>> Renee: A SENATE BILL TO LIMIT THE USE OF KNOW NO-KNOCK SEARCH WARRANTS STATEWIDE DRAWS EMOTIONAL COMMENTARY AS IT'S FORWARDED TO THE HOUSE.

AND PASSIONS FLARE IN THE LOWER CHAMBER OVER PROPOSED INSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT COULD LEAD TO OUTLAWING ABORTIONS IN KENTUCKY THESE ISSUES AND MORE ON DAY 18 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'LL GET TO THE ABORTION DEBATE WITH A LEGISLATIVE HEARTBREAKING REVEAL OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.

BUT FIRST, ALMOST A YEAR AGO A BLACK 26-YEAR-OLD EMERGENCY ROOM TECHNICIAN BROLIN WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN HER APARTMENT AS LOUISVILLE POLICE EXECUTED A NO-KNOCK SEARCH WARRANT DURING A BOTCHED DRUG RAID.

HER DEATH DEATH AMPLIFIED RACIAL JUSTICE PROTESTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

TODAY THE KENTUCKY SENATE HEARD BALE THAT AIMS TO MAKE CHANGES TO NO-KNOCK WARRANTS LIKE ONE THE ONE USED TO ENTER TAYLOR'S APARTMENT.

ROBERT STIVERS IS THE SPONSOR OF THE SENATE BILL 4 WHICH WOULD CHANGE HOW NO-KNOCK WARRANTS CAN BE ISSUED AND HOW THEY CAN BE.

ENTRIES WITHOUT NOTICE WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE ALLEGED CRIME WOULD QUALIFY THE PERSON AS A VIOLENT OFFENDER AND THAT THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL RISKS TO SOMEONE ELSE'S SAFETY OR LEAD TO THE LOSS OF EVIDENCE.

>> A LOT OF BAD FACTORS CAME TOGETHER ONE NIGHT, AND A YOUNG LADY LOST HER LIFE, AND AFTER 30-PLUS YEARS OF LAW PRACTICE AND 20-24 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE, I THOUGHT I HAD THE BACKGROUND AND KNOWLEDGE TO DEAL WITH THIS TYPE OF SITUATION.

WHAT BOTHERS ME ABOUT THIS SITUATION IS A LONG HELD PREMISE OF OUR LAW, IS THAT NO MATTER WHAT AN INDIVIDUAL IS INVOLVED IN, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL, THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO FACE THEIR ACCUSERS, THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY, AND TO BRING WITNESSES ON THEIR BEHALF.

THIS YOUNG LADY WAS DENIED THAT BY A SERIES OF BAD POLICE JUDGMENTS.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 4 WOULD ALSO REQUIRE A SUPERVISOR TO SIGN IDENTIFY ON AN OFFICER SEEKING A NO-KNOCK WARRANT AND WOULD REQUIRE CONSULTING WITH A COUNTY OR COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY.

IF APPROVED THE NO-KNOCK WARRANTS WOULD HAVE TON SERVED BETWEEN 6:00 A.M. AND 10:00 P.M.

IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE WARRANTS WOULD HAVE TO BE SERVED BY A SWAT TEAM OR ANOTHER SPECIALLY TRAINED UNIT, AND ALL OFFICERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO WEAR BODY CAMERAS.

IN A PROPOSED STATUTE IN THE MEASURE ALSO STATES THAT ANY EVIDENCE COLLECTED AS A RESULT OF A NO-KNOCK WARRANT THAT WAS OBTAINED IMPROCEDURAL WOULD BE INADMISSIBLE AT TRIAL.

THE MEASURE ALSO ADDRESSES HOW JUDGES MAKE DECISIONS ON NO-UK KNOCK WARRANTS AND SIGN THE DOCUMENTS.

SENATOR STIVERS EXPLAINS.

>> A JUDGE SHOULD REVIEW IT AND ATTACH IT IN A NEUTRAL WAY THAT THE OFFICER SHOULD CERTIFY THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER JUDGE AND DENIED BECAUSE, AS YOU HAVE -- MOST LAWYERS UNDERSTAND, THERE'S FORM SHOPPING.

THERE CAN BE JUDGE SHOPPING.

AND SO IF THAT IS HAPPENING A JUDGE SHOULD KNOW THAT ANOTHER JUDGE HAS DENIED THE AFFIDAVIT AND THE SEARCH WARRANT.

