MEASURE THAT AIMS TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

SCHOOL BOARDS COULD BE REQUIRED TO ALLOW PUBLIC COMMENTS.

AND A MEASURE TO PREVENT PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS FROM RECEIVING THE DEATH PENALTY, YO ON DAY 21 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SES GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPD I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

THE SENATE PASSED SENATE BILL 8, A BILL DESIGNED TO HELP KENTUCKY FIGHT HIGH RATES OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

THE BILL WOULD EXPAND PREVENTION SERVICES.

IT WOULD MEAN MORE RESOURCES FOR CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS AND CLOSES LOOPHOLES IN KENTUCKY'S CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LAWS.

ITS LEAD SPONSOR IS SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS.

>> AS YOU ALL HAVE HEARD ME SAY MANY TIMES IN IN CHAMBER BEFORE, CHILD WELFARE WELL LONGS TO ALL OF US.

WAL ALL PLAY A ROLE.

SO, MR. PRESIDENT, THE PURPOSE OF SENATE BILL 8 IS TO ADDRESS KENTUCKY'S STATE OF CHILD WELFARE MATTERS AND TO PURPOSEFULLY AND THOUGHTFULLY EXPAND CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION SERVICES.

KENTUCKY HAS LED THE NATION IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS, AND EVEN WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS WE HAVE SEEN REPORTS ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN CHILD FATALITIES AND NEAR FATALITIES IN KENTUCKY OVER THE PAST YEAR.

WHILE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS MADE GREAT STRIDES IN FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION ISSUES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, OUR APPROACH HAS BEEN PIECEMEAL.

SO THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN WAY TOO LONG THAT A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW HAS OCCURRED WITH REGARD TO OUR GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE, OUR STATUTES, AND OUR REGULATIONS.

WE ARE ALL AWARE OF THE OVERWHELM WORKFORCE WE HAVE WITH OUR SOCIAL WORKERS IN DCBS, AND MANY OF THESE ISSUES THAT ARE PRESENT IN THIS SPACE WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS IN OUR CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.

THE SENATE BILL 8 HAS BEEN CRAFTED AS A POLICY DOCUMENT TO PRIMARILY ADDRESS CHILD WELFARE POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT WILL COMPLEMENT THESE MUCH-NEEDED INVESTMENTS.

>> Casey: ALTHOUGH SENATOR ADRIEN SOUTHWORTH VOTED YES ON THE BILL, SHE HAD SOME CONCERNS ON THE FOCUS.

>> I'M GOING TO TART START OUT WITH THE NOSE IMPORTANT PART OF THAT BILL AND WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER THE ONLY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS BILL, AND IT'S THE DEFINITION OF "NEGLECT."

NEGLECT AND ABUSE REALLY.

AND NEGLECT AND ABUSE IS NOT DIVIDE VERY WELL IN OUR STATUTE BUT IT'S DEFINITELY NOT DIVIDED WELL IN OUR PROCESS AND WHAT I AM FINDING MORE AND MORE AND WHAT APPARENTLY I JUST CONFIRMED YESTERDAY IS WE'RE SPENDING A LOT OF RESOURCES ON PERCEIVED NEGLECT AND WE'RE NOT ADDRESSING WITH A LAYERS FOCUS THE ACTUAL ABUSE.

38,000 CASES LAST YEAR, MR. PRESIDENT, THAT WERE BROUGHT FORTH THAT MET, SO-CALL MET THE STATUTORY DEFINITION NEGLECT AND ABUSE AND YET ONLY 9,000 OF THEM WERE SUBSTANTIATED AS ACTUAL NEGLECT OR ABUSE INSPECTORS THAT'S USING A WIDE LENS.

AND SO THIS NARROWS IT DOWN TO ELIMINATE POVERTY FROM THE DEFINITION OF NEGLECT, WHICH I ENTIRELY, ENTIRELY AGREE WITH.

THE PART OF THE BILL THAT GIVES ME HESITATION BUT WHICH I STILL CAN VOTE YES FOR THE GOOD THAT IT'S DOING IN DEFINITION OF NEGLECT, THE PART OF THE BILL THAT BOTHERS ME IS THAT WE HAVE WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE ALL OF THE PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, ALL OF THE LOBBYING GROUPS, ALL OF THE BIG NAME ONES WITH CAPITALMENTS ON THEIR NAMES ARE THE ONES REALLY BEING REPRESENTING ALL OF WHAT SHOULD BE THE GRASSROOTS ON THE GROUND VOICES, ACTUAL FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.

