By Joe Biesk
The Associated Press

FRANKFORT - From stiffer fines for school zone speeders to increased monitoring of potential prescription-drug pushers and users, Kentucky has more than 150 new laws taking effect this month.

While the 2004 General Assembly did not pass a state budget, it did send Gov. Ernie Fletcher 164 laws for his final approval.

Most take effect next Tuesday.

Many are of the esoteric variety, while others are only technical changes to existing laws.

Lawmakers introduced 999 bills, according to the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission.

One law that passed was aimed at cracking down on Kentucky's illegal prescription-drug trade. Among other things, the law broadens the scope of a state database known as Kentucky's All-Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting system.

The database stores records on all controlled substances sold within the state, a source available to authorities, doctors and pharmacists. Under the changes, multiple police agencies will have greater access to patients' prescription records and be able to share the information more quickly.

"If the same people keep showing up on that database, then they're not using those pills for personal use, normally," Kentucky State Police Trooper Tim Kilburn said. "It will help us track who's getting the pills."

In that same vein, a new law makes it a felony for someone to cheat on a drug or alcohol test.

Also, the state will now track people who have tested positive for HIV by name, instead of the current system that lists them by a unique code. That law also makes it a misdemeanor for anyone who releases the name of someone with the virus.

Meanwhile, Kentucky's broadband services - which are used for high-speed Internet access - will no longer be regulated by the state's Public Service Commission after next Tuesday. The measure, which was pushed by Bell South and backed by Gov. Ernie Fletcher, was aimed at giving companies an incentive to invest in broadband infrastructure throughout the state.

The law's critics say it could drive out competition and increase broadband costs for consumers. The Federal Communications Commission will now be the sole regulator of the industry in Kentucky.

Here's a look at some of the other laws taking effect:

Motorists caught speeding in school zones will have to pay double the cost of an ordinary speeding ticket. Meanwhile, drivers who leave their cars illegally parked in handicapped spots will be paying stiffer fines.

Military personnel stationed in Kentucky will be allowed to have a concealed weapon license.

And starting next week, federally licensed gun dealers cannot be prohibited through zoning rules from opening shop next to any other businesses.

Universities will now have to tell students living on campus if their building has a sprinkler system. Schools also will have to maintain records showing students were made aware of the building's status.

Another law, among other things, makes it illegal to euthanize dogs by gunshot.

Kentucky's official fruit will be the blackberry.

Smokers will no longer be able to light up inside most public areas of the state Capitol and the Capitol Annex. However, each branch of government can designate smoking areas in each building.