State Government

Tuesday was the last day the Republican-led legislature can pass bills and still have the chance to override any vetoes issued by Beshear, a Democrat. Lawmakers will return to consider veto overrides during the final two days of the legislative session on March 29 and 30.

The bill would make it a Class B misdemeanor if someone “accosts, insults, taunts, or challenges a law enforcement officer with offensive or derisive words, or by gestures or other physical contact, that would have a direct tendency to provoke a violent response from the perspective of a reasonable and prudent person.”

Though the bill originally dealt with limiting how long the governor’s emergency orders remain in effect to 15 days, it was changed to focus instead on removing references to specific emergencies Thursday morning in a committee substitute.

Kentucky Thoroughbred Association CEO Chauncey Morris said the new law benefits 450 farms in central Kentucky and 60,000 workers tied to horse racing. Meanwhile, some officials are disappointed the new law didn’t set aside money to address addiction issues.