While more and more activity is taking place on the Senate floor, most legislative action in this early stage of the General Assembly's 2004 session is taking place in the legislative committee system.

This is where lawmakers have a chance to study and discuss issues while deciding which pieces of legislation deserve to be sent to the full Senate for consideration.

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would help identify and treat mental illnesses among jail inmates.

Senate Bill 64 would require that jail inmates be screened for mental illnesses or suicidal tendencies while they are being booked. Five Kentucky counties have already tried a program like this, and they've reported good results.

Supporters of the legislation say the proposed $3.2 million project would tie in well with the Fletcher administration's plan to boost the focus on treatment for drug or alcohol offenders rather than incarceration.

The Senate Judiciary Committee also passed a bill to give law enforcement a better tool to fight drug abuse. Senate Bill 14 would make it easier for state police and health officials to share information from the state's prescription drug database.

This will help authorities investigating the illegal use of prescription drugs spot signs of abuse.

In other committee action, a Senate committee revisited the issue of fire safety on college campuses. The Senate Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee approved legislation that would ensure college students would know whether or not on-campus housing facilities have fire suppression systems before they make their housing arrangements for the school year.

Senate Bill 63 says any rental agreement relating to on-campus housing at an institution of postsecondary education is required to contain a disclosure as to whether or not the premises is equipped with an automatic fire suppression system.

Homeland security remains a top concern for many people, and it will likely be the topic of several bills during this year's legislative session.

In last week's meeting of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee, senators approved legislation that clarifies the process for the reporting of federal homeland security funding received by state and local public agencies to the state.

The legislation would also set new deadlines for the reporting of homeland security efforts to various state agencies. Getting this information in an efficient manner is key to efforts to evaluate all the terrorism-fighting tools and resources at our disposal while making sure the state's efforts are pulling together in the most effective and efficient way.

There are many other issues we'll look at in weeks to come. Though this is a busy time for lawmakers, it's still crucial for us to stay in touch with the people we represent. If there's an issue you have a comment on, I hope you will share your thoughts with me by calling the General Assembly's toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181.

You may also write any legislator at Legislative Offices, State Capitol Annex, 701 Capitol Avenue in Frankfort, 40601, or access www.lrc.state.ky.us.