♪ ♪ IS NO.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Renee: A BUSY DAY IN THE STATE CAPITOL AS LAWMAKERS BARREL THROUGH LEGISLATION RELATED TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, ELECTION MATTERS, BROADBAND ACCESSIBILITY AND MORE.

ON DAY 16 OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE BEGIN OUR RECAP TONIGHT WITH THE LATEST ACTION ON A MEASURE TO KEEP THE GOVERNOR FROM FILLING A U.S. SENATE SEAT VACANCY.

UNDER HOUSE BILL 400, SPONSORED BY HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER STEVEN RUDY, THE GOVERNOR WOULD INSTEAD HAVE TO CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION P. AN TORN SOUGHT TO CLEAR HOW THE MEASURE WOULD WORK WHEN A DEMOCRAT CHALLENGED THE BILL'S LANGUAGE.

>> IT GIVES THE POWER TO THE PEOPLE TO DETERMINE IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, WHO IS GOING TO BE OUR UPS SENATOR AS IT DOES FOR CONGRESS.

AS IT EXISTS TODAY, IF A VACANCY OCCURS ANY TIME DURING A SENATOR'S TERM, THAT GOES TO THE BOF TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT WHAT THIS DOES IS VERY SIMPLE AND IT SAYS, AT NO TIME WILL WE HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO DETERMINE WHO REPRESENTS US IN THE SENATE.

IT WILL ALWAYS GO TO THE PEOPLE F. THERE IS SOMEONE THAT LEAVES OFFICE FOR ANY REASON, LEADER RUDY, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL SET A SPECIAL ELECTION AND THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY WILL DETERMINE WHO REPRESENTS THEM IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

THAT'S SIMPLE, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S ALL I WAS LOOKING FOR.

>> TAKES IT AWAY FROM ONE PERSON.

>> COVINGTON DEMOCRAT QUIZZED REPRESENTATIVE RUDY ON THE LANGUAGE OF THE BILL, UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE VOID THAT COULD BE LEFT UNTIL THE CALL OF A SPECIAL ELECTION.

HE EXPLAINED WHY HE WAS CASTING A PASS VOTE ON HOUSE BILL 400.

>> TO ME, IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT THIS BILL WILL CREATE A VACANCY UNTIL THERE IS A SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE U.S. SENATE, IF THERE IS A VACANCY, AND THAT POSITION IS TOO IMPORTANT, I BELIEVE, FOR US TO WITH HOLD THAT TIMEFRAME THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE A SITTING SENATOR.

SO I PASS AT THIS TIME.

>> Renee: HOUSE BILL HAD 0 ADVANCED WITH NO DISSENT IS VOTES BUT PASS VOTES BY TWO DEMOCRATS.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE FULL HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

THE REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE SAID HE WANTS KENTUCKIANS TO HAVE GREATER CONFIDENCE IN THE VOTING PROCESS AND REASONS THAT PAPER BALLOTS IS ONE WAY TO BOOST PUBLIC TRUST.

THE HOUSE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE GREEN LIGHTED HOUSE BILL 425 THAT WOULD TRANSITION TO UNIVERSAL PAPER BALLOTS STATEWIDE.

SECRETARY MICHAEL ADAMS SAYS AS HE CAMPAIGNED IN 2019 TO BE THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICIAL, HE FOUND BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR CASTING PAPER BALLOTS.

>> THEY WANT TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A PIECE OF PAPER THEY VOTE ON THAT IS SECURED AND CAN BE REASSESSED IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTION.

AFTER THE 2016 ELECTION, THERE WAS CONCERN AMONG DEMOCRATS ABOUT THE MACHINES BEING HACKED BY A FOREIGN POWER.

AFTER THE 2019 ELECTION THERE WAS CONCERN ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE ABOUT THE ELECTION MACHINES BEING SUBJECT TO ABUSE.

I DON'T SUBSCRIBE TO EITHER OF THOSE THEORIES, HOWEVER, I DO BELIEVE THAT ALL KENTUCKIANS WILL HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE IN OUR SYSTEM IF THEY'RE CAPABLE OF VOTING ON A PAPER BALLOT.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS NOT AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.

IT DOESN'T REQUIRE CUBTSZ TO GO OUT AND BUY NEW EQUIPMENT.

