>> JUDGE SNYDER INSISTS THAT WITHOUT A PERMANENT LEGISLATIVE FIX FOR HISTORICAL HORSE RACING, ELLIS PARK WILL CLOSE.

ENDING A 100-YEAR TRADITION IN NORTHWEST KENTUCKY.

>> ELLIS PARK IS OUR COMMUNITY'S CONNECTION TO ONE OF KENTUCKY'S SIGNATURE INDUSTRIES.

IT IS OUR PRO SPORTS TEAM.

IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR IDENTITY.

THE TRACK HAS BEEN A TOUCHSTONE FOR GENERATIONS IN NORTHWEST KENTUCKY FAMILIES WHO ARE IN THE HORSE BUSINESSES OR HAVE SIMPLY BEEN FANS.

AND SINGLE BIT OF WHAT I HAVE JUST DESCRIBED TO YOU, ALL OF IT WILL BE GONE, FINISHED, ERASED WITH LITTLE HOPE OF EVER BEING SEEN AGAIN UNLESS YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES SUPPORT SENATE BILL 120.

THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO TALKED ABOUT THE DAMAGE THAT GAMBLING AND PROBLEM GAMING, PROBLEM WITH GAMBLIN' DOES IN COMMUNITY.

IN OUR CASE SHUTTING DOWN HHR WILL NOT TOUCH THAT PROBLEM IN HENDERSON COUNTY AND NORTHWEST KENTUCKY BECAUSE FIVE MINUTES FROM ELLIS PARK IS A FULL--BLOWN LAS VEGAS STYLE CASINO IN EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO THAT IS A PROBLEM, THEY WILL MERELY THAT'S CORRECT DOLLARS ACROSS THE RIVER SIMPLE AND WE WILL DEAL WITH THE DOWNFALL OF ALL THOSE HABITS WITHOUT ANY OF THE BENEFIT.

>> A CORN TRASSING VIEW DERAILMENT FAMILY FOUNDATION OF KENTUCKY WHO IS HAS BEEN IN A DECADES LONG BATTLE WITH THE INDUSTRY OVER HISTORICAL RESOURCE HAS AING.

THEY CONTEND THE MEASURE IS A, QUOTE, MILLIONAIRES BAIL-OUT THAT BENEFITS OUT OF STATE CORPORATIONS.

STAN CAVE, LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE FAMILY FOUNDATION, SAYS THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY MAKES ITS FORTUNES ON DECEIT, ENTICING PLAYERS TO TAKE MORE CHANCES FOR AN ELUSIVE JOCK POT.

IN HIS VIEW SENATE BILL 120 LACKS CLEAR ANSWERS FROM HORSE INDUSTRY INTERESTS TO A HOST OF QUESTIONS THAT HE BELIEVES DESERVES VERIFICATION AND NOT BLIND TRUST.

>> WE ASKED THE QUESTION, WILL THIS BILL PROTECT LIVE RACING.

WHAT DID THEY SAY?

TRUST US.

BUT IT'S NOT IN THE BILL.

THE SENATE BILL PROTECT HORSE FARMS?

THEY SAY TRUST US, BUT IT'S NOT IN THE BILL.

WILL IT PROTECT THE JOBS THAT THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO CREATE AND HAVE IN THE FUTURE?

THEY SAY TRUST US.

BUT IT'S NOT IN THE BILL.

WILL THE KENTUCKY HORSE RANGES COMMISSION ACT ETHICALLY WHILE BEING EXEMPT FROM THE ETHICS LAWS?

THEY SAY TRUST US.

BUT IT'S NOT IN THE BILL.

THEY SAY THEY USE HANDICAPPING TO PLACE WAGERS ON THIS TYPE OF GAMING.

THEY SAY TRUST US.

BUT IT'S NOT IN THE BILL.

WHAT DOES HISTORY TEACH US ABOUT TRUSTING THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY?

WELL, THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING IN THE COURT CASE.

TRUST US.

THE SUPREME COURT SAID 7-0 IT'S NOT.

