KDA Comment Period Open Until April 30
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Acting Secretary Chad Wolf Statement on the REAL ID Enforcement Deadline
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“Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the national emergency declaration, the Department of Homeland Security, as directed by President Donald J. Trump, is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline beyond the current October 1, 2020 deadline. I have determined that states require a twelve-month delay and that the new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is October 1, 2021. DHS will publish a notice of the new deadline in the Federal Register in the coming days. “The federal, state and local response to the spread of the Coronavirus here in the United States necessitates a delay in this deadline. Our state and local partners are working tirelessly with the Administration to flatten the curve and, therefore, we want to remove any impediments to response and recovery efforts. States across the country are temporarily closing or restricting access to DMVs. This action will preclude millions of people from applying for and receiving their REAL ID. Extending the deadline will also allow the Department to work with Congress to implement needed changes to expedite the issuance of REAL IDs once the current health crisis concludes. “Protecting both the health and national security of the American people continues to be the top priority for the President of the United States and the Department of Homeland Security.” |
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# # # INFORMATION RECEIVED VIA EMAIL U.S. Department of Homeland Security <departmentofhomelandsecurity@messages.dhs.gov> |
"Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19,"
Rand Paul becomes first known senator to test positive for coronavirus
Paul tweeted that he “is feeling fine and is in quarantine.”
March 22, 2020, 12:51 PM CDT
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Sunday became the first known senator to test positive for COVID-19.
“Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19,” Paul’s account tweeted. “He is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person.”
“He expects to be back in the Senate after his quarantine period ends and will continue to work for the people of Kentucky at this difficult time,” the thread continued. “Ten days ago, our D.C. office began operating remotely, hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Rand Paul.”
Paul is the third member of Congress to announce a positive test for coronavirus, following Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Ben McAdams, D-Utah. Several Republican lawmakers also self-quarantined earlier this month after learned they had interacted with someone who tested positive for the virus at the Conservative Political Action Conference. President Donald Trump, who attended CPAC and also interacted with multiple people at his Florida resort who later found out they were infected, tested negative for the virus.
In an interview with NBC News, Diaz-Balart said Saturday he is feeling better after a week but said the initial symptoms hit him “like a ton of bricks.” McAdams, meanwhile, told NBC’s “Today” last week that the symptoms “felt like I had a belt around my chest, and so I couldn’t breathe deeply.”
Paul, a libertarian, forced a delay on the Senate’s first coronavirus aid bill by pushing a doomed amendment. He later voted against it.
Paul suffered lung damage as a result of having his ribs broken during an altercation with a neighbor in 2017. Last year, he had part of his lungs removed in surgery.
Kentucky police guard coronavirus patient who wouldn’t self-quarantine
By Lee Brown
A Kentucky coronavirus patient has been placed under police guard after refusing to stay under quarantine, the state’s governor has revealed.
The unidentified 53-year-old man from Nelson County recently tested positive at the University of Louisville, but left against medical advice — and also refused to self-isolate at home, Gov. Andy Beshear said at a press conference.
A local judge declared a state of emergency in order to invoke a little-known statute that allows him to force a “self-isolation or quarantine,” the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.
Law enforcement officers are now stationed outside the infected man’s home to make sure he does not leave and spread the potentially deadly virus.
“It’s a step I hoped I’d never have to take, but we can’t allow one person who we know has the virus to refuse to protect their neighbors,” Beshear said at the press conference.
Beshear also revealed that he had been tested himself — with results coming back negative — after attending a public event in Louisville where another attendee later tested positive.
“This, right now, certainly is us against the coronavirus,” he said at a press conference.
“And all we need from people — we’ve all gotta follow these guidelines,” he said. “We need everybody’s help to do it.
“We are part of Team Kentucky. We need everybody out there to be a good teammate,” he said.
With Post wires
Sen. Perry Clark, and others, will speak at the rotunda rally tomorrow!
FROM THE PROFILE TIMELINE OF DAN SEUM, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE!
THANK YOU DAN SEUM!
FIRST OF ALL,
SENATOR PERRY CLARK will be attending the Rally at the Rotunda and will be speaking. This will be his last year, as he is retiring. Let’s all show up and give him the respect he deserves for all his years of hard work for the people in Kentucky!
