♪ >> Casey: THE SENATE PASSES A MEASURE TO CREATE A COMMISSIONER ON RACE AND ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY, LEGISLATION THAT WOULD GIVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MORE CONTROL TO PROSECUTE PROTEST-RELATED CRIMES, AND A HOUSE BILL COULD FORCE SCHOOLS TO REOPEN IN MARCH, ON DAY 17 OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

>> Casey: GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

THE KENTUCKY SENATE SENT A MEASURE TO THE HOUSE THAT WOULD CREATE A COMMISSION TO STUDY DISPARITIES IN EDUCATIONAL EQUITY, HEALTH, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

SENATE BILL 10 WOULD CREATE THE COMMISSION ON RACE AND ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY.

THE COMMISSION WOULD SEEK TO ADDRESS BARRIERS TO MINORITY SUCCESS AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THEIR FINDINGS.

SENATOR DAVID GIVENS IS THE SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 10.

>> THE SUMMER 2020 BUZZ A SUMMER THAT IMPACTED A LOT OF US IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND ONE OF THOSE THAT IS SO PROFOUND IS WE HAD FELLOW KENTUCKIAN FELLOW AMERICANS SUFFERING.

WAYS BEJOB ANYTHING THAT I COULD COMPREHEND.

THE THINGS THAT I LEARNED ABOUT THE LIVES AND STRUGGLES OF MY FELLOW BLACK KENTUCKIANS, AND THE PAINS THEY HAVE SUFFEREDAND THE CHALLENGES THEY CONTINUE TO FACE,, THOSE WERE THINGS I NEVER UNDERSTOOD.

SO WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US IN SENATE BILL 10 IS THE CREATION OF COMMISSION WITHIN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, TO GUIDE US ON POLICY, TO GATHER DATA TO HE HELP US TO SHAPE WHAT THE FUTURE OF KENTUCKY LOOKS LIKE.

AND IT IS GOING TO BE POINTEDLY ADDRESSING A CONVERSATION THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEING UNCOMFORTABLE.

THE CONVERSATION ABOUT RACE THE COMMISSION ON RACE AND ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY WOULD BE UNDER THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND SENATE BILL 10 SETS THE MAKEUP FOR THE COMMISSION.

LOUISVILLE SENATOR GERALD NEAL AND LEXINGTON SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS BOTH SPOKE IN FAVOR OF THE LEGISLATION, BUT THEY BOTH SAID THERE IS LEGISLATION THAT CAN BE PASSED NOW TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MINORITIES IN KENTUCKY AND THAT SHOULDN'T WAIT.

>> THERE WERE WEIGHTY ISSUES ON THE TABLE.

AND I MUST DO THIS AND I HOPE TO HAVE A LITTLE PATIENCE WITH ME.

BUT I HAVE BEEN HERE A WHILE.

I PUT A LOT OF LEGISLATION ON THE TABLE.

IT IS RARELY PICKED UP, I HAVE PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS WITH SOME OF MY FRIENDS EVEN ACROSS THE AISLE, AND ALTHOUGH THEY UNDERSTAND WHERE I'M COMING FROM, AND THEY AGREE, IT GETS CAUGHT INTO IN THISRY.

MY CYNICAL SIDE SAYS THIS IS A SENATE, A DIFFICULT PROCESS.

AND I BOUGHT INTO THAT SO, KEEP ON PUSHING.

BUT I GOT TO TELL YOU, THERE ARE MATTERS BEFORE THIS BODY, AND YOU'RE RIGHT.

THEY CANNOT BE DONE ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

BUT THEREFORE MATTERS BEFORE THIS BODY RIGHT NOW THAT SHOULD BE GIVEN SERIOUS.

CONSIDERATION.

VOTE THEM UP OR DOWN.

RIGHT NOW, WITH DEE HAVE TO WAIT ON SOME OF THESE MATTERS.

>> THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE WHEN WE CAME HERE HERE IN JANUARY OF 2021 AND THAT'S THE RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FALLOUT FROM 2020 THAT THAT TOO WAS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT IN AMERICA, RIGHT IN FACE.

AND WE HAD TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THAT.

AND, WE HAD TO SAY, THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE GOT TO DO NOW BECAUSE, WE CANNOT GO BACKWARD.

>> Casey: THERE WAS ONE VOTE IN OPPOSITION OF SENATE BILL 10 AND IT CAME FROM UNION SENATOR JOHN SCHICKEL.

