The second month of the interim session is underway in the Capitol and lawmakers are continuing discussions on the issues facing our commonwealth during the meetings of the General Assembly’s statutory and interim joint committees, as well as legislative task forces.
Last week, several committees held their second meeting of the interim and continued to work through agendas that include many of the issues we will consider when we convene session in January.
Here are summaries of the committees that met last week, more information can be found on the committees page of our website at legislature.ky.gov:
Information Technology Oversight Committee: Members met last week to discuss the KentuckyWired Network with the Kentucky Communications Network Authority, Accelecom, the Kentucky Department of Education, and the Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts. Members heard about KentuckyWired’s contract disputes with Open Fiber, unauthorized network connections and splices, and revenue shortfalls. The Department of Education shared an update on school internet connectivity, fiber network transitions, and home internet access for students. Finally, the Auditor’s Office updated members on its ongoing special examination of KentuckyWired.
Government Contract Review Committee: Members heard testimony about contracts that various state cabinets and agencies are entering into for services. These include Kentucky Higher Education Authority, Kentucky Teachers Retirement System, Department for Community Based Services, and Kentucky Department of Education.
Capital Planning Advisory Board: Lawmakers discussed ongoing projects and requests for new funding from Kentucky public universities regarding their ongoing projects and new requests for funding. Leaders and representatives from the shared detailed plans for the future and goals they are working towards. Projects included plans to construct buildings, improve safety features, and upgrade facilities.
Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture: Legislators heard from representatives of AGRI-CHEM, a fertilize provider in western Kentucky, requesting funding for renovations of the Eddyville Agri-Port Terminal. The 10-year-old building needs repairs to properly store fertilizer offloaded from barges to be sent to surrounding counties. Repairing this structure is also important because of the environmental detriment that could follow from runoff of improperly stored fertilizer. Legislators also heard testimony from the co-owner of Trackside Butcher Shoppe, regarding how funding from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund helped his business become the success it is today.
Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee: Members received an update on the Fire Commission’s minimum training standards and administrative spending report, finding that the Commission aligned with national standards, but recommends statutory change to ensure full compliance with the 5% administrative costs limit. Lawmakers also received an update on the Child Fatality and Near fatality External Review Panel’s progress in addressing the committee’s 2024 recommendations. Finally, the Kentucky State Police gave members a project overview and update on the Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System which is expected to be completed by 2029.
Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee: Lawmakers discussed a report from directors at the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy. Last month, the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy celebrated 25 years of work for the commonwealth. They reported on projects that have received funding approval by the Agricultural Development Board. These projects included funding for building a new grocery store for Kentucky made products and a livestock buying station, among other things. The Kentucky Office of Agricultural Development provided evidence to members of the benefits that come from investing in agricultural development.
Make America Healthy Again Task Force: Members heard from experts from across the state on the health of Kentucky and the impact of SNAP benefits. Topics included health trends, chronic health conditions, and primary care shortages. Stakeholders testified about food insecurity and the positive impact that SNAP benefits have on the nutrition and health of Kentuckians and our quality of life and economy. The committee also heard about food deserts across Kentucky, a term used to describe areas without easy access to healthy, quality food.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at Samara.Heavrin@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
Rep. Samara Heavrin, R-Leitchfield
