THE THRESHOLD FOR FELONY THEFT COULD BE GETTING PRAISE A THAT THE BILL COULD GIVE KENTUCKIANS AN OPT-OUT IF VENES ARE REQUIRED FOR THE CABINET ON HEALTH AND FAMILY TOYS "R" US SAID DAY TEN OF THE 2020 KENTUCKY GENERAL.

>> I IN REGULAR SESSION.

GRIEVING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING FOURS LEGISLATIVE TONIGHT.

A CASEY PARKER-BELL.

A MEASURE THAT COULD MACE THE THRESHOLD HAS MADE THE WAY OUT OF COMMITTEE.

HOUSE BILL 136 SPONSORED BY C. EDWARD MASSIE WOULD RAISE THE THRESHOLD FOR A FELONY THREAT OF TO $100.

LESS THAN $500 A AND BETWEEN.

PREVIOUSLY THEFTS $500 OR MORE WOULD HAVE MET THE FELONY THRESHOLD.

REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BLAND, A FORMER POLICE OFFICER, SPOKE ON THE MEASURE.

>> AND I KNOW THERE'S A BIG PUSH NATIONWIDE ON A CATCHPHRASE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

BUT MANY OF THE THINGS THAT I HEAR UNDER THE TITLE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, ALL I DO IS SEE US ENDANGERING CITIZENSERY AND THE EFFORT TO LOWER THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE HAVE INCARCERATED.

PEOPLE ARE INCARCERATED BECAUSE THEY HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES.

AND SIMPLY WIPING CRIMES OFF THE BOOK DOESN'T MAKE US SAFER.

THOSE PEOPLE ARE INCARCERATED FOR A REASON.

SO WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN WE START MAKING CHANGES UNDER THE GUISE THAT WE'RE DOING SOMETHING WONDERFUL AND GREAT WHEN WE BEGIN TO CREATE VICTIMS OF THE VERY CONSTITUENTS THAT SENT US HERE TO REPRESENT THEM BECAUSE, YEAH, CRIME RATES ON PAPER, NUMBER WON'T BE AS HIGH.

DOESN'T MEAN THEY AREN'T BEING EXPECTED IT IT JUST MEANS THEATRE RECORDING THEM ANYMORE.

>> BLANTON PASSED ON VOTING FOR THE BALE IN TODAY'S JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MEETING.

C.S.

MASSIE RESPOND TO BLAND'S CONCERNS.

HE SAID THE MEASURE DOESN'T KEEP PEOPLE FROM FACING BENGALS PENALTY FOR DOING WRONG.

>> THIS DOES NOT MEAN THIS ANYBODY GETS ANY KIND OF FREE PASS IT.

DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE ALL.

THERE IS STILL ACCOUNTABILITY UNDER THE LAW.

YOU CAN STILL SERVE UP TO A YEAR IN JAIL FOR A MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE.

WHAT THIS BILL WAS SUPPOSED TO DO IS TO KIND OF CUT OUT A PIECE OF THE PROCESS.

SO I'VE HAD CLIENTS, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT WOULD BE CHARGED WITH STEALING SOMETHING WITH A VALUE OF $750.

AND THEY WOULD GO THROUGH THE ARRAIGNMENT, AND THEN THE PRELIMINARY HEARING, AND THEN IT MAY GO TO THE GRAND YOU ARE; THE GRAND JURY MIGHT EVEN INDICT, AND THEN THE COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY WOULD CALL AND SAY, IF YOU'LL ENTER A PLEA, WE'LL SETTLE THIS AS YOU MISDEMEANOR, AND SO IT'S NOT JUST TAKING UNINCARCERATION.

IT'S TAKING UP JUDICIAL TIME AND IT'S A JUDICIAL EXPEDIENCY.

DOES IT MEAN THEY THAN THE WOULD BE EXTENDS IT?

DOES NOT.

DOES MEAN THEY WON'T HAVE JAIL TIME IT?

DOES NOT.

WHAT THIS BILL IS TRYING TO DO IS TO BRING NUMBERS UP AS VALUES OF THINGS HAVE INCREASED.

>> HOUSE BILL 126 ALSO ADJUSTS THE THRESHOLD FOR A FELONY ON SOME FRAUD-RELATED CRIMES TO $1,000.