HE SAID HE CAN'T REMEMBER A SESSION WHERE THERE WERE MORE BILLS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MAKE KENTUCKY A MORE JUST PLACE, BUT THAT HE HAD TO SHARE SOME OF HIS CONCERNS ABOUT SENATE BILL >> I PREFER AN APPROACH WHERE WE TAKE INDIVIDUAL LEGISLATION AND WE LOOK AT IT THROUGH LEGISLATIVE BODY.

YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY CALLED THIS PERFORMANCE POLITICS AND I KIND OF HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE PERSON THAT DID A LITTLE BIT, BECAUSE, TO ME, IT'S SOMETHING THAT MAKES US ALL FEEL GOOD, MAKES US LOOK LIKE WE'RE DOING SOMETHING, BUT REALLY, ARE WE DOING ANYTHING AT ALL, AND ARE WE GOING TO HAVE -- ARE WE GOING TO GET AN UNBIASED VERSION OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 10 PASSED THE SENATE 35 TO ONE AND WILL NOW HEAD TO THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

>>> THERE WAS INTENSE DEBATE AROUND PROVISIONS IN A BILL THAT WOULD GIVE THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL GREATER LATITUDE IN PROSECUTING PROTEST-RELATED CRIMES.

THIS COMES AMID SWIRLING CONCERNS THAT COUNTY PROSECUTORS WEREN'T ABLE TO WEIGH IN ON THE MATTER.

REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BLANTON, A FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, IS THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 479.

THE LEGISLATION HAS MORE AGREEABLE PARTS, DEALING WITH LEGAL ACTIONS INVOLVING THE STATE.

BUT ONE SECTION OF THE BILL DREW SHARP OPPOSITION FROM DEMOCRATS AND RAISED THE EYEBROWS OF SOME REPUBLICANS ON THE HOUSE JUDICIARY PANEL.

THE SECTION OF DEBATE ADDRESSES PROTEST-RELATED CRIMES, LIKE RIOTING.

BLANTON SAID IT'S NOT HIS INTENT TO STIFLE ANYONE'S CIVIL LIBERTIES.

>> IT SAYS IF IT WERE TO OCCUR AND LOCAL PROSECUTIONS DO NOT PROSECUTE, THEN, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD HAVE THE OPTION, IF THEY CHOSE TO, AND I WOULD REPLIED EVERYBODY THAT THE CURRENT ATTORNEY GENERAL IS NOT GOING TO BE THERE FOREVER.

THIS IS FOR EVERY ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> Casey: LOUISVILLE LAWYER TED SHOUSE SERVED AS LEGAL COUNSEL TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE ATTICA SCOTT AND HER DAUGHTER ASHANTI IN DEFENSE OF FELONY RIOTING CHARGES LEVELED AGAINST THEM LAST YEAR DURING RACIAL JUSTICE PROTESTS STEMMING FROM THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE.

THOSE CHARGES WERE DISMISSED BY THE JEFFERSON COUNTY ATTORNEY.

TODAY, SHOUSE AND ASHANTI SCOTT, A SECOND-YEAR POLITICAL SCIENCE STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE, APPEARED BEFORE THE HOUSE JUDICIARY PANEL TO OPPOSE THAT SPECIFIC SECTION OF BLANTON'S HOUSE BILL 479.

SHOUSE SAYS THAT GIVES THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL UNFETTERED DISCRETION TO EITHER INITIATE OR INTERVENE IN A SERIES OF PROTEST-RELATED CASES.

>> WE' LOU OUR LOCAL COUNTY ATTORNEYS TO EXERCISE THE RUST PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEIR COUNTIES AND PEOPLE AND THEY ARE ANSWERING ABOUT TO THE VOTER SO THEY KNOW WHAT CASES ARE WORTH PURSUING AND WHAT CASES AROUND AND HOW TO EXER SIZE THE LIMITED RESOURCES.

THIS SECTION OF THE BILL, WOULD ALLOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SWOOP IN AND PROSECUTE ON HIS OWN INITIATIVE DISORDERLY CONDUCT, OBSTRUCTING A HIGHWAY, FAILURE TO DISPERSE, UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY, AND THOSE ARE ALL B MISDEMEANORS.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS DESIGNED AS A RESPONSE TO THE LAWFUL AND PERMISSIBLE SOCIAL PROTESTS MOVEMENTS THAT OCCURRED IN JEFFERSON COUNTY LAST YEAR IN RESPONSE TO THE KILLING OF BRIAN ORSER OWN THAT TAYLOR.

I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT BECAUSE IT GIVES THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SUCH UNFETTERED DISCRETION, IT IS ARGUABLE UNDER KENTUCKY LAW.

