LRC News Releases
Task force learns about housing shortage
Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, speaks during Monday’s Kentucky Housing Task Force meeting. A high-resolution photo can be found here.
FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Housing Task Force, a new legislative panel focused on solutions to housing shortages, heard from several state officials Monday about efforts to address the problem.
Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, was among those who had questions for officials from the Kentucky Housing Corp., the Kentucky Center for Statistics and the state’s Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction.
“There’s a lot of different spokes to this. It’s no certain, no one thing can solve this problem. It’s going to take a lot of different folks – like I said, a lot of partnerships and the private sector really has to step up and start working on this,” he said.
Wendy K. Smith, deputy executive director of Housing Programs for the Frankfort-based Kentucky Housing Corp., said it’s vital for the housing supply in Kentucky to be a main focus instead of niche or secondary housing issues.
She and others presented information from the first phase of the Housing Supply Gap Analysis, a study commissioned by the KHC and released in April.
“In our view, the housing supply shortage is Kentucky’s most urgent issue,” she said. “What we’re seeing is while Kentucky Housing for 50-plus years has been investing in affordable housing, because there’s not enough supply in the overall marketplace, we’re losing ground in serving the folks we try to serve.”
Smith said all of Kentucky’s counties need housing, and if enough supply existed, the state would have lower average housing costs.
“Supply will bring down costs. That’s just, that’s economics, right? We would have higher ownership rates. We would have more workforce housing if we just had more supply. We would have lower addiction rates. We would have fewer homeless Kentuckians, and we’d have increased household stability,” she said.
Smith said if there is more housing for higher income people and they can get what they want, people with fewer means will have more options open to them because it is a marketplace. Housing is also closely connected to economic development, she said.
“If you want jobs, you need homes,” Smith said.
Senate Majority Caucus Chair Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, said Detroit has added housing to the city by using sites that were conducive to construction.
“They looked at sites that were already ready to go. They already had the infrastructure there. They already had all of the sewer lines, everything, and they rebuilt those areas, part of the metropolitan area,” she said. “And everything that I’ve read, they’ve done it block by block by block, and they’ve really stabilized a huge portion of their metropolitan area.”
Senate Minority Whip David Yates, D-Louisville, asked Smith about possible KHC gap incentives for construction companies and developers to spur construction.
“I mean we can, but we don’t have any more to work with than we did before. Some of our resources could do that, and are doing that in some communities, but there’s not any more to go around. Who are we going to take from I guess is where we’re left,” Smith said.
Rep. Mike Clines, R-Alexandria, asked Smith if there’s a good housing program in another state that KHC favors more than others.
Smith said she would like more time to research the issue, but mentioned Oklahoma’s is interesting to her.
Committee Co-Chair Rep. Susan Witten, R-Louisville, said the task force was established after House Concurrent Resolution 68 was adopted during this year’s legislative session. The task force is charged with studying and reviewing current and future policy needs to address access and availability of housing for the state’s citizens.
Witten said this includes a demographic analysis of housing costs, population and employment opportunities statewide and regionally; a comprehensive review of state and local laws, regulations, policies and procedures that affect housing; analysis of the availability and accessibility of housing; and evaluation of land use, zoning, infrastructure and community planning to identify barriers to attainable and affordable housing.
The task force will also examine efforts in other areas of the United States to address housing shortages and boost home ownership, she said.
Phase 2 of the Housing Supply Gap Analysis will be a 5-year projection of future supply gaps in Kentucky, Smith said. This report is expected to be released Aug. 21 during the Kentucky Affordable Housing Conference in Louisville, she said.
The task force’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 29 at 1 p.m.
Interim committee discusses implementation of Senate Bill 151
Senate Majority Caucus Chair Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, asks a question about the implementation of Senate Bill 151 during Wednesday’s Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children meeting. A high-resolution photo can be found here.
FRANKFORT — The Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children discussed the future of Senate Bill 151 on Wednesday.
The general assembly unanimously passed SB 151 earlier this year, which will allow family members who take temporary custody of a relative's child to become certified as a "child-specific foster home.” The bill will give those caregivers more access to state resources. SB 151 officially becomes law on July 15.
