Latest news with #HouseBill518
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
3rd-parties could soon issue Kentucky driver's licenses but concern for long lines remains
KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — Anyone who's had to visit a driver licensing office anytime lately had good odds to also face a long wait. As the legislative session begins to conclude, a little relief made it to the finish line, but some lawmakers see a missed opportunity to fix the problem. Coach Mark Pope offers to cover gas for BBN fans heading to NCAA tournament: 'Hit me up' 3rd-parties could soon issue Kentucky driver's licenses but concern for long lines remains Suspect arrested after Kentucky hostage situation 'It is so frustrating. It's so maddening. I get emails all the time,' Sen. Lindsey Tichenor (R-Smithfield) told FOX 2022, Kentuckians could get a driver's license in any of Kentucky's 120 counties. The change to a regional system was prompted by the federal REAL ID Act to improve security. However, the reduction to only 34 regional locations to get a license has naturally led to longer wait times. And requirements this year for both a vision screening and REAL ID are increasing the foot traffic.'It can be quite infuriating when you take your day, and you end up waiting in line all day long and you still don't get into the building. And you may have an appointment. And you may not have an appointment, but they are just bogged down,' Tichenor said. Sen. Tichenor was one of several lawmakers who filed proposals this year to cut down on the wait. House Bill 518 would have returned a clerk model. Tichenor's Senate Bill 166 would have brought a regional office to counties with a population of 50 thousand or more. 'I think that would have opened up five new centers, if I'm correct, which really would help it a tremendous amount,' Tichenor said. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Neither of those bills passed; however, a provision was included in Senate Bill 43 allowing third parties like AAA to also be able to issue licenses. As of Tuesday afternoon, the bill was still awaiting action from Gov. Andy Beshear. 'Now they won't be able to do testing or permitting, but they'll be able to do the renewals and be able to do the REAL ID,' Tichenor explained. However, Tichenor said she does not expect an immediate impact and believes that it will require the flexibility of a budget session next year to pay for opening more driver licensing offices. Tichenor said she is also hopeful that by next year a Kentucky State Police pilot program for pop-up licensing can expand. But until then, she encourages trying to renew online with the proper vision paperwork or seeking out a passport card to satisfy REAL ID requirements if someone is unable to make the time for a lengthy office wait. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to establish LGBTQ+ day in New Mexico advances to Senate
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A bill that would establish an LGBTQ+ day in New Mexico is advancing in the Roundhouse. Story continues below DWI Scandal: Another BCSO deputy placed on leave in connection to DWI dismissals National: Federal judge rules Trump must reinstate many fired federal employees Politics: Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller announces intention to run for reelection House Bill 518 would designate the fourth Tuesday in January in each odd-numbered year as the holiday in the state. In the bill, sponsors say that the day would honor all past, present and future leaders in New Mexico who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. The bill passed the House by a vote of 43-11. It now heads to the Senate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GA lawmaker pushes for sexual assault kit testing reform, new oversight committee
Atlanta Rep. Scott Holcomb introduced a bill to create a statewide sexual assault kit tracking system and reform the process in Georgia for sexual assault and rape investigations. The Sexual Assault Reform Act of 2025 was filed to create the Forensic Medical Examination Advisory Committee and to make new rules and training protocols for forensic medical examinations and testing. The new rules include a more in-depth system for tracking and maintaining evidence from sexual assault kits and making the status available to check anonymously for victims of sexual assault who submit kits for testing. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to House Bill 518, 'The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council shall create and operate a state-wide sexual assault kit tracking system. The council may contract with state or out-of-state entities including, but not limited to, private software and technology providers, for the creation, operation, and maintenance of the system.' Holcomb's proposal would require that all evidence submitted from a sexual assault kit be submitted to law enforcement officers for investigation within 30 days of being collected and the evidence must be received in compliance with the proposed law, unless victims request in writing to not test the evidence. The committee would also be charged with creating training protocols and regulations for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners to be trained and certified, including forensic exam and clinical training protocols. The bill's proposal to create an examination committee would have 12 members appointed by the Georgia governor and must include four registered nurses with certification in forensic nursing. Additionally, one must be a representative from the Georgia Board of Nursing, one must be from the Georgia Nurses Association and two must be licensed providers who are advanced practitioners. Other members of the proposed committee would include a Peace Officer Standards and Training certified officer, a prosecuting attorney, an employee of the Division of Forensic Sciences of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and one victims' rights advocate, as well as four others. Appointments would last for various term lengths, depending on position, and vacancies would be filled by appointment of the governor. The committee would also have to report on the average time each law enforcement agency in Georgia takes to collect sexual assault kits from reported sexual assaults, the number of kits generated for reported cases and the number of kits that have been tested. TRENDING STORIES: Police say Atlanta rapper's 'cowardly' actions led to innocent teens' birthday party murders Georgia lawmakers file bill to require notifications when deeds filed by non-owners 57 sets of cremains found in fire-damaged Cobb County funeral home identified The jurisdictions where sexual assaults were reported but kits have not been submitted for testing to the Division of Forensic Sciences of the GBI would also have to be tracked and reported. The reports would be provided to the executive counsel of the Governor, the Georgia Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, members of the House and Senate's judiciary committees, the House Committee on Public and Community Health and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The reports would also have to be published on the GBI's public website and it must include the number of sexual assault kits tested in the same year as well as the number awaiting testing. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported in December that there were 2,298 assault kits tested from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. The same data set from the GBI said there were 480 kits still awaiting testing as of June 30, 2024 and for kits submitted before 1999, there were evidence kits from '1,612 cases have been identified that need DNA analysis based on a review by the GBI Crime Laboratory and requests from law enforcement or prosecuting agencies. 837 cases were tested as of June 30, 2024.' The legislation would also ban selling over-the-counter sexual assault evidence kits, adding an up to $1,000 fine or violations. So far, HB 518 has no co-sponsors in the Georgia House, but was on the agenda for the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee in the House on Wednesday. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
