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‘Safer Kentucky’ and abortion exceptions: Legislature sees notable bills filed in Week 2

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‘Safer Kentucky’ and abortion exceptions: Legislature sees notable bills filed in Week 2


FRANKFORT – Kentucky legislators came to a fork in the road in Week 2 of the 2024 session. And in the words of the great Yogi Berra, they took it.

Several notable bills were filed, while committees took early action on other pieces of legislation that were put forward in the General Assembly’s first week. There’s plenty of time before the session ends in April, but we have an early look at some key priorities legislators brought with them to Frankfort for the 60-day session.

Here’s a quick breakdown of highlights, news and notes from the session’s first full five-day week, with the House and Senate set to gavel back in Tuesday afternoon.

A busy week for new legislation

Several high-profile bills hit the floor for the first time.

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Sen. David Yates, D-Louisville, announced Tuesday morning he would file a bill adding exceptions to Kentucky’s near total abortion ban for circumstances including rape, incest, the mother’s health (current law only allows abortions in cases where the mother’s life is at risk) and if the fetus is not expected to survive birth.

Yates, who filed Senate Bill 99 later that day, was joined by advocate Hadley Duvall and Gov. Andy Beshear, who urged legislators to take action. Duvall is a sexual abuse survivor who appeared in a Beshear campaign ad last fall calling for exceptions to the law.

That afternoon, the “Safer Kentucky Act” was filed by Rep. Jared Bauman, R-Louisville, and a group of other Jefferson County Republicans. House Bill 5 would take several steps at improving public safety, including increased penalties for people convicted of three violent felonies, establishing a carjacking statute, new restrictions on charitable bail organizations and a crackdown on street camping.

Co-sponsor Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, said the legislation is about “getting people who are going to continue to commit crimes” off the streets. And Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, who said Wednesday he appreciates the General Assembly’s efforts to improve public safety but did not offer much insight as to whether he supports all items in HB 5, was in Frankfort a day later to discuss it and other issues with legislators.

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It’s certain to attract plenty of attention. Several groups who oppose it plan to speak out at a press conference Tuesday morning in Frankfort.

Meanwhile, Senate Bill 10, which would let voters decide whether to push Kentucky elections for statewide offices back a year to fall in line with presidential races, advanced through committee to the Senate floor. The measure is sponsored by Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, who argued it would increase voter participation and save Kentucky money.

Stephen Voss, a professor of political science at the University of Kentucky, said it’s “no surprise” Republicans want to alter the state’s election schedule because GOP candidates tend to do well in national elections. 

Around the Capitol

  • The Senate approved its first bill of the 2024 General Assembly on Tuesday — Senate Bill 5, which would eliminate the state’s hunting and fishing license requirements for people who own the land on which they are hunting. Current law requires a permit for hunting and fishing on private properties consisting of five or fewer acres.
  • A wave of legislators announced before the session that they don’t plan to seek reelection, including Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, along with two lawmakers who will instead seek seats on Louisville’s Metro Council in Democratic Rep. Josie Raymond and Republican Rep. Kevin Bratcher. But Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, isn’t going anywhere — he told reporters Tuesday he plans to remain in Frankfort for at least five more years.
  • A Senate resolution put forward in the first week of the General Assembly by Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, would have called on the chamber to recognize many of those arrested after the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol “have been wrongfully detained for exercising their constitutional rights” and have not been afforded due process. But it’s unlikely to advance — Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Crofton, has told reporters he has no plans to bring it up in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which he chairs.
  • House members took most of Friday’s time in session to honor Rep. Brandon Reed, R-Hodgenville, who’s leaving the legislature to work under new Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell. Reed had been in office since 2017. House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, will set a date for a special election to fill his seat.

Looking ahead

The budget bill is still hanging over the session like an anvil, but expect action on it soon.

Osborne told Kentucky Educational Television on Monday that the bill was likely within the next week or two (you can be excused for having missed that broadcast — Stivers joked Tuesday morning that it was tough competing with the College Football Playoff title game for viewers that night).

The budget is the biggest priority of the legislature this year. Gov. Andy Beshear released his budget proposal last month, though the General Assembly will pass the bill that eventually lands on his desk.

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That bill isn’t on the docket yet, though. On Tuesday, the Senate is set to discuss Senate Bill 17 (which includes tweaks to Kentucky’s death certificate process) and Senate Bill 24 (which would limit the number of Medicaid organizations contracted by the state to three or fewer). The House, meanwhile, will discuss House Bill 88, which would prevent groups that are not banks from presenting themselves as such in ads to homeowners.

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in honor of the civil rights icon, and the General Assembly will not be in session. Legislators will gavel back in for a four-day week in Frankfort at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Reach Rebecca Grapevine at rgrapevine@courier-journal.com. Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com.





