ECONOMIC AND RELIGIOUS ARGUMENT WERE MADE IN ROUNDS OF HOUSE FLOOR COMMENTARY OVER A BILL LEGALIZING HISTORICAL HORSE RACING IN KENTUCKY.

IT'S NOW HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

A POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURE IS HEADED TO THE HOUSE AFTER SENATE PASSAGE TODAY.

KENTUCKY'S U.S.

SENATOR RAND PAUL PRAISES KENTUCKY HOUSE REPUBLICANS FOR TAKING ON ELECTION REFORM.

AND A SENATE COMMITTEE VOTES T PROTECT RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE FO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

ALL THIS ACTION AND MORE ON DAY 14 OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

A LEGISLATIVE FIX TO KENTUCKY'S DECADE'S LONG BATTLE OVER ELECTRONIC GAMING DEVICES THAT KENTUCKY HORSE RACING TRACKS HAVE BEEN OPERATING CAME AFTER INTENSE AND LENGTHY FLOOR DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY.

SENATOR JOHN SCHICKEL'S SENATE BILL 120 SEEKS TO PRESERVE WAGERING ON SLOT-STYLE GAMES ON PREVIOUSLY RUN HORSE RACES THAT THE INDUSTRY SAYS IS SAVING THEIR O HIS BILL DEFINES PARI-MUTUEL BETTING IN STATE LAW FOR THE FIRST TIME AND INCLUDES HISTORICAL HORSE RACING IN THAT LAST YEAR, KENTUCKY'S SUPREME COURT RULED THAT A CERTAIN TYPE OF HHR DEVICES DIDN'T MEET PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING STANDARDS UNDER STATE LAW.

THE MEASURE WAS FAST-TRACKED IN RECENT DAYS AS FURTHER COURT ACTION WAS PENDIN BOURBON COUNTY REPUBLICAN HORSEMAN AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATTHEW KOCH SAY THE LOSSES THE HORSE INDUSTRY STANDS TO LOSE ALONG WITH THE $5.2 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT ON TO THE STATE MEANS LAWMAKERS MUST MOVE FAST?

THIS BILL IS SIMPLY A DEFINITION OF PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING.

WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING NEW.

WE'RE SIMPLY ASKING FOR WHAT WE'VE BEEN OPERATING ON IN GOOD FAITH THAT IS TEN YEARS.

YOU SEE, HHR HAS BEEN A SHOT IN THE ARM FOR THIS INDUSTRY.

WHEN OTHER STATES AROUND US WERE USING INNOVATIONS AND MOVING FORWARD WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF TECHNOLOGY TO GROW THEIR PURSES, WE WERE LEFT BEHIND.

AND IT WASN'T JUST A TRICKLE.

WE WERE EXPERIENCING A FLOOD OF THE HORSES AND THE JOBS.

HHR HAS ALLOWED OUR INDUSTRY TO EXPAND AND GROW OUR PURSES BY 102% IN TEN YEARS.

AND IT'S WORKED.

THERE'S NO ARGUMENT ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE KNOW BECAUSE WE'VE HAD IT GOING FOR A DECADE.

AND THAT 102% GROWTH IN THE PURSES, THAT'S HELPING THE LITTLE GUYS.

THAT YEAR ROUND CIRCUIT IS GOING TO THE GUYS LIKE MY FAMILY THAT HAVE BEEN IN THIS FOR generatio >> Renee: BUT THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IS SPLIT ON THE ISSUE WITH MANY VOICING MORAL OBJECTIONS TO MORE GAMBLING OPTIONS.

SOME RAILED AGAINST INDUSTRY GREED, PREDICTED MORE COURT CHALLENGES, AND CALLED FOR THE INDUSTRY TO MAY PAY MORE IN TAXES.

>> FIVE, SIX MONTHS AGO THE SUPREME COURT RULED THAT BECAUSE OF THE CONFIGURATION WITHIN THE MACHINE THAT THEY WERE NOT LEGAL.

RATHER THAN CLOSE DOWN, THEY CONTINUED TO OPERATE.

