| Governor's Budget
The budget bill, HB 192, includes a total of $613M in one-time money for non-recurring use. The funds came from the following sources: $49M - FY 21 ending balance $126M - increase in the revenue estimate $319M - Freed up CARES Act funds for state government expenses $119M - Higher federal Medicaid share
With the $613M the Governor's proposal includes the following: $220M for small business relief $20M in non-profit aid $100.9M to repay the Unemployment Insurance loan $48M in CARES Act funds for one-time payments to UI claimants $100M for school building renovation and replacement $50M for the Broadband Deployment Fund $22M for a newly established Emerging Industries Fund $100M in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund
Other highlights of this budget bill include: $1000 Teacher and Classified employee salary increase 1% SEEK per-pupil increase Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund - $928M through FY 2022 (New Federal Relief Bill) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund - $261M through FY 22 (New Federal Relief Bill) 2% increase for post-secondary institutions Better KY Promise Scholarship Fund - $16.4M (from Lottery funds) to expand the Work Ready Scholarship program to include all Assoc. degree and certificate-seeking students Fully funds Medicaid and increases waiver slots $1M to Medicaid to leverage federal dollars on an initiative to fully enroll underrepresented populations Additional $12M to local health departments 76 new social worker positions $47.5M to replace the UI system, as well as funding to restore 90 staff positions $72M to allow quasi-governmental agencies to pay the full pension contribution rates 1% salary increase for state employees and an increase for KY State Police Funding to address deficits at state parks, the State Fair Board and the KY Horse Park $30M in bond funds for three economic-development programs $400,000 for the Louisville Waterfront Development $8.4M for public transportation to replace the loss of toll credits
Session Priority Bills
Introductions remained slow and there were no significant bill filings during the week. Here is a quick view of the main bills we are monitoring as the legislature closed out in January. As always, please let us know if a bill of interest has been omitted or if you have any questions.
HB1 - B. Rowland (R- Tompkinsville)
Provide relief to businesses and individuals during the COVID-19 state of emergency; including guidelines for the opening of businesses and schools- suspend interest on unpaid unemployment insurance contributions- provide guidelines for parental visitation- provide guidelines for visitation at long-term care facilities 01/09/21: delivered to Governor
HB3 - C. Massey (R- Hebron) Establish the venue for constitutional challenges to statutes, executive orders, regulations, and other cabinet or department orders by establishing a panel of three Circuit Judges to hear challenges 01/08/21: returned to Judiciary (S)
HB4 - D. Osborne (R- Prospect) Amend the Constitution to remove the dates by which the General Assembly must adjourn and allow for the extension of 10 days upon 3/5 vote of each chamber. 01/08/21: returned to State & Local Government (S)
HB5 - M. Meredith (R- Oakland) HB6 - L. Bechler (R- Marion) Revamps and strengthens the legislature's Program Review committee to instill greater powers, exempts it from open records, and allows for referral to law enforcement authorities 01/08/21: floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
HB10 - S. Sheldon (R- Bowling Green) SB1 - M. Castlen (R- Owensboro) Limitations to Executive Authority during times of emergency 01/09/21: enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
SB2 - S. West (R- Paris) SB5 - R. Stiver II (R- Manchester) Provide liability protection for owners of premises during a declared emergency 01/06/21: returned to Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor (S)
HB191 - J. Petrie (R - Elkton) HB192 - J. Petrie (R - Elkton)
HB193 - J. Petrie (R - Elkton)
BIG I Watch ListSB49 - D. Carroll (R - Paducah) HB196 - B. Wesley (R- Ravenna) Prohibit insurers from refusing to issue a policy of motor vehicle liability insurance, or imposing an additional premium, solely because the person is uninsured due to a military service caused the absence.
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