>> LAWMAKERS TAKE ON ISSUES OF ARMED SAFETY OFFICERS ON CAMPUS, MASK WEARING AND COVID ANTIBODIES, TRANSGENDER SPORTS RULES AND FINANCIAL HELP FOR KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY ON DAY 29 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

A LOT GOING ON TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WE BEGIN FIRST WITH A MEASURE BUILDING ON THE INTENT OF A SCHOOL SAFETY LAW IN 2019, TO HAVE ARMED ON-SITE POLICE OFFICERS.

KENTUCKY SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH THE STATE'S SCHOOL SECURITY MARSHAL IF THERE ARE ISSUES WITH FINDING OR AFFORDING SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

JEFFERSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN KEVIN BRATCHER IS THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 63.

>> THIS IS NOT AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.

HOUSE BILL 63 IS NOT AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.

IT IS JUST A GREAT NEW STEP TO ACHIEVE WHAT THE ORIGINAL SENATE BILL 1 WANTED ALL THE TIME AND THAT IS SAFETY IN OUR SCHOOLS >> SEVERAL DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY DELEGATION ROSE TO URGE THE MEASURE'S DEFEAT AND EXPRESS THE NEED FOR LOCAL DECISION MAKING WHEN IT COMES TO SRO'S.

THEY CONTEND IT WOULD BE TOO COSTLY TO GET THE MORE 150 PEACE OFFICERS THE DISTRICT WOULD NEED TO SATISFY THE NEW LAW, IF THEY COULD EVEN FIND THEM.

>> WE HAVE A LOCALLY -- SCHOOL BOARD IN JEFFERSON COUNTY 7 TO ZERO DECIDED THAT THE SAFETY PLAN NOT ONLY MET THE NATURE OF THE LAW THAT WE HAD IN PLACE AND IT WAS ALSO THE APPROPRIATE PLAN.

SO, I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS MEASURE IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL CONTROL.

>> AS ALL OF US FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY WILL TELL YOU, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH L AND PD OFFICERS RIGHT NOW SO THE FACT THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PUT ONE OF THOSE OFFICERS IN EVERY SCHOOL OR HAVE SOMEONE TRAINED IS UNREALISTIC FOR US.

>> YOU'RE -- WE'RE NOT SAYING WE DON'T WANT KIDS TO BE SAFE OR TEACHERS TO BE SAFE.

THAT IS A RED AIR RE DIVERTING THE ATTENTION FROM WHAT WE ARE SAYING.

WE WANT WRAP-AROUND SERVICES.

WE WANT KIDS TO BE SAFE.

WE WANT THEM TO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

WE DON'T WANT THEM TO BE HOMELESS.

IF WE'RE GOING TO GO THIS WAY WHERE WE'RE GOING TO CONTROL WHAT LOCAL SCHOOLS DO FROM FRANKFORT THEN WE NEED TO PUT THE MONEY WITH IT AND WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY NEED AND LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS INSTEAD OF OUR OWN OPINION >> REPRESENTATIVE SAMARA HEAVRIN OF GRAYSON SHARED HER EXPERIENCE WITH SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS WHO CAN BE THE TRUSTED SOURCES THAT OFFER KIDS MORE THAN JUST PHYSICAL PROTECTION.

>> TRULY, I FELT SAFER KNOW AN S ARE.

O WAS THERE.

THEY WERE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY THEY MADE RELATIONSHIPS AND HELP WITH COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS.

I HEAR FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE GENERALLY ONE SPECIFICALLY BUT THAT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WE BUILD COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OFFICERS.

WE HAD THIS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DEFUNDING POLICE.

THIS IS A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

THEY DIDN'T JUST TALK ABOUT ISSUES OF SCHOOL SHOOTINGS.

THEY TALKED ABOUT DRUGS IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHAT TO LOOKED FOR, ALL SORTS OF THINGS AND EDUCATED US.

