Kentucky Ethics League
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
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Newsletter State News
General Assembly Report
The 2007 General Assembly has finally come to a close. It was a very busy year for the League as we monitored several bills that would have an affect on the Christian Community. Because of the hard work of our President and lobbyist Gene Huff, we can say we had a great victory over the forces of evil. Without the support, both prayer and financial, from churches and individuals we could not have been successful this year.We know they will be back, and we must be prepared to combat their empty promises. This up and coming year will be a year to prepare for now. They are going to come back full force with bills to pass on Alcohol and Gambling for 2008.
2007 Legislative Wrap Up
Summary of bills and what happened in the legislature.HB 341 Would allow alcohol sales on election day. Died in committee.
HB 391 Allow alcohol sales at state parks. Died in committee.
HB 340 Allow alcohol sales at bingo halls and non profit venues. Died in Committee.
HB 125 Outlawing alcohol vaporizing devices. Passed both the Senate and House. There was no agreement on Senate amendments. It failed.
HB 34 Deals with arrest of a suspected DUI. Attorney does not have to be present to administer a court ordered test. Died in committee.
HB 156 Increase reporting requirements for donated prizes to charitable gaming venues. Passed and signed by Governor.
HB 156 Establish a fund to treat addicted gamblers. Died in committee.
HB 180 Places Veteran organizations under the Charitable Gaming Commission. There would be no license fee required. Could also operate pull tab dispensers. Died in Committee.
SB 29 Permits Liquor stores to mail advertisements to customers about new products and or sales they are promoting. It bypasses current law on advertising. Passed and signed by
Governor.
SB 45 Bill dealing with stricter enforcement of minors convicted of DUI or having liquor in their possession. Died in Committee.
SB 95 Public decency act relating to how close a person can dance to a patron of nude and semi-nude venues, “Gentlemen’s Clubs”. The Bill died in house committee.
SB 152 Denying health benefits to “domestic partner “relationships. Passed in senate. Died in a house committee.
All bills dealing with electronic gaming devices and casinos died in committee. Next year they will be back in full force.
The bill that hurts is HB 138 which deals with alcohol sales at “Historic Sites”. It also lowers
from 100-50 the number of seats required to call for a local option election to sell alcohol in restaurants. This will affect many of our smaller communities. The bill also will let caterers come in from a wet territory to a territory that has the restaurant bill and allows the caterer to sell alcohol at a banquet hall or some other venue in conjunction with catering of food. A local caterer would not be able to serve alcohol since they are not licensed. This bill will increase the number of areas seeking to establish alcohol in smaller restaurants. It will also put smaller counties in an economic bind to hold special elections. This bill passed and was signed by the Governor and is now law!!
Your Voice in the Halls of the Capital
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