https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=18

Samara Heavrin- 18th District State Representative, 702 Capitol Avenue , Annex Room 383, Frankfort, KY (2025)

03/21/2025

World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st gives people with down syndrome and their advocates a voice and an opportunity to be heard! It’s a day where we come together to organize activities to promote public awareness for our special friends. The goal is to educate others on the importance of supporting those who have directly and indirectly experienced life with down syndrome. Are you rocking your socks today?

03/20/2025

Happy First Day of Spring!

03/18/2025

Stories About Ag: Virtual Read Aloud

03/15/2025

Votes on the House Floor Today (3/14/25):
To learn more about upcoming legislation in the House of Representatives and the legislation that was passed on the floor this week, you can visit: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25rs/record.html

03/12/2025

Votes on the House Floor Today (3/12/25):
To learn more about upcoming legislation in the House of Representatives and the legislation that was passed on the floor this week, you can visit: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25rs/record.html

HB 640: Passed 97-0
Title: Invasive Plant Species
Summary of Original Version: HB 640 authorizes the Energy and Environment Cabinet with establishing administrative regulations aimed at preventing the spread of invasive, non-native plant species.
Vote: Yes

HB 790: Passed 97-0
Title: Solar Merchant Electric Generating Facilities
Summary of Original Version: HB 790 proposes solar merchant electric generating facilities in counties without zoning authority would not be allowed within 350 feet from an adjoining non-participating property, unless written consent is provided by the adjoining property owner and approved by local governing body. Requires these facilities to report all utilized federal and state incentives related to their siting, construction, and operation to the Energy and Environment Cabinet, who will compile and submit an annual report to LRC.
Vote: Yes

SB 89: Passed 69-26
Title: Environmental Protection
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 224.1-010 to change the definition of "water" or "waters of the Commonwealth"; amend KRS 224.1-300 to provide that the definitions contained therein only apply to KRS 224.1-300 and 224.1-310; amend KRS 350.010 to define "long-term treatment"; amend KRS 350.060 to establish the means of calculating the additional bond amount required for a permit or permit increment for which the Energy and Environment Cabinet determines long-term treatment is required; EMERGENCY.
Vote: Yes

HB 491: Passed 96-0
Title: State Government
Summary of Original Version: Equipment definition to include: electronic equipment that incorporates advanced computing, including smart medical, scientific, and research equipment. Increase the threshold required for a lease of real property to qualify as a capital project from $200,000 annually to $500,000 annually. Increase the threshold required for equipment to qualify as a capital project from $200,000 to $500,000; Increase the threshold required for a lease of movable equipment to qualify as a capital project from $200,000 annually to $500,000 annually. Increase the threshold for a new acquisition, upgrade, or replacement of an information technology system to qualify as a capital project from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. Permits employees of an institution or individuals hired specifically for that project to perform work on capital construction projects costing up to $500,000. Remove the requirement for a specific invoice form if a personal service contract invoice contains the information required by that form. Removes the requirement that a public postsecondary board of regents meet within 30 days of each appointment of news members. The Kentucky Public Pension authority would be required to release account information to the employer or to other state and federal agencies as it deems necessary or in response to a lawful subpoena or order issued by a court of law, except that the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority shall be required to release account information to the employer as required by statute. Remove the limitations on the number of retired police officers a public postsecondary education institution may employ without paying into the retirement. (Original language: The number of retired police officers a postsecondary institution may hire under the provisions of this section shall be limited to five retired police officers of a number equal to 25% of the police officers employed by the postsecondary institution in calendar year 2018, whichever is greater.
Vote: Yes

