Kentucky unemployment rate

The fact measures diploma-or-higher attainment among adults age 25 and older. Completion and equivalency programs address a component of attainment; rules for current students concern a potential future component of the adult population. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Kentucky evidence context: Adults with at least a high school diploma. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 151B IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: No less than eighty-five percent (85%) of general fund moneys appropriated by the General Assembly to the Office of Adult Education shall be used for programs to fulfill the adult education mission and goals enumerated in KRS 151B.402, 151B.403, 1 51B.406, and 151B.408. The Office of Adult Education may utilize any remaining general fund moneys for administrative operations. Section 2. KRS 151B.403 is amended to read as follows: (1) The Office of Adult Education within the Department of Workforce Development in the Education and Labor Cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations to establish programs aligned with the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education, or any other similar standards adopted by the federal Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, which upon successful completion, shall result in the issuance of a High School Equivalency Diploma. (2) (a) At least one (1) program authorized under subsection (1) of this section shall include a test aligned with the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education, or any other standards adopted by the federal Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, to serve as a qualifying test, which upon passing, shall entitle students to receive a High School Equivalency Diploma. (b) A qualifying test meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall provide an option for students to be administered a written or paper test in lieu of an electronic administration. (3) For purposes of any publi c employment, a High School Equivalency Diploma shall be considered equal to a high school diploma issued under the provisions of KRS 158.140. (4) A High School Equivalency Diploma shall be issued without charge upon successfully completing a High School E quivalency Diploma program. A fee may be assessed by the Office of Adult Education for the issuance of a duplicate High School Equivalency Diploma and for issuance of a duplicate score report. All fees collected for duplicate diplomas and score reports shall be used to support the adult education program. (5) The Office of Adult Education is authorized to contract annually with an institution of higher education or other appropriate agency or entity for scoring High School Equivalency Diploma program examin ations. (6) On June 29, 2017, any high school equivalency diploma or external diploma previously recognized or issued by the Commonwealth shall be considered retroactively as a High School Equivalency Diploma. (7) Upon issuance, a High School Equivalency Diploma shall not be invalidated by any subsequent changes in test selection under this section.

The fact measures diploma-or-higher attainment among adults age 25 and older. Completion and equivalency programs address a component of attainment; rules for current students concern a potential future component of the adult population. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Kentucky evidence context: Adults with at least a high school diploma. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 151B IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: No less than eighty-five percent (85%) of general fund moneys appropriated by the General Assembly to the Office of Adult Education shall be used for programs to fulfill the adult education mission and goals enumerated in KRS 151B.402, 151B.403, 1 51B.406, and 151B.408. The Office of Adult Education may utilize any remaining general fund moneys for administrative operations. Section 2. KRS 151B.403 is amended to read as follows: (1) The Office of Adult Education within the Department of Workforce Development in the Education and Labor Cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations to establish programs aligned with the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education, or any other similar standards adopted by the federal Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, which upon successful completion, shall result in the issuance of a High School Equivalency Diploma. (2) (a) At least one (1) program authorized under subsection (1) of this section shall include a test aligned with the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education, or any other standards adopted by the federal Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, to serve as a qualifying test, which upon passing, shall entitle students to receive a High School Equivalency Diploma. (b) A qualifying test meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall provide an option for students to be administered a written or paper test in lieu of an electronic administration. (3) For purposes of any publi c employment, a High School Equivalency Diploma shall be considered equal to a high school diploma issued under the provisions of KRS 158.140. (4) A High School Equivalency Diploma shall be issued without charge upon successfully completing a High School E quivalency Diploma program. A fee may be assessed by the Office of Adult Education for the issuance of a duplicate High School Equivalency Diploma and for issuance of a duplicate score report. All fees collected for duplicate diplomas and score reports shall be used to support the adult education program. (5) The Office of Adult Education is authorized to contract annually with an institution of higher education or other appropriate agency or entity for scoring High School Equivalency Diploma program examin ations. (6) On June 29, 2017, any high school equivalency diploma or external diploma previously recognized or issued by the Commonwealth shall be considered retroactively as a High School Equivalency Diploma. (7) Upon issuance, a High School Equivalency Diploma shall not be invalidated by any subsequent changes in test selection under this section.

