>> Renee: THE POPULARITY OF EXPANDED VOTING OPPORTUNITIES FROM 2020 COULD FIND A PERMANEN PLACE IN KENTUCKY LAW.

A REWRITE OF KENTUCKY'S OPEN RECORDS LAWS COMES DISGUISED IN AN UNRELATED MEASURE AND IS NOW HEADED TO TH AND A SENATE COMMITTEE VOTES TO CHANGE THE WAY U.S. SENATE SEAT VACANCIES IN KENTUCKY ARE HANDL A RECAP OF THESE HAPPENINGS AT MORE AT THE STATE CAPITOL ON DA 19 OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE."

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE BEGIN WITH HOUSE FLOOR ACTION THE SPONSOR OF AN PROCEDURE REFORM MEASURE SAYS KENTUCKY EMERGED AS A NATIONAL MODEL OF ELECTION INTEGRITY IN THE 2020 CYCLE BECAUSE OF COVID-RELATED VOTING CHANGES THAT'S YIELDED A RECORD-BLEAKIN BECAUSE OF THAT, SAYS WADDY REPUBLICAN JENNIFER DECKER, LAWMAKERS WANT TO ADOPT SOME OF THOSE EMERGENCY ELECTION PROCEDURES INTO PERMANENT LAW.

HOUSE BILL 574 WAS ENDORSED BY THE COUNTY CLERKS ASSOCIATION AND REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS.

UNDER THE BILL, KENTUCKIANS WOULD GET THREE DAYS, INCLUDING A SATURDAY, TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS FOR EARLY, IN-PERSON VOTING.

COUNTY CLERKS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO SET UP BALLOT DROP BOXES FOR THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO MAIL IN THEIR VOTES.

THE MEASURE ALSO LETS COUNTIES ESTABLISH COUNTY-WIDE VOTING CE THE HOUSE ADOPTED A FLOOR AMENDMENT BY PAMELA STEVENSON THAT WOULD ALLOW THOSE WITHOUT AN ESTABLISHED RESIDENCE TO CHOOSE THE ADDRESS OF A HOMELESS SHELTER FOR THE PURPOSE OF VOTING.

AN AMENDMENT TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF EARLY VOTING DAYS TO WAS DEFEATED.

REPRESENTATIVE DECKER SAID MORE EARLY VOTING DAYS WERE DISCUSSED WITH ELECTION OFFICIALS, BUT THE COSTS ARE PROHIBITIVE.

EXPERIENCE FROM LAST YEAR, SHE SAYS, MAKES THAT CASE.

>> THE MOST CONSISTENT MESSAGE WAS THAT WE NEEDED THE SATURDAY BEFORE THE ELECTION, WITHOUT A MONDAY BEFORE THE ELECTION, BUT IT WASN'T JUST THAT IT WAS A CONVENIENCE FACTOR.

WE DID GET FEDERAL DOLLARS TO HELP PAY FOR THAT ELECTION.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE ELECTION IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE.

ONE OF THE REASONS IT WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE IS THE COST OF ABSENTEE VOTING, WHICH IS HIGHER THAN IN-PERSON VOTING.

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT THE PORTAL IS THAT IT HELPS REDUCE THAT COST.

TRULY MAIL-IN VOTING COSTS MANAGE SOMETHING LIKE $6.47 PER VOTE.

VOTING ON ELECTION DAY IS $3.20.

SOMETHING HIGHER THAN THAT, IF YOU HAVE IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING.

BUT THE KEY THAT, NO MATTER WHAT THE VOTING COSTS, THE STATE REIMBURSES THE COUNTY WITH SOMETHING LIKE 25 OR 30 CENTS PER VOTE.

SO REGARDLESS OF THE COST OF THE VOTE, WHETHER IT'S $3.20 OR $3.80 OR $6, IT IS A BURDEN TO THE COUNTIES.

>> Renee: HARDIN COUNTY REPUBLICAN JIM DUPLESSIS ARGUED THAT FOR LAWMAKERS INTERESTED I GETTING MONEY OUT OF POLITICS, THEY SHOULD FAVOR A MORE COMPRESSED VOTING SCHEDULE TO SHORTEN THE BLITZKRIEG OF POLITICAL ADS.