IT SAYS ONCE THEY DO BUY NEW EQUIPMENT, WHETHER THAT'S TOMORROW OR 20 YEARS FROM NOW, ONCE THEY UPGRADE THE EQUIPMENT, THEY NEED TO GET EQUIPMENT THAT'S CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A PAPER BALLOT.

>> Renee: SECRETARY ADAMS SAID PAPER BALLOTS ARE IMPORTANT ON CONDUCTING RECOUNTS.

THE FUTURE FISCAL IMPACT ON THOSE COUNTIES THAT MUST UPGRADE OR PURCHASE NEW VOTING SYSTEMS IS SIGNIFICANT ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL MANDATE STATEMENT ATTACHED TO THE BILL.

HOUSE BILL 425 WAS APPROVED BY THE PANEL THIS EVENING AND NOW MAKES ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

LOST JOBS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC OVERWHELMED KENTUCKY'S UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM.

AND THE PROCESS, SOME KENTUCKIANS WERE ASKED TO REPAY WHAT THE STATE CALLED OVERPAYMENTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

REPUBLICANS LIKE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM DAVID GIVENS AND SENATOR CHRISTIAN McDANIEL BLAME GOVERNOR BESHEAR FOR WHAT THEY PERCEIVE AS MISSTEPS.

TODAY GIVENS UNVEILED SENATE BILL 7 TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

THE MEASURE AIMS TO ADDRESS THE OVERPAYMENTS AND GIVE A PROCESS TO REQUEST A WAVER FROM THEM.

GIVENS EXPLAINED HOW PART OF THE PROCESS WOULD WORK.

>> THE CLAIMANT WHO RECEIVED THAT CHECK MUST TAKE ACTION FOR THIS WAVER TO BE INITIATED.

UPON REQUEST OF THE RECIPIENT, THE SECRETARY MAY WAVE AN OVERPAYMENT IF THE CABINET FINDS THAT THAT OVERPAYMENT WAS WITHOUT FAULT ON THE PART OF THE RECIPIENT AND WOULD BE CONTRARY, NOT WAVING IT WOULD BE CONTRARY EQUITY AND GOOD CONSCIENCE.

THEN WE PROVIDE STRUCTURE FOR HOW THE WAVER WORKS.

A 30-DAY PERIOD FOR THAT RECIPIENT TO RESPOND.

AND THEN AFTER THAT 30-DAY PERIOD, THOSE OVERPAYMENTS HAVE TO BE COLLECTED, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIRES THAT WE GO AFTER COLLECTING THOSE OVERPAYMENTS.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 7 WOULD CREATE A ONE-TIME WINDOW TO APPEAL THE OVERPAYMENT CLAIMS, CLAIMS FILED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020 AND DECEMBER 31, 2020 WOULD GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST A WAVER.

BOWLING GREEN SENATOR MIKE WILSON ASKED GIVENS ABOUT HOW THE PROCESS FOR APPEALING A NOTICE FOR OVERPAYMENT WOULD WORK FROM A PRACTICAL STANDPOINT.

>> WHEN THEY SEND OUT THE NOTICES AND THEY HAVE TO DO THEM AGAIN ONCE, PRIOR TO THIS ACT STARTING, AND THEY HAVE 30 DAYS, IS THERE GOING TO BE SOMETHING WITHIN THAT NOTICE ABOUT THEIR OVERPAYMENT THAT TELSZ THEM THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL THAT?

>> GREAT QUESTION N. CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CABINET, IT'S APPARENT THAT THEY FULLY DO INTEND TO QUALIFY THE PEOPLE THAT QUALIFY I HAVE A GOOD SENSE THAT THE CABINET IS GUIDED BY GOOD PRINCIPLES.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO REQUIRE SOME LEVEL OF RIGOR.

WE CAN'T JUST DO A BLANKET WAVER OF FORGIVENESS BUT TO YOUR QUESTION, FROM WILL BE VERY CLEAR COMMUNICATION ABOUT HOW A CLAIM CLAIMANT CAN RESPOND AND APPEAL AND START THE REVIEW PROCESS SAYING, I FEEL LIKE I DID THIS IN GOOD FAITH AND I FEEL LIKE MY OVERPAYMENT SHOULD BE FORGIVEN.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 7 SAYS THAT IF AN OVERPAYMENT CLAIM RESULTS IN A CHARGE TO AN EMPLOYER'S UNEMPLOYMENT RESERVE ACCOUNT, THAT ACCOUNT WOULD BE CREDITED WITH THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL CARES ACT.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY SENATOR CHRISTIAN McDANIEL EXPLAIN IDEA HE WAS VOTING IN FAVOR OF SENATE BILL 7 AND WHY THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED IN THE GOVERNING PROCESS.

