>> A RESPONSE TO TEACHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY COMES OUT OF A SENATE COMMITTEE.

KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS WANT TO LEGALIZE AND TAX WEED.

AND, A MEASURE PROTECTING PERSONAL INFORMATION OF SOME PUBLIC OFFICIALS GETS ACTION ON DAY 31 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE SENATE EDUCATION CHAIRMAN INSISTS A REVISED VERSION OF A BILL ON TEACHING HISTORY IN SCHOOLS IS NOT TELLING TEACHERS WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T TEACH OR WHAT KIDS CAN OR CANNOT LEARN.

TAYLOR COUNTY REPUBLICAN MAX WISE UNVEILED THE LATEST ITERATION OF HIS SENATE BILL 138 TODAY THAT IS DUBBED THE TEACHING AMERICA'S PRINCIPLES ACT.

HIS MEASURE WAS TRIGGERED BY CONTROVERSY OVER CRITICAL RACE THEORY CURRICULUM.

CRT IS NOT BEING TAUGHT IN KENTUCKY'S K-12 SCHOOLS BUT OUTCRIES ABOUT CRT ABOUND AS SOME PARENTS FEAR WHAT THEY PERCEIVE AS INDOCTRINATION INTO A PARTICULAR WORLDVIEW.

WISE SAYS THE PURPOSE OF HIS BILL IS TO PRESERVE ALIGNMENT OF MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STANDARDS WITH AMERICAN PRINCIPALS OF EQUALITY, FREEDOM AND PERSONAL AGENCY.

>> ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTION I GOT, WHY DID YOU FILE THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF BILL?

WHY DO WE NEED THIS AT THIS TIME OF OUR COUNTRY'S SITUATION, OUR ACCOUNT OF OUR STATE, QUESTIONS SUCH AS THAT.

AMADE NATIONAL AND STATEWIDE TENSION THAT IS SEEM TO BE FURTHER DIVIDING US, I'M DRAFTING A BILL WITH ATTEMPT TO UNIFY.

LET'S SEASON OUR STATE'S ACADEMIC STANDARDS WITH AMERICAN PRINCIPLES.

ORIGINAL CORE DOCUMENTS, ANALYZE AND HISTORICAL ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES AND DEVELOP AS THE NEXT GENERATION OF KENTUCKY CITIZENS >> WISE CITED STUDIES THAT LESS THAN ONE-QUARTER OF AMERICAN 12TH GRADERS ARE PROFICIENT IN CIVICS AND ONLY 12% ARE PROFICIENT IN U.S. HISTORY.

THOSE ARE STATS HE SAID HE COULD ATTEST TO WHEN HE WAS AN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT PROFESSOR AT CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY.

HE SAID HE INCORPORATED FEEDBACK HE HEARD ABOUT HIS MEASURE INTO A REVISED VERSION THAT HE SAYS CLARIFIES HIS INTENTIONS.

HE SAYS HE REWROTE PORTIONS OF THE ORIGINAL BILL THAT CRITICS CLAIMED RESTRICTS DISCUSSION ON CONTROVERSIAL, HISTORICAL ISSUES LIKE SLAVERY.

>> ALTHOUGH THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY NOT THE ORIGINAL INTENT THE BILL, I WILL AGREE THE ORIGINAL WORDINGING WAS CONFUSING.

THEREFORE, TO CLARIFY MY INTENT FOR MOW OPEN CLASSROOM DISCUSSION, DELETES THE WORD IMPARTIAL REGARDING DISCUSSION OF CONTRO VERSE CONTROVERSIAL ASPECTS OF HISTORY OR OPPRESSION OF PEOPLE OF THE AS SOMEONE WHO TAUGHT IN THE CLASSROOM BEFORE, I WELCOME THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

I WANT THOSE DISCUSSIONS TO BE THERE.

PARENTS ALSO WANT THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

SO WE DO NOT WANT TO TELL A TEACHER AND OUR REMOVING THE WORD IMPARTIAL TO ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION OF CURRENT EVENTS AS CONTROVERSIAL AS THEY MAY OR MAY NOT BE >> WISE'S MEASURE CALLS FOR >> WISE'S MEASURE CALLS FOR THE TEACHING OF MORE THAN TWO DOZEN DOCUMENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY SUCH AS THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL BY MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND A SPEECH BY RONALD REAGAN IN THE 1964 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN ON BEHALF OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE BARRY GOLDWATER, CALLED "A TIME FOR CHOOSING."