>> WHAT WE SAW LAST YEAR IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND THE SENATE ELECTIONS, BECAUSE THE ELECTION WAS SPREAD OUT FOUR WEEKS BASICALLY, WE WERE INUNDATED FOR TWO WEEKS AHEAD OF THE TIME WHERE THE FOUR WEEKS STARTED, SO WE HAD SIX WEEKS WHERE WE HAD TO LISTEN TO THESE COMMERCIALS.

YOU GUYS LOVE THOSE COMMERCIALS, RIGHT?

EXTENDING IT TWO WEEKS DOESN'T ENSURE THAT MORE PEOPLE GET ACCESS TO VOTE.

IT DOES ENSURE THAT THE COSTS, IF EVERY ONE OF THOSE ELECTIONS GOES UP AND ALL THE FINANCES THAT EVERYBODY HAS TO RAISE, WE WANT TO TAKE MONEY OUT OF POLITICS, LET'S DON'T MAKE A RACE THAT MUCH LONGER TO SPEND ON.

>> BUT WHAT PRICE DO WE PUT ON DEMOCRACY?

ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY IS THE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX.

AND IF IT COSTS MORE MONEY, I THINK WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT THAT AND WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT WHAT PRICE THAT WE'RE PUTTING ON MAKING THE BALLOT BOX ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY KENTUCKIAN.

SO I WANT YOU THOUSAND ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVEN'T PASSED A BUDGET YET.

WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE SPEND ON ELECTIONS.

AND I GUESS THE OTHER THING, AND I DON'T WANT TO SOUND JUDGMENTAL HERE, BUT WE SHOULD NOT BE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT HOW WE HOLD ELECTIONS ON HOW THEY AFFECT OUR CAMPAIGNS.

I JUST DISAGREE WITH THAT.

>> Renee: THE MEASURE ALSO ADDRESSES CURING OF ABSENTEE-BALLOT SIGNATURES, ESTABLISHES PENALTIES FOR "BALLOT HARVESTING" IN WHICH THIRD PARTIES COLLECT AND SUBMI BALLOTS, AND CONTINUES THE ONLINE VOTER SERVICES PORTAL TO REQUEST ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND TRACK THEM.

YESTERDAY, WHEN THE BILL WAS IN COMMITTEE, THE CHAIR OF THE KENTUCKY COUNTY CLERKS ASSOCIATION TESTIFIED TO HOW WELL-RECEIVED THE VOTING CHANGE WERE BY VOTERS LAST NOVEMBER.

>> WE SEE A -- IN OUR COMMUNITY ALONE, I HAD 10,000 MONTGOMERY COUNTIANS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EARLY VOTING AND THE VOTE CENTERS, AND OF THE 10,000 THERE WAS NOT ONE COMPLAINT.

AND THAT SAYS A LOT.

THE MOST -- THE BEST COMMENT AND THE ONE THAT WAS REPEATED THE MOST WAS, LET'S DO THIS AGAIN.

THIS IS A GREAT SETUP.

WE ENJOY THIS.

I HAD A TRUCK DRIVER COME TO ME SPECIFICALLY, AND HE SAID, YOU KNOW, I'VE MISSED ELECTIONS BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ON THE ROAD.

BUT THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS SO I CAN BE HERE TO VOTE.

SO IT'S AN IMPORTANT DEAL AND IT'S GOOD FOR OUR COMMONWEALTH.

>> Renee: THIS MORNING THE HOU APPROVED THE VOTING PROCEDURE REFORM MEASURE 93 TO 4.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

A SKELETON BILL IN THE HOUSE ABOUT GENDER-NEUTRAL LANGUAGE IN THE BANK EXAMINER LAW HAS BECOME THE VEHICLE FOR A REWRITE OF KENTUCKY'S OPEN RECORDS ACT.

REPRESENTATIVE BART ROWLAND CARRIED HOUSE BILL 312 ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY.

HE SAYS THE MEASURE PRIORITIZES REQUESTS FROM KENTUCKY CITIZENS, BUSINESSES AND MEDIA OUTLETS.