HB 324: Passed 85-6
Title: Educator Assessment
Summary of Original Version: A local school board would be allowed to adopt a policy establishing requirements that applicants for specified certified positions within the district successfully meet score requirements on appropriate assessments to measure content knowledge, competency in educational practices, or both. A local board establishing score requirements would be required to identify any assessment that is required for a specified certified position and the minimum score the district will require of applicants. The information would be required to be included in any of the district’s posts or notices regarding the related vacancy. Any minimum score would be for an assessment that is valid and reasonably related to the certified position for which the local board establishes the requirements. An approved applicant would be required to receive a five-year professional certificate. Certification of a Teach for America participant to teach in elementary, middle, or high schools. An individual certified would be issued a one-year provisional certificate. The candidate would be required to possess: A bachelor’s degree and a successful competition of the summer training institute and ongoing professional development required by Teach for America, including instruction in goal-oriented, standards-based instruction, diagnosing and assessing students, lesson planning and instructional delivery, classroom management, maximizing learning for diverse students, and teaching methodologies. District said they will lose instructional aids and teachers. Praxis testing is another burdensome and unnecessary
Vote: Yes

SB 100: Passed 82-11
Title: To***co, Ni****ne, or V***r Product Licensure
Summary of Original Version:Amend KRS 438.305 to define terms; create new sections of KRS 438.305 to 438.350 to create the Division of To***co, Ni****ne, and V***r Product Licensing within the Department of Beverage Control; give the department investigators the authority to inspect any premise where alternative ni****ne products, to***co products, or v***r products are sold without obtaining a search warrant; require any retailer that sells alternative ni****ne products, to***co products, or v***r products to obtain a to***co, ni****ne, and v***r products license issued by the department; establish penalties for retailers that sell alternative ni****ne products, to***co products, or v***r products without a license; establish conditions under which a license may be revoked; amend KRS 438.310 to establish penalties for retailers and store clerks who sell to individuals under the age of 21; amend KRS 438.313 to prohibit a distributor from distributing alternative ni****ne products, to***co products, or v***r products to any retailer whose license has been revoked; prohibit a distributor from distributing alternative ni****ne products, to***co products, or v***r products to any retailer that has been placed on the to***co noncompliance database and reporting system; amend KRS 438.337 to allocate 100% of license and application fees to the department; allocate 50% of fines collected to go toward a youth program that educates the youth on the dangers of va**ng and to***co use; require the department to develop and maintain the noncompliance database and reporting system; amend KRS 438.340 to direct the department to promulgate administrative regulations to establish a procedure for administering citations, issuing orders, and filing appeals; amend KRS 438.350 to establish conditions upon which a person under the age of 21 may be required to perform community service or attend a to***co cessation program; amend various sections of KRS to conform.
Vote: Yes

SB 202: Passed 77-17
Title: Regulated Beverages
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 13A.220 to make technical corrections.
Vote: Yes

SB 65: Passed 92-4
Title: Deficient Administrative Regulations
Summary of Original Version: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 13A to nullify two administrative regulations relating to Medicaid services after those administrative regulations were found deficient during the 2024 legislative interim; EMERGENCY.
Vote: Yes

SB 103: Passed 97-0
Title: Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 151B.195 to require the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to exhaust in-state providers before entering into reciprocal agreements with other states; promulgate administrative regulations to establish procedures and standards for service fee memoranda; and submit an annual report of the office's activities to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission, that includes a complete operating and financial statement of the office.
Vote: Yes

SJR 26: Passed 93-0
Title: Pharmacist Payment Parity
Summary of Original Version: Direct the Department for Medicaid Services to provide the Legislative Research Commission with a report regarding pharmacist payment parity.
Vote: Yes

HB 85: Passed 68-16
Title: Sanitation Districts
Summary of Original Version: Establishing controls for sanitation districts, Rep. TJ Roberts – The measure would prevent sanitation districts from charging fees, taxes, or other charges to a property owner unless: the property is connected to a sanitary sewer owned or maintained by the sanitation districts, an approved plan by the district connects the property to a sanitary sewer within five years, the property discharges stormwater to a storm sewer, a storm sewer controls the stormwater that flows to the property, or a person has contracted with the sanitation district to provide the service.
Vote: Yes

