Tagged: Kentucky General Assembly

Despite passing some pension and tax reforms in this year's Kentucky General Assembly session, state lawmakers aren't out of the clear when it comes to another special session.

A few big issues still remain for lawmakers—mainly redistricting and more tax reform.

Gov. Steve Beshear has the sole authority to call a special sessions and to set their agenda. And with Beshear continuing to express a need for more tax reform to pay for education, he's not ruling out calling a special session sometime this year.

 A bill has already been pre-filed for the Kentucky General Assembly's 2014 session—and it deals with the use of drones in the state.

Republican state Rep. Diane St. Onge bill limits how unmanned aircraft can be used. It allows U.S. military personnel to use drones in Kentucky for practice purposes. And it also allows drones to be used by law enforcement agencies if they have a specific warrant to do so.

Under St. Onge's bill, all other drone usage would be banned into Kentucky, including general use by law enforcement and corporations. 

Gov. Steve Beshear has acted on every bill approved in the 2013 Kentucky General Assembly session. Some bill are are stranger than others.

Every year, Kentucky legislators OK a handful of bills that make lobbyists and lawmakers rolling their eyes, and this year is no different.

Here are some examples:

Gov. Steve Beshear has vetoed a bill sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo that would require prompt payment in the Medicaid managed care system. 

The governor was expected to veto the bill, claiming it would cost the state too much money.

But in turn, Beshear says he will implement the spirit of the bill, including allowing the Department of Insurance to investigate late payment claims. Beshear also promised the administrative side of the managed care system would work better.