IT'S NOT THE DIRECTION I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS GOING, SO I WANT TO REGISTER THAT HERE, BUT THE DEFINITION OF NEGLECT IS OF UTMOST PORN.

THAT'S WHY I'M PASSING THE bill >> Casey: WHILE THE BILL PASSED, IT WAS NOT THAT WAS UNA IT MOVES TO THE HOUSING ON A VOTE OF 32 TO 4.

LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING TO STRENGTHEN EFFORTS T CHILDREN FROM FATALITIES AND NEAR FATALITIES.

SENATE BILL 97 WOULD ADDRESS SOME SHORTCOMINGS AFFECTING HOW THE CHILD FATAL AND NEAR FATAL EXTERNAL REVIEW PANEL DOES ITS WORK.

THE BILL'S SPONSOR, SENATOR DANNY CARROLL, DESCRIBE ONE OF THE CHANGES INCLUDED IN THE BILL.

IT WOULD REQUIRE CORONERS TO REPORT A CHILD'S DEATH TO LAW ENFORCEMENT IMMEDIATELY AND NOT WHEN IT'S PRACTICAL, WHICH IS THE CURRENT.

>> FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD THROUGHOUT THE STATE THROUGH SOME COALITION MEETINGS THAT THEY'VE DISCOVERED THAT SOMETIMES THERE ARE CORONERS WAITING TWO OR THREE DAYS TO MAKE NOTIFICATIONS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR DCBS OR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD, AND AS A FORMER INVESTIGATOR, THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY TYPE OF INVESTIGATION TWO DAYS LATER WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

THESE CASES ARE SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT CASES THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD WORK, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF EVIDENCE IS CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS IN ANY PROSECUTION, AND IF IT'S TWO DAYS LATER, IF A CHILD'S BODY HAS BEEN REMOVED WITHOUT A DETECTIVE WORKING THE SCENE, OBTAINING THE EVIDENCE, THEY COULD HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON ANY PROSECUTION.

>> Casey: IT'S NOT JUST ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

STEVE SHANNON SAYS HE'S LEARNED TOO MANY SMALL CHILDREN ARE AT RISK BECAUSE THEY DON'T SLEEP IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

>> WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS SAFE SLEEP IS A REAL PROBLEM.

I HAVE TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS.

WHEN THEY WERE BABIES, NO ONE TOLD US ABOUT SLEEPING WITH YOUR BABY.

I'M GOING TO CONFESS THIS TO EVERYONE TODAY.

OUR OLDEST DAUGHTER WHEN SHE WAS AN INFANT WOULD GET UP IN THE MIL OF THE NIGHT COUGHING.

I HAD LEARNED TO HOLD HER IN THE RECLINER, AND I COULD PUT ON THE WIZARD OF OZ AND SHADY BE QUIET AND WHEN SHE GOT I COULD IN MY SLEEP REWIND IT AND PUT HER BACK TO SLEEP THIS.

THIS IS UNSLEEP.

I DIDN'T KNOW IT.

THIS IS WHAT THE PANEL TALKS.

WE TALKS ABOUT FAMILIES ARE REALLY TOUGH PLACES AND TAD BAD THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO KIDS FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, INVALUABLE WORK AND WE PASS ON IT TO DCBS.

THEY HAVE A REALLY HARD JOB.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE ARGUMENTATIVE WITH DCBS BUT WE SHARE THAT INFORMATION, AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO, AND WE MEET ONCE A MONTH.

EVERY TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR IN OUR HOURS WE GO OVER THESE CASES AND TALK ABOUT AWFUL THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO KIDS IN KENTUCKY THAT HOPEFULLY WE CAN STOP TALKING ABOUT THOSE AT SOME POINT IS REALLY THE objective >> Casey: DCBS REFERS TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY-BASED THE SENATE HEALTH & WELFARE CHEAT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE BILL, MOVING IT TO THE FULL SEN PEOPLE CONVICTED OF A MISDEMEANOR COULD EVENTUALLY APPLY TO HAVE THEIR RECORD CLEARED IF SENATE BILL 33 BECOMES LAW.

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS: SEX CRIMES AND CRIMES INVOLVING CHILDREN.

A PERSON WOULD HAVE TO GO FIVE YEARS AFTER THEIR SENTENCE OR PROBATION ENDED WITHOUT COMMITTING ANOTHER CRIME IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE.