The fact counts Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries in current-payment status. Benefit administration concerns a component of that population; SSI, Medicare, and state pensions are separate programs. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Kentucky evidence context: Social Security beneficiaries. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 605 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) (a) For all children in the care and custody of the cabinet, the cabinet shall determine within sixty (60) days after entry into care whether each child is receiving or eligible for earned federal benefits administered by the United States Social Security Administration or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, including survivor or dependent benefits. (b) If the cabinet determines that a child is eligible or may be eligible for such earned benefits, the cabinet shall apply for the benefits on behalf of the child in accordance with federal law. (2) If a child began receiving earned federal benefits before entering the cabinet's care and custody, or if the cabinet applies for benefits on behalf of the child, the cabinet shall, in consultation with the child and the child’s attorney, identify an appropriate representative payee consistent with 20 C.F.R. secs. 404.2021 and 416.621 and may apply to become the representative payee only if no other suitable candidate is available. (3) If the cabinet is appointed to serve as the representative payee, the cabinet shall: (a) Not use any of the child’s earned federal benefits, savings, or assets to pay for or reimburse the cabinet or the Commonwealth for any cost of the child’s care, maintenance, supervision, or services; (b) Establish and maintain an account to conserve the child’s earned federal benefits in the child ’s best interests and consistent with federal and state asset and resource limits. Acceptable account types shall include: 1. A special needs trust; 2. A pooled special needs trust; 3. An Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account established pursua nt to 26 U.S.C. sec. 529A; or 4. Any other account or trust vehicle determined not to interfere with eligibility for public benefits; (c) Provide an annual accounting of the use, application, or conservation of the child’s earned federal benefits to the ch ild, the child’s attorney, and, if parental rights have not been terminated, to the child’s parents or guardians; and (d) Periodically review whether another qualified person or entity could serve as representative payee in the child’s best interests and, if so, shall assist in transferring that role. (4) The cabinet shall review each case annually to determine whether a child in care and custody has become newly eligible for earned federal benefits after the cabinet’s initial determination pursuant to subs ection (1) of this section. (5) The cabinet shall develop and implement a plan for each child in care and custody with conserved earned federal benefits to be called the Success Sequence Savings and Disbursement Plan. The plan shall allow a child who has completed a cabinet -approved financial literacy or savings readiness program to access a portion of conserved benefits upon completion of at least one (1) specific milestone that promotes independence and financial readiness, including but not limited to: (a) Obtaining a driver’s license or state identification card; (b) Graduating from high school or receiving a recognized equivalent; (c) Enrolling in a postsecondary education, vocational training, or apprenticeship program; or (d) Maintaining verified employment for at least six (6) consecutive months. (6) The cabinet shall: ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2 (a) Determine reasonable disbursement thresholds and amounts for each milestone to promote long - term savings while rewarding progress toward self-sufficiency; and (b) Ensure that all children participating in the program have access to financial literacy instruction and counseling to support effective use of milestone payments and long -term asset building. (7) Upon termination of the cabinet’s care and custody for the child, the cab inet shall release any remaining conserved funds to: (a) The child, if the child is at least eighteen (18) years of age or emancipated; or (b) The person responsible for the child, if the child remains a minor and is not emancipated. (8) The cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A and applicable federal laws to implement this section that include but are not limited to rules governing account management, milestone disbursements, reporting, financial literacy ed ucation, and oversight.

Wages and cash benefits can be components of household money income. Census income is measured before taxes, so tax relief alone is not an increase in this statistic; the provision does not determine the statewide median. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Kentucky evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

(7) An otherwise eligible worker sha ll not be denied benefits under subsection (5) of this section or because of his or her failure to actively seek work under subsection (3) of this section, nor disqualified under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of KRS 341.370: (a) With respect to any week he or she is certified as being enrolled and making satisfactory progress in an approved job training or certification program; (b) If he or she has verified definite return -to-work or recall -to-work prospects within a period of sixteen (16) weeks from the date of filing of the initial or reopened claim; or (c) If he or she has a definite return-to-work or recall-to-work prospect no longer than one (1) year from the filing date of the initial or reopened claim which the secretary has evaluated and conf irmed in writing to be a bona fide return -to-work or recall-to-work prospect. As used in this paragraph, "bona fide return-to-work or recall-to-work prospect" means prospective employment which: 1. Would allow an employee to return to employment with his o r her former employer with a break in service not to exceed one (1) year; and 2. Is attested to in a letter from the employer to the secretary which: a. States the employer's reasons for the period of nonemployment; b. Identifies the affected worker or workers by name; c. Identifies each affected worker's expected return-to-work or recall-to-work date; and d. Authorizes the employer's reserve account to be charged for benefits payable to the affected employee or employees. The employer shall notify the se cretary of any changes to the plans or circumstances set forth in the letter. The secretary shall not confirm a bona fide return -to-work or recall -to-work prospect if the secretary has grounds to believe that such confirmation is contrary to federal law or could jeopardize the Commonwealth's compliance with federal law. The secretary shall rescind any previous confirmation of a bona fide return -to-work or recall-to-work prospect if the secretary has grounds to believe that it is contrary to federal law or c ould jeopardize the Commonwealth's compliance with federal law.

Wages and cash benefits can be components of household money income. Census income is measured before taxes, so tax relief alone is not an increase in this statistic; the provision does not determine the statewide median. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Kentucky evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

(7) An otherwise eligible worker sha ll not be denied benefits under subsection (5) of this section or because of his or her failure to actively seek work under subsection (3) of this section, nor disqualified under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of KRS 341.370: (a) With respect to any week he or she is certified as being enrolled and making satisfactory progress in an approved job training or certification program; (b) If he or she has verified definite return -to-work or recall -to-work prospects within a period of sixteen (16) weeks from the date of filing of the initial or reopened claim; or (c) If he or she has a definite return-to-work or recall-to-work prospect no longer than one (1) year from the filing date of the initial or reopened claim which the secretary has evaluated and conf irmed in writing to be a bona fide return -to-work or recall-to-work prospect. As used in this paragraph, "bona fide return-to-work or recall-to-work prospect" means prospective employment which: 1. Would allow an employee to return to employment with his o r her former employer with a break in service not to exceed one (1) year; and 2. Is attested to in a letter from the employer to the secretary which: a. States the employer's reasons for the period of nonemployment; b. Identifies the affected worker or workers by name; c. Identifies each affected worker's expected return-to-work or recall-to-work date; and d. Authorizes the employer's reserve account to be charged for benefits payable to the affected employee or employees. The employer shall notify the se cretary of any changes to the plans or circumstances set forth in the letter. The secretary shall not confirm a bona fide return -to-work or recall -to-work prospect if the secretary has grounds to believe that such confirmation is contrary to federal law or could jeopardize the Commonwealth's compliance with federal law. The secretary shall rescind any previous confirmation of a bona fide return -to-work or recall-to-work prospect if the secretary has grounds to believe that it is contrary to federal law or c ould jeopardize the Commonwealth's compliance with federal law.