“Senator Perry Clark will be addressing the Rally tomorrow! Senator Clark has been working for cannabis reform in the Kentucky Legislature for Many years! Senator Clark and Gatewood Galbraith are true Pioneers! This will be Senator Clark’s last Hurrah as he is retiring. Make sure to let the senator know how much you appreciate his leadership and continued mission to end cannabis prohibition in Kentucky!” Dan Seum
ADDITIONALLY,
“Senator Dan Seum will be coming from retirement to address the Rally Tomorrow! Senator Seum filed SB80, “Adult Responsible Use Act” during his last few years in office. Please let the senator know you appreciate his efforts.” — with Dan Malano Seum.
“House Representative Jason Nemes will be addressing the Rally Tomorrow! Representative Nemes is currently championing the Medical Cannabis legislation among his colleagues in Frankfort! Please make sure to thank Rep Nemes for his continued efforts!”
“Representative Cluster Howard will also be addressing the Rally tomorrow! Representative Howard filed HB148 “Adult Responsible Use’. Make sure to thank Rep Cluster Howard!
Rep Howard is retiring also….let him know how much you appreciate his leadership! We will miss you Representative Howard!”
“State Representative John Sims Jr will be addressing the Rally tomorrow! Representative Sims has been working with the Crawford’s and KY4MM for several years on Medical Cannabis! He co-sponsors HB136. Make sure to thank Rep Sims!”
“We have invited all co-sponsors of HB136 (Medical Cannabis), too many to mention here. But please know that we appreciate ALL the legislators who have put their names on Each of the 10 cannabis bills filed this session!
J. Nemes, J. Sims Jr, T. Bojanowski, C. Booker, T. Branham Clark, K. Bratcher, G. Brown Jr, T. Burch, M. Cantrell, J. Donohue, L. Elkins, D. Elliott, K. Flood, C. Freeland, A. Gentry, J. Glenn, J. Gooch Jr., D. Graham, C. Harris, M. Hart, A. Hatton, K. Hinkle, C. Howard, T. Huff, J. Jenkins, M. Koch, N. Kulkarni, D. Lewis, S. Maddox, M. Marzian, C. McCoy, R. Meeks, R. Meyer, C. Miller, J. Miller, P. Minter, D. Osborne, R. Palumbo, P. Pratt, R. Rand, J. Raymond, D. Schamore, A. Scott, M. Sorolis, C. Stevenson, W. Stone, S. Westrom, B. Wheatley, R. Wiederstein, L. Willner, L. Yates”
PLEASE CHECK DAN SEUM’S PROFILE FOR ADDITIONAL UPDATES THROUGHOUT TODAY AND ALSO THE EVENT LINK.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at 12:30 PM – 2 PM EDT
700 Capital Ave, Frankfort, KY 40601-3448, United States
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE THERE!
AT ELECTION TIME, VOTE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS UPON IT — BECAUSE IT DOES!
(KY) CANNABIS RALLY AT THE ROTUNDA, WEDNESDAY!
PLEASE PLAN TO JOIN ACTIVISTS, CITIZENS, REPRESENTATIVES AND OTHERS AT THE 2020 CANNABIS RALLY AT THE ROTUNDA, THIS WEDESDAY, MARCH 11TH, FROM 12:30PM UNTIL 2:00PM.
LOCATED AT 700 CAPITAL AVENUE, FRANKFORT, KY 40601.
HOSTED BY:
My Right To Decide and KY NORML
EVENT LINK
SENATOR STAN HUMPHRIES’ LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Office of Senator Stan Humphries
For Immediate Release
March 6, 2020
Contact: Morgan P’Pool
SENATOR STAN HUMPHRIES’ LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The Kentucky General Assembly reached the deadline to file new bills this week. Slightly less than 1,000 bills were filed—286 in the Senate and 647 in the House. With this deadline behind us, we now have a more complete view of the issues lawmakers will take up this year.
Senate Bill (SB) 2, the Senate’s proposed voter ID requirement bill, passed in the House this week with provisions. The Senate did not concur with these changes and asked the House to recede its changes to the bill. If an agreement is not reached, SB 2 will then move to a conference committee for further discussion.
A House measure relating to medicinal marijuana research passed in the Senate. House Concurrent Resolution 5 urges national drug organizations, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to expedite research into the potential therapeutic benefits and risks of using marijuana for health purposes.