SB 201: Passed 93-0
Title: Workers' Compensation
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 342.213 to require the commissioner of the Department of Workers' Claims to certify to the Workers' Compensation Nominating Committee that filing an administrative law judge position is necessary 150 days prior to the expiration of the term, add that the nominating committee may recommend the retention of a Workers' Compensation Board member and that each newly appointed member of the board shall not assume office until 30 days after confirmation; amend KRS 342.215 to provide that any board member appointed to fill an unexpired term shall assume office immediately for the remainder of the term; amend KRS 342.230 to provide that newly appointed administrative law judge shall not assume his or her office until June 1 following Senate confirmation and that any newly appointed administrative law judge appointed to fill any unexpired term shall immediately assume the office for the remainder of the term.
Vote: Yes

03/11/2025

Votes on the House Floor Today (3/11/25):
To learn more about upcoming legislation in the House of Representatives and the legislation that was passed on the floor this week, you can visit: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25rs/record.html

SB 15: Passed 98-0
Title: Minimum Wage Exceptions
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 337.010 to amend the definition of "employee" to exempt baseball players who are compensated pursuant to the terms of a contract and a collective bargaining agreement that expressly provides for wages and working conditions.
Vote: Yes

SB 24: Passed 92-1
Title: Property and Casualty Insurance
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 304.47-010 to expand definition of "statement"; make technical amendments; amend KRS 304.47-020 to establish that statements that misrepresent the scope of damages associated with a property, casualty, or property and casualty insurance claim are fraudulent insurance acts; make technical amendments.
Vote: Yes

SB 15: Passed 98-0
Title: Minimum Wage Exceptions
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 337.010 to amend the definition of "employee" to exempt baseball players who are compensated pursuant to the terms of a contract and a collective bargaining agreement that expressly provides for wages and working conditions.
Vote: Yes

HB 544: Passed 99-0
Title: Executive Branch Budget Bills
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 48.210, relating to branch budget bills, to require the Transportation Cabinet to provide assistance to the General Assembly during the budgeting process
Vote: Yes

SB 87: Passed 98-1
Title: Aviation
Summary of Original Version: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 183 to allow an air board that operates a commercial airport serving more than 1,000,000 passengers annually to utilize small purchase procedures established by the Federal Aviation Administration for purchases that do not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold identified in 2 C.F.R. sec. 200.88 and to purchase goods and services directly from vendors who maintain agreements with the General Services Administration; exempt these transactions from the requirements of KRS 45A.345 to 45A.460 and 424.260; amend KRS 82.084 to conform; amend KRS 183.525, regarding the Kentucky aviation economic development fund, to allow commercial airports to receive awards from the fund and require the Transportation Cabinet to report annually to the General Assembly through the Legislative Research Commission on expenditures from the fund; amend KRS 189.990 to increase monetary penalties for violations of the chapter; amend KRS 183.011, 183.012, and 183.120 to make technical corrections; repeal KRS 183.085, regarding an unmanned aviation facility map for commercial airports.
Vote: Yes

HJR 33: Passed 99-0
Title: Contingent Appropriations
Summary of Original Version: Declare that the General Assembly does not authorize the contingent appropriation monies to establish an Innovations in Early Childhood Education Delivery Grant Program.
Vote: Yes

SB 84: Passed 80-19
Title: Judicial Review of State Agency Action
Summary of Original Version: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 446 to establish the legal standard for judicial review of agency action; amend KRS 13B.150 to conform.
Vote: Yes

SB 26: Passed
Title: Parental Rights
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 199.011 to define "disability"; amend KRS 199.471 to establish that no petition for placement or adoption of children shall be denied on the sole basis of a disability of the adoptive applicant and enhance procedures for determination of placement or adoption; amend KRS 199.473 to require the secretary review any refusal of a placement of a child due to a disability; that targeted adaptive or support services be offered; and that the cabinet retain all documentation for two years; amend KRS 625.050 to establish that no petition for involuntary termination of parental rights shall be ordered on the sole basis of a disability of the parent; amend KRS 625.090 regarding procedures for an involuntary termination of parental rights involving a parent with a disability.
Vote: Yes