I THIS THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AND VITAL TO THESE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS IN OUR DISTRICTS >> HOUSE BILL 63 CLEARED THE HOUSE 78 TO 17.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

POSITIVE COVID-19 ANTIBODY TESTS COULD SOON BE CONSIDERED EQUIVALENT TO VACCINATIONS ACROSS KENTUCKY, IF A RESOLUTION PASSED IN THE SENATE TODAY GETS FINAL APPROVAL.

UNDER SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 80, THE STATE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECOGNIZE POSITIVE COVID-19 ANTIBODY TESTS AS EQUIVALENT TO VACCINATION.

ON THE SENATE FLOOR, WINCHESTER DOCTOR RALPH ALVARADO SPARRED WITH LOUISVILLE PHYSICIAN KAREN BERG OVER THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE BILL.

>> RECOGNIZE COVID RECOVERY OR VACCINATIONS TO BE EQUIVALENT.

THERE ARE EMERGING STUDIES SHOWING THAT PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD NATURAL INFECTIONS PROVIDE PROTECTION PERHAPS EQUAL OR SUPERIOR YOR AT TIMES.

>> WE COULD PASS THE SENATE RESOLUTION TODAY THAT SAYS POTATO CHIPS ARE JUST AS HEALTHY FOR YOU AS AN APPLE.

AND WE COULD PASS THAT RESOLUTION, WE COULD ALL VOTE YES TO IT.

IT DOESN'T MAKE IT TRUE.

THIS WE DO NOT HAVE THE SCIENCE ON THIS DATA >> SJR-80 REQUIRES ANTIBODY LEVELS FROM TESTING TO BE EQUIVALENT TO PEOPLE IN THE 20TH PERCENTILE OF IMMUNIZATION ANTIBODY LEVELS, IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED EQUIVALENT TO VACCINATION.

YATES ALSO SPOKE AGAINST THE MEASURE.

HE SAYS THE EXPERTS HE'S TALKED TO DON'T AGREE WITH THE MEASURE.

>> YOU THINK THIS IS COMMON SENSE, RIGHT IF YOU HAVE ANTIBODIES BUILT UP ENOUGH YOU WOULD BE PROTECTED OF I HAVE HOURS OF CONVERSATIONS WITH EXPERTS WHO SAY WE DON'T HAVE THE DATA OR PROOF TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

WHEN WE PUT OUT FIGURES WE CAN'T BACK I THINK IT'S BEYOND NEGLIGENT, ALMOST RECKLESS >> SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 80 PASSED THE SENATE ALONG PARTY LINES WITH 28 PASS VOTES, 6 NO VOTES AND ONE PASS.

GRAYSON DEMOCRAT ROBIN WEBB WAS THE LONE PASS VOTE.

MORE COVID-RELATED DEVELOPMENTS IN FRANKFORT TODAY.

A CRITTENDEN COUNTY REPUBLICAN MAINTAINS THAT THE PROBLEMS BROUGHT ON BY MASKS FAR OUTSIZE THE BENEFITS OF WEARING THEM IN SCHOOLS.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE LYNN BECHLER HAS A PLAN TO MAKE FACE COVERINGS OPTIONAL IN DAY CARES, PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.

HIS HOUSE BILL 51 STATES THAT NO STATE LAW, ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION, EXECUTIVE ORDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE, SCHOOL BOARD POLICY OR SCHOOL POLICY SHALL REQUIRE THE WEARING OF ANY TYPE OF FACIAL COVERING ON ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL PREMISES, ON SCHOOL-SPONSORED TRANSPORTATION OR AT A SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENT IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19.

THE MEASURE ALSO APPLIES TO PUBLIC POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS BECHLER SAYS LEARNING SLIDES, SPEECH DELAYS AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES ARE ALL STEMMING FROM MASK WEARING.

>> PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE PRESIDENT'S HOME STATE AND OREGON, NONE OF THEM HOT BED OF CONSERVATISM HAVE ANNOUNCED EPPED TO SCHOOL MASK MANDATES.

THERE HAVE BEEN STUDIES THAT SHOW THAT MASKS DON'T WORK IN LESSENING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 EVEN OUR OWN UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE HAS REPORTED THAT.

PARENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION REGARDING MASKS THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

COLLEGE STUDENTS CAN VOTE FOR PRESIDENT, SHOULDN'T THEY ALSO BE ALLOWED TO MAKE THEIR OWN MASKING DECISION?

>> DEMOCRATS AND EVEN SOME REPUBLICANS QUESTIONED WHETHER LAWMAKERS WOULD BE SENDING MIXED MESSAGES ABOUT LOCAL CONTROL OR HOME RULE WHEN IT COMES TO MASK MANDATES.

ROB WEBER OF THE KENTUCKY ACADEMY OF SCIENCE THAT HAS OVER 4,000 MEMBERS CONSISTING OF COLLEGE FACULTY AND STUDENTS.

WEBER ASKED THE COMMITTEE TO REJECT THE BILL AND CONTINUE ALLOWING MASKING POLICIES AT COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS TO KEEP FACULTY SAFE.

>> RECENT DATA IN KENTUCKY HAS SHOWN PEOPLE IF SCHOOLS DAILY ARE ARE MO SUSCEPTIBLE TO CONTRACTING COVID-19 THAN THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

GUIDED BY SCIENCE WHEN DECISIONS ARE MADE ON MASKING POLICIES.

I'M PROHIBITING THE ABILITY TO REQUIRE MASKS WOULD REMOVE ONE THE LAYERED STRATEGIES THAT HELPS KEEP STUDENTS IN SCHOOL AND LEARNING AND WE'RE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF EVEN MORE EDUCATORS LEAVING THE PROFESSION IF THEY FEEL THEY'RE AT GREATER RISK FOR COVID-19 >> KRISTIN WORTHEN OF OLDHAM COUNTY TESTIFIED AGAINST THE BILL.

SHE HAS TWO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN AND A 4-YEAR-OLD WHO IS MEDICALLY FRAGILE.

>> >> THIS IS THEO.

THIS IS MY SON.

HE IS 4.

HE' NOT OLD ENOUGH TO BE VACCINATED YET.

IT'S ASTOUNDING TO ME THAT WE HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME WITHOUT MASKS DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT THEM THIS SCHOOLS ANYMORE THAN WE HAVE TO.

I DON'T WANT THEM TO BE IN PLACE PERMANENTLY BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE NUMBERS OF COMMUNITY SPREAD ARE HIGH ENOUGH TO WHERE WE ABSOLUTELY NEED THEM.

IF YOU ALL WANT TO TIE THE DECISION OF WHETHER MASKS CAN BE IN SCHOOLS TO PUBLIC HEALTH MARKERS TO REASONABLE PUBLIC HEALTH MARKERS, FANTASTIC.

BUT TO TAKE AWAY THIS PROTECTION FROM MY FAMILY, TO TAKE AWAY PIE CHILDREN'S ABILITY TO ATTEND SCHOOL BY ADVOCATING FOR THIS BILL, YOU'RE ACTIVELY ADVOCATING AGAINST MEDICALLY FRAGILE KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES >> FOR SOME OPPOSING OR CONFLICTED LAWMAKERS ON THE EDUCATION PANEL, BYPASSING LOCAL CONTROL OVER SUCH MASKING POLICIES THEY COULDN'T REASON.

>> FRANKLY, 16 YEARS HERE OF -- LOCAL CONTROL ON ALMOST EVERY IF NOT EVERY SITUATION.

YOU KNOW WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO MY FRIEND THE SPONSOR, I'VE TALKED TO THE THREE SUPERINTENDENTS THAT I REPRESENT.

ONE DISTRICT IS GOTTEN RID OF IT ALREADY.

ANOTHER ONE TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF THE MANDATE.

AND ANOTHER ONE IS ISN'T FULL WILL I OPERATIONAL.

PROBABLY WILL BE FOR A WHILE YET TO COME.

AND I RESPECT THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THEIR ABILITY TO DO WHAT THEY FEEL LIKE IS BEST FOR THEIR DISTRICT.

>> I'M A "YES" VOTE FOR TODAY BECAUSE I THINK IT THAT THIS MERITS MORE DEBATE SINCE THERE IS A LOT OF DISPUTE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES ABOUT THIS.

