Latest news with #SenateBill47
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First medical cannabis safety compliance facility breaks ground in KY
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Team Kentucky announced it broke ground on the first medical cannabis safety compliance facility in the state. Officials say State38 LLC, with a roughly $1 million investment, will employ around a dozen Kentuckians. The new safety compliance facility will be one of seven in the state dedicated to ensuring the safety and quality of medical cannabis products. Owensboro Health commits $200K to community projects 'Team Kentucky is dedicated to ensuring every Kentuckian with a qualifying condition has safe access to quality medical cannabis,' said Gov. Andy Beshear. 'I'm excited to see this new industry take root here in Graves County, because I believe health care is a basic human right.' Officials say on April 17, 2024, Gov. Beshear signed House Bill 829 into law, which moved up the timeline for medical cannabis licensing in Kentucky by six months. The Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis began accepting applications from prospective businesses on July 1, 2024. Officials with Gov. Beshear's office say last month, Team Kentucky broke ground on the first medical cannabis business in the state, Centaurus Farms KY LLC, a Tier II cultivator in Wayne County. A ribbon-cutting was also held for a Tier III cultivator facility in Clark County managed by Cresco Labs. Two arrested after Hopkins County chase 'I'm proud to see the progress that's been made so far, and I look forward to the day when we say that all our safety compliance facilities, cultivators and dispensaries are open for business,' added Gov. Beshear. Gov. Beshear says on March 31, 2023, Gov. Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 into law, legalizing medical cannabis for Kentuckians beginning January 1, 2025. To date, more than 15,000 Kentuckians have received a written certification, and over 10,000 have successfully applied for and received a medical cannabis card. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's what's holding back medical marijuana in one NKY city
NEWPORT – Voters approved medical marijuana dispensaries in every Northern Kentucky city where it was on the ballot last fall. But strict state regulations mean the facilities might still be effectively banned in some cities. That's what elected officials in Newport found out at a public meeting Monday night when they were presented with an updated city map with only four small slivers of land highlighted in green. Assistant City Manager Brian Steffen said those are the only places that comply with state law and already-existing city zoning where medical marijuana dispensaries could possibly be located – and there aren't many commercial or industrial spaces available in those areas. "It's not advisable to move forward with trying to create local legislation without the ability to create a zone and have a viable location for these businesses to locate. It just really isn't worth the effort," he said. Here are the details holding medical marijuana back in the riverside city: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat in a mostly red state, legalized medical marijuana in 2023 when he signed Senate Bill 47 into law. The program launched Jan. 1 with a slew of regulations. Among them is a requirement that medical marijuana facilities – from growers to dispensaries – be located at least 1,000 feet away from schools and daycares. With nearly two dozen schools or daycares in Newport's roughly 3.5 square miles, that severely limits where medical marijuana facilities could be located. With the city's zoning, that leaves only four small areas viable. But those likely wouldn't be practical for medical marijuana uses either, Steffen said. The areas either already have tenants in leases or are dangerously close to straddling that 1,000-foot invisible barrier. Eagle-eyed residents might point to the map and wonder why Newport on the Levee couldn't be used to facilitate medical marijuana dispensaries. Steffen said he spoke to management at Newport on the Levee, who told him the facility has its own rules prohibiting its renters from operating dispensaries on premises. And the city can't force the company to rent space to any particular business. The city is essentially shrugging its shoulders for now, but that doesn't mean elected officials are happy with the result. "I've heard from a lot of people in our community that were in favor of bringing this forward," Councilman Aaron Sutherland said. "So the map being how it is, we can look at it and tell that it's just not viable at this time. But if it becomes viable, I would like to revisit it." Sutherland, Councilman Mike Radwanski and Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. are three of five commissioners who support bringing medical marijuana to the city. Steffen said that when it comes to marijuana, states that legalize the plant for medical purposes often go on to approve it for recreational purposes within several years. In nearby Ohio, for instance, medical marijuana was legalized in 2016. Last summer, recreational marijuana became legal to purchase. "Rules change. The landscape changes on these things pretty frequently. So we'll be paying attention as time goes on," Steffen said. The Office of Medical Cannabis website lists two medical practitioners in Campbell County who can issue medical marijuana cards. There are three in Boone County and 11 in Kenton County. There are five general medical conditions that qualify someone for a medical marijuana card and there's a $25 annual application fee for the card. For now, there aren't any open medical marijuana dispensaries in Northern Kentucky. So the best bet for getting a prescription filled is by purchasing it in nearby Ohio. Though, you definitely should check out the legal requirements to do so first. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why medical marijuana just hit a roadblock in Newport
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Road-repair bill reveals friction between Republican leaders of different groups in Alaska Senate
Members of the Alaska Senate vote on Senate Bill 47 on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) A bill intended to fix potholes in a popular road within Chugach State Park has also exposed rocky relationships between two leaders of the Alaska State Senate. The Senate voted 18-1 on Monday to pass Senate Bill 47, which would allow the municipality of Anchorage to repair Canyon Road, within the park. Normally, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is responsible for road maintenance within the park, but Anchorage voters, dissatisfied with the state's work, approved a $4 million bond in 2024 that puts local money into road maintenance. SB 47 is necessary for that money to be spent legally. The bill was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and the lone vote against it came from Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower, R-Wasilla. Shower said after the vote that his opposition wasn't due to the bill itself, but because of disagreements with its author. It's a matter of personal respect, Shower said. Giessel refuses to look him in the eyes on the Senate floor, he said. In a recent Senate Transportation Committee meeting, she didn't acknowledge his presence. When Shower's granddaughter was introduced as a guest on the Senate floor, Giessel didn't applaud along with the rest of the senators. If Giessel isn't willing to show common courtesy, Shower said, she shouldn't expect his support for personal legislation. 'There's a certain level of decorum and respect that's expected,' he said. 'I don't even know what to say,' Giessel said when asked about Shower's comments. 'I don't have a comment.' Shower said he's spoken privately to Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, about the disagreement. For several years, Republicans in the state Senate have been split between those who follow a strict party line and those willing to serve in a coalition majority that includes Democrats in leadership positions. Republican Party officials have repeatedly criticized Stevens, Giessel and other senators for their willingness to work across party lines. Shower regularly appears on talk radio and has criticized those coalition Republicans by name. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Advocates gather at Texas Capitol for hands-free cellphone legislation
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Another rally happened outside the Texas Capitol Wednesday in support of a bill to restrict phone usage on the road. AAA, alongside others, showed its support for Senate Bill 47, which is also known as the Allie's Way Act. SB 47 would require all drivers in Texas use their cellphones in hands-free mode while driving. Round Rock mother shares tragic story in hopes of ending distracted driving The bill is named after Allie White, a young girl who was killed in September 2019 when a car hit her while the driver was distracted by their cellphone. Allie's parents are strong supporters of SB47. They both founded the nonprofit Allie's Way, which is focused on ending distracted driving. 'This bill would save lives. It would produce the consequences needed, because Allie's killer got nothing, walked away, killed my child and walked away scot free. Something needs to happen,' Jamie White said. In 2017, Texas passed a law prohibiting reading, writing or sending messages while driving. However, it does not prohibit holding a phone to your ear to make a call. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia Senate OKs tax holiday for guns, bill to require safe storage faces GOP headwinds
Sen. Jason Anavitarte presents a bill to create a tax holiday for guns, amunition and gun accessories, including safes and trigger locks. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Georgia senators passed a bill Wednesday that could make it cheaper to buy guns, ammunition and accessories like scopes, stocks and gun safes on a party line vote, and behind the scenes, lawmakers and lobbyists are tussling over a Democrat-sponsored plan to encourage gun owners to lock up their weapons. Senate Bill 47 would be in effect for 11 days each year, starting on the second Friday in October, set to coincide with the start of deer hunting season. The bill's author, Republican Caucus Chair Sen. Jason Anavitarte said it will help get Georgians out into nature. 'This bill is promoting outdoorsmanship,' the Dallas Republican said. 'In Georgia, hunting is the primary means of keeping the deer population in check as well as preventing the destruction of crops or accidents with motorists caused by deer.' Republicans including Sen. Timothy Bearden praised the plan. 'The Second Amendment is there to protect us, the citizens, the ones that we represent,' he said. 'If someone wants to go out because it's their first time buying a firearm, as former law enforcement, I hope they go get the training they need to use that firearm proficiently. If it's a sales tax holiday that allows them to do it, or to go out and buy that shotgun for their kid so they can take them into the woods and teach them how to hunt, how to respect nature, and just understand the beauty of that partnership between a father and a child or a mother and a child or the family going out hunting together, and this allows them to do it, then let's do it.' But Senate Democrats were skeptical that the bill was really about deer hunting. They suggested it was in poor taste to promote the bill following September's deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County and suggested a tax holiday for necessities like school supplies, sporting goods not related to guns or menstrual products. 'We have for years in finance committee, begged and pleaded, could women and girls feminine products enjoy a sales tax relief?' asked Atlanta Democratic Sen. Nan Orrock. 'The answer is always no. The bill's never quite ready. But when the chairman of the Senate GOP caucus brings this bill in the very shadow of this horrendous school shooting that tore at the hearts and the minds of Georgians all across, we mourned with this community that was hit by this school shooting. And we want to stand up and send this bill, which is nothing but a message saying 'Hoorah for guns.'' Democrats expressed support for the tax credit on gun safety devices. Anavitarte said he stores his guns in a safe and encourages others to do the same, but he indicated he wouldn't want to mandate it. 'I don't know that Georgia or even the federal government needs to get into the practice of having to legislate basically education and our Second Amendment and infringing on that or common sense,' he said. But Johns Creek Democratic state Rep. Michelle Au is continuing her push for a bill that would implement punishments for people who do not store loaded guns properly and a child gains access to it. Failing to comply would be a high and aggravated misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000. Atlanta Democratic Sen. Elena Parent has a nearly identical bill in the Senate. Au, who is a physician, said guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S., and House Bill 1 would keep more kids safe. 'What this bill aims to do is to create a culture and expectation of what safe storage looks like,' she said. 'And when I say that, what I mean is that there are some people who understand that you do need to prevent children and teenagers from accessing guns, but maybe they don't know that putting it on the top shelf of your kitchen pantry is not actually safe storage. They think they're doing the right thing, but they're not.' Au sponsored an identical bill in 2023, which received a committee hearing, but no vote. This year, she's hoping it will go further. Among the bill's sponsors is Marietta Republican Rep. Sharon Cooper, chair of the House Committee on Public and Community Health. Alex Dorr, political director for Georgia Gun Owners, a pro-gun group, is hoping to kill the bill. Dorr's name was on a text message addressed to Cooper's constituents urging them to call into her office and demand she withdraw her support of the bill. 'Sharon is the ONLY Republican to co-sponsor HB-1, the Radical Left's primary gun control bill that will force you to lock up your firearms 24/7, or face legal consequences,' the text reads. 'This gives criminals the advantage!' In a phone call, Dorr requested that questions be emailed to him, but he did not respond to the emailed questions. Cooper responded with a statement. 'I have always been a defender of the Second Amendment, and believe that protecting our rights goes hand in hand with preventing tragedies. While HB1 is not scheduled to move forward, I put my name on it because gun owners should lead the way in keeping firearms out of the hands of children. This bill isn't about restrictions—it's about accountability.' Au called Cooper brave for signing onto the bill and said other Republicans privately agree. 'They recognize that extremely aggressive and well-financed groups like the pro-gun lobby, like the NRA, like Georgia Gun Owners, make a lot of problems for them electorally,' she said. 'They will threaten them publicly. They will mount social media campaigns, trying to gin up their base, to act aggressively against these legislators. They will threaten to primary them. They will threaten to pour money into elections to get them out of office, and that political pressure, they feel, clearly works.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
