>> THE HOUSE PASSES A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO CHANGE HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN TAX THEIR CITIZENS.

A SENATE COMMITTEE HEARS TESTIMONY ON A BILL SEEKING TO IMPROVE THE NURSING SHORTAGE, AND A HOUSE COMMITTEE TAKES UP A MEASURE TO ADJUST HOW CHARITABLE BAIL FUNDS OPERATE ALL ON DAY 34 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS COULD HAVE MORE OPTIONS FOR COLLECTING TAXES, IF VOTERS APPROVE A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PASSING THE HOUSE.

OAKLAND REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MEREDITH SAYS HOUSE BILL 475 WILL ALLOW A FUTURE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO LAY DOWN THE FRAMEWORK FOR NEW RULES ON TAXATION.

CURRENTLY, THE KENTUCKY CONSTITUTION ONLY ALLOWS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO TAX PROPERTY, LICENSE FEES AND FRANCHISE FEES.

>> IF WE WANT TO MOVE AWAY FROM OUR OVERRELIANCE OFF TAXING ROW DUCTISM, PASSING THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS THE NECESSARY FIRST STEP.

IF PASSED, THE BILL WOULD ALLOW THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO COME BACK IN A FUTURE SESSION AND CREATE A FRAMEWORK WHERE OTHER REVENUE OPTIONS COULD BE DISCUSSED INCLUDING CONSUMPTION-BASED SALES TAXES.

>> COVINGTON REPRESENTATIVE BUDDY WHEATLEY ASKED MEREDITH A QUESTION ABOUT HOW THE NEW CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT COULD BE APPLIED.

>> THE COUNTIES THAT WE MIGHT GIVE AUTHORITY TO OR THE CITIES WE MIGHT GIVE AUTHORITY TO, COULD WE GIVE AUTHORITY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN THE AUTHORITY THAT'S IN TODD COUNTY OR KENTON COUNTY?

>> GENTLEMEN -- >> I DON'T THINK WE COULD HAVE WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED SPECIAL LEGISLATION, GENTLEMEN THAT WOULD APPLY SPECIFICALLY TO INDIVIDUAL JURISDICTIONS DIFFERENTLY.

HOWEVER, WE DO HAVE THE DISTINCTION OF CITIES, COUNTIES, URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENTS THAT COULD BE ADDRESSED DIFFERENTLY.

AND THE METRO GOVERNMENT IN LOUISVILLE COULD BE ADDRESSED DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE IT IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT KIND OF GOVERNMENT >> IF HOUSE BILL 475 PASSES BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IT WILL BE ON BALLOTS FOR THIS NOVEMBER'S GENERAL ELECTION.

TWO LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVES - LISA WILLNER AND JASON NEMES - HAD OPPOSING VOTES, BUT FOR THE SAME REASON.

>> THE BILL'S PROPONENTS HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT THEIR INTENTIONS TO ALLOW AN ACEASE IN LOCAL SALES TAX WHILE ALSO REQUIRING AN OFFSET THROUGH REDUCTIONS IN BUSINESS TAXES.

THIS IS JUST ONE MORE STRATEGY TO ASK POOR PEOPLE AND REGULAR WORKING KENTUCKIANS TO SHOULDER AN UNFAIR SHARE OF THE TAX BURDEN WHILE GIVING BREAKS TO THOSE WHO ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO DO THE MOST.

>> I WILL NOT SUPPORT, I WILL NOT SUPPORT A BILL WHEN -- IF THIS PASSES THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD INCREASE TAXES ON HOME OWNING WORKING FAMILIES.

I WILL NOT SUPPORT A BILL THAT INCREASES TAXES ON FAMILIES.

TODAY, CITIES HAVE TO TAX OVERTAX HOME OWNING WORKING FAMILIES.

THEY'RE ALREADY SOAKED WITH TAXES.

WE NEED TO REDUCE THE TAXES ON THAT P PO I GOES WHAT AND DIVERSIFY THE TAX BASE.

IN HER EXPLANATION OF WHY SHE WHAT'S AGAINST THE BILL, THAT'S EXACTLY WHY I'M FOR THE BILL >> HOUSE BILL 475 PASSED THE HOUSE 80 TO 17.

IT'S COMPANION LEGISLATION, HOUSE BILL 476, ALSO PASSED THE HOUSE.