INCLUDING REAGAN'S SPEECH PERPLEXED PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATE AND PARENT LUCY WATERBURY WHO TESTIFIED AGAINST WISE'S BILL, AS DID MANY OTHERS, BEFORE THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THIS MORNING.

>> THE REAGAN OF MY YOUTH WAS GOSH A CHIEF DON'T TEAR DOWN THIS WALL.

BARRY GOLDWATER 0 VOTED AGAINST THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL, AND HE WAS AGAINST SCHOOL INTEGRATION.

SO, I'M STRUGGLING A BIT TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULDN'T STATUTE THAT PARTICULAR PIECE.

>> MY EDUCATION IS NOT A POLITICAL TOOL TO BE MESSED WITH FOR PARTISAN GAIN.

THE HISTORY I WANT TO BE TAUGHT IS TRUTH.

THE PURPOSE OF HISTORY SHOULD BE TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT THE PAST AND TO LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST PROVIDING AN HISTORY THAT WASHES AWAY ANYTHING UNSAVORY OR ATTEMPT TO SAY PLAIN IT AWAY AS HAVING NO BARRING ON THE PRESENT TO MAKE STUDENTS COMFORTABLE IS SUB STANDARD EDUCATION >> BUT 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENT TIMOTHY KING AT MORE GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SAID HE CAME TO BELIEVE THAT A CERTAIN MENTALITY WAS TAUGHT IN THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - A MENTALITY VICTIMHOOD THAT KEPT STUDENTS FROM ACHIEVING AT HIGH LEVELS.

>> MY OPINION STUDENTS ARE BEING TAUGHT CRITICAL RACE THEORY AS AN EXCUSE CERTAIN STUDENTS OF DIFFERENT RACES ARE NOT HELD TO THE SAME STANDARDS ARE 0 EXPECTATIONS.

AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE BEING TAUGHT THERE ARE NOT ABLE TO I CHIEF GOING TO COLLEGE, GOOD CAREER BECAUSE THE WHITE MAN AS AFRICAN AMERICAN MAIL MY FAMILY TAUGHT ME IF I WANT TO ACHIEVE ANYTHING I HAVE TO PUT MY FAITH IN GOD AND PUT MY MIND IN IT >> WHEN THE VOTE WAS TAKEN ON MAX WISE'S REVISED SENATE BILL 138, DEMOCRATS REPEATED SOME OF THOSE ARGUMENTS AND DENOUNCED ANY ATTEMPTS TO WHITEWASH HISTORY.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHY WE CREATE THIS BOGEYMAN OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND NOW WE'RE BUYING INTO THAT HERE IN KENTUCKY BECAUSE WE DON'T TEACH CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN OUR K-12 SCHOOLS.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHY WE HAVE TO CALL LOR THE BOGEYMAN OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY BLACK.

I'M TROUBLED BY THAT.

THAT FEEDS INTO RACISM THAT EXISTS ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

>> WE HAVE A SOCIETY THAT HAS PROBLEMS ROOTED IN OUR PAST.

THEY ARE VISITED UPON US NOW.

SO WE CAN COME TOGETHER, FACE THOSE THINGS AND THEN WE CAN WORK TOWARD A BETTER SOCIETY BECAUSE AFTER ALL, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS A MORE PERFECT UNION.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS IT, A GREAT EXPERIMENT.

I THINK IF WE GO INTO THIS WITH RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER AND NOT BE AFRAID OF THE PAST, DISCUSS IT OPENLY AND ACCURATELY AND AS TRULY AS WE CAN BE, THEN I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE BETTER AS A COUNTRY >> THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE VOTED 9 TO 4 TO ADVANCE THE HISTORY INSTRUCTION MEASURE TO THE SENATE FLOOR FOR A VOTE BY THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP.

KENTUCKY IS LEAVING TENS OF MILLIONS ON THE TABLE WHEN IT COMES TO MARIJUANA CLAIM DEMOCRATS WHO ARE BACKING BILLS TO LEGALIZE, REGULATE AND TAX WEED.

DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATORS MORGAN MCGARVEY AND DAVID YATES JOINED TOGETHER WITH DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE RACHEL ROBERTS TO ANNOUNCE NEW LEGISLATION KNOWN AS "L.E.T.T.