HE ADDED THAT PUBLIC RECORDS CUSTODIANS ARE OFTEN BOGGED DOW WITH OUT-OF-STATE REQUESTS.

AND HIS HOUSE BILL 312 ERECTS GUARDRAILS FOR OPEN RECORDS TO PREVENT ABUSE WITH STATE AGENCIES AND THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION THAT OPERATES AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND RESEARCH ARM OF THE GENERAL BUT CRITICS BELIEVE HOUSE BILL 312, WITH RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS, WILL IMPEDE THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW.

IT REQUIRES THE USE OF A STATE FORM AS A CONDITION TO ACCESS, EXTENDS THE DEADLINE FOR AGENCY RESPONSE AND, AS SOME FEAR, WOULD LET THE LRC TO EVADE ACCO.

>> THE BILL HAS A BROAD DEFINITION OF WHO IS A RESIDENT.

IT DOES NOT SAY CITIZEN.

IT SAYS TRENT.

A RESIDENT IS AN INDIVIDUAL RESIDING IN THE COMMONWEALTH, A DOMESTIC BUSINESS ENTITY WITH A LOCATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH, A FOREIGN BUSINESS ENTITY REGISTERED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE, A NEWS GATHERING ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A LOCATION IN KENTUCKY OR IS AFFILIATED WITH ANOTHER NEWS GATHERING ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A LOCATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

HOUSE BILL 312 ALSO ALLOWS OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS TO BE SUBMITTED THROUGH EMAIL.

SOME RECORDS WILL BE SECLUDED FROM PUBLIC ACCESS.

THOSE WOULD INCLUDE CLIENT AND CASE FILES MAINTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADVOCACY OR ANY PERSON OR ENTITY CONTRACTING WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO REPRESENT SOMEONE OR ANY PUBLIC RECORD PROCEED HINT FROM DISCLOSURE BY FEDERAL OR STATE LAW.

ADDITIONALLY, THE BILL ATTEMPTS TO STOP PEOPLE ♪ ♪ CIVIL DISCOVERY PROCESS FROM USING AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST AS A WAY TO BYPASS THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

HOUSE BILL 312 REQUIRES THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CREATE A STANDARDIZED RECORDS REQUEST FORM THAT WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

THE PUBLIC AGENCIES WILL HAVE TO DISPLAY THIS IN A PROMINENT LOCATION ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.

A COPY OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO PUBLIC RECORDS.

THE MAINLY ADDRESS, eMAIL ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND THE OFFICIALS REPORTED CUSTODIAN AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REQUEST FORM.

>> Renee: THE KENTUCKY PR ASSOCIATION IS NEUTRAL ON THE M WHEN IT COMES TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH RECORDS, ULTIMATE DECISIONS AND APPEALS ON RECORDS REQUESTS WOULD BE HANDLED BY THE LRC, A 16-MEMBER STATUTORY COMMITTEE MADE UP OF MAJORITY AND MINORITY LEADERSHIP, REMOVING JURISDICTION OF THE FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT TO REVIEW DENIALS OF 11:00 BRANCH RECORDS.

>> PUT I APPEAL TO YOU FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUOUSLY TO BE CHECKED WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T MAKE DECISIONS IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH THAT IMPACT US DIRECTLY AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A CHECKS AND BALANCES SYSTEM IN PLACE BECAUSE IT IS THE PRESS, IT IS THE PRESS, MY COLLEAGUES, THAT KEEP US INTACT, AND IT IS THE PRESS WHO ALLOWS OUR CITIZENS TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> YOU KNOW 1 THIS IS WHAT CITIZENS AND VOTERS HATE ABOUT POLITICS.

WHERE WE HIDING?

WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO KEEP FROM THE PUBLIC?

THIS IS GOING TO COME BACK TO BITE US, I'M SURE.

BUT WHY WOULD WE HAVE A CHANGE IN OUR SYSTEM OF OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS?

IF WE DIDN'T HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE?

AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK CITIZENS, LIKE I SAID, CITIZENS AND PEOPLE HATE ABOUT POLITICS BECAUSE THEY THINK WE'RE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, CUTTING DEALS WITH THE BIGWIGS, WITH THE WEALTHY, AND NOW WE WANT TO HIDE IT.

