>> ALL KENTUCKY SCHOOLS COULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE ARMED SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

WESTERN KENTUCKY SCHOOLS COULD GET MORE AID AFTER THE DECEMBER TORNADOES.

AND LEGISLATORS TRY TO REDUCE THE COST FOR MOTOR VEHICLE TAXES.

ALL ON DAY 24 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN KENTUCKY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE ARMED RESOURCE OFFICERS IN PLACE AT ALL SCHOOLS BY AUGUST OF THIS YEAR UNDER A BILL PASSED TODAY BY THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL, REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN BRATCHER OF LOUISVILLE, SAYS THE BILL HELPS GIVE MORE GUIDANCE TO 2019'S SCHOOL SAFETY AND RESILIENCY ACT PASSED AFTER THE DEADLY SCHOOL SHOOTING AT MARSHALL COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL.

FUNDS TO PAY FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS WOULD COME FROM EACH DISTRICT.

UNDER HOUSE BILL 63, SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE A RESOURCE OFFICER WOULD HAVE TO WORK WITH THE STATE'S SCHOOL SECURITY MARSHAL TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO FILL THAT SHORTAGE.

>> THE BILL TD THE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE OFF HOUSE BILL 63 GIVES US MORE GUIDANCE ON THAT BILL AS THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONFUSION OF IMPLEMENTING IT.

THIS BILL IS NOT AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.

THIS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE IS NOT UNFUNDED.

THIS, I WAS TOLD, WAS THE NEB STEP TO GET OUR SAFETY IN OUR SCHOOLS FUNDED.

THIS BILL WOULD BE A GOOD STEP FORWARD BECAUSE WHAT THIS BILL WILL DO TWO THINGS, MAINLY, ONE IT DEFINES THAT AN SRO BE PHYSICALLY ON A CAMPUS OF ASSIGNMENT.

THAT'S THE FIRST PART.

AND THE SECOND PART, IT GIVES SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT DO NOT HAVE FUNDING OR ENOUGH OFFICERS AND WE KNOW THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH OFFICERS OUT THERE TO FULFILL THIS ROLE.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH STAFF AND THIS SCHOOL SAFETY ACT'S REQUIREMENT WILL HAVE THE KISS STRICT INFORMING THE SCHOOL SAFETY MARSHAL OF THE PROBLEM THAT A SCHOOL IS HAVING THAT CANNOT FULFILL THE INTENTIONS OF SENATE BILL 1, AND A PLAN CAN BE DEVISED TO MAKE AT THAT HAPPEN >> REPRESENTATIVE TINA BOJANOWSKI - WHO ALONG WITH TWO OTHER DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOUISVILLE, ATTICA SCOTT AND LISA WILLNER - VOTED AGAINST THE BILL.

BOJANOWSKI SAYS SHE'S CONCERNED THE BILL WILL TAKE AWAY THE ABILITY OF LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE SCHOOLS IT REPRESENTS.

>> SO, I MEAN IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING FROM MY POSITION TO HEAR LOCAL CONTROL, LOCAL CONTROL, LOCAL CONTROL AND THEN FOR A BILL TO BE PRESENTED TO US THAT WOULD TAKE AWAY THE LOCAL CONTROL OF OUR ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD WHO ACCORDING TO THEIR ATTORNEYS ARE FOLLOWING THE NATURE OF THE LAW.

SO, I THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY QUESTION AND FOR COMMUNICATING WITH ME ABOUT THIS TOPIC BUT I SIMPLY FEEL LIKE IF LOCAL CONTROL IS ESSENTIAL DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, THAT LOCAL CONTROL CAN KNOW BEST HOW TO KEEP OUR STUDENTS SAFE >> COMMITTEE MEMBER JAMES TIPTON, WHO ALSO SERVES ON THE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE, SAYS SPENDING THE MONEY TO GET OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO SCHOOLS IS NOT JUST ABOUT KEEPING STUDENTS SAFE.

HE SAYS SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS CAN ALSO HAVE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON STUDENTS.