SB 3: Passed 97-0
Title: Student Athletes
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 164.6941 to define terms; amend KRS 164.6943 to allow the limitation of earning compensation through a NIL agreement through an institutional agreement between the student-athlete and the institution or affiliated organization; permit an institution or association to require compensation be consistent with the prevailing range of compensation; amend KRS 164.6945 to conform and authorize a student-athlete to receive compensation from an institution or its affiliated corporation through a written institutional agreement; authorize an institution or affiliated corporation to designate a media rights holder or other third parties whom an institution's student-athletes may directly enter into NIL agreements with; amend KRS 164.6947 to conform and provide affiliated corporation's employees with the same liability protections as institution employees as it relates to damages resulting from decisions and actions routinely taken in the course of intercollegiate athletics; delete language providing that nothing in the section protects institutions from acts of gross negligence and certain misconduct; exempt a student-athlete's institutional agreements not from disclosure under the Kentucky Open Records Act; amend KRS 164.6949 to include the waiver for actions brought on institutional agreements under KRS 45A.245; amend KRS 164.6951 to conform and include prospective student athletes in provisions concerning the reaffirming of NIL agreements or agency contracts when no longer participating in intercollegiate athletics; amend KRS 156.070 to include school property in the prohibition of a high school student-athlete's use of member school property; EMERGENCY.
Vote: Yes

HB 208: Passed 98-0
Title: Technology in Public Schools
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 158.165 to require local boards of education to adopt a policy to, at a minimum, prohibit student use of a personal telecommunications device during the school day with specific exceptions; amend KRS 156.675 to include social media in prohibited material to be made inaccessible through school technology and provide the scope of social media to be prohibited.
Vote: Yes

HB 741: Passed 95-0
Title: Public Water and Wastewater
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 224A.320 to require that eligible funding recipients for the Kentucky Water and Wastewater Assistance for Troubled or Economically Restrained Systems (WWATERS) Program meet three or more of the eligibility criteria instead of one; require that a funding application for a capital construction project include cost and timeline estimates prepared and signed by a licensed professional engineer; allow the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority board to evaluate and score funding applications for proposed projects in phases; remove the funding evaluation criteria categories of current accounts payable turnover ratio and current days' sales in accounts receivable ratio; remove the requirement from the evaluation criteria that the applicant's receipt of a notice of violation of drinking water or other water quality standards occur in the past year; add to the funding evaluation criteria that the funding applicant previously received funding through the program for a prior phase of the proposed project.
Vote: Yes

HB 508: Passed 96-0
Title: Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership Program
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 199.884 to require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to establish new procedures related to the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership Program.
Vote: Yes

SB 18: Passed 96-0
Title: Insurance requirements for certain vehicle business licensees
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 190.033 to allow indemnifying bonds or insurance policies for certain vehicle business licensees to be issued by a nonadmitted insurer in accordance with the requirements of Subtitle 10 of KRS Chapter 304; make technical amendments.
Vote: Yes

HB 775: Passed 67-18
Title: Development Areas
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 65.490 to remove the minimum square-mile requirement for a development area; amend KRS 65.494 to define "existing development area" and "new development area"; allow certain new development areas to be created within an existing development area.
Vote: Yes

SB 64: Passed 97-0
Title: Key Infrastructure Assets
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 511.100 to include cable, telephone, and broadband facilities; amend KRS 512.020 to include damaging or taking possession of a key infrastructure asset.
Vote: Yes

