Lawmakers Trying To Reach Deals During Break

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Legislative leaders are planning to work through a 1 1/2-week break in hopes of reaching accords on a litany of bills at risk of dying because of disagreements between the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-led Senate.

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House Speaker Greg Stumbo and Senate President Robert Stivers pledged to work through the break, even though the Legislature won't officially convene again until March 25.

High-profile proposals that remained unfinished included one that would allow deployed soldiers to return election ballots by email. Another would allow a Christians-only health care plan to resume operating in Kentucky.

Negotiators also will be working on a bill that could lead to hemp farms in the state, as well as a measure that would allow a western Kentucky aluminum smelter to buy cheaper electricity.