General Assembly’s 2023 session adjourns

Rob Weber

Other pieces of legislation that the KAS Education and Advocacy Committee kept an eye on throughout this year’s session include the following bills – all of which are now law – on the following topics:

Commissioner of Education. SB 107 will create a new Board of Education Board Nomination Committee, with members subject to Senate confirmation. Under the bill, the hiring of the Commissioner of Education will also be subject to Senate confirmation.

Literacy. SB 156 will establish a statewide reading research center.

Postsecondary Education. SJR 98 calls for a study on the placement and services provided by public universities and community and technical colleges. The study will include consideration of a new residential four-year university in southeastern Kentucky.

Health Care Workforce. HB 200 will create the Ky. health care workforce investment fund to support scholarships to eligible students and health care incentives to eligible healthcare programs.

Energy. SB 4 will prevent state approval for the retirement of outdated and inefficient fossil fuel power plants unless a utility provider demonstrates that the retirement will not have a negative impact on the reliability or resilience of the electric grid or the affordability of utility rates.

Nuclear Power. SJR 79 will establish the Nuclear Energy Development Working Group to develop recommendations on how a permanent nuclear energy commission could address the barriers to the deployment of nuclear power generation resources and other related technologies in Kentucky.

Air Quality. HJR 37 directs the Energy and Environment Cabinet to adopt revisions to the state air quality implementation plan to remove the reformulated gas requirement for Jefferson County and applicable parts of Oldham and Bullitt Counties. It also calls on the Cabinet to develop air pollution control strategies to achieve equal or greater emission reductions than can be achieved through reformulated gas requirements

Environment, Social, Corporate Governance (ESG). HB 236 will prevent fiduciaries of state retirement systems from considering environmental, social, political, or ideological interests when making investment decisions.

Cancer. HB 180 will require health coverage for biomarker testing to help fight cancer. Biomarker testing provides way to look for genes, proteins, and other substances that can offer helpful info about a person’s cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Teacher shortages. HB 319 will implement the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact to help deal with teacher shortages. The purpose of the compact is to facilitate the mobility of teachers across member states, with the goal of supporting teachers through a new pathway to licensure. The bill also directs the Council on Postsecondary Education to develop a marketing program to promote the teaching profession and it would create a statewide online job posting system for school job openings.

School Safety. HB 331 will require middle and high schools to maintain a portable automated external defibrillator (AED) in every school building and, as funds become available, at athletic practices and competitions. The devices drastically improve survival rates for those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.


General Assembly’s 2023 session adjourns Rob Weber Other pieces of legislation that the KAS Education and Advocacy Committee kept an eye on throughout this year’s session include the following bills – all of which are now law – on the following topics: Commissioner of Education. SB 107 will create a new Board of Education Board Nomination Committee, with members subject to Senate confirmation. Under the bill, the hiring of the Commissioner of Education will also be subject to Senate confirmation. Literacy. SB 156 will establish a statewide reading research center. Postsecondary Education. SJR 98 calls for a study on the placement and services provided by public universities and community and technical colleges. The study will include consideration of a new residential four-year university in southeastern Kentucky. Health Care Workforce. HB 200 will create the Ky. health care workforce investment fund to support scholarships to eligible students and health care incentives to eligible healthcare programs. Energy. SB 4 will prevent state approval for the retirement of outdated and inefficient fossil fuel power plants unless a utility provider demonstrates that the retirement will not have a negative impact on the reliability or resilience of the electric grid or the affordability of utility rates. Nuclear Power. SJR 79 will establish the Nuclear Energy Development Working Group to develop recommendations on how a permanent nuclear energy commission could address the barriers to the deployment of nuclear power generation resources and other related technologies in Kentucky. Air Quality. HJR 37 directs the Energy and Environment Cabinet to adopt revisions to the state air quality implementation plan to remove the reformulated gas requirement for Jefferson County and applicable parts of Oldham and Bullitt Counties. It also calls on the Cabinet to develop air pollution control strategies to achieve equal or greater emission reductions than can be achieved through reformulated gas requirements Environment, Social, Corporate Governance (ESG). HB 236 will prevent fiduciaries of state retirement systems from considering environmental, social, political, or ideological interests when making investment decisions. Cancer. HB 180 will require health coverage for biomarker testing to help fight cancer. Biomarker testing provides way to look for genes, proteins, and other substances that can offer helpful info about a person’s cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Teacher shortages. HB 319 will implement the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact to help deal with teacher shortages. The purpose of the compact is to facilitate the mobility of teachers across member states, with the goal of supporting teachers through a new pathway to licensure. The bill also directs the Council on Postsecondary Education to develop a marketing program to promote the teaching profession and it would create a statewide online job posting system for school job openings. School Safety. HB 331 will require middle and high schools to maintain a portable automated external defibrillator (AED) in every school building and, as funds become available, at athletic practices and competitions. The devices drastically improve survival rates for those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
KAS Newsletter - April 2023