>> WE HAVE SO MANY SOCIAL PROBLEMS NOW.

OUR YOUTH ARE DEALING WITH SO MANY ISSUES.

THEY NEED POSITIVE ROLE MODELS.

AND THEY NEED TO LEARN THAT THEY CAN TRUST A POLICE OFFICER, A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL AND THAT SEEMS TO BE LACKING IN OUR SOCIETY.

AGAIN, THIS IS NOT A PERFECT SOLUTION.

YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BETTER FINANCIAL THAN WE HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST.

I SERVED ON APPROPRIATIONS REVENUE, I'M MORE WILLING TO TALK TO PIE FELLOW MEMBERS AND CHAIR PETRI, MAYBE THERE IS SOME FUNDING WE CAN COME UP WITH TO HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM >> OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING RESOURCE OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WITH TODAY'S SOCIETY WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY IN THOSE SCHOOLS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE FULLY FUNDED I BELIEVE EVERY SCHOOL SHOULD HAVE ONE BUT I THINK THE SCHOOLS SYSTEM SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE IN KINDERGARTENS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS AS WELL TOO.

I THINK THIS IS WARRANTED.

EVERY SCHOOL THAT I'VE WORKED IN WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A SCHOOL IN JEFFERSON COUNTY WE HAD SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, AND IT WAS AS A TEACHER I ALWAYS FELT SAFE IN MY CLASSROOMS.

BUT AS A PRINCIPAL, I ALWAYS LIKED HAVING SOMEONE THERE TO HELP >> BUT LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE LISA WILLNER SAYS, WHILE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS CAN BE GOOD ROLE MODELS, NOT ALL HAVE POSITIVE INTERACTIONS WITH STUDENTS.

>> I PIRMLY I'M SURE YOU TOO HAVE MET SOME WONDERFUL SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED INTO THESE ROLES AND DO A FANTASTIC JOB AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS.

SADLY, WE'VE ALSO HAD INCIDENTS WHERE RESOURCE OFFICERS HAVE NOT ENGAGED SAFELY WITH STUDENTS, STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INJURED, STUDENTS HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED.

STUDENTS HAVE BEEN PUT INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OVER WHAT WAS ESSENTIALLY A SCHOOL DISCIPLINE ISSUE >> SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION OF THE BILL, THE CEO OF THE LOUISVILLE URBAN LEAGUE SAYS A RECENT STUDY SHOWS PUTTING AN ARMED OFFICER IN SCHOOLS DOESN'T MAKE IT SAFER FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF.

AND IN SOME CASES, IT MAKES IT MORE DANGEROUS FOR THEM.

>> THE STUDY FOUND THAT THERE WERE THREE TIMES AS MANY PEOPLE KILLED WHERE THERE WAS AN OFFICER ON THE SCENE WHO WAS ARMED.

PART OF THE REASON FOR THAT MAY BE THAT SOMEONE GOING TO A SCHOOL WHERE THERE IS AN ARMED OFFICER GOES WITH MORE AMMUNITION, GOES WITH A SUICIDAL THOUGHT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE DATA.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU DO AND THEN THINK ABOUT.

THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES FOR THIS.

THE THINGS OUR STUDENTS NEED ARE ADULTS WITH BANDWIDTH.

MANY OF YOU ALL HAVE TALKED ABOUT TRUST AND YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT TRUST BUILDING YOU SAID SROs THEY CAN CREATE THESE RELATIONSHIPS AND THEY ABSOLUTELY CAN AND THEY ABSOLUTELY CAN FOLLOW UP ON THINGS THAT THE STUDENTS HAVE TOLD THEM BUT SO CAN OTHER TRUSTED ADULTS, WHETHER THEY BE MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS, WHETHER THEY BE SOCIAL WORKERS, WHETHER THEY ARE JUST A STUDENT, AN AID IN THE CLASSROOM >> REYNOLDS SAYS LAWMAKERS SHOULD NOT BE USING MONEY TO PUT MORE RESOURCE OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS.

