Legislation

Legislative Update 3-9-20

Today marks the 43rd day of the 2020 Kentucky Legislative Session. With only 17 legislative days remaining, our lobbying team and legislative volunteers remain heavily engaged.

The House passed its version of the biennial budget this past Friday. The budget funds the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System’s (TRS) full actuarial required contribution (ARC) of $1.13 billion. Please be sure to thank your representative for continuing to fully fund TRS.

The House budget fully funds the TRS Medical Insurance Trust Fund for the first year of the biennium and relies on an anticipated budget surplus to fund the second year. This was a similar approach the General Assembly took during the last budget session in 2017. While we are appreciative of full funding the first year, we believe the second year of funding should not be reliant on a potential budget surplus, rather it should be included in the budget in accordance with the Shared Responsibility agreement that was passed in 2010.

The House budget will now go to the Senate where it will begin working on its version of the budget. Please encourage your senator to restore funding to the TRS Medical Insurance Trust Fund in their version of the 2020 biennial budget instead of making a contribution contingent upon a budget surplus.

Other bills we are tracking:

HB 576 – Rep. Jerry Miller filed a bill that would create a new tier for TRS. If passed this would impact future teachers in P-12 public schools. This bill has not been heard in committee as of yet.

HB 613 – This bill would create a new tier at TRS for future university employees. This does not affect P-12 public school employees. HB 613 will be heard this afternoon in the House State Government Committee.

Each of these bills is being closely monitored by our advocacy team. We will continue to keep you posted on the budget, these bills, and our agenda as the session progresses.

Kind regards,

Tim Abrams

Executive Director

KRTA

Addresses

Senator Robby Mills
702 Capitol Ave
Annex Room 255
Frankfort KY 40601
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 700
Toll-Free Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181
Email: robby.mills@lrc.ky.gov

Representative Rob Wiederstein
702 Capital Ave.
Annex Room 451A
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-8100 ext. 736
Toll-Free Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181
Email: rob.wiederstein@lrc.ky.gov

Representative Suzanne Miles
702 Capitol Ave
Annex Room 370
Frankfort KY 40601
(502) 564-2217
Toll-Free Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181
E-mail: suzanne.miles@lrc.ky.gov