FRANKFORT, Ky. — The 2023 legislative session has ended. Bills covering, medical marijuana, transgender children, and sports betting were a few of the things on track to be signed into law. Here’s a look at what passed.

On Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) made history and signed into law medical marijuana and sports betting.

“You know it was said, can you with a Democratic governor and a supermajority Republican legislature, get those tough things, important things, things that Kentuckians really want done, and the answer is absolutely,” Gov. Beshear said.

Patients with certain medical conditions will be able to use, but not smoke, marijuana. The statewide program will not begin for a few years.

Thursday night after the bill passed through the House, Rep. Jason Nemes (R-Louisville) got emotional about how it feels to finally see this happen.

“I’ve met hundreds of them and just good people wanting to be better,” Nemes said. This will give them a chance and so how can you not be emotional about that?”

Nemes is one lawmaker who’s worked for years to medical marijuana legislation passed.

The governor also signed sports betting House Bill 551, legalizing sports betting.

Kentucky becomes the 38th state to allow sports betting. It will go into effect this June. Kentuckians over the age of 18 can take part.

Sports betting companies must partner with one of the state’s horse racing tracks to operate.

On Wednesday, lawmakers overturned Gov. Beshear’s veto of Senate Bill 150.

Among other things, SB150 essentially bans gender transition health care for children. School staff would also not be required to use a student’s requested pronouns. 

As the House began discussions on the bill, a group in the gallery began chanting in opposition of SB 150.

19 people were removed and charged with trespassing by Kentucky State Police.

Lawmakers also approved a tax cut for the Kentucky bourbon industry.

A tax on bourbon barrels, that’s paid to state and local governments, will slowly phase out by a few percent each year, starting in 2026.

A last-minute change to the bill created a new tax - that distilleries would pay to school districts and fire departments — to make up a portion of the lost revenue from the barrel tax. 

Friday morning, the Senate concluded the first impeachment of an elected official since the 1800s.

A Commonwealth’s attorney, found guilty of misconduct, is now barred from holding office.

Hazing will now be a crime in Kentucky. If the act results in serious injury or death, a person would be charged with a felony.

House Bill 353 clarifies fentanyl test strips are not drug paraphernalia. It also cleared both chambers.

Lawmakers will return to Frankfort in the summer for a handful of meetings. They will begin the 2024 legislative session in January.