IT'S TEN YEARS FOR ANYONE WHOSE MISDEMEANOR COULD BE TREATED AS A FELONY.

SENATOR DANNY CARROLL VOTED FOR THE BILL DESPITE CONCERNS ABOUT SOCIETY BECOMING TOO LENIENT WITH CRIMINALS.

>> WE ARE COMING TO A POINT WHERE WE NO LONGER HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN SECOND CHANCES, HOWEVER, SOME OF THE BLANKET POLICIES THAT WE PASS RELATED TO CRIMES, RELATED TO EXPUNGEMENT ARE GOING TO COME BACK AND HAUNT US IN THE FUTURE, AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT IN THAT WE WILL SEE CRIME RATES ON THE RISE AND THE PEOPLE, OR PEOPLE WILL BE AT RISK BECAUSE OF IT.

IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION WITH A MISDEMEANOR CRIME, EVEN THOUGH IT IS ENHANCEABLE TO A FELONY, IF SOMEONE GOES TEN YEARS WITHOUT HAVING BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME, I WOULD SAY THE ODDS OF THEM COMMITTING OR BEING CONVICTED OF A CRIME AFTER THAT ARE VERY, VERY SLIM, AND BECAUSE OF THAT AND BECAUSE THE SENATOR HAS BEEN SO COOPERATIVE AND ALLOWED ME TO WORK WITH HIM ON THIS LEGISLATION, I CAST MY AYE VOTE.

>> Casey: THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE 32 TO 4 WITH FOUR REPUBLICANS VOTING AGAINST it THE SENATE ALSO PASSED A MEASUR THAT WOULD PREVENT PORCH PIRATING OR THE THEFT OF DELIVERIES FROM DOOR STEPS.

SENATE BILL 23 GIVES PRIVATE DELIVERY COMPANIES, LIKE UPS AN FEDEX, THE SAME PROTECTIONS AS THE U.S. POST OFFICE.

SCHOOL BOARDS MAY BE REQUIRED TO LEAVE TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AT MEE HOUSE BILL 121 REQUIRES SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS TO HAVE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

HOUSE EDUCATION CHAIR REGINA HUFF SAYS SCHOOLS SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS TO THE PUBLIC.

>> MANY BOARDS ALREADY WELCOME PUBLIC INPUT, AND THOSE THAT ARE ALREADY DOING SO CAN CONTINUE TO DO SO JUST AS THEY ARE NOW AS LONG AS THEY HAVE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.

HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME DISTRICTS THAT HAVE CLOSED THE DOOR TO THE PUBLIC.

SINCE FILING THE BILE BILL, I'VE HEARD FROM SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS VARYING DISTRICTS THAT WEAPON OF OUT THAT SHARED THE EXPERIENCE BEING DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

THIS SIMPLY ENSURES THAT THE BOARD IS AVAILABLE FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.

ACCESS TO BOARD OF EDUCATION IS LIMITED.

THEREFORE ACCESSIBILITY IS LIMITED FOR CONVERSATION.

I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL BOARD MEMBERS, AND THEY HAVE SHARED THAT THEY PREFER TO BE ADDRESSED COLLECTIVELY AS A BOARD.

THIS BILL SIMPLY ENSURES THAT OPPORTUNITY WHILE GIVING THE PUBLIC THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK ON ISSUES.

THE BOARD CAN ALLOW MORE THAN 15 MINUTES.

THAT IS TOTALLY UP TO THEM.

IN OUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS WE OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK, AND WE HAVE OFFICE HOURS, AND LISTENING TO CONCERNS OF THOSE WE REPRESENT IS IMPORTANT.

SECURITY OF THE BOARD ARE IN COMMITTEE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP THE PUBLIC OUT SHOULD THERE BE SECURITY CONCERNS, I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITHOUT BEING LOCKED OUT WOULD GO A LONG WAY AND MAKE IT A MORE PEACEFUL SITUATION.

>> Casey: LOUISVILLE SENATOR LISA WILLNER SAYS LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS NEED FLEXIBILITY TO CANCEL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS IN CASE OF SAFETY CONCERNS.

SHE CITES THE NUMBER OF THREATS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS HAVE RECEIVED OVER THE PAST YEAR AS COMMUNITIES STRUGGLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND ON EDUCATION ISSU SHE FILED AN AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 121 THAT WOULD ALLOW BOARD TO PASS OVER PUBLIC COMMENTS FO SAFETY CONCERNS.