SO THEN THE JUDGE BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE TO WOULD THEN MAKE A DETERMINATION THAT THIS TYPE OF WARRANT SHOULD BE ISSUED, AND IT IS NOT AN ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE -- IF IT IS NOT AN ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH SEARCH WARRANTS IS WHERE THERE ARE NUMEROUS JUDGES IN A CIRCUIT, YOU CAN'T IDENTIFY WHO THE JUDGE IS THAT SIGNS IT.

IT'S ALMOST KIND LIKE WE SAME DOCTORS' SIGNATURES.

YOU CAN'T IDENTIFY THE DOCTOR BECAUSE THEIR SIGNATURES.

BUT IT HAS TO BE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED AS TO WHAT JUDGE HAS SIGNED IT IF IT IS NOT ELECTRONICALLY SIGNED.

>> Renee: FORMER LAW ENFORCER AND BOONE COUNTY SENATOR JOHN SCHICKEL IS A CO-SPONSOR OF THE MEASURE.

BELIEVES THE LEGISLATION IS LONG OVERDUE.

>> THE IDEA THAT WHEN YOU GO ON A SEARCH WARRANT, YOU TAKE AWAY ONE OF THE MOST BASIC CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS THAT A CITIZEN HAS, AND TO DO THAT EVERY EYE I SHOULD BE DOTTEDDER AND T CROSSED AND THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY FOREARM SLOPPINESS, AND, QUITE FRANKLY, HAVING BEEN ON THESE SOMETIMES THERE IS SLOPENESS, AND THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 4 PASSED THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THIS MORNING AND IT WAS FAST-TRACKED TO THE FULL SENATE THIS AFTERNOON.

SENATOR PICKED UP THE CONVERSATION RIGHT WHERE IT LEFT OFF IN COMMITTEE.

THE BEAUTIFUL HAVE LOUISVILLE SENATOR GERALD NEAL LAMENTING THE ISSUES FACING BLACK COMMUNITIES.

HE SAYS NO KNOCK WARRANTS HAVE, QUOTE, LEFT A TRAIL OF BLOOD ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

>> WHY DOES NEAL ALWAYS GET UP AND TALK ABOUT RACE?

BECAUSE IT'S REAL.

AND WE MUST ROOT IT OUT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE TRUST BETWEEN THE POLICE AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE HAVE TO GO BEYOND WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE, WHICH I SUPPORT.

AND WE HAVE THE POWER, THE ABILITY, AND IS THE INTELLIGENCE AND THE MORAL STANDING TO DEAL WITH THIS IN A RATIONALE WAY.

SO WHAT'S AT STAKE HERE?

LET ME TELL YOU WHAT'S AT TAKE.

WHAT'S AT STAKE IS NOT WITHSTANDING WHAT WE DO HERE TODAY, TRUSTING THAT SENATE BILL 4 PASSES THIS BODY AND PASSES THE OTHER END OF THE HALL.

THE PROBLEMS WILL CONTINUE.

WHAT I DESCRIBE TO YOU AND WHAT HAPPENS IN MY COMMUNITY ALL TOO FREQUENTLY WILL CONTINUE.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT POLICE AND KNOCK, NO KNOCKS, THE DISREGARD AND DISRESPECT THAT'S REPORTED TO ME ON A ROUTINE BASIS WILL CONTINUE.

THAT'S WHAT I'M AFTER.

I'M AFTER A COMMUNITY THAT HAS REASON TO RESPECT ALL POLICE OFFICERS.

>> Renee: THE BILL SAW BROAD POLITICAL SUPPORT AND DISCUSSION OFTEN WIDENED TO ADMISSIONS OF VIEWING RACIAL MATTERS DIFFERENTLY NOW THAN BEFORE THE PROTESTS BROKE OUT LAST SUMMER.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DAY MONIE THAY ARE SAYS CONVERSATIONS WITH HIS CHILDREN AND WITH BLACK MEMBERS OF THE KENTUCKY SENATE WERE ENLIGHTENING.

>> AND MY KIDS TOLD ME, DAD, YOU'VE NEVER BEEN PULLED OVER FOR BEING BLACK.

I'VE BEEN PULLED OVER FOR GOING TOO FAST, WHICH IS PROBABLY NOT SURPRISING ANY ANYONE HERE.

I USE THE WORD A ALACRITY WITH REGULATORY IN MY AVAILABLERY.