AND I LIKE TO WIN AND I'M A PRETTY GOOD LAWYER BUT I WOULD SAY THAT YOU COULD MAKE AN ARGUMENT THAT THOSE CHARGES THAT WERE DISMISSED AGAINST REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, AND HER DAUGHTER, COULD BE BROUGHT BACK BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> I AM SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL AND REPORTER SCHOLAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE AND THESE CHARGES MADE ME VERY FEARFUL OF LOSING MY SCHOLARSHIPS.

I THINK THAT, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY MADE THE CORRECT DISCUSSION IN DROPPING THESE CHARGES FOR MYSELF AND THE OTHERS THAT WERE A PART OF OUR GROUP.

AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A BAD THING TO ALLOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO COME IN AND TO BRING THESE CHARGES UP AGAIN.

>> Casey: ASSISTANT DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, AMY BURKE, WHO OVERSEES CRIMINAL JUSTICE MATTERS IN THE AG'S OFFICE, WAS QUICK TO REBUT CLAIMS MADE BY ATTORNEY TED SHOUSE.

BUT, SHE SAYS DISORDERLY CONDUCT, RIOTING AND SIMILAR CRIMES WERE NOT ASKED TO BE INCLUDED IN BLANTON'S BILL.

BURKE MAINTAINS IT'S THE INTENT OF THE AG'S OFFICE TO WORK WITH COUNTY AND COMMONWEALTH PROSECUTORS, NOT USURP THEM.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS NO INTENT.

WE WOULD NEVER GO BACK AND RECHARGE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, MISS SCOTT, THAT'S -- THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN SO CAN I MAKE THAT CLEAR BECAUSE I KNOW THAT'S A BIG-SEW SOUNDS LIKE CONCERN AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

I I AGAIN AM IN CHARGE OF THE CRIMINAL DIVISION.

SO WHAT THIS DOES, IS IT GIVES CONCURRENT JURISDICTION TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES, SO SOMETIMES, WHEN YOU HAVE THESE TYPE OF OFFENSES, THE LAUNDRY LIST AND THEY ARE BOTH MISDEMEANORS AND FELONIES.

DESECRATION OF A VENERATEED OBJECT FIRST DEGREE A C FELONY SO THERE ARE FELONIES AND MISSISSIPPI MISDEMEANORS HERE.

BILL SPONSOR JOHN BLANTON SAID HE REACHED OUT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION FOR INPUT, BUT, THEY DID NOT RESPOND.

LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT MACKENZIE CANTRELL TRIED TO TABLE THE MEASURE BECAUSE OF THE CONTROVERSIAL SECTION RELATING TO PROTESTS.

HER MOTION FAILED.

SHE, AND OTHER DEMOCRATS, RAILED AGAINST BLANTON'S BILL IN CASTING THE FIRM OPPOSING VOTES.

>> WE'RE HEARING THAT AFFECTS ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES.

I'M APPALLED.

THIS IS SO DEEPLY DISTURBING THAT WE'RE TREATING ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES THIS WAY.

IF YOU WANT TO GIVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MORE POWER, DO IT.

BUT DON'T THROW ONE OUR COLLEAGUES UNDER THE BUS ON THE WAY DOWN.

THIS IS THE MOST SHAMEFUL THING I HAVE SEEN HERE.

NO.

>> ANYBODY THAT CLAIMS TO CARE ABOUT INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY NEEDS TO BE A NO VOTE ON THIS WITH SECTION 55 IN IT.

AND IF THAT'S -- IF YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE YES, THEN I HAVE NO IDEA WHY YOU ARE, YOU KNOW, CLAIMING TO CARE ABOUT FIRST AMENDMENT, INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS.

THERE WILL BE A CLASS OF PEOPLE WHO WILL BE UNDER THIS THREAT, FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

AND WE'RE PUSHING A BILL THROUGH WHERE WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY OF YOU POINTED OUT, APPROPRIATE CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS FROM COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEYS, AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS,.

IT IS HARD TO SEE THIS AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN TARGETING PEOPLE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN THE VITAL WORK OF FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND PROTEST.

THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE NO FOR ME.

>> IN THE MIDST OF THIS BODY CLAIMING THAT IT WANTS TO ADDRESS ISSUESS OF RACIAL JUSTICE AND TRAUMA, THIS BILL BEING THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF THAT AND AN ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT HAS DONE NOTHING BUT CONTRIBUTE TO CONFLICT ACROSS OUR COMMONWEALTH AND INSTEAD SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON HEALING, I WILL BE VOTING NO.

>> REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BLANTON'S MEASURE CLEARED THE HOUSE JUDICIARY PANEL THIS AFTERNOON 11-5 WITH 2 PASS VOTES.

IT NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE.