HOUSES BILL 121 SPONSOR HUFF CALLED THE FAILED AMOUNTED A, QUOTE, LOOPHOLE.

>> I THINK WE'RE ALL AWARE THAT OVER THE PAST YEAR THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DISRUPTIVENESS IN SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS, NOT JUST IN KENTUCKY, NOT JUST IN JEFFERSON COUNTY WHERE I LIVE, BUT REALLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT'S BEEN WIDELY REPORTED THAT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS HAVE HAD DEATH THREATS LEVELED AGAINST THEM AND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS HAVE GOTTEN REALLY OUT OF CONTROL.

I KNOW THAT, AGAIN, IN JEFFERSON COUNTY THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE SAID THAT A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WAS SIMPLY NOT SAFE, NOT ONLY FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS BUT FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WERE IN THE AUDIENCE, INCLUDING STUDENTS, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO OFTEN COME TO ADDRESS THE BOARD, AND AT LEAST IN JEFFERSON COUNTY THOSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TOBY HEARD HAVE LONG BEEN WELCOMED.

>> WHILE I AGREE SECURITY IS VERY IMPORTANT, I THINK THIS IS JUST ANOTHER LOOPHOLE OF TRYING TO SHUT UP AND SILENCE THE MEMBERS FROM BEING HEARD.

I THINK IF YOU -- IF THIS PASSES, THEN THE SCHOOL BOARD SHOULD HAVE THE SECURITY AVAILABLE THERE SO UNTIL BE A SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL.

I THINK THE MOB MENTALITY IS WHEN YOU SHUT THE DOOR.

SO I DON'T SEE THIS AS A NEED OR A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE SECURITY, AND AS I SUGGESTED SRO ORS AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE THAT CAN BE USED DURING TIMES SUCH AS this >> Casey: THE AMENDMENT WAS VOTED DOWN 20 TO 65.

REPRESENTATIVE TINA BOJANOWSKY PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOUL REQUIRE GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE MEETINGS TO HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

IT WAS RULED NOT GERMANE TO THE BILL.

REPUBLICAN ADAM KOENIG VOTED AGAINST THE MEASURE, SAYING IT HAD NEVER BEEN NEEDED BEFORE.

>> OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A WELL-MEANING AND WELL-INTENTIONED MEASURE THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE IN A LOT OF WAYS, AND EVERY ELECTED GROUP, WHEN IT BE A SCHOOL BOARD OR OTHERS, SHOULD PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT FOR AS LONG AS PEOPLE NEED WITHIN REASON.

BUT WE'VE HAD SCHOOL BOARDS HERE FOR -- I DON'T KNOW -- WELL OVER 100 YEARS, AND WE'VE NEVER HAD TO FILE THIS MEASURE TO REQUIRE THIS BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS BEEN WELCOMED.

WE DON'T REQUIRE THIS OF ANY CITY, ANY COUNTY, ANY SCHOOL BOARD, ANY FIRE DISTRICT, ANY OTHER TAXING DISTRICT ANYWHERE.

IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE A FEW BAD ACTORS, NOT JUST HERE IN KENTUCKY BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHO MAKE A MOCKERY OF THE SYSTEM FRANKLY, ARE OBNOXIOUS AND THREATENING, AND I'M CERTAIN THAT WHEN WE GET BACK TO SOME NORMALCY, THIS WON'T BE A PROBLEM.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 121 PASSE THE HOUSE 66 TO 24.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

LAST YEAR 181 KENTUCKIANS DIED IN COLLISIONS INVOLVING DRUNK DRIVERS.

TO SHED MORE LIGHT ON THOSE CASES, LAW ENFORCEMENT COULD BE ALLOWED TO ORDER SEARCH WARRANTS FOR BLOOD TESTS IN DUI CASES.

REPRESENTATIVE PATRICK FLANNERY SAYS HE BROUGHT HOUSE BILL 154 BECAUSE OF A KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT RULING BARRING PROSECUTOR FROM MENTIONING A DEFENDANT'S REFUSAL TO TAKE A BLOOD TEST IN.

>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES, IT ALLOWS IN WHICH THIS IS THE ONLY CRIME IN KENTUCKY THAT A SEARCH WARRANT CANNOT BE OBTAINED AT THIS TIME UPON A SHOWING OF PROBABLE CAUSE.

IT ALLOWS A SEARCH WARRANT TO BE ISSUED IN ALL DUI CASES CURRENTLY THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE MET TO QUALIFY.

