Legislative Update KET

On the final day of the 2022 General Assembly session, lawmakers race to add a correction to an already passed education bill, allow excused absences for students for mental health reasons, give local officials control over library boards, make some convicted felons eligible for KEES scholarships, create a pilot program for diversion from incarceration, and address so-called SLAPP lawsuits.

In the penultimate day of the General Assembly session, lawmakers override gubernatorial vetoes of legislation on tax policy, abortion restrictions, public assistance benefits, charter school funding, transgender student athletes, and public school curricula and principal hiring. The Senate approves a ban on unregulated slot-like games. Pro-choice advocates rally at the capitol.

In the last day before the veto period, the House and Senate give final passage to the executive, legislative, and judicial branch budgets as well as an overhaul of public assistance benefits, broadband infrastructure funding, and a ban on governors using public funds to challenge the constitutionality of bills. Lawmakers also approve the state road plan.

On day 57 of the General Assembly session, lawmakers announce their compromise state budget and give final passage to a new tax plan, charter school funding, requirements for school safety officers, an omnibus abortion bill, and penalties for “porch pirates.” Reproductive freedom advocates rally at the capitol.

The Senate votes to exclude certain mentally ill criminals from the death penalty and to update constable training and duties. Lawmakers act this week on transgender athletes in girls’ sports, principal hiring and school curricula selection, charter school funding, and making churches essential services. They also override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Senate gives final approval to a measure on principal selection and teaching history as well as a bill to ban transgender athletes in girls’ sports. House panels consider death notification training for coroners and energy company boycotts. Senate committees vote on stop-arm video cameras for school buses and an expedited teacher certification program.