FRANKFORT, Ky. — The 30-day 2025 Legislative Session is coming to a close, as Friday is the final day. Lawmakers overturned all 29 bills vetoed by Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., meaning they will all become law.
These include the divisive House Bill 4, which bans public universities and colleges from having offices of diversity, equity and inclusion, offering race-based scholarships and using DEI in hiring or admissions practices.
State Rep. George Brown, D-Lexington, said overturning the governor's veto on DEI would make colleges less diverse.
“We all have a place in this commonwealth, and we all should be appreciated for who and what we are and what we bring to the table," Brown said.
State Rep. Vanessa Grossl, R-Georgetown, said DEI has done nothing for rural students and is a failure.
“DEI is costing our taxpayers millions of dollars and has largely been an embarrassing failure in our commonwealth," Grossl said.
Both chambers also overrode a veto to House Bill 90. In its final form, it allows freestanding birthing centers and gives so-called "clarifications" that abortions can be performed to save the life of a mother.
“It limits access to medical care," said State Rep. Pamela Stevenson, D-Louisville. "It allows the doctor to hesitate, and it puts the woman’s life at jeopardy, all because we think we know better."
In total, 20 House bills and nine Senate bills were vetoed and subsequently overturned, including Senate Bill 19. It requires moments of silence or reflection to begin each school day and allows students who wish to be excused for an hour of reflection off campus.
State Sen. Karen Berg, D-Louisville, said school time should only be used for academics.
“That makes no sense," Berg said. "School time is for school. This bill is nuts."
Lawmakers in the GOP supermajority also gave final passage to Senate Bill 89. The bill redefines waterways to match with federal guidelines. Republicans said it gives clarity to mining businesses, but opponents have argued it threatens drinking water, recreation and flood protection.
State Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, said the state was overstepping its regulations, causing confusion among businesses.
“The agency and the cabinet in Kentucky as attempting to implement new regulations that went above and beyond even the existing [former President Joe] Biden administration rules and regulations," West said.
Friday marks the last time lawmakers will convene in the Capitol for at least three years. The legislative session will move to temporary chambers built on the current capitol campus during renovations to the capitol building.