THERE HAS TO BE EITHER A DEATH OR A PHYSICAL INJURY.

SO IT STRIKES THAT LANGUAGE AND WILL ALLOW IT UPON THE APPROVAL OF A JUDGE.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 154 PASSE THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

THAT SAME COMMITTEE TOOK UP A MEASURE THAT WOULD PREVENT PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS FROM GETTING THE DEATH HOUSE BILL 269 WOULD PREVENT PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH A SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS FROM RECEIVING THE DEATH PENALTY, ONLY IF THAT DIAGNOSIS COMES BEFORE COMMITTING THE CRIME.

THE MEASURE IS SIMILAR TO ONE SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE CHA MCCOY IN 2021 THAT PASSED THE HOUSE BUT DIED IN THE SENATE.

LAST YEAR'S BILL WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR DIAGNOSIS OF A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS AFTER TH CRIME HAD BEEN COMMITTED.

MCCOY SAYS HE MADE THE CHANGE TO GET THE BILL THROUGH THE SENATE AND TO MAKE WHAT HE CALL AN INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENT.

TWO LOUISVILLE REPUBLICANS, JAMES NEMES AND KEVIN BRATCHER, HAVE DIFFERING OPINIONS ON MAKING CHANGES TO WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THE DEATH PENALTY.

>> IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DIAGNOSIS AT THE TIME OF THE -- THAT YOU COMMIT THE CRIME BUT IT'S OBVIOUS THAT YOU HAVE A MILNE, THAT YOU CAN APPROVE AFTER THE FACT THAT YOU'VE HAD FOR A LONG TIME, THEN YOU SHOULD STILL -- THE STATE STILL SHOULDN'T KILL YOU.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT DIKE NODES BEFORE THEY COMMIT CRIMES WHO STILL SHOULDN'T BE KILLED.

I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS BILL BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A MOVE FOSTERED.

IT'S NOWHERE NEAR WHAT WE NEED, EVEN IN THE AREA OF MENTAL HEALTH.

WITH RESPECT TO THE DEATH PENALTY MORE GLOBALLY, IT'S FISCALLY VERY UNSOUND POLICY, .

TWO-THIRDS OF OUR DEATH PENALTY CONVICTIONS IN KENTUCKY ARE OVERTURNED ON APPEAL.

THAT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE.

AND IF THAT DOESN'T SHOW YOU THE POTENTIAL FOR MISTAKE AND IN EXECUTING THE WRONG PERSON, I DON'T KNOW WHAT DOES.

I WILL ALSO NOTE THAT IT IS NOT THE STATE'S ROLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE TO END A LIFE, FROM NATURAL CONCEPTION TO NATURAL DEATH.

WE NEED TO END THE DEATH PENALTY IN KENTUCKY.

>> I DO BELIEVE IN THE DEATH PENALTY.

I THINK THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN CRIMES THAT EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM, NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY NOW, WOULD SAY YES, I BELIEVE IN THE DEATH PENALTY.

THE MIND CAN ONLY GO SO FAR UNTIL YOU FIND THAT YES VOTE.

YOU SAID THAT THIS IS JUST A FIRST STEP.

I HOPE IT'S THE ONLY THE FIRST TYPE.

12 PEOPLE ON A JURY HAVE TO AGREE BEFORE SOMEONE IS PUT TO DEATH.

JUST THINK HOW HORRIBLE THAT CRIME MUST BE TO YOUR LOVED ONES, MY LOVED ONES OR SOMEBODY'S LOVED ONES.

SO TO SAY THAT THE STATE HAS NO BUSINESS DOING THIS, THEN LET'S GET RID OF SELF-DEFENSE BECAUSE THIS IS DELAYED SELF-DEFENSE.

>> Casey: BRATCHER ALSO VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.

HOUSE BILL 269 CLEARED THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND IS UP FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FULL HOUSE THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ALSO PASSED HOUSE BILL 48, A MEASURE THAT WOULD MAKE SWATTING, PRANK CALLS TO EMERGENCY SERVICE LINES IN HOPE OF DISPATCHING A LARGE NUMBER O OFFICERS, A FELONY.

ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES COULD HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THEIR DECOMMISSIONING BEFORE THEY'RE EVEN BUILT.

HOUSE BILL 392 SETS FOR HOW ELECTRIC GENERATORS WIL HAVE TO DISMANTLE THEIR FACILITIES AFTER THE END OF ITS RUSSELL SPRINGS REPRESENTATIVE JOSH BRANSCUM SAYS HIS BILL AIM TO PROTECT LANDOWNERS AND THEIR.