HOUSE BILL 476 WOULD KEEP TAXATION BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THE SAME AS IT IS CURRENTLY, UNTIL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY GETS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT TOGETHER A NEW FRAMEWORK FOR CHANGES TO THE TAX CODE.

IT PASSED 86 TO 11.

FORMER POLICE OFFICER JOHN BLANTON TOLD HIS HOUSE COLLEAGUES THAT WE HAVE A PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL CRISIS.

POLICE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE STATE ARE FACING SHORTAGES IN NEW RECRUITS - AND ARE LOSING OFFICERS TO RETIREMENT AND CAREER CHANGES.

BLANTON SAYS THERE NEED TO BE CHANGES TO EASE THE BURDEN ON CURRENT OFFICERS.

HIS HOUSE BILL 414 SEEKS TO DO JUST THAT.

>> WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE APPLYING TO SERVE IN THESE VITAL ROLES.

WHETHER IT BE POLICE OFFICERS OR EMERGENCY SERVICE POSITIONS.

DEPARTMENTS REQUIRE FLEXIBILITY TO MANAGE THEIR COMMUNITIES.

NEEDS AND OFFER EMPLOYEES A WORK-LIFE BALANCE.

AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WEAR THE BADGE BY POLICING THOSE WHO DO NOT LIVE UP TO THEIR COMMITMENT >> HOUSE BILL 414 REMOVES THE MAXIMUM AGE FOR STARTING POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL AND EASES THE REGULATIONS ON HIRING RETIRED OFFICERS.

IT ALSO GIVES MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR WORK SCHEDULES, SAYING THE TYPICAL SCHEDULE IS AN AVERAGE OF 80 HOURS OVER TWO WEEKS.

HOUSE BILL 414 PASSED THE HOUSE 85 TO 12.

THERE ARE MORE WORKER SHORTAGES.

KENTUCKY'S NURSING SHORTAGE WAS EXACERBATED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

SOME NURSES LEFT FOR BETTER PAYING JOBS ACROSS STATE LINES AND OTHERS HAVE RETIRED.

SENATE BILL 10 - HEARD IN COMMITTEE TODAY - AIMS TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE.

LEGISLATORS SPOKE TO THE PROBLEMS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> KENTUCKY HAS HAD A NURSING SHORTAGE.

I WANT TO THINK IT WAS BACK IN THE EARLY 2014, A STUDY WAS DONE THAT SHOWED WE HAD A NURSING SHORTAGE.

SOME ESTIMATES WOULD SAY POTENTIALLY AS 10 TO 12 MAYBE EVEN 14,000 NURSES SHORT, SOME AS LOW AS 3,000 SHORT.

BUT IT IS EVIDENT AND BECOME MORE EXACERBATED AND APPARENT DURING THIS LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WITH THE COVID PANDEMIC AND WHAT HAS OCCURRED.

>> I WAS CONTACTED FROM A COUPLE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT THAT JUST DYING FOR NURSES, JUST NEEDING NURSES IN LONG-TERM HEALTH FACILITIES.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET QUALIFIED NURSES POSSIBLY FROM OUT OF THE COUNTRY BUT OUT-OF-STATE, JUST ANYBODY TO COME IN THAT HAS THE QUALIFICATIONS THAT DOESN'T GET TIED UP IN THE BUREAUCRACY OF THE LICENSURE PROCESS.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF FACILITIES SHUTTING DOWN WINGS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE NURSING STAFFING.

WE KNOW OUR HOSPITALS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO OPERATE AT FULLEST CAPACITIES.

WE DON'T HAVE THE NURSING STAFF TO MANAGE THE WINGS IN THE HOSPITALS.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO ACT.

WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THAT AGAIN GOING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE.

I WILLS APPRECIATE THE FACT THERE WERE LIMITATIONS PUT IN.

I DON'T HAVE A CLEARUNDER SANG STILL.

I KNOW I'VE TALKED TO SOME NURSES OVER THE YEARS WHO YEARS AGO THERE WAS TOO MANY NURSES IN THE STATE AT ONE TIME, AT LEAST THERE WAS A FEAR OF THAT.

I DON'T KNOW FOR A FACT, I SUSPECT THOSE LIMITATIONS MAY HAVE BEEN PUT IN TO REIGN THAT IN AT WURN TIME.