WHILE SMALL BUSINESSES IN YOUR DISTRICT AND MINE WERE FORCED TO CLOSE, WHILE PEOPLE WERE LAID OFF, DID NOT RECEIVE UNEMPLOYMENT, WHILE SOME DOORS CLOSED FOREVER, THESE GUYS CONTINUED TO OPERATE.

THEY STAYED OPEN.

RATHER THAN CLOSING DOWN AND TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, RATHER THAN OPERATING WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE LAW, THEY HAVE COME HERE AND ASKED THIS BODY TO ACCOMMODATED THEM AND ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE DOWN THAT SAME PATH.

THEY JUST WANTS YOU TO GIVE A DEFINITION TO PERMIT THEM TO CONTINUE.

>> BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS ABOUT THE JOBS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING AT THESE TRACKS THAT ARE MAKING $11, $12 AN HOUR.

BARELY, BARELY GETTING BY.

AND IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S ABOUT THEIR JOBS.

I THINK IT IS ABOUT GREED.

I THINK IT IS ABOUT GREED FROM A GREEDY INDUSTRY AND A GREEDY CORPORATION.

WE HAVE AN INDUSTRY NAS A MULTI-, MULTI-MILLION, HUNDREDS OF MILLION DOLLARS INDUSTRY THAT DOESN'T CARE WHO THEY HURT.

THEY DON'T CARE HOW THE PROCESS GOES ABOUT TO HURT THEM.

THEIR ONE PASSION IS GREED.

TO MAKE MORE AND MORE AND MORE.

>> Renee: HOUSE MAJORITY CAUCU CHAIR SUZANNE MILES HAS ELLIS PARK IN HER DISTRICT THAT INCLUDES HENDERSON COUNTY.

HER FAMILY HAS LONG BEEN CONNECTED TO THE TRACK.

SHE SAID THAT TEN YEARS AGO SHE MAY NOT HAVE VOTED TO LEGALIZE HISTORICAL HORSE RACING, BUT SHE SAYS SHE'S OBLIGATED TO SUPPORT AN INDUSTRY THAT SUPPORTS HER PEOPLE.

>> THESE ARE JOBS THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE MY NEIGHBORS.

THIS IS A PLACE THAT MY COUSINS WORKED GROWING UP, MY UNCLES PROVIDED A LIVING BETWEEN FARMING AND RACEHORSES, TRAINING AND RACING TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO COLLEGE.

THAT WAS BEFORE SEVERAL ON THIS HOUSE FLOOR HAD THE LUXURY OF ATTENDING COLLEGE WITH KEES MONEY PAID BY THE LOTTERY.

I KNOW SEVERAL OF YOU ALL HAVE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN THAT HAVE HAD THE LUXURY OF KEES MONEY.

AND I DON'T FAULT YOU FOR THAT.

BUT I DON'T -- I HONESTLY DON'T THINK I'VE EVER HEARD THAT SOMEONE REFUSED KEES MONEY BECAUSE IT WAS FROM SOMETHING THAT WAS THE THE GOVERNMENT HAD AUTHORIZED AND IT HAD INVESTED.

>> I AM VOTING YES BECAUSE THERE IS AN INDUSTRY THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE STATE, AND I THINK WE NEED TO SUPPORT IT.

I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT WE ARE NOT ADDRESSING THE, WHAT I BELIEVE IS A SHAMEFUL TAX RATE ON HISTORIC HORSE RACING, AND I AM GOING TO TAKE THE SPEAKER AT HIS WORD THAT WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS IT IN THE NEXT SESSION.

I AM GOING TO TAKE AT THEIR WORD THE HORSE RANGES INDUSTRY THAT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT.

AND I HOPE THAT NEXT YEAR WHEN WE ARE ON THIS FLOOR, THAT WE WILL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A FAIR TAX ON THIS INDUSTRY.

>> Renee: BETTING ON HHR MACHINES IS EXPECTED TO TOTAL $3.6 BILLION THIS YEAR, THREE TIMES MORE THAN KENTUCKIANS WIL BUY IN LOTTERY TICKETS.

THE STATE BUDGET COLLECTED ONLY $15 MILLION IN GENERAL FUND TAX REVENUE FROM THESE MACHINES LAS YEAR, COMPARED TO $274 MILLION FROM THE LOTTERY.