The bill’s primary sponsor, Senate Majority Caucus Chair Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, asked Lesa Dennis, commissioner for the Department of Community Based Services, how the Cabinet plans to implement the legislation.
Dennis said the Cabinet needs additional funding to implement SB 151.
“The Cabinet is supportive of Senate Bill 151, but during those conversations we also identified there would be additional funding needed to implement, and that funding was not made available,” Dennis said. “So at this time, we are still hopeful in the near future that there will be an additional pathway for funding of Senate Bill 151. But without that support, the Cabinet will have difficulty moving forward with implementation.”
Adams said since SB 151 will be law, she isn’t sure if the Cabinet can opt not to implement it. She also questioned whether additional funding was requested from the legislature.
“I can also show you documentation from the Cabinet that says that the cost can be absorbed within your current budgetary framework,” Adams said, adding that she would like to hear more from the Cabinet on the issue in July.
Sen. Robin L. Webb, D-Grayson, also had questions about the funding issues for SB 151. Dennis said the estimated cost is $20 million.
“Is there any federal relief or anything we could apply for that would ease the burden of that?” Webb asked.
Dennis said no, because general funds would support additional staffing and pay for the cost of care for the children.
Under SB 151, Dennis also said the process the Cabinet will have to use to transition children from a temporary custody situation to relative/fictive kin foster care situation makes the child ineligible for federal reimbursement.
Rep. Sarah Stalker, D-Louisville, asked Dennis if there is a different way the Cabinet can implement SB 151 in order to be eligible for federal support.
Dennis said no.
“We have asked our federal partners, and we have worked with our consultants and others in various ways to try to find a solution that would enable us to receive federal funding for this population of children and have not found any workarounds or other options available,” she added.
Toward the end of the discussion on the issue, committee co-chair Rep. Samara Heavrin, R-Leitchfield, said she wants the Cabinet to come back in July to continue to discuss the implementation of SB 151.
“To hear that (SB 151) is not going to be implemented because there aren’t enough funds when it was stated that the Cabinet could absorb the funds is a major problem,” she said.
The next Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children is currently scheduled for 1 p.m. on July 30. For more information, visit legislature.ky.gov.
Lawmakers hear from first responder families seeking workers’ compensation
Rep. Lindsey Burke, D-Lexington, speaks Wednesday about first responder workers’ compensation during a meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection. A high-resolution photo can be found here.
FRANKFORT — Family members of those dealing with psychological injuries offered impassioned testimony during Wednesday’s meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection.
Rep. Lindsey Burke, D-Lexington, credited Rep. John Blanton, R-Salyersville, with, “a fabulous bill that’s been around for many years” and has had bipartisan support.
“Kentucky’s workers’ comp system was created in 1914 with a goal of placing responsibility for workplace injuries on the industry in which such injuries occur as opposed to putting that on the general public,” she said.
Burke said only physical injuries or physical illnesses are covered under current law, and the measure – House Bill 363 – would create a carve-out for psychological injuries experienced as first responders, who are defined as firefighters, EMTs, police, National Guard and front-line social workers.
“Our first responders take great risks to provide services to the public when we’re in crisis. They come to us at our worst moments,” she said. “They see the absolute, most awful things that any of us can imagine. They do it willingly, courageously…”
Caleen Treadway of Sharpsburg, cried while testifying about witnessing seizures her father, Bobby Treadway, had that she said were due to PTSD stemming from his EMS employment.
“And my dad has dedicated his life to saving others and sacrificing his own life and his time with his family so others would get the opportunity to make it back to their loved ones,” she said. “No one will ever really know what my dad has seen on these runs or calls or what any of these first responders see on a daily basis.”
Like Treadway, Wendy Johnson spoke about how her husband, Kyle Johnson, was affected by things he saw during period of civil unrest in Louisville. He had been serving in the Kentucky National Guard for eight years when he received orders to go to Louisville.
“We are here today to address the gap in coverage and benefits for those who find themselves struggling with PTSD. As all of you know, this is mostly an invisible injury, an injury that affects the most important organ in your body…It is a real and devastating injury to receive,” she said.