AND SO I STARTED TO THINK ABOUT MY FRIENDS IN THIS CHAMBER, SENATOR FROM JEFFERSON 33, AND THE SENATOR FROM FAYETTE 13, AND I FRIED TO PUT MYSELF IN THEIR SHOES.

AND I DO THAT TODAY IN VOICING MY SUPPORT FOR THE BILL BECAUSE THE STORY THAT THE SENATOR FROM JEFFERSON 33 TOLD ME SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

IT WILL SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.

-- IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.

MY GREAT, GREAT-GRANDFATHER FOUGHT FOR THE UNION IN THE CIVIL WAR, SO THINGS LIKE THAT WOULD NOT HAPPEN.

TO MEN AND WOMEN OF THAT RACE.

>> Renee: LEXINGTON SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS ECHOED THE STATEMENTS OF LOUISVILLE SENATOR GERALD NEAL.

HE SAYS THAT KENTUCKY HAS, QUOTE, GOT TO GO FURTHER IN ADDRESSING ISSUES INVOLVING RACE.

WHEN IT COMES TO SENATE BILL 4, THOMAS APPLAUD YOU HAD THREE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE OF THE MEASURE.

>> ONE, THESE NO KNOCK WARRANTS CANNOT BE ISSUED UNTIL IT RETAINS -- ATTAINS THE APPROVAL OF THE HIGHEST SUPERVISOR EVER SUPERVISING AUTHORITY OF THAT OFFICER.

IT'S GOT TO GO TO THE TOP TO GET THAT OFFICER APPROVAL.

NUMBER TWO, AND THIS IS NOT BEEN TALKED ABOUT A LOT, THE OFFICER MUST WEAR BODY CAMERAS.

MUST WEAR BODY CAMERAS.

AND THAT'S NOT A BILLABLE AND ACCESSIBLE.

THAT OFFICER HAS VIOLATED THE PROVISIONS THIS LAW.

AND NUMBER THREE IS THESE NO KNOCK WARRANTS CAN ONLY BE ISSUED DURING MOST OF DAYLIGHT TIME IN THE SUMMER IT'S ALL DAYLIGHT, 6:00 A.M. TO 10:00 P.M. NO MORE CAN YOU HAVE AN OFFICER COMING THAT THE 1:00, 2:00 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT SERVING THESE NO KNOCK WARRANTS.

THOSE ARE THREE POINTS ABOUT THIS BILL THAT I THINK WE ALL SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE AND SAY IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT COLLECTION.

>> Renee: MARSHALL COUNTY SENATOR DANNY CARROLL IS LETTERS A FORMER POLICE OFFICER.

HE SHARED HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE LENS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HE MAINTAINS THAT THE BROLIN CASE ISN'T SO CUT AND DRY BE EP AND THAT CLOSER EXAMINATION BY HIM SHOWS THAT THERE WAS CAUSE FOR THE NO KNOCK SEARCH WARRANT.

>> NO MATTER WHAT WEE DO, MISTAKE ARE GOING TO HAPPEN, THINGS ARE GOING DO HAPPEN, CONTINGENCIES.

YOU CAN'T PLAN FOR EVERY CONTINGENCY WHEN YOU'RE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE UNEXPECTED THINGS ARE JUST GOING TO HAPPEN AND BAD THINGS, BAD RESULTS ARE GOING TO OCCUR BECAUSE OF THAT.

OUR OFFICERS ARE IN AN IMPOSSIBLE JOB.

THEY ARE FORCED TO MAKE SPLIT-SECOND 26th LIFE-AND-DEATH DECISIONS WITHOUT HAVING TIME TO THINK ABOUT ANYTHING.

AND THEN THE WRONG DECISION AND THINGS BLOW UP AND IT'S ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AND IT LEADS TO RIOTS.

YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST A TOUGH JOB.

IT'S TROUBLING TO ME THAT THE NARRATIVE OF THIS CASE HAS BEEN SUCH THAT IT IGNORES FACTUAL PARTS OF OF THE CASE.

>> Renee: SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN McGARVEY ASSERTED THAT IT'S TIME FOR KENTUCKY TO ADDRESS PERSIST STRUCTURAL AND SYSTEMIC RACISM.

HE DIRECTED HIS COMMENTS TOWARD MARSHALL COUNTY SENATOR DANNY CARROLL.

>> THE SENATOR FROM MARSHALL SAID LET'S LOOK AT THE FACTS OF THIS CASE.

SO LET'S LOOK AT THEM.

