Frankfort, KY:  Representative Dennis Keene (D-Wilder) announces today that Governor Steve Beshear and the Kentucky Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Southgate-Wilder Fire Department a Homeland Security Grant of $16,844.00 for vital emergency live-saving equipment.

 “I worked hard to help secure these funds for the mostly volunteer rescue departments for equipment that is much needed for medical emergencies,” says Representative Dennis Keene.  “The equipment will help the members of the emergency response teams in Southgate and Wilder to save lives.”

The Homeland Security Grant will be for the purchase and installation of three laryngoscopes, one power stretcher and other related equipment.  Notice of the grant funding was provided to Wilder Mayor Stanley Turner and Southgate Mayor James Hamberg.

Representative Dennis Keene has served the citizens of the 67^th District since 2005 and is the chairman of the House Licensing and Occupations Committee, vice chairman of Economic Development and a member of the Banking & Insurance Committee and is on the Budget Subcommittee on Transportation.  Keene is a small business owner and an economic development advisor for EGC Construction.  For more information, visit: www.DennisKeene.com.

During this Veto Period, I’ve been busy in Frankfort working for our District.

Beginning last Wednesday afternoon,, I met with legislative staff to tie up several loose ends.   On Thursday, beginning at 8:00 a.m., I met with my office staff to go through correspondence and finish up other business.  Then, I met with Don Pasley, Commissioner of Rural and Municipal Roads, where I believe I found some great opportunities for our district.  Thursday afternoon I met with the head of Homeland Security, Gene Kiser.  We talked about needs for the Wilder and Southgate Fire Departments.

I worked in Frankfort through Friday to finish up.  I will also meet with Jonathan Gassett of the Fish and Wildlife Department to discuss a project for our area.  Even though most legislators are back home in their districts, it was good time to get work done and I found it easier to talk to the Commissioners of the Departments while fewer people were here.  I have completed several legislative matters that will benefit all the people of the 67^th district.

The pace of the General Assembly picked up considerably this week as legislators considered a flurry of legislation. Although only a few legislative days remain there is still work to be done. House members must now carefully study all Senate revisions in the budget bill. The Conference Committee is already working to resolve any differences between the House and Senate versions. A compromise between the two versions of the budget must be agreed upon within the next few days and returned to both chambers for approval. The 2012 session will come to a close on April 12^th after the Governor has exercised a 10 day period that allows him to either sign bills into law or veto them.

Legislation approved by the House in recent days includes the passage of the False Claims Act. House Bill 401 intends to root out fraud and reduce the state’s deficit millions of dollars by giving whistleblowers strong financial incentives to step forward if state tax dollars are being misused. The bill would require those who are found guilty to be liable for up to three times the amount they had fraudulently billed the state. Whistleblowers would be eligible to receive 15 to 30 percent of the monies recovered as a reward for their service. Under the bill, Kentucky would also be positioned to receive 10 percent more money recovered under Medicaid fraud. The House passed HB 401 91-1.

The House acted to address growing concerns regarding the exposure and over usage of tanning beds by children. The legislation, which I co-sponsored, would amend current state law to prohibit people under the age of 18 from using a tanning device without written parental consent.  HB 249 passed 86-10 and now heads to the Senate.

In an effort to expand the protection of victims of domestic abuse, HB 498 would extend domestic violence orders to include people who are dating. The bill would only apply to those dating couples who are 18 years of age or older. HB 498 was approved by the House 87-6.

Family pets can often become neglected when a relationship deteriorates. Presently Kentucky law does not allow a judge to address custody issues or the care of pets when a domestic violence order is issued.

HB 233 would provide judges the authority to act in the best interest of pets by directing the care, control and custody of pets. The bill would exempt animals that are considered livestock. HB 233 passed the House 94-1.

Kentuckians can be proud of the many legislative initiatives pursued and passed by the House of Representatives during this session. Although hundreds of bills are filed each session only a small percentage of them are able to withstand the scrutiny of the legislative process. While the process may seem complicated and frustrating at times, our system for making laws provides us with the best opportunity to address Kentucky’s many needs. I’m proud of what we have accomplished so far and look forward to finishing the work of the  House in the coming weeks.

You can stay informed of legislative action on bills of interest to you by logging onto the legislative Research Commission website atwww.lrc.ky.gov or by calling the LRC toll free Bill Status Line at 866-840-2835. To find out when a committee meeting is scheduled, you can call the LRC toll- free Meeting Information Line at 800-633-9650.

Rep. Keene discussing human trafficking with bill sponsor Rep. Sannie Overly

Fighting human trafficking - By Rep. Dennis Keene

When asked what is the fastest-growing illegal activity in Kentucky you might reply methamphetamine addiction, prescription drug abuse or even theft due to our precarious economy.

