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
LEGISLATIVE TRACKERS BY INTEREST
Click on the links below
- HEALTH CARE TRACKER
- INSURANCE TRACKER (NON-HEALTH CARE)
- PERSONAL PROPERTY & TAXES
- CRIMES & PUNISHMENT
- ENERGY & UTILITIES
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Monday, March 17, 2014
4:00pm, House Chambers
House Convenes
House Convenes
4:00pm, Senate Chambers
Senate Convenes (Orders of the Day)
Senate Convenes (Orders of the Day)
Upon Adjournment, Annex Room 149
SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE
Agenda: pending
SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE
Agenda: pending
Upon Adjournment, Capitol Room 327
SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Agenda: pending
SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Agenda: pending
SOME OF THE LATEST POLITICAL STORIES:
Texas Gov. Rick Perry traveled to Kentucky on Saturday to offer his backing to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Speaking at the West Kentucky Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, Perry outlined three traits of politicians he supports: “Leaders who devolve power to the states and not rob them of it. “Leaders who believe in free markets and not a bigger federal government. “Leaders like Mitch McConnell who have the courage to stand up for conservative principals, even when it means standing up to the leader of the free world,” he said, according to a press release from McConnell’s campaign. And he remembered all three traits. Perry then called for [...]
Sun, Mar 16, 2014 11:03:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Andy Barr challenger still must prove herself to national Democrats
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
After striking an aggressive posture against Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr last fall, national Democrats appear to have cooled on their chances of defeating Barr with Democratic candidate and likely…Click to Continue » [...]
Sun, Mar 16, 2014 10:41:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Republican Senator Kelly Ayottee to Speak at the University of Louisville, Stump for Mitch McConnell
from Phillip M. Bailey
from Phillip M. Bailey
U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., will be in Louisville on Monday to speak at Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's leadership center and rally for his re-election campaign.First elected in 2010, Ayotte is considered a leading voice on national security and foreign affairs as a member of the Senate’s Armed Services and HomelandSecurity committees.[...]
Sun, Mar 16, 2014 9:30:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
The South is where President Barack Obama and Democrats long have struggled, and it's where the party's toughest battleground will be this year in the fight for control of the…Click to Continue » [...]
Sat, Mar 15, 2014 1:10:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell My analysis of top contributors to committees supporting the re-election of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2013. These total include contributions to McConnell’s own political committees and to an independent super PAC Kentuckians for Strong Leadership which is supporting McConnell’s re-election. (Totals include contributions of the giver listed including all executives and employees of the group and immediate family members.) Lawrence F. DeGeorge, Jupiter, Fla, venture capital $265,000 John W. Childs, Boston and Vero Beach, J W. Childs Associates, private equity firm $254,800 Churchill Downs, Louisville, horse racing $239,000 Joe Craft and Alliance [...]
Sat, Mar 15, 2014 12:33:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
McConnell labels Grimes the ‘new face of the status quo’ at event touting U.S. Chamber’s help
from Accountability Editor
from Accountability Editor
By Sam Youngman syoungman@herald-leader.com Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell assailed likely Democratic opponent Alison Lundergan Grimes as “the new face of the status quo” as he touted his endorsement of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Lexington Friday morning. Standing in an industrial setting at Whayne Supply, McConnell rattled off his campaign stump speech — opposition to the “war on coal,” President Barack Obama’s health care plan and excessive regulation — and said the best way to turn around the country and the economy “is this November make me the majority leader of the U.S. Senate.” When people ask him, “‘Good grief, what can [...]
Fri, Mar 14, 2014 5:27:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
By Sam Youngman syoungman@herald-leader.com More than 800 miles separate Lexington and Tampa, Fla., but Republicans allied with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell were beaming Wednesday as though the Sunshine State was just down the road from Keeneland. McConnell allies, like the rest of the political world, were fixated Tuesday night on a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 13th district, looking for clues in the outcome that would tell the tale of this November's election. That Republican David Jolly, who appeared poised for defeat, was able to beat well-known and well-financed Democrat Alex Sink Tuesday night looked to Team McConnell[...]
Thu, Mar 13, 2014 11:53:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Ky. Senate gives unanimous approval to bill allowing oil derived from hemp and marijuana
from Accountability Editor
from Accountability Editor
By Jack Brammer jbrammer@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT — In a vote that state Sen. Julie Denton said was unimaginable a decade ago, the Kentucky Senate unanimously approved a bill Wednesday to let certain pediatric seizure patients use an oil derived from hemp and marijuana. “This was one of those tingly moments you get when you pass a bill that you really know is good for the commonwealth. It is really going to help people’s lives,” said Denton, R-Louisville. The 38-0 vote on Denton’s Senate Bill 124 is believed to be the first time a Kentucky legislative chamber approved a measure allowing the use of any derivative [...]
Wed, Mar 12, 2014 9:36:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill that would allow doctors to prescribe, and patients to use, cannabis-based oil for medical purposes. [...]
Mon, Mar 17, 2014 1:59:33 AM, Continue reading at the source
It appears the legislation that could change the school calendar in Kentucky due to snow days could make it to the Governor Steve Beshear's desk soon. [...]
Mon, Mar 17, 2014 1:59:33 AM, Continue reading at the source
Fearing 'wave of addiction,' Hal Rogers hopes to overturn FDA approval of powerful painkiller
from bestep@herald-leader.com (Bill Estep)
from bestep@herald-leader.com (Bill Estep)
Federal lawmakers want to roll back approval for a powerful new painkiller that authorities in Kentucky and elsewhere worry could drive an increase in abuse and overdose deaths.Click to Continue » [...]
Sun, Mar 16, 2014 11:30:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
