Rep. Scott Lewis

Maddy summaryHB 719 amends Kentucky law to update gender-specific language in a program supporting teachers. It replaces "his or her" with gender-neutral terms in KRS 156.690, which currently outlines a program where the Kentucky Board of Education helps certified teachers purchase personal computers. The bill does not change the program's core elements - competitive bidding for computers or vendor-provided training - but ensures the language applies equally to all teachers regardless of gender. This change directly affects certified teachers and the administrative processes of the Kentucky Board of Education.

Amend KRS 45A.045, relating to the disposal of state property, to require the Finance and Administration Cabinet to determine that there is no need of a state agency or ownership interest of local government before disposal of state-owned real property; require the state agency disposing of real property to provide maintenance and security of real property until completion of disposal; establish authority for the Finance and Administration Cabinet to utilize other methods to dispose of real property when there are no responsive bids received; establish a process for a local government to notify the state of its interest in using abandoned or underutilized state-owned real property; amend KRS 56.463 to require a state agency disposing of real property to provide maintenance and security of surplus real property until completion of disposal; amend various other sections to conform.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; establish the Classroom Library Grant Program; provide that the Kentucky Department of Education to implement the grant program through selection of a program administrator; establish the qualifications and duties of the program administrator; appropriate $5,000,000 from the General Fund to implement the Classroom Library Grant Program; APPROPRIATION.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 40 to define terms; create the Residential Ease of Access for Disabled Veterans Program for funding the construction and installation of accessibility ramps on residences of disabled veterans; establish the Residential Ease of Access for Disabled Veterans Program grant fund to be used for the program and administered by the Kentucky Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Create a new section of Subtitle 17A of KRS Chapter 304 to require coverage for emergency ground ambulance services; establish minimum allowable reimbursement for out-of-network emergency ground ambulance services; establish requirements for reimbursement of out-of-network ground ambulance providers; prohibit balance billing by out-of-network ground ambulance providers; establish construction clause in the event of conflicts; amend KRS 18A.225 to require the state employee health plan to comply with emergency ground ambulance coverage and payment requirements; provide that Act applies to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2027.

Appropriate $96 million from the Kentucky Permanent Pension Fund in fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority to fund 1-time supplemental payments on July 1, 2026, to recipients of a retirement allowance who have been retired for at least 12 months from the Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS) and the State Police Retirement System (SPRS); allow the Board of Trustees of the County Employees Retirement System to, by board decision, provide a one-time supplemental payment to recipients of a retirement allowance who have been retired at least 12 months by increasing employer contribution rates over a one-year or two-year period; specify that the 1-time supplemental payment shall be equal to the monthly payment received by the recipient in the month of June 2026; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 186 to define "local governmental entity" and "local official"; require the Transportation Cabinet to expand driver licensing services by setting up a system between the Transportation Cabinet and 1 local official or local governmental entity in each county to issue operator's licenses and personal identification cards; require the Transportation Cabinet to identify a local official or local governmental entity in each county that will participate in the system by July 1, 2027; allow a local offical or local governmental entity to charge a convenience fee for any document issued by a local official or local governmental entity; require the Transportation Cabinet report the number of documents issued by local officials and local governmental entities and any effect on wait times at regional licensing offices; amend KRS 186.531 to conform; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2027.

Amend KRS 139.470 to exempt from sales and use tax pet adoption fees and certain small veterinarian service fees charged by local government animal shelters and nonprofit animal welfare organizations; apply to transactions on or after August 1, 2026.

Amend KRS 64.185 to establish a salary schedule for coroners; require the Department for Local Government to certify the population group within the salary schedule and the years of service for each coroner assuming office; provide for adjustments to compensation based on the consumer price index; allow additional compensation for training courses completed; require all coroners to be considered full-time and prevent any reduction of salary based on hours worked; EFFECTIVE January 4, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It directs the Kentucky House of Representatives to adjourn its session in honor of baby Miya Rudd, who passed away in 2024. The resolution expresses sympathy for her family and commemorates her life, as described in the "WHEREAS" clauses. It has no policy impact or effect on any laws or individuals beyond the House's own procedural adjournment. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, so a 1-sentence summary is appropriate.)