Lawmakers to convene special session

Legislators return to Frankfort today to convene a special legislative session called by Gov. Andy Beshear.

On Saturday Gov. Beshear issued the call for lawmakers to return to the Kentucky State Capitol to consider legislation pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 cases have continued to increase across Kentucky, emphasizing the Governor’s focus on extending the pandemic state of emergency to provide administration and public health officials with tools to slow the spread of the virus.

Legislators are solely able to discuss and consider those topics set forth by Gov. Beshear, which include:

• Extending the State of Emergency until Jan. 15, 2022;
• Approving Executive Orders, Cabinet and agency orders and licensure board orders that are set to expire, or have been set since the adjournment of the 2021 Regular Session of the General Assembly;
• Providing additional flexibility for school districts to use alternatives to in-person instruction;
• Extending all or some portions of Senate Bills 5 and 150;
• Providing clarification on the Governor’s ability to exercise authority to require facial coverings in indoor settings during the State of Emergency;
• Making an appropriation from the American Rescue Plan Act to support mitigation and prevention activities, such as testing and vaccine distribution;
• Extending, by an additional 30 days, a state of emergency in response to the flash flooding in Nicholas County in early August;
• Providing additional flexibility for the manner in which incentives can be provided to economic development projects with more than $2 billion in investments.

The length of the session is determined by the General Assembly. The House of Representatives will convene the special session, gaveling in at 10 a.m. EDT, with the Senate to follow at 12 p.m. EDT.  Legislative coverage can be viewed live online via KET.org/legislature.

Link to the Special Session Call can be found here.