KAS Science Policy Team Legislative Update

Madison Flory

University Research: SB 1, a bill that establishes an endowed research fund, administered by the Council on Postsecondary Education, to fund up to five research consortiums between universities, passed the House unanimously on the last Wednesday of the session. One consortium would be the Kentucky Spinal Cord and Head Injury Research Trust. The KAS Science Policy Committee supports this bill, as the increased investment in university research and collaborations will lead to increased innovation, economic growth, and scientific advancements.
Math Education: The Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act, HB 162, is designed to strengthen supports for Kentucky’s students in mathematics education. It would require math screenings and additional supports for students needing help. In amendments throughout the session, the program was expanded to include kindergarten through eighth grade students. The bill is currently waiting on House approval of amendments.
PFAS: Of the two pieces of legislation relating to PFAS that the KAS Science Policy Committee has been following (HB 116 and SJR 149), only one has made progress. SJR 149 was passed by the final chamber and delivered to the governor last Thursday. This resolution directs Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet to provide guidance on best practices for PFAS management to groups that discharge into Kentucky’s waterways.
Nuclear Energy: SB 198 and SJR 140, a set of two pieces of legislation relating to nuclear energy, passed out of both chambers last week and are now awaiting a signature or veto from the governor. SB 198 creates the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority and gives it the power to study and prepare for the potential of introducing nuclear power to the Commonwealth, while SJR 140 directs the Public Service Commission to prepare to review nuclear energy regulations.
Maternal Health: HB 10, the “Momnibus” bill, has been the subject of much debate in the Senate recently, with five floor amendments filed in the last few days of the session. The bill aims to improve maternal health in Kentucky and decrease the high maternal mortality rate by improving access to prenatal, postnatal, and maternal mental health care. We will continue to watch the bill in the final few days of the session to see if it passes.
Water Fluoridation: After advancing out of committee early in February, HB 141 seems to have stalled in its progress, thanks to the efforts of several science and health-oriented lobbying groups. With the goal of making community water fluoridation optional, HB 141 would have had negative effects on the dental health of Kentuckians.
Artificial Intelligence: Bills aimed at researching and addressing artificial intelligence have not made much headway in this legislative season. As we continue to learn more about these technologies, we expect future sessions to continue to attempt to study and regulate AI.
Budget: The House and Senate were able to agree on Kentucky’s biennial budget in the final day of the session before the veto period begins. Highlights include $2 million for Kentucky’s Heritage Land Conservation Fund, a cause the KAS Science Policy Committee has been advocating for. $2.5 million was allocated for schools to purchase automated external defibrillators, another item that the science policy committee has been following. The budget also provides funding for the Kentucky Science Center, the Bluegrass Land Conservancy, Kentucky’s publicly funded colleges and universities, and much more.


KAS Science Policy Team Legislative Update Madison Flory University Research: SB 1, a bill that establishes an endowed research fund, administered by the Council on Postsecondary Education, to fund up to five research consortiums between universities, passed the House unanimously on the last Wednesday of the session. One consortium would be the Kentucky Spinal Cord and Head Injury Research Trust. The KAS Science Policy Committee supports this bill, as the increased investment in university research and collaborations will lead to increased innovation, economic growth, and scientific advancements. Math Education: The Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act, HB 162, is designed to strengthen supports for Kentucky’s students in mathematics education. It would require math screenings and additional supports for students needing help. In amendments throughout the session, the program was expanded to include kindergarten through eighth grade students. The bill is currently waiting on House approval of amendments. PFAS: Of the two pieces of legislation relating to PFAS that the KAS Science Policy Committee has been following (HB 116 and SJR 149), only one has made progress. SJR 149 was passed by the final chamber and delivered to the governor last Thursday. This resolution directs Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet to provide guidance on best practices for PFAS management to groups that discharge into Kentucky’s waterways. Nuclear Energy: SB 198 and SJR 140, a set of two pieces of legislation relating to nuclear energy, passed out of both chambers last week and are now awaiting a signature or veto from the governor. SB 198 creates the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority and gives it the power to study and prepare for the potential of introducing nuclear power to the Commonwealth, while SJR 140 directs the Public Service Commission to prepare to review nuclear energy regulations. Maternal Health: HB 10, the “Momnibus” bill, has been the subject of much debate in the Senate recently, with five floor amendments filed in the last few days of the session. The bill aims to improve maternal health in Kentucky and decrease the high maternal mortality rate by improving access to prenatal, postnatal, and maternal mental health care. We will continue to watch the bill in the final few days of the session to see if it passes. Water Fluoridation: After advancing out of committee early in February, HB 141 seems to have stalled in its progress, thanks to the efforts of several science and health-oriented lobbying groups. With the goal of making community water fluoridation optional, HB 141 would have had negative effects on the dental health of Kentuckians. Artificial Intelligence: Bills aimed at researching and addressing artificial intelligence have not made much headway in this legislative season. As we continue to learn more about these technologies, we expect future sessions to continue to attempt to study and regulate AI. Budget: The House and Senate were able to agree on Kentucky’s biennial budget in the final day of the session before the veto period begins. Highlights include $2 million for Kentucky’s Heritage Land Conservation Fund, a cause the KAS Science Policy Committee has been advocating for. $2.5 million was allocated for schools to purchase automated external defibrillators, another item that the science policy committee has been following. The budget also provides funding for the Kentucky Science Center, the Bluegrass Land Conservancy, Kentucky’s publicly funded colleges and universities, and much more.
KAS Newsletter - April 2024