12-18-14 Snapshot of Frankfort's Current Political Situation

Frankfort Work

I have two pieces of legislation that I have written, listed below:

A Resolution for a People's Vote for a Constitutional Convention in May 2016

Whereas the Commonwealth of Kentucky has been operating on it's 4^th Constitution which is over 123 years old.

Whereas Kentucky's 1891 Constitution has been gutted to the point that the original document is unrecognizable.

Whereas the updated changes can be reflected in one simple coherent document, instead of through it's numerous Revisions, Deletions, and Amendments.

Whereas the current Kentucky Constitution gives clear instructions on how to vote for or against a new Constitutional Convention, as well as instructions for an orderly procession for how that Constitutional Convention would be ran, if said vote was passed by the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Therefore, hereby let it be resolved that a vote by the people of Kentucky shall be held the same day as Kentucky's May 2016 Primary commences, as set forth in Section 258, upon the successful passing of this Resolution by a majority of both houses of Kentucky's 2015 and 2016 General Assembly.

* * *

There's more reasons why Kentucky needs a new Constitution. For one, most of the elected positions had no challengers. Kentucky didn't just have a Senate election, but a major power shift, where all county positions were also up for grabs. This happens every 4 years.

The embarrassingly sad turnout rate shows how most Kentuckians do not participate in their democracy.

Lastly, while Revolutions do not guarantee democracy, when democracy is embedded in the newly formed regime after a Revolution, democracies endure. http://thefreedomskool.blogspot.com/2014/11/for-enduring-democracies-revolutions.html “Democracies that tend to survive the test of time are those born in revolution.” Also, “on average, democracies that emerged from revolutions spend considerably more on public goods such as education and health than democracies not born from revolution.”

Circuit Court Judges, of which only lawyers can be, after being elected to 8 year terms, will amass over $1 million dollars. Since there's so many ways to interpret Kentucky's current Constitution, this amounts into isolated private pocket tyrannies throughout the state, with the most charismatic and influential getting to dictate how government works, and to what ends.

Rand Paul has already suggested a Constitutional Convention for the federal government, and Democrats can get out in front of them, if they have the backbone.

* * *

Here's a bill I wrote about moving Kentucky's primary date earlier than the rest of the States in the Union.

A Resolution for an Earlier Primary for the 2016 Presidential Election

Whereas Iowa and New Hampshire have too much influence over the winner of the Presidential Candidates running in the primary, almost to the point where it makes Kentucky virtually irrelevant.

Whereas increasing Kentucky's influence will give more power to the people of Kentucky.

Therefore, hereby let it be resolved that Kentucky's 2016 primary will be moved in front of the pack, and shall be held on [January 4, 2016 or January 11, 2016].

* * *

The Make up of Kentucky's Legislature:

The Kentucky House of Representatives was one of 20 state legislative chambers noted by Ballotpedia staff as being a battleground chamber.

While the federal government saw the Republicans make incredible gains, they didn't take Kentucky, probably because of Alison Grimes' candidacy. Republicans had not held the Kentucky House since 1921. http://ballotpedia.org/Kentucky_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2014 This isn't to say that the Republicans didn't try. The GOP holds the Senate in Kentucky, and tried to take the House... How come the Democrats didn't try to take the Senate? Do they understand how politics work? The Republican Party strengthened their hold on the chamber by increasing their total seats from 23 to 26. The Democratic Party sustained a loss of two seats, dropping from 16 to 14. That means the Republicans have 12 more Senate seats than the Democrats in Kentucky's most powerful, and more elitest, Senate. This requires the Democrats to win 7 seats in order to take it over (for future purposes). In 2 years, the other Senate half is up for reelection. That's 19 folks up for reelection, and a chance for Democrats to expand their power.

In 2014, the GOP were down 8 seats in the House, and therefore, taking 5 seats from the Democrats in Kentucky would have given them control of both houses in Frankfort. But this didn't happen. Democrats kept 54 of the 100 House seats, the same number they had going into the election. This means the Democrats kept control of one house of the legislature, and it gives them the majority. They'll have to work with the Republicans to get some bills passed, and then with the Democratic Governor, who has veto power, this gives the Democrats the edge to pass legislation they agree with.

