Legislative Leaders Announce Abbreviated Session

On Thursday, March 19, Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker David Osborne announced at a joint press conference late in the day that, out of an abundance of caution during this pandemic, the General Assembly will amend their work schedule as follows:

• Return to work on March 26 for one day of work.
• Return again April 1 to wrap up any further priorities and recess again.
• April 2-13 will remain gubernatorial veto days as currently scheduled. During these days the legislature is not in session.
• Return April 14-15 to consider overriding any potential vetoes and conclude the 2020 session.

On Monday, March 23, majority and minority leadership will begin formal talks on budget bills to present those to the full membership of both chambers on March 26. It is unclear at this time whether they will be able to complete negotiations on all outstanding budget bills. Those include the following:

HB 351, the accompanying revenue measure To the Executive Branch budget;

HB 352, Executive Branch biennial budget;

HB 353, the Transportation Cabinet biennial road plan and budget;

HB 354, Biennial Highway Construction Plan; 

HB 355, Legislative Branch biennial budget;

HB 356, Judicial Branch biennial budget. 

They will still have from March 24 to April 1 to negotiate on any other bills, including budget bills not negotiated by March 26.

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