>> BUT THE PANDEMIC HAS MADE US REALIZE THE WEAKNESS OF HAVING ONE PERSON PULL EVERY LEAVER IN SOCIETY AND IN AN ECONOMY.

WE SIT HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF AN INACCURATE POOL.

BUT WE SIT HERE TODAY WORKING WITH THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR KENTUCKIANS.

SO FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO WAX POETIC ABOUT THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE, BUT TO THE ONES THAT WANT TO TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING BEING TERRIBLE THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE, THE FACT REMAINS, THAT THE TRUTH IS SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE.

BUT WITHOUT THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CLOSEST TO THE CITIZENS, YOU SIMPLY CAN END UP WITH SOME BAD SCENARIOS, WHICH WE HAVE ENDED UP WITH.

>> Renee: THE AEND SOMED SENATE BILL 7 PASSED THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LABOR COMMITTEE 10-0.

KENTUCKY HAS LONG STRUGGLED TO IMPROVE BROADBAND ACCESSIBILITY.

A NEW PLAN TO GET AT THE LAST MILE OF HIGH-SPEED INTERNET DEEMPLOYMENT WAS ROLLED OUT IN COMMITTEE THIS MORNING.

BUT IT CAME UNDER FIRE FROM HOUSE DEMOCRATS WHO PREDICT IT WILL BE RIDDLED WITH BUREAUCRATIC SFAGS.

PHIL PRATT IS WANTING TO CREATE A NEW OFFICE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE PLAN EXPANDING INTERNET SERVICE TO THE UNDERSERVED AREAS OF THE STATE, BOTH RURAL AND URBAN.

MINORITY PARTY MEMBERS ON THE PANEL QUESTION THE MOVE TO PUT A NEW OFFICE OF INNOVATION UNDER THE AG DEPARTMENT DOMAIN CURRENTLY HELMED BY RYAN QUARLES AND THE QUESTION WHETHER THE OFFICE POSSESSES THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB.

>> ONE PART IN PARTICULAR CONCERNS ME.

I KNOW NO ONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT KENTUCKY WIRED ANYMORE.

IT HAS BEEN A DEBACLE.

BUT SO PART OF THE BILL STATES THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE UNDER THIS BILL WOULD HAVE NO AUTHORITY OR OVERSIGHT OVER KENTUCKY WIRED BUT IT ALSO REQUIRED THAT THE KENTUCKY COMMUNICATIONS FET WORK AUTHORITY,-- NETWORK AUTHORITY WHICH IS IN CHARGE OF KENTUCKY WIRED WOULD HAVE TO GET WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE BEFORE THEY SEEK, APPLY FOR, SECURE OR ACCEPT ANY FEDERAL FUNDS.

,WHICH WOULD PUT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN CHARGE OF KENTUCKY WIRED.

>> HOUSE BILL 348 FOCUSES SOLELY ON LAST MILE DEPLOYMENT, LAST MILE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

THIS BILL DOES NOT TOUCH OR OVERSEE KENTUCKY WIRED IN ANY WAY.

AND WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM ABOUT THIS AND THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE LANGUAGE IN THIS BILL AS ARE OTHER TELECOM PROVIDERS.

AND TO ANSWER THE OTHER PART OF YOUR QUESTION, WE FEEL THAT THE DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DOES HAVE A NATURAL FIT ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS BECAUSE OUR OFFICE HAS AN INTIMATE UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS OF RURAL KENTUCKY.

>> I KNOW I'M ON NUMBER 5 OF BILLS THAT HAVE REALLY FLOWN THROUGH AND GIVEN YOUR DEPARTMENT EXTENSIVE FUNDING AVENUES AND EXPANDED SOME SOME OF THE EXECUTIVE OBLIGATIONS THAT THE HAVE COME OVER YOUR WAY.