>> Renee: FOR 45 YEARS, KENTUCKY'S OPEN RECORDS LAW HAS GUARANTEED ANY PERSON'S RIGHT O ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS.

COVINGTON DEMOCRAT BUDDY WHEATLEY QUESTIONED WHY THAT RULE WOULD BE ABANDONED AND WHY IT WOULD BE JUST LIMITED TO KENTUCKY-ONLY RESIDENTS.

FLORIDA AND GEORGIA HAVE ELIMINATED THEIR RESIDENT-ONLY HE TICKED OFF SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW THAT MIGHT AFFECT REAL-LIFE.

>> IN A NON-RESIDENT SEEKING INFORMATION ON A SUITABLE NURSING HOME FOR AN AGING PARENT MAY BE DENIED ACCESS TO NURSING HOME INSPECTION REPORTS.

A NON-RESIDENT VICTIM OF CRIME INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT MAY BE UNABLE TO ACCESS LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDS.

A NON-RESIDENT LIVING JUST OVER THE STATE LINE, AS MANY DO IN MY DISTRICT, WHO HAS A DIRECT INTEREST IN LOCAL RECORDS MAY BE TURNED AWAY.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS SLAM THE DOOR ON NON-RESIDENT GENEALOGISTS, RESEARCHERS FROM ALL DISCIPLINES, AND DATA GATHERERS, INCLUDING THOSE THAT PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND CHECKS, CONSUMER CREDIT ECONOMICS AND ABLE HISTORY AND SAFETY information >> Renee: SPENCER COUNTY REPUBLICAN JAMES TIPTON REBUTTED THAT CONSTITUENTS FREQUENTLY REACH OUT TO LAWMAKERS AND SHARE .

PERSONAL DETAILS, INTIMATE INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE HE SAID SHOULD BE SHIELDED TO PUBLIC VIEW.

>> WE GET eMAILS FROM CONSTITUENTS SO MANY TIME SHARING VERY PERSONAL, INTIMATE DETAILS, AND SHOULD THE PUBLIC HAVE THE RIGHT TO FILE AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST?

TO TRY AND ACCESS THAT INFORMATION?

I DON'T THINK SO.

WE TALK ABOUT PROTECTING OUR CITIZENS, AND I SEE THIS LEGISLATION.

I'LL ASK THE CITIZENS OUT THERE WHO ARE WATCHING ON KET, WOULD YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE -- DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE KNOWING THAT SOMEBODY CAN FILE AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST TO ACCESS THE PERSONAL, INTIMATE INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE SHARED WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS?

>> THE PERSONAL INFORMATION IS REDACTED.

ANYBODY WHO LAST EVER BEEN SUBJECT TO AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST KNOWS THAT.

SO I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO BE FEAR-MONGERING ON THE FLOOR THAT PEOPLE'S PERSONAL INFORMATION IS GOING TO GET COMPROMISED.

SIMPLY STATED, I'D LIKE TO QUOTE THE ESTEEMED KENTUCKIAN AND U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE LOUIS D. BRANDEIS IN SAYING THAT SUNLIGHT IS THE BEST DISINFECTANT.

THERE ARE SO MANY STORIES THAT OUR FREE PRESS THAT CHERNESIA THIS COUNTRY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TELL IF THIS LAW IS ENACTED.

>> WHAT KIND OF DOCUMENTS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

ONE OF THE BILLS THAT I CARE ABOUT, GENTLEMAN FROM GREENUP, IS THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CONTACT ME AND THEY SAY, LOOK, I HAVE MS, I HAVE MUSCLE SPASTICITY, AND I USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA, OR MY CHILD HAS THIS SEIZURE DISORDER AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA HELPS THEM.

WHAT ARE THEY TELLING ME?

THEY'RE TELLING ME THEY'RE COMMITTING A FELONY.

BUT THEY'RE DOING IT IN A WAY THAT SAYS, I'M TRYING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MY CHILDREN AND MY FAMILY.

BUT THEY'RE ADMITTING TO A FELONY.

THAT INFORMATION, I NEED TO HAVE, YOU NEED TO HAVE.

