KEA Bill Status Report * 11/21/2008

Bill Sponsor Position Description Status
SENATE BILLS
SB 1 D. Williams, E. Harris, D. Kelly, et al  Oppose Restate the components of the assessment, accountability, and academic achievement program; eliminate the open-response questions requirement; require writing portfolios be maintained for each student in grade five to 12; eliminate practical living and vocational education student testing from the assessment program but require a program evaluation of practical living and career and technical education annually; eliminate arts and humanities student testing from the assessment program but require a program evaluation of arts and humanities annually; require accelerated learning be provided any student whose scores on any of the assessments indicate skill deficiencies. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
SB 2 K. Winters, D. Roeding, et al  Track Establish the science and mathematics advancement fund; create a STEM Initiative Task Force; identify participants, establish authority of the Task Force and its Steering Committee. Signed into law
SB 8 D. Thayer  Oppose Require a person making an independent expenditure to report it if the amount exceeds $500 in the aggregate in any one election; establish campaign contribution limits for caucus campaign committees, political issues committees, permanent committees, and executive committees; establish campaign contribution limits for inaugural committees; establish campaign contribution limits for individuals; require that referendum committees register with the registry and report all contributions and expenditures, under certain conditions; require all reporting candidates, candidate campaign committees, referendum committees, political issues committees, and registered fundraisers to make post-election reports; prohibit the use of funds for candidacy for a different office, to support or oppose different issue, or to further the candidacy of another candidate or slate of candidates for office; require all media offering communications or advertising services to file with the registry and to make specific disclosures; define "frivolous complaint" and to authorize the registry to impose a civil penalty for the filing of frivolous complaints; effective November 7, 2007. Posted for Passage
SB 10 J. Carroll  Support Require the Secretary of the Personnel Cabinet to substitute personal identification numbers for social security numbers to identify state employees, prohibit the public disclosure of employee personal identification numbers. Senate State and Local Government Committee
SB 11 J. Carroll  Support Provide that the state contribution to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System shall not be less than the amount necessary to maintain the medical insurance program at a level equal to the medical insurance coverage for active teachers. Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
SB 12 J. Carroll, D. Boswell, et al  Support Require school districts to have procedures in place to address student harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Senate Judiciary Committee
SB 17 K. Stine, J. Denton, et al  Track Require all public preschool through eighth grade programs to implement 30 minutes per day or 150 minutes per week of structured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity incorporated into the school day. Senate Education Committee
SB 19 Boswell  Track Propose a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to allow the General Assembly to permit the operation of casinos, which may include casinos at horse racing tracks; submit to voters; provide ballot language. Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
SB 20 D. Boswell  Track Authorize gambling at horse racing tracks and casinos; create the Kentucky Gaming Commission; create the Kentucky gaming account. Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
SB 26 Pendleton  Support Establish new requirements for an interim license to practice as a speech-language pathologist and a speech-language pathology assistant; establish requirements for a provisional license to practice audiology under the supervision of an audiologist while completing a graduate professional experience Senate Licensing, Occupations & Administrative Regulations
SB 32 J. Westwood, D. Thayer  Oppose Require the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate an administrative regulation that specifies the criteria for classifying high schools as chronically low-performing; EMERGENCY. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
SB 42 J. Carroll  Oppose Require that law enforcement officers request to perform blood and urine tests on all drivers involved in any accident that involves a school bus or involves a fatality. Senate Judiciary Committee
SB 44 J. Rhoads, D. Roeding, et al  Support Permit eligible high school students to use a portion of their KEES award to pay for tuition for dual credit courses; require that the funds they would have received during their postsecondary program be reduced equal to the amount used for dual credit. House Education Committee
SB 56 Shaughnessy, Neal, P. Clark, et al  Support Establish the Math and Science Teacher Forgivable Loan Program and various other programs to promote math and science learning in the Commonwealth. Senate Education Committee
SB 64 D. Kelly, D. Roeding, D. Thayer  Oppose Establish a certification incentive fund to support the development of institutes for persons pursuing Option 7 of the alternative certification routes; require the Education Professional Standards Board to promulgate administrative regulations; EMERGENCY. Signed into law
SB 65 K. Winters  Support Provide a one-time election, beginning in July 1, 2008, for public university personnel to participate in KTRS under certain conditions; permit university personnel who make the election to purchase their prior service with their postsecondary education employers as service credit. EMERGENCY. Signed into law
SB 66 D. Kelly  Oppose Require local school districts, under certain conditions, to provide a salary supplement to teachers of chemistry, physics, or mathematics; limit the maximum annual aggregate award amount to $10,000 per teacher; require the EPSB to establish an accelerated certification program for certified teachers to obtain additional certification in physics, chemistry, or mathematics; allow teachers enrolled in an accelerated certification program to be exempt from repayment of loans. Senate Education Committee
SB 68 T. Buford. D. Williams, et al  Track Adopt an agreement among the states to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployments regarding matters of education records, course placement, graduation requirements, etc. Signed into law
SB 81 T. Shaughnessey, D. Boswell, et al  Oppose Establish a statewide high school curriculum content that aligns with the community and technical college curriculum and the four-year postsecondary institutions' freshman and sophomore curriculum; provide free College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests to students; require each secondary school to offer the statewide curriculum for students in the eleventh and twelfth grade beginning with the 2010-2011 school year; require the four-year institutions to accept associate degrees from the community and technical colleges to be applied toward a corresponding baccalaureate degree. Senate Education Committee
