In the days before the General Assembly adjourned for a recess, it passed several key pieces of legislation. The bills, which will benefit businesses, victims of sexual assault, and veterans, have been sent to Governor Steve Beshear for his signature.
House Bill 440 makes important updates and reforms to Kentucky laws governing nonprofit entities, including providing default rules for organizing informal entities and accounting for technological advances, such as email and conference calling.
The bipartisan measure was the result of recommendations Grimes made in cooperation with the Kentucky Nonprofit Network and her office’s Nonprofit Task Force. It is sponsored by Reps. Jody Richards, House Speaker pro tempore (D-Bowling Green), Thomas Kerr (R-Taylor Mill), Linda Belcher (D-Shepherdsville), Chris Harris (D-Forest Hills), and Dean Schamore (D-Hardinsburg).
House Bill 76 facilitates entrepreneurship by authorizing crowdfunding to gain investors. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Steve Riggs (D-Louisville), Jerry T. Miller (R-Louisville), Brad Montell (R-Shelbyville), and Ruth Ann Palumbo (D-Lexington), allows people to invest up to $10,000 and businesses to raise up to $2 million through a crowdfunding platform.
“Nonprofits and start-ups perform vital functions in our economy, and when they succeed, Kentucky succeeds,” said Grimes. “I’m glad the General Assembly passed these measures to help Kentucky businesses grow and thrive.”
The General Assembly also passed Senate Joint Resolution 20, directing the Auditor of Public Accounts to study the number of sexual assault examination kits in the possession of Kentucky police and prosecutors that have not been sent to the state’s forensic lab for testing. The results, due by November 1, 2015, will help determine the scope of the existing backlog.
“Advocating for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence is a priority for me, and it should be a priority for us all,” said Grimes. “SJR 20 is an important step toward making sure their cases can be properly prosecuted.”
Grimes, a strong champion for Kentucky’s active-duty and veteran military members, also supported House Bill 209, which creates a “Gold Star Sibling” license plate available to Kentuckians who lost a sibling serving the Armed Forces. The bipartisan bill was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate.
“Our military and their families make tremendous sacrifices in service to our state and nation,” said Grimes. “I’m glad the General Assembly has approved the Gold Star Sibling license plate to recognize those sacrifices.”
Each of the bills and resolutions has been delivered to Governor Beshear for his signature.
(story provided by Kentucky Secretary of State)