SHE SAYS INSTEAD IT SHOULD GO TOWARDS PROVIDING COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR STUDENTS.

>> WHEN YOU WILL SHOW KENTUCKY THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE WORTH THE MONEY?

INVEST IN PREVENTIVE HELP.

POLICE POLICE ARE BAND-AIDS.

POLICE ARE BAND-AIDS.

WE NEED FRONT END SUPPORT FOR OUR STUDENTS AND NOT JUST IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AN NOT JUST FOR BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS, FOR WHITE STUDENTS ARE FOR ALL OF THE STUDENTS.

THEY ARE SUFFERING AND THIS DOESN'T HELP.

AND THE FACT THAT YOU WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE WOULD SPEND ANY DIME THAT WE FIND ON POLICE INSTEAD OF GETTING HELP FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, HOW DARE YOU, HOW DARE US.

IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE AS ADULTS >> ALSO SPEAKING OUT IN OPPOSITION OF THE BILL WAS THE FATHER OF A FIRST GRADER WHO ATTENDS SCHOOL IN LOUISVILLE.

>> NOW MORE THAN EVER OUR KIDS NEED RESOURCES AND FUNDING FOR THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP THEM SUCCEED AND THRIVE IN THE CLASSROOM AND BEYOND.

SIMPLY PUT, I DO NOT BELIEVE SROs ARE GOING TO DO THAT AND THE DATA SUPPORTS THAT.

AND THAT IS THE THING THAT I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH, THE DATA SUPPORTS THAT.

AND IF YOU LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF THE KIDS WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH RECENT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, RECENT ONES WHETHER THAT'S STUDENTS BACK TO COLUMBINE, FLORIDA, CONNECTICUT AND OTHER PLACES THOSE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN SCREAMING OUT FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHANGES AND REFORMS THAT DEAL WITH WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM IN SCHOOL BUT NONE OF THEM ARE SCREAMING FOR SROs >> HOUSE BILL 63 WAS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND NOW MOVES TO THE FULL HOUSE FOR A VOTE.

ALSO PASSING THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE TODAY IS HOUSE BILL 270, ALSO KNOWN AS ERIN'S LAW.

THE BILL IS PART OF AN EFFORT TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE IN THE STATE.

ERIN'S LAW WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO IMPLEMENT A ONE-HOUR TRAINING SESSION ON CHILD ABUSE.

THE SESSIONS WOULD BE YEARLY AND AGE APPROPRIATE.

THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL, REPRESENTATIVE NANCY TATE, SAYS WITH KENTUCKY'S RECORD OF CHILD ABUSE CASES, THIS LAW IS NECESSARY.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS IN 2021 THAT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CHILD BUREAU OF CHILD MALTREATMENT REPORTED FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW, KENTUCKY HAS THE HIGHEST CHILD ABUSE CASES IN THE COUNTRY.

SO, UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION THAT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH AND I BELIEVE THAT COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION IS THE KEY FOR ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM.

THERE'S NO SILVER BULLITT THAT'S GOING TO ADDRESS IT, BUT WITH THINGS LIKE ERIN'S LAW I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN START TACKLING THIS ISSUE >> KENTUCKY IS ONE OF 13 STATES THAT HAS NOT PASSED ERIN'S LAW, A FACT ONE COMMITTEE MEMBER FOUND SURPRISING.

>> HAD I READ THAT BILL, QUITE FRANKLY I WAS SURPRISED THIS HADN'T ALREADY BEEN IN KENTUCKY.

IESM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A CHRISTIAN NONPROFIT WE OPERATE TWO HOMELESS SHELTERS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN MOST OF WHOM HAVE BEEN ABUSED.

FROM MY EXPERIENCE THERE, I HAVE LEARNED ALL CHILDREN LOVE THEIR PARENTS, EVEN IF THE PARENTS ARE THE ABUSERS.

AND THEY BLAME THEMSELVES MOST OF THE TIME INSTEAD OF THEIR ABUSERS FOR THE ABUSE.