A CORRECTIONS IMPACT STATEMENT INCLUDED WITH THE BILL ESTIMATES THE CHANGE IN THRESHOLD FOR A FELONY THEFT COULD REDUCE INCARCERATIONS AND POTENTIALLY SUCH A TO $4 MILLION A YEAR.

THE LEGISLATION ALSO ALLOWS FOR COMPOUND OF OFFENSES.

IF A PERSON COMMITS TWO THEFTS IN 90 DAYS, THEY MAY BE COMBINED AND TREATED AS A SINGLE OFFENSE.

FORT THOMAS REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPH FISCHER ASKED MASSIE ABOUT WHETHER SOME OTHER TYPES OF CRIMES WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BILL.

>> IF SOMEBODY DOES, LET'S SAY, CREDIT CARD FRAUD OVER THE INTERNET AND STEALS YOUR MONEY THAT WAY AND DOES OVER $1,000 IN THREE SEPARATE OFFENSES WITHIN 90 DAYS, IS THAT COVERED?

IS THAT AGGREGATION COVERED UNDER THIS?

>> IF IT'S OVER $1,000 COLLECTIVELY OR INDIVIDUALLY?

>> WE'RE TALKING CREDIT CARD FRAUD AS OPPOSED TO ORDINARY THEFT.

>> I THINK CREDIT CARD FRAUD WOULD BE BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE CLASSIFIED AS THEFT BY THE PROSECUTORS, AND SO THAT AGGREGATE, IF IT GOT ABOVE THAT AMOUNT, WOULD APPLY.

>> TWO LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVES HAD DIFFERING OPINIONS ON HOUSE BILL 126.

REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMES SAYS THE MEASURE DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH AND THAT THE THRESHOLD FOR FELONY THEFT SHOULD BE EVEN HIGHER, AND REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN BRATCHER SAYS THE MEASURE TAKES THE STATE IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

>> HAVING A FELONY STILL DOES AFFECT YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

KNOW.

THE EXPUNGEMENTS, WE WENT A LONG WAY ON EXPUNGEMENTS BUT STILL TODAY ONE AND ONLY OF ONLY THREE STATES IN THE NIDE, IF YOU HAVE IF YOU GET A FELONY YOU CAN'T VOTE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

WITHOUT THIS, ONE COULD BE SUBJECT TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON.

FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR STEALING SOMETHING THAT'S $501.

I DON'T KNOW SHOULD STEAL ANYTHING THAT'S $501.

NO ONE SHOULD STEAL THINKING FOR $1.50.

BUT FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR STEALING $500 SEEMS TO ME CONSECUTIVE.

THIS IS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I WOULD SAY IS THIS ALLOWS TO YOU FOCUS ON DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS CRIMES.

>> I'M ABOUT DONE WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

MY AREA IS HAVING AN EXPLOSION OF PETIT THEFT.

I CANNOT VOTE FOR THIS, I THINK WE'RE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE CRIME THAT'S EXPLODING IN LOUISVILLE AND POSSIBLY OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE SO I VOTE NO.

>> BRATCHER WAS THE LONE NO VOTE AGAINST HB 126.

THE MEASURE PASSED THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE.

THE CHANGE TO STATUTE COULD ALLOW KENTUCKIANS TO TURN DOWN VACCINES IF THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICE REQUIRES ONE.

SENATE BILL 8 WOULD ALLOW AN ADULT OR PARENT FOR GUARDIAN FOR A CHILD TO TURN DOWN AN IMMUNIZATION BASED ON RELIGIOUS GROUNDS OR CONSCIENTIOUSLY HELD BELIEFS DUNE AN EPIDEMIC.

SENATOR MIKE WILSON IS THE SPONSOR OF THE LEGISLATION.

HE SAYS HE'S NOT AGAINST VACCINATIONS BUT THAT MANY OF HIS CONSTITUENTS HAVE CALLED TO SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO BE FORCED TO TAKE THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

>> I'M COMING TO YOU BECAUSE I'VE HAD NUMEROUS PEOPLE REACH OUT TO ME WHO DID NOT, UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH COVID, WITH ALL OF THE MANDATES THAT WERE COMING DOWN FROM FRANKFORT, DID NOT WANT TO BE MADE TO HAVE TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

AND CURRENTLY THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING.

THE CABINET HAS NOT EXERCISED THEIR ABILITY TO MANDATE THAT, NOR HAS THE GOVERNOR, THROUGH AN COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDER, AND SAY THEY WILL NOT.