PLEASE AT THIS POINT, COULD YOU PLEASE SPEAK TO WHAT THAT DYNAMIC IS BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENING A BIT TOO FREQUENTLY FOR MY COMFORT.

>> WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO WAS OUR GRANDPARENTS AND GREAT GRAND PARENTS DID WITH ELECTRIC ELECTRIFYING KENTUCKY.

WEIGH NEED TO DO THE SAME WITH HIGH SPEED BROOPPED INTERNET.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CAN ADMINISTER THIS BECAUSE A LOT OF THE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT WE HOPE TO DRAW DOWN COME FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND WE EXPECT THERE WILL BE MORE FUNDING IN THAT AREA AS WELL.

WE HAVE CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH BOTH THE OUTGOING AND INCOMING ADMINISTRATIONS IN WASHINGTON D.C. AND SO I FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DEPLOY AND INVEST INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT CRITICAL LAST MILE ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH IN AN EFFICIENT MANNER TENNESSEE HAS INVESTED $200 MILLION IN STATE FUNDS TO THEIR BROADBAND NETWORK.

61 MILLION OF CARES ACT FUNDS WERE ALLOCATED TO THE VOLUNTEER STATE'S LAST MILE EFFORT.

THE MEASURE WILL HELP KENTUCKY BETTER LEVERAGING FEDERAL DOLLARS TO GET MORE CONNECTED TO HIGH-SPEED INTERNET AT THE LEAST COST POSSIBLE.

BILL RESPONSIBLE SOAR PHIL PRATT ADDED THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AG IS OFTEN THE PASS THROUGH FOR SUCH FUNDS THAT SHOULD DIRECTLY FILTER TO THE STATE AG OFFICE.

THE LAST █MILEBROOPPED DEPLOYMENT MEASURE CLEARED THE HOUSE BUDGET PANEL ON A VOTE OF 17-2 WITH THREE PASS VOTES AND NOW HEADS TO THE FULL HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

RECOGNIZING AND CARING FOR FIREFIGHTERS WHO SUFFER FROM PTSD IN THE LINE OF DUTY IS THE GOAL OF THE BILL THAT PASSED THE SAME COMMITTEE AND READY FOR A FULL HOUSE MEMBERSHIP VOTE.

REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE BILL 44 PROVIDES MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR FIREFIGHTERS AND CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING THROUGH LICENSED THERAPISTS.

FORMER LAW ENFORCER JOHN BLANTON IS GLAD PTSD IS BEING AK ACKNOWLEDGED AS A REAL MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE AND FIRST RESPONDERS WHO WILLINGLY FACE DANGER EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> I SPENT TIME ON AN EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STATE POLICE TRAVEL AGO CROSS THE STATE, COUNSELING WITH TROOPERS INVOLVED IN CRITICAL INCIDENTS AND UNFORTUNATELY, TV MAKES THIS STUFF APPEAR VERY EASY TO DO AND THEN GO HOME WHEN IT'S ALL OVER AND FINISHED.

BUT THERE ARE BURDENS AND THINGS THAT THESE MEN AND WOMEN WILL CARRY WITH THEM THE REST OF THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF THEIR JOBS THAT THEY DO AND IT'S HIGH TIME THAT WE RECOGNIZE THIS FOR WHAT IT IS.

>> Renee: HOUSE BILL 44 EARNED UNANIMOUS SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE THIS MORNING AND NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE.

NOW ON TO EDUCATION NEWS.

A TURNSTILE OF EDUCATION COMMISSIONERS AND CHANGES TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN THE LAST FEW YEARS IS WHAT IS MOTIVATING A HOUSE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER TO "STABILIZE THE KBE" AND KEEP IT FROM BEING SUBJECT TO POLITICAL AND PARTISAN WHIMS.

REPRESENTATIVE STEVE SHELDON'S HOUSE BILL 178 WOULD KEEP A GOVERNOR FROM RECONSTITUTING THE BOARD.

WHEN DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR ASSUMED OFFICE IN 2019, ONE OF HIS FIRST EXECUTIVE ACTIONS WAS RESHUFFLING THE ENTIRE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND APPOINTING ALL NEW MEMBERS.

CHUCK TRUSDALE, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FOR THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WORKED WITH THE BILL'S SPONSOR AND SAID THE GOAL IS TO BRING BALANCE AND STABILITY TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> IN THE SHORT-TERM, IT CONFIRMS THE CURRENT EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT ADDED A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE, A TEACHER REPRESENTATIVE AND THE SECRETARY OF THE EDUCATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CABINET TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AS NON-VOTING MEMBERS.