I'VE NEVER REALLY SEEN IN MY TIME HERE A MATTER BECOME SODY VICIVE IN THE INTEREST OF RIGHTS VERSUS HEALTH.

AND SO I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FURTHER DEBATE THAT WE'RE LIMITED IN THIS COMMITTEE MEETING.

>> WE KNOW THAT DOZENS OF SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS ARE IS PLAYERS WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

WE ALSO KNOW THERE'S A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON BLACK AND LATINX PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY AS WELL AS REALITY OF VACCINE APART APARTHEID WHERE IT WASN'T AVAILABLE IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES LIKE MEAN MINE.

WE SAW SCHOOL DISTRICTS CLOSE BECAUSE OF COVID-19 OUTBREAKS.

THIS IS ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH NOT THEIR PERSONAL PREFERENCES.

NOTHING WORKS IN FIGHTING COVID-19.

TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT'S THE NECESSARY RSM MESSAGE WE'RE SEEFL.

>> AID CON SIT WENT COME TO ME OR DAY WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO KEEP KIDS IN PERSON.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO KEEP KIDS IN PERSON.

THIS A MAFNG VERSUS AN MTI.

ALL THE EVIDENCE ABOUT MASK WEARING AND HARMS IT'S ANECDOTAL.

WHAT'S NOT ANECDOTAL IS MTI BEING A DETRIMENT.

THAT'S WHY I'M NO VOTE TODAY TO KEEP LOCAL CONTROL AND MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING -- MAKING SURE WE'RE KEEPING KIDS IN PERSON >> AS HE CAST A "YES" VOTE IN THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE JAMES TIPTON SAID HE WAS SYMPATHETIC TO CONCERNS ABOUT LOCAL CONTROL BUT ALSO BELIEVES BALANCE IS NEEDED AS HE SAYS LEARNING DEFICITS HAVE DEEPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> I WANT TO CONTINUE TO STUDY THIS ISSUE.

LIKE THE RESPONSIBLE OR OF THE BILL MENTIONED AN REPRESENTATIVE, I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT ON LEARNING ACROSS OUR STATE.

IN 2019 THIRD GRADE PREP READING PROFICIENCY SCORES WITH 52.7.

WE DID NOT TEST IF 2020.

BUT THE 2021 READING PROFICIENCY SCORE WAS 29.8.

WE ALL UNDERSTAND ESPECIALLY FOR EARLY LEARNERS THE IMPORTANCE OF THOSE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS LEARNING TO MAKE THOSE SOUNDS TO UNDERSTAND THOSE SOUNDS.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF THINGS TO CONSIDER HERE >> LAST FALL, STATE LAWMAKERS, IN A SPECIAL SESSION, VOTED TO PUT AN END TO STATEWIDE MASK MANDATES.

HOUSE BILL 51 ADVANCED FROM THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE ON A VOTE OF 12 TO 7 AND NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE MEMBERSHIP.

A SECOND BILL ON BANNING TRANSGENDER GIRLS OR BIOLOGICAL BOYS WHO IDENTIFY AS FEMALE FROM PARTICIPATING IN GIRLS' SPORTS IS ON THE MOVE.

THERE ARE TWO THINGS, IF YOU WILL, PEGGED TO MEASURE RELATING TO TRANSGENDER ATHLETES - DEPENDING ON WHICH SIDE OF THE ISSUE ONE IS ON.

IT'S EITHER "SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS" OR "LET THE CHILDREN PLAY."

THIS MEASURE, HOUSE BILL 23, DOESN'T APPLY TO K-5TH GRADES, BUT FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO POSTSECONDARY ED.

LAST WEEK, THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE ADVANCED A SIMILAR MEASURE.

REPRESENTATIVE RYAN DOTSON, OF WINCHESTER, IS THE SPONSOR OF HB 23.

>> SECTION 1 PARAGRAPH G- 156.070 DEFINES HOW SEX IS DETERMINED.