HOWEVER, IN THE FUTURE WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS AN EXEMPTION.

>> CURRENTLY THERE IS STATUTES STATING THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES CAN REQUIRE IMMUNIZATION FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY AN EPIDEMIC.

SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE CHAIR RALPH AREVALO VOTED IN FAVOR OF SENATE BILL 8.

HE SAYS THAT WHILE PEOPLE SHOULD GET VACCINATED 1 HE BELIEVES MORE EDUCATION IS NECESSARY TO GET PEOPLE TO DO SO.

>> AND SO A LOT OF FOLKS I THINK HAVE PERCEPTIONS THAT THOSE THINGS ARE -- THE VACCINATIONS ARE UNSAFE AND AGAIN PEOPLE WILL HAVE THOSE CONTINUED DEBATES.

I'D LIKE TO GET TO 100% VACCINATION BEEP PROBABLY WON'T EVER GET THERE.

BUT WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR TO US REALIZED THAT, AND MAYBE IT'S TIME AS A SOCIETY THAT WE START TO RECIRCULATE THOSE VIDEOS OF THE -- SO PEOPLE WILL SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO HAVE THOSE DISEASES AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT EVEN SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS SMALLPOX WHICH WE DON'T SEE ANYMORE AND IT'S ALMOST ERADICATED AROUND THE WORLD 1 WITH THAT SAID THERE'S ALWAYS A A FINE LINE WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH CARE.

WHEN DOES GOVERNMENT GET INVOLVED LITTLE BIT TOMS TO PREVENTION?

I THINK IF THERE'S ACTIVE DISEASE, IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THOSE ILLNESSES AND YOU HAVE THE RISK SPREADING THAT TO SOCIETY, GOVERNMENT SHOULD STEP AND AND SAY, YOU ARE GOING TO BE QUARANTINED PUNCH A DISEASE, YOU COULD VET TO OTHERS.

WHEN IT COULD ALSO TO PREVENTION IT'S A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT LINE.

THAT'S WHEN GOVERNMENT WILL REM SOMETHING, MAKE SOMETHING AVAILABLE IN OUR TO PREVENT A KISS ORDER OR DISEASE BUT WE CAN'T REALLY FORCE TEAM PEOPLE TO DO PREVENTION.

THEY NEED TO MAKE THAT DECISION THEMSELVES.

IT'S OAT MEMORABILIA COMMUNITY OFTEN TO CONVINCE PEOPLE WHETHER OR NOT THEY SHOULD DO THOSE THINGS.

AND SO I APPRECIATE THIS BECAUSE THIS STILL PROVIDES OBVIOUSLY CHOICE FOR FOLKS.

>> SENATE BILL 8 IPAD THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE AND HEADS TO THE NOEL SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.

A DAY AFTER CHIPPING AWAY AT THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE POWER, VIA VETO OVERRIDE THE HOUSE KNOW THE COMMITTEE HAS BASSED AIR BILL THAT WOULD TAKE A BILL FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND PUT IT UNDER THE STEWARDSHIP OF COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.

SENATE BILL 3 WOULD MOVE THE DEPARTMENT BOARD AND THE -- TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

HALF OF GOING SETTLEMENT MONEY IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE BOARD TO THE AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY.

BILL SPONSOR AND SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE CHAIR PAUL HORN BACK SPONSORS AS IMPORTANT AS THE MEASURE.

HE SAID HE KEPT THE BILL FROM LEAVING HIS COMMITTEE FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS BUT NOWSONS SPONSORS.

>> IT THIS YEAR I'M SPONSORING SENATE BILL 3 TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OVER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AG BECAUSE I THINK IT'S TAKEN A BAD DIRECTION, AND LIKE I SAID ON THE FLOOR, I'M GOING TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST WITH WHY I'M DOING IT.

IT'S BEEN A GENERIC AS OF OFFICE AS YOU ALL KNOW WHETHER IT BE THIS AG COMMITTEE, SENATE HAGG OH ARE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF AG.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN NON-PARTISAN.

IT HASN'T BEEN A ISSUE OF POLITICAL PARTY OR TAKING CREDIT FOR WHAT'S GOING ON IN AGRICULTURE.

A TRYING TO MOVE THAT PART OF OUR ECONOMY FORWARD, AND IT'S DONE A GREAT JOB IN DOING THAT.