>>> THE KENTUCKY HOUSE VOTED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SCHOOL IS OPEN FOR INSTRUCTION.

THEY DID THAT BY PASSING A BILL THAT ORIGINALLY ONLY ADDRESSED THE CALCULATION OF BASE PER-PUPIL FUNDING, CALLED SEEK, IN LIGHT OF SCHOOL ADJUSTMENTS MADE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

BUT, AN APPROVED FLOOR AMENDMENT THIS AFTERNOON, NOW ALSO MANDATES THAT SCHOOLS RETURN TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION IN MARCH.

HOUSE EDUCATION CHAIR REGINA HUFF SAID IT'S NECESSARY TO RETURN KIDS TO THE CLASSROOM FOR THEIR ACADEMIC AND MENTAL WELL-BEING.

>> HOUSE FLOOR AMENDMENT FIVE REQUIRES DISTRICT TO RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM THIS SPRING.

IT REQUIRES DEADLINE OF MARCH 29 TO OPEN THE PHYSICAL CLASSROOMS FOR AT LEAST FOUR DAYS A WEEK, AND REQUIRES EVERY STUDENT TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT PHYSICAL CLASSROOM, AT LEAST TWO DAYS A WEEK.

THIS ALSO ALIGNS WITH THE CURRENT K.D.

E FINANCIAL INCENTIVE THEY ARE PROVIDING FOR DISTRICTS THAT MEET THE CERTAIN CRITERIA TO OPEN 12 HOURS OF IN-PERSON AND THAT INCENTIVE WILL BEGIN APRIL 1.

THE AMENDMENT ALEWIS STUDENTS UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE SCHOOL TO CONTINUE PROMOTE INSTRUCTION THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

IF THE FAMILY DECIDES TO RETURN TO YOU IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION HE, THEY CAN REVOKE THAT WRITTEN REQUEST AND RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM AT ANY TIME.

THIS AMENDMENT WOULD ALLOW DISTRICTS TO USE FIVE DAYS AS NECESSARY, WHETHER IT BE FOR SNOW, FLU OR NATURAL DISASTER OR EVEN COVID OF NTI BUT THEY ARE LIMITED TO FIVE DAYS THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS IF A DISTRICT WERE TO MOVE TO THE RED, COUNTY AS WE HAVE BEEN MEASURING, THEN THE COMMISSIONER COULD HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO GRANT ADDITIONAL DAYS BUT THOSE WOULD BE ON HIS GRANTING.

>> >> LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT TINA BOJONAWSKI, THE ONLY ACTIVE TEACHER IN THE HOUSE, THREW HER SUPPORT BEHIND THE BILL.

BUT, SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE FEDERAL STUDENT TESTING REQUIREMENTS THAT CAME DOWN RECENTLY, IN TERMS OF BOTH THEIR PERFORMANCE AND STRESS OVER THE ASSESSMENTS.

>> WHAT I'M HOPING FOR IS THAT WHATEVER TESTING THAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO TAKE, THAT IT IS NOT IN THE MODEL OF OUR CURRENT K-PREP TESTING AND IT IS NOT STANDARDS-BASED TESTING BECAUSE I WILL TELL YOU, SPECIFICALLY, FROM MY ROLE AS A TEACHER, HERE IS WHAT WE GET FROM THAT TESTING.

ACCOUNT ABILITY SCORES FOR STATE TO DRIVE OUR DATA FOR TESTING.

IT DOES NOT PROVIDE ME AS A TEACHER WITH ANYTHING DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATIVE, FOR MY STUDENTS TO DRIVE INSTRUCTION, NOR DOES IT PROVIDE PARENTS ANYTHING OTHER THAN A RANGE WHERE THE STUDENT SCORCH I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, WHERE MY SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS ARE LIKELY TO SCORE.

IT IS GOING TO BE WHERE THEY WERE LAST YEAR.

OR LOWER.

>> SOME HOUSE MEMBERS ARE WORRIED THE MEASURE SETS A PRECEDENT FOR INTERVENING IN LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD DECISIONS.

OTHERS, LIKE FRESHMAN REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER FELICIA RABOURN, BELIEVE THAT REMOTE INSTRUCTION IS CAUSING KIDS TO FALL BEHIND.

>> 22,508 STUDENTS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY ALONE WHICH IS NEARLY 23% OF THEIR DISTRICT ARE CURRENTLY FAILING.

AND FAYETTE COUNTY, MIDDLE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL MEMBERS, HAVE MORE THAN TRIPLED FROM LAST YEAR.