'S GROW."

IF PASSED, THE BILL WOULD LEGALIZE MARIJUANA USE IN THE STATE, ERASE MISDEMEANOR CONVICTIONS FOR POSSESSION, AND MORE.

DAN SEUM, JR., SON OF FORMER REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR DAN SEUM, ALSO JOINED THE LEGISLATORS TO EXPRESS HIS SUPPORT.

>> WE'RE GOING TO LEGALIZE EXPUNGE LOW LEVEL OFFENSES, TREAT, PROVIDE MONEY FOR TREATMENT, AND THEN TAX IT.

>> WHEN ENACTED THIS LEGISLATION WOULD SAY CONTROL A BOARD.

BOARD WITH MIRROR THE WORK OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL.

ESTABLISH AND ENFORCE REGULATIONS FROM SEED TO SALE.

A SEPARATE SOCIAL IMPACT COUNCIL WOULD USE STATE PROCEEDS DEVELOP AND ADMINISTER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS AND AID WARD GRANTS TO GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED OR ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY SUBSTANCE USE.

UNDER EXPUNGEMENT THE LEGISLATION WOULD REMOVE MISDEMEANOR CONVICTIONS AUTOMATICALLY WITHIN A YEAR.

COULD PETITION COURT TO ACT SOONER.

IT WOULD ALLY THE 6% SALES TAX TO ADULT USE WHILE ALLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO SAY LICENSE FEES UP TO 5%.

CITIES AND COUNTIES WOULD BE ABLE TO SPLIT THAT LICENSE REVENUE.

>> THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS A WRAPAROUND APPROACH THAT CAN PUT KENTUCKY FIRST, THAT CAN CHANGE OUR FUTURE AND CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT FILLING OUR JAILS WITH PEOPLE WHO AREN'T CRIMINALS.

>> THIS BILL PROVIDES MUCH NEEDED REVENUE FOR THE COMMONWEALTH.

IT'S A GREAT STEP TOWARDS CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM UNCLOGGING OUR JAILS WITH PEOPLE WITH LOW LEVEL DRUG CLIMBS.

THERE'S ALSO A MEDICINAL BENEFIT TO THIS.

>> IT HELPS THOSE WHO ARE SICK.

IT GIVES A SECOND CHANCE TO THOSE WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN CHARGED AND IT WOULD PUT KENTUCKY ALMOST OVERNIGHT AT THE EPICENTER OF A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS.

>> IT'S TIME TO END THIS PROHIBITION IN KENTUCKY AND GO AHEAD AND GET IT OUT OF THE BLACK MARKET, TAX IT AND USE THAT TAX MONEY TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED.

>> IT IS PAST TIME IN KENTUCKY FOR THIS DISCUSSION AND IT'S TIME NOW TO PASS THE LET'S GROW BILL >> OUTRIGHT LEGALIZATION OF WEED IN KENTUCKY HAS LOW ODDS IN THE REPUBLICAN-DOMINATED GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

REPUBLICAN JASON NEMES HAS A MEASURE AGAIN THIS SESSION TO ALLOW FOR MEDICINAL MARIJUANA BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN CALLED UP FOR COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION JUST YET.

PEOPLE IN CUSTODY AWAITING TRIAL MAY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE RELEASED UNDER A SENATE BILL HEARD TODAY IN COMMITTEE.

SENATE BILL 31 STATES PEOPLE ACCUSED OF A FELONY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A RELEASE HEARING AFTER SIX MONTHS AND PEOPLE ACCUSED OF MISDEMEANORS AFTER THREE MONTHS, IF THEIR TRIAL HASN'T STARTED.

LONDON SENATOR BRANDON STORM IS THE SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 31.

HE SAYS THE MEASURE IS MEANT TO ENSURE PEOPLE RECEIVE SPEEDY TRIALS.

>> THIS BILL ONLY DEALS WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE UNCONVICTED AND AFFORDED THE PRESUMPTIONCH INNOCENCE.

THIS BILL DOES INCLUDE 180 CLOCK FOR FELONIES.

