The League of Women Voters of Kentucky, a self-professed nonpartisan group focused on government transparency, released its second legislative report today, describing tactics used in state government it believes hinder democracy.

Last year's report included maneuvers used by legislators to fast track bills to final passage.

This year, they identified more problems they say discourage voters from participating in Frankfort.

Here's more on those challenges and proposed solutions from Kentucky Edition's Clayton Dalton.

We, the People, have the right to participate in decisions that affect us.

That's the mantra of the League of Women Voters of Kentucky.

Today, the group published a 30 page report highlighting legislative practices they disagree with.

They say these maneuvers make it difficult for Kentuckians to engage in the lawmaking process.

With the passage of House Bill ten in 2022.

The public lost access to pre file bills, which previously allowed the public to preview legislative drafts.

In response, the legislative Research Commission was tasked with creating a public website for draft legislation.

However, to date, no such resource exists.

The delay is troubling, particularly given that House Speaker David Osborne, the primary sponsor of House Bill ten, emphasized the importance of such a resource during committee hearings.

Yet we're still waiting.

Without access to draft legislation, the public is left in the dark, unable to engage in discussions or provide feedback on proposed laws until it is often too late.

The League of Women Voters also criticized the irregularity of committee schedules.

This year, the House and Senate canceled 56% of their scheduled meetings, often skipping critical sessions for committees responsible for the state's two year budget.

Both Chambers Appropriations and Revenues Committee canceled more than two thirds of their planned meetings.

Nearly half of the sessions that did occur were last minute surprise sessions of eight House budget review subcommittees.

Five did not meet at all this session.

The state budget affects every Kentuckian.

Canceling these essential meetings denies the public, even many legislators, an opportunity to provide input on one of the most consequential decisions made by our general Assembly.

The group suggests there are steps the legislature should take to increase transparency, like restoring the pre filing process for bills, setting regular meeting times for most committee hearings and publishing records online in a timely manner.

This responsibility doesn't rest solely on the legislature.

Each of us has a role to play in strengthening democracy.

I urge every Kentuckian to speak up.

Engage with the legislative process and demand transparency and accountability for from our elected officials.

Democracy is not a one time act.

It's something that we nurture and build every day.

For kentucky edition, i'm clayton dalton.

Thank you, clayton and we'll get response from kentucky legislative leadership to that story later this week.