HB 420/LM (BR 1722) - A. Koenig

     AN ACT relating to constables.
     Create a new section of KRS Chapter 70 detailing the powers and duties of constables, excluding the general powers of peace or police officers, with certain exceptions; allow police powers where the county grants them and the constable or deputy have been certified pursuant to KRS 15.380 to 15.404, so long as that certification is maintained; amend KRS 15.707 deleting constables; amend KRS 16.060 deleting constables; amend KRS 61.300 deleting deputy constables; amend KRS 61.310 deleting deputy constables; amend KRS 63.170 by adding constables; amend KRS 63.180 by adding deputy constables; amend KRS 64.060 to remove non-certified constables from the fee schedule for services and allow certified constables to continue to receive fees per the schedule; amend KRS 64.190 to amend constable fee schedule; amend KRS 64.200 to exclude urban county governments from constable compensation requirements and include deputy constables within reporting requirements; amend KRS 70.310 to require deputy constables to execute bond; amend KRS 70.320 to allow the appointment of deputy constables, specify how they are appointed and their numbers determined, and qualifications of; amend KRS 70.350 to clarify where constables may execute warrants; amend KRS 70.410 to include deputy constables; amend KRS 70.430 to clarify the nature and recipient of constable and deputy constable's reports; grant fiscal courts or county clerks and merged governments the authority to retain 25% of fees collected; amend KRS 70.440 to include mandated reports within false reporting prohibitions; amend KRS 148.056 to remove constables; amend KRS 150.100 to remove constables; amend KRS 164.955 to specify that powers of constables are not being diluted or removed; amend KRS 183.881 to clarify that constable powers are not impaired or diminished; amend KRS 189.950 to permit vehicle blue lights for constables if the county grants them the authority and if they are certified as peace officers; amend KRS 230.240 to remove constables; amend KRS 277.280 to remove constables; amend KRS 281.765 to remove constables and deputies; amend KRS 446.010 to remove constables from definition of "peace officers"; amend KRS 454.140 to direct service of process to sheriffs, excluding urban-county and consolidated local governments, unless they pass an ordinance granting the sheriff priority.