NY 0 FOR MISDEMEANORS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN CUSTODY IF THEY'RE OUT ON BOND OR HAVE CONDITIONS OF RELEASE THEY WOULD NOT BE, YOU KNOW APPLICABLE TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

WE'VE ALSO MADE CONCESSIONS REGARDING KENTUCKY STATE POLICE CRIME LAB AND EVALUATIONS SOMETIMES CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DELAYS.

WE INCORPORATED THOSE IN THERE.

DEFENDANT CANS WAIVE THE RIGHT IT A SPEEDY TRIAL IF THEY'RE CONSULTING WITH THEIR LAWYER AND BELIEVE THAT'S IN THEIR BEST INTEREST >> SENATE BILL 31 SAYS IF THE COURT FINDS EVIDENCE THE PERSON IN DETENTION COULD POSE PHYSICAL HARM TO SOMEONE, THEY CAN REMAIN BEHIND BARS.

WHITLEY COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE PAT WHITE SAYS THERE IS ANOTHER WAY THE BILL WILL HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

HE SAYS THE STATE PAYS FOR COUNTY JAILS TO HOUSE FELONS, BUT THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE PRE-TRIAL COSTS.

THOSE DOLLARS ARE ON THE COUNTY.

WHITE SAYS RIGHT NOW, THE STATE CONTROLS THE PROCESS WHILE THE COUNTIES HAVE THE BURDEN.

>> THE JAIL COST ISSUE FOR MOST COUNTIES INCLUDING WHITLEY COUNTY IS THE ISSUE OF -- THE PRIME ARE ISSUE FOR OUR FINANCIAL CONCERNS.

JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME PERSPECTIVE, THIS YEAR ALLOW LOAN WHITLEY COUNTY AROUND 36,000 PEOPLE WILL SPEND AROUND $1.7 MILLION IN CONTRIBUTING TO JAIL COSTS AND OVER MY TENURE, THIS IS MY 16th YEAR, WE WILL HAVE LOST NEARLY $20 MILLION THAT WE CONTRIBUTE TODAY LOSSES IN OPERATION OF OUR JAIL BECAUSE THESE PRE-TRIAL EXPENSES.

THESE COSTS ARE THOT GENERATED BECAUSE OF ANY COUNTY ACTION.

THEY'RE NOT GENERATED BECAUSE OF ANYTHING THE COUNTY CONTROLS.

I THINK THAT'S OF GREAT CONCERN FOR US BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A HUGE PROPORTION OF OUR BUDGET RANGING BETWEEN 30 TO 40% OF OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET GOES TO THIS ONE SINGLE EXPENSE.

WE HAVE NO ABILITY TO ADJUST THE POLICIES AS IT AFFECTS THOSE THINGS >> THE NATIONAL TRUSTEE FOR THE KENTUCKY FOP SAYS THE BILL WON'T MAKE COMMUNITIES SAFER, AND A CAMPBELL COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE AGREES.

BOTH SAY THE BILL ISN'T ABOUT ENSURING A SPEEDY TRIAL, BUT INSTEAD ABOUT BAIL REFORM.

>> THE SOCIAL EXPERIMENT OF BAIL REFORM HAS FAILED MISERABLY ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.

YOU KNOW THIS BECAUSE CRIME IS SKYROCKETING ACROSS OUR COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY IN OUR METROPOLITAN AREAS.

I'M NOT HERE TO SAY THAT ALL OR EVERY PERSON THAT COMMITS A CRIME IS A REPEAT OFFENDER OR IS OUT ON BAIL BECAUSE THERE'S NEVER AN ALL OR EVERY IN ANY SITUATION.

WE ARE FINDING THAT THE MAJORITY OF OUR VIOLENT CRIMES ARE BEING COMMIT BODY REPEAT OFFENDERS THAT ARE OUT ON BAIL OR OUT ON EARLY RELEASE.

>> IN BILL REALLY ISN'T ABOUT A FAST AND SPEEDY TRIAL.

WHAT IT COMES DOWN IS ABOUT BAIL REFORM.

IF YOU REALLY LOOK AT THE BILL, THE BILL IS ONLY DESIGNED NUMBER 1 TO PROTECT PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CUSTODY.

CONSTITUTION PROVIDES FAST AND SPEED WRI TRIAL TO EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY DEPEND WHETHER YOU'RE IN CUSTODY OR WHETHER YOU'RE OUT OF CUSTODY.

