House Bill 283, co-sponsored by Rep. Rick Nelson, D-Middlesboro, would bolster the state's Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding with $5 million in immediate aid from the state's budget reserve, or "rainy day", trust fund. The funds would be distributed by community action agencies statewide within days of passage of the bill, which includes an emergency clause making it effective immediately after it becomes law.
Kentucky would join a number of states including Pennsylvania and Virginia that supplement the federal LIHEAP program should the bill become law, said Rep. Nelson. A lack of federal funding for the 2005-06 LIHEAP program has left many states scrambling to meet their citizens' low-income heating assistance needs. Rep. Nelson said HB 283 will help them do so.
“This legislation will help hundreds of Kentuckians who face losing heating assistance before winter's coldest days even arrive,” said Rep. Nelson, adding that $2.7 million in state LIHEAP funds now available to meet peak demand will only last about two weeks.
“People are having to make difficult decisions about whether to buy food, medicine or pay for heat. They shouldn't have to make those choices,” he said.
The $5 million would be supplemented by an additional $972,000 in federal LIHEAP assistance announced in recent days.
HB 283 also proposes that regulated utilities report to the Kentucky Public Service Commission each year on their participation in and planning for residential weatherization and low-income heating assistance programs.
HB 283 is being considered during the 2006 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly. The 60-day session will extend through mid-April.
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