Rep. Bill Wesley, R-Ravenna, thanked Burke for presenting the bill, and said National Guard personnel serve the governor and take the same oath as anybody else who has served in the military.
“If a national guardsman that has taken that same oath, if they’re not deployed, they’re not considered a veteran, and I think that’s wrong. They served in so many different ways…We have people serving all over the world that are from the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a national guardsman,” he said.
Rep. Mark Hart, R-Falmouth, said he served for nine years in the National Guard, and more than 30 years as a fire officer and a paramedic. He said there are 23 states with some type of presumption for workers’ compensation for mental health for firefighters. He said he wasn’t sure if this includes police and EMS in those states. He asked Burke if there are other states with laws providing for workers’ compensation for National Guard personnel.
“I do believe it’s a similar number. Kentucky is an outlier that we’re not providing care for our national guardsmen who are on state deployment,” she said.
Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville, said those in the National Guard should be treated as a veteran whether they are deployed or not.
“I want it stated in the record that 23 states already have the presumptions for first responders for mental health…I hope that this bill is expanded to include those who work in the call centers, either the 911 dispatchers or in the cases of 988, I think a 988 dispatcher or person should be included as well,” he said.
Sen. Matthew Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, said it’s the legislature’s job to reduce red tape that holds back services for those who have provided invaluable assistance. He said he’s grateful to the General Assembly for funding USA Cares, which addresses possible lapses in policies.
Rep. Sarah Stalker, D-Louisville, thanked the families for their testimony and said they were brave for sharing their stories.
“I do not think that vulnerability is a sign or weakness. I do not think that individuals should be humiliated by their circumstances,” she said.
The next committee meeting is scheduled for July 30 at 11 a.m.
Lawmakers learn about companies' power needs, receive an energy outlook
Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, speaks Thursday about Kentucky's energy needs to meet demands of companies interested in locating in the commonwealth. A high-resolution photo can be found here.
FRANKFORT — Ensuring Kentucky possesses enough energy to attract and retain businesses was only one facet of Thursday's meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy.
Committee members heard from the chairman of the Kentucky Public Service Commission, two executives from two major industries in the commonwealth and a representative of an energy-related state association.
Committee Co-Chair Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, said a business person from Indiana recently showed him a power bill from that state. The energy provider was the same, but the cost per kilowatt was much lower – in some cases almost half – and the firm determined that it was cost prohibitive to come to Kentucky.
Years ago, businesses interested in locating here were focused on building specifications, he said. "Now, I'd say that the No. 1 question that they all ask is what is your power rate."
Kent A. Chandler, chairman of the Kentucky Public Service Commission, said system growth is happening primarily as a result of data center expansion in the Columbus, Ohio and Northern Virginia areas. He expressed concern about replacing current power-generating units.
"I'm still concerned with our ability to reliably and cost effectively replace energy that is lost from a significant number of retirements of current resources," he said. "One or two here and there I think would be fine. A wholesale replacement of our generating fleet, I don't know what we would build to replace it. I'm being very honest."
Chandler said in 2023, Kentucky ranked 14th nationwide for residential electricity rates and second east of the Mississippi River behind only Tennessee. The state ranks No. 11 nationwide for industrial rates.
"On average, our rates across the entire state are very competitive, at least for our entire region," he said, citing state profiles by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Rep. DJ Johnson, R-Owensboro, asked Chandler why transmission costs are increasing.
"I would say that the primary cause of it is the replacement of older transmission with similar or like-kind new transmission," Chandler said.
Committee Co-Chair Rep. Jim Gooch Jr., R-Providence, said the committee is looking for ways to ensure Kentucky has reliability and the availability of power at an affordable cost. However, he said he's not in favor of large corporations that "blindly follow some of the policies in Washington."
Gooch said that capturing carbon emissions at a high rate is not feasible and can't be done.
One of those who testified during the meeting was Cathy Waddell, controller of Ghent-based Nucor Steel Gallatin. She said the company produces sheet steel, which has hundreds of everyday uses. For example, the steel goes into parts for automobiles, solar farms, lawnmowers, appliances and office furniture. Additionally, Nucor opened a second steel mill in Brandenburg last year.
