If flooding does indeed occur.

Call protection us say state water quality rules are out of sync with the feds to strict and weaponized for political gain.

That was a repeated argument today in the state Senate over a measure that would lower Kentucky's water protections to match current federal standards.

Proponents of Senate Bill 89 say it's a matter of removing red tape that stifles progress and co production and even home building.

But critics worry the move will endanger the environment and public health as our June Leffler reports.

This in our legislative update that the changes would impact Kentucky shallow but plentiful waterways.

>> The new senator from Pine Bill says his bill is one step to reverse the war on Kentucky coal.

>> As always say, when I'm talking about Co. God put Co under our feet so that we can use it.

It's one of the greatest natural resources and it's our job to push back on an elected bureaucrats Verstappen safeguard are constituents from government overreach.

>> Senate bill 89 would ease land permitting for various industries and uses western Kentucky.

Senator Robby Mills says this bill will protect the 1400 coal jobs in his district, which he says have been under attack from Democratic administrations.

>> Mr. President, this is just another way.

>> 4 liberals, Washington liberals and yes, even Frankfort levels.

To shut down the coal business to make it harder for them to do business.

Even in a really challenging business environment.

>> If the bill reaches the TIRZ, what waterways are worth the protections outlined by the Clean Water Act of 1972.

The conversation started at the federal level and 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that wetlands, groundwater and so-called ephemeral streams don't deserve those same protections.

The Republican from Winchester agrees.

>> And I don't get myself with an excavator about 200 yards long.

And this person said what about that during a show?

That's not a string legend She said no, that just ring and I should get your did.

She should have just rain with a show.

You just during.

>> Environmental groups oppose this measure.

So did most Democrats in the Senate recounting environmental hazards in Jefferson County and the possible impact on the bourbon industry.

>> But when I heard about the change of regulations on Kentucky's water, honestly, I wasn't thinking about cold automatically thought about places like Flint, Michigan and Memphis.

Tennessee's current crisis will water.

It also maybe think about communities in Louisville, such as Robert Down, which is an industrial area in West Louisville.

>> My father worked to Robert him.

He worked to KDKA, become a free after there and they got hit several times.

Large plumes into the waterways into the Ohio River destroyed.

I'll tell you that he's had 21 assists taken off his body from living in that area.

And the people in there.

We look at some of the higher teacher, great and all these other issues and we can go all the liberal that ridiculous.

But those are the people that we represent with 45 before we care about streams and creeks of underground wells and natural water.

>> Those are very valuable resources for our beloved bourbon industry.

Under the passenger's bill today.

Those waterways now.

Are going to be exposed to open to pollution and harm and our state can't come in to protect.

Those was going to even calls for the fall.

Top of the industry.

>> The vote was 30 to 5, a longstanding Democrat from eastern Kentucky sided with Republicans.

The bill now heads to the House for Kentucky June