KCC Legislative Summit 2024
We hope all our members and supporters are preparing for a GREAT holiday season. But before you head out for the holidays, we want you to mark your calendars for the upcoming legislative session and KCC’s 2024 Legislative Summit and Annual Meeting. Registration for this legislative event is now open!
Our full schedule is still being confirmed and subject to change, but we can announce some of our special guests, which will include a special Keynote by the Chairman of the Kentucky Public Service Commission, Kent Chandler.
This year’s Summit will include the latest information on conservation and environmental issues that are important to Kentuckians. We are planning to have sessions on electric vehicles, land conservation funding, and the impacts on our waterways from PFAS chemicals as just a few of our many topics. We will also be providing the resources you need to be an effective advocate for the environment during this year’s General Assembly.
Meanwhile, it has been a busy week as we count down to the holidays. We want to thank all of our members and supporters for coming out to last week’s Kentucky Voices event in Frankfort. It was great seeing folks in person again, and so many shared their appreciation to our guests, including former Governor Paul Patton.
And just because the holidays are almost upon us, it doesn’t mean we are slowing down. This time before the session starts is a great time to speak with your lawmakers either in Frankfort or in their home district, and we encourage you to do so. If you need assistance in preparing for a meeting with your lawmaker, just let us know and we are glad to help!
(Left) Kent Chandler will be our Keynote at KCC’s Legislative Summit. (Center) Authors Paul Patton, Byron Crawford and Richard Taylor sign books at last week’s Kentucky Voices event. (Right) Legislative agents Randy Strobo and Lane Boldman meeting with Rep. Rudy…one of our many visits during the Interim session.
Electric Vehicle Public Charger Users Take Note:
And for those of you who are currently driving electric cars and use public chargers, your lawmakers need to hear from you. A few weeks ago, the revenue cabinet began sending out letters regarding laws passed in 2022 (but not implemented till Jan. 1 2024) to several of the small businesses, houses of worship, and other community facilities who chose to install simple “Level 2” public electric vehicle chargers at their businesses (as a community benefit) and how they are planning to collect the $0.3/kWh surcharge...
Fortunately KCC and our allies all worked to get many of these “Level 2” public chargers exempted with a grandfathering clause. However there are still many “Level 2” public chargers that will be impacted, and we still feel there are aspects of these new laws that can and should be changed. We have been continuing to advocate for those changes, and now that the law is about to be enacted, we encourage you to contact your lawmakers.
We believe everybody should pay their fair share for the upkeep of our roads and transportation infrastructure— however we feel there are more effective ways to do this, and that the new laws that will impact these simple “Level 2” public chargers should still be modified or simplified in order to continue their important public benefit. We have provided some talking points and background information for you to use at this link.
If you do not know who your lawmaker is for your district (especially since redistricting took place) you may confirm that information using the Legislative Research Commission online district map. Link Here.