>> INTENSE DEBATE OVER AN OVERHAUL OF THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SYSTEM THAT CHANGES HOW LONG OUT-OF-WORK KENTUCKIANS CAN CLAIM BENEFITS AND WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO FOR THEM DOMINATED HOUSE ACTION.

COLLEGIATE SPORTS PLAYERS SCORE ANOTHER VICTORY AT MAKING MONEY OFF OF THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

AND A TRANSGENDER STUDENT ATHLETE MEASURE TO BAN THEM FROM PLAYING GIRLS' SPORTS ADVANCES.

ON DAY 26 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SOME HOUSE REPUBLICANS WANT TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM THAT THEY BELIEVE WILL GET MORE KENTUCKIANS BACK IN THE LABOR FORCE AND HELP BUSINESSES DESPERATE FOR MORE WORKERS TO FILL THE 100,000 PLUS JOBS FOR HIRE.

BUT, CRITICS CLAIM HOUSE BILL 4 WOULD MAKE JOBLESS BENEFITS HARDER TO GET AND KEEP IN THE FUTURE.

A REPORT FROM THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY CONCLUDES THE BILL WOULD PUSH LAID-OFF KENTUCKIANS INTO POVERTY OR LOWER-PAYING JOBS.

REPRESENTATIVE RUSSELL WEBBER'S HOUSE BILL 4 ENCOURAGES CLAIMANTS AFTER 6 WEEKS OF JOBLESS BENEFITS TO EXPAND THEIR JOB SEARCH.

WEBBER WENT INTO SOME OTHER MAJOR PROVISIONS BEFORE THE HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE THIS MORNING, STARTING WITH THE WORK-SEARCH REQUIREMENTS.

>> CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW IT IS FEDERAL LAW AND STATE LAW THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO ENGAGE IN AT LEAST ONE JOB SEARCH ACTIVITY PER WEEK.

THIS BILL MOVES THAT UP TO 5 PER WEEK, AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE 5 -- INCLUDE 3 SEARCHES FOR EXAMPLE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION, DOING AN INTERVIEW, THINGS LIKE THAT, SEARCHING FOR A JOB AND THEN IT WOULD INCLUDE TWO ADDITIONAL AREAS WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL COULD SHADOW SOMEONE AT A JOB, ATTEND A JOB TRAINING PROGRAM ON HOW TO SEARCH AND LOOK FOR JOBS.

I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN PROVEN WHEN INDIVIDUALS ARE PROACTIVE IN TEAR LOOK FOR JOBS, LOOKING FOR JOBS AND ACTIVE IN THAT SEARCH THAT MORE FEUNTS UP >> AS IT STANDS NOW, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMANTS CAN COLLECT BENEFITS FOR UP TO 26 WEEKS WHILE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER JOB.

HOUSE BILL 4 REDUCES THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF WEEKS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FROM 26 TO 24 WEEKS, DEPENDING ON THE CURRENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, BUT IT DOESN'T REDUCE THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF BENEFITS.

THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYMENT WEEKS WOULD BE BASED ON THE JOBLESS RATE AND IF THERE'S AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.

>> THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYMENT WEEKS ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

THIS IS CURRENTLY DONE BY NINE STATES.

IT'S BEEN PROCH THAT IT STRENGTHENS THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM.

IT ENCOURAGES FOLKS TO FIND EMPLOYMENT EARLIER AND WE HAVE BUILT-IN MECHANISMS THROUGHOUT THIS BILL THAT IF WE HAVE AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE INCREASE, THEN WEEKS ARE INCREASED >> THE BILL ALSO ADDRESSES NO-SHOW INTERVIEWS AND JOB REFUSALS.

BUSINESSES COULD REPORT THOSE FOLKS TO THE STATE.

FIVE WEEKS OF ADDITIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WOULD BE GIVEN TO PEOPLE ENROLLED IN A SKILLS CREDENTIAL, CERTIFICATION OR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE KENTUCKY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM ENDORSES THE BILL, AS DOES THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

AS CHAIRMAN WEBBER DESCRIBES THIS TIES THE -- UNPLOMENT RATE.

WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE TEND TO, WOULD MORE INTENSELY WHEN THEIR BENEFITS ARE GOING TO END AND REDUCING THE WEEKS WHEN MORE SWROBS ARE AVAILABLE MEANS GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK MORE QUICKLY.

WHICH IS A GOOD FOR WORKERS AND OUR ECONOMY.

WE HAVE SEEN THIS IN OTHER STATE THAT HAVE PASSED SIMILAR LEGISLATION FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA WHERE THEY HAVE SEEN THEIR AVERAGE DURATION TION UNEMPLOYMENT GO DOWN AND RATES OF EMPLOYMENT GROWTH ACTUALLY INCREASE >> CRITICS CONTEND HOUSE BILL 4 DOES NOTHING TO REMEDY THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM ITSELF THAT IS NEED OF MODERNIZATION AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE BACKLOG OF PAYMENTS TO CLAIMANTS OR DIFFICULTY IN EVEN FILING CLAIMS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BILL LONDRIGAN WITH THE KENTUCKY AFL-CIO SAYS HOUSE BILL 4 WOULD ACTUALLY HINDER A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM TO ACCESS BENEFITS BECAUSE ADJUSTMENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW LAW.

>> YOU KNOW, PROPONENTS OF ARGUE RESTRICTTH THE LENGTH OF TIME UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE TO CLAIMANTS WILL INCREASE OUR LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

THE OPPOSITE IS TEU.

AMONG THE -- ON THE ONE HAS MAXIMUM DURATION OF BENEFITS BELOW 26 WEEKS WHERE AS 5 OF THE 10 STATES WITH THE LOWEST LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE HAVE MAXIMUM DURATION BELOW 26 WEEKS.

SO THERE'S NO CORRELATION BETWEEN THE LENGTH OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND WHETHER WORKERS RETURN TO WORK SOONER >> DUSTIN PUGEL WITH THE PROGRESSIVE LEANING KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY TESTIFIED TODAY THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS REVAMP PLAN ADDS A TANGLE OF REQUIREMENTS THAT WILL TRIP UP WORKERS CURRENTLY DOWN ON THEIR LUCK, ESPECIALLY RURAL AND BLACK WORKERS AND EVEN COAL MINERS.

>> IT WOULD ALSO TURN THE SCREWS ON WORKERS AFTER JUST SIX WEEKS REQUIRING THEM TO TAKE THE FIRST JOB OFFERED TO THEM, NO MATTER IF WHAT'S IN THEIR CAREER FIELD OR NOT AS LONG AS IF PACE HALF OF WHAT THEIR LAST JOB PAID.

THESE THREE THINGS ARE NOT A RECIPE FOR A STRONGER ECONOMY, INCREASED HARDSHIP >> ON A PARTISAN VOTE OF 16 TO 5 WITH 1 PASS VOTE, THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE MEASURE ADVANCED TO THE HOUSE WHERE HOURS-LONG DEBATE ENSUED.

THE DEBATE FOR AND AGAINST DIDN'T FALL ALONG STRICT PARTY LINES IN THE HOUSE.

THOSE AGAINST MAINTAIN THE MEASURE WILL GUT UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS FOR LAID-OFF WORKERS.

SEVERAL FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY EXPRESSED HOW IT WOULD PUSH MORE PEOPLE OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS, AN AREA ALREADY SUFFERING FROM DEPOPULATION.

>> PEOPLE DRAWING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WORK AND HAVE BEEN WORKING.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO AFTER THEM.

I'M NOT REAL SMART.

I WILL ADMIT THAT.

BUT I WOULD THINK IF WE WANT TO SOLVE OUR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION PROBLEM WE WOULD GO AFTER AT THAT 53,000 THAT'S NOT WORKING RATHER THAN THOSE 18,000 THAT ARE OUT OF WORK AND ARE WILLING TO WORK.

THAT MAKES SENSE.

>> I SPENT ABOUT A YEAR UNEMPLOYED.

I WAS HIGHLY CREDENTIAL I HAVE AN MBA, HAD AN MBA THEN.

I SPENT MANY YEARS IN MANAGEMENT BUT IT WAS ALSO RIGHT AROUND 2008.

A PORTION OF THAT TIME THAT I WAS UNEMPLOYED I WAS ON UNEMPLOYMENT.

