Reconvening after a weeklong break, Kentucky lawmakers passed a measure Thursday offering relief to workers and employers suffering economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic.
The relief bill comes amid a dramatically shrinking economy as businesses statewide close or scale back operations and tens of thousands more Kentucky residents file for unemployment benefits.
“This bill will provide immense help in guiding the state’s response to COVID-19 and give the governor and executive branch the authority and support they need to move forward,” House Speaker David Osborne said.
While work on a new state budget and the virus-relief measure are top priorities, lawmakers took up other bills Thursday. Those measures included expanding the attorney general’s authority to regulate abortion and allowing Kentucky consumers to have spirits, wine or beer shipped directly to them. Lawmakers hope to vote on the budget next week.
The virus-relief bill has several layers to it but it includes relaxing access to unemployment insurance. House and Senate negotiators crafted a final version Thursday evening that quickly cleared both chambers and now goes to Gov. Andy Beshear.
It waives the seven-day waiting period for Kentucky residents to access unemployment benefits. It also extends benefits to the self-employed and others normally ineligible for assistance. And it allows workers cut back to part-time status to draw a partial benefit.
The bill also allows state licensing, renewal and application fees and administrative requirements to be waived for people or businesses. It also prevents a business owner’s unemployment insurance rate from being impacted because they had to lay off employees due to the virus.
“I believe the changes we have made ... will make the unemployment insurance program even more valuable as a safety net and help set the stage for our recovery,” said Republican Rep. Bart Rowland.
Due to the global pandemic, Thursday was the first day the legislature had met in a week. In that time, the state’s number of coronavirus cases escalated and more businesses temporarily closed to try to curb the virus’s spread. Lawmakers have only a handful of days left in this year’s abbreviated session because of the virus.
Under the shortened timeline, lawmakers are scheduled to meet again April 1 with the goal of passing a new state budget. House and Senate budget negotiators are working on a final version of the two-year spending plan. Lawmakers would return to the Capitol in mid-April to take up any vetoes by Beshear. The legislative session has to conclude by April 15.
