- Senate Bill 77, passed and, would permit the completion of a medical order for scope of treatment directing medical interventions. The decisions made by individuals for end of life treatment will be available as part of their medical records so that any healthcare provider can have those medical orders to follow regarding treatment wishes.

- In an effort to ensure equal legislative representation, Senate Bill 27 passed the chamber this week. The bill simply states that in the next legislative redistricting session, which will be after the next U.S. Census, the re-districting must be completed by April 15, or legislative members will have to continue the process without receiving pay. In 2013, it took a special session to complete the redistricting and the extra cost of the legislative session places a financial strain on Kentucky's budget. The bill also ensures that every county in Kentucky is adequately represented in the House of Representatives.

- We unanimously passed two bills regarding transparency and legislative responsibility regarding pension systems. Senate Bill 22 would clean up Retirement System loop holes and require retirement systems to disclose the use of placement agents. Senate Bill 23, will allow legislators to set a precedent with contributions to the pension system. The bill would permit members to make a one-time election to have their benefits from the Legislators' Retirement Plan based solely on their legislative salary. In short, it would prevent pension "super-sizing."

- School safety is the goal of Senate Bill 39 which passed this week. The bill will require public schools to consult with local and state safety officials and National Weather Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency guiding principles when identifying the best available severe weather safe zones.

- Senate Bill 55 would permit hunters to donate their game meat to charitable organizations that feed the needy in Kentucky. The meat would be required to be properly field dressed and processed, and could not be spoiled or diseased. This is another way to make sure those who are in need have access to food.

- An effort to close retirement loopholes of elected enforcement officials passed unanimously. Senate Bill 62 will prohibit elected law enforcement officials, such as sheriffs, from retiring, receiving that pay out, and then coming back as sheriff to also collect a salary. This is very hard on state and county budgets. The legislation will allow the salary, but not the retirement upon reemployment.

- Senate Bill 81 also passed, and it cleans up alcoholic beverage control language. With the increasing success of craft beer, Kentucky wine and bourbon, the legislation updates regulatory language to help bolster these growing industries while respecting the areas of the state that have not voted to permit alcohol sales in their area.

- We also passed Senate Bill 34 Thursday, which relates to driving under the influence. This bill would change what is known in legal circles as the "look back period" from five to 10 years from five years. What that means is that if someone is convicted of drunken driving multiple times in a 10-year period the penalties for the crimes are increased.

- Senate Bill 132 relates to improving school and student performance. We passed that legislation Thursday, which would allow a superintendent to select the principal in a school identified as an "initial intervention school."

- Senate Bill 107 relates to health providers, and would require Medicaid providers to provide operating disclosures to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in order to promote transparency.