I WAS A SINGLE MOTHER RAISING THREE CHILDREN.

FOR ABOUT A MONTH, I WAS ACTUALLY ON FOOD STAMPS.

BECAUSE YOU DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN HOUSED AND FED.

IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FEASIBLE FOR ME TO TAKE A JOB WITH A PAY SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN WHAT MY PREVIOUS PAY BECAUSE MY PREVIOUS PAY WASN'T REALLY EVEN HIGH ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THREE CHILDREN AND A HOUSEHOLD ON MY OWN.

DURING THAT TIME THAT I WAS UNEMPLOYED, I DID A LOT OF SOUL SEARCHING.

I DID RESEARCH.

AND I CAME TO A DECISION TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, BECOME A TEACHER SO I WOULD NEVER HAVE TO BE UNEMPLOYED AGAIN.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS -- I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO HAVE LIVE ON FOOD STAMPS.

I KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

MY DADDY STRUGGLED GOING FROM JOB TO JOB TRYING TO APPLY AND COULDN'T GO GET THE JOB SO I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR EVERYONE TO HAVE THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION BEFORE YOU PASS THIS BILL, IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE WORKED ON.

WE CAN GET TOGETHER, PUT YOUR MINDS TOGETHER AND DO A LITTLE BETTER JOB ON THIS.

I AS A BUSINESS OWNER I I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY WHY THIS BILL IS NEEDED.

MY WORKFORCE WENT FROM OVER 200 TO ABOUT 80 EMPLOYEES.

AND IT WAS A STRUGGLE, SO I SEE THE NECESSITY OF THE BILL BUT I ALSO SEE THAT KENTUCKY NEEDS A BETTER FIT FOR WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE THAN JUST THIS PARTICULAR BILL >> IN SUPPORT OF THE MEASURE, LOUISVILLE REPUBLICAN KEN FLEMING, SAYS HOUSE BILL 4 COULD DO THAN JUST HELP BUSINESSES.

HE RUNS A NON-PROFIT CENTER AND SAYS HE FEELS THE SQUEEZE.

>> IT IS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT IN ORDER TO STAY AFLOAT.

AND I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL NONPROFITS.

NFNGHT, ONE TODAY ABOUT READY TO CLOSE BECAUSE THEY'RE GET SQUEEZED.

SOME OF THESE PROVISIONS IN IT BILL ARE GOING TO HELP ALLEVIATE TO TRY TO FIND MONEY SO THOSE NONPROFITS CAN TAKE THE MONEY THEY SAVED AND REINVEST INTO THEIR SERVICES AND THEIR PERSONNEL.

>> SO I ASKED AN OWNER OF A BUSINESS IN MY DISTRICT, YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS?

AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT -- WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS BILL GLOBALLY.

I WANT TO TACK ABOUT SECTION 8 IN PARTICULAR.

SHE SAID, JASON, I HAD 20 INTERVIEWS LINED UP LAST WEEK.

HOW MANY DO YOU THINK SHOWED UP?

I THOUGHT 14, 15.

TWO.

SHE SAID, TWO FOLKS SHOWED UP.

WHY DID ONLY TWO PEOPLE SHOW UP I ASKED HERE?

SHE SAYS, WELL THEY'RE CHECKING THE BOX.

THEY ONLY HAVE TO GO ONE.

THEY ONLY HAVE 0 GET AN INTERVIEW.

WHAT SECTION 8 DOES, I THINK, IT HELPS TO THOSE EMPLOYERS AND APPLICANTS ACTUALLY MAKE A SERIOUS EFFORT, A VERY SERIOUS EFFORT BY SHOWING UP.

IF THEY DON'T SHOW UP THE EMPLOYER HASSEN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THAT KNOWN TO THE CABINET, THAT WILL IMPACT WHETHER THEY CAN GET BENEFITS.

WE WANT PEOPLE GETTING JOBS.

WE WANT THEM SHOWING UP TO INTERVIEWS.

WE WANT OUR BUSINESSES TO BE HIRING FOLKS >> EARLIER IN THE DAY, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR WAS ASKED ABOUT HOUSE BILL 4.