Coal share is the portion of Kentucky in-state electricity net generation supplied by coal. Coal-fired plants and alternative generating resources concern this mix; in-state generation differs from electricity consumed in the state. Procurement targets and authorizations are distinct from operating plants or measured output. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Kentucky evidence context: Coal share of in-state electricity generation. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 164 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section: (a) "Affiliate" means any person, partnership, or corporation that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, a utility; (b) "Authority" means the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority established in Section 4 of this Act; (c) "Combined operating license" means a license issued b y the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission pursuant to 10 C.F.R. sec. 52.71 et seq., or other licensing frameworks as may be adopted in federal regulations by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for advanced nuclear generating reactors, that enables its holder to construct and operate a nuclear power plant at a specific site; (d) "Construction permit" means a permit issued by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission pursuant to 10 C.F.R. pt. 50 that enables its holder to construct a nuclear power plant at a specific site; (e) "Early site permit" means a permit issued by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission pursuant to 10 C.F.R. sec. 52.12 et seq. that enables its holder to secure federal site approval for a nuclear power plant site prior to seeking an operating reactor license from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission; (f) "Eligible applicant" means any utility or any affiliate of a utility and any current or prospective customer of a utility that is acting in partnership or collaboration with the utility or the affiliate; (g) "Generation III Plus" means the generation of nuclear reactor design following Generation III that incorporates passive and other safety measures and design improvements not included in pre vious nuclear reactor designs; (h) "Generation IV" means the nuclear reactor designs identified and selected by the Generation IV International Forum as follows: 1. Sodium-cooled fast reactors; 2. Gas-cooled fast reactors; 3. Lead-cooled fast reactors; 4. Molten salt reactors; 5. Supercritical water-cooled reactors; and 6. Very high temperature reactors; (i) "Nuclear energy generating facility" means a facility containing a nuclear reactor of Generation III Plus, Generation IV, or later design that produces electricity, at least some of which is sold to the public; and (j) "Utility" means a person, firm, corporation, association, cooperative corporation, federally owned electric utility corporation, or municipal corporation who owns, controls, operat es, or manages any facility used or to be used for or in connection with the generation, production, transmission, or distribution of electricity to or for the public for compensation. (2) (a) The authority shall create and implement the Nuclear Reactor Si te Readiness Pilot Program to facilitate the application for and procurement of early site permits, construction permits, or combined ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2 operating licenses from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the siting of new nuclear energy generating facilities in the Commonwealth. (b) Upon recommendation of the authority, the General Assembly may award eligible applicants grant funding of up to one -third (1/3) of the actual costs incurred in applying for and procuring an early site permit, construction permit, or combined operating license, not to exceed twenty -five million dollars ($25,000,000) per project. (c) The authority shall: 1. Create grant applications; 2. Establish grant applicant eligibility requirements; 3. Establish objective scoring criteria to evaluate grant applications; 4. Review any partnership agreement between eligible applicants for validity and completeness and to ensure that the agreement provides for the surety bonding or similar security requirements required under subsection (4 ) of this section and repayment responsibilities for all partners in the event that forfeiture and repayment of grant funding is required under subsection (5) of this section; and 5. Make determinations on applicant eligibility and evaluate and score each eligible applicant's grant application, in consultation with the Energy and Environment Cabinet's Office of Energy Policy and the Cabinet for Economic Development, according to the following criteria: a. The location, suitability, and previous use of the s ite for which the early site permit, construction permit, or combined operating license is sought; b. The economic condition of the region where the new nuclear energy generating facility would be located; c. The economic impact that the siting of a new nu clear energy generating facility would have in the region; d. Whether, in relation to other pending or past grant applications or awards under this section, the proposed site would be located in a geographically diverse region of the Commonwealth; e. The amount of additional investment being made in the proposed project by the eligible applicant or applicants or other sources; and f. Any other criteria the authority deems appropriate to evaluate. (d) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any information, data, or records provided as part of an application for grant funding under this section shall be confidential and exempt from disclosure under the requirements of KRS 61.870 to 61.884. (3) (a) To be eligible to apply for grant funding under this section, eligible applicants must demonstrate that: 1. The community where the proposed site of the new nuclear energy generating facility would be located has applied for a nuclear-ready community designation under KRS 164.2804; and 2. There would be material benefits, including but not limited to the provision of electric utility service, job creation, and return on investment to the ratepayers and the impacted community to be served by the proposed new nuclear energy generating facility. (b) To be e ligible to be awarded grant funding under this section, eligible applicants must demonstrate that the community where the proposed site of the new nuclear energy generating facility would be located has received a nuclear-ready community designation under KRS 164.2804. (4) In exchange for any grant funding authorized by the General Assembly under this section, the utility or the affiliate and any partners it may have shall procure a surety bond or other similar security acceptable to the authority in the am ount of the grant funding to be awarded. The surety bond or similar security shall bind the principal or principals and the surety to the Commonwealth to repay all grant moneys forfeited pursuant to subsection (5) of this section. The surety bond or other similar security shall be continuous and remain in effect until the completion of the construction of the nuclear energy generating facility for which the permit or license was issued or upon the repayment of all forfeited grant funds pursuant to subsectio n (5) of this section. Any cancellation of the bond or similar security shall not occur until thirty (30) days written notice is provided by the provider of the surety bond or other similar security to the authority. (5) A grant funding recipient and all o f its partners shall forfeit and repay all grant funding awarded under this section within sixty (60) days of: (a) If it has not already done so, failing to apply to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for an early site permit within one (1) year of receiving any grant funding under this section; (b) Failing to apply to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a construction permit or combined operating license for a nuclear energy generating facility, or for a necessary license iss ued under other licensing frameworks that may be adopted in federal regulations by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for advanced nuclear generating reactors, for which an early site permit was awarded within five (5) years of obtaining the e arly site permit. The authority may approve extensions of the deadline established by this paragraph in one (1) year increments for good cause shown; (c) Failing to commence construction of the nuclear energy generating facility for which all necessary permits or licenses have been awarded by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission within ten (10) years of obtaining all necessary permits or licenses. The authority may approve extensions of the deadline established by this paragraph in one (1) year increments for good cause shown; or (d) The transferring of the entirety of a utility's or affiliate's interest in the early site permit, the construction permit, or the combined operating license to an entity other than another utility prior to the commenc ement of construction of the nuclear energy generating facility for which a permit or license was awarded, unless the authority finds that the transfer is in the best interest of the Commonwealth.