A YOUNG WOMAN WITH NO DRUGS, NO MONEY FOUND IN HER APARTMENT WAS AT HOME ALONE, UNARMED WITH HER BOYFRIEND AT 1:00 IN MORNING.

AND SHE WAS SHOT DEAD.

WE CAN SAY ALL WE WANT TO ABOUT HOW THAT HAPPENED, WHY THAT HAPPENED.

TWO OF THE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN RAID HAVE BEEN FIRED FOR THEIR CONDUCT THAT NIGHT.

ONE HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR HIS CONDUCT THAT NIGHT ON CRIMINAL CHARGES.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU ONE FACT WE DIDN'T MENTION ABOUT THAT CASE, THAT THAT WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

THAT THAT WARRANT NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN SERVED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

I BET IF WE DO A SURVEY RIGHT NOW, HOW MANY NO KNOCK WARRANTS HAVE BEEN SERVED IN THE ENTIRE DISTRICTS OF MANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS SENATE, IT HAPPENED TO HER.

LET'S SAY HER NAME, BREONNA TAYLOR.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 4, THE MEASURE THAT WILL SET STANDARD FOR HOW NO KNOCK SEARCH WARRANTS ARE ISSUED PASSED THE SENATE 33-0.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE.

A NORTHERN KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE SAYS THE RIGHT TO ABORTION IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND IN THE STATE OR U.S. CONSTITUTION, AND HE'S BRINGING FORTH A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AGAIN TO ENSURE THERE'S NO STATE VERSION OF ROE ADVICE WADE.

AS THE SPONSOR JOSEPH FISH PUT IT ON THE HOUSE CHLOROTODAY, "NO KENTUCKY CORD WOULD BE ABLE TO FASHION AN EXPLICIT OR IMPLICIT RIGHT TO BOOKER FROM THE TECHS OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION."

THE REGULATION OR ELIMINATION OF ABORTION WOULD BE VESTED PERMANENTLY AND EXCLUSIVELY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IF HIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS APPROVED BY LAWMAKERS AND RATIFIED BY KENTUCKY VOTERS.

>> OUR STATE SUPREME COURT HAS RECENTLY INVENTED AN INHERENT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT FOR OUR GOVERNOR TO UNILATERALLY DECLARE AN EMERGENCY AND ISSUE UNCHALLENGEABLE ORDERS IN SUPPORT OF HIS OWN DECLARATION.

NOWHERE IN OUR STATE CONSTITUTION CAN YOU FIND THIS INHERENT POWER, BUT DO YOU NOT THINK THAT IT'S POSSIBLE THAT OUR SUPREME COURT MIGHT ALSO DISCOVER AN INHERENT RIGHT TO AN ABORTION IN THE SAME CONSTITUTION UNLESS THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY SAY OTHERWISE BY THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

>> Renee: LAST WEEK THE CANS HOUSE AND SENATE PASSED A SIMILAR AMENDMENT FOR PLACEMENT ON ITS BALLOT THIS YEAR.

FISHER SAID KENTUCKY'S PROFESSOR EMERITUS LYE AND FAMILY ORGANIZATIONS AEROCOALESCED BEHIND THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT AND ARE ACTIVELY FUNDRAISING FOR A PUBLICIM CUBAN TO URGE IT IS APPROVAL BY VOTERS.

THE MEASURE WOULD GO ON THE NOVEMBER 2022 BALLOT.

HERE'S HOW THE QUESTION WOULD READ THAT WOULD BE PUT BEFORE VOTERS.

"ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION OF KENTUCKY BY CREATING A NEW SECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION TO BE NUMBERED SECTION 26A TO STATE AS FOLLOWS: TO PROTECT HUMAN LIFE, NOTHING IN THIS CONSTITUTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO SECURE OR PROTECT A RIGHT TO ABORTION OR REQUIRE THE FUNDING OF ABORTION?"

DEMOCRATS BLASTED THE MEASURE FOR NOT CARVING OUT EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST.

CAMPBELL COUNTY DEMOCRAT RACHEL ROBERTS REVEALED HER LIVED EXPERIENCE AS A 14-YEAR-OLD RAPE SURVIVOR WHO WAS PHYSICALLY AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED WHILE BABYSITTING.

HER TEARFUL TESTIMONY WAS SOMETHING SHE NEVER SHARED PUBLICALLY BEFORE NOW.

>> I WAS STRANGLED.

I WAS RAPED.

AND I WAS BEATEN WITHIN AN INCH OF MY LIFE.