HE REJECTS THE NOTION THAT THE JOBS MARKET IS CONNECTED TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

HE SAYS THE HELP WANTED SIGNS ARE DUE IN GREAT MEASURE TO BABY BOOMER RETIREMENTS.

>> I'M OPPOSED TO HOUSE BILL 4.

OF IT IS REPEATING THE SAME MISTAKES.

IT IS THE SECOND KICK AT THE MULE THAT WE SAW IN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION THAT LEFT US UNPREPARED AND WITHOUT THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO BATTLE HISTORIC UNEMPLOYMENT FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WE SAW IN THIS PANDEMIC.

REMEMBER, IN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION WHEN TIMES WERE GOOD, THEY CUT 90 PEOPLE.

THEY CUT PART OF THE SAFETY NET FROM OUR UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE.

AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN GOOD TIMES TURNED INTO REALLY TOUGH TIMES.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TRAINED TO GET THROUGH AS MANY OF THE CLAIMS AS WERE NEEDED.

WHAT ARE WE DOING NOW?

WE WILL BE CUTTING WEEKS PEOPLE COULD QUALIFY BECAUSE TIMES ARE GOOD AN PEOPLE THINK THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET THEM BACK TO WORK WHEN THIS LAST ONE CAME ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, HAD A PROFOUND RESULT AND PEOPLE NEEDED HELP.

YOU DON'T CUT SAFETY NETS WHEN TIMES ARE GOOD ESPECIALLY HAD THAT SAFETY NET WAS SO CHALLENGED, SO RECENTLY, >> THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE REFORM MEASURE CLEARED THE HOUSE TODAY AFTER SEVERAL ROUNDS OF FLOOR DEBATE THAT LASTED NEARLY TWO HOURS.

IT WAS SENT TO THE SENATE ON A VOTE OF 57 TO 37.

A DAY AFTER KENTUCKY MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH JOHN CALIPARI APPEARED IN FRONT OF LEGISLATORS TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF SENATE BILL 6 - THE NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS BILL - THE SENATE SENT THE MEASURE TO THE HOUSE.

LAST SUMMER, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED THE NCAA COULD NOT BAR ATHLETES FROM MAKING MONEY OFF THEIR OWN NAME, IMAGE OR LIKENESS, ALSO KNOWN AS NIL.

THIS CREATED AN OPEN LANE FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES TO SIGN ENDORSEMENT DEALS OR SELL MEMORABILIA AND AUTOGRAPHS.

OVER SEVEN MONTHS LATER, THE NCAA AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE DECLINED TO SET NATIONWIDE STANDARDS FOR HOW ATHLETES AND UNIVERSITIES SHOULD NAVIGATE THE NEW PLAYING FIELD - LEAVING STATES TO SET THEIR OWN RULES.

THIS LED TO THE BIPARTISAN SENATE BILL 6, QUARTERBACKED BY SENATE EDUCATION CHAIR MAX WISE AND SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN MCGARVEY.

>> I APPRECIATE THIS BODY OF BEING PROACTIVE.

NOT DOING LIKE OTHER STATES THAT HAVE BEEN INACTIVE, NOT DOING LIKE THE NCAA OF TURNING A BLIND EYE TO AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH.

SAFEGUARDS NEED TO BE PUT INTO PLACE, PARAMETERS NEED TO BE PUT INTO PLACE AND FLEXIBILITY PUT INTO PLACE THAT GIVES PROTECTIONS TO OUR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS BUT ALSO DOING WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STUDENT ATHLETES.

>> THE NCAA SHOULD HAVE HANDLED THIS AND IT BURIED ITS HEAD IN THE SAND.

CONGRESS SHOULD HAVE.

IT HASN'T ACTED YET.

IT'S FALLEN TO THE STATE LEGISLATURES AND IT'S FALLEN TO THE STATE LEGISLATURES BECAUSE THE NCAA NOT ONLY SAID THAT ATHLETES CAN USE THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL PROFIT BUT THEY CAN DO IT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THERE'S LAW DICTATING SO IN THE STATE.