SB 86 B. Guthrie  Track Specify that the school superintendent shall appoint the principal after consultation with the school council if the vacancy is in a school that has an index score that places it in the lowest one-third of all schools below the assistance line and the school has completed a scholastic audit that includes findings of lack of effectiveness of the principal and the school council. Signed into law
SB 109 R. Jones II  Support Prohibit registered sex offenders from coming onto the grounds of a high school, middle school, elementary school, preschool, publicly owned playground, or licensed day care facility. Senate Judiciary Committee
SB 113 R. Palmer  Support Require a child to be five years of age by August 1 to enter a primary school program. Senate Education Committee
SB 115 T. Shaughnessy  Track Require the secretary of the Education Cabinet to convene representatives of postsecondary education representatives to establish 12 transition academies in high schools that will allow students to earn at least 30 hours of college credit toward a postsecondary education credential; require that the curriculum include an academic and career track with career choices decided by the community partners; establish a matching grant program; APPROPRIATION. Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
SB 118 J. Denton  Support Remove the clause sunsetting the requirement that all public and private primary schools obtain a current immunization certificate for hepatitis B for any child enrolled as a regular attendee in the sixth grade. Signed into law
SB 129 K. Winters  Support Permit a local board of education to adopt a policy for distribution of refurbished surplus technology to low income students; amend KRS 45A.425 to conform. Signed into law
SB 131 T. Buford  Track Delete the provision prohibiting survivor benefits from KTRS for legally adopted children unless adoption proceedings were initiated at least 1 year prior to the death of the member; make eligibility retroactive to legally adopted children born after January 1, 1990. Signed into law
SB 134 J. Pendleton  Oppose Prohibit a school district from establishing the first instructional day in a school term before the third Monday in August; set the testing window for the statewide testing system as the last three weeks of each school district's school year. Senate Education Committee
SB 148 D.Thayer  Oppose Create reporting requirements for persons advocating adoption or defeat of a constitutional amendment; create reporting requirements for legislative agents who advocate the adoption or defeat of a proposed constitutional amendment; require weekly reports when the General Assembly is in session; require reports to be posted on the Legislative Ethics Commission's Web site; redefine "political issues committee"; create reporting requirements for political issues committees that advocate the ratification or rejection of a constitutional amendment; require that daily reports be submitted to the Registry of Election Finance for the 30 days preceding a general election; declare an EMERGENCY. House Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
SB 157 V. McGaha  Track Move the date of notification of nonrenewal of employment of certified school staff from April 30 to May 15; move the date of notification of any reduction of duties of certified staff from 90 days before school starts to 90 days before school starts or May 15, whichever occurs earlier; move the date of notification of nonrenewal of employment of classified school staff from April 30 to May 15; reduce the time a teacher has to give notice to terminate his or her contract from 30 days prior to the first instructional day to 15 days prior to the first instructional day at a school to which the teacher is assigned. EMERGENCY. Signed into law
SB 162 T. Jensen  Oppose Require employers of persons possessing a CDL to report results of positive drug and alcohol screening tests to the Transportation Cabinet within three business days of receiving the results; require the Transportation Cabinet to establish a CDL drug and alcohol testing database; establish penalties for failure to report positive drug or alcohol screening tests; establish effective date of 1/1/2009. Senate Transportation Committee
SB 166 J. Turner, R. Stivers, et al  Support Establish scholarships on behalf of survivors of fallen coal miners. Recommitted to Senate A&R Committee
SB 192 J. Westwood   Track Specify purpose of FRYSCs, eligibility criteria, core components required; specify that a funded center may remain eligible until the percent of the student body eligible for free or reduced school food is below 20% for five consecutive years, and prohibit abortion counseling or referrals. Signed into law
SB 193 T. Jensen    Amend KRS 337.010 to exempt elementary, secondary, and postsecondary school construction from the definition of "public works" relating to prevailing wage. Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
SB 207 K. Winters     Require each local school district's 2007-08 school calendar to include no less than two additional six-hour instructional days in addition to those which were included in the district's 2005-06 or 2006-07 school calendar as approved by the Kentucky Department of Education; EMERGENCY. House Education Committee
SB 208 J. Turner    Change the notification date from April 30 to May 30 when a superintendent shall notify a classified employee that the contract will not be renewed; change the notification date from April 30 to May 30 when a superintendent shall notify a teacher that the contract will not be renewed; EMERGENCY. Senate Education Committee
SB 245 P. Clark    Establish procedures for mediation and arbitration of labor disputes; require parties to pay expenses. Senate State and Local Government Committee
SB 246 R. Palmer II    Require compulsory school attendance to be the ages of 6 years and 18 years rather than 6 years and 16 years. Senate Education Committee
SB 249 P. Clark    Require the Personnel Cabinet to establish health insurance plans for Medicare-eligible retirees participating in the state-administered retirement systems and to establish minimum benefits; amend KRS 18A.225 to amend definition of employee to include employees of public and private employers for purposes of participation in the state health plan and to establish minimum benefits of the state health plan; require public agencies and the state-administered retirement systems to participate in the state health plan and to allow private employers to participate in the state health plan; require participation by local government agencies in the state health plan by January 1, 2010; require the KRS to provide health insurance coverage through the state health plans and to make amendments to the hazardous duty retiree health benefits; require the KTRS to provide health insurance coverage through the state health plans. Senate State and Local Government Committee
 