>> THE PURPOSE OF ON HIS BILL 392 IS TO ESTABLISH STATE LEVEL DECOMMISSIONING AND FINANCIAL ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR SOLAR MERCHANT, ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES TO PROTECT LANDOWNERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES WHERE FACILITIES ARE LOCATED.

TO BUILD PRESERVES AND PROTECTS PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF LANDOWNERS.

AT A SURES THAT IMPORTANT DECISIONS REGARDING LARGE SCALE SOLAR DEVELOPMENTS ARE DECIDED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND IF NO LOCAL PLANNING AND ZONE REQUIREMENTS OR ORDINANCES ARE IN PLACE, IT CREATES A STACH HERO BACKSTOP ESTABLISHING REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES TO BE APPLIED BY THE KENTUCKY SITING BOARD, AND IT STRIKES A REASONABLE BALANCE BETWEEN ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT IN RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ASSURING THAT KENTUCKY FARMLAND IS PROTECTED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, AND THAT IS THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THIS BILL, TO PROTECT OUR LANDOWNERS.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 392 REQUIRES ELECTRIC GENERATORS ON DECOMMISSION TO REMOVE UNDERGROUND COMPONENTS TO THE FACILITY AND RETURN THE LAND TO A SIMILAR STATE AS BEFORE CONST.

TOM FITZGERALD FROM THE KENTUCK RESOURCES COUNCIL SAYS HE APPRECIATES THE WORK PUT TOWARD THE BILL BUT WANTS LEGISLATORS TO CONSIDER HOW THE BONDING PROCESS FOR DECOMMISSIONING WOULD WORK.

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE INPUT FROM THE LANDOWNERS AS TO WHETHER THAT DECOMMISSIONING BOND, BOTH IN ITS AMOUNT, WHICH NEEDS TO INCLUDE NOT JUST THE CAUSE OF DECOMMISSIONING BUT THE ACOSTA OF A THIRD PARTY DECOMMISSIONING SO THERE'S SOME ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEAD THERE BECAUSE LOOK A MINING BOND OR ANY OTHER KIND OF BOND, IF YOU DEFAULT, SOMEBODY ELSE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE HIRED TO DO THE JOB YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO DO, AND SO THERE ISN'T ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS THERE THAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED.

THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE COST THAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED AND ADDED TO COST OF THAT BOND IN CASE YOU DEFAULT.

THE SECOND IS THE FORM OF BOND EACH CITY REVIEWED.

IT SAYS THAT E. ANOTHER TYPE OF SECURITY.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT TYPE OF SECURITY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

IT CERTAINLY CAN'T BE A CELL PHONE.

WE'VE GOT SOME HORRIFIC EXAMPLES OF SELF-BONDING IN OTHER INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE FAILED WHEN THE COMPANIES THEMSELVES HAVE FAILED OR DON'T HAVE THE CAPITAL ANY LONGER TO LIVE UP TO THEIR COMMITMENTS.

>> Casey: BRANSCUM SAID DURING THE MEETING HE WOULD WORK WITH FITZGERALD ON SOME OF THE ISSUE HE RAISED DURING THE LOCAL HOUS LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE MEET HOUSE BILL 392 PASSED AND IS UP FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE HOUSE.

RECENT NATURAL DISASTERS HAVE LED TO IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT RECORDS BEING LOST AND A BILL HEARD IN COMMITTEE TODAY SEEKS TO HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT AREN'T ABLE TO RECREATE THOSE d RICHMOND REPRESENTATIVE DEANNA FRAZIER GORDON SAYS HER MEASURE WILL REQUIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT T TRY TO REPLACE OR RECREATE THE .

>> IN RECENT YEARS KENTUCKY HAS SUFFERED MUCH DAMAGE FROM FLOODS, TORNADOES, AND STORMS OF ALL KINDS.

THIS LEGISLATION PUTS IN PLACE OPTIONS TO REPLACE INFORMATION WHEN A LOCAL GOVERNMENT MADE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO REPLACE OR RECREATE A LOST, DAMAGED OR DESTROYED RECORD.

IN INCLUDES TAMPERED RECORDS AND THOSE LOST THROUGH RANSOMWARE OR CYBER attacks.

