Local lawmakers discuss plans for the interim, reflect on legislative session

Although the Kentucky General Assembly only convened for a short session this year, a lot happened in Frankfort, and now, local legislators are focusing on their plans for the interim.

The session ended on March 28 and before lawmakers adjourned, they voted to overturn all of Governor Andy Beshear’s vetoes.

This year’s session was the first for Senator Craig Richardson, and he says it felt like a success. Richardson says he focused on learning more about the general assembly process, making relationships and ensuring that proposed laws would not negatively affect his district.

Richardson also focused on legislation concerning healthcare and Medicaid. Richardson says he supported House Bill 695, which adds an employment requirement to those on Medicaid who can work. Now, as the Vice Chair of the Senate Health Services Committee, Richardson says he wants to keep working on policies that improve healthcare across the state.

Representative Myron Dossett currently serves as the chair of the House Agriculture Committee, and some of his bills dealt with agriculture. For example, Dossett sponsored HB 216, which allows employees from the Kentucky Office of Agriculture Policy to apply for and receive funds administered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. The bill was initially vetoed by Beshear.

Dossett says he was happy to see state roads in Christian County approved for repair projects.

During the interim, Dossett says the agriculture committee will look into multiple issues, and he plans to work with Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell to address economic and industrial development in the agriculture field.

Representative Walker Thomas says he felt like the session was productive and called it an opportunity to fix what may have been overlooked during the previous session. Thomas sponsored HB 398, which aligned Kentucky’s OSHA regulations with federal regulations. The bill was initially vetoed by Beshear.

Thomas serves on seven committees, so he will be at many meetings during the interim and will begin working on the budget with the Appropriations and Revenue Committee before the 2026 session starts.

Next January, lawmakers will convene in Frankfort for their 60-day session, where they will be tasked with approving a two-year budget.