FIRST OF ALL, YOU CAN USE AN ORIGINAL UNEDITED BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

IN IN CASES WHERE BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS EDITED AS THERE ARE TIMES THAT DOES HAPPEN, AT TIME MOTHER DOESN'T DECLARE THE PATERNITY.

IN OTHER STATES THAT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR TO DECLARE SEX AT BIRTH.

SO IN THOSE CASES THEN A SWORN AFFIDAVIT FROM A PHYSICIAN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE, A PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT OR CHIROPRACTORROR IS SUFFICIENT.

ANY INDIVIDUAL CAN PARTICIPATE ON A BOY'S OR CO-ED TEAM BUT THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION SPECIFIES GIRLS' TEAMS.

KHSAA DOESN'T HAVE THE PURVIEW TO HEAR ANY CHALLENGES REGARDING BIOLOGICAL MALES PARTICIPATING IN AN ALL-GIRLS SPORTS >> CAROL FRANZEN OF INDEPENDENCE, THE MOTHER OF THREE BOYS, AND HIGH SCHOOL SWIM COACH FOR 9 YEARS.

HAS BEEN OUTSPOKEN ON THIS ISSUE FOR FOR SOME TIME SHE, TOO, FRAMES THIS AS A MATTER OF FAIRNESS IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

>> WE MIGHT AS WELL THROW TITLE IX IN THE TRASH.

WOMEN SPENT DECADES FOR FAIRNESS AND INCLUSION.

AND WE ARE ABOUT TO GO DOWN THAT PATH AGAIN.

WE ARE TAKING AWAY A WOMAN'S ABILITY TO COMPETE FAIRLY AND HAVE SUCCESS.

AS I SAID BEFORE WE CANNOT NEGATE THE PRODUCES -- THE PROGRESS OF THOUSANDS OF FEMALE ATHLETES TO CONSOLE THE FEW.

GIRLS ARE BEING CUT FROM TEAMS BECAUSE BOYS ARE -- THEIR SPOTS >> FEMALE ATHLETE AND WHITFIELD ACADEMY SENIOR HALLI GRAVLEY IS KEEPING GIRLS SPORTS FOR GIRLS ONLY IS IMPORTANT TO HER, SHE SAYS, BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN A FIGURE SKATER SINCE AGE 8 AND DOES COMPETITIVE SWIMMING.

>> A MALE SWIMMER CURRENTLY COMPETING ON THE WOMEN'S TEAM FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA FIRST COMPETED FOR THREE YEARS ON THE MEN'S TEAM AND RANKED NUMBER 462 NATIONALLY.

TODAY, LEAH RANKS NUMBER 1 AND IS CRUSHING FEMALE ATHLETES' TIME BY 38 SECONDS.

THIS IS DEVASTATING FOR FEMALE ATHLETES WHO HAVE TRAINED FOR YEARS TO BEAT RECORDS, CHAMPIONSHIP SECURE THEIR SPOT ON A COLLEGIATE TEAM THE.

OUR ACADEMIC FUTURES AND SCHOLARSHIPS ARE ON THE LINE >> IN ADDITION TO LGBTQ ADVOCATES, TRANSGENDER KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS WHO TESTIFIED TODAY AS THEY DID AT A SENATE HEARING LAST WEEK ON A MEASURE IN THAT CHAMBER, A STUDENT AT LOUISVILLE COLLEGIATE SCHOOL, REESE RAGLAND VOICED HER OBJECTIONS.

RAGLAND IS A STATE CHAMPION RUNNER AT LOUISVILLE COLLEGIATE SCHOOL.

SHE BELIEVES TRANSGENDER ATHLETES SHOULD NOT BE BARRED FROM GIRLS' SPORTS.

>> HOUSE BILL 23 BANS A CERTAIN CLASS OF ATHLETES.

TRANSGENDER GIRLS SPECIFICALLY FROM COMPETING.

IT HURTS GIRLS THAT ARE ALREADY VULNERABLE AND LIMITS THEM FROM EXPERIENCING ONE THE GREATEST STAGES OF THEIR LIFE AT THE FULLEST.