WE ARE IN A SHORT AVERAGE >> SENATE BILL 10 EASES THE PROCESS FOR OUT OF STATE AND FOREIGN TRAINED NURSES TO WORK IN KENTUCKY, IMPROVES ACCESS TO NURSING PROGRAMS BY REMOVING ENROLLMENT LIMITS AND ENTRY BARRIERS AND MAKES CHANGES TO THE BOARD OF NURSING'S MEMBERSHIP - LEAVING MORE ROOM FOR WORKING NURSES.

THE CEO OF THE KENTUCKY NURSES ASSOCIATION SAYS HER ORGANIZATION - WHICH REPRESENTS 89,000 NURSES - BACKS SENATE BILL 10, BUT THAT THEY HAVE SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE IT.

THEY'RE CALLING FOR $100 MILLION TO HELP ADDRESS THE NURSING SHORTAGE.

>> THE FIRST THING THAT WE RECOMMEND IS TO REMOVE THE CAP OF CS.

THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 2,000-APRNs WHO ARE PRACTICING OUTSIDE OF KENTUCKY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT PRACTICE 0 NOT FULL EXTENT OF THEIR LICENSURE AND EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION.

WE NEED TO BRING THOSE NURSES HOME.

THERE ARE ALSO APPROXIMATELY 5,000 RETIRED NURSES THAT WE THINK WILL COME BACK AND HELP US IF WE PROVIDE THEM WITH EDUCATION AND RETRAINING.

WE DON'T THINK WE CAN GET 5,000 BUT WE DO THINK WE CAN GET APPROXIMATELY 1,500 OF THOSE.

WITH JUST THOSE TWO GROUPS THAT WOULD BE 3500 NURSES THAT COULD HELP US WITH THE NURSING SHORTAGE.

WE ALSO THINK THAT WE NEED TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN OUR NURSE FACULTY.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FACULTY TO ACCOMMODATE MORE STUDENTS.

LAST YEAR, THE KENTUCKY BOARD OF NURSING REPORTED THAT THERE WERE 1700 SEATS UNFILLED BY NURSING STUDENTS.

WE DON'T HAVE THE FACULTY OR CLINICAL PRACTICE AREAS IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE 1700 STUDENTS AT THIS TIME.

WE DON'T PAY OUR FACULTY WHAT THEY DESERVE.

THEY DO NOT GET SALARIES COMMENSURATE WITH WHAT OTHER PROFESSORS GET WHO ARE SIMILARLY TRAINED AND HAVE SIMILAR EDUCATION AND DEGREES >> MANSON ALSO SAYS KENTUCKY NEEDS TO CONSIDER RETENTION BONUSES FOR NURSES TO THANK THEM FOR STICKING IN THEIR JOBS - AND HELP TO KEEP THEM THERE.

THE HEAD OF THE KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SAYS THERE ARE ANYWHERE FROM 4-TO-10,000 NURSING VACANCIES ACROSS THE STATE - AND SHE SAYS IT IS TAKING A TOLL ON HOSPITALS.

SHE SAYS HAVING TO PAY TRAVELING NURSES IS HURTING HOSPITAL BUDGETS AND COULD LEAD TO ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS.

>> HOSPITALS ARE BURNING THROUGH TEAR RESERVES TO HIRE TRAVELING NURSES.

THEY KOMENT AT NATIONAL RATES OF PAY, NOT KENTUCKY RATE OF PAY.

SO OUR HOSPITALS BOTH SMALL AND LARGE ARE COMPETING WITH HOSPITALS IN OTHER STATES IN NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA, AND THE WELTIER STATES AND EVEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE SAME NURSES.

FEW OF OUR HOSPITALS CAN PAY 200 TO 250 AN HOUR FOR A TRAVELING NURSE TO FILL THESE GAPS.

THESE EXPENSES ARE NOT SUSTAINABLE.

AND THEY COULD EASILY LEAD TO CUTS IN SERVICES AND WE KNOW THAT HOSPITALS ARE ALREADY LOOKING AT WHAT SERVICES THEY MAY NEED TO DISCONTINUE >> ALVARADO SAYS THERE IS ALREADY A BILL, HOUSE BILL 282, THAT COULD HELP SOLVE THE CONCERNS ABOUT TRAVELING NURSE CONTRACTS.

SENATE BILL 10 PASSED THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY, 10 TO ZERO.

TIM'S LAW IS GETTING AN UPDATE.

THAT'S THE STATUTE ALLOWING COURTS TO ORDER TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.