SENATOR JOHN SCHICKEL'S BILL DEFINING PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING TO INCLUDE HISTORICAL HORSE RACING WAS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE 55 TO 38 AND NOW HEAD TO GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S OFFICE FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

IN SENATE ACTION TODAY, AFTER MULTIPLE KILLINGS OF UNARMED AFRICAN AMERICANS IN 2020 AND THE BREONNA TAYLOR PROTESTS THAT SWEPT LOUISVILLE LAST SUMMER, MORE COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR INCREASED POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY TODAY THE SENATE VOTED TO PASS SB 80, A BILL THAT ADD GROUNDS FOR THE REVOCATION OF A POLICE OFFICER CERTIFICATI IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING AN OFFICER TO LOOK AT AN APPLICANT'S PERSONNE RECORDS FORM PAST AGENCIES.

SENATOR DANNY CARROLL, A FORMER POLICEMAN HIMSELF, SAYS IT'S A MEASURE SUPPORTED WY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE LEADERS OF THIS STATE TO -- LEADERS OF THAT CITY AND OTHER COMMUNITY 3000S THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO LET LAW ENFORCEMENT BE A PART OF REFORM, TO BE A PART OF MENDING FENCES, TO BE A PART OF PULLING THE COMMUNITIES TOGETHER.

CITIZEN REVIEW BOARDS, NEW LEADERSHIP, ALL THAT STUFF IS GREAT, IT'S GOOD STUFF, BUT THE CHANGE HAS GOT TO HAPPEN AT THE CORE, AND THE CORE IS LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THEY'RE THE ONES WHO HAVE THE DAILY CONTACT WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

IF THERE IS CHANGE THAT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE, IT'S GOT TO START WITH THEM.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE LEADERS TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.

DON'T RELY ON CITIZEN REVIEW PANELS ALONE OR CITIZENS GROUPS, WHATEVER.

IT HAS GOT TO BE A TWO-WAY STREET.

IT'S GOT TO BE A PARTNERSHIP.

AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE OFFICERS HAVE GOT TO BE AT THE CENTER OF THE THAT.

>> Renee: LEXINGTON DEMOCRAT A SENATE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR REGGIE THOMAS FAVORS THE BILL AND DEEMED IT "A GREAT START," BUT ALSO PROVIDED HIS PERSPECTIVE ON HOW COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAVE A HISTORY OF MISTRUST WITH THE POLICE.

>> THE CENTER FOR MARSHALL AND I COME AT THIS FROM TWO DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES BECAUSE, AGAIN, OUR DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, OUR DIFFERENT LOOKS, OUR DIFFERENT CULTURES.

BUT HE'S RIGHT.

THERE ARE BAD AMYS IN EVERY PROFESSION.

THERE ARE DIDN'T BAD AMPS IN EVERY PROFESSION.

THERE ARE BAD ATTORNEYS AND ALL THE KNOW IN THE SENATE THERE ARE.

NO PROFESSION IS IMMUNE FROM HAVING BAD PEOPLE HERE, AND YES, WE DEFINITELY NEED POLICE REFORM AND NEED TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT POSTURE, A DIFFERENT POSTURE IN SOCIETY REGARDING HOW POLICE TREAT people >> Renee: SB 80 NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE FOR FURTHER IN CURRENT KENTUCKY LAW, MINORS CHARGED IN A CRIME THAT INVOLVE A FIREARM ARE AUTOMATICALLY SEN TO ADULT COURT.

SENATOR WHITNEY BILL WOULD REMOVE THAT AUTOMATI TRANSFER PASSED THE SENATE TODA THE SENATE JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN SAYS THAT LOCAL PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES SHOULD HAVE DISCRETION T DECIDE WHETHER JUVENILE CASES INVOLVING FIREARMS SHOULD HEAD TO DISTRICT INSTEAD OF CIRCUIT .

>> IF A CHILD WHO IS OF THE RIGHT AGE AND A MINOR KILLED THEIR FAMILY WITH AN AX, THE COURT GOES THROUGH THIS LIST OF FACTORS AND IT'S NOT AN AUTOMATIC TRANSFER.

