General Assembly’s 2024 session underway

Rob Weber

Now that the Kentucky General Assembly's 2024 session has started. KAS Science Policy Committee members are once again tracking bills important to the science community. We want scientists across the state to know what’s going on at the Capitol and how to have a voice in the policy making process.

This year’s session runs 60 legislative days and is expected to adjourn in mid-April. Approximately 1,000 bills are likely to be considered during this time. No issue will be bigger than the state’s next two-year budget, which lawmakers are constitutionally required to approve during this session.

Gov. Andy Beshear has already unveiled his budget proposal, which would include funding boosts to support universal pre-K for all 4-year-olds and help for childcare providers, as well as 11 percent pay raises for all public school employees.

Republican legislative leaders are expected to unveil their own budget plan in the coming days.

During the first week of legislative activity, approximately 200 bills were introduced. Topics include PFAS "forever chemicals,” soil health, mathematics instruction, water fluoridation, and cancer screenings. You can find complete listing of bills in the General Assembly’s online Record or you can see bills singled out for tracking by the KAS Science Policy Committee here.

One of the most convenient ways to share your thoughts with lawmakers about bills under consideration is by calling the General Assembly’s toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181. You’ll find more ways to stay in touch with action at the State Capitol and provide feedback through the “Advocacy Toolkit” offered by KAS.

If you are interested in being part of the KAS Science Policy Committee, which meets online at 12:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, we’d be glad to welcome you! Please send a message to policy@kyscience.org to be added to the policy team’s email list.


General Assembly’s 2024 session underway Rob Weber Now that the Kentucky General Assembly's 2024 session has started. KAS Science Policy Committee members are once again tracking bills important to the science community. We want scientists across the state to know what’s going on at the Capitol and how to have a voice in the policy making process. This year’s session runs 60 legislative days and is expected to adjourn in mid-April. Approximately 1,000 bills are likely to be considered during this time. No issue will be bigger than the state’s next two-year budget, which lawmakers are constitutionally required to approve during this session. Gov. Andy Beshear has already unveiled his budget proposal, which would include funding boosts to support universal pre-K for all 4-year-olds and help for childcare providers, as well as 11 percent pay raises for all public school employees. Republican legislative leaders are expected to unveil their own budget plan in the coming days. During the first week of legislative activity, approximately 200 bills were introduced. Topics include PFAS "forever chemicals,” soil health, mathematics instruction, water fluoridation, and cancer screenings. You can find complete listing of bills in the General Assembly’s online Record or you can see bills singled out for tracking by the KAS Science Policy Committee here. One of the most convenient ways to share your thoughts with lawmakers about bills under consideration is by calling the General Assembly’s toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181. You’ll find more ways to stay in touch with action at the State Capitol and provide feedback through the “Advocacy Toolkit” offered by KAS. If you are interested in being part of the KAS Science Policy Committee, which meets online at 12:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, we’d be glad to welcome you! Please send a message to policy@kyscience.org to be added to the policy team’s email list.
KAS Newsletter - January 2024