THE TEACHER MEMBER WILL HAVE A TWO-YEAR TERM.

THE STUDENT MEMBER WOULD HAVE A ONE-YEAR TERM AND THEY WOULD BE A JUNIOR WHEN THEY'RE APPOINTED IN THE SPRING TIME SO THEY WOULD SERVE MOSTLY DURING THEIR SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL AND THEN THE SECRETARY OF THE EDUCATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CABINET HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN INVITED TO BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS TO REPORT AND TAKE PART IN THEIR CONVERSATIONS BUT HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN A NON-VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD ITSELF.

AND THIS PUTS THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ASPECT OF EDUCATION ON PAR WITH THE HIGHER EDUCATION ASPECT BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL ON POST SECONDARY EDUCATION, BY STATUTE, IS A NON-VOTING MEMBER AND THIS PUTS THE INTERESTS OF STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT BE GOING ON TO HIGHER EDUCATION BUT WHO STILL NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THE WORKFORCE WHEN THEY LEAVE HIGH SCHOOL AT THE SAME LEVEL AND HAVE THEIR INTERESTS REPRESENTED AS WELL.

>> Renee: THE BILL LAYS OUT PARAMETERS FOR ENSURING POLITICAL GENDER BALANCE AS WELL AS MINORITY REPRESENTATION ON THE COMPENSATION SIGNIFICANTS OF THE 11 MEMBER BOARD.

SEVEN MEMBERS REPRESENT EACH SUPREME COURT DISTRICT AND FOUR MEMBERS REPRESENT THE STATE AT LARGE.

BACKERS OF THE BILL BELIEVE QUALIFIED BOARD MEMBERS SHOULDN'T BE UPROOTED FOR POLITICAL REASONS.

>> THERE TRADITIONALLY HAS NOT BEEN A POLITICAL ANGLE TO EDUCATION AMONG THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS.

HOWEVER, I THINK, TO A LARGE DEGREE, I THINK POLITICS MAY HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN SOME OF THE DECISIONS REGARDING HIRING AND FIRING OF COMMISSIONERS AND SUCH IN RECENT YEARS.

AND I THINK THAT IS SORT OF MAYBE THE IMPETUS OF THIS BILL AND OTHERS LIKE IT TO BRING STABILITY TO THE BOARD RATHER THAN ONE DAY ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE PARTY TAKES OVER THE BOARD VERSUS ANOTHER PARTY HAVING CONTROL OF THE BOARD AND DECISIONS ARE MADE ON A POLITICAL BASIS AND I THINK EVERYBODY INVOLVED WOULD LIKE TO GET AWAY FROM THAT.

>> UNDERLYING THIS BILL IS THAT ISSUE OF IT BECOMING SUCH A POLITICAL ARM THAT IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE.

THE THAT IS NOT THE GOAL OF THAT BOARD AND IT NEVER SHOULD BE.

IT NEVER SHOULD BE USED AS A POLITICAL PAWN.

IT SHOULD NEVER BE SHUFFLED AROUND TO TRY TO MEET SOME AGENDA $HOUSE BILL 1 8 ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THIS MORNING WITH NO OPPOSITION AND NOW WAITS FOR PLACEMENT ON THE FULL HOUSE DOCKET.

KENTUCKY KIDS COULD BE LEAVING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID ON THE TABLE AND THE HOUSE EDUCATION CHAIR WANTS TO MAKE SURE MORE STUDENTS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE MONEY AVAILABLE TO HELP THEM PAY FOR COLLEGE.

AARON TOSM SOP, PRESIDENT OF THE KENTUCKY COUNCIL ON POST SECONDARY EDUCATION SAID KENTUCKY HAS SEEN A 1% REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE THE FAFSA WHICH STANDS FOR THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID.

FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR, HE SAYS, IT AMOUNTS TO A 20% DROP.