BUT IF THEY'RE CHARGED WITH A FELONY DRUG OFFENSE IN THEIR UNCLE'S CAR AND THERE'S A FIREARM IN THE TRUNK THAT'S DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT, IT'S AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED EVEN IF THERE'S NO DESIRE TO TRANSFER.

>> Renee: SENATOR DANNY CARROL WHO VOTED AGAINST THE BILL, SAY THAT THIS POLICY WOULD THWART EFFORTS TO SEND A MESSAGE THAT GUN VIOLENCE IS NOT TOLERATED.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, THERE IS A REASON THAT THIS PROVISION WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE LAW, AND IT WAS TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS THAT GUN VIOLENCE WOULD NOT BE TOLERATED IN THIS STATE.

THEREFORE, THESE TYPES OF CASES ARE AUTOMATICALLY SENT TO ADULT COURT.

TO SEND A VERY STRONG MESSAGE.

BY ELIMINATING THE PROVISIONS IN THIS STATUTE, WE ARE SENDING A MESSAGE TO YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS WHO USE FIREARMS IN THE COMMISSION OF THEIR CRIMES, AND THIS COULD BE A MURDER.

THIS COULD BE AN ARMED ROBBERY THAT COULD END UP BEING ADDRESSED IN THE DISTRICT COURT.

MR. PRESIDENT, I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOOD POLICY.

I DO APPRECIATE THE efforts >> Renee: AFTER PASSING THE SENATE TODAY, SB 36 NOW HEADS TO .

THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION the A NORTHERN KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE SAYS THE RIGHT T ABORTION IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND IN THE STATE FOR U.S. CONSTITUTION, AND HE'S BRINGING FORTH BEEN A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ENSURE THERE'S NO STATE VERSION of OF ROE VERSUS JOSEPH FISCHER IS THE SPONSOR O HOUSE BILL 91 AND HE READ ITS CONTENTS BEFORE THE HOUSE ELECTIONS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS COMMITTEE THIS MORNI.

>> IT SAYS "TO PROTECT HUMAN LIFE."

NOTHING THIS CONSTITUTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO SECURE OR PROTECT A RIGHT TO ABORTION OR REQUIRE THE FUNDING OF ABORTION.

THE SAME BILL PASSED THE HOUSE LAST YEAR BY 71-21 MARGIN BUT WAS NOT CONSIDERED BY THE SENATE DUE TO THE EARLY COVID ADJOURNMENT.

NOW, LET ME MAKE ONE POINT CLEAR.

THE RIGHT TO ABORTION TODAY IS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND IN OUR STATE CONSTITUTION OR IN YOU ARE U.S. CONSTITUTION FOR THAT MATTER.

HOUSE BILL 91 SIMPLY ASSURES THAT NO KENTUCKY COURT WILL EVER BE ABLE TO FASHION AN EXPLICIT OR IMPLICIT RIGHT TO AN ABORTION FROM THE LANGUAGE OF OUR CONSTITUTION.

THERE WILL BE NO ROE V. WADE DECISION IN KENTUCKY.

THE REGULATION OR THE ELIMINATION OF ABORTION WILL BE VESTED PERMANENTLY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> Renee: FISCHER ADDED THAT KENTUCKY IS THE MOST PRO-LIFE STATE IN THE NATION AND IS ASSURED THAT REPUBLICAN ATTORNE GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON WILL ENFORCE ANTI-ABORTION LAWS PASSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, A REFERENCE TO FORMER AG ANDY BESHEAR, NOW GOVERNOR, WHO DECLINED DEFENSE OF THEM DURING HIS TENURE.

OPPONENTS ARGUE HOUSE BILL 91 WOULD PERMANENTLY CHANGE THE KENTUCKY CONSTITUTION TO BAN ABORTION AND ENSHRINE AN EXISTING LAW PROHIBITING INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM COVERING THEM.