PLEASE KENTUCKY LET THE CHILDREN PLAY.

IN MANY OF THE SPORTS OFFERED TO GIRLS OF ALL IN FAVOR AGES HERE, I AM UNFAMILIAR WITH ANY TRANS GIRLS OUTPERFORMING THE CIS GENDER GIRLS TO BRING THIS CONCERN TO THE STATE.

I FRANKLY FIND THIS BILL TO BE SELFISH WITH HOLD A GROUP OF WOMEN AND GIRLS FROM DREAMING AND EXPRESSING THEMSELVES FREELY NOT JUST IN SCHOOL BUT SPORTS AS WELL >> THE ACLU OF KENTUCKY'S JACKIE MCGRANAHAN SAYS BANNING TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS CONSISTENT WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND VIOLATES TITLE NINE - A FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAW THAT PROTECTS PEOPLE FROM DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES THAT RECEIVE FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

>> BY SINGLING OUT TRANSGENDER WOMEN AND GIRLS AND ENACTING A SWEEPING BANNON PARTICIPATION IN ATHLETICS, THIS HOUSE BILL 23 WOULD VIOLATE BOTH THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND TITLE IX OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.

THIS LEGISLATION WOULD NOT ONLY HARM KENTUCKY CHILDREN BUT IT'S A WASTE OF TAX DOLLARS.

OTHER STATES THAT HAVE PASSED SIMILAR LAWS ARE CURRENTLY FACING LITIGATION IN FEDERAL COURT AND THESE -- AND THESE CASES ARE CURRENTLY -- IT'S INJUNCTION SO IT'S NOT, THEY'RE NOT DETERMINED.

THE OUTCOME ISN'T DETERMINED YET.

WE'RE STILL WAITING.

THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL NATURE OF THESE LAWS.

WHEN A STATE ENACTS UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAWS AND LOSES IN COURTS, THE TAXPAYERS FOOT THE BILL >> HOUSE BILL 23 ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE ON A VOTE OF 13 TO 6.

IT'S NOW EXPECTED TO LAND ON THE FULL HOUSE DOCKET FOR A VOTE BY THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP.

THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE TODAY VOTED TO LOAN $23 MILLION TO KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY IN FRANKFORT, AS THE UNIVERSITY DEALS WITH CONTINUING FINANCIAL PROBLEMS.

REPRESENTATIVE JAMES TIPTON IS ONE OF THE BILL'S SPONSORS.

HE SAYS WITHOUT THE MONEY, KSU WOULD BECOME FINANCIALLY INSOLVENT IN LATE MARCH, AND THAT WOULD HURT CURRENT AND FUTURE STUDENTS.

THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, REPRESENTATIVE JASON PETRIE, SAYS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NEEDS ANSWERS ABOUT WHY THIS HELP IS NECESSARY.

>> SOMEHOW, SOME WAY UNDER SOME SET CIRC P STANCES YET UNKNOWN FULLY DISCLOSED THERE IS A $23 MILLION SHORTFALL IN CURRENT YEAR.

THERE IS A BOARD, THERE IS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SOME SORT WITH WHATEVER TITLE.

THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES SOMEHOW, SOME WAY SOMETHING EITHER DIDN'T HAPPEN TO ALMOST DEGREE OF MALFEASANCE IF NOT CLEAR.

OR SOMETHING DID HAPPEN ALMOST TO THE DEGREE OF OR MAYBE NOT CRIMINAL.

THERE'S $23 MILLION SHORTFALL CURRENT YEAR.

QUESTION FROM ME AS I SCRATCH MY HEAD AND GO, HOW?

IS IT OVER A 15-YEAR PERIOD?

JUST A SLIGHT BIT OF DEGREE OVER TIME?

COULD BE.

DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE.

NOW, I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO ADJUDICATING OR ATTEMPTING TO ADJUDICATING THE HOW.

I WILL LEAVE THAT THE TO PEOPLE FORENSIC CLI INVESTIGATING.

THAT'S A QUESTION IN FRONT OF A LEGISLATOR I CAN'T AVOID.