HE TESTIFIED THAT KENTUCKY'S COLLEGE GOING RATE HAS ALSO DROPPED TO 50% AND HE LINKED THAT TO THE STATE'S JOBLESS RATE AND THOSE RELYING ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

>> WHEN WE THINK OF EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS ON THE ECONOMY, AND ON THE STATE BUDGET, IF YOU LOOK AT THOSE THAT ARE ON UNEMPLOYMENT NOW, WILL YOU FIND THAT ABOUT 90% DON'T HAVE A COLLEGE CREDENTIAL OF ANY SORT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THOSE THAT ARE ON MEDICAID, IF YOU LOOK AT THOSE ON SNAP, YOU LOOK AT THOSE THAT GO TO PRISON, BOTTOM LINE, WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF GETTING MORE PEOPLE PREPARED TO GO TO COLLEGE AND WE HAVE TO GET MORE PEOPLE TO GO TO COLLEGE AND WE HAVE TO PULL OUT ALL STOPS TO HEADACHE THAT HAPPEN.

>> SHE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT MAKING IT A CONDITION OF GRADUATION GIVEN WHO ACTUALLY COMPLETES THE FINANCIAL AID FORMS.

>> MY DAUGHTER GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE LAST MAY AND I FINISHED UP ABOUT SEVEN YEARS OF COMPLETING FAFSAS.

BUT THAT WAS KIND OF THE POINT I MADE LAST YEAR IS THAT I COMPLETED IT.

SO MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS BILL IS ADDING SOMETHING AS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT THAT OFTEN NEEDS THE PARENTAL INPUT.

HOWEVER, AND I KNOW THAT OUR NUMBERS OF FAFSA COMPLETION ARE VERY LOW RIGHT NOW BECAUSE DURING COVID, MY HOPE IS THAT WITH THIS BILL, THERE WILL BE MORE FRAMEWORKS TO HELP THE STUDENTS GET THROUGH THE PROCESS, EITHER AS THEIR PARENTS DON'T DO IT OR CAN'T DO IT FOR SOME REASON.

I WILL SUPPORT THE BILL, BUT I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN OF HAVING A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT THAT IS OFTEN SOMEONE ELSE'S TASK TO COMPLETE.

>> >> Renee: HOUSE BILL 253 CLEARED THE PANEL WITHOUT OPPOSITION AND WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN KENTUCKY WOULD HAVE THE OPTION OF SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS ON SCHOOL BUSS IF HOUSE BILL 189 BECOMES LAW.

THE SPONSOR REPRESENTATIVE DAVID HALE SAYS THE CAMERAS WOULD HELP CATCH DRIVERS WHO DON'T STOP AS BUSES PICK UP OR DROP OFF STUDENTS AS THE LAW REQUIRES.

THE BILL WOULD ALLOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INSTALL CAMERAS, WOULDN'T REQUIRE IT.

>> THIS IS A TOTAL OPTION, A TOTAL CHOICE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DECIDE THAT IF THEY WANT TO IMPLEMENT THIS IN THEIR SYSTEM, IF THEY CHOOSE NOT TO, THAT'S CERTAINLY THEIR CHOICE, BUT IF THEY WOULD CHOOSE TO GO DOWN THE ROUTE AND DECIDE TO HAVE WHAT WOULD BE CALLED A CAMERA MONITORING SYSTEM THAT WOULD BE INSTALLED ON THE SCHOOL BUS ARMS OF EACH SCHOOL OR I'M SORRY, OF EACH BUS OF THAT DISTRICT AND EACH BUS-- EACH DISTRICT COULD HAVE INSTALLED ON EACH OF THEIR BUSES, EVERY BUS THAT THEY HAVE, A CAMERA MONITORING SYSTEM THAT WOULD RECORD THE ACTIONS OF MOTORISTS WHEN EITHER THOSE MOTOR MOTORISTS WERE APPROACHING THE BUS EVEN FROM BEHIND THE BUS AND THESE CAMERAS WOULD RECORD THE ACTIONS OF THOSE MOTORISTS WHEN THAT STOP ARM WOULD BE ACTIVATED AND THE REALLY COOL THING ABOUT THIS IS THIS COSTS THE DISTRICTS ABSOLUTELY $0.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO COST TO THE DISTRICT FOR THIS.

>> Renee: BUS STOP IS THE NAME OF A COMPANY THAT INSTALLS CAMERAS ON SCHOOL BUSES.

ITS C.E.O.

TOLD THE COMMITTEE HOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS COULD GET THE CAMERAS FOR FREE.