DOCTOR ELIZABETH CASE, AN OB/G IN MOUNT STERLING AND MOTHER OF FOUR CHILDREN, SAID SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE ABORTIONS SHOULD BE LEGAL IN SOME INSTANCES, SUCH A AFTER THE POINT OF VIABILITY WHICH IS 24 WEEKS.

BUT SHE SAYS THAT HER EXPERIENCE IN LABOR AND DELIVERY INFORMS HER VIEW OF WHY HOUSE BILL 91 WOULD DISRUPT PATIENT CARE AND SAFETY.

>> JUST LAST YEAR I HAD A PATIENT WHO PRESENTED TO MY HOSPITAL AT 18 WEEKS WITH PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES AND WAS IN FULL BLOWN SEPSIS.

WE DISCUSSED HER OPTIONS, NONE OF WHICH WERE ONES THAT SHE WANTED, AND ULTIMATELY, BECAUSE SHE HAD TWO OTHER CHILDREN AT HOME, SHE OPTED FOR TERMINATION TO SAVE HER OWN LIFE.

YOU SEE, SOMETIMES I DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF SAVING TWO LIVES.

SOMETIMES IT'S SAVE ONE LIFE OR LOSE THEM BOTH.

THIS BILL RAISES THE SPECTER THAT A DOCTOR WHO PROVIDES MEMORABILIA CARE WOULD BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

IT'S ABHORRENT TO ME THAT A PREGNANT WOMAN WHO REQUIRES URGENT MEDICAL CARE THAT DOES NOT -- THAT MAY NOT GET IT BECAUSE THE DOCTOR IS UNSURE OF WHETHER THEY WOULD BE PROSECUTED FOR DOING THEIR JOB AND PROVIDING LIFE-SAVING TREATMENT, ALL BECAUSE ABORTIONS AT ALL -- FOR ALL REASONS ARE ILLEGAL IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: REPUBLICANS ON THE PANEL SAID THAT NOTHING IN THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AFFECTS CURRENT STATUTE THAT PREVENTS PREGNANCY TERMINATION WHEN THE WOMAN'S LIFE IS IN DANGER.

ELIZABETH TATE WORKS AS A FIELD ORGANIZER FOR THE KENTUCKY RELIGIOUS COALITION FOR REPRODUCTIVE CHOI SHE BELIEVES LAWMAKERS SHOULD SHIFT THEIR ENERGIES TO MAKING CHILDBIRTH AND CHILD RANGER SAFER AND EASIER.

>> THE FOCUS OF THE MALE-DOMINATED LEGISLATURE REMAINS ON TARGETING ABORTION.

SPEAKING AS A WOMAN IN KENTUCKY, I AM TIRED OF IT, AND I AM AFRAID OF IT.

AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE FEAR THAT I FEEL.

IT IS SCARY.

AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO FEELS THIS FEAR.

IT IS TERRIFYING TO THINK THAT A BIG GROUP OF STRANGERS WHO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MY LIFE HAVE DECIDED TO BE IN CHARGE OF ANY ASPECT OF MY HEALTH CARE DECISIONS AND TO SHOE HORN COERCION INTO MY HEALTH CARE.

IT'S TERRIFYING.

I'M AFRAID OF YOU.

I STATE THAT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT.

I AM A FRAYED OF YOU.

-- I AM AFRAID OF YOU.

THE OTHER PORTION OF THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE PERPETUATES MISINFORMATION ABOUT ABORTION.

THE SUPREME COURT HAS FOUND THAT THERE IS A LEGAL RIGHT TO AN ABORTION IN OUR FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.

THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT ANYWHERE, FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NO REQUIREMENT ANYWHERE FOR ANY KIND OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR ABORTION, NOR IS THERE ANY MONEY, ANY MONEY FROM THE GOVERNMENT, NO TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE CURRENTLY FUNDING ABORTION IN KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: SO LONG AS ROE V. WA IS LAW OF THE LAND, FISCHER'S PROPOSITION IS MUTE, CONTENDED WEBSTER COUNTY REPUBLICAN JIM GOOCH WHO CONSISTENTLY VOTES FO PRO-LIFE LEGISLATION.

HE ALSO QUESTIONED THE TIMING OF THE BILL DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT'S WEIGHING HEAVY ON KENTUCKIANS.

