FRANKFORT, Ky. — This week in Frankfort, lawmakers advanced bills related to guns on college campuses, sports betting and delta-8.
Currently, Kentucky institutions have the choice whether to allow people over the age of 21 to carry a concealed firearm on campus. House Bill 542, which easily cleared the House, would ban gun-free zones, and permit concealed carry on Kentucky campuses.
“I feel as though, if we are able to enable Kentucky citizens to exercise their second amendment rights, then they will have the ability to defend themselves in the event of the unthinkable,” Rep. Savannah Maddox (R-Dry Ridge) said. Maddox introduced this bill this week, which was initially filed as a “shell bill.”
Various state schools released statements in opposition to the bill, including UofL, UK and NKU.
“Not one educational institution has come to a lawmaker to say, ‘We’d really love for you to make sure that people can conceal carry on our campuses,’” Rep. Sarah Stalker (D-Louisville) said.
In the Senate, two bills — Senate Bill 158 and Senate Bill 162 — calling for more oversight into the Department of Juvenile Justice, passed.
On Wednesday, House Bill 551 legalizing sports betting cleared committee. Companies wanting to offer this in Kentucky would have to partners with one of the state’s horse racing tracks to operate.
“I can’t debate anyone’s moral objections or religious convictions to this bill, but I can tell you again: a billion dollars bet in the illegal and unregulated marketplace. And of those 36 states that have legalized since PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) was overturned, six of the seven border states that touch Kentucky have legalized a program of sports wagering,” Rep. Michael Meredith (R-Oakland) said.
After initially tabling the issue, the House voted to ban gray machines, also known as ‘skill machines.’ The bill would outlaw the gaming machines, often found in gas stations, across the Commonwealth.
Thursday the House gave the green light on House Bill 594, which would regulate the sale of delta-8 and other hemp-derived products. It calls on the state to establish guidelines for the sale of such products by Aug. 1.
“This has gotten to be a very big problem in our school systems so this (bill) really, I think, addressed the problem and I think it came to be something that everybody could live with,” Rep. Rebecca Raymer (R-Morgantown) said. She is one of the bill’s sponsors, after initially proposing a bill to outlaw delta-8 entirely. She says she did this in order to bring people to the table to negotiate.
Dates have also been set for the impeachment of a former Commonwealth’s Attorney in western Kentucky. Ronnie Lee Goldy Jr. allegedly promised a defendant favors in court for nude images from the person he was representing.
On Friday Senate Bill 115, which would impose restrictions on where drag performances could be held, passed in the Senate along party lines. One Republican senator passed on the vote.
Lawmakers return to Frankfort Monday for day 25 of the session.