BY THE GRACE OF GOD I DID NOT END UP PREGNANT.

I WAS A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL.

I WAS NOT PRETTY.

I WAS NOT POPULAR.

I HAVE A LOT OF ANGST AS A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRLS DO.

MY COLLEAGUE MENTIONED HOW PUBLIC PREGNANCY IS.

I DON'T KNOW IF I COULD HAVE WITHSTOOD THE BURDEN OF CARRYING A RAPIST'S BABY.

I'VE HEARD MANY OF YOU STAND UP AND SCREAM ABOUT A KID NOT BEING IN SCHOOL THIS YEAR.

WHAT ABOUT A 14-YEAR-OLD RACHEL WHO COULDN'T TO GO SCHOOL BECAUSE SHE WAS PREGNANT WITH A RAPIST'S BABY?

WHAT ABOUT A 14-YEAR-OLD RACHEL WHO MISSED OUT ON THOSE OPPORTUNITIES, DIDN'T GET TO GO TO COLLEGE AND DIDN'T GET TO BE YOUR COLLEAGUE?

I'M SPEAKING TODAY NOT BECAUSE MY DISTRICT FAVORS THIS OR DOESN'T.

MY DISTRICT IS COMPLETE SPLIT ON THIS.

WHEN I SPEAK ON THIS FLOOR, I TRY TO CARRY THE VOICE OF MY DISTRICT.

TODAY I'M SPEAKING AS ME, MYSELF.

I'M TELLING YOU MY TRUTH, SOMETHING I'VE NEVER STATED PUBLICALLY EVER BEFORE BECAUSE WHEN YOU VOTE TODAY I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT IF YOU VOTE THIS THROUGH WITH NO CONSIDERATION FOR RAPE, INCEST OR THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER, YOU WOULD BE DAMNING A 14-YEAR-OLD VERSION OF ME.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPH FISH AREAS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON ABORTION ADVANCED FROM THE LOWER CHAMBER 76-20.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

THE HOUSE ALSO FORWARDED TO THE SENATE A MEASURE THAT SEEKS TO PROVIDE, QUOTE, STABILITY TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND GREATER YET IT KEEPS THE GOVERNOR FROM RESHUFFLING THE BOARD, LIKE DEMOCRAT ANDY BESHEAR DID BY EXECUTIVE ORDER IMMEDIATELY UPON ASSUMING OFFICE.

THERE HAD BEEN FOUR EDUCATION COMMISSIONERS IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, AT TIMES AS A BYPRODUCT OF CHANGES IN BOARD COMPOSITION.

REPRESENTATIVE STEVE SHELDON IS THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 178 THAT HE SAYS OFFERS STABILITY AT THIS CRITICAL TIME WHEN KIDS ARE RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM.

>> IT DOES THAT IN THE SHORT TERM BY CONFIRMING AND CODIFYING THE CURRENT STRUCTURE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

IT ADDS A NON-VOTING TEACHER MEMBER FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM.

OOZE DOLLAR A A NONE VOTING STUDENT MEMBER.

ADDS A SECRETARY OF EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CABINET AS A NON-VOTING EX-OFFICIO MEMBER.

THIS PUTS THE SCATTERED TO OVERSEES A RELATED ON A PEARY LELL WITH THE PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL POST SECONDARY.

THE SECRETARY HAS BEEN INVITED TO GIVE A REPORT AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE MEETING HISTORICALLY SO THIS ONLY MAKES SENSE.

IT LETTERS PROHIBITS THE GOVERNOR FROM REORGANIZING A BOARD, AND THAT BOARD HAS BEEN USED AS A POLITICAL PAWN IN SEVERAL ADMINISTRATIONS, AND WE WANT TO GET -- JUST WANT TO REMOVE THAT AND ADD STABILITY TO IT.

SO ON A LONG-TERM BASIS IT ENSURES STABILITY AND CONSISTS ON THE 11 VOTING MEMBER BOARD BY REQUIRING THE BALANCE BETWEEN GENDERS AND POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION AS WELL AS MANDATING MINORITY REPRESENTATION.

>> Renee: THE MEASURE WOULD ENSURE AN EVEN PARTISAN SPLIT ON THE BOARD.

THERE WAS NO DEBATE OR COMMENT LI ABOUT THE MEASURE AS IT WAS OVERWHELMINGLY ENDORSED IN THE HOUSE 78-16 IT.