HOUSE BILL 127 EXPANDS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR COURT-ORDERED TREATMENT.

REPRESENTATIVES KEN FLEMING AND LISA WILNER SAY THE MEASURE WILL HELP PEOPLE WITH SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>> BASICALLY, WHAT IT IS IT WAS TIM'S LAW I WILL REMIND YOU IT AUTHORIZES THE STATE DISTRICT COURTS TO ORDER ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT OR AOT IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS AND ARE UNLIKELY TO SEEK TREATMENT ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.

THIS LAW IS CREATED IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE PATIENT AND THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM THAT AIMS TO INCREASE THE MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN ORDER TO REDUCE HOSPITALIZATION RATES AND INCARCERATION WHILE GETTING THESE INDIVIDUALS BACK ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY THERE BY AVOIDING PRISON, SELF-HARM AND ENDANGERING OTHERS.

>> TIM'S LAW PROVIDES A MORE HUMANE AND COMPASSIONATE APPROACH TO ADDRESSING SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS.

IT'S A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE APPROACH SHOWN IT DECREASE EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS AND JAIL TIME.

WE KNOW FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF 40 PLUS OTHER STATES THAT COURT-ORDERED ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT WORKS, AND IT'S WORKING IN KENTUCKY ON A LIMITED BASIS.

THIS BILL WOULD MAKE MORE PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS VERY GOOD PROGRAM >> JEFFERSON COUNTY JUDGE STEPHANIE PEARCE BURKE IS A VOCAL ADVOCATE FOR THE MEASURE.

SHE SAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE BILL WOULD EXPAND ACCESS TO CARE FOR THOSE THAT NEED IT.

HOUSE BILL 127 EXPANDS THE TIME FRAME FOR HOSPITALIZATIONS TO BE USED AS A FACTOR TO ORDER ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FROM ONE YEAR TO TWO.

LEITCHFIELD SENATOR STEPHEN MEREDITH ASKED ABOUT THAT SPECIFIC CHANGE.

>> TWICE YOU MENTIONED IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE A PATTERN.

SO IT'S NOT CRITICISM, JUST CURIOUS, WHAT'S THE SIERNS BEHIND 48 MONTHS, 24 MONTHS, IS IT SOMETHING THE STATES HAVE DONE OR WHY DO WE FOCUS ON THESE PARTICULAR TIME FRAMES?

>> SO THE REASON FOR EXPANDING THE TIME FRAME, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, IS BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES THESE INDIVIDUALS THE HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE BROKEN UP BY LONG PERIODS OF INCARCERATION.

WE KNOW THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS WHEN INCARCERATED TYPICALLY HAVE A COMPETENCY EVALUATION REQUEST.

RIGHT NOW INDIVIDUALS ARE SITTING IN JAIL FOR 6 OR 9 MONTHS, JUST WAITING ON THE EVALUATION.

EVEN ON LOW LEVEL OFFENSES.

SPENDING MUCH MORE TIME IN JAIL THAN THEY EVER WOULD SERVE IF THEY PLED GUILTY WHEN THEY FIRST GOT THERE WASTING LOTS OF TIME AND MILLIONS OF STATE DOLLARS.

IT'S REALLY INHUMANE BUT IT'S BREAKING UP THAT 24-MONTH PERIOD WHERE THEY WOULD OTHERWISE BE ELIGIBLE.

AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THE WAY THIS WORKS IS THE DOCTORS IN THE STATE HOSPITALS ARE THE ONES ALONG WITH THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS WHO ARE THE PROFESSIONALS ARE MAKING THE DECISIONS WHO IN IDENTIFYING WHO THE APPROPRIATE CANDIDATES ARE.

SO IT GIVES THE DOCTOR A REALLY GOOD PERIOD OF TIME, THAT 48 MONTHS TO LOOK AT THE PATIENT AS A WHOLE AND SEE IF THIS IS A GOOD CANDIDATE >> THE BILL MOVES ON TO THE SENATE FLOOR AFTER PASSING THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY.

LAST WEEK, LOUISVILLE MAYORAL CANDIDATE CRAIG GREENBERG WAS SHOT AT IN HIS CAMPAIGN OFFICE.

THE MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER THE SHOOTING, QUINTEZ BROWN, WAS RELEASED FROM JAIL ON BOND.

THE LOUISVILLE COMMUNITY BAIL PROJECT POSTED THE $100,000 BOND FOR BROWN.