THEY ARE TERRIFIED OF REPORTING THE ABUSE, AND I PRAY THAT THIS BILL COULD PROVIDE THE INFORMATION THEY NEED BOTH TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO REPORT IT AND PERHAPS ESCAPE IT.

MY QUESTION IS, IS THERE CURRICULUM THAT ERIN'S LAW PROMOTES FOR HOW THIS WILL BE EXPLAINED AT SCHOOL?

>> THANK YOU, THAT'S A VERY EXCELLENT QUESTION.

YES, THERE IS.

WHEN I GO TO ERIN'S LAW .ORG THERE'S APPROXIMATELY 15 PIECES -- EXCUSE ME TYPES OF CURRICULUM THAT'S RECOMMENDED.

AS A MATTER OF FACT I'VE LOOKED AT SEVERAL OF THOSE.

TO ME, THEY'RE VERY INEXPENSIVE ESPECIALLY WHEN WE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE 9.3 BILLION DID DOLLARS IT'S ESTIMATED TO ADEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM AFTER IT HAPPENS >> HOUSE BILL 270 NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION.

THE HOUSE WILL ALSO TAKE UP A BILL ALLOWING 15 ADDITIONAL DISASTER DAYS FOR SCHOOLS IMPACTED BY THE TORNADOES THAT DEVASTATED WESTERN KENTUCKY.

UNDER HOUSE BILL 397, STUDENTS WILL NOT HAVE TO MAKE UP MISSED DAYS DURING THE SUMMER.

TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF WILL NOT HAVE TO WORK ADDITIONAL DAYS DURING THE SUMMER TO FULFILL THEIR CONTRACT.

REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD HEATH SAYS HE HAS SEEN FIRSTHAND THE EFFORTS STUDENTS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL PUT TOWARD HELPING THEIR COMMUNITIES RECOVER.

HE THINKS THEY HAVE MORE THAN MADE UP FOR THE HOURS LOST.

>> I SAW THIS ACTIVITY IN MY MIND THE TEACHERS AND THE STAFF HAVE ALREADY WORKED THESE HOURS.

THEY HAVE ALREADY PUT THEIR TIME IN, AND THEN THE -- I FEEL CERTAIN THE STUDENTS GAINED MORE EDUCATION DURING THE TIME THEY WERE HELPING WITH THE RECOVERY AND DONATION AND VOLUNTEERING THAN THEY WOULD HAVE IF THEY HAD BEEN IN THE CLASSROOM.

IT'S BEEN WHAT SIX WEEKS AND IT'S STILL VERY EMOTIONAL FOR ME TO TALK ABOUT >> REPRESENTATIVES MYRON DOSSETT OF PEMBROKE, WHO SPONSORS THE LEGISLATION WITH HEATH, SAYS THIS BILL GIVES THOSE IMPACTED BY THE TORNADOES A CHANCE TO GET BACK TO THEIR NORMAL LIVES.

>> IN THE WORDS OF ONE OF MY SUPERINTENDENTS LENNY THERE FROM DAWSON SPRINGS, HE STATED TO ME, WE HAVE SO MANY STAFF AND STUDENTS WHO HAVE LOST EVERYTHING, AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET THEIR LIVES BACK IN ORDER.

THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE MENTALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY WORN OUT.

BY THE TOTAL OF THE TORNADOES HAVE TAKEN ON THEM.

BY DOING THSHES NOW THIS WILL MEAN THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHICH ALREADY HAVE ADDED HOURS ON CURRENTLY, THIS WILL JUST EXCUSE THEM AND ALLOW THM TO GET BACK TO NORMAL.

BUT BY GETTING BACK TO NORMAL, I MUST SHARE WITH YOU, THOSE SCHOOL PERSONNEL, THE STUDENTS WHEN THEY GO HOME, THEY'RE STILL WORKING TRYING TO REPAIR AND CLEAN UP DEBRIS.

FOR ALL OF YOU IF YOU WILL LOOK AT MY HANDS RIGHT HERE THEY'RE SCARRED.