SO IF YOU REALLY LOOK AT THE BILL WHAT IT'S TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH BASICALLY I CAN CONTINUE A CASE FOREVER, IF I HAVE GOOD CAUSE.

THERE'S NO TIME LIMIT ON HOW LONG IT TAKES ME TO TRY A CASE.

BUT IF I TRY A CASE AND I CAN'T GET IT DONE IN 180 DAYS, I'VE GOT TO RELEASE A DEFENDANT FROM JAIL.

SO A DEFENDANT CAN BE AN OBSTRUCTIONIST.

KEK DELAY, DELAY, DELAY BUT HE GETS RELEASED FROM JAIL.

SO REALLY THIS IS ALL ABOUT BAIL REFORM >> SENATOR STORM SAYS MOST OF ISSUES RAISED HAVE ALREADY BEEN FIXED IN A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE AND THAT HE IS LOOKING INTO MORE POTENTIAL CHANGES TO IMPROVE THE BILL.

VOTING AGAINST THE MEASURE, FORMER U.S. MARSHALL JOHN SCHICKEL SAYS THE BILL IS ONE OF "A PARADE OF SOFT ON CRIME BILLS."

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS DISAGREES, SAYING THE MEASURE ENSURES A SPEEDY TRIAL.

>> THE JUDGES I TALKED TO AND ALSO THE PROSECUTORS WHO DID NOT TESTIFY, THE PROSECUTORS ARE VERY MUCH OPPOSED TO THIS LAW.

THE POLICE WHO ARE VERY MUCH OPPOSED TO THIS LAW.

RECORD CRIME RATES HERE IN KENTUCKY.

WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE WE DOING PASSING A BILL LIKE THIS LOUISVILLE, THE MOST HOMICIDES IN HISTORY AND OUR ANSWER IS THIS.

OUR ANSWER TO START SECOND GUESSING OUR JUDGES AND TELLING THEM HOW TO APPLY CASE LAW.

FOR ME, THIS IS AD DAY.

>> THIS IS A BALANCED APPROACH AND I DON'T SEE THIS AS BEING SOFT ON CRIME.

I SEE THIS AS CONCLUDING THE CASE.

GETTING THE CASE OVER WITH.

IN THE MOST EFFICIENT AND TIMELY MANNER TO ME RESOLVING A CASE IS THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION TO ALL THINGS BECAUSE JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED.

AND THIS PUSHES PEOPLE TO GET THE CASE RESOLVED >> SENATE BILL 31 PASSED THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND MOVES TO THE FULL SENATE.

ANOTHER MEASURE HEARD BY THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SEEKS TO PROTECT THE PERSONAL INFORMATION OF SOME PUBLIC SERVANTS.

SENATE BILL 63 WOULD EXEMPT THE PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION, ALSO KNOWN AS PII, FROM FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS FOR POLICE OFFICERS, JUDGES, PROSECUTORS OR PUBLIC DEFENDERS, AMONG OTHERS.

THE MEASURE ALSO PREVENTS THE DISSEMINATION OF PII FOR THESE OFFICIALS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

A SIMILAR BILL PASSED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 2019, BUT WAS VETOED BY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.

SENATOR DANNY CARROLL EXPLAINS THE BILL HE SPONSORS AND SOME OF THE CHANGES MADE TO IT SINCE 2019.

>> IT ADDS PII TO THE LIST OF A PUBLIC OFFICER AND IMMEDIATE FAMILY TO THE LIST OF PUBLIC RECORDS PROTECTED FROM OPEN RECORDS UNLESS -- AND THIS IS EXISTING LANGUAGE IN THE STATUTE -- AND I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT TO THIS, UNLESS UPON ORDER FROM A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.

AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS BASICALLY IF SOMEONE IS DENIED ACCESS BASED ON THIS LAW, SHOULD THIS PASS, THEN THEY DO HAVE REMEDY THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION >> OPPONENTS OF THE MEASURE SAY IT WILL KEEP THE PRESS FROM BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE CENTRAL TO NEWS STORIES.

THE KENTUCKY PRESS ASSOCIATION OPPOSES THE MEASURE.

THEIR ATTORNEY, RICK ADAMS, SAYS KENTUCKY'S OPEN RECORDS LAW IS A NATIONAL MODEL, BUT THAT SENATE BILL 63 WOULD END THAT DISTINCTION, AND THE NEWS DIRECTOR FOR WKYT-TV IN LEXINGTON, ROBERT THOMAS, SAYS IT WOULD HURT THE ABILITY OF JOURNALISTS ACROSS THE STATE TO HOLD GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE.