STUDENTS ARE FAILING AND THEY NEED TO BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM, AND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

I'LL BE CLEAR: IT IS NEVER OKAY TO PUT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS AND THEIR AGENERAL DID AHEAD OF STUDENTS AND THEIR EDUCATION.

IT IS TIME FOR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO MAKE DECISIONS, BASED ON THE BEST INTERESTS OF THEIR DISTRICT, WITHOUT HAVING THEIR HANDS TIED.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, EVERY SINGLE PARENT IN THIS STATE DESERVES TO SEND THEIR CHILD BACK TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION.

>> Casey: HOUSE EDUCATION CHAIR REGINA HUFF'S SCHOOL FUNDING AND RE-OPENING MEASURE CLEARED THE LOWER CHAMBER 88 TO 7 AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

>>> THE GLOBAL HEALTH PANDEMIC HAS TAKEN A TOLL, NOT JUST ON EDUCATION, BUT ALSO BUSINESS.

A PACKAGE OF BILLS PASSED BY THE HOUSE THIS AFTERNOON ADDRESSES UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EXPENSES PAID WITH THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS.

HOUSE BILL 413, BY HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHAIR RUSSELL WEBBER, PROVIDES A RAFT OF RELIEF MEASURES FOR BUSINESSES.

SEVERAL DEMOCRATS BELIEVE THAT THE REPUBLICAN-DOMINATED LEGISLATURE SHOULD ALSO ENSURE THAT JOBLESS WORKERS SUFFERING UNDER THE WEIGHT OF INCOME LOSS AREN'T FORGOTTEN.

REPRESENTATIVE MCKENZIE CANTRELL SAID LAWMAKERS SHOULD ADDRESS THE SYSTEMIC FUNDING PROBLEMS IN THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAM THAT'S KEEPING CLAIMANTS DESPERATE FOR HELP FROM GETTING IT.

>> I CANNOT SUPPORT A BILL TODAY THAT DOES NOT HELP THE CLAIMANT ISSUES THAT I HAVE WORKED ON FOR MONTHS, THAT I HAVE SAT ON THE PHONE AND CRIED WITH MY CONSTITUENTS, BECAUSE THEY ARE WORRIED THEY'LL LEAVE THEIR HOUSE, THEY ARE WORRIED THEY ARE GOING TO LEAVE THEIR CAR.

AND I HAVE OFFERED TO BRING THIS FOOD BECAUSE THEY KNEE IF THEY CAN HAVE GROCERIES.

THIS IS THE ISSUE THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

AND IF WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS BUSINESS ISSUE, THEN LET'S DO IT.

BUT WE HAVE TO HELP PEOPLE FIRST.

AND, THAT'S WHERE MY VALUES ARE AND MY VOTE IS GOING TO BE TODAY, AND I HOPE THAT WE EVENTUALLY GET AROUND TO HELPING PEOPLE.

>> TO THAT, SPONSOR RUSSELL WEBER ISSUED THIS STERN COUNTER-ARGUMENT, AND BLAMED THE OCCUPANT IN THE STATE'S EXECUTIVE SUITE FOR THE FAILURES OF GETTING JOBLESS BENEFITS TO DISPLACED WORKERS.

>> IF WE DON'T HAVE EMPLOYERS WITH THEIR DOORS OPEN, THERE WON'T THERE WON'T BE PEOPLE TO EMPLOY IN THIS COMMONWEALTH.

AND I HEAR FROM MY CONSTITUENTS AS WELL.

I HAD THREE TODAY, THAT CONTACTED ME, THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING WEEKS TO GET SOME SORT OF ANSWER, AND TO THE LADY FROM JEFFERSON 38, I WILL SAY, THERE IS ONE MAN IN THIS BUILDING TODAY, THAT CAN FIX THAT AND HE IS ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE CAPITOL AND THE LABOR CABINET CAN JOIN HIM AND FIX THAT.

>> Casey: SOON AFTER THAT FIERY COMMENTARY, WEBBER'S HOUSE BILL 413 WENT ON TO PASS THE HOUSE 86 TO 12 AND NOW HEADS ACROSS THE CAPITOL TO THE SENATE.

>>> THE HOUSE ALSO PASSED A MEASURE ALLOWING BUSINESSES TO DEDUCT EXPENSES PAID WITH FORGIVEN PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS.

PPP, AS IT'S CALLED, STEMMED FROM THE PANDEMIC-RELATED FEDERAL CARES ACT THAT MADE LOANS AVAILABLE TO SMALL BUSINESSES TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO RETAIN OR REHIRE EMPLOYEES.

HOUSE BILL 278 CLEARED THE HOUSE 96-1 AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

>>> THE ONGOING PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS IN KENTUCKY AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

HOUSE BILL 50, A BILL SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE KIMBERLY MOSER, AIMS TO PREVENT HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM DENYING OR LIMITING MENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE FOR PATIENTS.

