Report to the People
By: State Senator Ernie Harris

As expected, the final full week of lawmaking in the 2001 session was the busiest yet with scores of bills receiving final approval before going to the governor to be signed into law.

Throughout the week, lawmakers worked late into the night putting the final touches on bills as they took their last steps through the legislative process. By week's end, members of both the Senate and the House were in conference committee meetings ironing out the differences in bills passed by each chamber.

In the end, we had a pretty good idea of our accomplishments this session. In addition to taking care of dozens of "housekeeping" details, such as confirming gubernatorial appointments and approving reorganizing matters, the 30-day legislative session gave us an opportunity to find consensus on major issues such as cracking down on people who make bomb threats to schools, strengthening the state's efforts to protect coal miners, and cleaning up abandoned industrial sites.

In response to bomb threats that forced school closings last year, we approved HB 1 to stiffen penalties against anyone who makes a bomb threat to a school or public building. The legislation will make the crime a felony rather than a misdemeanor.

We also gave final approval last week to SB 2, legislation aimed at cleaning up abandoned industrial sites known as brownfields. These sites are often considered eyesores that threaten our environment and hurt efforts to revitalize areas.

SB 2 would encourage cleanup of these sites by promising property owners the state wouldn't sue for additional cleanup once a brownfield has been cleaned to the satisfaction of the Cabinet for Natural Resources.

Another high profile issue we found consensus on will strengthen the state's efforts to protect coal miners. HB 258 will revamp the state's oversight of mine safety to protect miners and punish those who put them in danger. Under the legislation, a new three-member commission will investigate violations of mine safety laws and an eight-person mine safety board will approve mine safety regulations.

We also set the stage for research and discussion on Kentucky's tax code with the approval of House Joint Resolution 30. This legislation will create a legislative subcommittee dedicated to studying tax policy issues and preparing a report for the General Assembly before the 2002 legislative session. Proponents of the resolution say the subcommittee is needed to take a comprehensive look at Kentucky's tax structure and recommend revisions that can bring the code into the 21st Century and meet the long-term needs of Kentucky.

In an effort to keep our tobacco market strong for farmers, we approved HB 279. This legislation will help prevent the sale of illegal "gray market" cigarettes, inexpensive cigarettes intended for sale abroad but smuggled back into the United States. According to the legislation, a store that sells gray market cigarettes could face fines and lose its license to sell tobacco products.

In other agriculture-related legislation, the Senate approved HB 100 to allow a state university to grow industrial hemp and study whether or not there's potential for a hemp market in Kentucky. Supporters of this legislation say the state needs to find out whether hemp - which can be used to make auto parts, clothes, ropes and many other products - would be a viable product for Kentucky farmers.

We also approved legislation aimed at helping out Kentucky's volunteer firefighters. According to HB 101, an employer couldn't fire a volunteer firefighter for being late to work if the tardiness was caused by responding to an emergency.

Foster children will also benefit from the 2001 session. HB 62 will help ensure these kids get the education they'll need by making tuition free at Kentucky's public colleges and universities for foster children and wards of the state.

We also approved legislation to help crime victims with the passage of HB 23, legislation that would allow the state's Crime Victims Compensation board to pay claims to hit and run victims. The legislation also would allow the Board to pay an abuse victim $500 to help relocate to a safer place.

Two of the most difficult issues we faced this session - statewide garbage cleanup and black lung reform - were still unresolved when we ended work last week. But the wide-ranging debate we had on those two complex proposals has set the stage for action in the near future to clean up Kentucky and help coal miners afflicted with the breathing disorder.

Though most of our work in the 2001 session is done, lawmakers will return to Frankfort March 22 and 23 to consider whether or not to override any gubernatorial vetoes. Until then, I look forward to reporting back to the people I represent on the results of the 2001 legislative session and the issues lawmakers will continue working on in the days to come.

As always, if there's an issue you have an opinion on, I hope you'll take the time to share your thoughts with me by calling the General Assembly's toll-free Message Line at 1-800-372-7181.