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Kentucky

Hill scores 31, Wichita State downs Western Kentucky 91-84

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Hill scores 31, Wichita State downs Western Kentucky 91-84


Associated Press

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Justin Hill’s 31 points led Wichita State over Western Kentucky 91-84 on Monday night in a season opener.

Hill added eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals for the Shockers. Xavier Bell went 6 of 14 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to add 17 points. Quincy Ballard shot 4 of 4 from the field and 2 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 10 points.

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The Hilltoppers were led by Babacar Faye, who posted 28 points and eight rebounds. Don McHenry added 21 points, four assists and two steals for Western Kentucky. Julius Thedford finished with 11 points and two blocks.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.




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WATCH: Tennessee HC Josh Heupel, Players Recap Kentucky and Preview Mississippi State Game | Rocky Top Insider

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WATCH: Tennessee HC Josh Heupel, Players Recap Kentucky and Preview Mississippi State Game | Rocky Top Insider


Tennessee HC Josh Heupel. Photo via RTI.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel led off the Week 11 media slate on Monday afternoon in Knoxville with a 12-minute press conference.

The Vols will close out a four-game, five-week home stretch this Saturday night in a homecoming game against SEC foe Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are currently the SEC’s last-place team and are still searching for their first conference win of the season.

Tennessee is riding a three-game win streak heading into Saturday’s game after taking down Florida, Alabama, and Kentucky in the last four weeks. The Vols will look to continue that momentum and keep their playoff hopes alive with another SEC foe this weekend.

Tennessee also teased the return of the Summitt Blue accessories on Monday as November represents Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

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In addition to Heupel, three Tennessee players also met with the media on Monday: tight end Holden Staes, safety Jakobe Thomas, and linebacker Jalen Smith.

More from RTI: Tennessee Football Teases Summitt Blue Twist For Saturday’s SEC Game

Check out all four interviews from Knoxville below:

Tennessee HC Josh Heupel

Tennessee TE Holden Staes

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Tennessee S Jakobe Thomas

Tennessee LB Jalen Smith

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Monday Headlines: Kentucky Basketball vs. Wright State Gameday

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Monday Headlines: Kentucky Basketball vs. Wright State Gameday


Good morning, BBN!

It is finally time to tip off the regular college basketball season for the Kentucky Wildcats as they welcome the Wright State Raiders to Lexington.

The fanbase has been itching for the real basketball games to start after two impressive performances against Kentucky Wesleyan and Minnesota State in their exhibition games.

Now, the games will count towards their record and start the countdown to the big first matchup against Duke in the Champions Classic next Tuesday.

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The Raiders head to Rupp Arena after posting an 18-14 record last season, which included a close loss to Indiana. Also arriving in Lexington is the Raiders, Brandon Noel, who was voted as the Horizon League Player of the Year. Can the Cats slow down the talented forward? That will likely be the difference between this game being close late.

For Kentucky, the fanbase will be watching to see how this team plays when the real horn sounds at the start of the season. Will they continue their offensive dominance? Can they continue to defend at a high level? We will find out tonight.

Go Cats!

Tweet(s) of the Day

Just a wild play.

Ray Davis is a rising star for the Buffalo Bills!

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Headlines

Big Blue Preview: Kentucky vs. Wright State – UK Athletics

The preseason is over and, beginning on Monday, the Cats embark on a new regular season with a new head coach and an entirely new team.

Know your opponent: Wright State Raiders- Cats Pause

Take a deep dive into the Wright State Raiders.

DeLeye’s 16 Terminations Hand No. 14 Kentucky 3-0 Sweep of UGA – UK Athletics

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Sophomore outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye had 16 kills as No. 14 Kentucky completed its season-long five-match road trip 5-0 thanks to a 3-0 win over Georgia and held its position in the three-way tie atop the SEC with the win.

Kentucky left points on the field multiple times deep in Tennessee territory- KSR

Are we really surprised?

Q&A with Mark Stoops following loss to Tennessee- Cats Pause

Take a look at what Coach Stoops had to say following the loss to the Vols.

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Acaden Lewis and Jasper Johnson to from all-lefty backcourt- KSR

Will be fun to watch next season.

Cowboys lose Prescott to hamstring injury- ESPN

A tough blow to Dallas.

Oregon voted unanimous No. 1- ESPN

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The Ducks are legit.

Lamar Jackson breaks record for most career games with perfect passer rating- CBS

Lamar and the Ravens are legit.

Steelers still in trade market for Wide receiver- CBS

Will Russell Wilson get a new receiver to throw to?

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Oregon remains atop AP Top 25 ahead of first CFP rankings – ESPN

Oregon is No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the third straight week, and unanimous for the first time, following its 21-point road win against Michigan.



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