Women represented 40 percent of the computer science workforce in 1995. Today, that number is less than 25 percent, which is an alarming decrease to me. SB 193 establishes a goal of increasing participation in computer science courses by underrepresented groups, including females, minorities, students with disabilities, English language learners, and students whose families are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. SB 193 includes the number of computer science courses or programs offered in each school, as well as the nature of those courses or programs and the number of instructors required.
Legislation to rein in surprise medical billing has now advanced to the House. SB 150 seeks to stop the practice by requiring insurers to cover surprise medical billing. This happens when a patient receives medical care—often unwittingly—outside of their insurer’s network. Subsequently, the patient is billed by doctors or hospitals or both for the amount insurance did not cover. SB 150 would require the state insurance commissioner to establish a database of billed health care service charges, and it would provide a dispute resolution program for medical insurers and providers to work out their differences over these out-of-network charges and not the patient.
A bill that would criminalize the “doxing” of minors, SB 182, also passed. By definition, doxing is the act of publicly identifying or publishing private information about someone, especially as a form of punishment, intimidation, or revenge. This legislation was brought after a northern Kentucky student was doxed following the posting of a video of him with a Native American protester in Washington D.C. SB 182 is a commonsense step to address the growing problem of cyber harassment in today’s digital-driven era and would protect the privacy of minors.
Other bills passing this week include:
SB 21 would require veterinarians to report the abuse of animals under their care. Kentucky is the only state where veterinarians are currently prohibited by law from reporting animal abuse unless they have owner permission or are under a court order.
SJR 35 would direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to establish the Task Force on Services for Persons with Brain Injuries.
SB 37 would allow veteran-managed nonprofits to waive some startup fees. It would do this by amending the existing Boots to Business program to include these nonprofits. Through the program, new businesses that are majority-owned by a military veteran or an active-service member are eligible for fee waivers for the initial business filing, as well as the annual report filings. SB 37 passed by a 33-0 vote and was sent to the House for its consideration.
SB 115 would amend the statute regarding the tuition waiver for Kentucky foster or adopted children to include graduate programs and extends the eligibility time period to 10 consecutive or non-consecutive semesters up to age 28.
SB 136 would codify in statute that home health aides providing Alzheimer’s and dementia care have four hours of training in their first 60 days of employment. It would also require an annual, two-hour refresher course.
SB 148 would require individuals applying to claim certain agriculture exceptions to first apply for an agriculture exemption number from the Kentucky Department of Revenue (DOR). The bill further requires that DOR develop a searchable agriculture exemptions-number database for sellers and retailers to use for verification.
SB 159 would require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to promulgate regulations for the operation and maintenance of public splash pads, areas with sprinklers and fountains but little or no standing water. There are currently no regulations on how splash pads should be operated and maintained.
SB 161 would toughen penalties for predators who target children online. Among other things, it would increase penalties for people who prey on children under the age of 12. The bill would also make it easier for investigators to conduct undercover stings by clarifying that they are allowed to pose as children online.
The pace in Frankfort is getting quicker, and I anticipate an increase in visitors and advocates from across the Commonwealth. If you have the time and opportunity, please stop by my office in Frankfort or call for an appointment. If you have any questions or comments about any of these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at Stan.Humphries@LRC.ky.gov.
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Note: Senator Stan Humphries (R-Cadiz) represents the 1st District including Calloway, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Lyon, and Trigg Counties. Senator Humphries serves as vice chairman of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee and co-chairman of the Capital Planning Advisory Board and the Public Assistance Reform Task Force. He also serves as a member of the Agriculture Committee; the Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee; and the State and Local Government Committee, and the 2020-2022 Budget Preparation & Submission Statutory Committee. Additionally, he serves as an ex-officio member of the Senate Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development and Tourism, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection; Education; General Government, Finance, and Public Protection; Human Resources; Justice and Judiciary; and Transportation. For a high-resolution .jpeg of Senator Humphries, please log onto https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate101.jpg
Medical marijuana bill advances in KY General Assembly
Above: HB 136 primary cosponsor Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, presenting the medical marijuana legislation for a floor vote.
For Immediate Release
February 20, 2020
Medical marijuana bill advances in KY General Assembly
FRANKFORT— For the first time in Kentucky history, a bill to legalize medical marijuana came to a vote on the floor of the Kentucky House. Apparently the first time was a charm.
