[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6642674,"mediaKeyId","2539381-caaafdefa38051d8ffbee5e79eb91d01","parentId",2539381,"title","Committee approves simplified referral process for unemployment insurance fraud investigations","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2261000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2539381-caaafdefa38051d8ffbee5e79eb91d01&start=2261&end=2261","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2539381-caaafdefa38051d8ffbee5e79eb91d01/thumbnail_2261000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6642674/Kentucky/Committee-approves-simplified-referral-process-for-unemployment-insurance-fraud-investigations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642674-4ac135bf236139eefdf81a22ead4b571/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172323&Signature=IQiBxkU2dvIWcKTqRmq6SH2dzym6r00awJRC81lwA4f3AkFSsKJT824b8OdTfRHBMIlTgBVvTI2znkciV9i4PhbQkl4mrK3AFOodmmbh9OaDPSVz-ekBlbOz0qc1l4fFA73UKBQkS0yLyLlf3zFcCdTR4N62hEPoI328qbkvuvERvrXKZ~jngz-BxsnygSmVkTbYB4cxpM1fRb~RuNFcCekpvI8-8jA4GYV8c7iCNkSwPg-1S1M5eMcROw8HLU3oejbkXuN8OW399lTwo8Ud4McrSYNQenBTC1Ae3~USxbohN4ubfO3axZt1S8UeJqXWER5HHYLtcn6xlv5ZmmH0Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kentucky Legislature","date","2025-03-11T13:53:56Z","article","Sen. Shelley Funke (Pro‑Myers) told the House standing committee that Senate Bill 162 is a one‑page bill intended to create a clear referral pathway for suspected unemployment insurance fraud. The bill requires suspected fraud to be referred to state or federal prosecuting authorities and outlines recipients such as the Commonwealth’s attorney, county attorney, the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and, if applicable, the U.S. Department of Justice.

Proponents said the unemployment insurance office is focused on serving claimants quickly and does not always have a standardized process to hand suspected fraud to prosecuting authorities. The bill’s sponsor said the change is meant to deter fraud, protect program integrity and ensure funds reach legitimate claimants.

Several committee members supported the bill’s intent but asked questions about definitions, due process and administrative workload. Representative Layman and Representative Tackett Lafferty asked whether a referral could lead to termination before an individual is found guilty and sought clarity on what “suspected” fraud means in practice. Senator Funke said the bill preserves existing statutory reclaim processes for mispaid benefits and that the bill is intended to create a reporting pathway rather than substitute for investigation or adjudication.

Committee members also raised concerns about potential impacts on state employees whose identities are used in fraudulent claims and asked whether the change could subject an employee to termination before the underlying matter is resolved. The sponsor and members agreed to follow up on language and implementation mechanics; the sponsor said she is open to revisions to strengthen due-process protections while maintaining referral authority.

After discussion, the committee passed SB 162 with the committee’s expression that it should pass. Sponsors said the goal is deterrence and accountability and to provide a standard mechanism for referrals where none was previously clear.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment (3-11-25)","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 162 requires the labor cabinet to refer suspected unemployment insurance fraud to the appropriate prosecutor or federal authority and establishes a clearer, streamlined referral pathway; the committee passed the one‑page bill after discussion of due-process and workload concerns.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature KY, Kentucky","taxId",77680,"location","Kentucky","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6642679,"Committee raises construction retainage threshold from $500,000 to $2 million in Senate Bill 76",148,2094000,2242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2539381-caaafdefa38051d8ffbee5e79eb91d01&start=2094&end=2242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2539381-caaafdefa38051d8ffbee5e79eb91d01/thumbnail_2094000.jpg","/articles/6642679/Kentucky/Committee-raises-construction-retainage-threshold-from-500000-to-2-million-in-Senate-Bill-76","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642679-fded950a77d970fce20661fb5b63ad81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172323&Signature=hfXIDDzbw6Bjq9GNDPSCTkzDYmrXnf2hrrzWsU~32Ki6-yvL6-QrmtgWbwvhS7iu90HNVY5HIAfGNcqJQk3JeKfesEhRzM0BLh8EX6y22jvrJteDzbvExPXs1ELGL2~h7ARwHdpLYxmV0z69sX93a~7j6YZFCF9Bf68vOchikjiYgpRDOTfT~R0vi69UOFSfn46EZZWyjemla2VXJX3JqO14ION8meitiFbEHCnCfKNrcabB4zmYgRjbCEBEAugrJsTgHj~nqdNVmt5gCB0f9pZzt0Sj8vagNFKr9xKAugHG9Wf34W82mFvQMqkkQdZ5NIWLu~cym4Z~zoxEZCJ8wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Greg Elkins and a representative of the Associated General Contractors of Kentucky explained to the House standing committee on economic development that Senate Bill 76 would update a 1990 statutory threshold that governs retainage on construction contracts.

Under current law, a property owner may withhold retainage and place it in escrow when a construction contract exceeds $500,000. Elkins told the committee the $500,000 threshold was enacted in 1990 and does not reflect modern construction inflation. The bill would raise that trigger to $2,000,000.

Richard Vinson, executive vice president of the Associated General Contractors of Kentucky, presented in favor and answered committee questions. Proponents characterized the change as an adjustment to reflect higher project costs and avoid small projects becoming subject to escrow requirements intended for larger projects.

Committee members asked questions and then voted to pass Senate Bill 76 with the committee’s expression that “the same should pass.” The committee record shows the bill passed without substitute amendments.

If enacted, the bill amends KRS 371.160 to change the monetary threshold that triggers retainage escrow for real estate improvement contracts from $500,000 to $2,000,000. Sponsors said the change is intended to align the statute with contemporary construction costs.

","The committee approved Senate Bill 76 to amend KRS 371.160 and raise the contract threshold that triggers retainage escrow from $500,000 to $2,000,000, citing inflation and construction cost changes since 1990.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6642684,"Kentucky House committee approves bill to establish state film office and leadership council",1997,89000,2086000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2539381-caaafdefa38051d8ffbee5e79eb91d01&start=89&end=2086","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2539381-caaafdefa38051d8ffbee5e79eb91d01/thumbnail_89000.jpg","/articles/6642684/Kentucky/Kentucky-House-committee-approves-bill-to-establish-state-film-office-and-leadership-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642684-3f073da97596d8f62c7100af4d7f5b12/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172323&Signature=eZcN1Qu0yKl-UmyM-fE3Jvos55i8NBsWIf0V9ksPXO7gxXjwzOxacA3KOLMM15uEkBRJjGGuV8KwT49PlbfYoOvN2ZjcFEr0iiq9nCAZJCMofKQvwEQzDSZOYzQfHXChDRtDsO6Bdc4ChA6sMw3-BL4muXE80xCF07uaOy1SfHSR0qIRBUlFPhhj0gwvxgeQFT5eZJYwLYs~XZppdc7vSNA4p7mEz2~j4NemEPxDKwDqzaYK~qIz~TFFcaX68h6yKQHpTKiuiBFIYUztaLB-S50J5ESVxl7V9cKnDoXzd0Wnj7XaoC06hHy4W2MD7ewP1nendFmAZKIJaDd-mC-IOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Sen. Telewheeler, joined by other backers, told the Kentucky House standing committee on economic development on Wednesday that Senate Bill 1 aims to create a Kentucky Film Office and industry leadership council to promote film production in the state.

Telewheeler said the bill will provide “the infrastructure necessary to attract these types of feature films to the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” and described film tourism and production as potential economic drivers for rural and urban areas alike. He said Kentucky already has generous film tax incentives but lacks dedicated marketing and staffing to attract larger projects.

The bill creates an executive director role for the new film office and a leadership council made up of industry and cabinet representatives. The House committee substitute adds a salary cap for the office’s executive director at $225,000 and corrects a small date error. Committee discussion noted the bill would allow the office to build an online location database similar to Georgia’s film office website.

Andrew McNeil, president of the Kentucky Forum on Rights, Economics, and Education, urged caution. He criticized refundable check-style subsidies and said recent productions had received larger public subsidies than box-office receipts for some films. “These aren’t incentives. These are subsidies,” McNeil said, urging delay for further review and transparency about financing.

Bill supporters responded that the incentive program is monitored and requires productions to demonstrate local spending and payroll reporting before refunds are issued. Sponsors also said local hotels and vendors have already seen direct benefits during shoots.

Committee members asked about comparisons with Georgia’s program, the meaning and handling of an “obscenity” exclusion, local economic impact estimates and how the film office would be funded. Backers cited a University of Louisville study that estimated the state’s motion picture and recording industry generated about $200 million in revenue in 2022, with roughly $128 million flowing to other local businesses and $27 million paid in federal, state and local taxes. The substitute authorizes taking up to $500,000 from the transient room tax to seed the office’s work.

After questions and public comment, the committee adopted House Committee Substitute 1 and passed the bill. The committee’s action on the bill was recorded as “passes with the expression of opinion that the same should pass.”

The committee record shows a mix of support and requests for follow-up: several members said they would vote yes while asking for later conversations about local hiring priorities and how the office will be run; at least one member asked to “pass” to follow up with sponsors before a final vote. The bill passed out of committee with the substitute in place.

If enacted, SB 1 establishes the Kentucky Film Office, a leadership council, and an executive director post; provides initial funding authority from transient room tax revenues; and includes a salary cap for the executive director. The bill as amended now moves on in the legislative process.

Details offered during the hearing and questions from members indicate committee members want future reports and monitoring of how incentives are used, how local labor and vendors are prioritized, and stronger transparency about production financing.

Votes at a glance: the committee passed Senate Bill 1 as amended by House Committee Substitute 1; the committee chair announced that the bill passed with the expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee transcript records multiple named “yes/aye” votes; the committee substitute was adopted before final passage.

","The House standing committee on economic development voted to pass Senate Bill 1 with a House committee substitute to create a Kentucky Film Office, a film leadership council and an executive director post, including a $225,000 salary cap and a limited initial funding source.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee approves simplified referral process for unemployment insurance fraud investigations

Committee raises construction retainage threshold from $500,000 to $2 million in Senate Bill 76

Kentucky House committee approves bill to establish state film office and leadership council