HB 18: Passed 63-18
Title: Multi Family Housing
Summary of Original Version: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 100 to require certain development projects in zones that have traditionally been reserved for single-family homes to be treated as amendments to a zoning map and to meet the procedural requirements for approval set out in KRS Chapter 100; create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 that prohibits property owner's from leasing accessory dwelling units or multi-family housing units in zones that have traditionally been reserved for single-family homes unless the property owner primarily resides on the lot.
Vote: Yes

HB 527: Passed 95-0
Title: Rabies Vaccines
Summary of Original Version: Amend KRS 258.005 to define "veterinarian" and "veterinary technician"; amend KRS 258.015 to authorize a Kentucky-licensed veterinary technician to vaccinate a dog, cat, or ferret against rabies; require that a Kentucky-licensed veterinary technician authorized to vaccinate a dog, cat, or ferret against rabies be under the direct supervision of a veterinarian that is located on the premises of the facility.
Vote: Yes

HB 738: Passed 86-9
Title: State Personnel
Summary of Original Version: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 64 to allow the State Treasurer, Auditor of Public Accounts, Secretary of State, Commissioner of Agriculture, and Attorney General to employ persons exempt from approval requirements the classified service as necessary for advice and to carry out policy; permit the State Treasurer, Auditor of Public Accounts, Secretary of State, Commissioner of Agriculture, and Attorney General to increase, by executive order the salary of any classified employee with status to the midpoint of the grade of the employee's classification.
Vote: Yes

03/07/2025

Votes on the House Floor Today (3/7/25):
To learn more about upcoming legislation in the House of Representatives and the legislation that was passed on the floor this week, you can visit: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25rs/record.html

HB 399: Passed 68-26
Title: Legislative Interference
Summary of Original Version: Cracking down on disruptive behavior at legislative proceedings, Rep. John Blanton – The measure is aimed at keeping order in legislative proceedings, allowing people to participate in the process and have their voices heard without disrupting or preventing legislative work.
Vote: Yes

HB 662: Passed 81-13
Title: Personally Identifiable Information
Summary of Original Version: Preserving the disclosure of personally identifiable information for judicial officers, Rep. John Blanton– The measure would prevent the disclosure of personally identifiable information of judicial officers or their immediate family members by a government agency if a written request not to disclose the information has been made. The measure would require a government agency to remove personally identifiable information of a judicial officer or immediate family member within 72 hours of receiving a written request for its removal. Additionally, the measure would establish a civil cause of action for injunctive or declaratory relief for unauthorized disclosure.
Vote: Yes

HB 664: Passed 70-21
Title: Jared Lee Helton Act of 2025
Summary of Original Version: In a highway work zone, a peace officer may issue a citation at the time of an offense based on images transmitted by an automated speed enforcement device if: A motor vehicle is detected traveling in excess traveling in excess of 10 mph over the posted speed limit, at least one bona fide worker is present in the highway work zone, and there is a peace officer certified under KRS 15,380 to 15.404 in or near the end of a highway work zone. The Transportation Cabinet would be required to install signage in highway work zones notifying the public that vehicle speed within the work zone may be enforced by an automated speed enforcement device and require the signage to be affixed with lights that would be flashing at times when the automated speed enforcement device is active and calibrate the automated speed enforcement device on an annual basis. An image transmitted by an automated speed enforcement device under this section would be prohibited from being disclosed to anyone other than the driver of the vehicle. The cabinet would be required to promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with Chapter 13A relating to any matters necessary for the efficient administration of automated speed enforcement under this section. The fine would be $500 if no person is physically injured or dies as a result of the violation. A driver may attend a state traffic school or a county attorney-operated traffic safety program established pursuant to KRS 186.574 for a violation of Section 1 of this Act. Not less than $5000 nor more than $10,00 if the violation results in physical injury to or death of any person. In order for an increased fine to be imposed under this section, the highway work zone must have: signs displayed informing drivers of the existence of a highway work zone and that fines are increased in it and at least one bona fide worker is present in the highway work zone. All fines collected for violations in a highway work zone under this section shall be deposited into a separate trust and agency account within the transportation Cabinet known as the “highway work zone safety fund.” The highway work zone safety fund would be required to be used exclusively by the Transportation Cabinet to hire or pay for enhanced law enforcement of traffic laws within highway work zones. The Act may be cited as the Jared Lee Helton Act of 2025.
Vote: Yes

