London, Ky. 40743 London, Ky. Box 1450 P.O. Kentuckians For The Commonwealth Change Service Requested GRASSROOTS LEGISLATIVE JANUARY 11, 2018 INFORMATION FOR EFFECTIVEguide PARTICIPATION IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY The many faces and voices of KFTC in the General Assembly KFTC Legislative Guide | Page 2 2018 General Assembly In 1982, KFTC members got involved in their first legislative ses- WHY KFTC sion. Our issues were noticed, our presence was felt, members were is a statewide grassroots social justice orga- empowered, legislators became more accountable and the ground- ni zation working for a new balance of power PUBLISHES work was laid for a string of significant legislative victories over the and a just society. KFTC uses direct-action years. The importance of grassroots involvement in the legislative organizing to accomplish the following goals: THIS process – whether lobbying in Frankfort or working from home – cannot be overstated. We provide the information in this publica- • foster democratic values tion to help enable and improve that involvement – and ultimately • change unjust institutions LEGISlatIVE make Kentucky a better place to live, raise families and do business. • empower individuals • overcome racism and other discrimination Kentucky Needs Your Voice and Presence! • communicate a message of what’s possible GUIDE • build the organization • help people participate • win issues that affect the common welfare • have fun table of contents You can join KFTC or renew your membership Tips for Using this Publication ........................................................................................................ 3 with a gift of any size. No one is denied membership because of inability to pay. 2018 General Assembly calendar ................................................................................................... 3 Membership is open to anyone who is A look at key justice issues in the 2018 legislative session ............................................. 4-5 committed to equality, democracy and nonviolent change. Lobbying with KFTC ........................................................................................................................... 5 KFTC STEERING COMMITTEE Kentucky House members: contact info, district, committees and more ................. 6-17 Meta Mendel-Reyes, chairperson House committee meetings ............................................................................................................ 13 Randy Wilson, vice chairperson Tips for using the Toll-Free Legislative Message Line .......................................................... 13 Christian Torp, secretary-treasurer Cassia Herron, at-large member Writing to legislators ........................................................................................................................ 16 Dana Beasley Brown, immediate past chair Chapter Representatives Good-to-know House phone numbers ...................................................................................... 17 open, Big Sandy House committee assignments .................................................................................................... 18 Sarah Bowling, Central Kentucky Kimberly Shepherd, Harlan County Kentucky Senate members contact info, district, committees and more ...............19-23 Robby Olivam, Jefferson County Wendy Warren, Madison County Senate committee meetings ........................................................................................................ 23 Amy Copelin, Northern Kentucky Chanda Campbell, Perry County Finding and tracking legislation ...23 Chris Merritt, Rowan County Useful telephone numbers Senate committee assignments ...24 Leslie Bebensee, Scott County Legislative Message Line 800-372-7181 Joy Fitzgerald, Shelby County Good-to-know Senate phone TTY Message Line 800-896-0305 Summer Bolton, Southern Kentucky numbers .............................................. 24 En Español 866-840-6574 Amanda Groves, Western Kentucky Bill Status Line 866-840-2835 Barbara Farley, Wilderness Trace Finding your legislator by county Calendar Line 800-633-9650 ........................................................... 25-26 Alternates: open, Big Sandy; Candice Ryder, Legislative Research Commission 502-564-8100 Central Kentucky; Roy Farley, Harlan County; Public Bill Room Ext. 527, 502-564-8100 Finding or calling legislators at the House of Representatives Ext. 746, 502-564-8100 open, Jefferson County; Rebecca Tucker, capitol .................................................... 27 Madison County; Lauren Gabbard, Northern Senate Ext. 743, 502-564-8100 Governor’s Office 502-564-2611 Kentucky; Russell Oliver, Perry County; Allie How a Bill Becomes a Law in Attorney General 502-696-5300 Secor, Rowan County; Clare White, Scott Kentucky ............................................. 28 County; Cynthia Dare, Shelby County; Teresa Christmas, Southern Kentucky; Shaina This legislative guide is published by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and mailed Goodman, Western Kentucky; Margaret third class from Louisville. Feedback and requests for additional copies can be sent Gardiner, Wilderness Trace to P.O. Box 864, Prestonsburg, Ky. 41653 or [email protected]. 2018 General Assembly KFTC Legislative Guide | Page 3 Tips for using this publication, staying informed and active Direct communication with legislators is the most effective way to get them to cast an informed vote. Therefore, this publication is designed to provide as many ways possible (letters, phone calls, emails, 2018 Legislative Calendar social media, etc.) to contact lawmakers to offer your opinions, encourage their informed vote and to set up face-to-face meetings. In 2018 and other even-numbered years, the General Assembly meets for a maximum Also in the following pages is information about staying informed of legislative activities. Knowing of 60 working days. This year they started on January 2 and will finish April 13. how legislators vote on certain issues, on what committees they serve, if they have a leadership position, While in session, the legislature meets Mon- what legislation is passed or defeated (or not given a hearing) and how to watch their proceedings all day through Friday, except for the January 15 allow for more informed conversations with legislators. and February 19 legislative holidays. The last regular day is March 28, followed by a two-week This publication is designed to be useful for citizen lobbyists both during the 2018 Kentucky General recess until April 12 to give the governor time to veto any bills. On April 12 and 13 legislators Assembly and throughout the year. The tips below will make the information in the following pages consider any vetoes and adjourn. These dates easier to use. are subject to change. On Mondays, the House and Senate usually • The heart of this publication is the names, contact information and committee assignments of go into full session at 4 p.m., and often there legislators. This provides many different ways to contact your legislators. We hope you take advantage are few or no committee meetings on Mondays. Committee meetings generally are on Tuesdays, of all these opportunities and encourage others to do so. Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting as early as 8 a.m. The House and Senate Rules Committees • To find out which legislator represents a certain county, refer to the list on pages 25-26. Some usually meet daily. counties are divided and have more than one representative or senator. In those counties, your local The House and Senate go into session at county clerk can give details on where the legislative district boundaries lie. You may also find that 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Fridays, the House and Senate usually meet information at: www.lrc.ky.gov/gis/Red13_maps.htm at 10 a.m., with special committee meetings sometimes before and occasionally afterwards. • Use the toll-free numbers found throughout to stay informed of the activities of the General As- When Monday is a holiday, schedules may be sembly. Kentucky Educational Television has streaming video of many legislative hearings and nightly altered. All sessions, except for Rules Commit- broadcasts on the days the legislature is in session that summarize the day’s key votes or hearings (these tee meetings, are open to the public. Committees have regular weekly meetings are archived on its website: www.ket.org/legislature/). And the Legislative Research Commission web- scheduled (listed on pages 13 and 23). Com- site is full of information (www.lrc.ky.gov). mittees may hold additional meetings, as often happens in the last week or two when things get • If you are not a member, join KFTC. Or renew your membership if it’s time. You can join or renew rushed. These are often announced only a day or with a gift of any size at kftc.org/support or by calling 606-878-2161. Your donation will support our two, sometimes only a few hours, ahead of time. The Legislative Research Commission op- work in the General Assembly and across Kentucky. As a member you’ll receive regular updates and erates a toll-free Calendar Line which gives the action alerts on KFTC’s legislative work. day’s meeting schedule. The number is: 800- 633-9650. Do not depend on this message for meetings scheduled at the last minute or meet- ing cancellations. KFTC on social media Instagram JANUARY 15 Legislative holiday (ML King Jr. Day) Facebook @jckftc @soky_kftc www.KFTC.org/facebook @centralkentuckykftc FEBRUARY For chapter Facebook pages, @northernky_kftc