Statement on the Veto of House Bill 622

KNN has learned that Governor Andy Beshear has vetoed the substance of House Bill 622 – legislation to support the prompt payment and statutory rights of nonprofits contracting with the state. Prior to and during the legislative session, KNN worked in good faith with his administration to reach an agreed upon compromise on longstanding challenges threatening services to Kentuckians. We were eager to see this compromise honored and implemented, and instead, we read the Governor’s veto message with surprise and disappointment.

The Governor’s veto message makes a commitment to issue regulations that ensure contracts are transparent and payments are timely. We value our commitment to collaborate and – as we have every step of the way on this measure – will continue to fulfill it. We look forward to working with the Governor’s administration to ensure every improvement provided in HB 622 is implemented because, at its core, this bill was about Kentuckians and Kentucky communities. This bill was about people’s access to mental health services, nutrition assistance, housing, child care, elder care, services for victims of abuse and much, much more. We will not give up until nonprofits providing programs and services to address the priorities of the Commonwealth receive the clear contracts and timely payments they are promised.