RANKFORT, Ky. — This year’s Kentucky legislative session is coming to a close. Thursday marked the second to last day to pass bills and override vetoes made by the governor.
In just over an hour, the Kentucky Senate swiftly overrode the nine gubernatorial vetoes of bills that originated in that chamber.
A majority of lawmakers in each chamber must vote override a veto for it to be blocked.
This year, Beshear vetoed 29 bills, five of which were line item vetoed.
One of the line item bills was Senate Bill 25. In its final form, the bill addressed housing, the role of the Auditor’s Office, and government efficiency, among other things.
The Senate agreed to strike language concerning where the legislature will deliver bills to the governor next year when the session will take place in a temporary structure.
“We are in agreement now that they have actually communicated with us. Not very hard, not very difficult, but it has become anecdote after anecdote which has now become trend with the first floor not to communicate even to simple things like this,” said Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester.
Down the hall, Democrats called on the House to keep Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of HB 495 intact. The measure would lift a ban on conversion therapy for minors and bar Medicaid from covering gender transition services. Ultimately, the House and Senate moved to override the Governor’s veto. HB 495 goes into effect immediately.
“I believe conversion therapy is torture. It’s been discredited by every major health care organization and association. It’s been shown to increase depression and suicide amongst our kids. I believe we should always be trying to decrease suicide among our children. Never increasing,” said Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Kentucky, Thursday afternoon.
The governor also let a bill become law without his signature blocking gender transition care for incarcerated Kentuckians.
“I just think law-abiding citizens should have better health care options than convicted felons,” Beshear said.
Executive Director of the Fairness Campaign, Chris Hartman, released a statement. He said, "It’s a sad day in Kentucky. Two anti-LGBTQ bills will become law with devastating consequences for our community. HB495 opens the door to ‘conversion torture’ and denies Medicaid coverage for transgender healthcare. Likewise, SB2 denies healthcare to transgender inmates. Both are cruel and have no place in our Commonwealth."
The Family Foundation's executive director, David Walls also reacted to today's actions. He said, "Today’s vote to override Gov. Beshear veto of HB 495 is a win for free speech, religious liberty, and for fiscal and moral sanity. Gov. Beshear’s brazen 'conversion therapy' executive order was a one-sided counseling ban that directly attacked free speech and Christian convictions. Overturning this unconstitutional order ensures that Kentucky counselors and pastors can once again share the truth about God's design for gender and sexuality."
Lawmakers will wrap up Friday, concluding the 30 day session.