HOW NO HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

FINING MOTORISTS ARE FOR ILLEGALLY BREEZING BY STOPPED SCHOOL BUSES LOADING AND UNLOADING STUDENTS IS THE GOAL OF A MEASURE ENDORSED TO.

SCHOOL DISTRICT COCHOOSE TO HAVE CAMERAS INSTALLED ON BUSES TO RECORD SUCH ACTIVITY.

A FIRST VIOLATION IS A MAX $300 FINE.

SUBSEQUENT VIOLATIONS COULD NOT EXCEED A $500 FINE.

THAL SCHOOL BUS STATE OF BILL CLEARED THE HOUSE 92-3 AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE TO GET APPROVAL THERE BEFORE GOING ON TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

WITH THOUSANDS OF OUT-OF-WORK KENTUCKIANS EAGER TO HELP FILE AND GET RESOLUTION TO UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS, A BIPARTISAN HOUSE PLAN SEEKS TO REOPEN BRICK AND MORTAR UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICES ACROSS THE STATE AND KEEP THEM OPEN UNTIL THE JOBLESS RATE DROPS TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL.

BOYD COUNTY REPUBLICAN SCOTT SHARP AND COVINGTON FM DEMOCRAT BUD WHEATLEY HAVE TEAMED UP ON HOUSE BILL 367 THAT WOULD KEEP THESE WORKFORCE CENTERS OPEN AS LONG AS THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS ABOVE 5 HERS IN A LOCAL WORKFORCE AREA.

IF THE JOBLESS DROPS BELOW THAT IT HAS THE OPTION OF CLOSING THAT LOCATION.

>> WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ATHLETES LOCATIONS WHEN THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS BELOW 5%?

WILL WE, YOU KNOW, WILL WE HAVE A LOCATION THAT WE FUND 100 PERCENT OF THE TIME THAT IS EMPTY 75% OF THE TIME?

AND WILL THAT -- THOSE STAFF MEMBERS BE LAID OFF AND THEN BE BROUGHT IN AGAIN PENDING THE EMPLOYMENT LEVEL?

HOW WILL THAT WORK?

>> THAT WAS A DISCUSSION I WAS ACTUALLY HAVING LAST NIGHT.

A CONCERN WAS BROUGHT UP, AND WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE BASE THIS ON A QUARTERLY OR A SEMIANNUAL BASIS THAT WHEN IT DROPS BELOW THE 5% TRIGGER, YOU KNOW, THE LABOR CABINET HAS THE OPENING TO CLOSE IT OR OPEN IT, BUT IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE BASED A CERTAIN TIME FRAME, AND QUARTERLY AND BIENNIALLY WERE TWO OF THE TIME FRAMES BROUGHT UP, AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE'LL HAVE TO FIX WITH AN AMENDMENT.

>> Renee: THE SPONSOR SAYS THE GOAL IS FOR THE OFFICES SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO BE NO MORE THAN AN HOUR'S TRIVE FORE A CLAIMANT TO GET TO.

THE STATE LABOR CABINET WOULD HAVE FIND MONEY TO OPERATE THE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICES AS THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL FUNDING AT THIS TIME.

SOME LAWMAKERS WERE CURIOUS ABOUT THE COST OF THE OFFICE REOPENINGS.

>> AND ANY TIME THE GOVERNMENT HAS A CHANCE TO EXPAND, IT DOES.

IT'S VERY RARE THAT WE PULL IN THE REINS AND WE CUT BACK.

SO ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS THE FACT THAT THEY MAY CLOSE DOWN WHEN THEY FALL BELOW A CERTAIN THRESHOLD APPRECIATE MY CONVERSATIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVE SHARP AND THE AMENDMENTS THAT YOU HAVE MADE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HOPEFULLY WORKING WITH YOU TO ENSURE THAT THOSE SHALL BE CLOSED DOWN ONCE THEY FALL BELOW A CERTAIN THRESHOLD TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT DOESN'T CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND GROW, BUT I WILL SUPPORT THIS MEASURE TODAY.

>> THE NEXT HURRIEDLY ON THIS IS GOING TO BE FUNDING FOR THIS, RIGHT?

WE NEED MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR ENHANCED UI SERVICES FOR CLAIMANTS, WITHOUT A DOUBT, AND THIS IS CERTAINLY A COMPONENT OF THAT, SO LET'S BACK IT UP WITH SOME DOLLARS AS WELL.

THANK YOU.