>> I DON'T THINK THIS AMENDMENT DOES ANYTHING IF ROE V. WADE IS NOT OVERTURNED, AND IF THAT HAPPENS THEN, YES, I THINK WE CAN PASS THIS.

YOU KNOW, WE CAN DO THOSE THINGS THINGS.

BUT I JUST, YOU KNOW, I WANT MY CONSTITUENTS TO KNOW THAT I'M PRO-LIFE BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S ENOUGH TO I IGNORE THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE FACING OUR CONSTITUENTS, AND SAY, WELL, BUT WE PASSED ANOTHER PRO-LIFE BILL, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT I'M CONCERNED THAT I SEE HAPPENING HERE A LOT.

AND THAT BOTHERS ME.

AND PEOPLE HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS, AND PEOPLE ARE HURTING, AND WE NEED TO BE ADDRESSING THOSE CONCERNS, NOT THAT WE CAN'T DO BOTH, BUT DO WE HAVE TO DO THAT THIS YEAR WHEN THIS IS NOT EVEN GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT UNTIL NEXT YEAR >> Renee: FISCHER'S HOUSE BILL 91 CLEARED THE PANEL 11 TO 3 AND NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FUL A BILL TO PROTECT RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WHO REFUSE TO PROVIDE SERVICES OR TREATMENT THEY FIND OBJECTIONABLE CLEARED A SENATE COMMITTEE TODAY.

INSURANCE COMPANIES COULD ALSO REFUSE TO PAY IN THOSE CASES AS WELL.

THE MEASURE IS BEING PUSHED BY SENATOR STEPHEN MEREDITH, A FORMER HOSPITAL CEO, WHO SAID THE INTENT OF HIS BILL IS BUILD A PROTECTION FIREWALL BETWEEN HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENT INTRUDERS, AND HELP PROVIDERS GIVE CARE THAT'S IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THEIR PATIENTS.

>> JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO SENATOR ALVARADO SHARED WITH YOU ABOUT WHEN HE WAS IN HIS TRAINING PROGRAM AND DOING HIS ROTATIONS, AND I THINK IN PEDIATRICS, HAD A 21 WEEK OLD THAT WAS DELIVERED, AND IN EVERYBODY'S PROFESSIONAL OPINION SHOULD HAVE JUST MADE THE BABY -- LET IT DIE A NATURAL DEATH BUT THE PARENTS WERE INSISTENT, NO, WE WANT EVERYTHING DONE FOR THIS BABY THAT POSSIBLY YOU CAN DO.

AND HE ADMITTED HE HAD HIS MISGIVINGS ABOUT THAT, BUT THE BABY SURVIVED AND IS A VIABLE FUNCTIONING ADULT TODAY.

BUT IF THAT DECISION IS LEFT UP TO HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION AND TO INSURANCE COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT, PROBABLY THAT BABY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GIVEN THAT CHANCE TO survive >> Renee: THERE WAS SOME INTENSE COMMITTEE DEBATE ABOUT HOW OSH EVEN IF PROVIDERS CAN SEPARATE THE REFUSAL TO TREAT A BERN BASED ON PREJUDICES ABOUT THAT PERSON, NOT JUST THE SERVICES THEY'RE seeking CHRIS HARTMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN THAT ADVOCATES FOR LGBTQ RIGHTS BELIEVES ALLOWING ANY WORKER IN A HEALTHCARE SETTING TO REFUSE WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE IS DANGEROU AND DISCRIMINATORY, AND ESPECIALLY, HE SAYS, DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

>> SO THE SERVICE THAT THEY COULD REFUSE TO PERFORM IS I DO NOT DO INITIALING CONSULTS OR EXAMINATIONS ON SOMEONE WHO IS BLACK OR A JEW OR A CHRISTIAN.

I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT ELSE SOMEONE WOULD CLAIM WOULD CONSCIOUS -- WITHIN THEIR CONSCIOUS PREVENT THEM FROM DOING AN INITIAL EXAMINATION OR PROVIDING ANY OTHER HEALTH CARE SERVICE.