>> THESE PROGRAMS ARE 100% FUNDED THROUGH THE ILLEGAL PASSES, THROUGH VIOLATOR BEHAVIOR.

LAW ABIDING TAXPAYERS DON'T HAVE TO PAY THIS BILL.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS DO NOT HAVE TO PAY THIS BILL AND CITIES DO NOT HAVE TO INVEST ANYTHING UP FRONT.

BUS PATROL IS SUCCESSFULLY DEPLOYED ITS TECHNOLOGY ON THOUSANDS OF BUSS ACROSS MESH, SHELTERING LAW ABIDING TAXPAYERS AND DELIVERING MODERN TECHNOLOGY THAT KEEP KIDS SAFE.

THE PROGRAMS DO WORK AND I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS ONE OBJECTIVE THAT OUR PROGRAMS HAVE.

AND THAT IS TO CREATE THE VERY SAME REFLECTION FLEX IN DRIVERS WHEN THEY'RE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THEY SEE A PATROL CAR, THEY'LL IMMEDIATELY HIT THEIR BRAKE AND THEN LOOK AT THEIR SPEED.

WHEN YOUR COMMUNITIES ARE FULLY COVERED WHEN EVERY SCHOOL BUS IN YOUR COMMUNITIES ARE COVERED WITH THIS KIND OF TECHNOLOGY, AT THAT TIME SAME REFLECTION-- THAT REFLEX WILL BE INSTILLED IN MOTORISTS AND HAVE A REDUCTIONARY EFFECT ON THE BEHAVIOR.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE HALE TOLD THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE THAT 20 OTHER STATES HAVE LAWS SIMILAR TO THE ONE HE IS PROMOTING.

FOR NEARLY THE LAST 20 YEARS, DIABETES RATES IN KENTUCKY ADULTS HAVE DOUBLED.

NOW MORE THAN ONE IN SEVEN KENTUCKIANS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED.

THE STATE RANKS THE EIGHTH HIGHEST IN DIABETES INCIDENTS IN THE NATION.

MANAGEMENT OF THE CHRONIC CONDITION IS KEY IN STAVING OFF LIFE ALTERING COMPLICATIONS.

THE PRICE OF INSULIN USED TO TREAT DIABETES HAS TRIPLED IN RECENT YEARS.

REPRESENTATIVE DANNY BENTLEY, A DIABETIC HIMSELF, IS THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 95 THAT CAPS COST SHARING OF PRESCRIPTION INSULIN TO 30 FOR A 30 DAY SUPPLY, REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OR TYPE OF INS LUN THAT IS NEEDED.

>> THIS COST $300 A PACKAGE AND IF I WAS PAYING CASH FOR MY INSULIN AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE INSURANCE I HAVE, MY INSULIN WOULD COST ME $12,000 A YEAR.

>> SO THIS BILL, MR. SPEAKER, IS TO KEEP US ALL HEALTHY, KEEP PEOPLE MORE PRODUCTIVE, DECREASE THE COSTS OF COMPLICATIONS AND THERE ARE ALSO 13 OTHER STATES THAT HAVE PASSED THE BILL WITH DIFFERENT CO-PAYS AND WEST VIRGINIA IS GETTING READY TO PASS A BILL ON DIABETIC SUPPLIES.

SO THEY REALIZE THAT WHEN THEY PASS THIS BILL, IT CUTS DOWN THE COST OF COMPLICATION.

>> Renee: WE TALKED TO BEN CHANDLER TODAY.

HE IS PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE FOUNDATION FOR A HEALTHY KENTUCKY, ABOUT WHY THE PRICE OF INSULIN HAS BEEN SKYROCKETING IN RECENT YEARS AND HOW HOUSE BILL 95 COULD PROVIDE A GREAT FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR MANY KENTUCKIANS SUFFERING FROM DIABETES.

>> WE HAVE AS MANY AS ALMOST 15% OF OUR ADULT POPULATION WITH DIABETES AND THAT'S A TREMENDOUS JUMP AND IN SOME PLACES LIKE APPALACHIA AND WEST LOUISVILLE, THE RATES ARE EVEN MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT.

SO IT'S A REAL PROBLEM AND PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY ARE PAYING DRAMATICALLY HIGH PRICES, AND FRANKLY, ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THE UNITED STATES THEY'RE PAYING EXTREMELY HIGH PRICES FOR INSULIN, WHICH, OF COURSE, IS USED TO COMBAT THE DIABETES.