Bill Sponsor Position Description Status
HOUSE BILLS
HB 10 J. Richards, R. Adams, et al  Support Establish the Kentucky educator award and recognition fund to provide matching funds for schools that have state and national award winning educators who received cash awards or an equivalent benefit. Senate Education Committee
HB 12 R. Nelson  Track Increase the KEES base and supplemental award amounts by 100 percent beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year. House Education Committee
HB 15 J. DeCesare, M. Dossett, et al  Support Remove writing portfolios from the statewide CATS assessment program for elementary schools; require elementary schools to use writing portfolios as an instructional tool. House Education Committee
HB 17 Crimm  Track Specify use of excess SEEK funds; provide for an allocation of funds to hold harmless districts for mandated state salary increases. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 22 C. Rollins, T. Riner  Track Change the definitions for the KEES Program; double KEES awards, based on grade point average and ACT scores, establish the proportional allocation of funds appropriated to the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) Program, the College Access Program (CAP), and the Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) Program. Senate Education Committee
HB 29 C. Siler  Support Establish new requirements for an interim license to practice as a speech-language pathologist and a speech-language pathology assistant; establish requirements for a provisional license to practice audiology under the supervision of an audiologist while completing a graduate professional experience. Signed into law
HB 34 A. Wuchner, T. Burch, L. Belcher, et al  Track Require 30 minutes per day, 150 minutes per week, or the equivalent minutes per month of structured moderate to vigorous physical activity to be included in required daily instructional time. House Education Committee
HB 35 H. Collins, K. Hall, et al  Track Designate the last three weeks of the school year as the testing window for the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System. House Education Committee
HB 53 D. Graham, M. Cherry, C. Rollins  Support Extend the high-three final compensation window set to expire January 1, 2009, for those state employees eligible for the benefit based upon service credit as of December 31, 2008; extend the 2.2 percent benefit factor window set to expire January 31, 2009, for those state employees eligible for the benefit based upon service credit as of December 31, 2008; extend the high-three final compensation window set to expire January 1, 2009, for those county employees eligible for the benefit based upon service credit as of December 31, 2008. House State Government Committee
HB 54 B. Yonts  Oppose Require counseling for tenth-grade students related to choosing an academic or career and technical track; require that the state assessments not be given prior to the first week of May of each school year. House Education Committee
HB 64 R. Webb, E. Ballard, D. Butler, et al  Support Award raises for all certified and equivalent employees pursuant to KRS Chapter 151B that equal the same percentages and amounts that were provided local school teachers in fiscal years 2006-2007 and 2007-2008; EMERGENCY. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 67 D. Floyd, B. Yonts  Support Require a child to be five years of age by August 1 to enter a primary school program. House Education Committee
HB 73 J. Glenn  Support Prohibit caffeine-stoked energy drinks in the schools. House Health and Welfare Committee
HB 86 T. Burch  Support Expand the preschool education program all four-year-old children; provide that a school district may delay implementation until the 2009-10 school year if it can show a lack of facilities. House Education Committee
HB 91 Cherry, L. Clark, et al  Support Require school districts to have plans, policies, and procedures dealing with measures for assisting students who are engaging in disruptive and disorderly behavior, including harassment, intimidation, or bullying of another student; identify this Act as The Golden Rule Act. Signed into law
HB 94 R. Nelson  Track Define "dependent" for purposes of health care plan; extend coverage to dependants until age 30. House Banking and Insurance Committee
HB 101 J. Glenn  Support Provide a sales tax holiday for the first week in August each year to exempt school supplies, school art supplies, and clothing with a sales price of less than $100 per item; EFFECTIVE May 1, 2008. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 102 T. Burch  Track Require all health insurance plans to provide dependent coverage for an unmarried dependent child to 26 years of age. House Banking and Insurance Committee
HB 113 R. Damron  Support Prohibit a public agency or public employee to use public funds to be a member of a private organization which holds closed meetings in violation of the Kentucky open meetings law. House State Government Committee
HB 120 R. Henderson, J. Tilley, et al  Support Delete retroactively the three year time limit on the extension of eligibility for a KEES award for service in the United States Armed Forces, United States Public Health Service, Peace Corps, or Americorps based upon the months of active duty status. Senate Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee
HB 126 B. Yonts, T. Riner  Track Provide that effective July 1, 2009, compulsory school attendance shall be between the ages of six and 17. House Education Committee
HB 148 D. Keene, R. Adams, et al    Require health benefit plans to adopt current, reasonable, and fair reimbursement schedules for services and procedures performed by chiropractors; require chiropractors to be reimbursed at no less than the fee schedule for workers' compensation; require the reimbursement fee to be increased annually by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers. Senate Rules Committee
HB 154 R. Palumbo  Track Remove the penalty for making a false child abuse or neglect report; amend the penalties for intentionally failing to report abuse or neglect; any person who makes a false report shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. House Health and Welfare Committee
HB 160 Harmon  Oppose Establish a nonrefundable educational scholarship tax credit program for corporations and other entities that contribute to scholarship organizations that provide educational scholarships to eligible students; authorize local school districts to levy a nonrecallable nickle for debt service and new facilities if student population decreases. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 174 J. Fischer  Track Designate that the start date for administering the state assessments be no earlier than the second Monday of May in each school year. House Education Committee