But you would be wrong.

The surprising answer is human trafficking. Those ugly words describe unimaginable acts that include sexual exploitation, forced labor and false imprisonment.  And what is more disturbing is that these acts are being perpetrated upon children as well as adults throughout our commonwealth.

There have been 67 documented cases of human trafficking and 12 indictments in Kentucky since 2007, but few convictions. The General Assembly passed a law in 2007 that made human trafficking a crime, but more needs to be done to halt the scourge of terrible activity.

That is why I am proud to be a co-sponsor of House Bill 350, also called the Human Trafficking Victims Rights Act, which would strengthen current laws to help prosecutors convict human traffickers.

HB 350 would make it a crime to force adults or children into prostitution; apply Kentucky’s forfeiture laws to those convicted of human trafficking; and create a fund for social service agencies that serve human trafficking victims.

The legislation recently passed out of the House with a resounding 90-0 unanimous vote and I am hopeful that the Kentucky Senate will treat House Bill 350 with the same urgency and gravity my colleagues and I employed.

Human trafficking is a real and terrible problem in Kentucky that requires strong action on all levels.  The Kentucky General Assembly should lead the way in this important endeavor.

Representative Dennis Keene represents the 67th House District in Campbell County that includes the cities of Newport, Bellevue, Dayton, Wilder, Southgate, Woodlawn and Highland Heights. He is chairman of the House Licensing and Occupations Committee, vice chairman of Economic Development and a member of the Banking & Insurance and is the Budget Subcommittee on Transportation.  Keene is a small business owner and an economic development advisor for EGC.  For more information, visit: www.DennisKeene.com.

Rep. Dennis Keene’s, (D-Wilder), House Bill 308 passed the House Licensing and Occupations Committee meeting and cleared the House floor on Wednesday.

Last year, State Auditor Crit Luallen conducted an audit of Kentucky’s 122 for-profit colleges after receiving complaints about high tuition, lack of job assistance and education, and a gross lack of financial accountability prompted the audit.

The audit concluded that the current board that regulates the state’s 122 for-profit colleges provided inadequate oversight, had not conducted an outside financial audit in 10 years and lacked a clear understanding of its role.

HB 308 would abolish the current State Board for Proprietary Education (BPE) and establish the Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education, an independent agency of the Commonwealth attached to the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet for administrative purposes.  The commission will be fully funded by the schools and will not cost Kentucky taxpayers one dime.

The legislation would require the new Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education to establish membership of commission reducing the number of proprietary school representatives so that they don’t comprise a majority of the commission’s membership (6 to 4) and decrease appointed members’ terms to two consecutive terms.

“I am encouraged by the swift passage of HB 308 because it underscores the commitment of our legislators to protect Kentuckians who have been harmed by misleading or misguided practices in the for-profit school industry,” said Rep. Keene.  “Folks trying to better their lives through education should have full confidence in the promises made by these institutions. While most proprietary schools do an admirable job preparing students for the workforce, unfortunately there are some who need more stringent oversight.”

Photo:  Rep. Dennis Keene on House floor earlier in the week discussing legislation.

As we conclude our first month of work in the General Assembly each day sheds new light on the serious financial challenges that confront our state and our citizens. Legislators received more details this week about the financial condition of state government from the governor’s budget director and other constitutional officers.

We are concentrating on ways to create new jobs, strengthen education and make Kentucky a better place to live.  We are working through hundreds of bills to find common sense solutions to meet our needs.

Answering students’ complaints and adhering to Kentucky State Auditor’s recommendations, House Education Chair Carl Rollins and, I as chair of the House Licensing and Occupations Committee, have filed a bill to strengthen oversight of Kentucky’s proprietary or for-profit colleges. Last year, State Auditor Crit Luallen conducted an extensive audit of Kentucky’s 122 for-profit colleges.  Complaints about high tuition, lack of job assistance and education, and a gross lack of financial accountability prompted the audit.

House Bill 308 would abolish the current State Board for Proprietary Education (BPE) and establish the Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education, an independent agency of the Commonwealth attached to the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet for administrative purposes.

The legislation would require the new Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education to establish membership of commission reducing the number of proprietary school representatives so that they don’t comprise a majority of the commission’s membership (6 to 4) and decrease appointed members’ terms to two consecutive terms.  I believe that we need to protect students from unscrupulous practices and this new commission will go a long way in meeting that primary goal.  I will inform you of House Bill 308’s progress as we move it through the legislative process.

The House of Representatives showed its support for our military and veterans by passing two measures.   House members approved House Bill 71 which would exempt the estates of members of the military or law enforcement who were killed in the line of duty from probate fees.

The House also passed HB 221 allowing a veteran when renewing his or her driver’s license or state identification card to have a veteran designation on that card with the presentation of a DD-214.  HB 221 passed by a vote of 96-0 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Creating jobs is the intent of HB 246 which would expand energy incentives to the manufacturing sector of the economy. The bill broadens the incentives passed in the 2007 Special Session’s House Bill 1 to include manufacturers who produce the pieces and parts required to build new energy facilities.  The bill passed unanimously out of the Energy and Tourism Development Committee meeting.

Education continues to be at the top of our priority list.  A bill to improve school councils requiring at least one parent representative of a school council to reside within the boundaries of the local school district passed out of the House this week.  HB 89 would also prohibit non-tenured teachers from serving on school councils unless no tenured teachers are willing or are available to serve. The House voted 62-33 to approve HB 89.

HB 168 works to insure that the 70,000 Kentucky students now enrolled in alternative education programs have quality teachers. The bill would prohibit superintendents from assigning a teacher to an alternative education program who is on probation or the subject of a corrective action.  HB 168 was passed by the House 90-8.

The House Agriculture Committee unanimously passed two resolutions to address the concerns of Kentucky farmers. House Concurrent Resolution 76 urges a study of the growth of wild pig populations in Kentucky and would address the dangers and problems that wild swine present for famers and landowners. House Resolution 62 would urge the U.S. Department of labor to withdraw a proposed regulation which would keep kids from being able to work on their family farm.  Both pieces of legislation await the full House consideration.

Four weeks into the session and we are picking up the pace.  You can stay informed of legislative action on bills of interest to you by logging onto the legislative Research Commission website at www.lrc.ky.gov or by calling the LRC toll free Bill Status Line at 866-840-2835. To find out when a committee meeting is scheduled, you can call the LRC toll- free Meeting Information Line at 800-633-9650.

Last year, State Auditor Crit Luallen conducted an extensive audit of State Board for Proprietary Education.  Complaints about high tuition, lack of job assistance and education, and a gross lack of financial accountability prompted the audit.

The audit concluded that the current board that regulates the state’s 122 for-profit colleges provided inadequate oversight, had not conducted an outside financial audit in 10 years and lacked a clear understanding of its role.

House Bill 308 would abolish the current State Board for Proprietary Education (BPE) and establish the Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education, an independent agency of the Commonwealth attached to the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet for administrative purposes.

The legislation limits appointed members’ to serving two consecutive terms and establishes an 11-member commission that reduces the number of proprietary school representatives from six to four, so that they don’t comprise a majority of the commission’s membership.

An executive director with a background in commerce, business, or education would be hired whose duties would include directing new policies for fiscal record retention, keeping appropriate records of complaints and minutes of meetings, and ensuring the proper handling of student complaints and that an annual fiscal review is conducted.

The new legislation would also require schools to contribute to a student protection fund which would maintain a balance of $500,000.  The new commission would impose fees on schools to restore the balance to $500,000 if the balance drops below the required minimum amount.

It would establish requirements for licensed schools to notify the commission and remit student documentation prior to closing; require licensed institutions to make students aware of the student protection fund and the process for filing a claim.

“Most important is protecting students from unscrupulous practices and I believe that this new commission will go a long way in meeting that primary goal,” said Rep. Keene.

“Oversight and accountability are key to students’ success and they have a right to expect those things when paying for a college education,” said Rep. Rollins.

“Pursuing higher education is the only way Kentuckians can be assured of higher earning potential and a better quality of life and this legislation will ensure that mission is met,” said Rep. Keene.

Frankfort-KY:  As a result of redistricting, State Representative Dennis Keene’s (D-Wilder) 67^th House District will expand by nearly 4,000 people including the new river cities of Silver Grove and Melbourne. “Northern Kentucky has experienced explosive growth and decline in population which has forced a shift in legislative districts to occur,” said Rep. Keene.  “I am proud to expand my district further into Campbell County to include the two river cities of Silver Grove and Melbourne.”

When the plan is finalized by the entire General Assembly, House District 67 will be the largest district representing river cities in the Commonwealth.  Newport, Bellevue, Dayton, Ft. Thomas, Silver Grove and Melbourne are along the Ohio River in Campbell County.  Keene will continue to represent the suburban cities of Southgate, Wilder, Woodlawn and Highland Heights.  Representative Joe Fischer will represent the remaining suburban Campbell County precincts as well as southern Campbell County.

Representative Dennis Keene is the chairman of the House Licensing and Occupations Committee, vice chairman of Economic Development and a member of the Banking & Insurance Committee and is on the Budget Subcommittee on Transportation.  Keene is a small business owner and an economic development advisor for EGC Construction.  For more information, visit: www.DennisKeene.com.