THEY SAID GAMES DOUGH IN THE USE RANDOM NUMBER GENERATORS TO DETERMINE PRIZES BY CHANCE.

THEY SAID TRUST US.

BUT THE EVIDENCE SHOWED THE RANDOM NUMBER GENERATORS AND CHANCE FOR USE DETERMINED PRIZES.

>> NAME ONE RESTRICTION THAT LIMITS THE GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENT'S POWER TO TAKE EVERY PENNY THAT THE PATRON HAS.

IN FACT, THERE'S A DETERMINE IN THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY CALLED HELPING THE PATRON GAMBLE TO EXTINCTION, WHICH MEANS EVERY PENNY'S GONE, AND WHEN THOSE SLOT MACHINES TAKE EVERYTHING AWAY FROM THAT INDIVIDUAL AND THEY BORROW FROM THEIR FRIENDS AND BORROW FROM THEIR FAMILY, AT SOME POINT THEY'RE FINALLY STIFF-ARMED BY EVERYBODY AND OFTENTIMES THEY GO INTO THE POINT OF TAKING THEIR OWN LIVES.

>> SENATOR JOHN SCHICKEL SENATE BILL 120 CLEARED THE HOUSE LICENSING AND OCCUPATIONS COMMITTEE WITHOUT ANY DISSENTING VOTES THIS MORNING, 16H.0.

IT NO WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE MEMBERSHIP.

A BILL TO PUT THE REGULATORY AGENCY OF THE INDUSTRY, THE KENTUCKY HORSE RACING COMMISSION, UNDER THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS COMMISSION'S STANDARDS AND SCRUTINY WAS APPROVED BY A STRAT SENATE COMMITTEE TODAY.

-- SEPARATE SENATE COMMITTEE.

SENATOR WESTERFIELD WHO TO GET VOTED AGAINST SENATE WILL 120 ON THE SENATE FLOOR IS THE SPONSOR OF BILL 153 THAT WAS CONSIDERED IN THE SENATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TODAY.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS COMMISSION REVIEWS AND HOUSES RECORDS FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION SUCH IS AS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE SENATE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER DAMON THAYER DOUBTS THE NEED FOR THE MOVE.

>> CERTAINLY APPRECIATE SENATOR WESTERFIELD'S INTEREST IN THE THOROUGHBRED AND STANDARD HORSE RACING INDUSTRIES.

IT'S REFRESHING.

I'M GLAD TO SEE IT IS.

AND WHILE I DO THINK IN CONCEPT THIS BILL HAS MERIT, I'M CONCERNED THAT IT NIGHT BE A SOLUTION LOOKING FOR A PROBLEM.

I'VE BEEN AROUND THE RACING COMMISSION THROUGH SIX DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATIONS, AND WHILE I MIGHT NOT HAVE AGREED WITH ALL THE APPOINTMENTS THAT EVERY GOVERNOR MADE, REPUBLIC AND DEMOCRAT, THEY ALL WERE PEOPLE WHO HAD ONE THING IN COMMON WEEKS, THAT IS THEY WANTED THE RIGHT THING FOR KENTUCKY'S THOROUGHBRED, STANDARDBRED RACING INTERESTS.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE BEFORE WE MOVE TOO FAST ON THIS BILL THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO PRECLUDE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN HORSE RACING FROM SERVING ON THE RACING COMMISSION.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL AND CONTEMPLATIVE AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S THE CASE BECAUSE AGAIN, WHILE I MAY HAVE HAD POLITICAL DIFFERENCES WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED ON THE COMMISSIONS OVER THE YEARS, THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS THAT I'M AWARE OF.

>> WITH NINE MEMBERS VOTING IN FAVOR FOR, AGAINST AND ONE PASS VOTE CAST BY SENATOR THAY, SENATOR WESTERFIELD'S SENATE BILL 153 VAN FROM THE STAT IS THAT IT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE AND NOW WAITS ACTION BY THE FULL SENATE.

A WESTERN KENTUCKY LAWMAKER IS TRYING AGAIN THIS SECTION TO MAKE IT A CRIME TO INTIMIDATE A SPORTS OFFICIALLY.

