The General Assembly's 2007 session comes to a close

The Kentucky General Assembly's 2007 session came to a close last night, which lawmakers approved measures to protect coal miners, raise speed limits and raised the minimum wage. Lawmakers also approved legislation to improve job safety for the state's social workers. During this 30-day legislative session, lawmakers considered approximately 800 bills. Legislation approved by both chambers and sent to the governor to be signed into law includes the following:

Veterans' health care. Senate Bill 22 will help veterans who work for the state, obtain extra health coverage through the federal government. The legislation will allow veterans and other military personnel to forgo state health insurance coverage. In return, the state would pay the premium for their supplemental coverage under TRICARE, the Defense Department's health plan.

Human trafficking. SB 43 takes aim at the crime of human trafficking by making it a felony in Kentucky to force someone into labor, domestic work or the sex trade.

Sex offenders. SB 65 will require registered sex offenders to include their e-mail,

instant message and other Internet identities on the state's sex offender registry.

Bluegrass music. House Bill 71 will make bluegrass the state's official music.

Speed limit. SB 83 will increase the speed limit on interstates and parkways in Kentucky to 70 miles per hour in areas where the Transportation Cabinet determines that vehicles can travel safely at that speed.

Prescription drugs. SB 88 is a response to Internet pharmacies that send patients prescription drugs without an in-person medical exam. The legislation will mandate a physical examination, as well as a medical history inquiry, before a prescription is given to a patient.

Methamphetamine lab cleanup . HB 94 will establish standards and procedures for authorities to follow to ensure proper cleanup of the toxic materials left behind by illegal methamphetamine labs.

Rock fences. HB 108 will create the Rock Fence Preservation Program to help preserve Kentucky 's historic rock fences.

Veterans' families. HB 128 will expand the eligibility for education benefits for family members of deceased or disabled veterans.

Fire-safe cigarettes. SB 134 will improve fire safety by requiring that cigarettes sold in Kentucky be wrapped in "fire safe" paper that extinguishes if the user doesn't puff on the cigarette for brief period.

Military. SB 186 will require the Kentucky Housing Corporation to provide assistance to Kentuckians serving in the United States Armed Forces during their deployment on active duty outside the United States .

Mine safety. HB 207 will boost safety measures in coal mines, require certain pieces of safety equipment for miners, and increase the number of mine inspections.

Veterans. HB 225 will create the Kentucky Wounded or Disabled Veterans Program to help wounded or disabled military veterans receive the federal, state and private benefits to which they are entitled.

Military burial. HB 280 will require that a funeral director involved in arrangements for a deceased veteran provide a fact sheet stating military burial rights.

Minimum wage. HB 305 will increase the current minimum wage of $5.15 an hour by $2.10 over the next two years. Workers will receive 70 cents more an hour beginning this summer, $6.55 an hour starting July 2008 and $7.25 an hour beginning in July 2009.

Social worker safety. SB 59 will boost job safety measures for the state's social services workers. The legislation includes $2.5 million to hire more workers and $3.5 million for social worker safety and office renovation. SB 59 will also create a state commission to study and recommend ways to better meet the safety and funding needs of state social workers.

Economic development. HB 549 will help move forward preparations in Louisville to build Museum Plaza , a planned 61-story skyscraper complex with 1.2 million square feet of mixed-use space. The legislation will allow a local portion of the lodging taxes expected from a hotel planned as part of the Museum Plaza to cover part of the public infrastructure improvements needed for the project.

Session came to close with several pieces of key legislation remaining unresolved in both chambers which may cause Governor Fletcher to call a "Special Session" later this year.