FRANKFORT, Ky. — On day three of the legislative session, the first day bills can be voted on in either the House or Senate, Republican lawmakers in the majority moved quickly to pass their top priorities.

Senate Bill 1 specifically targets the governor’s emergency powers, limiting them to 30 days, unless he asks the legislature for an extension.

Sen. Matt Castlen (R-Owensboro) says he’s heard from many people that Gov. Andy Beshear’s coronavirus orders have hurt them.  

“When all authority is left to one person, it can be reckless,” Castlen said. “Unintended consequences can happen. When we revise 39A, we are giving communities a voice during a time of traumatic events.”

Most GOP members supported the measure but ran into opposition from Democrats who say it’ll cripple the state’s response to COVID-19.

“All of our communities are suffering. Many of our families are suffering. This is a pandemic unlike we have ever seen,” Senate Minority Leader Morgan McGarvey said. “I want to help ease that pain. I don’t think this bill gets us there.”

Meanwhile, Senate Bill 2 requires more legislative oversight of a governor’s executive orders, something most Democrats also opposed.

“In the time of crisis is not the time you’re going to decide let’s just restructure this whole situation,” said Sen. Karen Berg (D-Louisville). “You have to have a leader.”

Sen. Ralph Alvarado (R-Winchester) says it’s not just about the coronavirus. He said Beshear has put other emergency regulations into place that are questionable even before the pandemic.

“We clearly have a problem. We have an abuse of this system that we have found in this state and this is a good bill,” Alvarado said. “And it’s written well to provide an opportunity to amend, to hear public commentary, and to do disallow an abusive system that has been done unfortunately by the cabinet and this administration. I would urge all members to vote yes, thank you.”

Beshear has voiced opposition towards the bills before, but both passed with veto-proof majorities.

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 9 Thursday, a bill requiring doctors to keep an infant alive after surviving an abortion attempt. Senate Bill 3, also passed Thursday, would move an agriculture board and fund from the governor’s office to the Department of Agriculture.