>> IT IS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL BILL THAT WILL CENSOR THE PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION IF FOR THE FIRST TIME IMPOSES CIVIL LIABILITY FOR THE PUBLICATION OF TRUTHFUL INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC OFFICIALS THAT WILL UNCONSTITUTIONALLY CHILL ALL MANNER OF PROTECTED SPEECH.

IT IS FRANKLY AN ATTACK ON THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND KENTUCKIANS DUE PROCESS RIGHTS.

THE BILL IS INCREDIBLY BROAD APPLICATION CREATES FAR FAR MORE PROBLEMS THAN IT SOLVES.

BUSINESSES AND CITIZEN UNSURE OF WHAT THEY CAN SAY ARE 0 DO CONCERNING A WIDE RANGE OF KENTUCKY'S MOST PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

THE BILL IS UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE, IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERSTATE.

>> THE GOAL IN OUR REPORTING ISN'T TO GIVE SOMEONE A ROAD MAP TO FIND THE PUBLIC OFFICIAL'S HOME OR PUT THEIR LOVED ONES AT RISK.

IT'S TO CREATE CHANGE, EXPOSE WRONGDOING AN ENSURE THOSE WITHOUT A VOICE ARE HEARD.

I THINK THIS BILL WOULD HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN OUR STATE AN CREATE CHALLENGES FOR JOURNALISTS AND RECORDS CUSTODIANS, LEAD TO POTENTIALLY COSTLY LEGAL BATTLES AND GET POTENTIALLY BAD PLAYERS TO HIDE FROM THE WATCHFUL EYE >> BENTON SENATOR CARROLL SAYS THE MEASURE HAS BEEN UNFAIRLY PORTRAYED BY THE MEDIA.

HE HAD THIS TO SAY ABOUT THE OPPOSITION'S TESTIMONY.

>> THERE HAS TO BE SOME MALINTENT IN THE RELEASE OF THE INFORMATION.

IT HAS TO BE IN RESPONSE TO A DECISION OR ACTION OR TO INFLUENCE OR IMPACT ANY FUTURE ACTION TAKEN BY THE PUBLIC OFFICER AS PART OF HIS OR HER OFFICIAL DUTIES.

AND WITH THE INTENT TO INTIMIDATE, HARASS, THREATEN OR ALARM.

AND THE DISSEMINATION PLACES THE PUBLIC OFFICER OR HIS OR HER IMMEDIATE FAMILY IN REASONABLE FEAR OF PHYSICAL INJURY OR REASONABLE FEAR OF HARM TO THEIR PROPERTY.

SO, IT'S NOT QUITE AS SIMPLE AS OUR MEDIA FOLKS REPORTED.

THERE WERE SOME CHANGES IT PASSED THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

UNDER THE KENTUCKY CONSTITUTION, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE LIMITED WAYS TO RAISE MONEY, SUCH AS OCCUPATIONAL TAXES AND FEES.

CITIES, TOWNS, AND COUNTIES ARE NOT ALLOWED, FOR EXAMPLE, TO HAVE THEIR OWN SALES TAXES.

IF HOUSE BILL 475 PASSES, KENTUCKIANS WOULD VOTE ON A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THIS NOVEMBER GIVING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THE POWER TO ALLOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MORE FLEXIBILITY IN HOW THEY RAISE MONEY.

THE HOUSE ELECTIONS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS PANEL HEARD ARGUMENTS ABOUT THE BILL THIS MORNING.

REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MILLER - A CO-SPONSOR OF THE BILL - SAYS HIS CONSTITUENTS ARE WORRIED IF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN RAISE TAXES, THEY WILL.

>> WHY WON'T THIS BE THE WILD, WILD WEST, JD?

JIM, WHAT WILL MAKE IT NOT IN ADDITION TO TAX INSTEAD OF AN IN PLACE OF OR AN INSTEAD OF TAX.

CONVINCE ME AS A VOTER WHO IS GOING TO BE VOTING IN NOVEMBER.

>> FIRST, CHAIRMAN MILLER, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE THE MOST COMMON QUESTION.

