Week 1 has come and gone for the Kentucky General Assembly and lawmakers discuss individual bills on this week’s Legislative Update Program.
As previously reported, Senator Whitney Westerfield of Christian County filed Marsy’s Law, which would allow Kentucky voters to determine if victims of crime should have a ‘bill of rights’ in the state’s constitution.
Last year’s version passed and was ratified by voters, but the Supreme Court ruled against the wording of the ballot question.
Senator Westerfield says this year’s version would require the governor’s office to consult with a victim or victim’s family before issuing a pardon or commutation.
State Representative Myron Dossett of Pembroke says there continues to be support in both chambers for Senator Chris McDaniel’s Bill which would not allow governors to issue pardons or commutations in the month prior to an election and in the time between the election and a new governor being sworn in.
A House bill that’s made headlines would require some form of photo identification to vote in Kentucky—something supported by Secretary of State Michael Adams and by state Representative Walker Thomas of Hopkinsville.