The May 8, 2003 meeting of the Program Review and Investigations Committee was held at 10:00 AM, in Room 131 of the Capitol Annex. Greg Hager, Committee Staff Administrator, called the meeting to order, and the secretary called the roll.
Present were:
Members: Senator Katie Stine, Co-Chair; Representative Charlie Hoffman, Co-Chair; Senators Charlie Borders, Brett Guthrie, Ernie Harris, Paul Herron Jr, Vernie McGaha, and Dan Seum; Representatives Adrian Arnold, Sheldon Baugh, Jack Coleman, Ruth Ann Palumbo, Tanya Pullin, and Dottie Sims.
LRC Staff: Greg Hager, Ph.D., Committee Staff Administrator, Lowell Atchley, Lynn Aubrey, Tom Hewlett, Joseph Hood, Margaret Hurst, Erin McNees, Stacie Otto, Cindy Upton, and Susan Spoonamore, Committee Assistant.
Dr. Hager explained that the first order of business would be the election of committee co-chairs as provided for in Senate Bill 221.
Sen. Katie Stine was nominated as Senate Co-Chair of the Program Review and Investigations Committee upon motion made by Sen. Seum and seconded by Sen. Herron.
Sen. Katie Stine was elected Senate Co-Chair by acclamation, without objection, upon motion made by Sen. Borders and seconded by Sen. McGaha that nominations cease and that she be elected by acclamation.
Rep. Charlie Hoffman was nominated as House Co-Chair of the Program Review and Investigations Committee, upon motion made by Rep. Palumbo and seconded by Rep. Arnold.
Rep. Charlie Hoffman was elected as House Co-Chair by acclamation, without objection, upon motion made by Rep. Pullin and seconded by Rep. Baugh that nominations cease and that he be elected by acclamation.
Minutes of the December 12, 2002 meeting were approved by voice vote upon motion made by Rep. Baugh and seconded by Rep. Sims.
Sen. Stine welcomed Rep. Tanya Pullin to the Committee. Rep. Pullin replaced Rep. Gippy Graham.
Dr. Hager explained the provisions of Senate Bill 221 as it pertained to the Program Review Committee. He also presented a list of suggested study topics which had been received from members of the 2003 General Assembly.
Sen. Stine asked if members had any comments or other suggestions for study topics.
Sen. McGaha stated that he would like to see an update on the 1999 report of First Steps. He was interested in seeing if the recommendations had been implemented. He also asked that staff look at possible duplication of services and the cost rates to providers as compared to other programs and other states.
Rep. Baugh stated that he would like for staff to research the parental rights of divorced fathers. What are their responsibilities and rights?
Rep. Palumbo asked that staff look at the level of tax burden on the state. Are corporations, LLC’s and individuals paying their fair share of taxes?
Sen. Harris stated that he would like to see the suggested study topic on local school boards include a comparision to pre-KERA figures and facts.
Sen. Borders stated that he would like to see the suggested topic on the Effectiveness of Kentucky Enterprise Zone Authority combined with the topic of whether or not the tax incentives being provided to corporations or businesses were producing the expected benefits.
Dr. Hager presented a brief status report on the studies that had been authorized by the Program Review and Investigations Committee for the 2002-2003 Interim.
Sen. Stine requested that staff present the Analysis of Medical Malpractice Insurance Premium Costs report at the June 12, 2003 meeting.
Sen. Guthrie asked for a moment of silence in memory of Ethel Alston.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:15.