BUT THAT CITIZEN SHOULDN'T BE PROSECUTED FOR IT.

>> Renee: THE PROPOSED REWRITE OF KENTUCKY'S OPEN RECORDS LAW CLEARED THE HOUSE 71 TO 27 AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

IN THE KENTUCKY SENATE TODAY, KENTUCKIANS WHO WERE TOLD THEY HAD TO PAY BACK UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PAYMENTS MAY BE ABLE TO KEEP THAT MONEY IF A BILL THAT PASSED THE SENATE TODAY BECOMES LAW.

SENATE BILL 7 WOULD PROVIDE AN AVENUE FOR OVERPAYMENT CLAIMS MADE BETWEEN JANUARY 27 AND DECEMBER 31 OF LAST YEAR TO BE THE CLAIMS WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN MADE BY NO FAULT OF THE PERSON MAKING THE CLAIM TO KEEP THE OVERPAYMENT.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM DAVID GIVENS EXPLAINED HIS MEASURE, AND HE LAID BLAME AT THE FEET OF THE GOVERNOR FOR THE SYSTEM'S FAILURES.

>> IF FRUSTRATION HAS RUN OVER, COLLEAGUES HAVE COME TO ME, KNOWING THAT THIS LEGISLATION WAS GOING TO MOVE, AND HAVE SAID, AND THEY'LL SAY ON THIS FLOOR TODAY, WHY CAN'T WE DO THIS?

WHY CAN'T WE FIXED THAT?

WHY CAN'T WE ADDRESS THIS?

LISTEN.

WE CANNOT LEGISLATE THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY OR EFFECTIVELY.

WE CANNOT LEGISLATE THAT.

IT'S UP TO THEM.

THIS BILL CAN'T FIX AN ADMINISTRATION THAT CAN'T HANDLE THE TASK.

>> Renee: AN AMENDMENT TO SENA BILL 7, PROPOSED BY LAWRENCEBUR SENATOR ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH, WOULD PROVIDE A LONGER TIMELINE TO MAKE APPEALS TO DECISIONS BY THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SYST THE AMENDMENT WOULD EXTEND THE WINDOW FOR AN APPEAL FROM 15 TO 30 DAYS, AND THE AMENDMENT WAS APPROVED.

THE FLOOR DEBATE BROADENED BEYOND THE BILL TO COMMENTARY O THE FRUSTRATIONS WITH THE STATE ENTIRE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SYSTEM.

REPUBLICANS CHASTISED DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR FOR LINGERING ISSUES, FROM UNANSWERED CALLS BY THEIR CONSTITUENTS TO FRAUDULENT PAYM.

-- >> I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A GROUP OF PEOPLE OUT HERE PROVOSTING BUN EMPLOYMENT STANDING OUTSIDE, AND WHEN THEY WERE APPROACHED AND ASKED, THEY WERE TOLD TO GO CALL THEIR LEGISLATOR!

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE KEEP TELLING OUR CONSTITUENTS?

WE FORWARD TO THEM LABOR CABINET, OUR CONSTITUENT SERVICES PEOPLE FORWARD THEM TO THE LABOR CABINET, AND TALENTS IT'S A BLACK HOLE.

IT'S LIKE THOSE 400,000 eMAILS THAT JUST WENT COMPLETELY IGNORED.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'RE GOING.

THEY ARE OUR PEOPLE OF ALL PARTIES, OF ALL STRIPES, OF ALL PARTS OF OUR STATE IN EVERY COMMUNITY, WHEN THEY ASK US, ARE GOING GET A CALL BACK?

WE CAN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION.

WE HAVE NO IDEA.

>> GOVERNOR, PLEASE ANSWER THE PHONE.

I'VE HEARD THE GOVERNOR'S OR HIS ADMINISTRATION EVER ADMINISTRATION'S EXCUSES, LET'S SAY REASONS, LET'S BE POLITE BECAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE REASONS.

HE WAS OVERWHELMED.

THE SYSTEM WAS OVERWHELMED.

SURE, IT WAS OVERWHELMED, BUT IT'S BEEN A YEAR.

IT'S BEEN A YEAR.

COME ON NOW.