OVER THE WEEKEND, I WAS WORKING REMOVING FENCING.

IF I WERE AT HOME TODAY, I WOULD BE WORKING IN MY SHOP AND AT THE END OF THAT DAY I WOULD GO HOME UNTIL DARK I WOULD BE CONTINUING WORKING ON CLEANING UP AND TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN UP THE DAMAGE THERE FROM THE TORNADO.

THIS WOULD JUST ALLOW ALL OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS, OUR STUDENTS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL AS I SAID TO GET BACK TO ASEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY AND BE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY'RE NEEDING TO DO AT THE END OF DAY >> REPRESENTATIVE DOSSETT ALSO TOLD THE COMMITTEE HE BELIEVES ONLY THREE SCHOOLS WILL TOP 10 ADDITIONAL DAYS: MAYFIELD INDEPENDENT SCHOOL, DAWSON SPRINGS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL AND PEMBROKE ELEMENTARY.

HOUSE BILL 397 PASSED THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE IS ON ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE.

DRIVERS PAYING THEIR MOTOR VEHICLE TAXES THIS YEAR ARE EXPERIENCING STICKER SHOCK.

MOTOR VEHICLE TAXES HAVE INCREASED OVER 40% BECAUSE OF RISING CAR VALUES.

UNION REPRESENTATIVE SAL SANTORO HAS PROPOSED A BILL SEEKING TO DECREASE THOSE RISING COSTS.

HOUSE BILL 6 REQUIRES THE CAR'S VALUE BE BASED ON THE AVERAGE TRADE-IN RATE AND NOT THE HIGHER CLEAN TRADE-IN ESTIMATE.

SANTORO EXPLAINS HOW HOUSE BILL 6 WORKS.

>> CURRENT LAW HAS IT THAT MOTOR VEHICLES MUST BE TAXED ACCORDING TO THEIR FAIR CASH VALUE.

THE STATUTORY STANDARD WE USE TO DETERMINE THIS VALUE IS THE AVERAGE TRADE-IN RATE BUT IN 2009, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ADOPTED A POLICY THAT DEFINED THE AVERAGE TRADE-IN TO MEAN A HIGHER VALUE AT CLEAN TRADE-IN.

AS A RESULT, MANY VEHICLES ARE BEING TAXED AT A HIGHER RATE THAN THEIR VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY WORTH.

THIS BILL WOULD REQUIRE THE PROPERTY VALUE ASSESSORS, RPVAs TO USE THE AVERAGE TRADE-IN VALUE AS A STANDARD.

I'M GOING TO REPEAT THAT.

IT'S THE AVERAGE TRADE-IN VALUE AND NOT THE ROUGH OR CLEAN TRADE-IN VALUE.

UNDER THE BILL, THE PVA IS ABLE TO ADJUST THE VALUE USED TO ASSESS A MOTOR VEHICLE BUT ONLY IF THE REGISTRANT HAS PROVIDED EVIDENCE THAT THE STANDARD VALUE DOES NOT REFLECT THE MOTOR VEHICLE'S CONDITION CONDITIONS, OPTIONS, MILEAGE OR CERTIFICATE OF TITLE ISSUED >> HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE CHAIR JASON PETRIE SAYS A FISCAL NOTE TO THE BILL STATES TAXPAYERS WILL SAVE $67.7 MILLION OVERALL.

HOUSE BILL 6 STIPULATES PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID THEIR TAXES FOR 2022 WILL RECEIVE A REFUND FOR THE DIFFERENCE.

HOUSE BILL 6 PASSED THE A AND R COMMITTEE AND HEADS TO THE HOUSE.

ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, A MEASURE THAT DIRECTS FUNDING TO PREPARE 9-1-1 CALL CENTERS FOR "NEXT GENERATION" 9-1-1 SERVICES.

THESE "NEXT GENERATION SERVICES" WILL ALLOWS THE 9-1-1 SERVICE TO GET MORE ACCURATE LOCATIONS ON CALLS, HOPEFULLY LEADING TO FASTER RESPONSE TIMES.