IF WE PASS THIS, A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY IF WE PASS THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ARE GOING TO GO ABSOLUTELY CRAZY AND ENACT ALL TYPES OF TAXES.

AND LET M HE JUST BE VERY, VERY CLEAR.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THAT CANNOT OCCUR WITH THIS LANGUAGE.

THAT'S WHY LOOKING AT THE LANGUAGE IS IMPORTANT.

WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME UP HERE ADVOCATING FOR HOME RULE.

TRUST LOCAL DECISION-MAKING.

WE WANT HOME RULE IN TAXATION.

WE WANT FLEXIBILITY WITH TAXATION.

THIS BILL, THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, DOES NOT GRANT HOME RULE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHEN IT COMES TO TAXATION.

ALL THIS BILL DOES IS SAY THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN BY GENERAL LAW REQUIRING A STATUTE 0 SO A SUBSEQUENT ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AUTHORIZE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO DO ANY NUMBER OF TAXES THAT WOULDN'T VIOLATE THE KENTUCKY CONSTITUTION >> THE KENTUCKY RETAIL FEDERATION'S SHANNON STIGLITZ IS WORRIED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF LOCAL SALES TAXES, IF THEY DO EVENTUALLY GO UP.

>> THERE ARE COMPLEXITIES OF IF YOU HAVE CITY A HAS A SALES TAX, IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AUTHORIZES IT AND CITY B DOES NOT, CONSUMERS SHOP WITH THEIR FEET.

SO HOW THAT IMPACTS CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AND HOW THAT CREATES AN UNLEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR OUR MEMBERS.

YOU KNOW, WE COLLECT TODAY 2-POIN $3 BILLIONS IN SALES TAX FOR THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND WE EMPLOY A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF KENTUCKIANS IN JOBS, AND WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT OUR CONSUMERS -- WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE PRICE SENSITIVE.

EVERY 1% INCREASE IN THE COURSE DOES IMPACT THEIR SPENDING LEVELS >> THE COMMITTEE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE BILL, SENDING IT TO THE FULL HOUSE.

IN THE LOWER CHAMBER TODAY, THE BODY VOTED TO RESCUE THE STATE'S ONLY PUBLICLY-FUNDED, HISTORICALLY BLACK UNIVERSITY FROM FINANCIAL RUIN.

THE KENTUCKY HOUSE TODAY APPROVED $23 MILLION TO HELP IS KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY AS IT CONTINUES TO DEAL WITH STEEP MONEY PROBLEMS.

REPRESENTATIVE JAMES TIPTON SPONSORED HOUSE BILL 250.

HE SAYS WITHOUT THE MONEY, KSU WOULD BECOME INSOLVENT BY WOULD BECOME INSOLVENT BY THE SPRING.

TIPTON SAYS THE BILL REQUIRES OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY.

THE COUNCIL ON POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION WOULD OVERSEE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LOAN.

ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR DERRICK GRAHAM AND REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE BROWN PRAISED KSU AND ITS IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND ON THE COMMUNITY.

>> FOR MORE THAN 135 YEARS NOW KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN A BEAKON OF HIGHER EDUCATION BOLT IN KENTUCKY AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

IN THAT TIME, IT HAS TAUGHT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF -- THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS.

AND HAS HAD A DIRECT AND A POSITIVE IMPACT ON MILLIONS OF LIVES.

AND ONE OF THOSE LIVES IS MINE.

AND I WILL BE FOREVER PROUD BUT ALSO THANKFUL FOR WHAT KENTUCKY STATE HAS PROVIDED TO ME AND TO MY FAMILY.

AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN ALUMNUS.

I WANT TO SAY THREE THINGS ABOUT HBCUs, HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

ARE THEY NECESSARY.

I ANSWER THAT QUESTION BY SAYING, HECK YEAH.

THEY ARE NECESSARY FOR THREE REASONS.

ONE, IS THAT IT'S ABOUT THE COMMUNITY WHERE THE HBCUs ARE BUILT AND REPRESENTATIVE FROM FRANKLIN 57 TALKED ABOUT THAT, THAT HE GREW UP WATCHING KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY AS HE GREW UP.

NUMBER TWO, IT'S THE CULTURE.

AT THOSE UNIVERSITIES.

