FRANKFORT, Ky. — A bill that supporters say will help military families is moving forward. 

What You Need To Know

  • Rep. Danny Bentley is the sponsor of House Bill 91

  • Under the bill, spouses of active duty members of the Armed Forces would not have to pay fees for the issuance or renewal of occupational licenses, under certain conditions

  • Supporters call it a "common sense" bill

  • A similar bill passed the House in the last legislative session but did not get a vote in the Senate

 

Tuesday morning, a House committee heard testimony from Erin Ramey, daughter of lawmaker Rep. Danny Bentley (R, Russell), who is the sponsor of House Bill 91.

Spectrum News 1 reported on Ramey’s support of the legislation back in June.

Ramey has a law degree and her family is stationed in Japan, where her husband serves in the Marine Corps. 

The bill would change Kentucky law so that spouses of active duty members of the Armed Forces would not have to pay fees for the issuance or renewal of occupational licenses under certain conditions. 

Supporters call it a “common sense” bill.

“I think this will really help many spouses who are professionals trying to juggle the normal military spouse life as well as their careers,” said Ramey. 

James Simms, the executive director of the National Guard Association of Kentucky, called it “another step ... to make Kentucky a military friendly state.”

A similar bill passed in the House last legislative session, but didn’t get a vote in the Senate. 

Bentley said that was likely because lawmakers ran out of time in the shortened session.

House Bill 91 moves next to the full House.

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