2021 General Assembly Begins
Part 1 of the General Assembly begins on January 5th. Full schedule here.
2021 Committee Meeting Schedule
We want to start this new year by thanking all of our members and allies for their support during what has been a very challenging year for everyone. In addition to your unwaivering support for the Kentucky Conservation Committee, we also want to thank those of you who continue to support KCC’s partner groups.
New year, new legislature
In the House, Republicans expanded their existing supermajority the 2020 House elections, gaining a net 13 seats while Democrats lost a net 12 seats, leaving the chamber's partisan balance at a 75-25 Republican majority. A 51-seat majority is required to override a gubernatorial veto.
In the Senate, Republicans expanded their existing supermajority, gaining a net two seats, expanding their majority to 30-8. A 20-seat majority is required to override a gubernatorial veto.
Who represents me?
There are two “Houses” of the General Assembly: the Senate, which has 38 members elected to six-year terms, and the House of Representatives, which has 100 members elected to two-year terms. Every Kentuckian is represented by a Representative and a Senator.
2021 Issues: Budget, Executive Powers
At the close of the 2020 General Assembly back in April, it was clear that the pandemic would continue to impact the state legislature well into the 2021 session due to the fact that lawmakers were only able to pass a one-year budget. And in the executive branch, Governor Andy Beshear had to address many pandemic-related issues by executive orders. So we anticipate issues that will be addressed during this short 30-day session will be addressing the remaining budgetary issues and addressing the limits of the Governor’s powers.
Kentucky General Assembly will be addressing the state budget once again, to address issues that could not be resolved during the 2020 session due to the uncertainty of the pandemic. The focus during this short session will remain on protecting Kentucky’s existing critical services, as well as assessing where new investments must be made related to the pandemic and economic recovery.
Redistricting: Kentucky's 2020 state legislative elections affected partisan control of redistricting following the 2020 census. In Kentucky, the state legislature is responsible for drafting both congressional and state legislative district plans. District plans are subject to gubernatorial veto. In Kentucky, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. District maps may be vetoed by the governor.
The Kentucky League of Women Voters has been advocating for a redistricting reform bill (pre-filed as BR157) that would create a fifteen-member panel to advise the legislature on new maps, with members appointed by the majority and minority parties of the House and Senate, and secretary of state.
How KCC Tracks the General Assembly
During sessions of the Kentucky General Assembly, KCC tracks legislation that falls within our mission each day of the session, and considers what KCC’s position on them should be every week. Positions are determined through a consensus of KCC board members and our two legislative agents. This body of experts consists of more than a dozen leaders in land conservation, climate change, biodiversity, energy, political science, environmental issues and more. You can learn what we are working on at the moment by visiting our website on a regular basis, and through our weekly email alerts during the General Assembly.
Contacting Legislators
Leave a message: 1-800-372-7181. Operators accept a message that you dictate from 7 am to 11 pm ET Monday to Thursday, and 7 am to 6 pm ET Friday, during sessions. You can leave a message for only one legislator, a list of legislators, all members of a committee you name, or all members of the House and/or Senate.
Send a fax: 1-502-564-6543. You can address single or multiple legislators, like the message line.
Send email to a legislator using email addresses: firstname.lastname@lrc.ky.gov
Call direct: 1-502-564-8100. Legislators are very busy during sessions, but many will try to take time to talk to a constituent.
What do I say?
A message can be as simple as, “Please oppose House Bill 999.” Adding a comment about how the bill would affect you, personally, can be very effective. You don’t have to be an expert.
If you are sending a fax, letter, or email, use your name, address, and phone number so the legislator will know if you are a constituent, and in case he or she wants more information. (The message line will ask for these things automatically).
If you talk to your legislator directly, you might open with, “Hello, Ms. Brown. I live on Elm Street in Bellwood. I’m curious about your position on HB 999.” After the reply, you can share your views. Be polite and don’t argue; knowing that you took the trouble to call is persuasive, and your legislator hears from many constituents who may have very different views.
Important General Assembly Accessibility Information During Covid-19:
General Access to the Capitol Annex: General Public access to the Capitol Annex and to the Capitol Building will not be allowed. We understand that you will be allowed to enter either building if you have an appointment with an official/policy-maker, but access will be limited to the appointment time and you will be expected to leave the building after the appointment. Your name will have to be given to security at the front door of either building to gain access. We assume that this will have to be done by the official/policy-maker with whom you have the appointment, or by their staff person.
Scheduled Annex Meetings with Legislators: Meetings will be limited to 3 persons and will take place in Annex offices. When you arrive at the main visitor entrance of the Annex, contact the legislative assistant or LRC staff who will verify your appointment time and may meet you there to escort you to the meeting. If you do not have a mask or face covering, one will be provided to you so that you can meet with the legislator.
There will be no scheduled group events allowed in the cafeteria or elsewhere in the Annex during the session. You will be required to wear a mask covering your nose and mouth the entire time you are in the Capitol Annex or in the Capitol Building.
How can I view/participate in meetings during Covid?
Streaming: Most meetings are expected to be televised on Kentucky Educational Television. You can view the livestream of committee meetings at: https://www.ket.org/legislature. You may also view meetings on the Legislative Research Commission’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmnoJBrwFmd7JK0HA9KcPaw
There has been no communication regarding the ability of Kentuckians to sign up to testify on a particular bill being considered by a House or Senate committee. We suggest you contact the Committee Chair to request permission to testify. You may also want to copy your Senator or Representative with your request.
If you have been invited to testify in-person at a committee hearing, your name will be given to leadership and you will receive an email with permission for access to the building. We assume that committees will also make accommodations for virtual testimony.
As we confirm additional Covid accommodations and restrictions, we will share these with you.
Registration Open Now for KCC's Annual Meeting and Legislative Summit
This year includes three virtual sessions,
January 15, 22nd and 29th from 11-12:30 each Friday.
Join us for all three days!
These informative sessions will include a broad look at anticipated topics during the 2021 General Assembly, an overview of timely conservation issues, basic training on "citizen lobbying," how to navigate the session during the pandemic, and an overview of environmental legislation filed to date.
We will also include "in depth" sessions on select topics in our primary campaign areas of climate change, land conservation, biodiversity and clean energy. In addition to the three sessions, participants will be given access to important downloadable briefs and tools.
KCC Board of Directors…VOTE!
Each year during the Annual Meeting, KCC elects half of their board to serve a two-year term. We invite all members in good standing to review the candidate statements and then VOTE!
Candidate Statements and Voting Info HERE.
Thanks to our outgoing Directors!
We also want to take the time to thank those board members who left during this past year or will be terming off due to term limits when the new board is seated after the elections on January 15th. Our heartfelt thanks to Jenna Scott, Dr. Richard Shore, Dr. Ruth Bamberger, Tracy Powell-McCoy for their service.