Bipartisan Progress: Democratic Bills Pass Through Kentucky Senate

Three Democratic-sponsored bills found success in the Republican-controlled Kentucky Senate during a recent session. Among them, Senate Bills 48 and 14 secured unanimous approval, while Senate Bill 45 received bipartisan support with 32 votes from Republicans and Democrats, although three GOP senators dissented. The passage of these bills marked a notable occurrence in a legislature where Republican-sponsored bills often dominate due to the party’s supermajority.

Senator Jared Carpenter of Berea commended the bipartisan spirit in the chamber during the session. Senate Bill 48, proposed by Democratic Whip David Yates from Louisville, aims to modify the treatment of multiple theft offenses committed within a year, extending the current timeframe from 90 days to a year. Carpenter, acknowledging the cooperative atmosphere, mentioned the unusual harmony akin to the sentiments of Good Friday.

Another initiative championed by Yates, the Kentucky Ashanti Alert System, received unanimous support in the Senate. This proposed system seeks to disseminate public alerts regarding missing adults. Furthermore, Senate Bill 14, sponsored by Democratic Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas from Lexington, aims to enhance the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology by adding a licensed nail technician representative and streamlining certain application procedures.

Noteworthy bipartisan cooperation was also evident in the Senate’s approval of Senate Bill 61, principally sponsored by Republican Senator Amanda Mays Bledose but supported by Senator Thomas. The bill addresses the growing concern of ‘deep fakes’ in influencing elections by allowing legal recourse for political candidates depicted in manipulated digital media.

The current Senate landscape is dominated by a significant Republican majority, with the party holding 31 seats, firmly in control since gaining power in 2000. In contrast, the House, controlled by Republicans since 2016, saw the passage of a Democratic-backed bill earlier in the session—the Grant Database Bill—which awaits a Senate committee assignment.