REPRESENTATIVE RANDY BRIDGES' HOUSE BILL 89 STEMS FROM AN INCIDENT IN HIS DISTRICT WHERE A REFEREE WAS BRUTALLY ASSAULTED BY A PARENT AND COACH BECAUSE OF A CALL MADE ADORING A BASKETBALL GAME.

>> RESEARCH SHOWS THAT BEEN 13 BERS OF OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED BY EITHER A FAN, COACH OR PLAYER.

APPROXIMATELY 48% OF THE MALE OFFICIALS AND 45 PERCENT OF THE FEMALE OFFICIALS HAVE FELT UNSAFE OR FEARED FOR THEIR LIFE.

KHSHA OFFICIALS HAVE STEADILY RECREASED ON THE AVERAGE OF 15% ANNUALLY AND JUST THIS PAST YEAR UP 30%.

THEY ARE AT A CRISIS LEVEL CONCERNING NUMBERS OF OFFICIALS AVAILABLE.

HOUSE BILL 89 MAKES A PERSON WHO INTIMIDATES A SPORTS OFFICIAL BY MAKING A THREAT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO A SPORTS OFFICIAL WITH THE INTENT TO AFFECT THE OFFICIAL'S DECISIONS OR DETERMINATIONS IN THE SPORTS CONTEST BY COMMUNICATING THE INTENT TO CAUSE PHYSICAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR PHYSICAL CONFINEMENT OR RESTRAINT AGAINST THE OFFICIAL OR TO COMMIT ANY OTHER ILLEGAL ACT INTENDED TO SUBSTANTIALLY HARM THE OFFICIAL'S HEALTH, SAFETY, BUSINESS OR FINANCIAL INTERESTS WILL CAUSE THIS TO BE A CLASS A DOES DEMEANOR.

>> CONTRADICTS HAVE THE BILL BELIEVE THE PENALTIES ARE TOO STEEP WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF UP TO A YEAR IN JAIL.

LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT MARY LOU MARRS YEN WORRIES THAT LAWMAKERS CREATING NEW CRIMES THAT ARE ALREADY COVERED UNDER EXISTING LAW.

>> I THINK WE'D BETTER BE REALLY CAREFUL ABOUT EXPANDING OUR CRIMINAL INTENT RATHER THAN WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF JAIL AND MAY BE THEY NEED TO GO TO ANGER MANAGEMENT FOR MEDIATION.

>> THE MEASURE APPLIES TO LITTLE LEAGUE, HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE LEVEL, AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICIALS.

IT CLEARED THE HOUSE 77-9.

NOW IT HEADS THOUGHT SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

POOR JUDGMENT SHOULDN'T HAVE ONE SADDLED WITH A MULTI-YEAR FEDERAL PENALTY.

THAT IS THE REASONING OF BOONE COUNTY REPUBLICAN ED MASSIE THAT HE GAVE DURING HIS PITCH OF HOUSE WILLING 1 TWIGGS THAT DOUBLES THE FELONY THRESHOLD FOR THREAT OF AND FRAUD TO $1,000.

NOW, THAT'S UP FROM THE OPPORTUNITY $500 THRESHOLD.

MASSIE SAYS THE BILL DOESN'T PROVIDE AN ESCAPE FROM ACCOUNTABLE WITH A MISDEMEANOR CARRYING UP TO A YEAR IN JAIL, AND HE SAYS THE BILL HAS PROVISIONS TO ADDRESS REPEAT OFFENDERS.

>> AND OBVIOUSLY SHOPLIFTING HAS BACK A PROMINENT THING ANY WORLD WHERE ADDICTION IS SO PROMINENT, AND SO THE RETAILERS WERE CONCERNED, AND FOR THAT REASON AN AGGREGATOR WAS BUILT INTO THE BILL BY THE SENATE LAT YEAR THAT ADDRESSED THE SITUATION, SO IF A PERSON IS A REPEAT OFFENDER AND THEY AGGREGATE OVER TIME, THEN THAT'S CAN ALSO BE A FELONY.