IT WOULD REQUIRE INSURERS TO PERFORM COMPARATIVE ANALYSES ABOUT THEIR MANAGED CARE PRACTICES AND SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT ABOUT THE INSURER'S COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MENTAL HEALTH PARITY LAWS.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THAT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OFTEN UNDERLIE ADINGTION AND CERTAINLY THE SOCIAL CONDITIONS THAT WE SEE IF THEY ARE LEFT UP CHECKED AND UNTREATED.

KENTUCKY CONTINUES TO SEE A PROBLEM WITH ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE AS YOU KNOW.

AND, THIS IS ALL OF COURSE RELATED TO SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, AND, UNTREATED CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS OFTEN TIMES.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE STILL SEE THE HARM CAUSED BY RESTRICTING COVER ABOUT FOR MENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE.

AS COMPARED WITH OTHER MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CONDITIONS.

THIS LEGISLATION WILL SIMPLY REQUIRE INSURERS TO AUDIT, ANY PROCEDURES FOR DECIDING NON-QUANTITATIVE TREATMENT COVERAGE AND LIMITATIONS SO THAT WOULD BE PERFORMING A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF COVERAGE FOR ALL HEALTH CONDITIONS.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND HOW TO HELP INSURERS PROVIDE THE NECESSARY CARE AND LIFE-SAVING COVERAGE.

>> WE COULD PUT THIS ON CONSENT.

YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS IF EULOGY THE HONOR TO PRESENT THE BILL ON THE FLOOR.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THIS ON THE FLOOR, THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS BECAUSE WE KNOW WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS THROUGH COVID-19 HOW DIFFICULT IT IS AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT WE'RE MAKING EFFORTS AT THE STATE LEVEL TO REALLY HELP OUT AND MAKE SURE THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE PROVIDING THE SAME COVERAGE FOR THAT.

>> >> Casey: THE BILL PASSED COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY ON A 9-0 VOTE.

CURRENTLY IN KENTUCKY, INDIVIDUALS WHO ASPIRE TO BECOME ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELORS MUST HAVE A 60-HOUR MASTER'S DEGREES SPECIALIZING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

SENATE BILL 166, A BILL INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS, WOULD CREATE A LICENSED ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELOR POSITION FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE 30-HOUR MASTER'S DEGREES SPECIALIZED IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.

THIS MEASURE WOULD ALLOW MORE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS TO HELP TACKLE THE STATE'S DRUG EPIDEMIC.

>> THIS THIS PROPOSED LANGUAGE WOULD CREATE A DRUG AND ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELOR POSITION.

THE CREDENTIAL WOULD CREATE A POSITION FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE A 30-HOUR MASTERS DEGREE WHICH IS A COMMON DEGREE OFFERED.

>> THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL IS, AS WE ALL KNOW, YOU'VE BEEN DISCUSSING TODAY IS, WE HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM STILL IN THIS STATE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND WE AND MOST PROVIDERS IN THIS STATE HAVE HAD A REAL PROBLEM FINDING ENOUGH QUALIFIED PRACTITIONERS TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

RIGHT NOW, TO BE -- A LITTLE TECHNICAL, A LICENSED CLINICAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELOR WHICH IS WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN KENTUCKY, YOU HAVE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A 60 HOURS MASTERS DEGREE AND THAT CREDENTIAL FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH IN GENERAL.

WE'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE WITH THAT CREDENTIAL, WE'RE COMPETING WITH HOSPITALS AND SOCIAL SERVICES AND ALL OF THESE OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES, IS IT CREATES TWO NEW CREDENTIALS IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY THAT WOULD ALLOW FOLKS TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

THE FIRST ONE IS, A LICENSED ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELOR.

THIS IS SOMEONE WHO WOULD HAVE A 30-HOUR MASTERS DEGREE.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE FOCUSED ON TREATING TAKETION HERE IN KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HERE IN KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW WHO ARE OFFERING THIS CREDENTIAL OR OFFERING THE 30 HOUR MASTERS DEGREE.

YOU A POLLGIZE.

AND WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS BECAUSE, THE PEOPLE THAT 30 HOUR MASTERS DEGREE DON'T HAVE SOMEWHERE THEY CAN PLUG IN HERE IN KENTUCKY, THEY ARE GOING TO OTHER STATES WHO DO OFFER THIS CREDENTIAL.

SO WE'RE HAVING A DOUBLE WHAMMY.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE TRAINING HERE IN KENTUCKY ARE LEAVING FOR OTHER STATES.

