Stumbo calls legislative session a success

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – The Latest on the final day of the 2016 Kentucky General Assembly session (all times local):

2:15 p.m.

Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo is calling this year’s legislative session a success as lawmakers prepare for a last round of action before final adjournment.

Stumbo told reporters Friday he judges a legislative session based on the two-year budget that lawmakers pass. He says the budget agreement reached by House and Senate negotiators this week is “one of the better budgets” he has seen.

Lawmakers are poised to take final action on the state’s operating budget on the final day of the 2016 session.

Stumbo also pointed to a bill passed by lawmakers that will let some convicted felons erase their criminal records and another measure that updates the state’s informed consent law.

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1 p.m.

The Kentucky legislature has convened for the final day of the 2016 session to consider dozens of important bills before a midnight deadline.

Lawmakers will consider a two-year operating budget, a two-year road construction plan and other bills ranging from campaign finance reform to changing Kentucky driver’s licenses so residents can meet federal requirements for boarding domestic flights.

The state budget is likely to consume much of the debate, as House and Senate leaders finally agreed to a compromise just before 3 a.m. Thursday that includes budget cuts for colleges and universities but promises to pay the community college tuition for all Kentucky high school graduates who can meet certain requirements.

Lawmakers must conclude their work by midnight. The state constitution does not allow the legislature to meet past April 15.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.