Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2017 8:33 pm

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Move over Kardashians.

Galatians, Ephesians, and Corinthians would be in the spotlight under legislation that easily cleared the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

The measure calls for the Kentucky Department of Education to develop policies that allow public schools to offer elective courses in Bible literacy.

Lawmakers focused heavily on education legislation Tuesday, as did Gov. Matt Bevin who called a press conference to encourage passage of legislation that would allow publicly funded charter schools to open in Kentucky.

The Bible literacy bill has been garnering most of the attention.

“I don’t think there is another document in the history of our culture, that has had more impact on our culture, our society or our values, than the Bible,” said Rep. D.J. Johnson, the Owensboro Republican who is sponsoring the measure. “Historically, it is probably the most impactful literary document that’s ever been written.”

Familiarity with the Bible, Johnson said, is necessary for understanding American history and culture.

“The areas and aspects of life that it touches on goes from government policy, music, poetry, prose, literature styles, historical content,” he said. “It literally impacts everything we do in high school. Because of that, having a course on Bible literacy as a social studies course, will, without question, enrich the academic lives of our students.”

The Bible literacy bill now heads to the House floor for consideration.

Bevin, joined by Education Secretary Hal Heiner and House Education Committee Chairman John “Bam” Carney, appeared at a joint press conference Tuesday afternoon to put their combined clout behind the charter school bill that is facing stiff opposition from the Kentucky Education Association, which represents the state’s public school teachers.

“Traditional public schools will always be the main source to deliver education in Kentucky,” Carney said. “But in saying that, it is not the perfect case for every child, and it’s past time for Kentucky to join 43 other states that allow other models that will meet the needs of every student.”

Carney is sponsoring the legislation that gives local school boards the power to authorize charter schools under regulations and accountability standards written by the Kentucky Department of Education.

“Public charter schools are schools of choice,” Heiner said. “Students and parents would choose their public charter school. If no one chooses a particular school, it no longer exists.”

Heiner said there are currently 6,700 charter schools across the nation, serving 3 million students with another 1 million on waiting lists.

Bevin said he expects the schools would be concentrated in urban areas at first, if the legislation passes.

“That’s where the need is,” he said. “That’s where failing schools are. That’s where the parents are asking desperately for an alternative choice for their children.”

The House Education Committee also approved a bill Tuesday that would require automated external defibrillators in all public schools.

State Rep. John Blanton, R-Salyersville, said that measure wouldn't go into effect until the 2019-2020 academic year so that schools would have time to budget for the price of the units, which cost up to $1,100 each.

The House Education Committee also discussed but took no vote on a proposal to establish an income tax credit for non-profit organizations that provide tuition assistance to primary and secondary students in private schools.

Carney is sponsoring the bill intended to benefit students whose families have incomes of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level or who have qualifying medical conditions.

Tom Troth, a lobbyist for the Kentucky Baptist Convention, said the measure could help institutions like Oneida Baptist Institute in rural eastern Kentucky.

“One of the primary focuses of Oneida is assisting children with behavioral issues, both at home and at school,” Troth said.

The bill has been assigned to the the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee because of its potential financial impact on state tax revenue.