STATES AROUND US HAVE ALL GONE TO $1,000 OR MORE, AND WE LOOKED AT LAST YEAR COMPARING, IF WE LOOKED AT A PRICE INDEX WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE, AND IT WOULD BE MORE LIKE RAISING THE THRESHOLD TO $2,000 FOR $2,500.

WE DID NOT FEEL IN ANY WAY THAT WAS APPROPRIATE, PLUGS WE GOT A LOT OF RESISTANCE FROM THAT.

IT WAS FILED AT $1,500 AND IT CAME DOWN TO $1,000.

SO AS PART OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, NOT TRYING TO KNOCK HOW THE ACCOUNTABILITY BECAUSE PEOPLE THAT STEAL SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR CRIME, THEN BECAUSE OF THAT, WE THOUGHT HOW CAN WE DO THIS AND NOT GIVE A FELONY DESIGNATION SO THAT SOMEBODY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FIND A GOOD JOB TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY TO PAY THEIR CHILD SUPPORT OR TO DO ALL THE THEY ARE THINGS THAT ARE NECESSARY.

>> FORMER STATE TROOPER AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BLANTON REASONS THE MEASURE WILL CREATE MORE VICTIMS, GIVEN HIS EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING, THE MAGOFFIN COUNTY REPUBLICAN SAID HE COULDN'T SUPPORT THE BILL.

HE PREDICTS THAT CRIMINALS WILL FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO STEAL BELOW THE FELONY THRESHOLD.

>> AND THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMMITTING DEFENDANTS, VERY FEW, VERY FEW, MR. SPEAKER ARE EVER CALLED THE FIRST GO-AROUND.

IT'S USUALLY MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE THEY EVER GET CAUGHT ANYWAYS.

SO WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT EASIER.

WE'RE GOING TO CREATE MORE VICTIMS ALL IN THE NAME OF LOWERING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE HAVE N. INCARCERATED.

I'M NOT HERE TO CREATE MORE VICTIMS.

I'M HERE TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENRY.

>> LOUISVILLE REPUBLICAN JASON NEMES A SUPPORTER CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM EFFORTS, SAID DOUBLING THE FELONY THRESHOLD FOR THREAT OF AND FRAUD CAN FLEE UP LAW ENFORCERS TO GO AFTER MORE SERIOUS CRIMES ME.

LISTED SOME OTHER REASONS FOR SUPPORTING HOUSE BILL 126.

>> IN KENTUCKY, A DISTRICT COURT IS ANYTHING OF A MISDEMEANOR AND A CIRCUIT COURT IS A FELONY, AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS A MISINTERFERON AND COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY WITH A FELONY.

WHAT THIS WOULD DO IS IT WOULD END ENABLE OR RESOURCES, PRECIOUSLY SCARCE RESOURCES IN OUR POOR STATE AND IT WOULD ENABLE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT BOTH AT THE POLICE LEVEL AND ALSO AT THE PROSECUTION LEVEL AND OUR COURTS TO FOCUS ON THE THINGS THAT ARE MORE SERIOUS.

THIS IS SERIOUS.

PETTY CRIME IS SERIOUS.

I'M NOT SAYING IT'S NOT SERIOUS AT ALL.

BUT IT ALLOWS THOSE RESOURCES THAT ARE VERY SCARCE TO FOCUS ON THE MORE SERIOUS CRIME THAT ENDANGERED THE LIVELIHOODS AND THE ACTUAL PHYSICAL BODIES OF OUR CONSTITUENTS.

SO FOR THOSE FOUR REASONS, I SUPPORT IT.

IT SHOULD BE HIGH DEFICIENT WOULD BE HIGHER THAN $1,000 IF WE APPLIED THE CPI.

THEY'RE ALREADY SUBJECT TO ONE YEAR IN JAIL.

IT DOES HAVE THAT AGGREGATOR IF THERE'S A SERIOUS CRIMINAL AND IT ALLOWS US TO-- -- >> HOUSE I WILL ABOUT 126 STRANDS TO THE SENATE ON A 63-24 VOTE AND IT NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE SENATES THE STATE SENATE ALSO ADVANCED A CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT GOES MEASURE THIS AFTERNOON.