HB 188 S. Brinkman, M. Dosett, D. Floyd, et al  Track Require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to submit an application for a Medicaid waiver to develop and implement flexible reimbursement and payment strategies for services and supports for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) require screening for ASD at 18 months, 2 years, 4 years, upon school enrollment, and at the time of the sixth grade physical; require schools to have a record of ASD screening; require a formal diagnosis after screening positive within 90 days; define "autism spectrum disorders"; misc. other provisions. Recommitted to Senate A&R Committee
HB 189 S. Brinkman, S. Westrom, et al  Track Require KDE to develop and implement the Kentucky Financial Literacy Program; require the program to include curricula, materials, and guidelines for financial literacy instruction aligned with state standards and designed to be included in courses currently offered in public schools; establish the Kentucky financial literacy trust fund within the State Treasury. House Education Committee
HB 211 J. Wayne, J. Jenkins, M. Marzian, et al  Support Prohibit a person in a position of authority or special trust from engaging in sexual contact with a minor under the age of 18; make these acts Class D or Class C felonies, depending on the age of the victim; increase penalties for intentionally failing to report that a child is dependent, neglected, or abused; increase the criminal statute of limitations for misdemeanor sexual offenses when the victim is under the age of 18. Signed into law
HB 220 K. Stein, T. Firkins, M. Henley, et al  Track Require science-based content and age appropriate and medically accurate standards for human sexuality education, provide that a parent or guardian may excuse a child from the educational program and permit the parent or guardian to review instructional material upon request, and specify that nothing requires a school district, public school, or family resource and youth services center to offer human sexuality education. House Education Committee
HB 226 J. Richards, S. Lee, et al  Support Create the Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University; require academy students to participate in the state accountability testing program and have scores reported to home high schools; identify how SEEK funds will be used in support of students at the academy; authorize the academy to award diploma and local school districts to award a joint diploma; ensure that academy students qualify to earn KEES awards; EMERGENCY. House Education Committee
HB 235 K. Stein, J. Vincent, et al  Support Increase the age from 16 to 18 for statutory rape where a person of special trust or position of authority is involved; increase the age from 16 to 18 for statutory sodomy where a person of special trust or position of authority is involved; increase the age from 16 to 18 for statutory sexual abuse where a person of special trust or position of authority is involved; increase the penalty to a Class D felony from a Class A misdemeanor. House Judiciary Committee
HB 241 K. Hall, J. Stacy, R. Adams, et al  Support Increase the age from 16 to 18 for statutory rape where a person of special trust or position of authority is involved; increase the age from 16 to 18 for statutory sodomy where a person of special trust or position of authority is involved; increase the age from 16 to 18 for statutory sexual abuse where a person of special trust or position of authority is involved; increase the penalty to a Class D felony from a Class A misdemeanor. House Judiciary Committee
HB 262 J. Wayne, J. Jenkins, L. Belcher, et al  Support Increase tax rate on income over $75,000; establish a refundable EITC at 15 percent of the federal credit; decouple from the federal estate tax phase-out subject selected services as subject to sales tax; establish effective dates. House Concurrence w/ Senate
HB 265 M. Marzian, M. Dedman, et al  Support Establish the Math and Science Teacher Forgivable Loan Program; establish the Middle School Math and Science Scholars Program; create other grant and incentive programs to encourage math/science learning. House Education Committee
HB 269 A. Wuchner, J. Greer, K. Hall, et al  Track Provide that excess funds in the SEEK program be reallocated to school districts on a per pupil basis. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 288 C. Miller, C. Siler, et al  Track Permit a local board of education to grant a leave of absence to a teacher or superintendent for reasons it deems necessary. House Education Committee
HB 294 F. Rasche  Track Declare new goals for reducing the dropout rate by the year 2010; direct KDE to give priority for receiving grant funds to districts with the highest annual dropout rates and with greater numbers of students dropping out of school. Senate Rules Committee
HB 307 F. Rasche, C. Embry  Support Create the Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University; require academy students to participate in the state accountability testing program and have scores reported to home high schools; identify how SEEK funds will be used in support of students at the academy; authorize the academy to award diploma and local school districts to award a joint diploma; ensure that academy students qualify to earn KEES awards; EMERGENCY. Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 321 J. Lee, H. Moberly, D. Pasley  Track Clarify procedures and content of administrative regulations, use of surplus funds, and reporting requirements for the Public Employee Health Insurance program plan. Signed into law
HB 336 A. Koenig  Support Establish a teacher advancement fund to provide tuition assistance to the public postsecondary education institutions for teachers completing a master's degree or the continuing education option for Rank II and who agree to continue working in KY public schools for five (5) years after completing the program. House Education Committee
HB 342 B. Yonts, D. Floyd  Support Require a child to be five years of age by August 1 to enter a primary school program. House Education Committee
HB 343 J. Bell, J. Greer, et al  Support Prohibit a registered sex offender from committing specified acts concerning school buses and school bus stops while children are present; make any violation of the prohibitions a Class A misdemeanor. House Judiciary Committee
HB 363 R. Nelson, C. Embry, Jr., et al  Support Specify the number of hours a teacher must work per day, unless changed by the school-based decision-making council. House Education Committee
HB 368 J. Stacy  Support Establish unpaid leave for public employees to attend parent-teacher conferences if all applicable leave balances have been exhausted up to a maximum of four (4) hours per year. Senate Education Committee
HB 379 B. Yonts, D. Butler, et al  Support Permit classified school employees participate in statewide professional meetings with substitutes when needed; define "progressive discipline"; establish due process and hearing procedures for classified employees; provide service credit for limited status employees on approved military leave and for reemployment or reinstatement of an employee inducted into the Armed Forces of the United States. Senate Education Committee