HJR 31: Passed 87-0
Title: Contingent Appropriations
Summary of Original Version: Express the General Assembly's consideration of program-specific funding to the Department of Agriculture.
Vote: Yes

HB 449: Passed 93-0
Title: Public Health Hygienists
Summary of Original Version: A dental hygienist licensed by the board may practice as a public health hygienist and may provide dental hygiene services if an in-state college or in-state college or university with a Commission on the Dental Accreditation accredited dental school, college of dentistry, or dental hygienist program. Massive access to dental care for kids in KentuckyLouisville and UK have gone above and beyond to provide dental care , do exams, cleanings, preventative care ,make sure follow up bill is done
Vote: Yes

HB 669: Passed 87-0
Title: Student Attendance Days
Summary of Original Version: HB 669 allows schools who missed school due to the I-75 shooting to apply for a waiver to exempt instructional time for those days. During the 2024-2025 school year, school districts have closed for historic winter storms, flooding, and illness leaving schools without many options to complete their instructional time requirements.
Vote: Yes

SB 73: Passed 94-0
Title: Sexual Extortion
Summary of Original Version: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 531 to establish the crime of s*xual extortion as a felony; provide for enhancements to penalties; create a new section of KRS Chapter 411 to establish a civil cause of action for s*xual extortion; amend KRS 17.500 to include s*xual extortion in the definition of "s*x crime"; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require superintendents of local school districts to notify students in grades four and above and parents and guardians of all students of the crime of s*xual extortion; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require local school boards to display posters in schools with the definition of s*xual extortion and contact information for entities offering assistance to victims; amend KRS 164.2518 to require postsecondary institutions to display posters with the definition of s*xual extortion and contact information for entities offering assistance to victims in residential facilities and buildings containing instructional spaces, student services, or academic support services.
Vote: Yes

HJR 49: Passed 92-0
Title: Interscholastic Athletics
Summary of Original Version: Directs the KHSAA to submit a report to the LRC describing student athletic transfer information for the past two years and details on the appeal processes and final judgements.

Vote: Yes

HB 70: Passed 91-0
Title: Dietitians
Summary of Original Version: Allows for reciprocity with other states who have signed on to the interstate compact, received letter of support from Department of Defense since it impacts military families. Benefits: Workforce Development and Strong Leader Market, relocation of military and spouses, expanded patient access, reduce administrative burden, and preservation of sovereignty. To participate in the compact, a state would have to currently license and regulate the practice of dietetics and have a mechanism in place for receiving and investigating complaints about licensees. This measure would also recognize and establish requirements for a licensure privilege, set requirements for transferring a home state license, designate home state licensure for active military members or their spouses, establish penalties and adverse actions that can be taken against a licensee, allow the executive and judicial branches within each state to enforce the compact, and establish dispute resolution and termination procedures. This measure would also establish the Dietitian Licensure Compact Commission, a joint government agency whose membership consists of all member states that have enacted the compact. Each member state would have, and be limited to, one delegate selected by that state's licensing authority. The commission would be required to meet at least once a year.
Vote: Yes

HB 236: Passed 88-0
Title:Coverage for Epinephrine Devices
Summary of Original Version: HB 236 would require health benefit plans to provide coverage for two medically necessary epinephrine devices for covered persons, and limits out-of-pocket costs for epinephrine devices to no more than $100 annually.
Vote: Yes

Samara Heavrin- 18th District State Representative

03/21/2025

03/20/2025

03/18/2025

03/15/2025

03/12/2025

03/11/2025

03/07/2025

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