Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that increases taxes on tobacco products and authorizes the secretary of state to expand absentee voting.

Highlights:

• Establishes an exercise tax upon every distributor for the privilege of selling tobacco products, at the following rates (Sec. 53):

• For snuff, $0.19 per each 1.5 ounces or portion thereof by net weight sold; 

• For chewing tobacco:

• $0.19 per each single unit sold; 

• $0.40 per each half pound unit sold; or

• $0.65 per each pound unit sold; 

• For tobacco products sold, 15 percent of the actual price for which the distributor sells tobacco products, except snuff and chewing tobacco; 

• For closed vapor cartridges, $1.50 per cartridge; and

• For open vaping systems, 15 percent of the actual price for which the distributor sells the open vaping system.

• Authorizes the governor, upon recommendation from the secretary of state, to declare by executive order a different time or manner for holding elections in an election area for which a state of emergency has been declared for part or all of the election area (Sec. 73).

• Specifies that the election will be held within 35 days from the date of the suspended or delayed election and the state board of elections must establish procedures for election officials to follow, as approved by the governor and secretary of state (Sec. 73).

• Authorizes the governor to have and may exercise the following emergency powers during the period in which the state of emergency exists (Sec. 73):

• To enforce all laws and administrative regulations relating to disaster and emergency response, and to assume direct operational control of all disaster and emergency response forces and activities within the state; 

• To require state agencies and to request local governments, local agencies, and special districts to respond to the emergency or disaster in the manner directed;

• To seize, take, condemn property, excluding firearms and ammunition, for the protection of the public or at the request of the president, the United States Armed Forces, or the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, including:

• All means of transportation and communication; 

• All stocks of fuel of whatever nature; 

• Food, clothing, equipment, materials, medicines, and supplies; and

• Facilities, including buildings and plants; 

• To sell, lend, give, or distribute any of the above property among the inhabitants of the state and to account to the state treasurer for any funds received for the property; 

• To make compensation for the property seized, taken, or condemned; 

• To exclude all nonessential, unauthorized, disruptive, or otherwise uncooperative personnel from the scene of the emergency, and to command those persons or groups assembled at the scene to disperse; 

• To declare curfews and establish their limits; 

• To prohibit or limit the sale or consumption of goods, excluding firearms and ammunition, for the duration of the emergency; 

• To grant emergency authority to pharmacists for the duration of the emergency; 

• To perform and exercise other functions, powers, and duties deemed necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population; and

• To request any assistance from US agencies as necessary to meet the needs of citizens.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that increases taxes on tobacco products and authorizes the secretary of state to expand absentee voting.

Highlights:

• Establishes an exercise tax upon every distributor for the privilege of selling tobacco products, at the following rates (Sec. 53):

• For snuff, $0.19 per each 1.5 ounces or portion thereof by net weight sold; 

• For chewing tobacco:

• $0.19 per each single unit sold; 

• $0.40 per each half pound unit sold; or

• $0.65 per each pound unit sold; 

• For tobacco products sold, 15 percent of the actual price for which the distributor sells tobacco products, except snuff and chewing tobacco; 

• For closed vapor cartridges, $1.50 per cartridge; and

• For open vaping systems, 15 percent of the actual price for which the distributor sells the open vaping system.

• Authorizes the governor, upon recommendation from the secretary of state, to declare by executive order a different time or manner for holding elections in an election area for which a state of emergency has been declared for part or all of the election area (Sec. 73).

• Specifies that the election will be held within 35 days from the date of the suspended or delayed election and the state board of elections must establish procedures for election officials to follow, as approved by the governor and secretary of state (Sec. 73).

• Authorizes the governor to have and may exercise the following emergency powers during the period in which the state of emergency exists (Sec. 73):

• To enforce all laws and administrative regulations relating to disaster and emergency response, and to assume direct operational control of all disaster and emergency response forces and activities within the state; 

• To require state agencies and to request local governments, local agencies, and special districts to respond to the emergency or disaster in the manner directed;

• To seize, take, condemn property, excluding firearms and ammunition, for the protection of the public or at the request of the president, the United States Armed Forces, or the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, including:

• All means of transportation and communication; 

• All stocks of fuel of whatever nature; 

• Food, clothing, equipment, materials, medicines, and supplies; and

• Facilities, including buildings and plants; 

• To sell, lend, give, or distribute any of the above property among the inhabitants of the state and to account to the state treasurer for any funds received for the property; 

• To make compensation for the property seized, taken, or condemned; 

• To exclude all nonessential, unauthorized, disruptive, or otherwise uncooperative personnel from the scene of the emergency, and to command those persons or groups assembled at the scene to disperse; 

• To declare curfews and establish their limits; 

• To prohibit or limit the sale or consumption of goods, excluding firearms and ammunition, for the duration of the emergency; 

• To grant emergency authority to pharmacists for the duration of the emergency; 

• To perform and exercise other functions, powers, and duties deemed necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population; and

• To request any assistance from US agencies as necessary to meet the needs of citizens.

Full Bill Text

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that increases taxes on tobacco products and authorizes the secretary of state to expand absentee voting.

Highlights:

• Establishes an exercise tax upon every distributor for the privilege of selling tobacco products, at the following rates (Sec. 53):

• For snuff, $0.19 per each 1.5 ounces or portion thereof by net weight sold; 

• For chewing tobacco:

• $0.19 per each single unit sold; 

• $0.40 per each half pound unit sold; or

• $0.65 per each pound unit sold; 

• For tobacco products sold, 15 percent of the actual price for which the distributor sells tobacco products, except snuff and chewing tobacco; 

• For closed vapor cartridges, $1.50 per cartridge; and

• For open vaping systems, 15 percent of the actual price for which the distributor sells the open vaping system.

• Authorizes the governor, upon recommendation from the secretary of state, to declare by executive order a different time or manner for holding elections in an election area for which a state of emergency has been declared for part or all of the election area (Sec. 73).

• Specifies that the election will be held within 35 days from the date of the suspended or delayed election and the state board of elections must establish procedures for election officials to follow, as approved by the governor and secretary of state (Sec. 73).

• Authorizes the governor to have and may exercise the following emergency powers during the period in which the state of emergency exists (Sec. 73):

• To enforce all laws and administrative regulations relating to disaster and emergency response, and to assume direct operational control of all disaster and emergency response forces and activities within the state; 

• To require state agencies and to request local governments, local agencies, and special districts to respond to the emergency or disaster in the manner directed;

• To seize, take, condemn property, excluding firearms and ammunition, for the protection of the public or at the request of the president, the United States Armed Forces, or the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, including:

• All means of transportation and communication; 

• All stocks of fuel of whatever nature; 

• Food, clothing, equipment, materials, medicines, and supplies; and

• Facilities, including buildings and plants; 

• To sell, lend, give, or distribute any of the above property among the inhabitants of the state and to account to the state treasurer for any funds received for the property; 

• To make compensation for the property seized, taken, or condemned; 

• To exclude all nonessential, unauthorized, disruptive, or otherwise uncooperative personnel from the scene of the emergency, and to command those persons or groups assembled at the scene to disperse; 

• To declare curfews and establish their limits; 

• To prohibit or limit the sale or consumption of goods, excluding firearms and ammunition, for the duration of the emergency; 

• To grant emergency authority to pharmacists for the duration of the emergency; 

• To perform and exercise other functions, powers, and duties deemed necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population; and

• To request any assistance from US agencies as necessary to meet the needs of citizens.

Full Bill Text