SENATE MAJORITY CAUCUS CHAIR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS EARNED CHAMBER APPROVAL OF HER SENATE BILL 84.

THAT ENDS SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR INCARCERATED PREGNANT WOMEN.

>> 2017 WE HAD 1,397 WOMEN WHO WERE PREGNANT IN THE UNITED STATES PRISON SYSTEM.

3% OF WOMEN HELD IN FEDERAL PRISONS WERE PREGNANT, AND 4% HELD IN STATE PRISONS WERE PREGNANT.

5% OF PEOPLE HELD IN LOCAL JAILS WERE PREGNANT.

IN MARCH OF 2018, SENATE BILL 133 WAS PASSED, MAKING KENTUCKY THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO PASS A COMPREHENSIVE BILL AIMED AT INCARCERATED WOMEN.

Y WOO CALLED THAT BILL THE WOMEN'S DIGNITY BIM SINCE ITS PASSAGE, STATES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY HAVE FOLLOWED IN OUR FOOTSTEPS.

TENNESSEE, GEORGIA, FLORIDA, LOUISIANA, AND SOUTH CAROLINA JUST TO NAME A FEW.

ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF BEING THE FIRST STATE TO DO SOMETHING IS TO FOLLOW HOW OTHER STATES PICK UP ON WHAT YOU DID, TWEAK IT, AND IMPROVE IT.

AND NOW WE HAVE A CHANCE TO ONCE AGAIN MAKE HISTORY IN KENTUCKY.

SENATE BILL 84 DOES A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT BUILD OFF OF WHAT WE DID IN 2018.

SENATE BILL 84 OFFERS SIX WEEKS OF POSTPARTUM CARE WHERE CURRENTLY THERE IS NONE.

IT ENDS SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR INCARCERATED PREGNANT WOMEN, AND PREGNANT WOMEN ARE UNIQUELY HARMED BY SOLITARY CONFINEMENT BECAUSE OF THE SHIFT IN THEIR MEDICAL NEEDS AND ACCESS TO MEDICAL RESOURCES.

PREGNANT WOMEN ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE COMMON HARMS OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT BECAUSE THE HEALTH SITUATION SPECIFIC WILL PREGNANCY SUCH AS HORMONAL IMBALANCES MAKE THEM PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TOLD CONSEQUENCES OF DEPRESSION AND HYPER SENSITIVITY.

>> SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS MEASURE PASSED 31-0 AND IT'S HEADED TO THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

A BILL TO KEEP QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES FROM PAYING MORE THAN THEY CAN OR SHOULD IN THE STATE'S PENSION SYSTEM WAS APPROVED BY THE KENTUCKY HOUSE TODAY.

REPRESENTATIVE JIM DUE PLESSY OF ELIZABETHTOWN HAS A PLAN FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENTS WANT REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER QUASI-GOVERNMENTALLAL ENTITIES TO PAY FOR THEIR PENSION LIABILITIES AND IT'S EMBODIED IN HIS HOUSE BILL 8.

THOSE QUASIS HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID BASED ON PERCENTAGE OF PAY PROBLEM THE MOST IMPACTED ARE STATE'S RAPE CRISIS CENTERS WHERE THE 20 TO 30 PERCENT LIABILITY COST IN ACTUALITY BUT ARE CONSIDERABLE PAYING NEARLY DOUBLE WHAT THEY REALLY OWE WHILE SOME QUASIS ARE PAYING FAR LESS THAN WHAT THEY SHOULD.

>> SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES, WITH THE HELP OF KERS AND THEIR ACTUARY, WE HAVE A SPREADSHEET.

>>.

AND WE HAVE GOTTEN A COST FOR EACH ENTITY IN THE SYSTEM AND EACH ENTITY'S COST -- EXCUSE ME -- LIABILITY WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THOSE ENTITIES, AND OVER THE NEXT 29 YEARS THEY WILL PAY THAT MUCH LIKE A MORTGAGE.

