FRANKFORT, Ky. — In Frankfort, a busy week is ahead as lawmakers only have until Friday to pass bills before the governor's veto period.

The veto period is 10 days where Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky. can veto bills, and the legislature can use the remaining two legislative days afterward to overturn any vetoes.

What You Need To Know

  • Lawmakers passed dozens of bills in both chambers Tuesday afternoon 

  • The Senate passed a bill that lowers the age for gun ownership to 18 

  • The House did not concur with changes the Senate made to HB 241; it now goes to a free conference committee  

  • This is the last week before the governor's 10-day veto period

The Senate and House will be passing any priority legislation across the finish line this week for the governor’s signature or his veto.

The Kentucky Senate passed a flurry of bills on Tuesday, including Senate Bill 75. The bill from State Sen. Aaron Reed, R-Shelbyville, would allow 18-year-olds to own a gun.

SB 75 would change the current Kentucky gun law to lower the age to purchase and conceal carry a gun to 18 instead of 21. Reed said it does not change or lessen anything with regard to gun ownership other than the age.

The bill passed 26 to 11, with one Democrat voting in support with most Republicans. Five Republicans voted against the bill with six other Democrats.

Reed, a former Navy Seal, said he believes if an 18-year-old can serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, then they should be allowed to carry a gun.

Another bill passed by the Senate was House Bill 15. The bill from State Rep. Steven Rudy, R-Paducah, passed the House last month.

If it becomes law, it would lower the age to receive a driver’s permit from 16 to 15. A change from the Senate would also allow a driver to be fully licensed at 17 instead of the current 18.

That bill had bipartisan support with 36 senators voting "YEA" on the measure. State Sen. Gary Boswell, R-Owensboro, was the lone "no" vote.

HB 15 now heads back to the House so they can concur with changes made by the Senate.

The Senate was expected to vote on House Bill 4, which bans diversity, equity and inclusion in colleges but chose not to do so until Wednesday.

Over in the House, lawmakers in that chamber did not concur with the Senate’s version of the bill on House Bill 241. The Senate’s change slotted in language related to a saving the Kentucky Virtual Academy. The original bill pertained just granting districts five disaster days.

The House also passing House Bill 544. It will create a SAFE FUND for February floods, letting the state dip into millions of dollars left over from the EKY and WKY SAFE Funds.

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