration offices, executive branch agencies whose employees are subject to KRS 18A.005 to 18A.200, state-administered retirement systems, employers in the legislative or judicial branch of Kentucky state government, or state-supported universities and community college systems, unless the agency is a nonstock nonprofit corporation established under KRS Chapter 273; provide that the voluntary cessation of participation provisions shall only apply to CERS employers who are nonstock nonprofit corporation established under KRS Chapter 273; amend KRS 78.530 to make conforming amendments and to remove provisions that allow a CERS agency whose participation has been terminated under KRS 78.535 to once again participate in CERS at a later date; amend KRS 78.535 to remove provisions regarding the termination of participation provisions in current law and to reference the cessation of participation provisions in Section 1 of this Act; amend KRS 78.540, 78.545, 78.610, 61.520, and 78.615 to conform; amend KRS 95.520, 95.621, and 95.852 to remove provisions that allow an employee to regain participation in a closed city pension plan if the agency's participation has been terminated under KRS 78.535.
 Current Status:   3/20/2015 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   Makes participation in KERS and CERS optional.  Allows expulsion of employers under some circumstances.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB62.htm
 
HB64CHILD WELFARE (CRIMM R) AN ACT relating to child welfare.

Amend KRS 620.250 to allow local foster care review boards to have access to the educational records of children committed to the custody of the Commonwealth by requiring the Kentucky Department of Education to provide the educational records free of charge to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services; amend KRS 610.125 to require recommendations concerning the transition from out-of-home care to independent living to be made to a court by the Department of Juvenile Justice regarding a child in their care.
 Current Status:   3/23/2015 - (H) Returned to Committee House Rules
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB64.htm
 
HB67KENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP (FLOOD K) AN ACT relating to the Kentucky educational excellence scholarship.

Amend KRS 164.7874 to define the minimum number of cumulative credit hours needed to be considered "on track to graduate" at the end of each award period for KEES scholarship renewal requirements.
 Current Status:   3/11/2015 - (S) THIRD READING, defeated 15-21 with Committee Substitute
 Comments:   Thirty credit hours per academic year are necessary to retain a KEES award.  HB67, HB180, HB232, HB265, HB268, and SB110 deal with KEES.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB67.htm
 
HB75TEACHER LEAVES OF ABSENCE (YORK J) AN ACT relating to teacher leaves of absence.

Amends 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.
 Current Status:   1/6/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   Even if well-intentioned, this bill does not appear to do anything.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB75.htm
 
HB87AT-RISK CHILDREN SCHOLARSHIPS (MONTELL B) AN ACT relating to scholarships for at-risk children.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to establish a scholarships for at-risk children tax credit program for scholarships for at-risk children; provide a nonrefundable credit against the income tax imposed under KRS 141.020 or 141.040, and the limited liability entity tax imposed under KRS 141.0401, for contributions made to a scholarship organization that is organized solely for the purpose of receiving and distributing cash contributions to provide educational scholarships to eligible students at qualified schools; amend KRS 141.010 to exclude from the definition of "adjusted gross income" the amount received by an eligible student or by an individual on behalf of an eligible student as an educational scholarship under the program; amend KRS 141.0205 to provide the order in which the credit may be claimed.
 Current Status:   1/6/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Comments:   Provides public assistance to private schools and tax breaks to the schools' customers and patrons.  HB87, HB384, and  SB41 have some common goals.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB87.htm
 
HB108KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (YONTS B) AN ACT relating to Kentucky Retirement Systems.

Amend KRS 16.505 to 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; make technical 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 61.510 and 78.510 to utilize partial fiscal years in determining the final compensation of a nonhazardous member who began participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System and the County Employees Retirement System on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, in situations where the member does not have 5 complete fiscal years of service; to 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; provide that interim positions in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System and probationary positions in the County Employees Retirement System shall not be renewable by the employer for the same employee unless the employee has not been employed by the agency for 12 months; make technical amendments; amend KRS 61.542 to remove the requirement that the estate be designated as beneficiary of a member's account when they request 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 as required by USERRA, who are called to active duty military deployment: make conforming amendments; amend KRS 61.557 to make technical amendments; amend KRS 61.560 to clarify that retirees reemployed on or after 9/1/2008 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 61.623 to require all recipients of a retirement allowance from Kentucky Retirement Systems to receive retirement allowance payments by electronic funds transfer to a financial institution; provide that if the member does not have a bankaccount or the member's bank does not participate in electronic funds transfers that the member will receive payment of his or her retirement allowance to an electronic fund transfer card issued by Kentucky Retirement Systems; amend KRS 61.645 to allow the Kentucky Retirement Systems board by promulgation of administrative regulation to conduct trustee elections by electronic ballot; amend KRS 61.650 to increase the Kentucky Retirement Systems investment committee membership from 5 trustees to 7 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 define "monthly contribution rate"; require recipients 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 16.520, 61.525, 61.5525, 61.592, 78.540, 78.610, and 78.615 to make technical and conforming amendments; provide non-codified section to provide that the successor of the additional board trustee elected by the County Employees Retirement System (CERS) 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.
 Current Status:   3/11/2015 - received in House w/Letter
 Comments:   Revises many operational requirements for KERS and CERS.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB108.htm
 
HB116RETIREMENT BENEFIT SPIKING (YONTS B) AN ACT relating to retirement benefit spiking.

Amend KRS 61.598 to provide that the last participating employer shall not be required to pay for pension spiking costs that are less than $2,500.
 Current Status:   2/23/2015 - House State Government, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB116.htm
 
HB129SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES (COUCH T) AN ACT relating to amending the 2014-2016 Executive Branch budget bill regarding school district employees and declaring an emergency.

Amend the 2014-2016 Executive Branch budget bill to allow a local school district to determine salary increases for employees for the 2015-2016 fiscal year; require the commissioner of education to determine if salary increases for employees will cause the district budget to fall below the required minimum reserve of two percent of the total budget; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   1/8/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB129.htm
 
HB132TAXATION (WAYNE J) AN ACT relating to taxation.