Members of the House voted 65-30 to approve the legalization of medical marijuana under House Bill 136, along with eight floor amendments to the bill. The measure now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
“HB 136 when it is passed, which I hope that it is, will be the tightest medical marijuana bill in the country,” said Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, who shares primary sponsorship of the measure with Rep. John Sims Jr., D-Flemingsburg.
Nemes said that he and Sims have spent years meeting with stakeholders to ensure that the legislation addresses their concerns.
“We’ve met with stakeholders from law enforcement, constituents, regular folks … patients, physicians, chiropractors. I mean, you name it, we’ve been there,” he said.
The bill as passed by the House would extensively clarify state policies for cultivation, processing, sale, distribution, and use of medical marijuana. Licensing of cannabis dispensaries is covered, as is maintenance of a cardholder registry for cannabis users.
Smoking of medical marijuana would be prohibited under HB 136. The bill instead would allow the drug to be dispensed as “edibles” such as gummies, oils, or similar products. Customers would be limited to a month’s supply at one time.
Keeping with the sponsors’ commitment to make HB 136 a public health bill and not a revenue maker, Nemes said excise taxes and all other revenue created by the bill would go to regulation of the program and nothing else. Additionally, local governments would have the last say in whether medical marijuana businesses operate within their jurisdiction.
Among those House members voting against the proposal was former Kentucky State Trooper and current pastor Rep. Chris Fugate, R-Chavies. He cited the fact that marijuana remains a federally controlled substance that isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as a reason for his vote.
“Marijuana, no matter how we look at it, is against federal law” and joins heroin, LSD, and ectasy as a Schedule I narcotic, said Fugate. It is also a “gateway drug,” he said, referring to drugs that are believed by some to lead to abuse of more dangerous drugs later on.
Voting is support of the bill was Rep. Robert Goforth, R-East Bernstadt. The licensed pharmacist said he supports the bill on behalf of individuals like his adult brother diagnosed years ago with cerebral palsy.
Goforth said he sees his brother suffer on a regular basis from “adverse side effects” caused by FDA-approved anticonvulsants and other drugs.
“If I can give him a little bit of relief from the FDA-approved medication that has caused those adverse side effects for him, to control those conditions, I’m going to do it. I have to do it,” he said.
END
KY: SENATOR STAN HUMPHRIES’ LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Office of Senator Stan Humphries
For Immediate Release
January 24, 2020
Contact: Morgan P’Pool
SENATOR STAN HUMPHRIES’ LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Following a long weekend honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Kentucky General Assembly returned to Frankfort. The atmosphere in the Capitol was one of anticipation as hundreds of citizens rallied for causes in the Rotunda and met with their legislators to discuss issues facing the Commonwealth.
This week included Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol, an event promoting children’s safety, health, education, and economic well-being. In light of this annual gathering, I would like to emphasize the importance of a complete count of our children and students in the upcoming 2020 Census. The Census count helps determine how much money communities receive for critical resources that our children and families will depend on for the next 10 years, including food assistance, housing support, child care, and public education. Knowing how many children there are and where they live is essential to getting them proper access to those critical programs and services here in Kentucky.
It is also imperative that we take necessary action to ensure the safety and security of our students. Two years ago, the Commonwealth grieved the loss of innocent lives due to a senseless act of violence at Marshall County High School. This tragedy prompted last year’s Senate Bill (SB 1), the School Safety and Resiliency Act, a multi-faceted approach to better secure Kentucky schools through increased physical safety measures, a supportive learning environment, and preventative behavioral health services. SB 1 passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law in 2019. On the anniversary of the tragic Marshall County High School events, the Senate Education Committee passed SB 8, a measure that would amend the current statute to expand school personnel, including the designation of a school safety coordinator for each district and by requiring one school-based mental health counselor per 250 students. SB 8 would also require school resource officers to carry firearms.
Also passing favorably through committee this week was SB 9. This Senate priority measure is a testament to our unwavering commitment to protect and defend the right to life here in the Commonwealth. Also known as the “Born Alive Infant Protection Act,” SB 9 requires a physician to take all medically appropriate and reasonable steps to preserve the life and health of a born-alive infant.
While it was only a four-day work week for the Kentucky General Assembly, the Senate passed a number of bills out of the chamber that will now go on to the House for consideration:
SB 2 – A legislative priority that would require a voter to present photo identification at the polls. Under the amended bill, an expired photo I.D. would be accepted. SB 2 is supported by Secretary of State Michael Adams and promotes confidence in the integrity of Kentucky elections.