>> Renee: SENATE DEMOCRATS HAD THEIR OWN COMPLAINTS WITH SYSTEM, BUT EXTENDED BLAME ON ISSUES TO THE LEGISLATURE.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN MCGARVEY SAID THAT KENTUCKY ISN'T THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY STRUGGLING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ITS UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTE AND GRAYSON SENATOR ROBIN WEBB SAYS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS COMPLICIT IN THE STATE'S FAILUR.

>> WE ARE IN AN UNPRECEDENTED AND UNCONSCIONABLE SITUATION, THERE'S NO DOUBT, BUT THIS IS A SITUATION THAT WE HELPED CREATE AS A GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE LACK OF FUNDING.

A CABINET THAT HAS BEEN TRADITIONALLY SET UP TO FAIL, NOT ONLY IN THE TECHNOLOGY BUT ALSO IN STAFF AND STATE OFFICES.

IT WAS ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, I THINK FEBRUARY, MID-FEBRUARY MID-FEBRUARY 2017, WHEN THERE WAS CLOSURE OF ABOUT 30 OFFICES IN KENTUCKY.

>> WE HAVE CUT THE FUNDING.

WE HAVE CUT THE EMPLOYEES.

WE HAVE TUT THE PENSIONS.

WE HAVE CUT STATE GOVERNMENT.

AND THEN WE ACT SHOCKED AND ROUTE OUTRAGED WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK.

IF YOU WANT UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM TO WORK, THEN IT HAS TO BE OPERATIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL WHEN UNEMPLOYMENT IS LOW SO THAT WHEN UNEMPLOYMENT GETS HIGH, IT CAN WORK.

WHEN YOU WANT THESE SYSTEMS TO OPERATE, YOU HAVE TO KEEP THEM OPERATIONAL.

THAT MEANS PAYING AND TRAINING THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE.

THAT MEANS NOT CUTTING THEM TO PAY FOR SOMETHING ELSE AND THE SHELL GAME WE NORMALLY DO WITH THIS BUDGET.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 7 WAS SE BY THE FULL SENATE BODY TO THE HOUSE AFTER PASSING 35 TO 0.

THE GOVERNOR COULD LOSE LATITUDE IN FILLING VACANCIES IN KENTUCKY'S U.S. SENATE SEATS UNDER A BILL ADVANCED TO THE SENATE TODAY.

PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS' SENAT BILL 228 WOULD REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR TO SELECT AN APPOINTEE FROM A LIST OF THREE NAMES SUBMITTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SAME APPLICABLE PARTY OF THE VACATING SENATOR.

POLITICAL PARTIES WOULD HAVE 2 DAYS TO SUBMIT THE LIST OF THRE CANDIDATES TO THE GOVERNOR.

SENATE BILL 228 SETS STANDARDS FOR HOW TO FILL THE VACATED SEA THROUGH THE ELECTION PROCESS, AS PRESIDENT STIVERS EXPLAINS.

>> BASE CHIT OPENS UP IN THE SEQUENCE OF TIME TO -- BASICALLY IT OPENS IT UP IN THE SENSE EVER SEQUENCE OF TIME TO GET THIS IN?

WHAT WE CALL THE JUNGLE PRIMARY.

SO IF YOU GET THE REQUISITE SIGNATURE, YOU CAN BE ON THE BALLOT, AND THE IT'LL INDIVIDUAL WHO IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WOULD HAVE AS MINIMAL A TIME BASED ON OUR STATUTES OF ONLY BEING INCUMBENT SO NOBODY GETS THE ADVANTAGE OF INCUMBENCY.

IF YOU GET -- AND THIS IS WHAT THE SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE DID.

WE PICKED UP ONE OF THE THINGS.

IF YOU LOOK IN THE ORIGINAL BILL, THAT IF SOMEBODY WERE TO GET 50% OF THE VOTE OR MORE, THERE IS NO REASON FOR A RUNOFF.

IF THERE IS NOBODY THAT GETS 50% MORE, THEN THE NEXT TWO, THE HIGHEST TWO THENAL ON A SECOND ELECTION JUST AS WE JUST SAW IN GEORGIA.