I DON'T WANT TO POLITICIZE.

MY WHOLE INTENT, MR. CHAIRMAN, IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS FUND STAYS AROUND, IS ADMINISTERED CORRECTLY INTO PERPETUITY.

>> HOUSE MINORITY CAUCUS BRAME GRAHAM VOTED AGAINST SENATE BILL 3 BECAUSE OF WHAT HE SAYS IS THE KES OF THE FUND UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S SUPERVISION.

GRAHAM ASKED HORNBACK ABOUT HOW FUNDS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED.

>> I WANT TO ASK THE QUESTION BASICALLY HAS THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS BEEN CON 36th DEDUCTED FAIRLY, NOT ONLY WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION BUT I THINK YOU EVEN ALLUDE TO IT IN YOUR TESTIMONY WITH THE OTHER GOVERNORS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY WERE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS?

>> THERE IS NO DOUBT, REPRESENTATIVE GRAHAM, THAT FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS I THINK THIS DEVELOPMENT BOARD THAT IS RUN BY FARMERS, I THINK THEY'VE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB.

I WILL SAY, THOUGH, THAT THIS LAST MONTH THERE WAS A PROPOSAL THAT DERAILMENT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST WASTE SO FAR OF THESE AG DEVELOPMENT FUND MONEYS, AND THE AG DEVELOPMENT BOARD, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO HAVE THEIR APPROVAL TO ADMINISTRATOR THE FUND, THEY CHOSE TO SEND IT TO COMMITTEE AND LET IT REST THERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

>> A NUMBER OF DEMOCRATS HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT MOVING THE AG DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE JOSIE REMAINED ASKED WHAT THIS BILL ABOUT A MEAN IN THE FUTURE WHENNER THERE ARE DIFFERENT ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THESE POSITION.

>> OKAY.

IF I CAN FOLLOW UP QUICKLY, IT JUST FEELS TO ME LIKE A BIG FIX FOR A SMALL ISSUE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK COULD HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE IS IF YOU COULD JUST PLAY OUT A BIT, WHAT IF THERE ARE FURTHER NAME CHEQUES IN THE FUTURE AND WHAT WOULD IT LOOKING WITH NEW GOVERNORS AND NEW AG COMMISSIONERS?

YOU SAID WE'LL HAVE GOOD ONES AND BAD ONES.

I HOPE WE ONLY HAVE GOOD ONES.

BUT ALL OF THESE THINGS COULD CHANGE AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND IF YOU WOULD JUST SPEAK TO WHAT IT COULD LOOK LIKE AS IT EVOLVES.

>> WELL, THEY WILL CHANGE IN THE FUTURE, AND THERE WILL BE GOOD ONES AND BAD ONES.

THEY WON'T ALL BE GOOD IN SOME OF OUR OPINIONS.

BUT WHAT I'M WANTING TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS FUND IS ADMINISTERED BY FARMERS, THAT IT'S GOT TO FARMERS' INTENT.

THE PEOPLE THAT KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON OUT HERE IN AGRICULTURE AND KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ESPECIALLY FOR OUR SMALLER GROWERS WHICH IS WHERE MOST OF THIS MONEY HAS GONE BASS THE CARPS VERY LOW FOR INDIVIDUALS.

THEY'VE INVESTED IN GREAT ROPS LIKE THE HOPKINSVILLE SLATER, THE ETHANOL PLANT AND WHAT THAT'S DONE FOR 87 COUNTIES IN THIS STATE ANDD IMPACT IT HAS HAD FOR GROWERS.

THAT'S WHAT I SEE IT CONTINUING TO BE.

I THINK BY NOT ALLOWING REORGANIZER, SO NO ONE COMMISSIONER IN THE FUTURE COULD GO IN AND JUST REORG AND HAVE A WHOLE NEW BOARD THAT WOULD GO IN HIS DIRECTION.

I WAS CONCERNED, AND LIKE SAID AT THE GUNG, THE REASON I'M DOING THIS BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED THAT WITHIN A FOUR-YEAR SPAN WITH THE ABILITY TO REORG AND TAKE THE BOARD OUT AND PUT IN JUST THEIR PEOPLE, I WASN'T HAPPY WITH THE DIRECTION IT WAS GOING.