SB 5 – An act requiring Special Purpose Governmental Entities (SPGEs) to seek approval from their establishing body to levy an ad valorem tax rate that would generate more revenue than the compensating tax rate, or a first-time ad valorem tax.
SB 20 – Prohibits the certification of assisted-living communities if they are owned, managed, or operated by anyone who has been convicted of felony offenses relating to adult abuse, child abuse, drugs, homicide, kidnapping, sex offenses, robbery, arson, pornography, and other offenses.
SB 56 – Ensures Kentucky complies with the federal minimum legal age for the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco products. It also eliminates possession penalties for youth up to age 21.
SB 66 – Amends the current statute to provide that someone who has been criminally charged in the death of another cannot make funeral, burial, or other ceremonial arrangement decisions for the decedent.
SB 72 – A sensitive but vital piece of proposed legislation. Kentucky is among 15 states where female genital mutilation (FGM) is still legal. FGM is any procedure involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or another injury to the female organs for nonmedical purposes.
During even-numbered years, the Kentucky General Assembly is tasked with preparing a balanced two-year budget for the Commonwealth. The budget address by the Governor is one of the first steps in crafting this document that will guide the Commonwealth’s financial decisions for the next two years. The Governor will be delivering his budget address on January 28 at 7 p.m.
If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at Stan.Humphries@LRC.ky.gov. You can also review the Legislature’s work online at www.legisature.ky.gov.
Note: Senator Stan Humphries (R-Cadiz) represents the 1st District including Calloway, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Lyon, and Trigg Counties. Senator Humphries serves as vice chairman of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee and co-chairman of the Capital Planning Advisory Board and the Public Assistance Reform Task Force. He also serves as a member of the Agriculture Committee; the Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee; and the State and Local Government Committee, and the 2020-2022 Budget Preparation & Submission Statutory Committee. Additionally, he serves as an ex-officio member of the Senate Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development and Tourism, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection; Education; General Government, Finance, and Public Protection; Human Resources; Justice and Judiciary; and Transportation. For a high-resolution .jpeg of Senator Humphries, please log onto https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate101.jpg
KY: Sen. Perry B. Clark has introduced SB 105… “An ACT related to Cannabis”…
As of today, January 22, 2020, Senator Perry Clark has introduced SB 105, “AN ACT relating to the regulation of cannabis and making an appropriation therefor”, as is posted on the Kentucky Legislature site.
To date, this is the best Bill which I have seen, as it supports all facets of Cannabis, including medicinal use for those under 21 if needed.
Here is a paragraph of the Bill:
Create various new sections of KRS Chapter 245 to define terms; to allow for possession, growth, use, processing, purchasing, transfer, and consumption of cannabis; to establish limits for transfer; to allow for purchasing and manufacture of cannabis accessories; to authorize activities and operation of retail stores, consumption establishments, cultivation facilities, cannabis testing facilities, and product manufacturing facilities; to establish possession limits; to prohibit smoking cannabis in public and to establish a fine for violation; to prohibit operation of motor vehicles while consuming cannabis and to specify that existing intoxication laws are not superseded; to prohibit state or local resources to be used to investigate violations of federal Controlled Substances Act that conflict with this KRS Chapter 245; to specify that an employer is not required to allow consumption, workplace intoxication, possession, or transfer of cannabis; to prohibit individuals under the age of 21 from entering cannabis establishments, purchasing, using, or misrepresenting their age and to provide for exceptions; to establish provisions for palliative or therapeutic use of cannabis by persons under the age of 21 LINK
The full Bill can be viewed at this link….
Please view the entire Bill!
https://kentuckymarijuanaparty.com/2019/12/19/2020-kentucky-marijuana-bills/
https://kentuckymarijuanaparty.com/2020/01/16/kentucky-please-get-involved-this-session/
https://kentuckymarijuanaparty.com/2020/01/16/kentucky-cannabis-rally-at-the-rotunda-in-frankfort/
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/20rs/sb105.html
https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=137
In a related article from 2013…
https://louisvillefuture.com/archived-news/perry-clark-pushes-for-pot-says-the-people-must-push/
When Government Fails In Kentucky 