HOUSE BILL 363 SPONSOR MARK HART EXPLAINS THE BILL TO THE HOUSE.

>> FOR THOSE OF YOU UNFAMILIAR, NEXT AGAIN RAIMENT 911 REPRESENT AS QUANTUM LEAP IN 911 TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL IMPROVE QUAWLER LOCATION ACCURACY, REDUCE FIRST RESPONDER RESPONSE TIME AND ULTIMATELY SAVE LIVES BECAUSE THE WORLD EMERGENCY RESPONSE MERE SECONDS CAN I CAN MA THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

IN THE NEXT GENERATION 911 ENVIRONMENT ALL 911 CALL CENTERS PART AFTER CONNECT WOULD IPP NETWORK WHICH ALLOWS EMERGENCY CALLS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO ANY OTHER CALL CENTER IN THE EVENT OF NATURAL DISASTER OR OTHER CRISIS EVENT.

WIRELESS CALLS OR ROUTED BASED ON CALLER'S LOCATION RATHER THAN CELL TOWER TRIANGULATION.

THIS WILL GREATLY REDUCE CALL TRANSFERS THAT TAKE PLACE WHEN A CALL IS ROWNTED TO WRONG CALL CENTER.

WHICH CAN GO TO A NEIGHBORING COUNTY OR STATE.

THERE ARE OTHER BENEFITS AS WELL.

TEXT PHOTOS AND VIDEO TO BE SHARED DWEEN CALLERS AND 911 CALL CENTERS >> HOUSE BILL 363 PASSED 96 TO 0 AND MAKES ITS WAY TO THE SENATE.

HOUSE BILL 196, IF PASSED, WOULD REQUIRE BARRIERS AROUND PRIVATELY-OWNED SWIMMING POOLS.

THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION TO PREVENT SMALL CHILDREN FROM DROWNING.

THE BILL IS KNOWN AS AVA'S LAW, AFTER AVA JENKINS, A TWO-YEAR-OLD FROM MCCRACKEN COUNTY WHO DROWNED IN A NEIGHBOR'S POOL IN 2019.

THE BILL'S SPONSOR, REPRESENTATIVE RANDY BRIDGES, TOLD THE HOUSE VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WHAT THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE OF POOL OWNERS.

>> IN GROUND POOLS AND ABOVE GROUND WITH HEIGHTS LESS THAN 48 INCHES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO INSTALL A FENCE WITH SELF-LATCHING GATE AND SELF-CLOSING GATE.

ABOVE GROUND POOLS ABOVE 48 INCHES THAT WALL WOULD BE CONSIDERED TO BE A BARRIER, THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE LADDERS THAT GO INTO THOSE POOLS TO EITHER BE REMOVED OR HAVE A COVER TO PUT ON THEM AND BE LOCKED.

IF THEY DO HAVE DECK OR SOMETHING BUILT AROUND THEM, THEN THE 48 INCHES WOULD BE REQUIRED AROUND THE DECK OR THE GATE TO THE STEPS.

WITH THAT, THE OTHER THING ABOUT THAT WE'VE TRIED TO MAKE THIS AS MOST CONVENIENT TO HOMEOWNERS AS POSSIBLE SO THE WALLS OF THE DWELLING OR SAY AN EXTERIOR GARAGE COULD BE PART OF THAT ENCLOSURE AND THE FENCE WOULD HAVE TO RUN FROM BUILDING TO BUILDING TO ENCLOSE THAT BACKYARD.

IT ALSO REQUIRES IN 2008 THERE WAS A FEDERAL LAW CALLED THE VIRGINIA GROUND BAKER ACT THAT REQUIRES MANUFACTURERS OF CERTAIN DEGREE OF SAFETY MEASURES TO BE ON ALL THINGS INSTALLED.

SO ABOVE GROUND POOL LADDERS, ANYTHING MANUFACTURED AFTER I THINK IT'S 2010 REQUIRES THAT THE LADDER BE REMOVABLE OR HAVE A COVER TO BE PLACED ON IT TO BE LOCKABLE.