THE ACT SHINED A BRIGHTER LIGHT ON A BILL THAT WAS FILED BEFORE THE INCIDENT, HOUSE BILL 313.

FORMER POLICE OFFICER AND CURRENT REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BLANTON PARTNERED WITH LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMES ON THE BILL.

THE TWO OF THEM SAY BROWN'S RELEASE WASN'T THE REASON FOR THE BILL BUT MAKES CLEAR THE NEED FOR REFORM.

>> AND WE'VE ALSO FOUND THAT IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN BAILED OUT BY SOME OF THESE GROUPS HAVE WENT ON TO COMMIT NOT ONLY FURTHER CRIMES BUT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY OFTENTIMES IN THE COMMISSION OF ANOTHER CRIME.

>> HOW DO WE DETERMINE THE RULES, WHAT THE RULES OUGHT TO BE WHEN YOU SET THE RULES FOR BAIL?

WE HAVE TO HAVE HUMAN JUDGMENT INTO THE EQUATION.

HUMAN JUDGMENT IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE KNOW PEOPLE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE, THERE ARE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE REPRESENTATIVE THAT YOU PROBABLY BAIL OUT.

THERE'S PROBABLY IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU WOULDN'T BAIL OUT BECAUSE YOU BRING THE HUMAN JUDGMENT, THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

WILL THEY BE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES?

WILL THEY BE A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY?

WILL THEY BE A FLIGHT RISK.

THAT HUMAN JUDGMENT IS NOT IN THE QUESTION WHEN WE'RE TAKING ABOUT A CORPORATION.

AN ENTITY.

IT'S NOT THERE >> HOUSE BILL 313 SETS THE LIMIT A BAIL FUND CAN PAY AT $5,000 AND STATES BAIL FUNDS WON'T BE ABLE TO BAIL OUT PEOPLE ACCUSED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

ADDITIONALLY, THE PROPOSED STATUTE SAYS BAIL FUNDS WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPORT WHO THEIR DONORS ARE.

TESTIFYING IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE WAS THE FAMILY OF MADELYNN TROUTT.

SHE WAS KILLED BY A DRUNK DRIVER WHO WAS OUT ON BAIL.

>> I AM HERE TODAY TO FIGHT ON BEHALF OF MADELINE.

FOR THE HEART OF MY FAMILY AND FOR FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

YOU SEE THIS TRAGEDY COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.

THE DRIVER THE STOLENEN TRUCK WHOSE NAME DOES NOT DESERVE SAID ALLOWED.

LESS THAN 48 HOURS NOR THIS WRECK FOR STEALING A VEHICLE AND SEVERAL DIFFERENT DRUGS.

NONETHELESS, THIS CRIMINAL AND LIABILITY TO SOCIETY WAS RELEASED AS HE WAS BAILED OUT BY THE LOUISVILLE BAIL PROJECT NO MONEY OUT OF HIS POCKET AND NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

THIS MAN HAS FILE MULTIPLE PAGES LONG.

NO BACKGROUND INFORMATION OR CHECK WAS PLACED 0EN THIS MAN OR PROGRAM SIT UP OR ENFORCED TO ENSURE HE HAD NOT GO BACK OUT AND REPEAT HIS DECISIONS, WHICH HE DID.

THE REASON MY DAUGHTER IS NOT HERE THE HANDS OF THE LOUISVILLE PROJECT AND ITS SUPPORTERS >> THE OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR THE BAIL PROJECT IN LOUISVILLE, CARRIE COLE, SAYS HER ORGANIZATION WANTS TO END CASH BAIL - BUT WILL WORK TO HELP PEOPLE GET RELEASED UNTIL THEN.

SHE SAYS HER ORGANIZATION OPPOSES HOUSE BILL 313 BECAUSE IT WILL LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE ON BAIL.

>> WE ARE OPPOSED TO HOUSE BILL 313 BECAUSE IT WOULD LIMIT THE NUMBER OF POOR KENTUCKIANS CHARITABLE BAIL ORGANIZATIONS CAN SERVE BY RESTRICT BEING THE AMOUNT OF BAIL TO $5,000 OR LESS.

A POOR PERSON PRESUMED INNOCENT FOR A LOW LEVEL MISDEMEANOR, FOR EXAMPLE, WILL REMAIN IN JAIL.