>> Renee: HOUSE BILL 367 THAT WOULD REOPEN EXISTING BRICK AND MORTAR UNEMPLOYMENT CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE UNTIL A CERTAIN JOBLESS RATE THRESHOLD IS ACHIEVED WAS APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE WITHOUT OPPOSITION AND NOW ADVANCES TO THE HOUSE FLOOR WHERE AMENDMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE CONSIDERED.

ENSURING THAT PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT BOUGHT OR LEASED IN THE STATE IS MADE IN THE USA IS THE GOAL OF BOURBON COUNTY REPUBLICAN MATTHEW COOKS HOUSE BILL 214.

HE SAYS HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT AMERICAN MADE GOODS, EFFECTIVE, AFFORDABLE AND AVAILABLE.

>> WE ALL KNOW THE SHORTAGE THAT WE HAD HERE.

LAST SPRING, AND WE'VE HAD AMERICAN-MADE PPE COMPANIES POPPING UP LEFT AND RIGHT.

OKAY?

AND AS THIS CRISIS STARTS WRAPPING DOWN AND, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING ELSE AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL, IT'S GOING IN THE NEXT YEAR, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING NELLS FIVE YEARS OR TEN YEARS, SO HOW DO WE AS LEADERS ENSURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE THAT SHORTAGE IN THE FUTURE?

>> Renee: CHANGES TO THE BILL WOULD EXCLUDE PRIVATE BUSINESSES AND MEMORABILIA PROVIDER FROM USING ONLY AMERICAN-MADE PPE.

IT WOULD JUST APPLY TO STATE AGENCIES.

PREFERENCE WOULD BE MADE FOR KENTUCKY-MADE PPE WHEN AVAILABLE.

THE MEASURE ADVANCE FROM THE COMMITTEE ON A UNANIMOUS VOTE AND NOW WAITS FOR PLACEMENT ON THE FULL HOUSE DOCKET.

A MEASURE TO MAKE PERMANENT SEVERAL ELECTION REFORM PROCEDURES ADOPTED LAST YEAR DUE TO COVID IS READY FOR A HOUSE FLOOR VOTE.

HOUSE BILL 574 BY FRESHMAN REPUBLICAN JENNIFER DECKER ALLOWS FOR THREE DAYS OF IN-PERSON VOTING INCLUDING A SATURDAY WHICH IS A REDUCTION FOR THE NEARLY 3-WEEK ALLOWANCE IN THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION, PROVIDE FOR COUNTYWIDE VOTING CENTERS AND ONLINE VOTER SERVICES PORTAL TO TRACK BALLOTS AND KNOW WHEN THEY'VE BEEN COUNTED, AND DROP BOXES AND RECEPTACLES FOR MAIL-IN ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

HOUSE WILL BILL 574 THAT IS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, THE COUNTY CLERK'S ASSOCIATION AND THE STATE'S CHIEF ELECTION OFFICIALS SECRETARY MICHAEL A DAMNS.

>> THERE'S SORT OF A FALSE NARRATIVE OUT THERE THAT YOU'RE EITHER FOR VOTER ACCESS OR YOU'RE FOR ENHANCED INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTION SYSTEM.

THAT'S A FALSE CHOICE.

YOU CAN HAVE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

AND IN FACT SOME OF THESE PROVISIONS ACTUALLY NECESSITATE THE TWO BEING TOGETHER, AND I'LL GIVE YOU SOME EXAMPLES.

SO LET ME JUST VERY QUICKLY GIVE YOU A DROUGHN OF WHAT'S IN HERE I THINK AND WHY.

THERE ARE FOUR KEY THINGS THAT I FELT, AND I SAW SHOULD REMAIN PERMANENT FROM WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR THROUGH EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACTION THAT YOU ALL AUTHORIZED FOR A PANDEMIC AND A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

ONE WAS EARLY VOTING.

IT'S A LITTLE ARBITRATOR THAT'S OUR LAWS HAVE SAID THAT YOU'VE GOT TO VOTE ON ONE DAY IN A 12-HOUR SPAN UNLESS YOU FIT INTO A SET OF EXCEPTIONS.

WE'RE ONE OF THE LAST STATES IN THE COUNTRY THAT DOES THAT.

AND WHAT WE FOUND LAST YEAR IS THAT PEOPLE ACROSS PARTY LINES REALLY LOVED HAVE LOVED THE EARLY VOTING.

A PLEURALITY OF VOTERS VOTED EARLAP 45% OF THE ELECTORATE VOTED THROUGH EARLY VOTING.