>> SENATE BILL 3 PASSED THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE AND WILL HEAD TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THIS.

THIS THERE A TENANT TO INTENTION HIS DAMAGES RENTAL PROPERTY COULD BE CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL MISCHIEF IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSES SENATE BILL 11.

SENATOR JOHN SCHICKEL, A REPUBLICAN FROM UNION, SAYS THIS IS THE RIGHTS TIME FOR HIS BILL.

>> SENATE BILL 11 HAS BEEN WELL VETTED.

IT'S BEEN HEARD THREE TIMES DURING THE INTERIM, AND THIS VERY CHAMBER PASSED IT LAST YEAR.

IT HAS TO DO WITH INTENTIONAL DAMAGE TO RENTAL PROPERTY.

AND I THINK THIS BILL IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR BECAUSE SO MANY LANDLORDS LANDLORDS IN OUR COMMONWEALTH ARE STRUGGLING AND IS MOST LANDLORDS ARE VERY SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES, MR. PRESIDENT, IT SIMPLY DEFINES DAMAGE TO RENTAL PROPERTY AS A SEPARATE CRIME.

IT'S THE SAME AS THE PENALTIES AND OFFENSE AS CRIMINAL MISCHIEF BEFORE BUT IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR THE LANDLORDS TO TELL IF A PERSON HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS TYPE OF ACTIVITY.

>> DEMOCRAT SENATORS DAVID GATES AND ROBIN WEBB OPPOSED THE BILL.

THEY SAY KENTUCKY DOESN'T NEED TO CRIMINAL SIZE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DEALT WITH OTHER WAYS.

>> CAN YOU SEE THE CONFUSION THERE?

CAN YOU SEE THE TENANT WHOSE CHILD DESTROYS SOMETHING?

CAN YOU SEE THE TENANT WHO CREATES A VERY REAL CIVIL ISSUE THAT NORMALLY WOULD MEAN THAT YOU FORFEIT YOUR DEPOSIT, BUT NOW US LANDLORDS WILL BE SENDING LETTERS OVER SAYING, YOU'RE LOOKING AT A FELONY CHARGES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE NEED IN KENTUCKY.

WE NEED TO LABEL MORE PEOPLE FELONS.

AT A TIME WHEN WE WERE LOOKING TO DO THE OTHER, WE'RE LOOKING FOR EXPUNGEMENTS, LOOKING TO CLEAR HISTORIES, WE'RE LITERALLY GOING TO TAG PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE COULDN'T FIGHT THAT.

>> I JUST CAUTION EVERYBODY IF WE PASS THIS LEGISLATION, WHICH I'M SURE WE WILL, YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO NEED TO PUT A FRU MORE DOLLARS IN LEGAL AID AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

I VOTE NO.

>> THE SENATE PASSED SENATE BILL 11 IS WITH A ROAST 28-8-SENATOR WHITNEY WESTERFIELD WAS THE ONLY REPUBLICAN TO TO GET AGAINST THE MEASURE.

ACCORDING TO FEDERAL LAW INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE SUPPOSED TO TREAT HEALTH.

CASES THE THE SAME WAY THEY HANDLE CASES INVOLVING PHYSICAL INJURIES AND ILLNESSES.

SOME LEGISLATORS SAY THERE ARE THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT COMPLEXITIES IN THE LAW OFTEN THAT KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING.

HOUSE BILL 50 WOULD STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT OF LAW IN KENTUCKY.

REPRESENTATIVE KIM MOSHER OF TAYLOR MILLS SAYS RIGHT NOW THE LAW ISN'T HELPING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ENTITLED TO THE HELP.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS ARE OFTEN TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER CONDITIONS, AND BY INSURERS, AND THERE'S NO HEALTH CARE WITHOUT MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

WE TALK A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THIS.

WE KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE.

AND WE KNOW THAT DISPARATE IN TREATMENT CAUSES HARM.

MANY PEOPLE GO YEARS WITHOUT TREATMENT, AND THERE'S ACTUALLY AN AVERAGE DELAY OF ABOUT 11 YEARS BETWEEN ONSET OF A MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TREATMENT.

RECENT REPORTS REVEAL THAT THERE ARE WORSENING DISPARITIES IN ACCESS TO CARE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, INCLUDING REIMBURSEMENT RATES OUT OF NETWORK USE, AND SPENDING.