SO IF WE DON'T PUT THESE GUARDRAILS IN PLACE THAT ALLOWS THE UNIVERSITIES TO HELP THESE STUDENT ATHLETES TO GUIDE THESE STUDENT ATHLETES IN THE PROCESS, TO OFFER LEGAL ADVICE AS THEY SIGN THESE CONTRACTS, I THINK IT ACTUALLY CAN PUT THE STUDENT ATHLETES AT RISK >> COLLEGE ATHLETES WON'T BE ABLE TO REPRESENT ADULT ENTERTAINMENT VENUES, SPORTS GAMBLING COMPANIES OR ILLEGAL PRODUCTS.

AND UNIVERSITIES WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PROMISE NIL DEALS TO PROSPECTIVE RECRUITS.

COACH CALIPARI SAID YESTERDAY THE LEGISLATION COULD BECOME A MODEL FOR THE NATION - AND LEGISLATORS PRAISED HOW IT GIVES KENTUCKY UNIVERSITIES FLEXIBILITY TO CHANGE PROCEDURE AS IT BECOMES CLEAR HOW OTHER STATES TACKLE NIL.

FORMER COLLEGE ATHLETE, AND CURRENT STATE SENATOR, DONALD DOUGLAS SAYS SENATE BILL 6 WILL ALLOW ATHLETES OF ALL SKILL LEVELS TO IMPROVE THEIR FUTURE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF ATHLETES OUT THERE WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM IN WHO WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GO P ARE,O.

-- PROVMENT THERE ARE ALSO A LOT OF ATHLETES WHO WILL WALK AWAY FROM THIS WITH SOMETHING THAT I LOUSE THEM TO AFTER THEIR FOUR YEARS CONTINUE IN COLLEGE BECAUSE ACADEMICALLY THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT.

WE NEED TO CONSIDER THAT.

THOSE ARE THE FORGOTTEN ATHLETES THAT NO ONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT.

THOSE ARE FORGOTTEN ATHLETES THAT NO ONE WANTS TO CARE.

THE OTHER THING THIS BILL IN DOING WILL ALLOW THEM TO PUT AWAY SOME MONEY, ALLOW THEM TO GAIN MORE SKILLS.

IT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO GET OUT OF THE ENVIRONMENT MAYBE A CAUSTIC ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY GREW UP IN AND THIS WILL GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT OF BUFFER SO THEY CAN GET AWAY FROM THAT ENVIRONMENT, MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR THEIR FAMILY >> UNIVERSITIES WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO STUDENT ATHLETES AS THEY NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM AND PURSUE NIL AGREEMENTS.

SENATE BILL 6 PASSED THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY, 37 TO 0.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE LOWER CHAMBER.

FEMALE TRANSGENDER STUDENTS COULD BE BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN K-12 GIRLS' SPORTS, UNDER A BILL THAT'S READY FOR A SENATE FLOOR VOTE.

SENATE BILL 83 WOULD KEEP BIOLOGICAL MALES WHO IDENTIFY AS FEMALE FROM COMPETING IN GIRL'S SPORTS.

PROPONENTS BELIEVE A NEW LAW IS NEEDED TO EVEN THE PLAYING FIELD IN KEEPING BIOLOGICAL BOYS FROM OUT-COMPETING GIRLS.

IN THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE TODAY, THE PANEL HEARD FROM LGBTQ ADVOCATES, PARENTS AND TRANSGENDER KIDS WHO SAY THEY JUST WANT A CHANCE TO PLAY, AND CONTEND LAWMAKERS ARE CREATING A SOLUTION TO A NON-EXISTENT PROBLEM.

HENDERSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN ROBBY MILL'S MEASURE WOULD USE BIRTH CERTIFICATES TO CONFIRM BIOLOGICAL SEX.

HE DEFENDS HIS BILL AS NECESSARY TO KEEP COMPETITION FAIR.

>> CURRENTLY THE KHSAA HAS A REGULATION ADDRESSES THIS SUBJECT BUT I BELIEVE THERE ARE FLAWS IN THIS REGULATION THAT COULD ULTIMATELY LEAVE A FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE COMPETING UNFAIRLY WITH A BY BIOLOGICAL MALE.