>> Renee: SENATE MINORITY LEADR IX THAYER SAID HE DESPITE RUNOFF ELECTIONS PROMPTING THIS QUESTION OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

>> WHY THE RUNOFF PORTION IN THE BILL?

>> WELL, THIS GIFTS EVERYBODY THE OPPORTUNITY TO FILE.

AS OPEN A PROCESS IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE IT OPEN FOR EVERYBODY, NOT -- SO THERE MAY BE FIVE REPUBLICANS RUN, FOUR REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS, TWO INDEPENDENTED, THREE LIBERTARIANS.

IF THEY GET THE REC SWEAT SIGNATURES.

AND WITH THAT TYPE OF OPENNESS, THEN THE LIKELIHOOD OF SOMEBODY GETTING A CLEAR MAJORITY WAS LIMITED UNLESS YOU WERE AN EXTREMELY STRONG CANDIDATE.

>> Renee: SENATE MINORITY LEAD MORGAN MCGARVEY FINDS COMMON GROUND WITH THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATION, BUT HE QUESTIONS THE TIMING IN BRINGING IT FORWARD REPUBLICAN LEADER DAMON FIELDED THE QUESTION.

>> NOW, THIS IS WHERE I I DON'T LIKE SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE OF THE BILL.

I AGREE WITH THE SENATOR FROM SCOTT I DO NOT LIKE THE RUNOFF.

I REALLY DON'T LIKE THE OPEN PRIMARIES.

IF TODAY'S ORDERLY I THINK YOU SEE SPECIAL INTERESTS GET INVOLVED AND I THINK YOU ALSO SEE THE EXTREME STAT TO COME OUT OF THOSE OPEN PRIMARIES IN WAYS WITH REALLY SMALL VOTES THAN TO GET TO A RUNOFF, AND SO I DON'T LOVE THE ACTUAL PROCESS OF HOW IT IS STET UP TO BE.

I UNDERSTAND THE INTENT OF BILL, AND LIKE I SAID I ACTUALLY, I FIND A LOT OF COMMON GROUND WITH THE INTENT OF THE BILL, BUT THE OTHER THING I DO HAVE ISSUE WITH IS THE TIMING OF IT.

AND THIS IS THE TYPE OF BILL THAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS SESSION WHERE A LOT OF THESE THINGS WERE NEVER BROUGHT UP AND NEVER MENTIONED WHEN IT WAITS REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR.

AND NOW WE'RE BRINGING THEM UP AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THEM, AND I JUST HAVE TO THINK IT'S BECAUSE IT'S A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN OFFICE.

>> THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE THAT JUST CAME UP YESTERDAY.

WE ACTUALLY STARTED TALKING ABOUT THIS A FEW YEARS AGO, AND I'D LIKE TO REMIND EVERYBODY, THERE WERE TWO SIGNIFICANT EVENTS THAT THREATENED THE LIFE OF OUR JUNIOR SENATOR RAND PAUL.

JUST THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MINUTE.

THESE WERE SERIOUS.

AND WHEN THINGS LIKE THAT HAPPEN, YOU SMART TO THINK ABOUT WHAT OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO OUR CONSTITUENTS.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 228 PASS THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TODAY ON A VOTE OF 8-2 WITH McGARVEY AND REPUBLICAN ADRIEN SOUTHWORTH CASTING THE DISSENTING VOTES.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE FULL SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

RETURNING TO HOUSE FLOOR ACTIO IN OUR LAST STORY OF THE EVENING, EARNING MONEY WITH GOO GRADES IN HIGH SCHOOL TO HELP PAY FOR COLLEGE IS THE PURPOSE OF THE KENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP, OR KEES FOR SHORT.

MASON COUNTY FRESHMA REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM LAWRENCE WANTS THOSE DOLLARS TO ALSO GO FOR ATTENDANCE AT PROPRIETARY TRADE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS.

THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT KEES DOLLARS GOING TO FOR-PROFIT SCHOOLS THAT HAVEN'T ALWAYS LIVED UP TO THEIR PROMISES, AND STUDENTS WERE LEFT WITH NO RECO.

>> WE HAVE MANY, MANY PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, AND SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I THINK TEN OR 12 STUDENTS CAME TO SEE MANY OF US, AND THE SCHOOL WAS NOT HOLDING CLASSES.