EVERY DAY SIX PEOPLE DIE IN KENTUCKY DUE TO SUICIDE AND DRUG OVERDOSES.

MANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE UNABLE TO ACCESS THE CARE, THE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT THAT COULD HAVE SAVED THEIR LIVES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE SEWN WESTERN OF LEXINGTON SAID HOUSE BILL 50 IS CRITICAL FOR PATIENTS IN NEED OF THE CARE.

>> AND IT TRULY IS ABOUT A ACCOUNTABILITY.

OVER THE YEARS WE'VE SEEN THESE INSURANCE COMPANIES NOT PAY FOR BENEFITS THAT WERE ALLOWABLE, AND THE VICTIMS, OF COURSE, THE PATIENTS THAT HAD ABSOLUTELY NECESSITY NO IDEA HOW TO HANDLE THIS, SO I AM SO REFRESHED YOU BROUGHT THIS FOR US AND ESPECIALLY PEOPLE TO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES, IT'S SO CRITICAL THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO WHAT THEY HAVE PAID FOR.

THANK YOU.

>> THE HOUSE BANKING AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE VOTED IN SUPPORTIVE BILL, AND NOW MAKES ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE CHLORO.

LATE LAST NIGHT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST NEW LAWS AFTER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTED TO OVERRIDE HIS VETOES ON THREE BILLS THAT WOULD PUT LIMITS ON HIS EXECUTIVE POWER.

ALL THREE OF THOSE BILLS CONTAINED EMERGENCY CLAUSES TO PUT THEM INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

TODAY FRANKLIN CIRCUIT CIRCUIT YOUNG SHEPHERD PLACE AID TEMPORARY STOP TO THE NEW LAWS.

THEY ARE STRANGE ORDER WILL LAST 30 DAYS AND PUT A STOP TOTE BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES TO STAY OPEN IF THEY MEET CDC GUIDELINES.

IF PARTIAL RESTRAINING ORDER WILL ALLOW SENATE BILL 1 AND 2 TO BECOMES LIEU.

ROBERT STIVERS ISSUED A RULING.

HE SAID THE DENIAL OF THE RESTRAINING ORDER AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF CONCERNING SENATE BILLS 1 AND 2 IS THE APPROPRIATE RULING.

WE WANT TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THE RESTRAINING ORDER AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF ON HOUSE BILL 1 TO BETTER UNDER JUDGE SHEPHERD'S RATIONALE.

HOWEVER IT IS APPARENT THAT THE ANXIOUS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WERE WITHIN THE LAW.

THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE MET THIS AN TO DISCUSS THE IMPEACHMENT PETITIONS FOR GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR, ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON, AND REPRESENT REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GOFORTH.

AFTER THREE HOURS MEETING IN EXECUTIVE INVESTIGATION THE COMMITTEE DID NOT MAKE A MOTION NO OF THE PETITIONS.

AS WE LEAVE YOU POINT TONIGHT, WE'RE BRINGING ANOTHER SHORT BY GO ON RAAFY OF OF NEW FACE.

A PART OF OUR FRESHMAN PROFILE SERIES WE'LL GET TO KNOW THE BACKGROUND OF NEW, WHAT PROMPTED THEM TO SEEK OFFICE AND WHAT THEY HOPE TO PLUSH IN THIS SESSION.

TONIGHT JOSH BRANSON OF RUSSELL SPRINGS AND DEMOCRATIC TRIPS PAMELA EXTENSIVESON OF LOUISVILLE.

>> JOSH BRANSCUM FROM RUSSELL SPRINGS, KENTUCKY BE, AND I REPRESENT HOUSE DISTRICT 83.

STOW BIFF JOINED THE LEGISLATURE, OUR FAMILY HAS A FAMILY-OWNED CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS, 43 YEARS OLD, SO WE'VE -- I'VE SPENT MY LIFE WORKING IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, STARTED OUT AS A, JUST A BASIC LABORER AND WORKED HIGHWAY.

AND RIGHT NOW I'M CURRENTLY THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF OUR COMPANY.

YOU KNOW, I THINK HAVING THE BUSINESS EXPERIENCES AND KNOWING WHAT OUR FAMILY BUSINESSES GO THROUGH EVERY SINGLE DAY, THE CHALLENGES, THE DECISIONS THAT SPAN ACROSS ALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT OUR COMMONWEALTH AND OUR FAMILY BUSINESSES AND SMALL BUSINESSES AS WELL, I THINK THAT BETTER PREPARED ME, YOU KNOW, GOING INTO THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH, AND I'VE BEEN THERE AND GONE THROUGH THOSE CHALLENGES.