IT ALSO WOULD ALLOW INSURANCE COMPANIES TO REFUSE TO PAY FOR ANY SERVICE BASED ON ANY GROUNDS.

WE ALL KNOW IT'S DIFFICULT ENOUGH RIGHT NOW TO GET ANY INSURANCE COMPANIES TO COVER THE SERVICES THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO.

IMAGINE GIVING THEM A BLANKET REFUSAL BASED ON ANY SET OF BELIEFS OR PRINCIPLES.

WE BELIEVE THIS BILL PUTS SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE KENTUCKIANS AT GREATER RISK OF DISCRIMINATION, AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF KENTUCKY VOTERS AGREE.

I'VE INCLUDED THE RESULTS OF A MASON DIXON POLL FROM LAST WEEK SHOWING 79% OF KENTUCKIANS ALL ACROSS OUR COMMONWEALTH OPPOSE THIS MEASURE, INCLUDING 74% OF REPUBLICANS AND 83% OF DEMOCRATS.

IN NOVEMBER OF 2019, THREE FEDERAL JUDGES STRUCK DOWN A SIMILAR U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES RULE IN THREE SEPARATE RULINGS.

THE DEFINITION OF CONSCIOUS IN THE BILL IS SO BROAD, IT ALLOWS FOR ANY TYPE OF BELIEF TO BE USED TO DENY HEALTH CARE SERVICE OR REFUSE TO DO A JOB IN A HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL OFFICE AND THE DEFINITION OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONER IS SO EQUALLY BROAD THAT IT APPLIES TO ANY WORKER IN A HEALTH CARE SETTING FROM NOT JUST DOCTORS AND NURSES AND PHARMACISTS, TO AMBULANCE DRIVERS, DIETICIANS, RECEPTIONISTS AND EVEN JANITORIAL staff >> Renee: NEITHER THE KENTUCKY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION NOR THE KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION HAD BEEN CONSULTED ABOUT THE BILL.

LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT KAREN BERG, A PHYSICIAN, VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED THE MEASURE BECAUSE SHE SAYS IT LEAVES PATIENTS WITHOUT RECOURSE IF THEY'RE DENIED SERVICES OR TREATMENT BECAUSE OF A PROVIDER'S CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECT JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN WHITNEY WESTERFIELD SAID SOME OF THE OBJECTIONS MADE BY THE OPPOSITION HAD MERIT IN HIS VIE AND HE MAY OFFER FLOOR AMENDMENTS TO ADDRESS THOSE CON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SENT SENATE BILL 83 TO THE FULL MEMBERSHIP ON A VOTE OF 6-1 A TRIO OF REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBERS IS WORKING ON AN ELECTION REFORM PACKAGE FOR KENTUCKY THAT THEY SAY WILL BE RELEASED EARLY NEXT WEEK FOR A COMMITTEE VOTE ON TU THAT ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE DURING TODAY'S HOUSE ELECTIONS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS COMMITTEE WHERE A RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED TO ESTABLISH THE ELECTION INTEGRITY AND SECURITY TASK FORCE THAT THE SPONSOR SAY WOULD ENSURE ELECTIONS ARE FAIR HONEST, AND FREE FROM FRAUD AND KENTUCKY'S JUNIOR U.S.

SENATOR RAND PAUL APPEARED BY ZOOM TO COMMENT ON ELECTION REFORM EFFORTS REPUBLICANS ARE UNDERTAKING AND OFFER SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT SHOULD BE I HE SAID HE WAS ALARMED THAT IN OTHER STATES, SOME SECRETARIES OF STATE CREATED ELECTION LAW I LAST YEAR'S CONTESTS.

HE SAID THOSE OFFICIALS SHOULDN'T USURP THE DUTIES OF LEGISLATURES, AND LAWMAKERS SHOULD MAKE GUARDRAIL AGAINST THAT FROM HAPPENING IN KENTUCKY, AND HE ENCOURAGES MORE IN-PERSON VOTING SO IT CAN BE VERIFIED.

