School Closures

House Bill 447 by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville,  allows school superintendents to close their schools and establish online instruction in lieu of in-person class for up to 10 consecutive days. Continued closure would require approval of the board.

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House votes down bill to ban cell phone use while driving

State Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, said that people have accidents because they are eating and drinking while driving, putting on makeup and eyeliner, playing with a pet or reading a book while they are driving. “Where do you draw the line?” Kiel said. “How far do you go to protect people

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House briefs: Distracted driving bill fails

An amendment was brought by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, that would have also prohibited driving while drowsy, eating or drinking while driving, applying makeup or having an animal on your lap while driving. The amendment eventually failed but Kiel said “in the end you cannot legislate safe

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Essential Business Designation Bill Awaiting Signature

HB103, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville), provides that any business or religious institution may continue to stay open during a state of emergency if they comply with applicable emergency orders. This would effectively end the “essential” v. “non-essential” business designations

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