THEY GAVE THEM SALE BUS THAT WAS INCOMPLETE.

-- SYLLABUS THAT WAS INCOMPLETE, CHARGED THEM THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THE FIRST SEMESTER.

THEY HAD BEEN IN LOUISVILLE QUITE A WHILE.

AND THE RECOURSE WAS -- I DON'T THINK THEY HAD ANY RECOURSE BECAUSE THE SCHOOL WOULDN'T RETURN THEIR MONEY.

AND I THINK WE HAVE A REALLY -- THE KEES MONEY WAS FOUNDED TO GIVE MONEY TO STUDENTS THAT WERE GOING TO GO IN KENTUCKY OR TO TAKE A COURSE LIKE VETERINARIAN SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF KENTUCKY THAT WE DIDN'T OFFER, BUT THIS WAS TO HAVE TAX DOLLARS GO TO OUR EIGHT MAJOR UNIVERSITIES AND OUR COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS THAT ARE FUNDED BY THE STATE.

SO I HAVE A REAL CONCERN OF TAX DOLLARS GOING IN THE PACKETS OF THESE PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS THAT ARE MAKING FOR PROFIT, A LOT OF MONEY.

>> THE COUNCIL FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION HAS A GOAL OF 60% OF OUR ADULT POPULATION HAVING A DEGREE OR SOME TYPE OF CERTIFICATE OR CREDENTIAL BY 2030.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

AS WE ALL KNOW, MOST JOBS IN THE FUTURE ARE GOING TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL EDUCATION PAST HIGH SCHOOL.

NOT EVERYBODY IS GEARED FOR A COLLEGE DEGREE, A MASTER'S.

PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT SKILLS.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT TALENTS.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT GOALS.

I LIKE TO SAY WE NEED TO BE ABOUT REMOVING OBSTACLES AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND WE HAVE TO DO THAT.

IF WE'RE GOING TO MEET THAT GOAL.

IF WE'RE GOING TO MEET THAT GOAL SO OUR STUDENTS, OUR ADULTS, OUR CITIZENS CAN BE PRODUCTIVE, THEY CAN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED IN LIFE.

I UNDER THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS.

SINCE MY TIME IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WE HAVE EXPANDED KE:S ELIGIBILITY.

THERE HAS BEEN LEGISLATION TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO USE KEES FOR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS AND THEIR MATERIALS.

RECENTLY THE LADY FROM KENTON 64 HAD LEGISLATION THAT EXPANDED KEES ELIGIBILITY FOR AN INSTITUTION THAT HAD ARTICULATED CREDIT AGREEMENT WITH ANOTHER INSTITUTION.

SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING TOWARD THIS.

AND I SEE THIS AS ANOTHER STEP.

AND I APPLAUD APPLAUD THE GENTLEMAN FROM MACE OP FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND URGE PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL THEY 38.

>> THE IDEA THAT THE MONEY IS GOING TO PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS AND THINGS, THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL IS TO SIMPLY OPEN UP OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS.

I'M ADVOCATING FOR OUR STUDENTS.

I'M NOT ADVOCATING FOR UNIVERSITIES.

I'M NOT VOTING FOR LARGE TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

SOME OF THESE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED ARE HOURS AWAY FROM FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT.

THESE ARE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THAT MAY NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO DRIVE AND STAY AT A UNIVERSITY AT TWO AND THREE HOURS AWAY.

I'M HOPING TO OPEN UP OPPORTUNITIES FOR RURAL KENTUCKY FOR THE STUDENTS THAT WANT TO GET AN EDUCATION AND BETTER THEIR LIVES.

THAT IS MY HOPE.

THAT'S WHY I RAN FOR THIS OFFICE, IS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND I WILL STAND BEHIND THIS BILL, AND I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> Renee: HOUSE BILL 338 WAS ENDORSED BY THE HOUSE ON A VOTE OF 81 TO 17 AND HOW HEADS ACROS THE CAPITOL FOR CONSIDERATION B THE SENATE.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 19 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 PHON OR TABLET.

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

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

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

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING, AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND WEEKEND HOOD.