THIS POOL THAT AVA DIED IN HAD THAT LADDER.

IF WE HAD THE LAW THERE, IN PLACE THE HOMEOWNERS WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT AND I FEEL THAT LADDER WOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED OR LOCKED IN PLACE SO SHE COULD NOT HAVE ACCESS THAT POOL.

A LOT OF THIS IS ALREADY IN PLACE.

WE JUST GOT TO PUT THE STATUTE IN THERE TO ENFORCE THOSE PROCEDURES >> THE COMMITTEE ALSO HEARD FROM BRYAN AND KARI JENKINS, AVA'S PARENTS, ABOUT HOW THEIR DAUGHTER DROWNED.

>> FROM OUR HOUSE AND YOUR BACKYARD WE CAN SEE THE POOL THAT SHE HAD CLIMBED OVER A LADDER AND JUMPED IN.

IF THE LADDER HAD NOT BEEN THERE, I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF REGULATIONS AND THINGS ON IN-GROUND POOLS AND PEOPLE PUT FENCES AROUND THOSE ALL THE TIME AND GATES THAT ARE LOCKED AND HAVE TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AND NOT THE OUTSIDE.

BUT THIS WAS JUST A SIMPLE LADDER THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ABOVE-GROUND POOL.

I KNOW THAT WE HAVE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, WE'VE TAKEN THOUGHT OF THIS TOO.

IT'S NOT ONLY OUR FAULT.

IT'S ALSO HOMEOWNERS THAT JUST NEED TO DO WHAT -- TO PROTECT THEMSELVES ALSO.

BUT THAT LITTLE GIRL, SHE LIVED BIG.

SHE LOVED BIG.

SHE NEVER MET A STRANGER AND YOU KNOW, I FEEL LIKE MY YOUNGEST SON HE'S LOST HIS BEST FRIEND, YOU KNOW.

AND WE'VE SUFFERED A HUGE LOSS, AND WE JUST WANT TO PREVENT ANY OTHER KIND OF TRAGEDY THAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO OTHER FAMILIES.

POSSIBLY IN THE SAME WAY IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED WITH US.

BUT THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT >> THE COMMITTEE PASSED THE BILL.

THE CDC SAYS EVERY DAY IN THE UNITED STATES, THREE CHILDREN DROWN.

ON THE SENATE SIDE, KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING TO HOLD DOWN UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE COSTS FOR KENTUCKY BUSINESSES BY FREEZING RATES AND THE TAXABLE WAGE BASE.

REPRESENTATIVE RUSSELL WEBBER SAYS BUSINESSES FACE INCREASED COSTS BECAUSE OF COMPLICATIONS ARISING FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

SHEPHERDSVILLE REPUBLICAN RUSSELL WEBBER EXPLAINED THE MEASURE TO THE SENATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

>> EMPLOYERS WILL SEE A JUMP TO SCHEDULE C IF WE DON'T FREEZE THESE RATES.

THAT IS AVERAGING ABOUT A $70 TAX INCREASE FOR THEM PER EMPLOYEE IN THEIR BUSINESS.

I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT BILL BECAUSE IT DOES HELP FOLKS WHO ARE STILL STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW AS WE'VE ALL HEARD FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THOSE IN OUR DISTRICTS, THE SHUTDOWNS HAD A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THEM.

WE'RE SEEING A LABOR SHORTAGE RIGHT NOW.

JUST LAST NIGHT, I PASSED A BUSY RESTAURANT IN MY HOME TOWN THAT NORMALLY ON A WEEK NIGHT YOU WOULD SEE A LONG LINE THROUGH THE DRIVE THROUGH UP TO 10:30 OR 11:00.

THEY WERE CLOSED AT 7:00 P.M. WITH TWO LARGE SIGNS SAYING NOW HIRING AND THEY WERE OFFERING SIGN-ON BONUS TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.

THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE.

WE SEE SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS HAPPENING ACROSS THE NATION.