Amend KRS 140.130 to decouple from changes to the federal estate tax since 2003; amend KRS 141.010 to provide for a reduction and phase-out of the pension exclusion, disallow the domestic production activities deduction, establish a cap for itemized deductions, and define "taxpayer"; amend KRS 141.020 to provide for changes to income tax rates; amend KRS 141.0401 to lower the exclusion threshold; amend KRS 141.120 to change apportionment methods to use a "throwback" rule; amend KRS 141.200 to require "combined" reporting for corporations; amend KRS 134.810, 136.310, 136.530, 141.040, 141.121, 141.206, and 141.420 to conform; amend KRS 141.066 to provide for a refundable earned income credit; amend KRS 141.205 to recognize "tax haven" foreign countries and tax all income apportioned or allocated to those countries; amend KRS 141.0205 to recognize changes in income tax credits; amend KRS 141.383, 148.544, and 148.546 to make the film industry tax credit nonrefundable and nontransferable; create a new section of KRS 6.900 to 6.935 to require review and sunset of all economic development tax credits; amend KRS 131.190 to allow LRC employees to review selected tax documents; amend KRS 138.210 to set the "floor" price at $2.616 per gallon; amend KRS 138.270 to reduce dealer compensation to 1%; amend KRS 132.020 to make the real property tax rate 12.2 cents per $100, remove the rate adjustment provision, and remove the recall provision; amend KRS 132.260 to clarify requirements for reporting of rental space for mobile/manufactured homes, private aircraft, and certain boats/vessels; amend KRS 132.730, 132.751, 132.810, and 132.815 to clarify property tax treatment of manufactured homes; amend KRS 140.300 to clarify the treatment of agricultural valuation on inherited property; amend KRS 279.200, 279.530, 279.220, and 139.530 to repeal rural electric and telephone co-op taxes; amend KRS 132.097 and 132.099 to amend the exemption for personal property shipped out of state; amend KRS 139.105, 139.200, 139.220, 139.270, 139.340 and 139.740 to impose sales tax on selected services; amend KRS 243.0305 and 243.990 to recognize changes in the distilled spirits case tax; amend KRS 138.130, 138.140, and 138.143 to change the tax on cigarette rolling papers, to raise the tobacco taxes, to impose a floor stock tax, and to tax e-cigarettes; amend KRS 65.125, 65.674, 67.862, 67.938, 67A.843, 68.245, 68.248, 82.095, 97.590, 132.0225, 132.023, 132.024, 132.027, 132.029, 157.440, 160.470, 160.473, 67C.147, 78.530, and 342.340 to remove the provisions of HB 44 that allow for recall of certain tax rates and make conforming and technical changes; repeal KRS 132.017, 132.018, 132.025, 132.720, 143A.035, and 243.710; provide that income tax provisions apply for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2016, estate tax provisions apply for deaths occurring on or after August 1, 2015, sales tax provisions are effective for periods beginning on or after October 1, 2015, motor fuels tax provisions are effective August 1, 2015, property tax provisions are for assessments on and after January 1, 2016.
 Current Status:   3/9/2015 - Senate Judiciary, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
 Comments:   Proposes reform of several Kentucky taxes.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB132.htm
 
HB142MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE (BELCHER L) AN ACT relating to the 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:   1/9/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   "By the fifteenth student instructional day of each academic year, the number of pupils enrolled in a class shall not exceed the established maximum class size."  However, state laws do not establish the maximum size of most classes.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB142.htm
 
HB145PUBLIC SMOKING (WESTROM S) AN ACT prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 438 to define terms; prohibit indoor smoking in businesses, places of employment, and other listed public places; exempt private residences, unless used for child care or adult day care; permit smoking in designated nonenclosed areas; require posting of "no smoking" signs at specified locations; permit local governments to adopt stricter regulations by ordinance; provide for enforcement by all peace officers and designated health department and local government employees; provide for the issuance of uniform citations for violations; require that employers and others not discriminate against persons reporting violations; provide for fines for violation; provide that fines go to the agency whose employee issued the citation; provide that no court costs or other fees be charged for violations; exempt certain research and manufacturing laboratories and agricultural buildings; amend KRS 344.040, relating to unlawful practices by an employer, to add reference to state law, local ordinance, or local board of health regulation relating to smoking; amend KRS 431.450, relating to uniform citations, to provide for issuing citation forms to health departments; authorize the Department of Kentucky State Police to create and issue uniform smoking violation citations; repeal various statutes permitting smoking in public buildings; provide that Sections 1 to 6 may be referred to as the Smokefree Kentucky Act.
 Current Status:   3/11/2015 - (S) discharge petition filed
 Comments:   HB145 and SB189 are similar.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB145.htm
 
HB163REEMPLOYMENT (BELCHER L) AN ACT relating to reemployment after retirement.

Amend KRS 61.637 to provide that effective July 1, 2015, local school districts shall not be required to reimburse Kentucky Retirement Systems for retiree health care premiums for reemployed retirees who work less than 80 days a year.
 Current Status:   4/1/2015 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB163.htm
 
HB174CHARTER 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; define terms; establish the Kentucky Public Charter School Commission and identify membership selection and responsibilities of members; outline the requirements and limitations on the establishment of charter schools including identification of charter school authorizers; describe responsibilities of authorizers; describe charter school application, renewal, and revocation processes; 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 require local, state, and federal funds to be distributed to charter schools using formulas and allocation processes used in public schools; amend KRS 161.220 to include a teacher employed by a board of directors of a public charter school as a member within the state retirement system; amend KRS 161.220 to include employees of boards of directors of public charter schools in the state-sponsored retirement system; amend KRS 78.510 to include noncertified employees of public charter schools in the state-sponsored retirement system.
 Current Status:   2/3/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB174 and SB8 are similar.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB174.htm
 
HB180FINANCIAL AID (PALUMBO R) AN ACT relating to postsecondary financial aid for students with intellectual disabilities.

Amend KRS 164.7882 to increase the amount of Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarships available to students enrolled in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program.
 Current Status:   2/5/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   A "comprehensive transition and postsecondary program" is "designed to support students with intellectual disabilities who are seeking to continue academic, career and technical, and independent living instruction at an institution of higher education in order to prepare for gainful employment."  HB67, HB180, HB232, HB265, HB268, and SB110 deal with KEES.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB180.htm
 
HB193FINANCIAL LITERACY (GLENN J) AN ACT relating to a teacher institute regarding financial literacy and economic education.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to require the Kentucky Department of Education, no later than September 1, 2016, to establish at least one teacher institute regarding financial literacy and economic education, to be conducted annually.
 Current Status:   2/5/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   See also HB375, SB121, and an amendment to SB115.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB193.htm
 
HB204SUPERINTENDENT SCREENING COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP (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; revise the district minority population required for minority member election from 8% to 4%; allow a board to add a high school student to the superintendent screening committee.
 Current Status:   3/3/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HB204, HB236, and SB105 are similar.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB204.htm
 
HB231PUBLIC HEALTH (MARZIAN M) AN ACT relating to public health.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require science-based content and age-appropriate and medically accurate standards for human sexuality education; permit a parent or guardian to excuse a child from the educational program and permit the parent or guardian to review instructional material upon request; specify that nothing requires a school district, public school, or family resource and youth services center to offer human sexuality education; create a new section of KRS Chapter 211 to permit the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to refuse federal funding for abstinence-only education; require science-based content if state funds are received by the cabinet or subcontractor for human sexuality education or teen pregnancy prevention; permit the cabinet to promulgate an administrative regulation to specify instructional content; require an entity that receives state funding and offers human sexuality education or teen pregnancy prevention to adopt science-based content.
 Current Status:   2/5/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   Sets standards for human sexuality classes.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB231.htm
 
HB232CRAFT ACADEMY (ADKINS R) AN ACT relating to the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics.

Amend KRS 158.140 to allow the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics to award a high school diploma; allow the local school district to award a joint diploma with the Craft Academy; amend KRS 164.002 to include the Craft Academy in the definitions of dual credit and dual enrollment; amend KRS 164.7874 to allow students enrolled in the Craft Academy to earn KEES scholarships; amend KRS 164.7885 to require the Craft Academy to report data for KEES scholarship purposes.
 Current Status:   3/19/2015 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   Craft Academy is a dual-credit residential high school for academically exceptional students at Morehead State University.  HB67, HB180, HB232, HB265, HB268, and SB110 deal with KEES.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB232.htm
 
HB234EARLY CHILDHOOD (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to early childhood.

Amend KRS 199.8943 to clarify participating agencies and establish schedule for implementing a quality-based graduated early care and education program rating system for providers; require the Early Childhood Advisory Council to submit an annual report to the Interim Joint Committees on Education and Health and Welfare by October 1 of each year.
 Current Status:   3/19/2015 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB234.htm
 
HB236SUPERINTENDENT SCREENING COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to superintendent screening committee membership.

Amend KRS 160.352 to allow a high school student enrolled in the district to be appointed to the superintendent screening committee.
 Current Status:   3/24/2015 - received in House w/Letter
 Comments:   HB204, HB236, and SB105 are similar.  Amendments have similarities to HB79, SB37, SB71 or SB76.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB236.htm
 
HB249CPR (GREER J) AN ACT relating to CPR training in schools.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 requiring high schools to include CPR training in the health education curriculum.
 Current Status:   3/2/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   An amendment to SB39 is similar.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB249.htm
 
HB265KENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP (DUPLESSIS J) 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 2015-2016 academic year, and high school juniors and seniors, beginning with the 2016-2017 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 years 2016 and 2017 are not adequate; APPROPRIATION.
 Current Status:   3/10/2015 - (H) posted in committee House Education
 Comments:   HB265 and SB110 are similar.  HB67, HB180, HB232, and HB268 also deal with KEES.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB265.htm
 
HB268KENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP (DONOHUE J) AN ACT relating to Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarships and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 164.002 to define "Cambridge Advanced International"; amend KRS 164.7879 to add Cambridge Advanced International exams to the high school exams eligible for KEES supplemental awards; amend KRS 164.7874, 164.7881, and 164.7885 to conform; make provisions retroactive beginning with the 2013-2014 school year; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   4/2/2015 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   HB67, HB180, HB232, HB265, HB268, and SB110 deal with KEES.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB268.htm
 
HB287KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to Kentucky Retirement Systems board of trustees.

Amend KRS 61.645 to provide that vacancies in an elected position on the Kentucky Retirement Systems board of trustees shall be filled, for the remaining term of office, by a majority vote of the remaining elected trustees rather than a majority vote of the remaining full board of trustees.
 Current Status:   3/3/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate State and Local Government
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB287.htm
 
HB300CASINO GAMBLING (STUMBO G) AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 226 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to casino gaming.

Propose to amend Section 226 of the Constitution of Kentucky to permit casino gaming by general law; require a limit on the number and location of casinos; require local approval; assign oversight to the Kentucky Lottery Corporation; direct revenue from casino gaming to elementary, secondary, and higher education, and enhance purses at licensed racing associations; permit local governments containing a casino to impose a licensing fee and an occupational tax.
 Current Status:   2/5/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs
 Comments:   HB300 and SB199 have some similarities.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB300.htm
 
HB301CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION TRAINING (SMART R) AN ACT relating to child abuse and neglect prevention, recognition, and reporting training for school personnel.

Amend KRS 156.095 to require the Department of Education to develop child abuse and neglect prevention, recognition, and reporting training for school administrators, certified personnel, and classified personnel; require local school boards to adopt the developed training.
 Current Status:   3/10/2015 - (S) SECOND READING, to Rules
 Comments:   HB301 and SB119 are similar.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB301.htm
 
HB306PUBLIC PENSION PLAN (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 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 on 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; 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 December 31 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 to distribute information to chairs and committee staff of committees with jurisdiction over the systems upon receipt.
 Current Status:   3/24/2015 - (S) Passed Over and retained in the Orders of the Day
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB306.htm
 
HB308PUBLIC EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PAY PROGRAM (RIGGS S) AN ACT relating to public employee incentive pay programs and making an appropriation therefor.

Amend various sections of KRS Chapter 15 and KRS 95A.250, relating to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program fund and the Firefighters Foundation Program fund, to increase the annual supplement payment to local governments for qualifying law enforcement officers and firefighters from $3,000 to $4,000 in 2016 and $4,500 in 2018; provide a reimbursement to local governments to fully reimburse for required contributions to the employee pension system resulting from the supplement increase; provide partial compensation for local government administrative expenses; amend KRS 95A.262 to increase the annual allocation to volunteer fire departments from the Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education from $8,250 to $11,000 in 2016 and $12,000 in 2018.
 Current Status:   2/23/2015 - (H) recommitted to committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Comments:   Increases pay of police officers and firefighters.  HB308 and SB200 are similar.
 Position:   LTSupport
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB308.htm
 
HB313STUDENT ASSESSMENT (NELSON R) AN ACT relating to student assessment.

Amend 158.6453 to allow school-based decision making councils to select and use interim or formative assessments for their students; amend KRS 160.345 to require school councils to adopt a policy regarding the testing and reporting of student progress.
 Current Status:   3/23/2015 - (H) recommitted to committee House Education
 Comments:   Transfers responsibility for assessment and reporting of student progress from school boards to school councils.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB313.htm
 
HB341SCHOOL SAFETY (BANTA K) AN ACT relating to school safety.

Amend KRS 158.162 to include response to a violent intruder in school emergency response plans or drills, drawing from best practices as identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Department of Homeland Security; amend KRS 158.164 to conform.
 Current Status:   2/9/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   Requires school councils to prepare for violent intruders.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB341.htm
 
HB376NONTEACHING TIME (SMART R) AN ACT relating to nonteaching time for teachers.

Amend KRS 158.060 to require teachers to be 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.
 Current Status:   3/23/2015 - (H) recommitted to committee House Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB376.htm
 
HB380SCHOOL EMPLOYEES (SCHAMORE D) AN ACT relating to school employees.

Amend KRS 161.190 to prohibit the abuse of a classified school employee when the employee is functioning in his or her capacity as a board of education employee.
 Current Status:   3/30/2015 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Position:   LTSupport
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB380.htm
 
HB384QUALITY EDUCATION PROMOTION (THOMPSON T) AN ACT relating to tax credits to promote quality education in Kentucky.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to provide a nonrefundable tax credit against the tax imposed by KRS 141.020 or 141.040 and 141.0401 for contributions made to the Commonwealth school improvement fund; create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to establish a tuition assistance tax credit against the tax imposed by KRS 141.020 or 141.040 and 141.0401 for contributions made to qualified tuition assistance organizations; amend KRS 141.010 to exclude any amount received as tuition assistance from the definition of "adjusted gross income"; 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 the Commonwealth school improvement tax credit and the tuition assistance tax credit against the tax imposed by KRS 136.505.
 Current Status:   2/10/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Comments:   Creates various tuition tax credits for private school customers.  HB87, HB384, and  SB41 have some common goals.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB384.htm
 
HB400LEGISLATOR RETIREMENT BENEFITS (OWENS D) AN ACT relating to retirement benefits for legislators.

Create a new section of KRS 61.510 to 61.705 to prohibit future members of the General Assembly from participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System unless they participated in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the Legislators' Retirement Plan as members of the General Assembly prior to August 1, 2015; allow current members of the General Assembly participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System to make a one-time election to discontinue participation and to take a refund of accumulated contributions; amend KRS 6.505 to close the Legislators' Retirement Plan to new members effective August 1, 2015; allow current members of the General Assembly participating in the Legislators' Retirement Plan to make a one-time election to discontinue participation and take a refund of accumulated contributions; amend KRS 61.510 to conform.
 Current Status:   2/11/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   HB495, SB23 and SB20 also deal with legislators' retirement.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB400.htm
 
HB414BOOKS FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN (TILLEY J) AN ACT relating to books for preschool children and making an appropriation therefor.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 171 to establish the Books for Brains Program to develop 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; 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:   2/11/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   The purpose of the bill is to "provide appropriate books on a regular basis to each registered child who is zero to five (5) years of age...;  coordinate with the private nonprofit organization designated to select and mail the books...; identify a nonprofit sponsoring organization in each county as a partner to fund and administer the initiative...."  HB414 and SB115 are similar.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB414.htm
 
HB444RETIREMENT BENEFIT CALCULATIONS (BUTLER D) AN ACT relating to retirement benefit calculations.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 6 to provide that members of the Legislators' Retirement Plan who retire on or after January 1, 2016, shall be limited to a 10% growth in the creditable compensation earned during their last three years of service to the General Assembly if that compensation is used to calculate their retirement benefits; provide that only creditable compensation earned on or after July 1, 2015, shall be subject to the creditable compensation growth limitations; exempt bona fide promotions or salary advancements from the compensation growth limitation; define "bona fide promotion or salary advancements" as a professional advancement in substantially the same line of work held by the member in the 4 years immediately prior to the 3-year period or a change in employment position based upon training, education, or expertise; provide that the Judicial Form Retirement System shall refund contributions and interest on contributions, for any reductions in creditable compensation; provide that the Judicial Form Retirement System shall determine what constitutes a bona fide promotion or salary advancement; create a new section of KRS Chapter 21 to provide that members of the Judicial Retirement Plan who retire on or after January 1, 2016, shall be limited to a 10% annual growth in the creditable compensation earned during their last 60 months of service if that compensation is used to calculate their retirement benefits; provide that only creditable compensation earned on or after July 1, 2015, shall be subject to the creditable compensation growth limitations; exempt bona fide promotions or salary advancements from the compensation growth limitation; define "bona fide promotion or salary advancements" as a professional advancement in substantially the same line of work held by the member in the 4 years immediately prior to the 60 month period or a change in employment position based upon training, education, or expertise; require the Judicial Form Retirement System to refund contributions and interest on contributions, for any reductions in creditable compensation; provide that the Judicial Form Retirement System shall determine what constitutes a bona fide promotion or salary advancement; amend KRS 61.598 to provide that members of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, and the State Police Retirement System, who retire on or after January 1, 2016, shall be limited to a 10% growth in the creditable compensation earned during their last five years of employment if that compensation is used to calculate their retirement benefits; provide that only creditable compensation earned on or after July 1, 2015, shall be subject to the creditable compensation growth limitations; exempt bona fide promotions or salary advancements, alternative sick leave payments, and lump-sum payments for compensatory time from the compensation growth limitation; exempt from the compensation growth limitation those years of compensation where in the immediately preceding fiscal year the member was paid worker's compensation benefits or was on unpaid maternity, FMLA, or approved sick leave for a period of 5 weeks or for a period of at least 10% of the employee's contract days if the employee is hired to work a specific number of days during the year; provide that the Kentucky Retirement Systems shall refund employee contributions and interest on contributions, for any reductions in creditable compensation provided by this section; provide that the Kentucky Retirement Systems shall determine what constitutes a bona fide promotion or salary advancement and allow the member to appeal a decision of the system to the board; remove provisions charging employers for creditable compensation growth greater than 10% during the employee's last five years of employment; amend KRS 16.645, 61.645, and 78.545 to conform.
 Current Status:   2/23/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   Intended to prevent retirees from increasing their pensions based on artificial increases in their earnings in the years immediately preceding retirement.  Applies to state retirement systems other than KTRS, which already includes a similar limitation.  HB244 and SB157 are similar.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB444.htm
 
HB449LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to low performing schools.

Amend KRS 160.346 to require schools that remain classified as persistently low-achieving for four years to implement the internal innovation option; provide requirements of the internal innovation option.
 Current Status:   3/24/2015 - Missing Action! Cannot Agree
 Comments:   If another intervention option fails for four years, the superintendent "shall develop a plan designed to improve student learning and performance by expanding experiences for students with new or creative alternatives to existing instructional and administrative practices."  The plan must include a "school turnaround training program" with "documented success."  See also HB498 and an amendment to SB132.
 Position:   LTSupport
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB449.htm
 
HB468MILITARY (RICHARDS J) AN ACT relating to the military.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 40 to require administrative bodies that certify or license professionals in Kentucky to establish procedures to expedite the evaluation and acceptance of military training and experience towards licensure and certification.
 Current Status:   2/24/2015 - (H) Returned to Committee House Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Safety
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB468.htm
 
HB473MILITARY-CONNECTED STUDENTS (COURSEY 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:   3/23/2015 - (H) Returned to Committee House Rules
 Position:   LTSupport
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB473.htm
 
HB481KENTUCKY RETIREMENT BENEFITS (FISCHER J) AN ACT relating to Kentucky Retirement System benefits payable to alternate payees.

Amend KRS 61.690 to require Kentucky Retirement Systems to issue, upon request of a spouse or former spouse who is eligible for benefit payments from the systems under a qualified domestic relations order, the share of the participant's account balance the spouse or former spouse would receive if the participant had taken a refund as of the date of the spouse or former spouse's request.
 Current Status:   2/24/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   Pertains to the division of KERS and CERS pension accounts upon marital dissolution or separation.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB481.htm
 
HB488KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEM (MILLER J) AN ACT relating to volunteer service with an agency 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 July 1, 2015; define "volunteer" and "nominal fees"; 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 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:   2/24/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   Makes it easier for retirees to do volunteer work for government agencies.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB488.htm
 
HB493LEGISLATOR RETIREMENT PLAN (MOFFETT P) AN ACT relating to the Legislators' Retirement Plan.

Amend KRS 6.525 to prohibit salary earned in another state-administered system from being used to determine benefits in the Legislators' Retirement Plan if the member does not have service in the other state-administered retirement systems prior to July 1, 2015; provide that members serving in the General Assembly on the effective date of this Act shall only be able to use salary earned in another state-administered retirement system prior to July 1, 2015, to determine benefits in the Legislators' Retirement Plan.
 Current Status:   2/24/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   See also HB495 and SB23.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB493.htm
 
HB494PUBLIC RETIREMENT INFORMATION (MOFFETT P) AN ACT relating to the disclosure of public retirement information.

Amend KRS 61.661, 161.585, and 21.540 to require the Kentucky Retirement Systems, 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:   2/24/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   HB494 and HB506 are similar.  See also SB20.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB494.htm
 
HB495RETIREMENT BENEFIT PARTICIPATION (MOFFETT P) AN ACT relating to retirement benefit participation for members of the General Assembly and declaring an emergency.

Create a new section of KRS 6.145 to 6.237 to allow individuals who become a member of the General Assembly on or after April 1, 2015 to make a one-time irrevocable election to not participate in the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Kentucky Employees Retirement System for their service to the General Assembly; allow members of the General Assembly who began contributing to the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Kentucky Employees Retirement System on or after December 31, 2014 but prior to April 1, 2015, to make a one-time irrevocable election by May 31, 2015, to discontinue participation in the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Kentucky Employees Retirement System for their service to the General Assembly and receive a refund of accumulated contributions; provide that the election to not participate or discontinue participation in the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Kentucky Employees Retirement System shall apply to all future service of the General Assembly; amend KRS 6.505, 61.510, and 61.525 to conform; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   2/24/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   See also HB400.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB495.htm
 
HB496SCHOOL VEHICLE INSURANCE (GREER J) AN ACT relating to insurance coverage for school vehicles.

Amend KRS 160.310 to authorize a local school board to set aside funds for school bus basic reparation benefits as defined in KRS 304.29-020 and as provided in KRS 304.39-010 to KRS 304.39-080.
 Current Status:   2/24/2015 - (H) Posting Waived
 Comments:   Authorizes a school board to create a "no fault" insurance fund for school bus accidents.  Mistakenly refers to a statute that was repealed in 1989.  Also see the amendment to HB525.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB496.htm
 
HB498STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT GAPS (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to improving student achievement gaps.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter160 to require a targeted focus school to undergo an audit and implement an internal innovation plan; define "focus school" and "internal innovation plan"; direct the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate regulations regarding the audit process; provide that the superintendent may release the principal if that is a recommendation of the audit.
 Current Status:   3/23/2015 - (H) Returned to Committee House Rules
 Comments:   "Targeted focus school... has been a focus school for three (3) consecutive years;... has a gap score below the state average gap score; and has shown no improvement in the gap score for 3 consecutive years."  "Internal innovation plan" expands "learning experiences for students with new or creative alternatives to existing instructional and administrative practices."  See also HB449 and an amendment to SB132.
 Position:   LTSupport
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB498.htm
 
HB499SCHOOL FUNDS (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to the distribution of school funds.

Amend KRS 157.410 to require the chief state school officer to prepare estimates for school district fund allotment and establish an incremental schedule for fund disbursement, allotment revisions, and equalization.
 Current Status:   3/10/2015 - (S) FIRST READING to Consent Calendar
 Comments:   Requires monthly state payments to school districts with frequent recomputation of the payment amounts.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB499.htm
 
HB500KENTUCKY TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to Kentucky Teachers Retirement System.

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 public employers in addition to school districts 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 allow KTRS to contract for insurance; amend KRS 161.430 to allow the KTRS board 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 161.540 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 161.600 to make technical changes; 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, 2016; 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, 2015; 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, 2015, 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.
 Current Status:   3/3/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate State and Local Government
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB500.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 Employee Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, 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:   2/24/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   HB494 and HB506 are similar.  See also SB20.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB506.htm
 
HB508SCHOOL FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION (RAND R) AN ACT relating to the School Facilities Construction Commission and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 157.618 to prohibit expenditures from the emergency and targeted investment fund until appropriated by the General Assembly, except allow one-time cash offers for qualified applications submitted by February 18, 2015; require the School Facilities and Construction Commission to report to the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue on facilities that meet the criteria of the fund; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   3/9/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Appropriations and Revenue
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB508.htm
 
HB520TEACHER TRAINING (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to teacher training.

Amend KRS 156.690 to insert gender-neutral language.
 Current Status:   2/24/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   Eliminates gender discrimination in purchasing personal computers.  Watch for amendments to this bill.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB520.htm
 
HB521LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to local boards of education.

Amend KRS 156.690 to insert gender-neutral language.
 Current Status:   2/24/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   Eliminates gender discrimination in purchasing personal computers.  Watch for amendments to this bill.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB521.htm
 
HB522EDUCATION (GRAHAM D) AN ACT relating to education.

Amend KRS 156.90 to insert gender-neutral language.
 Current Status:   2/24/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   Eliminates gender discrimination in purchasing personal computers.  Watch for amendments to this bill.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB522.htm
 
HB539EDUCATION (COMBS L) AN ACT relating to education.

Amend KRS 156.690 to insert gender-neutral language.
 Current Status:   2/24/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   Eliminates gender discrimination in purchasing personal computers.  Watch for amendments to this bill.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB539.htm
 
HB540SCHOOL EMPLOYEES (DECESARE J) AN ACT relating to school employees.

Amend KRS 161.180 to allow a local board to assign a classified employee to supervise a study hall to which students who exhibit unacceptable conduct have been assigned.
 Current Status:   2/24/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Position:   LTOppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HB540.htm
 
HCR69PRICHARD STUDENT VOICE TEAM (GRAHAM D) A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the work of the Prichard student voice team and encouraging districts to incorporate student representation in school governance structure.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the work of the Prichard Committee Student Voice Team and encourage districts to incorporate student representation within school governance structures.
 Current Status:   3/4/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HCR69 and SCR79 are similar.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HC69.htm
 
HJR7KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (MONTELL B) A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Kentucky Retirement Systems (KRS) board of trustees to have an actuarial audit completed of the assumptions and funding methods adopted by the systems.

Direct the Kentucky Retirement Systems to engage an independent actuarial firm to perform an actuarial audit of the assumptions and funding methods adopted by the systems and report the findings to the KRS board of trustees and the Public Pension Oversight Board.
 Current Status:   3/23/2015 - (H) Returned to Committee House Rules
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/HJ7.htm
 
SB1CONTRACTS (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 conform; 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; require the Attorney General to investigate complaints and prosecute those who violate Section 1 of the Act; amend KRS 67A.6904, 67C.406, 70.262, 78.470, 78.480, and 345.050 to conform.
 Current Status:   2/12/2015 - House Labor and Industry, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
 Comments:   "Right to work" bill that applies to public school employees.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB1.htm
 
SB8CHARTER SCHOOLS (WILSON M) 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; define terms; establish the Kentucky Public Charter School Commission and identify membership selection and responsibilities of members; outline the requirements and limitations on the establishment of charter schools including identification of charter school authorizers; describe responsibilities of authorizers; describe charter school application, renewal, and revocation processes; 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 require local, state, and federal funds to be distributed to charter schools using formulas and allocation processes used in public schools; amend KRS 161.220 to include a teacher employed by a board of directors of a public charter school as a member within the state retirement system; amend KRS 161.220 to include employees of boards of directors of public charter schools in the state-sponsored retirement system; amend KRS 78.510 to include noncertified employees of public charter schools in the state-sponsored retirement system; APPROPRIATION.
 Current Status:   2/9/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   HB174 and SB8 are similar.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB8.htm
 
SB13SCHOOL FUNDING (SCHICKEL J) AN ACT relating to school funding.

Amend KRS 157.310 to clarify the intention of the General Assembly that no mandate be placed on the public schools without program funding to carry out the mandate; require legislation relating to the public schools that includes a fiscal note pursuant to KRS 6.955 or a state mandate pursuant to KRS 6.965 to include provision for funding that is adequate for compliance with the mandate; clarify that no school district shall be compelled to comply with mandated enactments of the General Assembly that do not provide adequate funding.
 Current Status:   2/3/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   Allows the legislature to terminate any education program by withholding funds for the program.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB13.htm
 
SB16COMPUTER PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES (GIVENS D) AN ACT relating to computer programming languages in public schools.

Amend KRS 156.160 to allow computer programming language courses to be accepted as meeting foreign language requirements in the public schools; amend KRS 164.002 to define "computer programming language"; amend KRS 164.4785 to ensure that computer programming language courses be accepted as meeting foreign language requirements for admission to public postsecondary institutions.
 Current Status:   3/24/2015 - (H) Posted for Passage in Regular Orders of the Day; w/HFA 1, 2T, 3P,4T,5P,6T
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB16.htm
 
SB18OFFENDER REENTRY (NEAL G) AN ACT relating to offender reentry.

Amend various sections in KRS Chapter 335B relating to employment and licensure of persons convicted of crime to narrow the class of offenses to which the chapter applies; add consideration of the passage of time since the commission of the offense to the criteria considered in making licensure decisions; delete language relating to a hiring or licensing authority's subjective view of an ex-offender's rehabilitation; require a connection between the offense and the licensure category before a licensure denial is issued; repeal, reenact, and amend KRS 335B.060 to exempt peace officers and other law enforcement personnel as well as licensure categories preempted by federal law; repeal KRS 335B.040, relating to denial of license on ground of abuse of good moral character.
 Current Status:   2/3/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations
 Comments:   "A hiring or licensing authority shall not disqualify an individual ... solely because of the individual's prior conviction of a crime, unless the authority ... affords the individual an opportunity to be personally heard...."
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB18.htm
 
SB19EDUCATION (THOMAS R) AN ACT relating to education.

Amend KRS 157.200 to provide that programs for special education students extend through the school year in which they reach their 22nd birthday; amend KRS 159.990 to conform.
 Current Status:   2/3/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB19.htm
 
SB20PUBLIC 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 Kentucky Retirement Systems, Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, Legislators' Retirement Plan, and the Judicial Retirement Plan to disclose upon request the retirement benefit information of current and former members of the General Assembly including their name, status, and projected or actual retirement benefit payments.
 Current Status:   2/3/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate State and Local Government
 Comments:   Applies only to past and present legislators.  See also HB400, HB494, HB506, and SB23.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB20.htm
 
SB22PUBLIC PENSION FUND INVESTMENTS (MCDANIEL C) AN ACT relating to public pension fund investments.

Amend KRS 21.540, 61.645, and 161.430 to require the Judicial Retirement Plan, the Legislators' Retirement Plan, the Kentucky Retirement Systems, and the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System to establish by reference in administrative regulation a placement agent disclosure policy; require the policy to disclose, at a minimum, to the boards of trustees of the plans and systems the name of the placement agent, dollar value of investment, and the fees or payments made to placement agent for each investment in which a placement agent was utilized; define placement agent; require the plans and systems to submit a quarterly update of the information disclosed to the respective boards of trustees to the Government Contract Review Committee; provide that the disclosure shall apply to contracts established or renewed on or after July 1, 2015.
 Current Status:   3/24/2015 - (H) Posted for Passage in Regular Orders of the Day; w/HCS 1
 Comments:   Sets some investment and disclosure requirements for public employee pension plans.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB22.htm
 
SB23LEGISLATOR RETIREMENT PLAN (MCDANIEL C) AN ACT relating to the Legislators' Retirement Plan.

Amend KRS 6.525 to allow members contributing to the Legislators' Retirement Plan prior to January 1, 2014, to make a one-time election to have their benefits from the Legislators' Retirement Plan based solely on their legislative salary and any salary, earned in another state-administered retirement system prior to January 1, 2014.
 Current Status:   2/23/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government
 Comments:   HB400 and SB20 also deal with legislators' retirement.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB23.htm
 
SB39SCHOOL SAFETY (WILSON M) AN ACT relating to school safety.

Amend KRS 158.162 to require public schools to consult with local and state safety officials and National Weather Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency guiding principles when identifying the best available severe weather safe zones.
 Current Status:   3/20/2015 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   Safe zones are selected by the school council or the school principal.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB39.htm
 
SB41TUITION PAYMENT TAX DEDUCTION (SCHICKEL J) AN ACT relating to an income tax deduction for tuition payments.

Amend KRS 141.010 to exclude amounts paid for private elementary and secondary school tuition from adjusted gross income.
 Current Status:   2/3/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Appropriations and Revenue
 Comments:   HB87, HB384, and  SB41 have some common goals.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB41.htm
 
SB76STUDENT PHYSICAL PRIVACY (EMBRY JR. C) AN ACT relating to the physical privacy of students and declaring an 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; identify consequences for using facilities designated for the opposite biological sex; identify the Act as the Kentucky Student Privacy Act; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   3/9/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   An amendment to HB236 is similar.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB76.htm
 
SB84CAREER READINESS (ALVARADO R) 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 as career-ready if the student obtains minimum score of 50 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and completes a minimum of three years in JROTC, or if the student has a valid military enlistment contract through any branch of service.
 Current Status:   2/5/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   Recognizes that a military career is honorable and valuable.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB84.htm
 
SB94DEBT (BOWEN J) AN ACT relating to debt and making an appropriation therefor.

Amend KRS 48.010 to define terms; create a new section of KRS Chapter 48 to establish limitations on the issuance of general fund-supported debt, calculate the debt limitation savings, and transfer the savings to the nonhazardous employee unfunded liability trust fund; create a new section of KRS Chapter 61 to establish the nonhazardous employee unfunded liability trust fund, to offset the supplemental contribution required by certain employers; amend KRS 61.565 to require a supplemental contribution for each employer participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System; amend KRS 56.063 to conform.
 Current Status:   3/2/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations and Revenue
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB94.htm
 
SB101HOSPITAL INSTRUCTION (KERR A) AN ACT relating to home or hospital instruction for exceptional children.

Amend KRS 157.270 to require a minimum of two visits per week for a combined minimum of five hours of instruction for exceptional children receiving home or hospital instruction; require missed instructional time to be made up by the end of the school year.
 Current Status:   2/5/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB101.htm
 
SB105SUPERINTENDENT COMMITTEE SCREEENING (THOMAS R) 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; revise the district minority population required for minority member election from 8% to 4%; allow a board to add a high school student to the superintendent screening committee.
 Current Status:   2/5/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HB204, HB236, and SB105 are similar.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB105.htm
 
SB110KEES (WISE M) AN ACT relating to the Kentucky Education Excellence Scholarship and making an appropriation therefor.

Amend KRS 164.7881 to permit high school seniors, beginning with the 2015-2016 academic year, and high school juniors and seniors, beginning with the 2016-2017 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 years 2016 and 2017 are not adequate; APPROPRIATION.
 Current Status:   2/27/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Education
 Comments:   Permits some high school students to use KEES before they graduate from high school.  HB265 and SB110 are similar.  HB67, HB180, HB232, and HB268 also deal with KEES.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB110.htm
 
SB115PRESCHOOL BOOKS (HUMPHRIES S) AN ACT relating to books for preschool children and making an appropriation therefor.

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; 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:   3/24/2015 - received in House
 Comments:   "Program funds shall be used to provide appropriate books on a regular basis to each registered child who is zero to five (5) years of age.... Books shall be provided through a collaborative arrangement with a private nonprofit organization that will select and mail the books."  HB414 and SB115 are similar.  See also HB193 and SB121.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB115.htm
 
SB119CHILD ABUSE RECOGNITION TRAINING (ADAMS J) AN ACT relating to child abuse and neglect prevention, recognition, and reporting training for school personnel.

Amend KRS 156.095 to require the Department of Education to develop child abuse and neglect prevention, recognition, and reporting training for school administrators, certified personnel, and classified personnel; require local school boards to adopt the developed training.
 Current Status:   3/19/2015 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Comments:   HB301 and SB119 are similar.  Amendment deals with inclement weather in 2014-15 and the use of schools as polling places in the 2014-15 primary election.
 Position:   Track
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB119.htm
 
SB121FINANCIAL 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:   2/9/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   Requires at least 12 hours of student instruction in financial skills in grade 11 or 12.  See also HB193, HB375, and an amendment to SB115.
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB121.htm
 
SB127STUDENT SAFETY (HIGDON J) AN ACT relating to the safety and well-being of students.

Amend KRS 158.440 to require school districts to have plans, policies, and procedures to deal with a student who is harassing, intimidating, cyberbullying, or bullying another student; amend KRS 158.441 to define "harassment, intimidation, cyberbullying, or bullying"; allow civil exchange of opinions or debate or cultural practices protected under the state or federal Constitution to be included in areas exempt from definition of "harassment, intimidation, cyberbullying, or bullying"; amend KRS 158.148 to require a school district's code of acceptable behavior and discipline to prohibit harassment, intimidation, cyberbullying, or bullying of students; require, if funds are available, school districts to provide training on the code of acceptable behavior to specific school employees; provide immunity to school employees or students who report a student's disruptive or disorderly behavior; amend KRS 158.150 to include student harassment, intimidation, cyberbullying, or bullying as a cause for disciplinary action; allow disciplinary action other than expulsion or suspension as an option; amend 158.444 to require local school districts to report specific disciplinary actions to the Kentucky Department of Education; amend KRS 525.080 to include electronic communication, under certain conditions, as a form of harassing communication.
 Current Status:   2/9/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB127.htm
 
SB129SCHOOL CALENDAR (GIRDLER C) AN ACT relating to school calendars.

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; make technical amendments.
 Current Status:   3/5/2015 - Senate Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB129.htm
 
SB132SCHOOL AND STUDENT PERFORMANCE (SEUM D) AN ACT relating to improving school and student performance.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to allow a superintendent to select the principal in a school identified as an initial intervention school or, with local board approval, choose other intervention options; define initial intervention school; direct the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate regulations to establish the process and procedures for implementing the intervention options.
 Current Status:   3/24/2015 - (H) Posted for Passage in Regular Orders of the Day; w/HCA 1T, HCS 1, HFA 1
 Comments:   Read the full bill to learn the definition of "initial intervention school."  See also HB449 and HB498,
 Position:   Oppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB132.htm
 
SB135SCHOOL COUNCILS (SCHICKEL J) AN ACT relating to school councils.

Amend KRS 160.345 to require the school superintendent 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; allow 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:   3/23/2015 - (S) Returned to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   Transfers most of a school council's current authority to the superintendent or the school principal.
 Position:   LTOppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB135.htm
 
SB151SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS (HARRIS E) AN ACT relating to school board elections.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to identify the process to be followed by a candidate to appear on an election ballot for school board member in a school district that extends across county lines; identify the process for totaling a candidate's votes and issuing a certificate of election; amend KRS 118.425 to conform.
 Current Status:   3/4/2015 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB151.htm
 
SB157RETIREMENT BENEFITS SPIKING (MCDANIEL C) AN ACT relating to retirement benefits spiking.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 6 to provide that members of the Legislators' Retirement Plan who retire on or after January 1, 2016, shall be limited to a 10% growth in the creditable compensation earned during their last three years of service to the General Assembly if that compensation is used to calculate their retirement benefits; provide that only creditable compensation earned on or after July 1, 2015, shall be subject to the creditable compensation growth limitations; exempt bona fide promotions or salary advancements from the compensation growth limitation; define "bona fide promotion or salary advancements" as a professional advancement in substantially the same line of work held by the member in the 4 years immediately prior to the 3-year period or a change in employment position based upon training, education, or expertise; provide that the Judicial Form Retirement System shall refund contributions and interest on contributions, for any reductions in creditable compensation; provide that the Judicial Form Retirement System shall determine what constitutes a bona fide promotion or salary advancement; create a new section of KRS Chapter 21 to provide that members of the Judicial Retirement Plan who retire on or after January 1, 2016, shall be limited to a 10% annual growth in the creditable compensation earned during their last 60 months of service if that compensation is used to calculate their retirement benefits; provide that only creditable compensation earned on or after July 1, 2015, shall be subject to the creditable compensation growth limitations; exempt bona fide promotions or salary advancements from the compensation growth limitation; define "bona fide promotion or salary advancements" as a professional advancement in substantially the same line of work held by the member in the 4 years immediately prior to the 60 month period or a change in employment position based upon training, education, or expertise; require the Judicial Form Retirement System to refund contributions and interest on contributions, for any reductions in creditable compensation; provide that the Judicial Form Retirement System shall determine what constitutes a bona fide promotion or salary advancement; amend KRS 61.598 to provide that members of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, and the State Police Retirement System, who retire on or after January 1, 2016, shall be limited to a 10% growth in the creditable compensation earned during their last five years of employment if that compensation is used to calculate their retirement benefits; provide that only creditable compensation earned on or after July 1, 2015, shall be subject to the creditable compensation growth limitations; exempt bona fide promotions or salary advancements, alternative sick leave payments, and lump-sum payments for compensatory time from the compensation growth limitation; exempt from the compensation growth limitation those years of compensation where in the immediately preceding fiscal year the member was paid worker's compensation benefits or was on unpaid maternity, FMLA, or approved sick leave for a period of 5 weeks or for a period of at least 10% of the employee's contract days if the employee is hired to work a specific number of days during the year; provide that the Kentucky Retirement Systems shall refund employee contributions and interest on contributions, for any reductions in creditable compensation provided by this section; provide that the Kentucky Retirement Systems shall determine what constitutes a bona fide promotion or salary advancement and allow the member to appeal a decision of the system to the board; remove provisions charging employers for creditable compensation growth greater than 10% during the employee's last five years of employment; amend KRS 16.645, 61.645, and 78.545 to conform.
 Current Status:   3/23/2015 - (S) Returned to Committee Senate State and Local Government
 Comments:   Intended to prevent retirees from increasing their pensions based on artificial increases in their earnings in the years immediately preceding retirement.  Applies to state retirement systems other than KTRS, which already includes a similar limitation.  HB444 and SB157 are similar.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB157.htm
 
SB181DEPENDENCY, ABUSE, AND NEGLECT INVESTIGATIONS (WEBB R) AN ACT relating to dependency, abuse, and neglect investigations.

Amend KRS 620.050 to clarify that persons investigated under that section retain their constitutional rights; create a new section of KRS Chapter 620 to require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to create a form informing parents, custodians, and de facto, and de facto custodians of their rights and offering them the opportunity to terminate the interview by refusing to sign an acknowledgement of the form.
 Current Status:   2/19/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary
 Position:   LTSupport
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB181.htm
 
SB189PUBLIC SMOKING (ADAMS J) AN ACT prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 438 to define terms; prohibit indoor smoking in businesses, places of employment, and other listed public places; exempt private residences, unless used for child care or adult day care; permit smoking in designated nonenclosed areas; require posting of "no smoking" signs at specified locations; permit local governments to adopt stricter regulations by ordinance; provide for enforcement by all peace officers and designated health department and local government employees; provide for the issuance of uniform citations for violations; require that employers and others not discriminate against persons reporting violations; provide for fines for violation; provide that fines go to the agency whose employee issued the citation; provide that no court costs or other fees be charged for violations; exempt certain research and manufacturing laboratories and agricultural buildings; amend KRS 344.040, relating to unlawful practices by an employer, to add reference to state law, local ordinance, or local board of health regulation relating to smoking; amend KRS 431.450, relating to uniform citations, to provide for issuing citation forms to health departments; authorize the Department of Kentucky State Police to create and issue uniform smoking violation citations; repeal various statutes permitting smoking in public buildings; provide that Sections 1 to 6 may be referred to as the Smokefree Kentucky Act.
 Current Status:   2/19/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection
 Comments:   HB145 and SB189 are similar.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB189.htm
 
SB194RETIREMENT BENEFIT FORFEITURE (SCHRODER W) AN ACT relating to forfeiture of retirement benefits.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 21 to provide that any current or former judge or justice with an account in the Judicial Retirement Plan who is convicted of any felony relating to his or her duties as a judge or justice, or who is convicted of a Class A, B, or C felony not related to his or duties as a judge or justice, shall cease membership in the Judicial Retirement Plan and forfeit all rights and benefits earned in the Judicial Retirement Plan, except for a return of his or her individual contributions and interest; require the Administrative Office of the Courts to notify the Judicial Retirement Plan when a current or former judge or justice is convicted of a crime subject to the provisions of this section; amend KRS 6.696, 61.535, and 161.470 to provide that any member or retired member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan, the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, the State Police Retirement System, or the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, who is convicted of any felony relating to his or her duties as a public servant, or who is convicted of a Class A, B, or C felony not related to his or duties as a public servant, shall cease membership in their respective retirement system or plan and forfeit all rights and benefits earned in those systems and plans except for a return of his or her individual contributions and interest; require the employer to notify the respective retirement system or plan when a current or former public servant is convicted of a crime subject to one of the sections; amend KRS 6.505,16.652, 21.360, 21.470, 21.480, 61.690, 61.692, 78.852, 161.530, 161.700, and 161.714 to conform.
 Current Status:   2/19/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate State and Local Government
 Comments:   Creates a new "inviolable contract" with members who join a state retirement system on or after 7/1/2015 by depriving them of their retirement benefits if they are convicted in state court of any class A, B, or C felony that is not related to their employment.
 Position:   LTOppose
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB194.htm
 
SB199CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (MCGARVEY M) AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 226 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to gaming.

Propose to amend Section 226 of the Constitution of Kentucky to permit the General Assembly to authorize other forms of gaming by general law; submit to voters with question.
 Current Status:   2/19/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate State and Local Government
 Comments:   HB300 and SB199 have some similarities.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB199.htm
 
SB200PUBLIC EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PROGRAM (CARROLL D) AN ACT relating to public employee incentive pay programs and making an appropriation therefor.

Amend various sections of KRS Chapter 15 and KRS 95A.250 relating to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund and the Professional Fire Fighters Foundation Program Fund to increase the annual supplement payment to local governments for qualifying law enforcement officers and fire fighters from $3,000 to $4,000 in 2016 and $4,500 in 2018; provide a reimbursement to local governments to fully reimburse for required contributions to the employee pension system resulting from the supplement increase; provide partial compensation for local government administrative expenses; and amend KRS 95A.262 to increase the annual allocation to volunteer fire departments from the Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education from $8,250 to $11,000 in 2016 and $12,000 in 2018.
 Current Status:   2/26/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Appropriations and Revenue
 Comments:   Increases pay of police officers and firefighters.  HB308 and SB200 are similar.
 Position:   LTSupport
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB200.htm
 
SB201SCHOOL ENTRANCE AGE (HIGDON J) AN ACT relating to school entrance age.

Amend KRS 158.030 to ensure tuition charged to a student who is allowed to enroll in a primary school program before meeting the age requirement is the same as the tuition charged to a student who meets the age requirement; clarify that students enrolled before meeting the age requirement are required to be included in the school's average daily attendance for purposes of SEEK funding.
 Current Status:   3/23/2015 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 Position:   LTSupport
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB201.htm
 
SB205EDUCATION (HIGDON J) AN ACT relating to education.

Amend KRS 156.690 to insert gender-neutral language.
 Current Status:   3/23/2015 - taken from the Consent Orders of the Day
 Comments:   Originally eliminated gender discrimination in purchasing personal computers.  Amendments facilitate the transfer of a state-operated secondary vocational center to a local school board.
 Position:   LTTrack
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB205.htm
 
SCR79PRICHARD STUDENT VOICE TEAM (THOMAS R) A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the work of the Prichard committee student voice team in encouraging districts to incorporate student representation within school governance structures.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the work of the Prichard committee student voice team in encouraging districts to incorporate student representation within school governance structures.
 Current Status:   2/5/2015 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Education
 Comments:   HCR69 and SCR79 are similar.
 Position:   Support
 State Bill Page:   http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SC79.htm
 
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