REPUBLICANS LOVED IT.

DEMOCRAT REVOLVED IT.

INDEPENDENTS LOVED IT.

I DON'T BELIEVE IN TWO AND THREE WEEK LONG ELECTS OUTSIDE OF A PANDEMIC BUT A FEW DAYS MAKES A BIC DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES, ESPECIALLY A SATURDAY, WHICH IS GREAT FOR WORKING PEOPLE SATURDAY IS IN HERE.

THE VOTE CENTERS.

THE VOTE CENTERS HELP THE COUNTY SAVE MONEY.

IT'S A MUCH MORE EFFICIENT WAY TO VOTE, TO CONDUCT AN ELECTION.

IT REQUIRES FEWER POLL WORKERS.

I TESTIFIED TO YOU ALL BEFORE I WAS EVEN SWORN IN THAT WE HAD A CRISIS BREWING WITH THE NUMBER OF POLL WORKERS NOT BEING ADEQUATE.

THAT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

THE VOTE VERY MODEL HELPS US GET MORE VOTERS IN AND OUT FASTER, SHORTER LINES BUT LETTERS FEWER POLL WORKERS SAVES THE COUNTY SOME MONEY.

THE PORTAL, THAT'S A GAME-CHANGER.

THE PORTAL IS ONE OF THOSE THANKS THAT HEYNS BOTH ACCESS AND SECURITY.

LETS THE VOTER APPROVE THE BALLOT AFTER PROVING IDENTITY.

IT SAVES THE CLERKS HAD PROCESS OF HAVING TO RECEIVE THAT APPLICATION, SEND ON IT, GET IT BACK, AND VERY IMPORTANT IT ALLOWS ME, IT ALLOWS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, IT ALLOWS FEDERAL PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE FOR ELECTION INTEGRITY TO SURVEIL THE ABSENTEE PART OF OUR ELECTION SEM.

>> Renee: LOUISVILLE RNC JASON NEMES SUPPORTED THE BILL PUT HE SAYS HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING ONLY ONE COUNTYWIDEY VOTING CENTER IN JEFFERDS COUNTY.

>> MY CONCERN IS THIS.

I'M FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY.

THERE ARE 620,000 PLUS REGISTERED VOTERS IN KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE ABOUT 370,000 OR SO VOTERS THAT PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.

IF IT'S ABOUT THE 60% RULE.

THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND A GREAT MAJORITY OF THOSE VOTED BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

I WOULD -- I DID.

I WOULD ASSUME -- I VOTED AHTRA MEDIA A. I WOULD ASSUME THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD CONTINUE TO VOTE BEFORE ELECTION DAY ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE THE SATURDAY.

THAT'S THE A GOOD THING.

BUT ALLOWING ONE VOTING LOCATION IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.

NOW, I KNOW WE'RE LEAVING THAT DECISION TO THE LOCAL BOARD, BUT IN THE PRIMARY LAST YEAR THEY HAD ONE VOTING LOCATION ON PRIMARY DAY.

NOT ACCEPTABLE.

I THINK WE SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE A FLOOR.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ONE PER 50,000, GEOGRAPHICALLY DISBURSED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

>> Renee: THE ELECTION PROCEDURE REFORM MEASURE WAS CLEARED BY THE COMMITTEE 13-0 AND IT NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL ON HIS.

, AND ELECTIONS CONTEST MEASURE IN RESPONSE TO A RAZOR THIN OUTCOME IN 2018 IN THE STATE LEGISLATIVE RACE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY ALSO ADVANCED FROM COMMITTEE.

IT'S A BILL BY REPUBLICAN SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE AND LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT JOADI JENKINS, THE HOUSE MINORITY FLOOR READER LEAD.

IP RESEMBLES LEGISLATION PASSED BY TO HIS IN THE PREVIOUS YEARS, HOUSE BILL 162 THAT WOULD REQUIRE AN AUTOMATIC RECOUNT IN ANY REGULAR ELECTION OR SPECIAL ELECTION OF ANY MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, CONGRESS OR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER IF THE MARGIN OF DEFEAT IS .5% OR LETS.

IT'S NOW HEADED TO THE HOUSE FLOOR AS WELL.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 18 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 SMARTPHONE OR TABLET.

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

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

WE SURE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT A SPECIAL TIME RIGHT AFTER "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" AT 8:30 EASTERN/7:30 CENTRAL FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE."

FOR KET I'M RENEE SHAW.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.