THIS STATUTE CHANGE CLEARLY ADDRESSES THE FLAW IN THE CURRENT REGULATION THAT SURGICAL CHANGES AND HORMONAL THERAPY OF ANY LENGTH OF TIME REDUCES THE PHYSICAL ADVANTAGE THAT A BIOLOGICAL MALE HAS OVER A BIOLOGICAL FEMALE >> FISHER WELLS IS A TRANSGENDER MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETE.

FISHER PLAYS ON A GIRL'S FIELD HOCKEY TEAM SHE SAYS SHE HELPED ESTABLISH.

FISHER HAD BEEN DENIED A CHANCE TO PLAY AT FIRST.

FISHER AND HER FATHER EXPLAINED HOW IMPORTANT SPORTS ARE TO HER AND THE IMPACT SHE HAS HAD ON HER TEAMMATES.

>> IT TAUGHT US HOW TO BE SPORTS MAN-LIKE AND VERY CALM ABOUT THINGS.

I REALLY DON'T WANT THIS BILL TO PASS BECAUSE THAT MEANS I CAN'T PLAY AND IT WILL BE EXTREMELY DETRIMENTAL TO MY MENTAL HEALTH AS WELL BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SPORTS IS A GREAT WAY FOR ME TO COPE WITH THINGS, LIKE IT'S JUST A GOOD WAY FOR ME TO COPE WITH THINGS.

AND IT'S WHY I RECOVERED SO VERY QUICKLY FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO PLAY BECAUSE LATER LIKE A FEW DAYS LATER I FOUND OUT I COULD PLAY.

>> FOR ALL OF THE BENEFITS AND THE PROTECTIONS THAT YOU SEEK TO INSTILL WITH SB-83 FOR ALL THAT IN GIRLS SPORTS YOU SEEK TO PROTECT, YOU ARE INADVERTENTLY CLOSING DOORS.

YOU ARE CLOSING DOORS STUDENTS AND GIRLS LIKE FISCHER AND YOU IN SOME CASES MAY BE CLOSING DOORS ON HER FELLOW TEACH MATES.

THEY WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO PLAY THIS SEASON IF NOT FOR HER WORK.

THEY WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A HANS TO ENJOY FISHER AS FRIENDS OR TEAMMATE >> 8-YEAR-OLD CEDAR STROBEL, ALSO A TRANSGENDER FEMALE SAYS SHE WANTS TO PLAY ON GIRLS' TEAMS.

SHE'S ELIGIBLE FOR ORGANIZED SPORTS LEAGUES NEXT YEAR.

>> HI.

I'M CEDAR AND I'M TRANSGENDER GIRL.

I REALLY LIKE PLAYING SOCCER.

I REALLY LIKE PLAY IT BECAUSE IT IS FUN TO HANG OUT WITH MY FRIEND.

ALSO, I LIKE GYMNASTICS BECAUSE IT IS VERY -- BECAUSE IT IS VERY FUN TOO AND IT HELPS ME STRETCH OUT.

I DECIDED TO TALK TO YOU TODAY BECAUSE I WANT TO HELP MY FRIENDS PLAY ON SPORTS >> SENATE BILL 83 DOES NOT PREVENT A TRANSGENDER MALE FROM COMPETING IN BOYS' SPORTS.

LEXINGTON DEMOCRAT REGGIE THOMAS ASKED THE BILL'S SPONSOR, ROBBY MILLS, HOW MANY TRANSGENDER FEMALE ATHLETES ARE CURRENTLY PARTICIPATING IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS OR EFFECTING COMPETITIVE OUTCOMES.

>> I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS THAT OCCUR HERE IN KENTUCKY WITH REGARD TO TRANSGENDER ATHLETES OF WHATEVER SEX COMPETING IN THOSE -- THEIR EVENTS.

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS THAT WE ENCOUNTERED BECAUSE I AM NOT.

>> I AM NOT.

THAT'S WHAT I TOUCHED ON IN MY TESTIMONY.

WE IN THE LEGISLATURE, WE ARE KIND OF YOU KNOW, ENCOURAGED TO LOOK AND LOOK FORWARD >> JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS THE LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN KENTUCKY.

JCPS BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER JAMES CRAIG SAYS HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW MANY TRANSGENDERED STUDENTS ARE IN THE SYSTEM, BUT SAYS THEIR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IS AT STAKE IF SENATE BILL 83 BECOMES LAW.