THOSE UNIVERSITIES PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEAD AND TO BE IN POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP AND THEY GO OUT FROM KENTUCKY STATE AND FROM HBCUs AND THEY LEAD AND THEY BECOME THE KIND OF PEOPLE THAT WE CAN CERTAINLY BE PROUD OF.

NUMBER THREE, IS IT'S ABOUT THE COVENANT THAT THESE UNIVERSITIES HAVE WITH THE ANCESTORS >> THE $23 MILLION IS A LOAN, WHICH COULD BE FORGIVEN, IF A FUTURE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECIDED TO DO SO.

A BILL THAT WOULD DESIGNATE REGIONS FOR THE STATE'S COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS AND REQUIRE A LICENSE FOR THE CENTERS TO PROVIDE SERVICES OUTSIDE OF THAT REGION PASSED THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES TODAY.

THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL, REPRESENTATIVE DANNY BENTLEY, SAYS THE BILL IS ABOUT MAKING SURE ALL KENTUCKIANS HAVE ACCESS TO THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THEY NEED.

>> IN HOUSE BILL 349 SIMPLY LISTS IN STATUTE THAT COUNTIES INCLUDED IN EACH REGION.

HB 349 DOES NOT PROHIBIT FROM BECOMING LICENSED AS A BEHAVIORAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION UNDER KAR 20 AND UNDER THAT LICENSE PROVIDE SERVICES SUPPORTS ANY COUNTY SERVICE AREA.

FINALLY, 349 CLARIFIES THERE IS ONLY ONE BEHAVIORAL PUBLIC SAFETY NET PROVIDED IN EACH REGION.

RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL RANGE OF SERVICES IN THE REGION AND THAT IS THE CMHC DESIGNATED FOR THAT REASON >> SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE BILL WAS STEVE SHANNON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF REGIONAL PROGRAMS, WHICH REPRESENTS 11 COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS IN THE STATE.

SHANNON SAYS THE REGIONAL MODEL INSURES EVERYONE GETS THE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THEY NEED BECAUSE IT IS BASED ON ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> I'M THE CHAMPION OF THE REGIONAL MODEL.

I WILL OWN THAT.

WE ARE A REGIONAL MODEL.

YOU WILL HAVE I HAVE IN LEXINGTON.

NEW VISTA HAS ACCOUNTABILITY IN THEIR 17 COUNTIES THAT OTHER PROVIDERS DO NOT HAVE.

THEY HAVE TO DO THINGS AS A VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT.

WESTERN KENTUCKY CENTERS RESPONDED TO THE TORNADO.

THEY'VE BEEN ON CALLS.

WE'RE DIFFERENT THAN OTHER PROVIDERS.

AND WHAT THIS BILL INTENDS TO DO IS PROTECT THAT UNIQUENESS VERSUS OUR BEHAVIOR HEALTH PROVIDERS.

BECAUSE WE DO THINGS IN COMMUNITIES THAT OTHER PROVIDERS MAY DO BUT DON'T HAVE HAVE TO DO >> THE PRESIDENT OF THE KENTUCKY HEALTH RESOURCE ALLIANCE SPOKE OUT IN OPPOSITION OF THE BILL.

THE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTS TWO COMMUNITY MEDICAL HEALTH CENTERS.

HE SAYS REQUIRING COMMUNITY MEDICAL HEALTH CENTERS TO GET A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES ORGANIZATION LICENSE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT OUTSIDE OF A DESIGNATED REGION CREATES AN UNNECESSARY BARRIER TO SERVICES DESPERATELY NEEDED BY PATIENTS.

>> REQUIRING THIS ADDITIONAL STEP IS JUST A BARRIER TO SERVICES AND PUTS UP A REGIONAL, AN ARBITRARY REGION, IF I LIVE HERE AND I GO TWO MILES DOWN THE ROAD, I'VE A CROSSED OVER INTO A NEW REGION.

I JUST NEED SERVICES.

THAT'S NOT RELEVANT TO ME WHO IT IS.

I JUST NEED ACCESS TO THOSE SERVICES >> THE BILL NOW HEADS TO THE FULL HOUSE FOR A VOTE BY THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 31 COVERAGE 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 SURE HOPE TO SEE AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT RIGHT AFTER COMMENT ON KENTUCKY AT 8:30 EASTERN, 7:30 CENTRAL FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

THANKS SO VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

TAKE GOOD CARE, AND I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT.