Thursday, February 20, 2014

Day Thirty of KY's 2014 Session In Review

HB 70, sponsored by Rep Crenshaw and House Republican Floor Leader Hoover, proposes an amendment to the state Constitution that would restore voting rights to non-violent felons who have completed their sentence, probation or parole and paid any restitution required. The Senate Local & State Government heard the bill at Noon on Wednesday and approved a committee substitute that would require felons to wait five years after completing all terms of their sentences before being allowed to vote. Anyone convicted of an additional crime during the waiting period would become ineligible for the restoration of voting rights without a pardon from the governor, as would those convicted of multiple felonies.
Rep. Crenshaw was joined by Minority Floor Leader Hoover and Senator Rand Paul to discuss the bill in front of the committee. Chairman Bowen introduced the Committee Substitute and Senate Majority Floor Leader Thayer explained its details. Rep. Crenshaw gave a passionate but constrained speech when he told the committee that the substitute was not his bill and he could not support it.
Currently, convicted felons in Kentucky can appeal to the Governor for an executive branch pardon that would restore their voting rights.
Senator Rand Paul’s speech attempted to get above the political wrangling and discuss the constitutional issue of access to voting. While Democrats on the committee expressed disappointment over the committee substitute and expressed their support of Rep. Crenshaw’s efforts they all voted in favor. The bill was taken up on the floor later in the day and passed 34 – 4. HB 70 now goes back to the House for their consideration of the Senate’s changes to the bill.
HB 64, sponsored by Rep. Owens and Rep. Floyd would allow low-level, one-time Kentucky felons to ask the courts to expunge their felony records cleared the House on Wednesday on a 79-21 vote.
HB 64 would apply to a Class D felon whose conviction was not based on a sex crime, elder abuse, or a crime against a child; who completed a sentence or probation at least five years prior; and who has not been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor, or violation since the felony conviction they want erased. It would also apply to those whose felony charges did not result in an indictment. A Class D felony is a low-level felony that carries between a year and five years in jail or prison, according to current law.
An amendment to the bill approved by the House would require those with an expunged criminal record to reveal that record as required by federal or state law or regulation. The legislation would be retroactive, meaning it would allow any eligible Class D felons to ask the court to expunge their records. It would also allow anyone convicted of an eligible non-felony offense to ask the courts to expunge that record.
Felons whose records are expunged by the state under HB 64 would also be able to own firearms. Current state law forbids any Kentucky felon to possess a firearm.
HB 309, sponsored by Rep. Jenkins would include electronic cigarettes, a relatively new product, among cigarettes, cigars, and other types of tobacco products that are state regulated. It would also make e-cigarettes off limits to anyone under age 18. The bill passed out of the House Licensing and Occupations Committee on Wednesday.


LEGISLATIVE TRACKERS BY INTEREST

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    LINKS TO SOME OF TODAY's HEADLINES:

     

    UPCOMING MEETINGS:

    Thursday, February 20, 2014
    8:30am, Annex Room 171
    HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
    Agenda: Consideration of HB 388
    9:00am, Annex Room 129
    HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
    Agenda: Consideration of HB 318,
    9:00am, Annex Room 169
    SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON VETERANS, MILITARY AFFAIRS, AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
    10:00am, Annex Room 149
    HOUSE BUDGET REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
    Noon, Annex Room 169
    HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND WELFARE
    Agenda: Consideration of HB 123, HB 277, HB 325 and HB 363,
    Noon, Annex Room 154
    HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT
    Agenda: Consideration of HB 374 and HB 389
    2:00pm, House Chambers
    House Convenes (Orders of the Day)
    2:00pm, Senate Chambers
    Senate Convenes (Orders of the Day)

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