>> SO NIGH IMPETUS TO WANT TO BE INVOLVED AND SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE DECKER IN TRYING GUILTY FORWARD IS NOT A CRITICISM OF ANYTHING IN KENTUCKY BUT IT'S A PREMTIVE WAY OF MAKING SURE THAT WE DON'T RUN INTO THESE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE THAT OTHER STATES HAVE.

SO TO ME THE NUMBER ONE THING IS, AND MAYBE THIS NEEDS TO BE REAFFIRMED EVEN THOUGH I'M SURE IT IS THE LAW, BUT MAYBE IN THE ELECTION BILL WE SHOULD REAFFIRM THAT ONLY THE STATE LEGISLATURE CAN CHANGE THE LAW, THAT THE PARAMETERS OF THE LAW, AND MAYBE THEY HAVE TO BE-SPECIFIC, TOO, AND I'LL GIVE YOU ANOTHER EXAMPLE.

IN MICHIGAN IT DID NOT -- THE LAW WAS SILENT ON WHETHER OR NOT THE SECRETARY OF STATE COULD MAIL APPLICATIONS OR MAIL BALLOTS TO PEOPLE.

SO SOME OF THE COURTS RULED, WELL, YOU DIDN'T TELL THE SECRETARY OF STATE THEY COULDN'T MAIL BALLOTS, SO THEY JUST DID, SO I'M HOPING WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS BILL, YOU'LL MAKE IT EXPLICIT THAT WHAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE CAN AND CAN'T DO.

AND I'M I'VE SPOKEN WITH OUR SECRETARY OF STATE.

NONE OF THIS IS A CRITICISM OF HIM.

IT'S REALLY JUST LOOKING AROUND THE COUNTRY AT COURTS THAT SAID, WELL, IF THE LAW DOESN'T TELL YOU YOU CAN'T DO IT, THEN YOU CAN DO IT.

I THINK OUR RULES RULES SHOULD BE THAT WE ENCOURAGE VOTING IN PERSON AND THAT WE DISCOURAGE NOT VOTING IN PERSON, AND THERE WILL BE EXCEPTIONS OVER THE RULE.

I MEAN, IF YOU'RE SICK OR ILL OR ELDERLY OR IN THE MILITARY, THERE HAS TO BE WAY TO VOTE, BUT I'M JUST HOPING THAT WE CAN TRY TO HAVE A VOTE THAT WE CAN BE MORE CONFIDENT WHEN PEOPLE ACTUALLY SHOW UP, SHOW THEIR I.D., SIGN IN IN PERSON, AND YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN AND A DEMOCRAT SITTING AT THE TABLE THAT WITNESSES THIS.

I JUST THINK THAT THAT SIMPLE VERIFICATION OF BEING THERE AND ALSO THAT THE VOTES ARE TALLIED, YOU KNOW, 2,000 PEOPLE SHOW UP IN MY PRECINCT TO VOTE.

THE END OF THE DAY THERE SHOULD BE 2,000 SIGNATURES AND THERE SHOULD BE 2,000 HOPEFULLY PAPER BALLOTS THAT ARE RUN THROUGH A MACHINE SITTING THERE AND YOU CAN QUICKLY ASCERTAIN THAT THERE WASN'T ANY CHEATING DONE IN YOUR PRECINCT.

AND THE IDEA OF IT BEING DECENTRALIZED PRECINCT BY PRECINCT WITH A REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT AT THE STABLE SHOULD MAKE US YOU'LL ALL FEEL COMFORTABLE HOW MANY PEOPLE VOTED, HOW MANY PEOPLE SIGNED IN, AND THAT THEY RENTED AN I.D.

TO SIGN IN 6 >> Renee: AN ELECTION REFORM MEASURE COMING FROM HOUSE REPUBLICANS IS EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED MONDAY.

THERE WERE NO SPECIFICS GIVEN ABOUT THE PROPOSAL DURING TODAY'S HEARING.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 14 COVERAGE OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

FOR INFORMATIO LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-80 YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHON OR TABLET.

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

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

LAWMAKERS ARE NOT IN SESSION TOMORROW OR MONDAY, SO WE'LL SEE YOU FOR OUR NEXT EDITION OF "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" TUESDAY NIGHT AT 11:00 EASTERN, 10:00 C