This year, one to watch is Senate Bill 223, a measure that both expands access to cannabis-infused beverages and creates a framework for regulating them. Jim Higdon is a co-owner of Cornbread Hemp, a seller that could be affected by the bill.
"We support testing requirements, labeling standards, age restrictions, and reasonable taxation because responsible regulation in products demand these sorts of reasonable restrictions and guardrails to prevent bad actors from proliferating," he said in committee.
Another bill possibly positioned for a last-minute comeback is House Bill 593, which would create new data center regulations with an eye toward ensuring other utility customers aren't left with higher bills due to the energy-intensive projects.
Lawmakers could also take action on Senate Bill 156, which would raise Kentucky’s legal marriage age to 18, eliminating all exceptions; House Bill 227, ushering in guardrails for minors on social media; and House Bill 425, raising penalties for street racing.
Lawmakers typically spend the early hours of the next-to-last day overturning gubernatorial vetoes. Then remaining bills could be passed on their own or combined with others ahead of the final deadline.
The General Assembly gavels out April 15, after which any vetoes by the governor will stand.