SENATOR BRANDON STORM’S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (Week 9)

Week 9 of the 2022 Legislative Session

As we wrap up week nine of the 2022 Regular Session, much is happening in the world. Often we get caught up in challenges we face nationally and even those challenges abroad. Rightfully so. The current topic most critical is the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Bipartisan Senate Resolution 153 was adopted by the Senate this week and spoke to the importance of freedom and standing in unity with the Ukrainian people.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky supports Ukrainian sovereignty and its right to self-determination, as we have a shared love of freedom and self-governance. America remains the shining city on a hill, and as proud Americans, we wish for nothing more than the same independence and love for liberty we share at home to be spread across the globe.

Since declaring independence from Russia in 1918 and being freed from the grip of the communist Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine has developed a rich culture, language and history, entirely unique to itself. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Christianity was introduced to the nation and allowed to flourish. Sen. Robby Mills (R-Henderson) shared a touching story on the Senate floor about his travels to Ukraine during that time.

Like Kentucky, Ukraine is geographically blessed and is rich with natural resources, which are the primary drivers of its economy. These national treasures are to be enjoyed by the Ukrainian people, not to be seized by an authoritarian Russia and used to expand its wealth and power.

With Ukraine being the largest Eastern European country, its independence is in our country’s best national security interest, especially as Russia and China strive to become a global hegemony. We must stand for the values our republic best exemplifies and alongside the people of Ukraine against an aggressive, unpredictable and dictatorial Russia. The balance between human prosperity and freedom and human suffering and subjugation is constantly shifting. Despite fears and anxieties of foreign unrest, Americans must continue to defend the principles that best enable us to live out the rights we are each endowed with.

I would also like to highlight some legislation that I personally feel is notable:

A bipartisan measure that passed the senate this week was Senate Bill 194, legislation set to send a rebate to all income tax-paying Kentuckians. This money is not a stimulus, but comes from a budget surplus resulting from an excess of federal money flowing into the state, as well as conservative spending over the past couple of years. These funds are currently sitting in the commonwealth’s coffers and are not tied to future projections. During a time of rapidly rising inflation, this bill puts hard-earned money back into the pockets of families and allows them to save or spend that money as best fits their needs.

A resolution in which I co-sponsored with Senator Jimmy Higdon, Senate Resolution 144, passed in the Senate on Friday. The resolution urges the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to reconsider the recent federal requirements for the certification of commercial driver’s license holders. The new federal requirement could add upwards of $7,500 and at least a month of additional waiting to the CDL certification process. This is an example of more unnecessary government bureaucracy getting in the way of not just the economy, but also the lives of Kentucky workers who are already struggling with the impacts of global unrest and four decade high inflation rates. Here in Kentucky, we have 171 school districts struggling to find qualified bus drivers. Imposing more barriers only exacerbates problems such as these. I am hopeful the federal government will reconsider this decision.

Additionally I was honored to have been given the opportunity to testify before the House Transportation Committee regarding Senate Bill 30. Senate Bill 30 allows a person applying online for vehicle registration renewal to make a donation to an organ donor program and allows county clerks to ask an individual applying in person for motor vehicle registration if they have interest in joining the organ donor program. I am excited to report that Senate Bill 30 passed with unanimous support, and it now heads to the House floor for consideration.

Finally, I want to take a moment bring attention to a few of my wonderful constituents who came to Frankfort this past week;

On Wednesday, Samuel Curry, who is originally from Laurel County and currently a student at Eastern Kentucky University, stopped by during the Senate’s Annual Luncheon and to observe our caucus meeting.

On Thursday, Samuel Warren served alongside me as my Senate page. Samuel is an extremely intelligent young man who was excited to be part of the legislative process. Samuel has a keen interest in policy, and I look forward to what the future has in store for him!

State Representative Daniel Elliott and I had a very productive meeting with Jan Banks who is the Case County District Librarian Director, as well as Sammie Betler who is the Assistant Director of Marketing, and Colton Combs who is the Circulation Assistant.

Lastly, I want to thank both Pastor Norm Brock, pastor of First Baptist Church East Bernstadt and Dr. Andrew Dyer, Senior Pastor of Corinth Baptist Church. Both pastors came as my special guests to lead the Senate session in prayer.

As always, it’s an honor to represent the residents of the 21^st District here in our commonwealth’s capital. If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please contact me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at Brandon.Storm@lrc.ky.gov . You can also review the Legislature’s work online at www.legislature.ky.gov.

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Note: Senator Brandon J. Storm (R-London) represents the 21st District, which encompasses Bath, Estill, Jackson, Laurel, Menifee, and Powell Counties. Senator Storm is the vice-chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Transportation and serves as chair of the Senate Enrollment Committee. He also serves as a member of the Senate Standing Committees on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor; State and Local Government; Banking and Insurance; and is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Human Resources. Additionally, Senator Storm is a member of the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee; and the Child Welfare Oversight and Advisory Committee.