Waddell said with many manufacturing facilities in Kentucky, Nucor is one of the largest electricity consumers in the state.
"For industrial operations like ours, access to reliable and affordable electricity is one of the most important factors to our success," she said.
Nucor is investing in next-generation nuclear technology, she said.
"We're working with NuScale Power, a start-up company that is developing small, modular nuclear reactors. They were the first company to have their new reactor design approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission," she said. "Besides a financial investment, we're also evaluating with NuScale the possibility to co-locate their small modular reactors at one of our steel mills as well as supplying them with the steel to build the reactor."
Kim Allen Menke, regional director of Government Affairs for Toyota Motor North America, said severe weather can create a brief power outage that can shut down manufacturing equipment such as spray booths, curing ovens and paint systems.
"There's no question energy curtailment or brownouts would have a negative impact on our ability to run production and operate our building systems for our team members," Menke said.
Michael L. Kurtz, general counsel for Kentucky Industrial Utility Customers, said utility companies in Kentucky are challenging federal rules regarding coal-fired plants.
"So really, if this federal rule survives, all the coal plants effectively will have to shut down by 2038," he said.
Smith said the important issue is what would the closure of the coal-fired plants mean to companies such as Nucor and Toyota.
"We realize that we're going to have to do something because we want you to know we're going to fight for you, and we're going to fight to keep that industry and those jobs here," he said.
Committee discusses potential bill on sex offender residential limits
Rep. Kim Banta, R-Fort Mitchell, testifies before the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary on Thursday about legislation on sex offender residential limits. A high-resolution photo can be found here.
FRANKFORT — The 2024 legislative session ended in April, but Kentucky lawmakers are already working on bills for 2025.
Rep. Kim Banta, R-Fort Mitchell, spoke to the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary on Thursday about this year's House Bill 67. The bill did not become law, but Banta is hoping to refile the legislation in 2025.
Under HB 67, registered sex offenders would be restricted from residing within 3,000 feet of a high, middle, or elementary school; preschool, publicly owned or leased playground; or licensed daycare facility. Current law provides a 1,000-foot limit.
Banta said she's had many people ask her for this bill.
"It's beginning to impact some of our city areas and residents within," she added.
Sen. Johnnie Turner, R-Harlan, said he is concerned how the bill might impact people living in rural areas.
"I represent a rural area, and presently 1,000 feet is a football field in a straight line. Three thousand feet would probably prevent anybody from living in any small town in my county," Turner said.
The bill is not retroactive, Banta said, so anyone convicted prior to this bill would not be impacted. Turner said he still has concerns about punishing people who have already served out their sentence.
Banta said that she supports many policies aimed at helping people, like voting rights restoration and expungement, but sex offenders require different consideration.
"They're always going to be a sexual predator," she said.
Committee co-chair Rep. Daniel Elliott, R-Danville, said he also has concerns on how the legislation would impact rural areas.
"I know you're trying to prevent future crimes and future victims, and I appreciate what you're doing. But there could be an effect, I think, unintentionally of requiring these individuals to live in rural parts of a county for instance where there's only a sheriff's patrol," Elliott said.
Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton, said from a law enforcement and executive director of a childcare center perspective, he supports the 1,000-foot limit. But he wanted to know why 2,000 more feet is needed.
Banta said she's aware of a situation in which a convicted sex offender uses binoculars to watch children playing soccer at a nearby school.
Rep. Kevin D. Bratcher, R-Louisville, said he knows of a similar incident happening in his district. However, that person was convicted when the limit was 500 feet.
The Kentucky General Assembly cannot act on legislation until the 2025 legislative session begins on Jan. 7.
The next Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary meeting is scheduled for July 18 at 11 a.m.
For more information, visit legislature.ky.gov.
Department of Juvenile Justice gives update to lawmakers
Sen. Christian McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, said he supports the use of pepper spray and other measures in juvenile detention facilities during Wednesday's Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary meeting. A high-resolution photo can be found here.
FRANKFORT — The Kentucky General Assembly continued its efforts to monitor Kentucky's juvenile justice system on Wednesday.