>> Casey: BRYANNA CARROLL FROM THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES EXPLAINS HOW THE PROCESS WOULD WORK WHEN DOCUMENTS ARE LOST BECAUSE OF NATURAL DISASTERS OR CYBER ATTACKS.

>> THE MORE RECORDS MOVED TO ELECTRONIC FORMATS, THE MORE LIKELY THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE LOST TO RANSOMWARE OR SEIB EBB ATTACKS.

DESPITE REDUNDANCIES IN OFF-SIGHT STORAGE, MANY OF THESE RECORDS ARE IR RELAYSABLE.

HOUSE BILL 351 REQUIRES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE GOOD FAITH ATTEMPTS TO REPLACE AND RECREATE THESE LOST, DAMAGED OR DESTROYED RECORDS BY CONTACTING THE INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY IN CHARGE OF PRODUCING OR STORING THE RECORD, RECREATING THE RECORD IN THE DATA IS AVAILABLE, SEEKING A COPY FROM AN INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY THAT HAS ONE.

IF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CANNOT REPLACE OR RECREATE THE RECORD, OFFICIALS COULD FILE AN AFFIDAVIT THAT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: THE STATUTORY CITATION REQUIRING TRANSMISSION OF A RECORD, A DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE RECORD WAS LOST, DAMAGED OR DESTROYED, STEPS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TOOK TO TEAM TO RECONSTRUCT THE RECORD, AND ANY DATA THE CITY HAS BEEN ABLE TO RECONSTRUCT.

THE GOAL IS ALWAYS TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY.

HOWEVER, THE REALITY IS SOMETIMES THAT THE RECONSTRUCTING DECADES OF EVERYBODY PUBLIC RECORDS MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE.

THAT IS WHAT THIS BILL ADDRESSES.

AND ALLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO FILE THIS AVENUE AFFIDAVIT WILL HELP ENSURE THEY DID NOT MISS OUT ON VITAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED THE MOST.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 351 PASSE THE HOUSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE AND HEADS TO THE HOUS LEGISLATORS ARE LOOKING TO PUT PARAMETERS ON ACCELECOM, THE EXCLUSIVE WHOLESALER OF THE NETWORK BUILT BY KENTUCKYWIRED.

FORMER GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR ESTABLISHED A PROJECT THAT AIME TO BRING HIGH SPEED INTERNET TO ALL 120 KENTUCKY COUNTIES OVER SEVEN YEARS AGO.

THE TASK WAS COMPLETED IN EARLY 2021, AND THE STATE CONTRACTED WITH LOUISVILLE OOH BASED A SELL COME TO ACT AS THE middleman BETWEEN THE STATE-OWNED NETWORK AND INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS.

IN TODAY'S HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MEETING, REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP PRATT SAID THOSE SMALL INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS, OR ISPs AS THEY'RE OFTEN CALLED, ARE AFRAID THAT KENTUCKYWIRED IS TAKING THE BEST CUSTOMERS, AND HURTING THE CHANCES FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO GET ACCESS TO BR.

>> AT KENTUCKYWIRED OR SUBSIDIARIES IS GOING TO KEEP THE PROMISES THEY MADE WHEN THEY FIRST DEVELOPED THIS FIVE YEARS, SEVEN YEARS AGO, I BELIEVE IT WAS, I WAS WHICH I THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO BUILD A BACKBONE 1 THEY WERE GOING TO DO WHOLESALE, AND THEY WERE GOING TO THE UNSERVED, UNDERSERVED AREAS.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS BILL SAYS, THAT THEY CAN BUILD THE BACK DON'T BOWNE.

WHILE THEY CAN KEEP THE BACKBONE, THEY CAN SELL WHOLESALE ALL DAY LONG BUT THEY CANNOT GO AND CHERRY PICK OFF THE BEST CUSTOMERS FROM RIS EXCISIONING TELECOM COMPANIES.

WITH THAT, THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AS WE TRY TO PUSH BROADBAND OUT TO THE UNSERVED/UNDERSERVED AREAS.

ANYBODY THAT'S IN BUSINESS QUICKLY REALIZES THAT IF YOU GO AND TAKE SOMEONE EAST BEST CUSTOMERS, THERE'S LESS INCENTIVE, LESS PROFIT AND IT'S GOING TO DISINCENTIVIZE BROADBAND OUT TO THOSE AREAS THAT DESPERATELY NEED THIS.