NOW, DOES THAT MEAN THAT KSU WE SHOULDN'T WORK TO MAKE IT SUCCEED IF THERE IS ANY WAY POSSIBLE?

NOT JUST TO SUCCEED BUT TO MAKE IT THRIVE?

NO, WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR THAT.

AND YES, WE DON'T WANT TO DWELL ON THE PAST BUT WE DON'T WANT TO REPEAT THOSE MISTAKES, EITHER IN THIS INSTITUTION OR ANOTHER ONE.

SO, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE BILL COMING FORWARD.

MY COMMENTS AS BEING A NO VOTE BECAUSE I WILL BE A YES.

I DO HAVE TO STATE THAT QUESTION REMAINS STRAIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FACE AND I CAN'T AVOID IT.

I WONDER HOW IN THE WORLD $23 MILLION SHORTFALL OVER A FAIRLY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME GOES UNNOTICED AND WE'RE HERE WITH HOUSE BILL 250, AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MAKING A CURRENT YEAR APPROPRIATION THAT IS A HUGE QUESTION MARK FOR ME >> TIPTON SAYS THE BILL REQUIRES TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM KSU.

THE KENTUCKY COUNCIL ON POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION WOULD OVERSEE HOW THE LOAN IS IMPLEMENTED.

DR. AARON THOMPSON, PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL, SAYS KSU'S FINANCIAL PROBLEMS CAME IN JUST THE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> I WAS PRESIDENT THERE IN 2016-17.

WE HAD A BALANCED BUDGET.

WE HAD MONTH ANY RESERVES SO THIS HAS LAPPED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT.

IN THAT, WE HAVE SEEN SELF THINGS.

I CONSIDER LEGITIMATE.

THERE WAS MONEY SPENT ON BUILDING THE STUDENT INFRASTRUCTURE TO HELP THEM TO GROW, LEGITIMATE.

THERE WERE A LOT OF ITEMS I WOULD CONSIDER VERY ILLEGITIMATE AND Y'ALL KNOW I'M STRAIGHTFORWARD IN MY WORDING IN THAT REGARD.

THERE WAS MONEY SPENT USELESSLY.

THERE WAS NO BOUNDS IN THE MONEY.

THERE WAS NO WAY OF THINKING ABOUT EXACTLY HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE IN THE BANK.

SO THERE WERE THINGS BOUGHT THAT PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN BOUGHT.

THERE WERE STATUES PUP UP THAT MAYBE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN PUT UP.

I HAVEN'T SEEN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN OUR WORK BUT I WILL TELL YOU THERE HAS BEEN MISSPENDING OVER A LEVEL OVER A 3-YEAR PERIOD OF TIME, 2 1/2 YEAR PERIOD OF TIME NEITHER YOU OR I WOULD SPEND FROM OUR BANK ACCOUNT.

SO THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE QUICKLY IDENTIFIED THAT WE CAN FIX, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IT FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONTINUE TO GROW WITH, NOT -- IT'S NOT TWO SENTENCES YOU ASK ME FOR.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GROW WITH BECAUSE WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT STUDENT INFRASTRUCTURE UP.

SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GETTING THIS SOLVENT THIS YEAR BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT EVEN IN OUR KOWTS HOW WE STRATEGICALLY INVEST IN THOSE THINGS WE NEED TO CONTINUE.

THERE'S LOT MORE IN THAT REPORT THAT YOU'VE SEEN THAT WE SPELLED OUT VERY CLEARLY.

TRANSPARENCY IS THERE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I FEEL TOTALLY GOOD ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY LIFT.

IF I TOLD YOU THAT WE CAN DO EVERYTHING THAT I THINK WE SHOULD DO IN THREE YEARS, I THINK I WOULD BE LYING TO YOU IF I THOUGHT THAT WE COULD DO EVERYTHING.

BUT I TELL YOU THIS, WE CAN GET THEM BACK IN A WAY THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GROW AND CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE WITHOUT OTHER INTERVENTION AS FAR AS GETTING IT STABLE ANYWAY.