IF THEIR BAIL IS SET ABOVE THAT AMOUNT.

WEALTHY PEOPLED CHARGED WITH MORE SERIOUS OFFENSES WILL BE ABLE TO BUY THEIR FREE M DO.

THIS DOES NOT PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY >> SHAMEKA PARRISH-WRIGHT TESTIFIED TO THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IN WHAT SHE CALLED A PERSONAL CAPACITY.

SHE TOLD HER PERSONAL STORY ABOUT HOW SHE WAS ARRESTED AFTER A FIGHT WITH HER SIGNIFICANT OTHER.

SHE SAYS SHE WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE BAIL BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T AFFORD IT AND SAYS SHE PLEADED GUILTY TO A LESSER CHARGE TO GET OUT OF JAIL.

>> AFTER SPENDING 38 DAYS IN JAIL, I PLED GUILTY TO A LESSER CHARGE.

ALL THE I WANTED WAS TO GET OUT AND SEE MY DAUGHTER.

I WANTED TO BE HOME.

I KNEW THIS PLEA WOULD GIVE ME A CRIMINAL RECORD THAT WOULD FOLLOW ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

AT THAT MOMENT I FELT I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE.

THAT'S THE CHOICE COUNTLESS PEOPLE MAKE IN KENTUCKY EVERY SINGLE DAY BECAUSE OF THAT -- OF THE CASH BAIL SYSTEM.

IF I HAD MONEY TO PAY MY BAIL OR IF THERE WAS A CHARITABLE BAIL ORGANIZATION AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT ME, I COULD HAVE GONE HOME, WORKED A LAYER TO FIGHT MY CASE.

I COULD HAVE AVOIDED CONVICTION.

I WOULD NOT HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD.

BECAUSE I WAS POOR, I DID NOT GET MY DUE PROCESS.

PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE ONLY EXISTED ON PAPER.

RESPECTIVE TASTE HE HAS ISSUES WITH THE CASH BAIL TOO.

MANY OF THOSE PROBLEMS CAN'T BE ADDRESSED WITHOUT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

>> WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE BAIL FOR VERY DANGEROUS PEOPLE.

REPRESENTATIVE BLANTON ARE LOOKING TO CHANGE THAT.

HOWEVER, THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY IN OUR CONSTITUTION REQUIRE BAIL TO BE SET, AND WHEN THERE'S BAIL TO BE SET, WE CANNOT ALLOW AN ENTITY TO MAKE A MOCKERY OF IT.

WE CANNOT ALLOW AN ENTITY TO MAKE A MOCKERY OF IT.

IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CASH BAIL.

AND I DON'T NECESSARILY LIKE THAT BUT THAT'S THE LAW BY OUR CONSTITUTION.

THEN WE HAVE TO HAVE CASH BAIL.

IF A JUDGE SET $100,000 FOR AEN WHO TRY TO SAY ASSASSINATE SOMEONE, THAT NOT APPROPRIATE FOR AN ENTITY TO COME IN AND BAIL THEM OUT.

IT'S ALSO NOT APPROPRIATE FOR A RICH MAN TO BAIL HIMSELF OUT >> TWO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CALLED THE SYSTEM BROKEN WHILE EXPLAINING THEIR VOTES.

HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP CHAD MCCOY SAYS HE DOESN'T THINK THE BILL WILL FIX THE PROBLEM AND LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE PAMELA STEVENSON CALLED FOR REFORM.

Y R. >> WE HEARD A LFLT TESTIMONY TODAY ABOUT THE BROKEN BAIL SYSTEM AND IT'S BROKEN.

AND URCH FORTUNATELY, THOUGH, GUYS I DON'T THINK THIS BILL FIXES IT.

I THINK BAD FACTS MAKE BAD LAW.

AND I THINK THIS IS A REACTION TO SOME BAD FACTS.

I'M GOING TO BE A NO.

>> THIS STA FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM.

I CAN'T PUT PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT A THREAT IN THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD BAIL.

SO -- IT'S BROKE.

IT'S BROKE.

BUT MAKING IT WORK ON THE BACKS OF POOR PEOPLE DOESN'T WORK.

LET'S FIX THE SYSTEM >> HOUSE BILL 313 PASSED THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

SOME OF KENTUCKY'S JUDGES HAVE OVER TWICE THE NUMBER OF CASES TO HANDLE AS OTHERS.