GROWING UP, MY PARENTS ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, THEY ALWAYS STRESSED PUBLIC SERVICE, NOT NECESSARILY THROUGH POLITICS BUT, YOU KNOW, BE INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY WITH GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY, WHETHER THAT'S SERVING IN YOUR CHURCH OR WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OR SOME TYPE OF INDUSTRY, BOARD, WHATEVER THAT MAY BE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO GIVE BACK.

AND SO I'VE KIND OF GROWN UP WITH THAT, THAT MINDSET OF GIVING BACK OR JUST TRYING TO GIVE YOUR TIME TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY.

BUT ALSO I HAVE A SIX-YEAR-OLD AND A NINE-YEAR-OLD, AND WHEN I WAS DECIDING WHETHER TO RUN OR NOT, ONE OF THE BIG DECISIONS FOR ME OR ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE MOST WAS HOW CAN I IMPACT MY CHILDREN'S FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF THE FAMILIES IN MY AREA.

HOW CAN I HELP THE MOST?

AND SO MANY TIMES IN AREAS, RURAL AREAS, NOT ALL THE TIME BUT YOU SEE OUR YOUNG ADULTS, THEY GO OFF TO COLLEGE.

A LOT OF TIMES THEY DON'T COME BACK.

AND SOMETIMES YOU HEAR -- SOMETIMES -- THAT JUST HAPPENS.

BUT SOMETIMES YOU SAY, THERE JUST WASN'T A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES THERE FOR ME, AND THAT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO CHANGE, ESPECIALLY IN MY DISTRICT.

TRY TO CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND FOR OUR FAMILIES, BUT ALSO LOOKING AT THAT FROM A STATEWIDE PERSPECTIVE TOO.

WHEN OUR YOUNG ADULTS GET OUT OF COLLEGE, LET'S KEEP THEM HOME.

LET'S MAKE SURE WE HAVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN KENTUCKY.

MY DISTRICT, LIKE A LOT OF COMMUNITIES, WE HAVE A LOT OF NEED, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY WITH INFRASTRUCTURE, JOB CREATION, AND CREATING WELL-PAYING JOBS BUT ALSO VERY -- LIKE TO SAY JOBS ACROSS THE BOARD, NOT JUST SPECIFIC TO ONE THING BUT A LOT OF -- A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF JOBS.

SO THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME, AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF COMMUNITIES CASE.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, REAL BIG ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

BEING IN CONSTRUCTION, THERE'S A NEED FOR SKILLED TRADES.

AND I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR FUTURE GENERATION IS EDUCATED AND EQUIPPED WITH THE SKILLS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

I THINK IT'S -- I THINK EVERYONE KNOWS THAT A LOT OF OUR FOCUS IS GOING TO BE ON BUDGET.

COVID RECOVERY.

THAT'S BIG IN MY DISTRICT AS WELL AS IT IS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT ARE -- THEY'RE STRUGGLING, THEY'RE HURTING, AND I THINK ANYWAY WE CAN HELP WITH THAT, WE NEED TO DO SO.

IT'S ABOUT AN A LOT OF HAPPENING QUICK, WHICH HAS BEEN GOOD.

WE'VE GOTTEN SOME REALLY GOOD LEGISLATION PASSED, AND IT'S A LEARNING CURVE.

A FIRE DRINKING FROM A FIRE HOSE AS A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY.

IT'S BEEN ENJOYABLE, AND I'M BLESSED TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT MY DISTRICT UP HERE.

>> MY NAME IS PAMELA STEVENSON.

I REPRESENT PROUDLY THE DISTRICT 43 JEFFERSON COUNTY.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, SO I'M BACK HOME.

I SERVED 27 YEARS IN SERVING AMERICA IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.

I'VE TRAVELED ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES, LIVED IN 11 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY.