HE SAYS ALLOWING TRANSGENDER ATHLETES TO COMPETE IN THE SPORT WITH THE STUDENTS OF THEIR GENDER IDENTITY IS CRUCIAL TO THEIR EDUCATION.

>> BUT WE DO KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION FOR THOSE STUDENTS.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INDICATORS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IS THE STUDENT'S SENSE OF BELONGING IN THEIR SCHOOL, THE WAY THEY FEEL, IF THEY FEEL SAFE, IF THEY'RE WELCOMED IN THEIR SCHOOL.

AND WE KNOW THAT PARTICIPATING IN ATHLETICS IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS THAT WE CAN IMPROVE A STUDENT'S SENSE OF BELONGING AT THEIR SCHOOL.

THERE ARE TRANSGENDER STUDENTS THAT ATTEND THE THREE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND THE THREE HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT.

AND THIS BILL IS GOING TO PREVENT SOME OF THEM FROM PARTICIPATING IN ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES WITH THEIR STUDENTS >> LEITCHFIELD SENATOR STEPHEN MEREDITH ASKED CRAIG IF HE FELT THE BILL WAS DISCRIMINATORY.

THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER SAYS HE DOES.

MEREDITH CHALLENGED CRAIG AND ASSERTED THAT THE BILL STILL ALLOWS TRANSGENDER ATHLETES TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS.

>> WE DO ALLOW GIRLS TO PLAY ON BOYS TEAM AND WE CHAMPION THOSE GIRLS WHEN THEY STEP UP TO THAT LEVEL AND SUCCEED, WE REALLY CELEBRATE THAT.

BUT I DON'T SEE THERE'S ANYTHING IN THIS BILL THAT EXCLUDES ANY CHILDREN FROM PLAYING A SPORT.

JUST BECAUSE THEY MAKE THE TRANSITION TO FEMALE DOESN'T EXCLUDE THEM FROM COMPETING AT THE BOYS' LEVEL.

HOW CAN YOU SAY THEY'RE GOING TO BE DENIEDEN A OPPORTUNITY WHEN IN FACT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE DENIED AN OPPORTUNITY.

THEY WILL STILL BE ABLE TO COMPETE.

THEY CAN STILL PARTICIPATE IN THE NORMS OF TEAMWORK AND SELF-DISCIPLINE, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

SO I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN SAY AND I THINK IT'S UNFAIR INDICTMENT TO SAY THIS DISCRIMINATION.

AGAIN, THEY CAN CONTINUE TO COMPETE >> WHILE VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE, BENTON SENATOR DANNY CARROL SPOKE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUE.

HE SAYS THE MEASURE IS ABOUT COMPETITION AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF SPORT.

LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT DENISE HARPER ANGEL VOTED AGAINST SENATE BILL 83, AND IS PERPLEXED THAT LAWMAKERS ARE OCCUPYING THEMSELVES WITH THE MATTER.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT TO BALANCE THIS, BUT I THINK THERE'S GOT TO BE A CONSENSUS THAT WE'VE GOT TO BE FAIR TO EVERYONE.

IF IT'S A FEMALE ATHLETE WHO IS AT THE TOP OF HER SPORT, LET'S SAY WE GET INTO HIGH SCHOOL, AND SHE GETS KNOCKED DOWN BY A TRANSGENDERED ATHLETE, THAT'S NOT FAIR AN NO ONE CAN SAY IT IS FAIR.

BUT NOT ALLOWING A YOUNGER STUDENT WHO IDENTIFIES WHO IS BIOLOGIC CLI MALE AND IDENTIFIES AS A FEMALE NOT BEING ABLE TO PLAYEN 0 A FEMALE TEAM, YOU KNOW, I STRUGGLE WITH THAT, ALSO, BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT THE LESSONS LEARNED.

IT'S ABOUT SPENDING TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND THAT'S WHAT THOSE SPORTS ARE ABOUT.

>> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE SPONSOR, I FEEL LUKE THIS BILL IS UNNECESSARY AND IT'S LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T EXIST, PARTICULARLY SINCE NO ONE COULD TESTIFY ABOUT ANY I SHALL ISSUES WITH THE CURRENT POLICY THAT'S BEEN IN EFFECTOR 10 YEARS WITH THE KHSAA SO I THINK THAT WE'RE NOT BEING PREEMPTY FIF WE'RE LOOKING FOR PROBLEMS THAT DON'T EXIST.