HB 380 T. Burch  Track Establish a grant program administered by the Early Childhood Development Authority to develop collaborative models of preschool education for unserved children living at 200 percent of the federal poverty level and below; require collaboration among all community providers; define the eligible applicants; study the long-term need and projected cost of serving all three and four-year old children by the 2011-2012 school year and report its findings to the Legislative Research Commission prior to January 1, 2009. House Education Committee
HB 386 H. Moberly  Support Permit use of funding for targeted assistance activities and support services to help teachers prepare for national board certification; provide stipends up to $400 for teachers to prepare for national board certification. Senate Education Committee
HB 397 S. Lee, S. Brinkman, et al  Oppose Establish the Students with Special Needs Scholarship Program to permit exceptional students as defined by KRS 157.200(a) to (m) to receive a scholarship to move from his or her resident public school to a public or nonpublic school; the amount of the scholarship shall be equal to the per pupil SEEK base and add-on funding for exceptional children; require the resident district to provide or pay for transportation for the student to attend the nonpublic participating school. House Education Committee
HB 403 J. Jenkins, J. Wayne, et al  Support Establish collective bargaining for eligible public employees, including school employees and merit system employees; require suspension or revocation of certification, cessation of dues deductions, and fines for an exclusive bargaining representative involved in prohibited strike activities; withhold pay and impose a fine on a public employee for engaging in prohibited strike activities; provide for termination of an employee for instigating a strike. House Labor & Industry Committee
HB 406 H. Moberly, J. Wayne  Track Provide financing and conditions for the operations, maintenance, support, and functioning of the government of the Commonwealth; includes provisions for SEEK, KTRS funding, KRS/CERS funding, and many others; provide funds for the base SEEK Program, Tier I component, vocational transportation, secondary vocational education, Teachers' Retirement System employer match, and salary supplements for nationally certified teachers; provide for the allocation of SEEK funds; establish timeline for final SEEK calculation; detail SEEK adjustment factors. Signed into law
HB 407 H. Moberly, L. Clark, et al  Track Make appropriations for the operations, maintenance, and support of the Legislative Branch of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Signed into law
HB 408 H. Moberly, L. Clark, et al  Track Make appropriations for the operations, maintenance, support, and functioning of the Judicial Branch of the government of the Commonwealth. Signed into law
HB 432 L. Combs, J. Greer  Track Provide an annual salary supplement for speech-language pathologists and audiologists employed by a local board of education who have a certificate of competence issued by the American Speech Language Hearing Association or certification issued by the EPSB; require that provision of such services be the primary requirement of the employment; require that the salary supplement be considered when considering contributions to the KTRS. Senate Rules Committee
HB 433 S. Westrom, T. Thompson    Require a health benefit plan with a provider network to provide coverage for the dialysis provider of the insured's choice; prevent restriction of the insured's choice; define "unreasonable distance" and prohibit travel of such distance for in-network dialysis service; provide coverage for out-of-network dialysis if the distance for in-network dialysis is unreasonable; require payment directly to the dialysis provider and not to the patient. Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 437 K. Stein  Support Permit classified school employees to participate in statewide professional meetings with substitutes when needed; define "progressive discipline"; establish due process and hearing procedures for classified employees; provide reemployment or reinstatement of an employee inducted into the Armed Forces of the United States. House Labor & Industry Committee
HB 441 M. Henley, C. B. Embry  Support Remove the prohibition regarding employees of local school districts taking part in the management or activities of any political campaign for school board. Recommitted to Senate A&R Committee
HB 443 D. Watkins, M. Marzian, T. Burch, et al  Support Create an additional cigarette surtax of 70 cents; increase the tax rates for other tobacco products and snuff; impose a floor stock tax as of July 31, 2008; EMERGENCY. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 460 R. Adams, K. Hall, et al  Track Require a moment of silence or reflection not to exceed two minutes at the commencement of each school day. House Education Committee
HB 461 J. Lee, H. Moberly  Track Specify purpose of FRYSCs, eligibility criteria, and core components required; specify a funded center may remain eligible until the percent of the student body eligible for free or reduced-price school meals is below 20 percent for five consecutive years; prohibit abortion counseling or referrals; establish a continuing education program for coordinators and staff. Senate Education Committee
HB 466 T. Edmonds  Oppose Allow retired educators who continued employment under the 100 day provisions during the 2006-2007 fiscal year to be reemployed under the 100 day provisions until the end of fiscal year 2011. House Education Committee
HB 470 F. Rasche  Track KTRS omnibus bill, containing various provisions to clarify existing rules, i.e.; exclude awards program from definition of "annual compensation"; specify procedures for designating beneficiaries and the effect of failure to make a designation; specify that only leaves of absence granted during full-time employment are eligible for purchase; emphasize that nonqualified service credit shall not count toward the thirty (30) years needed to return to work at seventy-five percent (75%) of last annual compensation; provide that retirees can return to a local school district, without any impact on their retirement allowance, and earn a minimum amount equal to the base contract salary for the lowest rank and step on the salary schedule of the district in which they are returning to work; permit the retirement system to acknowledge legally binding arbitration awards in adjusting salary and service credit; allow ad hoc cost of living adjustments, dependent upon funding, with a catch up ad hoc cost of living adjustment for the first year of the biennium; emphasize that sick leave cannot be used to meet retirement eligibility in KTRS; specify that retirees cannot have medical insurance coverage in more than one state-administered retirement system; etc. EMERGENCY. Signed into law
HB 485 T. Pullin, A. Webb-Edgington  Track Prohibit the amount of a teacher scholarship award from exceeding the total cost of education; identify conditions under which teacher scholarship amounts are awarded. House Rules Committee