A HOUSE BILL HEARD BY THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WOULD EASE THE WORK-LOAD IMBALANCE BY REORGANIZING THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

REPRESENTATIVE D.J.

JOHNSON IS CARRYING HOUSE BILL 214, BUT SAYS IT IS A TEMPORARY STEP UNTIL JUDICIAL REDISTRICTING CAN BE DONE.

>> EVERY CIRCUIT OR DISTRICT WAS EVALUATED AND THE RESULTS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE JUDICIAL REORGANIZATION PLAN.

SUCH A PLAN NEEDS TO HAPPEN BUT ALSO NEEDS TO BE DONE IN A METICULOUS MANNER ACCOUNTING FORUGH NEEK CIRCUMSTANCES FOUND IN EACH DISTRICT.

SUCH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WILL INVOLVE SIGNIFICANT SHIFTS IN CIRCUIT AND BOUNDARIES IMPACT NOT JUST JUDGES BUT ALSO CIRCUIT COURT CLERKS AND PROSECUTORS.

CIRCUIT COURT CLERKS.

AGAIN, DEFERRING TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO EXPLAIN DETAILS SUCH A PLAN SHOULD AND IN FACT MUCK CONDUCTED IN THE COMING YEARS.

IN THE MEANTIME, THERE ARE SEVERAL CRITICAL JARRING IMBALANCES THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY >> TWO JUDGES AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE COURT SYSTEM ADVOCATED FOR THE MEASURE, JUDGE LISA HART MORGAN - A FAMILY COURT JUDGE - GAVE HER PERSPECTIVE AS THE JUDGE WITH THE SECOND HEAVIEST CASE LOAD IN THE STATE.

SHE SAYS OVERWORKED JUDGES HURT THE PERCEPTION OF THE COURT SYSTEM.

KENTUCKY'S SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN MINTON SAYS THE HOUSE BILL 214 IS THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS TO ALLEVIATING THE HEAVY CASELOADS OF SOME JUDGES.

>> I HAVE GREAT CABINET WORKERS ACROSS MY COUNTIES THEY ARE OVERWHELMED.

IF I CANNOT BRING CASES ON FOR REVIEW QUICKLY NOWF OR SOON ENOUGH TO GET EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM AT THE SAME TIME AND SAY WHAT'S GOING ON WHO IS THE E-SOCIAL WORKERS NOW AND WHO CAN WE DO?

IS THIS KID GETTING THE RIGHT ASSESSMENTS, RIGHT TREATMENT?

HOWL ARE WE HE MOVING TOWARDS PERMANENCY?

I WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO ADDRESS ALL OF THOSE OVERALL CONCERNS AND I THINK YOU WOULD SEE IMPROVEMENTS OVERALL.

>> JUDGE MORGAN, AS SHE MENTIONED IS ONE IN OUR OVERLOADED FAMILY COURTS, AND SHE IS SECOND WITH A WORKLOAD OF 1.67.

SHE DOES THE WORK OF 1.67 JUDGES.

AS BEST SHE CAN IN THREE COUNTIES.

BEFORE THAT, THE NUMBER 1 MOST EGREGIOUS IN THIS COMMONWEALTH -- WHERE THE JUDGE THERE REPRESENTATIVE LEWIS DOING THE WORK OF 2.24 JUDGES.

2.24 JUDGES.

HOW IN THE WORLD?

SO THE POINT IS, VERY QUICKLY, THIS IS ALL ABOUT ACCESS TO JUSTICE.

ALL ABOUT ACCESS TO JUSTICE.

AS JUDGE MORGAN SAYS, WE CAN BUILD A VERY FINEST SYSTEM OF LAWS, WE CAN BUILD BUT IF THERE'S NOT THE PEOPLE THERE TO GET THE WORK DONE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO FAIL >> A NUMBER OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE'S MEMBERS DISCUSSED THE MOVEMENT OF JUDGES - FLOYD AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES HAVE A JUDGE MOVE TO HELP WITH CASELOADS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE - JASON NEMES AND JASON PETRIE BOTH COMMENTED ON THE PROCESS AND WHAT IT MEANS.

>> I DON'T WANT TO LOSE A JUDGE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

I WENT TO LAW SCHOOL WITH A LOT OF JUDGES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

BUT THE NUMBERS ARE CLEAR THAT JEFFERSON COUNTY SHOULD LOSE A JUDGE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE OVERALL SCOPE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

I DON'T LIKE THAT.

