Committee advances bill tied to air-emissions caps; Kentucky Chamber backs measure

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Natural Resources Committee voted to approve House Bill 346, a measure described by supporters as implementing a prior administrative regulation change that would remove a cap on air emissions and exempt certain emergency generators.

Derek Lewis, state representative for the 90th District, introduced the measure at the committee table and said the change aligned with a recent administrative regulation from the Division for Air Quality. Lewis told the committee the regulation change “is gonna help out 708 companies across the state.” He also said the bill “carves out emergency generators that are there for safety purposes in our distilleries.”

Lewis said Kentucky treats emergency backup generators more strictly than the EPA in current practice. During the hearing, the committee adopted a substitute to the bill; after a motion and second the substitute was approved and the amended bill was recommended favorable by the committee.

A representative of the Kentucky Chamber (testimony in the record stated the Chamber “supports this bill”) was cited in committee remarks backing the measure. Adam Goble identified himself at the table alongside Lewis; the transcript lists his affiliation as Saukian Ogden.

The clerk called the roll on the substituted measure. Senators recorded votes of “aye” for a majority of members including the committee chair; the committee chair announced that the motion by which House Bill 346, as amended by the substitute, is approved favorable.

The transcript does not record detailed debate or formal opposition to the substitute and does not list next steps on the legislative calendar.