Call to Order and Roll Call
The Program Review and Investigations Committee met on Friday, February 17, 2017, at 8:30 AM, in Room 327 of the Capitol. Senator Danny Carroll, Chair, called the meeting to order, and the secretary called the roll.
Present were:
Members: Senator Danny Carroll, Co-Chair; Senators Tom Buford, Wil Schroder, Dan "Malano" Seum, Reginald Thomas, Stephen West, and Whitney Westerfield; Representatives Lynn Bechler, Donna Mayfield, Rob Rothenburger, Arnold Simpson, and Walker Thomas.
LRC Staff: Greg Hager, Committee Staff Administrator; Chris Hall; Van Knowles; William Spears; Joel Thomas; and Kate Talley, Committee Assistant.
Senator Carroll opened the meeting by noting the passing of long-time employee Anita Muckelroy. He said members’ thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Senator Carroll called for nominations for a House co-chair. Representative Rothenburger nominated Representative Bechler, and the motion was seconded by Representative Simpson. Representative Simpson moved to cease nominations with a second by Representative Rothenburger, and the motion was approved by voice vote.
Senator Carroll welcomed new members and opened the floor for proposals for new study topics. He explained that one topic would be selected from each of the four caucuses. The two Senate topics will be selected today. The House topics will be selected at the next meeting of the committee, which should be before the end of the 2017 session.
Senator Seum made a motion that staff study tuition of Kentucky’s eight public universities. He noted that the University of Louisville has recently announced that it is freezing tuition.
In response to questions from Representative Simpson and Senator Carroll, Senator Seum clarified that the study would include tuition, fees, and associated costs. The motion was seconded by Representative Bechler and approved by a roll call vote.
Senator Thomas made a motion that staff study the impact and success of funding half-day kindergarten. The motion was seconded by Representative Simpson and approved by a roll call vote.
In response to an instruction from Senator Carroll, Mr. Hager explained how Program Review and Investigations Committee staff conduct studies and present reports.
In response to questions from Senator Seum, Mr. Hager confirmed that this is the only committee with subpoena power, that the statute does not have specific requirements to exercise subpoena power, and that the committee may receive testimony under oath.
The meeting adjourned at 8:53 AM.