Home » The Bottom Line: House passes telecommunications modernization and voluntary ID legislation

The Bottom Line: House passes telecommunications modernization and voluntary ID legislation

By Jacqueline Pitts, The Bottom Line

Lane-KyChamber-piece-300x196A bill aiming to cut the regulation faced by telecommunications providers, which prevent investment, passed the House Tuesday with a 79-13 vote.

Senate Bill 10, sponsored by Sen. Paul Hornback, follows up on telecommunications reforms passed in 2015 and seeks to modernize Kentucky’s telecommunications laws which stifle growth and economic development.

The legislation would apply the same modern, investment-friendly law that has been in place in urban areas since 2015 to all areas of the state. Extending the law will eliminate outdated regulations that only serve to throttle investment in new technologies.

The Kentucky Chamber has long been a supporter of modernizing Kentucky’s telecommunications regulations which are burdensome, out of date and hinder economic growth. Read an op-ed from Kentucky Chamber President Dave Adkisson on the issue here.

Senate Bill 10 now heads to the full House for a vote on the floor.

Voluntary Travel ID

Legislation to put Kentucky in compliance with federal law and provide citizens with a voluntary travel ID passed the House Tuesday with a 77-19 vote.

Currently, Kentucky is out of compliance with federal law requiring the new form of identification and has been granted an extension until June of this year. Without this legislation, Kentuckians will have to provide a passport, or another form of ID in addition to a drivers’ license in order to fly domestically, or enter onto federal property.

House Bill 410 bill sponsor, Rep. Jim DuPlessis, of Elizabethtown, said on the House floor that the legislation would ensure Kentuckians will have enhanced and secure identifications.

The Chamber and the business community support House Bill 410, which now heads to the Senate to be heard in committee.


For more state government news go to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s The Bottom Line blog.