YOU GO INTO GROCERY STORES NOW AND IT ALMOST LOOKS THRIEK WILL' GOING OUT OF BUSINESS.

THIS THIS BILL IS DESIGNED TO GIVE AN ADDITIONAL YEAR OF HELP TO BUSINESSES IN THE COMMONWEALTH >> WEBBER SAYS THE BILL WOULD SAVE EMPLOYERS ABOUT $70 PER EMPLOYEE.

EVEN THOUGH THE COMMITTEE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE, A COUPLE OF SENATORS SAY THEY WON'T BE VOTING FOR A FREEZE IN FUTURE SESSION.

HOUSE BILL 44 WILL CREATE AN UNFUNDED LIABILITY THE STATE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR BECAUSE OF THE RATE FREEZE.

SENATORS DAVID YATES AND PHILLIP WHEELER SAY THAT IS CONCERNING TO THEM, DESPITE BEING IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR ON THAT BECAUSE I THINK WHEN I FIRST RAN FOR OFFICE ONE THING PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT WAS THE ISSUES IN FRANKFORT FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS IS WE ALWAYS LOOK HERE AND NOW, WE DON'T THINK ABOUT THE GENERATION RAITION COMING AFTER US AND HOW WE'RE AGOING TO FUND THAT.

WE KICK THE CAN.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE US DOING THAT.

IN THE HOUSE APPROPRIATION YOU HAVE COVERED THAT IN THE BUDGET.

WHAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF WE DO PASS THIS ON FOR ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER YEAR TO HELP EMPLOYERS, AGAIN, I HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS AND I KNOW $70 A YEAR THAT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE OR BREAK, THEY ALL ADD UP, LITTLE THINGS.

I LOWERED SUB VIPTIONS TO CERTAIN THINGS, I GET THAT BUT I ALSO WANT TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND WE KNOW ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS KNOW RIGHT NOW IF WE PASS THIS AGAIN, THAT'S $100 MILLION WE OTHERWISE WON'T ARE IN SOMETHING ELSE.

IT'S AT THAT BALANCE WHAT OUR GREATER CONCERNS ARE.

I PROBABLY VOTE FOR THIS AGAIN ANOTHER EXTENSION OF IT.

I DO HOPE WE'RE LOOKING TO IT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC.

WE KNOW WITH EMPLOYERS THINGS ARE DIFFERENT.

SAME AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WON'T BE HIRED.

>> I'M INCLINED TO VOTE FOR THIS.

I THINK WE'RE STILL SUFFERING FROM SOME OF THE PROBLEMS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE PANDEMIC AND SOME OF THE DECISIONS IN RETROSPECT MAYBE WEREN'T AS GOOD AS WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN AS FAR AS HOW TO HANDLE THIS PANDEMIC IS WHAT WE'VE SEEN BASED ON THINGS DONE IN OTHER STATES.

I GUESS WHAT I DON'T WANT TO SEE IS THIS BECOME A RECURRENT REQUEST ON ANNUAL BASIS.

I THINK A COUPLE YEARS REMOVED FROM THE PANDEMIC, I CAN SEE THE UTILITY IN JUMP STARTING OUR BUSINESSES AND GETTING THEM BACK TO WORK, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD BE AS INCLINED TO VOTE FOR THIS AGAIN NEXT YEAR IF I SEE IT COME BACK AGAIN >> HOUSE BILL 144 PASSED THE SENATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AND IS UP FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE SENATE.

BEFORE WE LEAVE TONIGHT, WE HAVE A NOTE FOR KENTUCKY BASKETBALL FANS.

TOMORROW, KENTUCKY BASKETBALL COACH JOHN CALIPARI WILL BE TESTIFYING ON SENATE BILL 6 - THE NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS BILL SPONSORED BY SENATOR MAX WISE.

UK ATHLETIC DIRECTOR MITCH BARNHART WILL JOIN CALIPARI AT THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING AT 3:30 P.M. THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE OF DAY 24 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

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

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

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHONE OR TABLET.

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