The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Wednesday morning surrounding House Bill 281. The bill concerns the powers of the Attorney General.

Republican Senate President Robert Stivers filed an amendment that would strip the Attorney General of his civil duties and give them to the governor. The bill would also strip the AG of the power to sue the executive branch agencies.

"This is starting to clarify what authority there is and is it appropriate for the institution of the attorney general to file amicus brief on behalf of the Commonwealth of Kentucky," Stivers said.

Part of the amendment reads, "The Governor, through an attorney or attorneys designated by the Governor shall have exclusive authority to represent the Commonwealth in civil matters before the Kentucky Court of Appeals, the Kentucky Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals, or the United States Supreme Court."

Attorney General Andy Beshear showed up at the hearing to testify against the bill.

"This would try to damage the independence of the Attorney General, hurt the Attorney General's ability to enforce the Constitution and enforce the law, and would create a get out of jail free card for the governor," Beshear said.

"The idea that we would fundamentally change the duties of constitutional officers in possibly an unconstitutional way in the last few days of a general assembly, I think is unwise. And I certainly hope the folks that are here decide not to move forward because this would harm Kentuckians," Beshear went on to say.

The committee adjourned without voting on the bill.

Senator Whitney Westerfield, who is the chairman of the committee, says he may not call the bill for a vote, but did think Senator Stivers made some valid points. He also tweeted that he is 'not fully on board' with the amendments.

Westerfield indicated that the committee would not meet again until next Tuesday.