Committee backs bill to set four‑year parole‑board terms and permit two‑member panels

Representative Daniel Elliott (54th District) introduced House Bill 529 to amend appointment terms and decision‑making procedures for the Kentucky Parole Board. "This bill ... would establish a term of 4 years for parole board members, allow the governor to extend a term not more than 1 year if the expiration of the term causes more than 2 terms to expire in the same calendar year, and it would allow the board to utilize panels of 2 or more members, to make decisions in parole cases," Elliott said.

LaDedra Jones, chair of the Kentucky Parole Board, testified in support and described operational constraints. "Initially, the board was operating, by practice, in panels of 2. The statute stated that it could be ... panels 2, 3, or 4. Because of the volume of hearings that the board hears per year ... it is most reasonable for us to operate in panels of 2 so that we could ... be able to handle the volume of hearings," Jones said, noting administrative burdens when panels require three members and that the chair had to handle both hearings and administrative tasks.

Elliott said the substitute includes emergency language to address current vacancies so the board can continue its workload. Committee members asked how the substitute differed from the original; Elliott said one word, "remaining," was added in the 180‑day provision. He also thanked members and local county officials who attended.

The committee adopted the substitute, approved the bill as amended, and adopted a title amendment. The clerk announced the roll-call result as "20 yes votes and 0 no votes, 1 pass vote," and Chair Elliott said HB 529, as amended, is passed and will be reported with a favorable recommendation. The committee then adjourned.