HB 494 S. Santoro, R. Wilkey, et al  Support Increase the age at which a minor becomes the victim of prohibited sexual conduct to under 18 years when the offense is perpetrated by a person in a position of authority or special trust. House Judiciary Committee
HB 496 J. Hoover, L. Clark  Oppose Move the date of notification of nonrenewable of employment of certified school staff from April 30 to May 15; EMERGENCY. House Education Committee
HB 501 R. Adams  Track Enact various amendments to KRS Chapters 16, 61 and 78; amend KRS 61.630 to clarify that a deceased member's estate must take a lump-sum payment on the remaining payments due the member; amend KRS 61.702 to permit funding of health savings accounts and health reimbursement accounts; permit the systems to offer payments to another health plan the recipient may be eligible to participate in if the payment of such coverage will reduce costs to the systems. Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 504 S. Brinkman  Support Require the cabinet to develop a plan for children to be screened for autism spectrum disorders at 18 months, three years, upon enrollment in school, and in sixth grade; require schools to maintain a record of screening upon school enrollment. House Health and Welfare Committee
HB 511 D. Graham  Support Specify that formative and summative evaluations are based on observable behavior and written documentation; require evaluators to participate in an annual review of the district evaluation system. Senate Education Committee
HB 523 M. Dossett  Track Permit an eligible postsecondary education student to use his or her KEES award for one year only in an out-of-state institution that charges Kentucky in-state tuition rates. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 527 R. Crimm, H. Moberly, et al  Track Increase the hold harmless amount for purposes of the gross revenues and excise tax fund for calendar year 2009 and thereafter; EMERGENCY. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 530 H. Collins, R. Adkins, et al  Track Create the 21st Century Skill Center at Morehead State University to provide PD to Kentucky school teachers. Senate Education Committee
HB 536 A. Koeing  Track Permit an eligible postsecondary education student to use his or her KEES scholarship award at any out-of-state institution offering a degree program that is not offered in KY which is located within fifteen miles of the Kentucky state border. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 544 K. Stein  Support Ratify the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, which would organize an electronic information-sharing system among the federal government and contracting states to exchange criminal history records for noncriminal justice purposes authorized by federal or state law. Senate Rules Committee
HB 545 F. Nesler  Track Require county board of education members, except for counties containing a city of the first class, to be elected by the qualified voters of the county at large, even though each member elected shall represent a specific division of the county. House Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
HB 550 D. Owens, L. Clark, R. Adkins, et al  Support Propose a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to permit the General Assembly to enact laws permitting the operation of up to seven casinos by horse racing tracks licensed as of January 1, 2008, and up to five other casinos; establish the distribution of casino gaming moneys; submit to the voters for approval or disapproval. Posted for Passage
HB 562 T. Edmonds  Support Permit an employee participating in one of the retirement systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement System to purchase service credit for service on a school board; require the employee to pay the retirement system the full cost of the service purchased. House State Government Committee
HB 563 L. Combs  Support Require an employer to notify the Transportation Cabinet within five days of receiving notice of a positive drug or alcohol test on a commercial driver's license holder; require the Transportation Cabinet to suspend the commercial driving privileges of a CDL holder whose positive test is reported to it; mandate that the suspension shall remain in effect until the person completes the assessment and treatment required under federal regulation. Posting Waived
HB 566 J. Wayne, H. Moberly  Support Apply the estate tax without regard to the federal phase-out of the state credit; provide a state earned income tax credit. Posted for Passage
HB 578 S. Lee  Oppose Describe the intent of the General Assembly and the purposes of authorizing public charter schools; outline the requirements and limitations on the establishment of charter schools including what agencies may sponsor a charter school; describe exemptions from law and required compliance areas for charter schools; describe the application, approval, and renewal processes; describe process and application process for existing schools to convert to charter schools; require the Kentucky Board of Education to establish a Kentucky Charter School Advisory Committee for reviewing charter school applications; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157 to direct how state, local, and federal funds shall be used to support charter schools. House Education Committee
HB 587 R. Palumbo   Track Require a local board of education to schedule graduation ceremonies to occur following the anticipated completion date of the instructional term, but permit graduation to occur before the instructional year ends if it is extended due to disasters or weather-related conditions. House Education Committee
HB 592 K. Hall, H. Collins, et al  Oppose Create an earned income tax credit; create a work opportunity tax credit. Recommitted to House A&R Committee
HB 595 D. Keene   Track Freeze resident tuition an incidental fees at the state's public postsecondary education institutions to the 2007-2008 tuition level for 2 years; EMERGENCY. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 600 M. Cherry, H. Moberly, et al.  Track Omnibus bill that makes various changes to retirement eligibility, contributions, interest rates, multipliers and COLA rates for KERS, CERS, SPRS, and KTRS employees hired after July 1, 2008; require contributions for retiree health benefits from new hires; set sick leave maximum for retirement purposes at 300 days for school employees and teachers; increase service requirement from 5 to 10 years for a KTRS employee who is hired on or after July 1, 2008; establish new benefit multipliers for KTRS employees hired on or after July 1, 2008; require KTRS employees hired on or after July 1, 2008, to have at least 15 years of service in order to be eligible for retiree health benefits; repeal 161.603; establish the CERS contributions for the 2008-2010 biennium; require the Interim Joint Committee on State Government to study transferring school board employees in CERS to KTRS and to study KERS hazardous duty positions; declare an EMERGENCY. Free Conference Committee
HB 607 J. Tilley, M. Dossett, et al  Oppose Allow a five year statement of eligibility for teaching be issued to a veteran who has completed a total of ten years of active duty service, ten years of service officially credited toward armed services retirement, or ten years combination of such service. Signed into law