Snapshot of Frankfort:

The House of Representatives: 54 Democrats and 46 Republicans.

The Senate: 26 Republicans and 14 Democrats.

Governor: Democrat

* * *

Kentucky's Governor's Race:

For the GOP, the candidates are James Comer, Hal Heiner, and Robert Lee Rosier. There's been talk about Matt Bevin jumping into the race also.

For the Dems, Jack Conway has declared, and Geoff Young too. Alison Grimes and and Daniel Mongiardo has been whispered as being candidates.

An August 2014 poll has shown that Matt Bevin (25%) would defeat James Comer (20%), Cathy Bailey (11%), and Hal Heiner (18%). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_gubernatorial_election,_2015 The same August 2014 poll shows Hal Heiner defeating James Comer (28% to 22%), which compares much differently than an earlier February 2014 poll, which had James Comer thumping Hal Heiner (42% to 14%).

For the General election, the Public Policy Poll conducted in 2014 shows Jack Conway being victorious over Cathy Bailey (42% to 30%), Jack Conway over Matt Bevin (39% to 36%), Jack Conway over James Comer (38% to 35%), and Jack Conway over Hal Heiner (39% to 32%). A different July 2014 poll also has Jack Conway over Hal Heiner (45% to 36%).

Jack Conway is Kentucky's Attorney General who lost the Senate race against Rand Paul. Jack Conway made headlines when he called himself “one tough son of a bitch” at Fancy Farm. He also ran an ad that touted Rand Paul's love for “aqua buddha”, and how Paul humiliated a college woman. Jack Conway also made headlines with his emotional appeal to allow gay folks to be gay. Conway had visible “Boehner-like” tears when talking about gay marriage being allowed to be legal in Kentucky. WKYT says that Jack Conway is polling better because he is better known since he's had 3 statewide campaigns. http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Bluegrass-Poll-First-look-at-2015-governors-race-269083501.html Jack Conway's 17% unfavorable rating was the highest of all the candidates in the July 2014 poll.

Hal Heiner, former Louisville councilman, lost the campaign against Greg Fisher in Louisville's Mayoral Race. The July 2014 poll that WKYT reported on http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Bluegrass-Poll-First-look-at-2015-governors-race-269083501.html shows Heiner with a 11% likability rating and a 12% unlikeable rating. Heiner is mostly unknown to Kentucky voters. Heiner say that Kentucky needs an “outsider's perspective”, which is an odd sentiment, but makes sense, if one considers city-state of Louisville as being separate from the nation-state of Kentucky.

Matt Bevin lost to Mitch McConnell earlier this year in the Republican Primary.

James Comer is notable for getting hemp legalized in Kentucky. His numbers in the July 2014 poll that WKYT reported http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Bluegrass-Poll-First-look-at-2015-governors-race-269083501.html show him with 15% favorable ratings versus 8% unfavorable, with him largely being unknown. Comer is from Tomskinsville. http://www.kentucky.com/2014/08/02/3363143_ag-commissioner-comer-announces.html?rh=1

Alison Grimes recently lost the November 2014 election against Mitch McConnell.

Daniel Mongiardo lost an election against Mitch McConnell, and was Steve Beshear's Vice Governor in Beshear's first term.

Geoff Young and Robert Lee Rosier are relative unknowns.

