Sunday, March 16, 2014

Day Forty Five & Forty Six of KY's 2014 Session In Review

The Senate passed SB73 on Friday. SB73, sponsored by Senator Buford, is a bill that requires a pharmacy benefit management company (PBM), a private company, to call a doctor’s office on behalf of ALL patients who have preauthorizations for a drug that is going to expire and ask if the preauthorization should be canceled or approved forever. The bill passed the Senate on a vote of 30 – 4. Senators Bowen, Clark, Denton, & Humphries voted against the measure.
The House passed its version of the proposed budget on a 53-46 vote and sent it to the Senate on Thursday. The budget plan still looks a lot like the one submitted by the governor in January. Per pupil school funding would go up more than $70 million in the first year of the budget cycle and an additional $30 million the next year. Spending would increase on textbooks and preschool programs, but at levels lower than the governor proposed. Capital construction plans at postsecondary schools would go forward. Most state agencies would see 5 percent cuts. Universities, community and technical colleges and the State Police would see 2.5 percent funding reductions to their operating budgets.  There are only two full weeks left before the veto session for the Senate to complete its work on the budget and both Chambers to reach a final agreement. 

The Senate also passed SB 124 last week. SB 124, sponsored by Senator Denton, would allow medical use of cannabis oil to treat pediatric seizures and other diseases.  The Senate also passed SB 157, sponsored by Senator Givens. SB 157 would create a pilot program to encourage transparency in certain juvenile court proceedings by allowing in members of the public. Those viewing the proceedings would not be allowed to share with others the identity of children involved in court cases. The bill was approved by the Senate and sent to the House for consideration. HB 207, sponsored by Rep. Riggs, is a bill requiring roofing contractors to be licensed, insured, bonded, and knowledgeable of roofing issues.  HB 207 passed the House on a vote of 52 – 37.   The House also passed HB 410, sponsored by Rep. Stacey, a bill that would allow school districts to excuse up to 10 instructional days missed this school year due to snow days and other weather-related emergencies. Although students would be excused on the waived school days, teachers and other school employees would still work.

BILLS THAT HAVE RECEIVED ACTION

Bills Awaiting Action In The House:
1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 16, 19, 20, 23, 26, 27, 29, 31, 36, 41, 44, 45, 47, 49, 52, 53, 54, 55, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 66, 67, 73, 74, 76, 78, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 89, 91, 98, 99, 100, 103, 105, 106, 108, 109, 116, 118, 119, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 128, 129, 138, 142, 143, 144, 150, 153, 157, 158, 159, 170, 187
Bills Awaiting Action In The Senate:
1, 2, 5, 16, 17, 26, 28, 33, 38, 40, 47, 51, 62, 64, 66, 73, 75, 77, 78, 79, 81, 84, 86, 87, 90, 93, 94, 102, 105, 110, 113, 115, 121, 123, 125, 126, 129, 133, 138, 145, 146, 152, 154, 165, 167, 169, 170, 175, 179, 183, 189, 191, 199, 202, 205, 206, 207, 208, 211, 212, 217, 222, 223, 225, 228, 229, 232, 234, 235, 238, 242, 246, 249, 252, 253, 254, 256, 261, 263, 264, 272, 275, 276, 277, 279, 281, 286, 291, 295, 296, 301, 310, 311, 314, 316, 317, 318, 323, 328, 332, 333, 337, 341, 343, 344, 349, 351, 353, 354, 357, 358, 359, 362, 363, 364, 365, 367, 369, 374, 375, 378, 379, 388, 389, 396, 401, 405, 410, 413, 414, 415, 418, 424, 425, 432, 434, 445, 448, 455, 466, 467, 475, 483, 488
Bills That Have Passed Both Houses: HB218
Bills Awaiting Receding: HB70 scs
Enrolled and Delivered To The Governor: SB 28, 65, 114; HB 69, 157, 176, 192
Signed Into Law: SB 7, 113; HB 98, 181


LEGISLATIVE TRACKERS BY INTEREST

Click on the links below

    LINKS TO SOME OF TODAY's HEADLINES:

     

    UPCOMING MEETINGS:

    Monday, March 17, 2014
    3:00pm, Annex Room 171
    SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
    Agenda: Consideration of HB 211

    4:00pm, House Chambers
    House Convenes
    4:00pm, Senate Chambers
    Senate Convenes (Orders of the Day)

    Upon Adjournment, Annex Room 149
    SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE
    Agenda: pending
    Upon Adjournment, Capitol Room 327
    SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
    Agenda: pending

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