Kentucky's new Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White provided an update to the Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary and spoke on the impacts of recent legislation on the department.
White said in his 27 years working in corrections, today's youth are different.
"They're committing harsher crimes, which require stronger rehabilitative efforts," White added.
In order to reduce Kentucky's juvenile detention center population, White said the state needs to focus on alternatives to detention, education, programming, employment and mental health. Ensuring the safety of incarcerated youth and detention center staff is also a priority.
The legislature has appropriated millions toward the improvement of the Department of Juvenile Justice in the last few years, White said. Due to 2023 legislation, starting salaries at juvenile justice centers went from $30,000 to $50,000. This has resulted in filled positions going from 313 at the beginning of 2023 to 454 as of May 22, 2024, White added.
Ensuring facilities are fully staffed is a major priority. White said the department is expecting more youth to enter the facilities as the result of 2023's House Bill 3 and 2024's House Bill 5 and Senate Bill 20.
HB 3 requires the automatic detention of juveniles charged with violent crimes. HB 5, also known as the Safer Kentucky Act, enhances penalties for certain violent crimes, and SB 20 requires youth who use a firearm in the commission of a crime to be tried as an adult.
Committee co-chair Rep. Patrick Flannery, R-Olive Hill, asked if the department has enough funds to complete the Jefferson County Youth Detention Center and the Jefferson Regional Juvenile Detention Facility at Lyndon renovation projects.
Roberta McCann, acting executive director for the department's Office of Administrative Services, said additional funding provided in this year's budget is adequate.
To maintain order inside the juvenile facilities, corrections officers may use pepper spray, tasers and shields for protection, White said. All usage of pepper spray is investigated. Out of 107 investigations, 14 incidences have been determined to be "substantiated misuses."
"(Pepper) spray continues to be a safer alternative than physical contact between juveniles and staff, reducing injuries and medical attention," White said. "A comparison of staff assaults before and after the use of pepper spray was authorized shows that staff assaults have decreased by 40%."
Sen. Robin L. Webb, D-Grayson, said she wanted more information on the use of pepper spray in juvenile facilities, especially if juveniles are informed on what may be used on them if they misbehave.
"I represent guards and juveniles and I would like to think they're well informed of the potentiality of that," Webb said. "… and what is the penalty for misusing for employees?"
White said he believes potential disciplinary measures for juveniles in detention is in the handbook they're given upon entry to the facility. As for employees who misuse, White said they are often suspended and have to undergo additional training and counseling.
Sen. Christian McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, said he supports the use of pepper spray and other measures in juvenile detention facilities due to how violent some of Kentucky's youth offenders are.
"I find it unfortunate that those who would rather forget that there is a problem that must be dealt with societally, know that the people on the front lines of providing that solution to that problem have to feel safe in that environment that we charge them to operate," McDaniel said.
The next Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary is currently scheduled for 9 a.m. on July 17. For more information, visit legislature.ky.gov.
Education committee receives KSU update
Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, speaks about Kentucky State University during Tuesday's Interim Joint Committee on Education meeting. A high-resolution photo can be found here.
FRANKFORT — During Tuesday's meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Education, legislators received an update on budgeting, enrollment and other key issues affecting Kentucky State University in Frankfort.
Lawmakers heard testimony from five representatives from the commonwealth's only public historically Black college and university (HBCU).
KSU has faced severe financial challenges in recent years, and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education has undertaken a financial review of the institution. The Kentucky General Assembly also passed legislation to provide financial relief to the university.
Tammi Dukes, who serves on the KSU Board of Regents, said she's grateful for the committee and general assembly for the investment in the university, which led to the largest general fund in the school's history.
"The nearly 400% increase in asset preservation and the $5 million for the planning and design of the new health sciences education building have not gone unnoticed," she said. "In addition, your support, particularly through the passing of House Bill 250 in 2022, has been pivotal in our journey towards realizing measurable outcomes and fostering a brighter future for our students and the commonwealth."
Dukes said the university's focus has been on three primary goals – to balance the budget, to ensure robust internal controls across the organization and to grow the enrollment.
Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, asked about the school's outreach to potential students in Northern Kentucky and enrollment numbers.
"We have hired five admission specialists, and we have divided the state among them. And so we do have a contact there in the Northern Kentucky area. What we're looking to do is to continue to grow," said Stephanie Mayberry, KSU's vice provost of student affairs.
Mayberry said the university plans to also reach out to potential students in Bowling Green and Christian County.
Mentioning the current enrollment of approximately 1,700 at KSU, Funke Frommeyer asked how many students live on campus.
Mayberry said the school has the capacity for about 1,200 students on campus. She also said summer school is offered online and several camps are set to kick off this week at KSU.
Rep. James Tipton, R-Taylorsville, also committee co-chair, said it's encouraging to hear that good news is happening at KSU, and he asked about the recent relationship between KSU, the KSU Board of Regents and the Kentucky State University Foundation, which he said has been described as "pretty much nonexistent."
Dukes said the board of regents has attempted to forge relationships, but has had no real success.
"In addition, we've also been asking for financial information as it relates to the endowments and all the funds that are being managed through the foundation and have received sporadic, incomplete information over the last two years," she said.
Tipton said committee members would be monitoring the situation and it can hopefully be resolved soon.
Senate Minority Caucus Chair Reginald Thomas, D-Lexington, asked Michael Dailey, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs, about the record number of degrees awarded during KSU's most recent commencement.
"We had the largest graduating class that we have had in the history of Kentucky State University – over 300 degrees were awarded…," he said.
Thomas also asked about graduation rates going up by almost 25% in KSU's new president's first year in office.
Dailey said the efforts made by Mayberry and her team started with retention. Also addressing gaps in curriculum and the pathways students were pursuing helped boost the rates.
Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, said the presentation was encouraging, and he asked about student recruitment and the five admissions counselors.
"I'll be honest. We started behind the eight ball this year. Those five were not in place until January and the recruitment time is September to October," Mayberry said. "We feel confident that we'll be able to get into the high schools. We've been building those relationships all semester so that we can go right into those high schools in the fall so that we have a presence."
Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald A. Neal, D-Louisville, said after hearing the presentation that he's encouraged by the transparency and the future of the university.
"I have to tell you this is one of the most refreshing presentations that I've heard before this body. There have been many, but this is one of them. And it's very encouraging what I've heard here," he said. "I think I'm speaking for most of the folks up here, and I haven't looked at facial expressions or anything, but it seems like you're on the right track."
Legislative interim period begins this week
Renovation work continues on the Kentucky Capitol this week as lawmakers return to Frankfort for the start of the 2024 interim period. here.
FRANKFORT — Kentucky lawmakers are kicking off the 2024 interim period this week with the first of many joint committees slated to convene on Tuesday.
The interim period typically runs from June to December each year and provides lawmakers time to hold hearings and study issues in preparation for the next regular session, which begins in January.
The full 2024 interim calendar is available here. Please note, however, that it may be subject to change throughout the year.
Unless otherwise indicated on the calendar, most interim joint, statutory and special committee meetings are held in the Capitol Annex building in Frankfort.
The Legislative Research Commission's website will include a weekly calendar of committee meetings throughout the interim period, offering more detailed information on meeting times, committee members and agenda items. The weekly calendar is available here.
Both Kentucky Educational Television (KET) and the Legislative Research Commission provide livestreams of the committee meetings, and more information on accessing those feeds is available here.
To view materials such as information sheets, handouts and PowerPoint presentations that are compiled for lawmakers to review at committee meetings, please visit the committee pages on the Legislative Research Commission's website. Click on the "Meeting Materials" tab on the right side of each committee's page. Meeting agendas are also posted on this page.
To share feedback on an issue with lawmakers, call the General Assembly's Message Line at 1-800-372-7181. Kentuckians with hearing loss can use Kentucky Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
To directly reach a lawmaker's office, call 502-564-8100. An operator will transfer the call to the office of the lawmaker you want to reach.
If you have a question about the lawmaking process or legislative resources, the LRC Public Information Office can be reached by calling 502-564-8100, ext. 59105.