MY MILITARY SERVICE WAS EXCITING BECAUSE WE WERE LIVING FOR SOMETHING BIGGER THAN SELF THAT NO MATTER WHAT WE DID DAY TO DAY, WAS SO THAT AMERICA COULD BE, AND WHAT I DID IN THE MILITARY RANGED FROM BEING AN ADJUTANT IN A FLYING SQUADRON TO A COMMANDER, ALL THE WAY TO BEING A JUDGE ADVOCATE, AND AS A JUDGE ADVOCATE, I WAS A PROSECUTOR, A CHIEF DEFENSE COUNSEL, APPELLATE CLERK, AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS.

IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS THE REASON WHY I WOULD WANT TO RUN FOR A SEAT TO SERVE KENTUCKY CAN BE SUMMED UP IN ONE WORD, AND I'M A LAWYER SO I'LL DO IT IN MORE THAN ONE, AND THAT'S THE PEOPLE.

PEOPLE DESERVE TO LIVE THE LIFE THAT GOD GAVE THEM.

PEOPLE DESERVE TO HAVE THEIR BEST SHOT AT MAKING THE DIFFERENCE THEY WANT TO MAKE.

AND THIS COUNTRY WAS BUILT FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.

AND THE GOVERNMENT ALLOWS US TO DO THAT.

WHEN I CAME BACK FROM SERVING AMERICA, I WANTED TO SEE HOW CAN I SERVE KENTUCKY.

WHAT IS IT I CAN DO TO MAKE THE ES ABOUT DIFFERENCE FOR MY HOME STATE?

AND I OPENED UP A NON-PROFIT LAW FIRM SO I COULD SERVE THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T QUALIFY FOR LEGAL AID, THE WORKING FAMILIES, VETERANS AND THE ELDERLY.

AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE ON ONE, BUT THEN WHEN I STARTED TO LOOK AT WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO MOVE KENTUCKY FROM THE BOTTOM OF SO MANY DIFFERENT LISTS TO THE TOP, ONE OF THE THINGS IS JUST CRITICALLY IMPORTANT IS LISTENING AND UNDERSTANDING.

LIKE I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GOT WHERE YOU ARE TODAY.

I DON'T KNOW YOUR STORY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD CAUSE YOU TO SAY THINGS THAT YOU MIGHT SAY TO PEOPLE ABOUT PEOPLE.

BUT I CAN LIST LISTEN AND UNDER AND FIND COMMON GROUND.

LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF THAT WE AGREE ON.

WE AGREE THAT FAMILIES SHOULD THRIVE.

WE AGREE ON EDUCATION.

WE AGREE THAT EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN KENTUCKY SHOULD HAVE RUNNING WATER.

WE AGREE THAT INTERNET IS THE WAY TO GO, IT'S THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE.

SO WHY AREN'T WE WORKING ON THE THINGS WE AGREE ON AND THE THINGS WE DON'T AGREE ON WE'LL TAKE IT A MEASURED PACE.

BUT DO GOOD IN THE AREAS WHERE WE AGREE ON.

AND THEN THE HARD QUESTIONS WE'LL DEAL WITH.

THE COMMON THREADS BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL ARE THERE.

WE JUST FOCUS ON WHAT'S DEFENDER DIFFERENT.

JUST BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A COW IN MY BACKYARD DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE NOT SUFFERING UNDER THE SAME TYPE OF HUMAN CONDITION.

JUST BECAUSE THINGS ARE NOT AS EASY FOR THEM AS IT MIGHT BE FOR US IN THE URBAN AREAS DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T EXPERIENCE THE SAME HUMAN CONDITION.

AND THIS WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION WHEN I WAS IN THE MIDDLE EAST WHERE THEY DON'T APPRECIATE NECESSARILY WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR, SHORT PEOPLE, SO -- BUT YOU COULDN'T SAY THAT TO THE COMMANDER.

I HAD A JOB TO DO.

MY JOB WAS TO LIAISON WITH THE KUWAITI ARMY.

MY JOB WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEEDS OF AMERICA WERE MET.

MY JOB WAS TO GET THE INFORMATION WE NEEDED SO AMERICA COULD MAKE DECISIONS.

SO I LISTENED TO THE KUWAITIS.

I DIDN'T TRY TO CONVERT THEM TO ANYTHING.

WE JUST NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT IS OUR COMMON GROUND AND WORK IN THAT SPACE.

>> THAT'S ALL FOR OUR DAY TEN COVERAGE OF 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-800-633-9650.

YOU CAN LETTERS FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY THROWING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP.

YOU ARE YOU CAN WATCH OUR KWE TANGLE OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG.

AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN FOR