SO INSTEAD OF DOING PERCENT OF PAY, WHICH DUBS MAKE A LOT OF SENSE BECAUSE AS PAYROLL CHANGES AND WHAT FOLKS HAVE FIGURED OUTED IS IF I HAVE $100,000 IN PAYROLL GOING TO KERS, THAT MEANS I HAVE TO PAY 850 -- $85,000, WHY DON'T I JUST CUT MY PAYROLL, HIRE THEM BACK AS CONTRACT LABOR, AND I WON'T HAVE TO PAY THAT.

THAT'S GREAT NOR THAT ENTITY.

THAT'S KILLING THE SYSTEM.

SO WE'VE GOT TO STOP THAT, AND THIS BILL DOES THAT.

>> FOR THE THE LAST THREE YEARS, STATE LAWMAKERS FROZEN THE PENSION CONTRIBUTION RATE 49.47% FOR QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.

IF THAT CONTINUED, IT WOULD COST THE KENTUCKY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM $140 MILLION IN LOST REVENUE.

THE BILL IS SIMILAR TO WHAT THE HOUSE PASSED LAST YEAR BUT IT STALLED IN THE SENATE.

THE HOUSE SENT IT EFFORT TO UPPERRER CHAMBER AGAIN TODAY ON A VOTE OF 88 TO 0.

THE COVID PANDEMIC FORCED CHILD CARE CENTERS TO CHANGE HOW THEY OPERATE.

FOR SAFETY THEY HAD TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN EACH ROOM.

SENATE BILL 148 WOULD LET THEM RETURN TO PRE-COVID CLASSROOM SIZES.

SENATOR DANNY CARROLL TOLD THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE TODAY THAT WOULD HELP CENTERS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET FINANCIALLY.

>> AND IN THE PRIMARY PART OF THE BILL, IT WOULD ALLOW CHILD CARE CENTERS TO GET BACK TO THEIR TOTAL DAILY NUMBERS OF CHILDREN.

THAT WAS IN EFFECT BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 2020, AND ALSO ALLOW ENDING -- BEGINNING ENDING OF THE DAY NUMBERS TO GET BACK WHERE THEY WERE AT THAT POINT WHERE CLASSES CAN BE COMBINED.

THIS WILL ALLOW CENTERS TO FUNCTION AT A MORE NORMAL LEVEL AND ALLOW THEM TO PERHAPS CUT BACK A LITTLE BIT ON PERSONNEL.

THAT IS A HUGE STRUGGLE FOR CENTERS TO THE PANDEMIC AS THEY MEET ALL THE REQUIRED REGULATIONS.

THERE IS AN INCREASED NEED FOR INTENSE SUPERVISION, MORE NUMBERS AND PERSONNEL TO PROVIDE RESOLUTION TO THESE -- THE REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE COMPLIANCE WITH THOSE.

>> THE BILL WOULD ALSO LET ANY EMERGENCY REGULATIONS EXPIRE AFTER 30 DAYS UNLESS THEY'RE EXTENDED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SENATOR KARENBURG, A DEMOCRAT, IS CRITICAL OF THE BILL.

SHE SAYS THIS BILL AND OTHER BILLS RESPONDING TO THE CURRENT PANDEMIC COULD 30 STATE'S RESPONSE TO A CUT EMERGENCY.

>> I PERSONALLY REALLY, REALLY FEEL THAT WE'RE -- THAT WE NEED TO APPROACH THIS PANDEMIC FROM LIKE A BIGGER PICTURE AND THAT THE LUGS LEGISLATION THAT WE'RE AN ACTING NOW IN TRONS TO IT SHOULD NOTE ACTUALLY BE A RESPONSE TO OUR CURRENT SITUATION.

IT SHOULD BE IN RESPONSE TO WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FOR THE NEXT EPIDEMIC OR PANDEMIC.

SO HERE'S MY QUESTION.

IN THE NEXT EPIDEMIC OR PANDEMIC, WHICH WE ARE ASSUREDLY GOING TO BE FACING, GOD WILLING, NOT IN OUR LIFETIME BUT IN OUR CHILDREN'S LIFETIME, IF THE SITUATION WERE REVERSED AND INFANTS WERE AT HIGHEST RISK FOR MORTALITY, WOULD YOU STAND BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

>> YES, MA'AM.