James Comer and Jack Conway both have wikipedia pages, but the other declared candidates do not. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Comer_(politician) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Conway_(politician)

Geoff Young is the only running who has filed his candidacy to run against Jack Conway, and his running mate is Cherokee Schill, who is known as a “controversial bicyclist” because she rode her bike on US 27 one day (wtf?... yeah it's true http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Controversial-bicyclist-to-run-as-lieutenant-governor-282839901.html). Schill was charged with “wanton endangerment”, and had been convicted of “careless driving” 3 times previously. Geoff Young said that “We will give you the unvarnished truth directly, as best we understand it. We refuse to waste your precious time and attention on trivial non-issues, nasty attack ads, or politician-speak. We both have highly-developed BS detectors, and we will fearlessly use them against any politician who tries to deceive the people of Kentucky.” http://www.meetup.com/ronpaul-146/messages/76338585/

Young of Schill: “She's a fighter,” Young said of Schill. “She's honest, tough and smart. What we need are people willing to speak the truth, to cut through all this deceptive political rhetoric that we seem to be drowning in.” Schill said she changed her party affiliation from “lifelong Republican” to Democrat to file as Young's running mate. http://www.kentucky.com/2014/12/01/3569758/cherokee-schill-arrested-for-riding.html#storylink=cpy

Geoff Young is a graduate of MIT, and was defeated by Elizabeth Jensen in the May primary for 6th District congressional seat. Jensen was defeated in November by incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Barr.

Young also ran for the state House in 2012, losing Republican incumbent Stan Lee of Lexington.

A native of Massachusetts, Young came to Kentucky in 1982 and worked for state government in Frankfort as an engineer for 14 years before retiring in 2006. http://www.kentucky.com/2014/12/01/3569758/cherokee-schill-arrested-for-riding.html#storylink=cpy

Robert Lee Rosier, a retired Army man from Elizabethtown, is running because God told him to, and he wants to return Kentucky back to Jesus Christ. Rosier has no political experience, and while will not win, will make sure that Biblical principles are maintained. http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/content/local-man-says-he%E2%80%99ll-run-governor#.Up4-l7xRpVc.google_plusone_share Like a 3^rd party candidate, he'll be liberated to speak his mind, and the mainstream candidates will have to react to his proclamations. Rosier is looking to “take heads” with “prison terms and seizing pensions”. While wanting the noble goal of having more goals, he also wants to break the wall between church and state by “reinstituting prayer in schools”. Rosier may start a poor man's Christian Revolution, which a focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), being taught our Constitutional rights (how about a little bit of democracy?), and taking advantage of Kentucky's natural resources (oil, gas, and coal) in order to succeed. While his religious mental illness makes me nervous of him, he seems to be tripping over many important truths. Of course he's in favor of the 2^nd Amendment (who isn't?), and while he doesn't have the resources of his wealthier opponents, he's not worried since “god called him”, and he'll provide accordingly. He's running as a citizen, and he says “it's about time one of us gets into office”. He's extremely likable, and his ideas will resonate... perhaps not into votes, but like Gatewood Galbraigth, Nader, Ron Paul, his ideas will be talked about in intellectual political circles. Rosier is running with John Yuen. Rosier is a “man of his word”, and finding integrity in politicians is a rare find, as is morality.

Andrew Beshear, Steve Beshear's son, is actually running for Attorney General (and he'll win this, and it would set him up for a Governor's race... though he could have most likely have won the Governorship if he really wanted it), and frankly, name recognition, and dynasties... that's what stupid Kentucky voters want. And yes, Kentucky voters are stupid. Rand Paul won by “bullshitting” the public. He didn't say he wanted to legalize crack and to end the Empire. He said he wanted to balance the budget, and follow Constitutional principles... you know, bland nothingness, and in regards to legalizing drugs, he said “the federal solution isn't working”, so he used code words, instead of being more like his straight-shooter father... and surprise! Rand keeps on moving more and more towards Mitch, and away from his father. Rand endorsed Mitch over Matt Bevin, and has been for war, and is saying he doesn't want to legalize all drugs. What libertarian used to live in Rand is gone. He's got power and power corrupts absolutely. Anyways. The point is that Rand bullshitted the Kentucky voter, and that's how he got elected. Ronnie Lee Smith ran on the same platform for Sheriff in Northern Kentucky, and was ostracized, and eventually killed for it. The difference between Smith and Rand Paul is Smith was honest, and Paul was not. He bullshitted Kentucky. So yes, stupid Kentucky voters... at least the 30% of them who do vote... who probably pay attention to politics the week before election day... and listen to 5% of the smart folks whose actually paying close attention to shit. Yes, stupid Kentucky voter. Mitch was obstructionist, and blamed all problems on Obama... a 30 year career politician running as the candidate for change... and Kentuckians bought it! Stupid voters is correct... what Mitch is the equivalent of talking shit to the driver of the car, putting his hands over the driver's eyes, and playing with the radio, and screeching like Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber, and while the car never wrecked, the bumps in the road, Mitch blamed it on the driver, and stupid Kentucky voters bought it. Mitch's obstructionist tactics has probably ruined politics forever, since now, the party out of power will be ultra dicks to the ruling party, blaming all problems on the figurehead, knowing that stupid Kentucky voters aren't paying close enough attention to what their representatives are actually doing. Maybe that can be good for change, but who knows. Bipartisanship can be certain death (just like when church and state get together), but pulling the country towards Mitch's corporatist policies, and his asshole tactics, is the wrong direction.