WE MAY ASK FOR MONEY DOWN THE ROAD AN HOW WE STRATEGICALLY HELP IT DO THE THINGS LIKE WE HAVE DONE WITH THE STATE POLICE BUT THAT WILL BE AS FAR AS WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE STATE >> THE COMMITTEE PASSED THE BILL, SENDING IT ON TO THE FULL HOUSE.

THIS IS A $23 MILLION LOAN, ALTHOUGH THE LOAN COULD BE FORGIVEN, IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY LATER VOTED TO DO SO.

THE HEALTHCARE SHORTAGE IN KENTUCKY DIDN'T START WITH COVID, BUT THE PINCH HAS BEEN FELT EVEN MORE SO SINCE THE DISEASE ONSET, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO NURSES.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS JOINED SENATOR ROBBY MILLS, CHAIR OF THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE, THIS AFTERNOON TO ANNOUNCE THE INTRODUCTION OF SENATE BILL 10.

THE BILL AIMS TO ALLEVIATE THE NURSING SHORTAGE ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH BY LIFTING RESTRICTIONS ON NURSING PROGRAMS, MAKING CHANGES TO THE KY BOARD OF NURSING AND MORE.

SENATORS RALPH ALVARADO AND DONALD DOUGLAS ALSO JOINED THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO EXPRESS THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE LEGISLATION.

>> WE HAVE A MAJOR SHORTAGE OF NURSES.

THE VARIOUS TEACHING INSTITUTIONS THAT WE HAVE ARE NOT ABLE TO UPGRADE OR INCREASE THEIR NUMBERS OF ADMISSION.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THOSE ARTIFICIAL CAPS OFF.

IF THEY NEED AN 80%AGE PASSAGE RATE ON THEIR EXAM OVER A 5-YEAR ROLLING AVERAGE OF 80%, THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AS MANY STUDENTS IN THEIR CLASSES AS THEY WANT TO HAVE AND CAN HAVE.

WE'RE GOING TO CODIFY WHO CAN TEACH NURSING CLASSES.

THE BIGGEST CHANGE THERE IS IF YOU HAVE YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN NURSING AND WORKING TOWARDS YOUR MASTER'S DEGREE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TEACH ALL LEVELS OF NURSING.

OUT-OF-STATE LICENSES ARE GOING TO BE ACCEPTED AS WELL.

THEN ALSO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PROCESS FOR FOLKS THAT ARE FOREIGN-TRAINED NURSES THAT PASS THE NCLEX TEST OR ANOTHER CGFNS TEST THAT WILL BE ABLE TO COME STRAIGHT TO WORK.

FINALLY, WE'RE GOING TO RESTRUCTURE THE KENTUCKY BOARD OF NURSING.

WE'RE GOING TO PUT TERM LIMITS ON THE BOARD MEMBERS, LIMIT THEM TO 12 YEARS OF SERVICE.

WE'RE GOING TO ESTABLISH -- THIS IS A UNIQUE THOUGHT -- WE'RE GOING TO ESTABLISH GEOGRAPHIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE BOARD MEMBERS.

>> I THINK THIS LEGISLATION IS GOING TO HELP US RESTRUCTURE HOW THINGS ARE DONE, ADDRESS THIS VERY ISSUE THAT HE WITH DON'T PUT ARTIFICIAL BARRIERS.

LET OUR EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL STINS I TOOTION OTHER FIELDS OF HEALTH CARE TO DETERMINE HOW MANY PEOPLE THEY CAN TRAIN.

>> I THINK WE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE NURSES CERTAINLY WOULD TALK ABOUT THIS, WE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF SOME OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR INPUT.

>> WE HAVE HAD QUITE A BIT OF INPUT FROM MANY DIRECTION TO SAY COME UP WITH THIS FINAL PRODUCT AND INCLUDED SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER >> WE'LL REPORT ON SENATE BILL 10 AS IT MAKES ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 29 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 YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT AN ODD TIME 11: EASTERN TIME, 10:10 CENTRAL TIME AFTER PBS PROGRAMMING FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

10 TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON.