WHEREAS the legislative record clearly reflects a substantial need for the modernisation of criminal sentencing standardisation;

WHEREAS fiscal prudence and governmental efficiency necessitate the revision of criminal sentencing standardisation;

WHEREAS the applicable provisions of the Kentucky Revised Statutes relating to criminal sentencing standardisation have not been substantively revised within the preceding statutory review cycle;

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY:

SECTION 1. Legislative Findings and Declarations of Policy.

The General Assembly hereby finds that the criminal sentencing standardisation in the Commonwealth requires responsive and efficient statutory governance. It is the declared policy of this Commonwealth to ensure that the regulatory framework governing said criminal sentencing standardisation is modern, equitable, and aligned with current best practices.

SECTION 2. Fiscal Impact Statement.

This Act shall be interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the legislative intent to promote fiscal responsibility, governmental efficiency, and the welfare of all citizens of the Commonwealth, and shall be liberally construed to effectuate its remedial purposes.
Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of this Act, or any administrative regulation promulgated thereunder, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) per violation per day. The Agency shall have authority to assess such penalties following a duly noticed administrative hearing conducted in conformance with KRS Chapter 13B.

SECTION 3. Scope and Application.

The Agency is hereby authorised and directed to promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to implement the provisions of this Act, including but not limited to regulations establishing application procedures, eligibility criteria, and reporting requirements.

SECTION 4. Appropriations.

The Agency shall submit to the Legislative Research Commission and to the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue a detailed annual report setting forth performance metrics, expenditure data, and programme outcomes no later than the first day of December following the close of each fiscal year.
The Agency is hereby authorised and directed to promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to implement the provisions of this Act, including but not limited to regulations establishing application procedures, eligibility criteria, and reporting requirements.

SECTION 5. Definitions.

"Commissioner" means the duly appointed and confirmed Commissioner of the relevant Department as established pursuant to KRS Chapter 12.
"Fiscal Year" means the twelve-month period commencing on July 1 of each calendar year and terminating on June 30 of the succeeding calendar year.
"Regulated Activity" means any commercial, industrial, agricultural, or professional activity subject to oversight under the provisions of this Act.
"Governing Body" means the county fiscal court, the municipal legislative body, or such other local governmental entity vested with general legislative authority.

SECTION 6. Effective Date.

This Act shall take effect ninety (90) days following its enactment into law.

SECTION 7. Severability.

In the event any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or set of circumstances, is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are declared to be severable.