HB 614 R. Webb   Track Repeal and reenact KRS 138.130 and 138.140 re: the current cigarette tax; provide that the legislation shall apply to tax periods beginning on or after June 1, 2006; notwithstand the provisions of KRS 446.145 to the extent that any provision included in Section 1 or 2 of the Act is determined to be new language. Posted for Passage
HB 616 T. Edmonds  Oppose Permit a superintendent of schools to establish residency either in Kentucky or within 50 miles of the district's boundaries. Senate Education Committee
HB 619 M. Henley  Oppose Allow a candidate to obtain teacher certification through an alternative certification program offered by a private contractor. House Education Committee
HB 621 B. Montell  Track Allow students to be counted present at school when participating in school sponsored regional or state sports competitions sanctioned by the Kentucky Board of Education or the agency designated by the board to manage interscholastic athletics if the competition occurs on a regularly scheduled school day. House Education Committee
HB 632 K. Upchurch  Oppose Require the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate an administrative regulation to implement a physical activity requirement; require all public preschool through eighth grade programs to implement, no later than the 2009-2010 school year, 30 minutes per day or 150 minutes per week of structured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity incorporated into the school day; permit the physical activity to include a combination of classroom-based physical activity, structured recess, or other structured physical activities. House Education Committee
HB 640 M. Marzian  Support Define health services; permit a supplemental grant program managed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to fund employment of a physician or nurse in a FRYSC; specify the grant program may receive appropriations, gifts, or other contributions and shall not reduce the amount of the family resource youth services center grants. Signed into law
HB 650 J. Jenkins, R. Nelson  Support Permit teachers and classified employees to organize and bargain collectively with a board of education for wages, hours, and other work conditions; require local boards of education to bargain collectively with a bargaining representative that has been chosen by a majority of a bargaining unit of teachers or classified employees; authorize the Department of Labor to promulgate administrative regulations to implement collective bargaining and mediation when necessary. House Education Committee
HB 655 J. Higdon, et. al.  Support Require that by September 30 of each year the secretary of the Transportation Cabinet report data related to providing transportation for nonpublic school pupils to the Interim Committee on Appropriations and Revenue; the report shall project the amount of money needed to provide nonpublic transportation during the next biennium. Signed into law
HB 661 F. Rasche  Support Amend KRS 158.150, 160.295, and 160.345 to delete the reference to head teacher, a position that no longer exists in the public schools. House Education Committee
HB 664 T. Pullin   Oppose Require preservice teachers to complete a reading education course of study and a course of study that includes civic literacy, civic learning, and civic responsibility as a condition for certification. House Education Committee
HB 669 F. Rasche   Track Amend KRS 156.132 regarding removal of public school officers to replace obsolete terminology; make gender neutral. House Education Committee
HB 670 F. Rasche   Track Require the commissioner of education to present the status of education as reflected in the biennial report to the Interim Joint Committee on Education at least once during the biennium. House Education Committee
HB 686 J. Higdon   Track Amend KRS 161.620 relative to KTRS retirement allowance calculations by deleting the word "initially" to remove the limit on which members, who retire on or after July 1, 2004, qualify for the 3% annual allowance. House Education Committee
HB 697 W. Coursey, M. Cherry    Provide that assets of the trust fund for the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority shall be used exclusively for the benefit of participants and beneficiaries; allow the authority to contract for services to provide investment advice for participants; provide the authority or board shall not be liable for investment advice provided to the participant by persons contracted to do so by the authority. Signed into law
HB 700 C. Hoffman    Provide enhanced sanctions against public servants, including school employees, convicted of theft or misappropriation of property in their care, custody, or control; sanctions may include forfeiture of accumulated retirement contributions and benefits. House Judiciary Committee
HB 720 B. Yonts    Require the Council of Postsecondary Education to ensure transferability of credits among institutions; require the sending public institution to be responsible for all expenses incurred by a student who repeats a course that does not transfer to the receiving institution; EMERGENCY. House Education Committee
HB 721 J. Fischer    Establish the Autism Scholarship Program to permit autistic children to receive a scholarship to move from his or her resident public school to a public or nonpublic school that meets certain criteria and accepts the student for enrollment; establish the maximum amount of the scholarship as an amount equal to the per pupil funding based on the average daily attendance and add-on funds for exceptional children that are allotted under the SEEK program; require the resident district to provide or pay for transportation for the student to attend the nonpublic participating school; require the program to be implemented by the 2008-2009 school year. House Education Committee
HB 724 T. Burch    Require a local board of education to include in its discipline code the prohibition of corporal punishment; clarify circumstances in which reasonable force and restraint may be used. Recommitted to House H&W Committee
HB 734 H. Moberly, Jr.    Amend KRS 157.621 to include in the statute authorization for the growth nickel originally authorized by the 2003 budget, to provide that levy of the growth nickels are not subject to recall or voter approval, and to include in the statute equalization funding for the growth nickel authorized under KRS 157.6211 as well as equalization funding originally included in the 2005 and 2006 budgets; include noncodified language expressing the intent of the General Assembly to affirm actions taken in the 2003, 2005 and 2006 budget bills. Signed into law
HB 738 J. Tilley    Require that by the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year, students entering the first year of the primary program shall be tested for dyslexia and other related disorders; require local school districts to provide appropriate instruction and professional development for students with dyslexia or related disorders; expand the definition of "specific learning disability" to include perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia define "dyslexia" and "related disorders." House Education Committee