>> THE BILL PASSED COMMITTEEMENT UNANIMOUSLY ON A VOTE OF 9 TO ZERO.

>> A SENATE COMMITTEE PASSED A MEASURE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ADD LEGISLATIVE DAYS ONTO THE CALENDAR.

HOUSE BILL 4 IS SPONSORED BY HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE, BUT A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE TO THE MEASURE MAKES SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM DAVID GIVENS EXPLAINED HOW THE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE IS DIFFERENT TO THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE.

>> IF WE HAD THIS ABILITY THAT WE WOULD HAVE IN HOUSE BILL 4, MUCH OF THE LEGISLATION THAT WE WRESTLED WITH THIS SESSION WOULD NOT BE NEEDED.

SENATE BILLS 1, 2, LIKELY HOUSE BILL 1 AS WELL.

PAUSE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING OURSELVES BACK IN THOSE TIMES OF NEED, AT WHICH WE HAVE ISSUES THAT THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE NEED TO BE HEARD.

WHAT YOU'LL SEE IN HOUSE BILL 4 IS THE SUB BEFORE US.

THE LARGEST CHANGE IS WE'RE ACTUALLY TAKING THOSE DATES OUT OF THE CONSTITUTION.

AND WE'LL SPEAK TO THAT AGAIN IN JUST A MOMENT.

YOU'LL SEE THOSE DATES COME BACK IN THE COMPANION LEGISLATION.

BUT THE REASON FOR THAT IS VERY, VERY SOUND BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DON'T KNOW.

THINK ABOUT SNOW STORM THAT WE HAD LAST WEEK.

WHAT IF WE HAD THREE WEEKS WORTH OF SNOW, IN A CONSTITUTION STILL BOUND US TO A MARCH 30 DATE CERTAIN DEADLINE.

BY PUTTING THAT IN STATUTE, AND THEN SETTING A REALLY HIGH BAR THAT YOU SEE HERE IN THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, FOR US TO CHANGE THAT DATE, IT WOULD ONLY BE UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE NEED WAS VERY, VERY REAL.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE SAID THAT IT IS TIME FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO MODERNIZE ITS PROCESS AND THAT IT WILL MAKE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY A BETTER LEGISLATIVE BODY.

HE CALLED THE SENATE'S COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE TO THE MEASURE A E PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONALF THE AMENDMENT WOULD GO ON BALLOTS DURING THE 2022 ELECTION CYCLE, AND OSBORNE SAYS THERE ISN'T A GUARANTEE VOTERS WILL PASS IT.

HE ADDRESSES SOME OF THE SENATE'S CHANGES TO THE MEASURE.

>> AS WE TRY GIVE OURSELVES FLEXIBILITY KNOWING THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE WITH US, AND IN ALL LIKELIHOOD FOR, YOU KNOW, THE NEXT 50 YEARS.

THAT WE, IF WE TRULY ARE TRYING TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE, AND BE MORE EFFECTIVE, THEN, THE ABILITY TO DO SOME THINGS IN STATUTE AS OPPOSED TO PUTTING THEM IN THE CONSTITUTION, IS VERY IMPORTANT.

, UNDERSTANDING, SENATOR McGARVEY WAS PARTICULARLY ADAMANT ABOUT THE ISSUE OF, WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP OR WE STAY IN KEEPING WITH THE INTENT OF US BEING A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE.

AND, THE LACK OF DATES CERTAIN, AND IN THE CONSTITUTION, MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO PLAN.

IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO PLAN THEIR CAREERS, AND THEIR JOB.

WE ALL KNOW THAT WE MAKE LOTS OF CHANGES AND SACRIFICES WHILE WE'RE HERE, BASED ON THAT CALENDAR.

>> SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN MCGARVEY VOTED FOR THE MEASURE AND SAYS HOUSE BILL 4 SHOULD NOT BE PARTISAN IN NATURE.

BUT HE SAYS HE HAS SOME CONCERNS.

>> I AGREE WITH YOU, MR. SPEAKER THAT TIMES ARE CHANGING, AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO REACT TO THOSE TIMES, IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN WE CURRENTLY DO IN THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS IN YOUR REMARKS AND I STILL HAVE THEM.

I AM WORRIED THAT THIS PUSHES US MORE TOWARD A FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE.

EVEN IF WE'RE NOT HERE THAT NUMBER OF DAYS THAT THE CALENDAR WILL HANG OVER PEOPLE'S HEADS, AND, WE CAN COME IN TO SESSION AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND I HAVE THAT CONCERN.