I MEAN -- >> 100% CONFIDENT AND COMFORTABLE.

>> IT WOULDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING.

THERE WOULD STILL BE REGULATIONS THAT COME DOWN AND THEY WOULDN'T LAST ANY MORE THAN 30 DAYS, BUT THEN THE LEGISLATURE WOULD BE BACK IN SESSION IF THE EMERGENCY CONTINUED TO ADDRESS -- >> THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE BILL AND FORWARDED IT ON TO THE SENATE FLOOR FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

GIVEN THE RECENT UNREST SURROUNDING VIDEO GAMES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, THE STATE SENATE SECOND IN COMMAND IS PUSHING A BILL THAT ESTABLISHES A LEGISLATIVE BRANCH LEVEL COMMISSION TO ADDRESS RACIAL DISPARITIES.

THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TODAY UNANIMOUSLY VOTED FOR A BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO CREATE A COMMISSION ON RACE AND ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM DAVID GIVENS EXPLAINED THE COMMISSION WOULD BE COMPRISED OF 13 MEMBERS EQUAL IN PARTISAN MAKE-UP CHARGED WITH IDENTIFYING WHERE RACIAL DISPARITIES EXIST IN EDUCATION, HEALTH AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

>> WE DID NOT HAVE A POLICY ADVISING ENTITY IN STATE GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW THAT HELPS TO US UNDERSTAND THE LIFE WALKS OF OTHER PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY AROUND THIS CONVERSATION OF RACE.

THE CONDITION EVER COMMISSION SHALL CONDUCT STUDIES ON THE ISSUES AND THE SECTORS YOU SEE HERE: CHILD WELL CARE, HEALTH, JUVENILE JUSTICE, CRIMINOLOGIST THE SUB ADDS OTHER AESTHETICS DEEMED RELEVANT BY THE COMMISSION.

COMMISSION IS COMPOSED OF THE 13 MEMBERS YOU SEE, AND WHAT THE SUB DID CHANGE, IT DIDN'T CHANGE THE STRUCTURE OF THE COMMITTEE AND THE MAKE-UP OF THE COMMITTEE BUT IT EXPANDED SLIGHTLY THE WORDING IN D, FOUR MEMBERS FROM THE PRIVATE AND NON-PROFIT SECTORS, UNIVERSITIES OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHO HAVE EXPERTISE IN SOCIAL POLICY RELATED TO THOSE SECTORS.

ULTIMATELY WHAT I SEE THIS COMMISSION DOING IS STUDYING POLICY THAT WE PASSED.

HOW DOES IT IMPACT THIS ONGOING STRUGGLE WE HAVE IN OUR UNITED STATES ON THE TOPIC OF RACE.

HOW DO OUR POLICIES INFLUENCE IN WAYS WE WANT EVEN IMAGINE.

AND ULTIMATELY I THINK IT COMES BACK THE TO FACT THAT US GETTING POLICY RIGHT, ESPECIALLY ON THE TOPIC OF RACE, IS NUMBER ONE, THE RIGHT THING TO DO, AND THEN NUMBER TWO, IT'S ECONOMICALLY BENEFICIAL TO ALL OF US TO ELEVATE ALL KENTUCKIANS.

>> RIGHT NOW WHERE WE ARE IN AMERICAN HISTORY IS AN INFLECTION POINT.

PEOPLE ARE MAKING DIFFERENT DECISIONS ALL ACROSS THAT SAME POLITICAL SPECTRUM ON HOW TO HANDLE DIFFERENT TOPICS AND DIFFERENT ISSUES OF WHICH RIGHTLIFULLY SO THERE IS A PARTISAN DEBATE.

BUT THIS ONE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ONE OF THEM.