THE THING THAT IS SO SHOCKING ABOUT IT IS OUR PRICE TO THE CONSUMER FOR INSULIN, IN SOME CASES, AS MUCH AS 10 TIMES HIGHER KNOWLEDGE OTHER COUNTRIES.

I MEAN IT'S JUST OUTRAGEOUS.

WE ARE SEEING WAS WE ARE SEEING IS ESSENTIALLY PRICE GOUGING ON THE PART OF THESE COMPANIES.

AND THAT'S GOT TO STOP.

THE PRICE OF INSULIN HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED JUST SINCE 2012.

AND IT CAN BE AS HIGH AS $3,000 A MONTH FOR INSULIN FOR ONE INDIVIDUAL.

THE REASON THE PRICE IS SO HIGH IS A GOVERNMENTAL FAILURE.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN PREPARED TO REGULATE THE PRICE OF INSULIN AS A GOVERNMENT AND WE HAVE ALLOWED MARKET FORCES TO OPERATE AND THE MARKET ISN'T OPERATING PROPERLY IN THIS AREA.

ONE OF THE REASONS IS, OF COURSE, WE DON'T HAVE MUCH COMPETITION.

THERE ARE ONLY ABOUT THREE COMPANIES WHO PRODUCE INSULIN AND THE COMPETITION ISN'T WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE TO KEEP THE PRICES DOWN.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE DANNY BENTLEY HOUSE BILL 95 THAT CAPS COST SHARING COST FOR INSULIN ADVANCED ON A UNANIMOUS VOTE OF 95-0.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

GIVING WORKERS VESTED IN THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT MORE CONTROL OVER THEIR OWN SYSTEM IS THE GOAL OF A BILL THAT ADVANCED THE HOUSE TODAY.

CERS IS MADE UP OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS LIKE CITIES, COUNTIES AND SCHOOL BOARDS.

A LAW LAST YEAR LAID THE GROUNDWORK FOR SEVERABILITY AND REPRESENTATIVE RUSSELL WEBER HOUSE BILL 9 SEES IT THROUGH.

>> LAST YEAR WE ACHIEVED THAT WITH HOUSE BILL 484.

THE MEASURE CREATES AN INDEPENDENT CERS BOARD OF TRUSTEES WITHIN ONE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE, THE KENTUCKY PUBLIC PENSION AUTHORITY ALSO KNOWN AS KPPA.

STARTING ON APRIL 1, THE CERS BOARD WILL MAKE DECISIONS OF THE CERS TRUST WHILE A KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS BOARD WILL HANDLE THE STATE'S RETIREMENT SYSTEMS.

THE KENTUCKY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND KENTUCKY STATE POLICE FALL UNDER KRS.

KPPA WILL HANDLE ADMINISTRATIVE NEEDS FOR BOTH THE BOARDS, HIGHER HIRE STAFF AS INVESTMENT MANAGERS AND MANAGE OFFICE BUILDINGS.

HOUSE BILL 484 LOUED CERS MUCH NEEDED INDEPENDENCE WHILE PROVIDING COST SAVINGS FOR ALL THREE SYSTEMS.

SECTION 1 OF THE BILL ALSO CALLED FOR THE LEGISLATION WE ARE VOTING ON HERE TODAY.

HOUSE BILL 9.

THE FIRST PAGE OF HOUSE BILL 484 STATED IT IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ENACT LEGISLATION IN THE 2021 REGULAR SESSION TO CREATE SEPARATE STATUTORY STRUCTURES AS IT RELATED TO BENEFITS FOR THE KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS AND THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

>> Renee: THE CERS SEVERABILITY MEASURE CLEARED THE HOUSE THIS AFTERNOON 96-0 AND SENT ACROSS THE CAPITOL FOR ACTION BY THE SENATE.

THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE WAS MEETING IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT THE TIME WE PREPARED TONIGHT'S BROADCAST SO WE'LL UPDATE YOU ON THAT ACTION FROM THAT COMMITTEE IN TOMORROW NIGHT'S PROGRAM.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 16 COVERAGE OF THE 2021 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.

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

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

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 EASTERN, 10:00 CENTRAL TIME ON KET FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I'M RENEE SHAW.