The General Assembly short session condenses the time frame to not only file bills, but also the time for constituents and advocates to visit the Capitol.

As a result, the hallways were thick with people last week and my schedule was filled with appointments from constituents.

I had the pleasure of meeting with disability patient advocates; the Home Builders Association; county clerks; union workers; local city and county officials; local teachers; and medical providers.

I was also pleased to host the Montgomery County 4-H champion Equestrian Saddle Team, the Kentucky Rural Health Association and Clark County Judge-Executive Chris Pace.

The Senate was also productive by passing nine bills over the course of the week:

Senate Bill 9, the “Fetal Heartbeat Bill,” prohibits an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected. It would provide exceptions for medical emergencies to which the mother’s life is at risk. It also requires documentation of whether an abortion was performed to preserve the health of the pregnant woman. This pro-life bill is just one of many pro-life bills the General Assembly will consider this year. I remain steadfast by voting to protect life.

Senate Bill 150, the ‘constitutional carry’ bill, also passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. The measures states that people 21 years or older who are able to lawfully possess a firearm may carry a concealed weapon without a license in the same locations as people with a valid state-issued license. No one would be allowed to carry or possess any deadly weapon where it is already prohibited by federal law.

Senate Bill 100 reformed Kentucky’s current private solar net metering policy. The bill changes how much future owners of solar power systems are reimbursed for generated electricity they add to the power grid. This bill treats solar energy the same, going forward, as all other forms of energy.

Senate Bill 70 creates a felony crime for non-fatal strangulation, the act of impeding and restricting the breathing or blood flow of another person through applying pressure to another’s throat, neck, or torso and blocking their nose or mouth.

Senate Bill 40 limits the amount of attorney’s fees that could be collected as a result of legal action for building code violations.

Senate Bill 99 creates the ability for a properly licensed winery to ship a limited number of cases of wine directly to consumers.

Senate Bill 143 prohibits government entities from contracting with groups or individuals who are actively boycotting Kentucky trading partners based on discriminatory practices, including Israel.

Every day, I am mindful of the primary obligation I have as a legislator. I proudly represent those who have solemnly entrusted me with this responsibility. I remain humbled to serve as your State Senator as we continue to work towards developing policy that is best for all Kentuckians.

For those ambitious students who want to be part of this year’s legislative process, the Senate offers page opportunities for all ages. Students interested should contact my office at (502) 564-8100 to make a formal request. Full-time page opportunities are also available. More information regarding both page programs can be found at www.legislature.ky.gov.

Please feel free to call me about this issue or any other public policy issue toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or e-mail me at Ralph.Alvarado@lrc.ky.gov. You can also review the Legislature’s work online at www.legislature.ky.gov.

Sen. Ralph Alvarado (R-Winchester) represents the 28th State Senate District, which includes Clark and Montgomery counties and the eastern portion of Fayette County.