THE ISSUE OF RACIAL JUSTICE, OF RACIAL EQUALITY, OF OPPORTUNITY ALL ACROSS THE SPECTRUM DOES NOT HAVE TO BE AN AREA WHERE THERE IS A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION TO HAVE EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO HAVE IT, AND THAT IN ITSELF CAN BE DIFFICULT.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS BILL, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS COMMISSION AND WHAT IT DOES AND IF FACT THAT YOU'VE GOT SO MANY SUPPORTERS ALL ACROSS THAT SPECTRUM, IT SAYS THAT IN KENTUCKY WE CAN BE THE PLACE WHERE A LOT OF THESE SOLUTIONS ARE MADE.

>> DEMOCRATIC SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN McGARVEY EXPRESSED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE BILL AND CALLED AT A FIRST STEP FOR ADDRESSING RACIAL DISPARITY IN KENTUCKY.

>> I VOTE AYE.

I APPRECIATE THIS BILL BEING BROUGHT FORWARD, I TRULY DO, AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK DONE BY SENATOR GIVENS THAT YOU HAVE PUT INTO THIS AND YOUR INVOLVEMENT OF THE MINORITY PARTY IN THE SENATE ON THIS LEGISLATION.

THIS IS A CONVERSATION THAT NOT JUST WE NEED TO HAVE, WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT, WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION UPON TO CONFRONT THE FOUNDING IRONY UPON WHICH OUR COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED, AND THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL BUT THEN NOT TO MAKE IT SO, AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW TO THOSE DISPARITIES OF MANIFESTED AND WE NEED TO LOCK AT HOW WE CAN MAKE IT BETTER, AND I JUST APPRECIATE THIS BILL AS A FIRST STEP IN THAT PROCESS.

>> LAST WEEK TWO HOUSE DEMOCRATS FILED A HOUSE JOINT LYING TO DECLARE VIDEO GAMES A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN KENTUCKY.

SENATE GIVENS' BILL WAITS ACTION BY THE FULL SENATE MEMBERSHIP.

A BILL TO KEEP INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM DENYING COVERAGE FOR INCREASING RATES IF SOMEONE IS ALIVE ORGAN DONOR IS WAITING FOR ACTION BY THE FULL ON HIS.

THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BANKING AND INSURANCE APPROVED THE LIVING ORGAN DONOR PROTECTION ACT WHICH RAMES TO PROTECT LIVE OREGON DONORS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE SHAUN MCPHERSON P. IT WOULD ALSO DESIGNATE THE FOURTH WEEK OF APRIL EACH YEAR AS ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS WEEK.

>> STOW THIS BILL PROTECTS THEM FROM INSURANCE, INSURANCE THAT MAY TRY TO UP THEIR RATE OR TRY TO DISCRIMINATE IN SOME WAY AGAINST THEM BECAUSE THEY'VE GIVEN UP A PORTION OF THEIR BODY FOR OTHER PEOPLE, AND WE'RE HERE TO PROTECT THAT RIGHT.

>> SHE DONATED HER KIDNEY TO HER NEIGHBOR'S SON RECOUNTED HER DIFFICULTIES TRYING TO APPLY FOR LIFE INSURANCE AFTER HER TRANSPLANT SURGERY.

>> AFTER SURGERY I NEVER THOUGHT I'D HAVE AN ISSUE SECURING LIFE INSURANCE.

I RUN REGULARLY.

I GET YEARLY PHYSICALS.

STILL IT TOOK OVER 300 DAYS FOR APPROVAL FOR LIFE INSURANCE.

DURING THE 300 DAYS, I HAD TO REQUEST FROM A MEDICAL RECORDS TO BE SPENT MULTIPLE TIMES FROM BOTH THE HOSPITAL AND FROM MY PHYSICIAN.

FINALLY, ALMOST A YEAR AFTER SUBMITTING MY APPLICATION AND AFTER MULTIPLE CALLS TO FOLLOW UP, MY APPLICATION WAS APPROVED.

I WAS LUCKY.

>>> >> IS THE COMMITTEE GAVE UNANIMOUS APPROVAL TO THE BILL AND IT NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 13 COVERAGE OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-800-633-9650.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET.

YOU CAN WATCH ON OUR KENTUCKY CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG.

AND YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK TO GET UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 EASTERN, 10:00 CENTRAL FOR KET'S "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE."

I'M RENEE SHAW.

TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE, AND BE