I DON'T LIKE IF FLOYD COUNTY IS LOSING A SECOND JUDGE IN A FEW YEARS, 6 OR 7 YEARS BUT THE NUMBERS ARE CLEAR THAT'S WHERE THE JUDGES ARE MOST UNDERWORKED.

THOSE JUDGES WOULD DISAGREE WITH THAT BUT THAT'S WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY.

>> DON'T ASK AM I GAINING A JUDGE AM I LOSE AGO JUDGE?

AM I GAINING ONE IN MY AREA OR LOSING ONE IN MY AREA?

I WOULD SUGGEST WE ALL LOOK AT THIS FROM THE STANDPOINT OF IT'S A WORKLOAD STUDY THAT'S A PUBLIC CERTIFICATION, IT'S BASED ON DATA.

WE'VE ASKED FOR THAT.

IT'S BEEN GIVEN.

IT'S BEEN GIVEN MORE THAN ONCE AND IT'S BASED ON WORKLOAD.

WHY AM I TALKING ABOUT WORKLOAD?

BECAUSE ALL WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING, I THINK, IS ARE OUR CONSTITUENTS BEING SERVED EFFECTIVELY THROUGH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEMS STEM?

>> HOUSE BILL 214 PASSED THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FULL BODY.

THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TODAY VOTED FOR A RESOLUTION TO END KENTUCKY'S COVID STATE OF EMERGENCY BY MARCH 7TH - A PROPOSAL THAT'S BEEN CRITICIZED BY GOVERNOR BESHEAR.

THE SPONSOR, SENATOR DONALD DOUGLAS, SAYS BY MARCH 7TH, KENTUCKY'S STATE OF EMERGENCY WILL BE TWO YEARS OLD.

HE SAYS COVID NUMBERS HAVE IMPROVED, AND TODAY HE WAS CRITICAL OF THE ACTIONS TAKEN DURING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY.

>> WHEN THE EMERGENCY STARTED, WHAT WE SAW, WE SAW STATEWIDE SUSPENSION OF ELECTED MEDICAL PROCEDURES, STATEWIDE MASK MANDATES, TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, SCHOOLS SHUT DOWN, WE SAW BUSINESS CLOSURES.

HECK, EVEN AT ONE POINT WE SAW THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE BEING SENT TO OUR CHURCHES.

TO PULL THE ATTENDEES OFF THE CHURCH OUT OF THE CHURCH >> THE VOTE WAS NINE TO ONE IN FAVOR OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION, WITH SENATOR DENISE HARPER ANGEL VOTING NO.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 150 IS ON THE SENATE'S ORDERS OF THE DAY FOR TOMORROW.

THE SENATE PASSED SENATE BILL 48, A BILL REQUIRING THE STATE TO RECOVER THE $15 MILLION INVESTED WITH BRAIDY INDUSTRIES IN 2017.

BRAIDY WAS SUPPOSED TO BUILD AN ALUMINUM MILL NEAR ASHLAND BY 2020 BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN BUILT.

>> YOU KNOW WE'VE HAD A LOT OF GUT PUNCHNESS EASTERN KENTUCKY IN THE LAST DECADE OR SO WITH THE DEVASTATION OF OUR COAL INDUSTRY.

WE'VE A HAD A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT HAVE ANNOUNCED AND YIELD A GREAT PROMISE ONLY TO FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE THIS APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER ONE.

I REALLY HOPE THAT THIS PROJECT SUCCEEDS >> AN AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 48 CHANGED THE DEADLINE FOR PAYBACK TO JULY, INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL DATE OF MARCH.

THE SENATE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO PASS THE BILL, SENDING IT TO THE HOUSE.

THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS A NEW MEMBER.

LAST NIGHT, DEMOCRAT KETURAH HERRON WON A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE HOUSE DISTRICT 42 SEAT IN LOUISVILLE.

SHE WILL REPLACE FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE REGINALD MEEKS, WHO RETIRED IN DECEMBER.

HERRON DEFEATED JUDY MARTIN STALLARD BY A WIDE MARGIN.

SHE RECEIVED OVER 94% OF THE VOTE.

ACCORDING TO THE FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN, HERRON IS KENTUCKY'S FIRST OPENLY LGBTQ STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE OF DAY 34 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 PM EASTERN TIME FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

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.