>> FRANKFORT SENATOR ADRIANE SOUTHWORTH WAS THE LONE NO VOTE FOR HOUSE BILL 4.

SHE SAYS SHE HAS ISSUES WITH A LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR THAT COULD SHIFT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND THAT SHE'S NOT SURE MORE DAYS NEED TO BE ADDED.

>> I THINK IT IS A LITTLE REDUNDANT WITH THE CHANGING OF THE FINAL DATE, TO ADD THE 12 DAYS AND PARTICULARLY DON'T CARE FOR THE CONSTITUTION INCLUDING THINGS LIKE, US DECIDING IF WE WANT TO HAVE EXTRA DAYS, OR, JUST SEEMS LIKE WE NEED TO MAYBE CONCISE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>>> HOUSE BILL 4 WILL HEAD TO THE SENATE AFTER PASSING THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 9 TO 1.

>>> THE SAME COMMITTEE THAT PASSED HOUSE BILL 4 ALSO PASSED COMPANION LEGISLATION THE MEASURE.

SENATE BILL 181 LAYS OUT HOW HOUSE BILL 4 WILL WORK IN PRACTICE FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IT LAYS OUT HOW THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY USE THE 12 ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE DAYS, IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSES HOUSE BILL 4 AND VOTERS APPROVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

GREENSBURG SENATOR DAVID GIVENS EXPLAINS SENATE BILL 181 AND HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE EXPLAINS WHY HE FEELS IT IS AN IMPORTANT MEASURE FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> THIS PUTS IN STATUTE THOSE DEADLINE DATES, THAT I PROMISED YOU THAT WE WERE GOING TO PUT IN, AND REFERENCING BACK VERY BRIEFLY TO HOUSE BILL 4, YOU SAW THERE IN HOUSE BILL 4 A REQUIRE INNOCENT THAT IT TAKES A THREE FIFTH VOTE TO CHANGE THE DATE ONCE THEY ARE IN STATUTE.

THAT MEANS NOTWITHSTANDING, THAT MEANS MOVING.

THAT MEANS SAYING WE NEED TO GO BEYOND THIS DATE.

SO THERE IS A VERY HIGH BAR FOR US TO DO THAT.

>> I THINK THE IMPORTANT PART ABOUT THIS,, THIS STATUTORY PIECE OF LEGISLATION, IS THAT IT IS CHANGEABLE.

AND IT IS CHANGEABLE BASED ON THE CONDITIONS THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN.

THE OTHER THING, WHILE WE -- WHAT WE PASSED IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WILL BE SET FORTH BEFORE THE VOTERS, THAT'S NOT CHANGEABLE.

WITHOUT ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

>> >>> SENATE BILL 181 DOES NOT ALLOW LEGISLATORS TO BE PAID FOR VETO PERIODS BETWEEN PASSING LEGISLATION AND A POTENTIAL VETO OVERRIDE DURING ADDITIONAL DAYS ADDED TO THE END OF THE SESSION.

THE MEASURE ALSO LAYS OUT A POTENTIAL CHANGE TO THE INTERIM PERIODS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WINCHESTER SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO ASKED GIVENS ABOUT THAT.

>> BILLS FILED PRIOR TO MARCH 31 AND CARRY OVER, HOW DOES THAT AFFECT OUR INTERIM MEETINGS.

TYPICALLY THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS ON CONCEPTS AND IDEAS AND THOSE COULD BE LIVE BILLS EFFECTIVELY IN THE INTERIM MEETINGS AND I'M WONDERING HOW THAT'S AFFECTED.

>> I'LL SPEAK FIRST THAT AND THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

ABSOLUTELY, THOSE WOULD STILL BE LIVE BILLS AND BILLS IN YOUR COMMITTEE, YOU CAN'T TAKE A VOTE AND MOVE THEM ON OUT OF THE COMMITTEE BECAUSE WE'RE IN THAT INTERIM PERIOD BUT BOY, DO YOU WANT TUQUE ABOUT MAKE AMONG INTERIM PERIOD ROBUST AND BENEFICIAL TO THE TAXPAYERS AND TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS LIVE ISSUES, THESE ARE ISSUES THAT COULD VERY WELL BE BACK IN FRONT OF US AS LEGISLATORS, IN A MATTER OF DAYS OF WEEKS.

SENATE BILL 181 PASSED THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 9 TO 1.

SENATOR ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH WAS AGAIN THE ONLY LEGISLATOR TO VOTE AGAINST THE BILL.

THAT'S ALL FOR OUR DAY 17 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.

YOU CAN WATCH ON OUR KENTUCKY CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORGP AND, WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 PM EASTERN, 10:00 CENTRAL TIME.

I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.