HB 742 M. Cherry    Allow KTRS to request additional state appropriations sufficient to discharge the system's unfunded liability over a thirty year period; increase the state appropriation for retiree health benefits for teachers hired on or after July 1, 2008, by an additional percent of payroll. House State Government Committee
HB 743 H. Moberly, Jr.    Provide that LRC employees shall receive the same retiree health coverage and benefits as state employees. Posted for Passage
HB 752 A. Wuchner    Allow growth districts to request an adjustment mid-year due to growth in adjusted average daily attendance of 3% or more from the prior year; describe how the calculated state portion of the SEEK is determined. House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HB 753 S. Brinkman    Establish procedures for filling personnel vacancies in schools, including the principal; in counties with over 400,000 population, the superintendent shall conduct the search for principal candidates and the school council shall select the principal from a list of candidates recommended by the superintendent; permit the superintendent to appoint an interim principal to serve until the new principal assumes the duties of the position. Recommitted to House Education Committee
 
Bill Sponsor Position Description Status
RESOLUTIONS
HCR 4 Nelson  Support Direct the LRC to study the cost of K-12 textbooks and related instructional materials. House Education Committee
HR 5 DeCesare  Support Urge local school boards to seek input from interested stakeholders before approving the school calendar. House Tourism Development and Energy Committee
HJR 6 M. Marzian  Support Direct the commissioner of education to convene a work group to review Holocaust curricula developed by other states and review the Kentucky core content to determine places where the study of the Holocaust may be included. Signed into law
HCR 16 L. Belcher, T. McKee, C. Miller, et al  Support Urge the United States Congress to amend Title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions. Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
SR 53 J. Turner, R. Palmer, R. Jones  Support Urge the United States Congress to amend Title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination provisions. Passed by Voice Vote
HR 71 L. Belcher  Support Recognize and honor Tammy Spratt for being named the Kentucky Elementary Teacher of the Year. Passed by Voice Vote
HJR 81 H. Moberly, L. Clark, et al  Track Provide that the mandates, directives, and initiatives in the 2008-2010 State/Executive Branch Budget memorandum have the force and effect of law; EMERGENCY. Signed into law
HJR 82 H. Moberly, L. Cark, et al  Track Provide that any mandates, directives, and initiatives in the 2008-2010 Legislative Branch Budget Memorandum have the force and effect of law; EMERGENCY. Signed into law
HJR 83 H. Moberly, L. Clark  Track Provide that any mandates, directives, and initiatives in the 2008-2010 Judicial Branch Budget Memorandum have the force and effect of law. Signed into law
HJR 98 T. Burch  Track Direct the Early Childhood Development Authority to conduct various studies related to early childhood programs; report to the Governor and LRC by September 1, 2009. House Health and Welfare Committee
HCR 111 H. Moberly, Jr.  Support Urge Congress to restore funding to student loan programs. Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
HCR 144 F. Rasche, R. Adkins  Track Confirm the reappointment of Thomas James Stull to the Education Professional Standards Board for a term expiring September 18, 2011. Senate Education Committee
HCR 145 F. Rasche, R. Adkins  Track Confirm the appointment of Mary S. Hammons to the Education Professional Standards Board for a term expiring September 18, 2011. Senate Education Committee
HCR 146 F. Rasche  Track Confirm the appointment of Bobbie Sammons Stoess to the Education Professional Standards Board for a term expiring September 18, 2011. Senate Education Committee
HCR 160 B. Yonts   Track Create a Task Force on Student Financial Aid and require that a report be submitted to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission no later than December 1, 2008. House Education Committee
HJR 165 H. Moberly, Jr.  Track Establish a Task Force on Teacher Roles, Responsibilities and Compensation, composed of members of the Interim Joint Committee on Education to consider findings of a KDE study conduct its own review and make recommendations regarding teacher compensation and working conditions to the full Interim Joint Committee on Education by November 1, 2009. Senate Education Committee
HCR 166 H. Moberly Jr   Support Direct the staff of the Legislative Research Commission to conduct a comprehensive statewide study of postsecondary education student transfer to be completed by July 1, 2009. Senate Education Committee
SJR 166 J. Westwood   Track Direct the KDE to develop, with partners, a cohesive and comprehensive statewide literacy plan that builds instructional and leadership capacity to support continuous improvement in literacy, especially adolescent literacy; submit plan to Interim Joint Committee on Education no later than December 1, 2009. Passed by Voice Vote
SCR 177 K. Winters    Direct staff of the Legislative Research Commission to study options for changing Kentucky's student financial aid programs to ensure shared responsibility among students, families, state and federal governments, and postsecondary education institutions; require a workplan to be presented to the Interim Joint Committee on Education no later than September 1, 2008, with the study to be completed by September 1, 2009; require a written report with policy options to the Interim Joint Committee on Education and the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue by October 1, 2009. Senate Education Committee
HCR 179 D. Butler    Require LRC to designate staff to study Kentucky's to respond to the needs of children with Sensory Processing Disorders; require the study to be completed by November 1, 2008; require a written report to be presented by December 1, 2008. House Health and Welfare Committee
HJR 180 T. Firkins, et. al.  Support Direct the commissioner of education to appoint a curricula work group to conduct a comprehensive study to determine whether the actual instructional time available to teachers in the public schools is adequate to provide sufficient depth of instruction to enable students to reach the level of proficiency required by the established assessment programs; report to the Interim Joint Committee on Education by August 1, 2009. Recommitted to House A&R Committee
HJR 201 A. Wuchner, J. Greer    Direct the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Board of Education to study the tiered design of the program to support education excellence in Kentucky during the 2008 Interim and to present legislative recommendations by October 1, 2009, to the Interim Joint Committee on Education. House Education Committee