Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear veto of anti-trans bill overridden.

Senate Bill 150, which easily passed the Kentucky House and Senate by votes of 75-22 and 30-7 respectively, bans all gender-affirming care for transgender youth in the state of Kentucky. This bill would also allow Kentucky teachers to refuse to use a student’s pronouns and force doctors to medically detransition all trans youth in Kentucky. Beshear’s veto was overridden Wednesday, March 29, by the Republican legislative supermajority. Only a simple majority vote was necessary to override the governor’s veto.

Executive order limits U.S. use of spyware

President Joe Biden signed an executive order Monday, March 27, limiting the U.S. government’s usage of NSO Group’s tech spyware Pegasus. This spyware allows governments to access smartphones to read text messages and emails from these devices. However, this order does not ban all spyware usage by the government. The virtually untraceable Pegasus software is highly criticized for its use as a deterrent to free speech, and its use against human rights organizations in other countries. 

Law enforcement legislation signed by Beshear

Senate Bill 89 and House Bills 380 and 540 passed Beshear on Friday, March 24. SB 89 allows the rehiring of retired law enforcement officers and lets them retain their retirement benefits. HB 380 loosens restrictions on training for officers, allowing them to enter basic training before the age of 21 as long as they turn 21 before the end of training. HB 540 would also expand Beshear’s previous legislation that provides funding for student resource officers in public schools to include private and parochial schools.

Biden signs executive order to reduce gun violence

In response to the Monterey Park shooting, Biden created an executive order to fight the rising gun violence epidemic. In addition to requesting a bipartisan bill banning assault weapons, the order requires the attorney general to enforce background checks for gun sellers in states that require them. Biden also plans on working with his Cabinet members to encourage the usage of and educate state leaders on the benefits of red flag laws, which allow temporary court injunctions to prevent a person from purchasing or owning a gun if they pose a risk to themselves or others. 

Book banning bill passed into law without governor’s signature

Senate Bill 5, introduced by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, would give parents more discretion in deciding which materials are available to their children in school and what teachers are allowed to teach their students. The bill garnered criticism from members of the LGBTQ+ community, as the bill could easily be used to discriminate against books written by LGBTQ+ authors or regarding LGBTQ+ topics. Beshear refused to take action on the bill and allowed it to become law without his signature.

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