Kentucky News Now – March 6th 2014

CONCEALED CARRY LICENSES

Senate OKs online concealed carry applications

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A bill aimed at creating an online application for Kentuckians wanting licenses to carry concealed weapons has been passed by the state Senate.

Republican Sen. Sara Beth Gregory said Wednesday her bill is meant to reduce the backlog as tens of thousands of people submit paper applications for concealed carry licenses. She says the goal is to reduce the waiting time from about two months now to about two weeks with the online version.

The bill passed the Senate on a 37-0 vote. It now goes to the House.

The online process would also be available to renew licenses.

The bill calls for a $70 fee for online applications. The current paper application process, which would still be available, has a $60 fee.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Senate passes temp concealed carry for victims

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill to create a quick process for domestic violence victims to obtain temporary concealed weapons permits.

The bill would allow abuse victims receiving court-issued protective orders to apply for provisional concealed carry permits lasting 45 days.

Republican Sen. Jared Carpenter said Wednesday his bill would help abuse victims better protect themselves.

Democratic Sen. Robin Webb called it a good deterrent, noting protective orders are made of paper.

The measure passed the Senate 35-0 and goes to the House, which has passed a similar bill.

Under the Senate bill, temporary permit applications would go to state police. Background checks would be required before the permits would be issued. Victims could receive firearms safety training within 45 days to convert short-term permits into regular concealed carry licenses.

LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS

Stivers proposal would reduce legislative sessions

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers has proposed reducing the number of days lawmakers meet each year.

The Manchester Republican said Wednesday his proposal would save the state about $7 million each year and encourage more people to run for the General Assembly. He says the current schedule discourages many people from serving because they can't take that much time away from work.

His proposal is a constitutional amendment that would go on the November ballot if it clears the General Assembly.

He wants to limit sessions in even-numbered years to 45 days. Those sessions — when lawmakers pass the state budget — now last 60 days.

In odd-numbered years, lawmakers could meet up to 15 days. Those sessions now last 30 days.

SALT SUPPLIES

Ky. road crews urged to conserve salt

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The harsh winter has prompted the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to urge its crews to conserve salt supplies.

The cabinet says it has less than 70,000 tons of salt on hand statewide. It says that amount tends to be more than enough for the rest of the season. But it wants to make sure each county has enough salt to handle any more snow or ice.

To level supplies, salt has been shifted among highway districts and the state's emergency reserve has been tapped.

The cabinet has ordered more than 90,000 tons of salt, and shipments are expected in coming weeks.

This season, the cabinet has used more than 410,000 tons of salt, compared with 160,000 tons at this point in 2013.

MINE THAT BIRD

Mine That Bird visiting Derby Museum

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — One of the celebrities who will be in Louisville for this year's Kentucky Derby has four legs and has actually been around the track a time or two.

Derby winner Mine That Bird is returning to Louisville in connection with the Kentucky opening of the movie "50 to 1," about the gelding's victory at Churchill Downs in 2009. The Courier-Journal reports the film will open in more than 20 Kentucky theaters on April 18, and producer Jim Wilson and cast members are making a bus tour to promote it.

Mine That Bird will be on display April 17 at the Derby Museum, travels to Keeneland on April 18 and returns to the Derby Museum the following day to stay through May 10, on loan from his owners.

RAPE VICTIMS

Bill seeks to prevent parental rights for rapists

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky House committee has approved a bill that would prevent rapists from obtaining parental or visitation rights for children born as a result of their sexual assaults.

The proposal sailed through the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

Rep. Dennis Keene, the bill's lead sponsor, says women who give birth to babies resulting from sexual assaults can face more emotional stress when the rapists seek custody of the children.

The bill would prohibit anyone convicted of first-degree rape from seeking parental or visitation rights for children resulting from the assaults.

The measure now goes to the full House.