>> Casey: PRATT SAYS THE GOAL IS TO LIMIT WHERE KENTUCKYWIRED THROUGH ACCELECOM, CAN PROVIDE SERVICE BY CLARIFYING LANGUAGE IN STATUTE.

HOUSE BILL 294 SPEC KENTUCKYWIRED CAN WORK IN UNSERVED AREAS BY PROVIDING WHOLESALE NETWORK ACCESS.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS FOR THE CABLE AND BROADCAST ASSOCIATION FOR THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE KENTUCKY TELECOM ASSOCIATION EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT KENTUCKYWIRED ENCROACHING ON SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS DEMONSTRATED REPEATEDLY THAT REACHING RURAL KENTUCKY WITH FAST, RELIABLE BROADBAND SERVICE IS A PRIORITY.

AND THAT WAS THE INITIAL PROMISE OF KENTUCKYWIRED, TO BRING BROADBAND TO MORE RURAL KENTUCKY.

BUT IT'S CLEAR NOW THAT KENTUCKYWIRED'S FOCUS IS ON SERVING LARGE BUSINESS CUSTOMERS IN URBAN AREAS RATHER THAN REACHING THE UNSERVED HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN RURAL KENTUCKY.

THE WELL-DOCUMENTED DELAYS AND UNFORESEEN EXPENDITURES HAVE BALLOONED THE COST OF WHAT WAS INTENDED TO BE A $30 MILLION INVESTMENT BY KENTUCKY TAXPAYERS TO NEARLY $1.5 BILLION AT A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE.

AND RATHER THAN PROVIDING LAST MILE SERVICE TO RESIDENTS, THE NETWORK IS USING SUBSTANTIAL TAXPAYER INVESTMENT TO PROVIDE DUPLICATIVE SERVICES IN WELL-SURFED URBAN AND SUBURBAN AREAS.

HOUSE BILL 294 TAKES A MEANINGFUL STEP TOWARDS ENSURING THAT KENTUCKYWIRED IS FOCUSED ON FULFILLING ITS INITIAL PROMISE TO KENTUCKIANS.

>> AS A SELL COME CONTINUE TO BID ON PROVIDING LAST MILE BROADBAND SERVICES, IT REMAINS A CONCERN THAT MANY OF THESE PROJECTS DO NOT FALL IN AREAS THAT ARE DEEMED UNSERVED.

HB 294 SEEMS TO REMEDY THAT BY HAVING ACCELECOM FOCUS THE LEASE, AND SELLING OF THEIR WHOLESALE NETWORK SERVICES TO UNDER SERVED AREAS.

PLEASE UNOUR MEMBER COMPANIES, NOT ANTICOMPETITION.

OUR MEMBERS COMPETE WITH CABLE, BROADBAND PROVIDERS, UTILITY PROVIDERS, WIRELESS PROVIDERS AND SATELLITE PROVIDERS IN MANY OF THE AREAS WE SERVE IN KENTUCKY.

HOWEVER AFTER REPEATEDLY BEING TOLD FORE YEARS THAT KENTUCKYWIRED NOT COMPETE WITH PRIVATE SERVICE PROVIDERS, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE MECHANICS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO UNDERSTAND ACCELECOM IS DOING JUST that >> Casey: HOUSE BILL 294 PASSED THE HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMITTE IT NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE.

LAST NIGHT, MOREHEAD REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD WHITE COLLAPSED IN THE STATE CAPITOL ANNEX.

HIS FAMILY SAYS HE WAS SENT TO A HOSPITAL IN FRANKFORT BEFORE BEING FLOWN TO LEXINGTON FOR FURTHER TREATM HIS FELLOW HOUSE MEMBER DAVID HALE SAYS HE HAS SPOKEN TO WHITE'S WIFE AND GAVE AN UPDATE ON HIS CONDITION TODAY ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> MY LAST CONVERSATION WITH HIS WIFE WAS ABOUT U.

1:00 P.M. TODAY, AND SHE SAID THAT HE WAS STABLE AT THAT POINT AND WAS ALERT AND DEAL ACTUALLY HE HAD ASKED HER TO ASK ME IF HE WON ABLE TO CAST VOTES ON THESE BILLS THAT HE WAS GOING TO MISS UNTIL HE GOT BACK HERE.

AND I TOLD HER TO INFORM HIM THAT WE WOULD WORK ON THAT LATER ON, FOR HIM JUST TO WORK ON HIS HEALTH.

>> Casey: WE WISH REPRESENTATIVE WHITE A SPEEDY R THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE OF DAY 21 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

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