Andrew Beshear has raised $1.1 million for the Governor's race, even though he hasn't formally declared his candidacy, Beshear is running too. That's smart of the Beshear family to do that. There's only been two times the Governor's race in Kentucky was won with more than $1 million dollars, and traditional political wisdom says the candidate with the bigger war chest wins (because they can put out television and radio ads, and that's how they chew complicated issues down to short sound bite snippets, in order to convince the stupid Kentucky voter to vote for them). http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/elections/kentucky/2014/06/06/early-stakes-set-governors-races/10069803/

* * *

Here's a current glimpse of the bills already prefiled, although it does show what some of Kentucky's politicians are thinking. Most of these bills will not make it into law, because Kentucky's two months of legislating (which amounts to a summer camp) usually is in a mad rush to get the budget passed, which it's Constitionally required to do so.

BR2:

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION establishing the Gun Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force. Filed by Representative Reginald Meeks (12/11/14): Request that the Legislative Research Commission create the Gun Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force to study public safety, public protection, and gun safety issues.

BR4:

AN ACT relating to DNA filed by Representative Reginald Meeks (11/17/14): Amend KRS 17.169 to include local law enforcement as persons authorized to collect DNA samples; amend KRS 17.170 to provide for the collection of DNA samples at arrest or initial appearance from all persons charged with a felony offense; amend KRS 17.175 to provide for expungement of DNA samples in specified circumstances and allow use of all samples collected in good faith; amend KRS 64.060 to establish a $5 payment from the State Treasury to the collecting agency for each DNA sample collected.

BR7:

AN ACT relating to public benefit corporations. Filed by Representative Kelly Flood (05/30/14): Amend KRS 14A.3-010, 271B.1-400, 271B.2-020, 271B.6-260, 271B.7-400, 271B.8-300, 271B.13-020, and 271B.16-210, and create a new section of Subtitle 11 of KRS Chapter 271B to establish public benefit corporations.

BR11:

AN ACT relating to drone surveillance. Filed by Representative Diane St. Onge (06/04/14). Create a new section of KRS Chapter 500 to define "drone"; prohibit a law enforcement agency from using a drone to gather evidence or other information; provide exceptions; prohibit use of evidence obtained in violation; provide that the Act may be cited as the "Citizens' Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act." (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).) To: Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary.

BR13:

AN ACT relating to Gold Star Siblings license plates. Filed by Representative Diane St. Onge (12/11/14). Amend KRS 186.162 to create a Gold Star Siblings license plate with the same fees as the I Support Veterans plate; amend KRS 186.164 to set forth eligibility requirements; EFFECTIVE 1/1/2016.

BR14:

AN ACT relating to preserving the right of Kentuckians to own and use firearms. Filed by Representative Diane St. Onge (06/04/14). Create new sections of KRS Chapter 237 to declare legislative intent; invalidate and nullify all federal laws and regulations restricting ownership or possession of firearms; direct the General Assembly to take all appropriate action to safeguard Kentuckian's rights to possess firearms in accordance with the second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and Section 1 of the Constitution of Kentucky; amend KRS 527.040 to add persons who have been dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States and persons illegally or unlawfully in the United States to the list of persons who shall not possess firearms. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).) To: Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary.

BR19:

AN ACT relating to the abolition of the death penalty. Filed by Senator Gerald A. Neal (07/16/14). Create a new section of KRS Chapter 532 to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without parole for inmates presently sentenced to death; amend various sections of the Kentucky Revised Statutes to eliminate the term "capital offense" and replace it with Class A felony; amend KRS 532.030, relating to authorized dispositions for felony offenses, to permit imprisonment for life without parole and imprisonment for life without parole for 25 years for offenses formerly denominated as capital offenses; amend KRS 533.010, relating to probation, to prohibit probation for a person sentenced to life without parole or life without parole for 25 years; amend KRS 640.040, relating to penalties for juveniles convicted of felony offenses, to authorize imprisonment for life without benefit of parole for 25 years, but not life imprisonment without benefit of parole, for a Class A felony which was formerly a capital offense; repeal various statutes relating to imposition of the death penalty. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).) To: Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary.

BR20:

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION establishing the Task Force on the Costs of the Death Penalty in Kentucky. Filed by Senator Gerald A. Neal (07/16/14). Establish a task force to study the costs of administering the death penalty in Kentucky; establish membership of task force; provide that the task force is to study the costs to the state and local governments related to administering the death penalty in all phases of the criminal justice system and the number and outcomes of death-eligible cases; require the task force to submit a report to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, 2015. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).) To: Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary

BR21:

AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to persons entitled to vote. Filed by Senator Gerald A. Neal (07/16/14). Propose to amend Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky to allow persons convicted of a felony, other than felonies designated by the General Assembly, the right to vote; submit to the voters for ratification or rejection. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).) To: Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary.

BR22:

AN ACT relating to offender reentry. Filed by Senator Gerald A. Neal (07/16/14). 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. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).) To: Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary.

BR23:

AN ACT relating to court-ordered outpatient mental health treatment. Filed by Representative Tom Burch (12/02/14). Amend KRS 202A.081 to require that the attorney and, if available, alternative sentencing social worker is present for a patient agreed order and allow a peer support specialist or other supportive person to be present; require the Department of Public Advocacy to assign an alternative sentencing social worker to any person under court order who shall develop a treatment plan in collaboration with a community mental health center; require the court to appoint a case management service or team employed by a community mental health center to monitor treatment adherence, report on the person's functioning, recommend community support services, and assist the person in applying for social services; require that the case management service or team is available 24/7 and adequately trained; require that providers use evidence-based practices and define the term; provide that failure to abide by the treatment plan may result in rehospitalization provided that the criteria are met, procedures are initiated via affidavit by the case management service or team, and mental health examinations take place at community mental health centers; permit up to 3 additional orders with due process; require that patient agreed order services are covered by Medicaid; require that courts report such orders to the Cabinet; and rename this commitment process a patient agreed order. Create new sections of KRS Chapter 202A to create a process for District Courts to order assisted outpatient mental health treatment; provide for transportation processes for the purposes of a mental health examination; establish eligibility and court proceedings; require a mental health examination and the development of a treatment plan; establish the process for hearings; require the court to appoint a case management team or service to monitor and report on the person under order; authorize 72-hour emergency admission for failure to comply with orders; provide for the right to stay, vacate, or modify orders; provide for a process to change a treatment plan; permit an additional period of treatment to be ordered provided certain criteria is met; and require that assisted outpatient treatment services are covered by Medicaid; amend KRS 202A.261 and 202.271 to conform. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).)

BR24:

AN ACT relating to Medicaid eligibility determinations. Filed by Representative Tom Burch (12/12/14). Create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to require the DMS or an MCO to process a Medicaid eligibility application within 45 days of receipt of the application; require DMS or an MCO to forward a conclusive request for verification of income by a specific deadline; require an applicant to respond within 15 days; state that if the DMS or an MCO fails to comply with established time periods that it shall have waived the right to enforce regulations relating to spend down of excess resources and production of verification of income; once all information requested has been provided, the DMS or MCO shall make a determination within 5 days, if all information is not provided by applicant the request shall be denied; allow for the agency to terminate benefits if it later discovers information that would have resulted in a denial. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).)

BR30:

AN ACT relating to the valuation of motor vehicles for property tax purposes. Filed by Representative Diane St. Onge (07/02/14). Amend KRS 132.485 to clarify that the "rough trade-in" value or "clean trade-in" value shall not be used to determine the standard value of a motor vehicle. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).) To: Interim Joint Committee on Transportation.

Studying the bills prefiled gives a good indication of the clusterfuck that is Frankfort and the Kentucky Constitution. Also, most representatives won't read all of these bills, and the better study would be the study to see whose bills were passed by the end of the 2-month Summer Camp. There's just too much. No weigh they're weighing out all of these ideas and doing what's best for everybody. No way. I don't believe it. It'll be the most influential who will get their way. I'm thinking a study of the people and those in leadership positions will be more useful than checking through all of these bills. I'll end what I have so far, and just be surprised like everybody else if anything gets passed.

BR37:

AN ACT relating to deferred deposit transactions. Filed by Senator Reginald Thomas (09/12/14). Amend KRS 286.9-010, relating to deferred deposit transactions, to define "annual percentage rate," "consideration," and "interest"; amend KRS 286.9-100 to delete the service fee of $15 per $100 loan and establish a tiered maximum annual percentage rate based on the face amount of the deferred deposit check; provide that making a deferred deposit transaction in violation of the maximum interest provisions is an unfair, false, misleading and deceptive practice in violation of the Consumer Protection Act and subject to its rights and remedies; prohibit a licensee from engaging in deceptive practices to evade the requirements of Subtitle 9 of KRS Chapter 286; amend KRS 286.9-102 to require a licensee to conspicuously display interest charges for services; create a new section of Subtitle 9 of KRS Chapter 286 to provide that knowing violation of the maximum allowable interest rate provisions shall be deemed a forfeiture of the entire interest for the transaction and that the person who paid the interest, or his or her legal representative, may recover twice the amount paid in any action against the lender if commenced within two years of the deferred deposit transaction. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).) To: Interim Joint Committee on Banking and Insurance.

BR36:

AN ACT relating to general principles of justification. Filed by Senator Reginald Thomas (07/08/14). Create a new section of KRS Chapter 503 to incorporate the "no duty to retreat" provisions elsewhere in the chapter; amend KRS 503.050, 503.055, 503.070, and 503.080 to require a reasonable belief that defensive force is necessary before it is justified; change the term "great bodily harm" to "serious physical injury" as used throughout the Penal Code; amend KRS 503.060 to require an initial aggressor to retreat before the use of force can be rejustified; prepal KRS 503.120. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).) To: Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary.

BR35:

AN ACT relating to oaths. Filed by Senator Reginald Thomas (06/25/14). Amend KRS 6.072 to require witnesses appearing before a committee to take an oath prior to giving testimony. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).) To: Interim Joint Committee on State Government.

BR34:

AN ACT relating to interscholastic extracurricular activities. Filed by Representative Stan Lee (08/05/14). 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. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).) To: Interim Joint Committee on Education.

BR31:

AN ACT relating to individual income tax. Filed by Representative Diane St. Onge (07/11/14). Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to allow an extension of time for filing a refund claim for an individual who: received an airline payment amount and transferred any portion of the amount to an IRA according to Section 1106 of the federal FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Public Law 112-95; filed an amended return with the Internal Revenue Service excluding the airline payment amount from federal gross income, received a refund of the federal income tax based upon the amended return and filed an amended return with the Department of Revenue requesting a refund,was denied a refund of Kentucky income tax based on KRS 134.580, and received a refund of the federal income tax based upon an amended return filed; require certain documentation to be filed with the amended return; allow the amended return to be resubmitted on or before December 30, 2015. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).) To: Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue.

BR474:

AN ACT relating to sentencing by juries. Filed by Representative Gerald Watkins (12/09/14). Create a new section of KRS Chapter 532 allowing sentencing juries in misdemeanor trials to see all prior convictions regardless of the kind or offense or the date; amend KRS 532.055 to conform. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).)

BR473:

AN ACT relating to voluntary student expression of religious viewpoints in public schools. Filed by Representative Gerald Watkins (12/09/14). Amend KRS 158.183 to permit students to voluntarily express religious viewpoints in school assignments free from discrimination and organize prayer groups, religious clubs, or other religious gatherings before, during, and after school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other noncurricular student activities and groups and allow for expression of religious viewpoints through dress to the same extent as students are permitted to express viewpoints through nonreligious dress; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require each board of education to adopt and implement a policy regarding voluntary student expression of religious viewpoints and to establish a limited public forum for student speakers at all school events at which a student is to publicly speak, including graduation. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).).

BR472:

AN ACT relating to an income tax deduction for qualified tuition programs. Filed by Representative Brad Montell (12/12/14). Amend KRS 141.010 to allow a tax deduction for contributions to a qualified tuition program for higher education. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).).

BR471:

AN ACT relating to scholarships for at-risk children. Filed by Representative Brad Montell (12/10/14). 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. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).).

BR414:

AN ACT relating to minimum wage. Filed by Representative Reginald Meeks (12/11/14). Amend KRS 337.275, relating to the minimum wage, to include anti-preemption language permitting local governments to establish minimum wage laws in excess of the state minimum wage. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).)

BR426:

AN ACT relating to postsecondary education tuition fees. Filed by Representative Joni L. Jenkins (12/10/14). Amend KRS 164.2841 and 164.2842 to identify correctional officers of urban-county governments and metropolitan correctional services divisions as law enforcement officers; allow postsecondary education tuition fees to be waived for survivors of correctional officers of urban-county government and metropolitan correctional services divisions killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).).

BR456:

AN ACT relating to alcohol and drug counseling. Filed by Representative Leslie Combs (12/11/14). Amend KRS 309.080 to define "licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor," "licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor associate," "licensee," "practice of alcohol and drug counseling," "registered alcohol and drug peer support specialist," and "registrant"; amend KRS 309.0805 to include "licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor," "licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor associate," and "registered alcohol and drug peer support specialist" among the titles that may not be used by persons not licensed, certified, or registered under KRS 309.080 to 309.089; amend KRS 309.081 to conform; amend KRS 309.0813 to include new licensure categories require the Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors to promulgate administrative regulations to define the process to register with the board; create a new section of KRS 309.080 to 309.089 to establish requirements for registration as an alcohol and drug peer support specialist; amend KRS 309.083 to stipulate that certification requirements shall also include three hours of domestic violence training and training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management; create a new section of KRS 309.080 to 309.089 to establish requirements for licensure as a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor; create a new section of KRS 309.080 to 309.089 to establish requirements for licensure as a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor associate; create a new section of KRS 309.080 to 309.089 to require the board to promulgate regulations to define the process to register as a supervisor of record; amend KRS 309.084 to eliminate outdated language and require the board to temporarily extend licensure to certified alcohol and drug counselors with at least a master's degree; create a new section of KRS 309.080 to 309.089 permit licensure, certification, or registration by reciprocity; amend KRS 309.085, 309.086, 309.087, and 309.089 to conform; create a new section of KRS 309.080 to 309.089 to require the board to deposit all moneys into a revolving fund in the State Treasury; amend KRS 194A.540 to include licensed alcohol and drug counselors and alcohol and drug peer support specialists; amend KRS 210.366 to conform; amend KRS 222.005 to include licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselors under the term "qualified health professional." (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).).

BR470:

AN ACT relating to financial disclosure statements. Filed by Representative Jill York (12/12/14). Amend KRS 6.787 to include names of clients paying more than $1,000 annually to a consulting firm owned by a legislator or spouse, or which employs a legislator or spouse in the statement of financial disclosure; exclude legislators who are attorneys from requirement. (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).).