LET OUR KIDS BE KIDS AND SPLAY SPORTS >> SENATE BILL 83 PASSED THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE ON A PARTY LINE VOTE OF 9 TO 3.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FULL MEMBERSHIP.

BILLS INVOLVING THE TEACHING OF RACISM, OR HOW HISTORY CAN BE TAUGHT IN KENTUCKY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - OFTEN REFERRED TO AS ANTI-CRITICAL RACE THEORY MEASURES, HAVE BEEN FILED THIS SESSION AND ARE WAITING FOR ACTION.

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS AND OTHER DIVERSITY ADVOCATES HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY TO VOICE THEIR OPPOSITION TO THOSE EFFORTS.

>> IN FRANKFORT, THE POLICYMAKERS HAVE LONG DICTATED THE STANDARDS FOR EDUCATION.

WE ARE JUMPING OFF A DANGEROUS CLIFF TO DICTATE THE CURRICULUM FOR OUR STUDENTS.

OUR STUDENTS MUST LEARN ACCURATE HISTORY.

THAT IS NOT A POLITICAL POINT OR OPINION.

OUR STUDENTS MUST LEARN ACCURATE HISTORY.

>> THIS COUNTRY AND ITS FOUNDATION HAS BEEN ON PERPETUATING WHITE SUPREMACY AND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO OR ATTEMPTING TO BE DONE BY THIS LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND THE BILLS BEING PUT FORWARD, IS TO MAKE OUR CITIZENS MORE IGNORANT OF THE FACTS WHAT PERPETUATE AND PROMULGATE AND PUSHED FORWARD THE AMERICA WE NOW LIVE IN.

>> LAWS INTENDED TO TEACH CHILDREN PARTIAL TRUTHS ABOUT OUR WHOLE HISTORY LIKE SENATE BILL 138 WILL ONLY PERPETUATE MORE HALF TRUTHS AND HALF TRUTHS LEAD TO FULL OUT LIES.

IF WE REALLY WANT TO LIVE IN A NATION WHERE ALL ARE FREE AND WHERE JUSTICE IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL, WITH HE MUST OWN UP TO WAYS IN WHICH THAT HAS NOT OCCURRED IN THE PAST AND TEACH OUR CHILDREN THOSE TRUTHS BEFORE THEY FALL PREY TO THE SAME MISTAKES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

>> IT HAS NO INTEGRITY.

IT'S BASED ON THE LIE THAT THIS IS ABOUT CRT.

IN DOING SO, WE COMPROMISE OUR YOUTH.

AND USE THEM AS A TOOL.

WE UNDERCUT AND DISRESPECT TRAINED EDUCATIONAL PROFESSION ALS.

WE COMPROMISE OUR ABILITY TO MEET CHALLENGES OF NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE.

AND WE UNDERMINE OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, WHICH REQUIRES CRITICAL THINKING FOR THE NARROW BANK RUPT VISION OF THE PAST.

>> WE SHOULD NOT TAKE THE PROMISE OF AMERICA AWAY FROM T WHAT MAKES AMERICA THE GREATEST COUNTRY OF THE WORLD.

WHAT ATTRACTED A YOUNG PHYSICIAN LIKE MYSELF TO COME HERE AND GIVE ALL OF WHAT I HAVE GOT FOR THE BETTERMENT OF MY SOCIETY IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> IT IS TIME FOR US TO TRUST TEACHERS WHO HAVE BEEN EDUCATED FOR YEARS TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR KIDS >> SENATOR MAX WISE'S SB 138 HAS BEEN SENT TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THAT HE CHAIRS BUT IT IS NOT POSTED YET FOR CONSIDERATION.

A SIMILAR MEASURE HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE, BUT ALSO HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY ACTION.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 26 OF THE 2022 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 SMART PHONE OR TABLET.

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

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

WE HOPE TO SEE TOMORROW NIGHT RIGHT AFTER COMMENT ON KENTUCKY AT 8:30 EASTERN, 7:30 CENTRAL FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT, AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON.