♪ ♪ >> KENTUCKY MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH JOHN CALIPARI VISITS FRANKFORT TO THROW HIS SUPPORT BEHIND A BILL, POSITIVE COVID-19 ANTIBODY TESTS COULD BE TREATED THE SAME AS VACCINATIONS, AND PROPOSALS TO REDUCE MOTOR VEHICLE TAXINGS MOVE IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

ALL ON DAY 25 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I AM CASEY PARKER-BELL.

THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE WAS GREETED BY A SPECIAL GUEST TODAY, UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH JOHN CALIPARI.

HE AND MITCH BARNHART WERE AT THE CAPITOL COMPLEX TO TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF SENATE BILL 6, THE NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS OR N-I-L BILL SPONSORED BY SENATOR MAX WISE.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING LAST SUMMER CHANGED COLLEGE ATHLETICS FOREVER CAN.

THE RULING OPENED A LANE FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES TO SIGN CONTRACTS USING THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

BUT THE NCAA AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVEN'T STEPPED IN TO SET NATIONWIDE STANDARDS, LEAVING STATES WITH A BROKEN COVERAGE OF RULES.

CALIPARI PRAISED SENATE BILL 6 SAYING IT COULD BECOME THE MODEL FOR N-I-L BILLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> WHY DO WE NEED THIS?

WELL, WE ALL WOULD RATHER HAVE A FEDERAL BILL, BUT IT IS NOT COMING ANY TIME SOON.

>> I HAVE HEARD COACHES SAY, WELL, WE WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE A BILL, WE COULD GO DO WHATEVER WE WANT, THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY SAFE HARBOR, HOW ABOUT THIS ONE?

THE NCAA COULD COME BACK AND SAY YOU ARE WRONG.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET YOU DO THAT.

AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH STUFF THAT WAY.

THE EO, SOME AGREED, SOME DIDN'T, I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT AND I THANKED GOVERNOR AND OTHER STATES FOLLOWED SUIT, BUT THIS BILL, I THINK IT IS A MODEL BILL.

I THINK OTHER STATES ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS BILL AND SAY, WOW, I ALSO THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL LOOK AS THEY START TO DEAL WITH THIS AND THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS BILL.

>> UK ATHLETICS DIRECT MITCH BARNHART SAYS THE UNIVERSITY HAS RECORDED OVER 800 TRANSACTIONS FOR THEIR STUDENT ATHLETES, FROM A VARIETY OF THEIR SPORTS.

HE SAYS THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE BROUGHT ON BY THE SUPREME COURT'S N-I-L RULING HAS CREATED OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE UNIVERSITY.

>> ONE, THE BILL EXPRESSLY ENSURES THE NAME STUDENT ATHLETES CAN MONETIZE THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS WHILE MAINTAINING THEIR ABILITY TO COMPETE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, 2 THE BILL ALLOWS UNIVERSITY TO GUIDE STUDENT ATHLETES THROUGH POLICIES THAT PROTECT THEM FROM ENTERING INTO AGREEMENTS THAT COULD TARNISH THEIR BRAND OR REPUTATION FOR BRAND AND REPUTATION OF THE INSTITUTION THEY ATTEND.

>> IT ALLOWS FOR CONNECTION WITH LEGITIMATE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE CONCERNED AND INTERESTED IN THE WELFARE AND A ABILITY OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE TO ENTER THE SPACE WITH INTEGRITY AND CONFIDENCE.

>> 3, THIS BILL PROVIDES LIABILITY PROTECTION FOR COACHES AND ATHLETIC STAFF MEMBERS WHO PROVIDE GENERAL GUIDANCE AND EDUCATION TO STUDENT ATHLETES.

THAT'S CRUCIAL.

BECAUSE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENT ATHLETES AND THEIR COACHES AND STAFF ARE SOME OF THE MOST MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS THAT STUDENT ATHLETES HAVE ON CAMPUS AND THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES.

THEY WILL SEEK ADVICE FROM THE PEOPLE THEY TRUST, NO ONE IS MORE TRUSTED IN THAT PROCESS AND IN THAT SPACE THAT THEIR COACHES, LASTLY AND IMPORTANTLY THERE IS A LOT WE DON'T KNOW.

AND THIS BILL ACCOUNTS FOR THE RAPIDLY EVOLVING LANDSCAPE AND PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY NEEDED TO HELP THE STUDENT ATHLETES NAVIGATE IT, THINGS WILL CONTINUE TO CHANGE AND EVOLVE, WE NEED THAT CAPACITY AND FLEXIBILITY TO CHANGE AND EVOLVE AS WELL.

>> SENATE EDUCATION CHAIR MAX WISE AND SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN MCGAR I HAVE, A CONS FOR 0, COSPONSOR OF THE MEASURE, EXPLAINED WHY THE BILL IS NECESSARY AND HOW IT WOULD WORK.

>> NOW, MANY OF US MAY HAVE PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES ABOUT ISSUES SUCH AS NAME, IMAGE, LIKENESS OR THE TRANSFER PORTAL OR ANYTHING TO DO WITH COLLEGE ATHLETICS, BUT IT IS THE NATURE OF WHERE WE ARE TODAY,.

>> IN THIS SPACE AND IN THIS TIME STATES ARE NOW HAVING TO GRAPPLE WITH THE ISSUE AND DECIDING WHAT IS BEST?

WHAT IS BEST, NUMBER ONE FOR THE UNIVERSITY, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, NUMBER 2, WHAT IS BEST FOR THE STUDENT ATHLETE?

NOW I THINK WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH THIS BILL IS A PERFECT WEAVE AND THREAD OF FINDING FLEXIBILITY AND BALANCE WITH THE INSTITUTION AND WITH THE STUDENT ATHLETE.

>> WHAT WE ALSO DO THOUGH IS SAY TO THE INSTITUTION THAT THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THESE INSTITUTIONS THEY CAN SET FURTHER RESTRICTIONS, THAT ARE IN LINE WITH THE UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY'S MISSION.

BUT BEYOND THOSE PARAMETERS WE GIVE BROAD LATITUDE TO UNIVERSITIES, THEY ARE THE ONES DEALING WITH THE STUDENTS ATHLETES AND THEY NEED THE FLEXIBILITY AS THIS LAW CHANGES TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE STATE THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE INSTITUTION CAN ADOPT THE POLICIES GOVERNING THE NAME, IMAGE LIKENESS AGREEMENTS OF THE INSTITUTION OF STUDENT ATHLETES.

WE REQUIRE THESE REGULATIONS TO BE REASONABLE.

THEY CANNOT PLACE AN UNDUE BURDEN ON THE STUDENT ATHLETE'S ABILITY TO EVERYBODY COMPENSATION THROUGH NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS AGREEMENTS THEY HAVE TO BE IN WRITING FOR THE STUDENTS AND FREUD ALL STUDENT ATHLETES.

ALSO, IF A STUDENT ATHLETE ENTERS INTO A NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS AND IF THE UNIVERSITY DOESN'T THINK THERE SHOULD THERE NEEDS TO BE A PROCESS FOR THE STUDENT TO APPEAL THAT RULING IN A TIMELY MANNER.

WE WANT THIS TO BE THE BENEFIT OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE.

>> SENATORS HAD A RANGE OF QUESTIONS FOR CALIPARI AND BARNHART, FROM HOW THIS WOULD IMPACT STUDENT ATHLETE RETENTION TO WHAT TYPE OF PROGRAMS THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS STUDENTS ON FINANCIAL LITERACY.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM DAVID GIVEN ASKED THE PAIR WHY UNIVERSITIES WOULDN'T OFFER HELP NEGOTIATING THE DEALS.

>> >> WE CAN'T USE N-I-L FOR AN INDUCEMENT TO ATTRACT TALENT.

WE CAN'T USE N-I-L AS AN INDUCEMENT.

THAT SHOULD NEVER BE SOMETHING WE DO.

BUT ONCE THAT STUDENT IS ON CAMPUS AS A CURRENT STUDENT ATHLETE, BOY IF THE UNIVERSITY, WHICH IN THIS CASE IS DEFINED IN THE LANGUAGE, COULD HELP NEGOTIATE ARE -- NOW THAT IS A BIG WORD, NEGOTIATE.

THAT'S A CRITICAL WORD IN THE CONVERSATION, BUT AS WE WRITE THESE RULES, IF THE INSTITUTION CAN HELP NEGOTIATE ONCE THAT STUDENT IS ON CAMPUS, THAT MAY BE SOMETHING WE WANT TO TRY TO DO PROVIDED IT IS WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF WHAT IS RIGHT AND I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THE FOUR OF YOU OFFER SOME INSIGHTS ON THAT IF YOU WOULD.

>> OUR DNA, WHAT WE DO IS ABOUT EDUCATION AND IT IS ABOUT PREPARING THEM ON THE FIELD AND FOR LIFE.

SO WITH THAT PREMISE IN MIND, WHAT OUR DNA IS PROBABLY NOT IS IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO NEGOTIATE DEALS FOR THEM.

THAT IS NOT WHO, I DON'T THINK WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AT THIS POINT IN TIME BUT I DO BELIEVE IT IS OUR OPPORTUNITY -- OR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THEM AND PEOPLE THAT MAY, MAYBE LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLET, SOMEONE CALLS THIS OFFICE AND THIS HAS OCCURRED, WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ATHLETE X OR Y, WHATEVER THAT HAPPENS TO BE, WE WOULD LIKE TO DO SOMETHING WITH THEM IN THIS N-I-L SPACE.

OUTSTANDING.

LET US CONNECT YOU WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVE WHO IS BETTER INCLINED AND HAS A LIABILITY TO WORK WITH THEM OR NOT A LIABILITY, A CONTRACT TO WORK WITH THEM IN THIS SPACE.

AND ALMOST ALL OF OUR STUDENT ATHLETES HAVE CREATED THAT REPRESENTATION, EITHER THROUGH THEIR FAMILIES OR THROUGH THEMSELVES OR THROUGH SOMEONE ELSE, AND THAT IS COMING FROM A VARIETY OF PLACES AND THERE IS A SAFE SPACE IN THAT FOR US.

IT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO CONNECT THOSE DOTS.

SO RATHER THAN US BEING IN THE NEGOTIATION SPACE, WE ARE TELLING THEM, PLEASE GO TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE WHO HAS YOUR PERSONAL INTERESTS AND KNOWS YOU BETTER THAN PROBABLY ANYBODY ELSE IN THIS AREA AND YOU CREATE THAT OPPORTUNITY, WHETHER THAT IS YOUR FAMILY MEMBER OR SOMEONE ELSE.

AND THEN THAT KEEPS OUR COACHES DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST, AND THAT IS COACHING THEIR TEAMS AND CREATING A CULTURE IN THE LOCKER ROOMS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO, WHEN WE TAKE TO THE FLOOR AND THEY EQUIP THEM IN AMAZING OTHER WAYS, BUT THAT IS PROBABLY NOT OUR EXPERTISE OR DNA AND WE WOULD HESITATE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE DEALS THAT MIGHT NOT BEEN BE VERY GOOD FOR THEM THERE.

IS NOT A COACH IN THE CUT THAT WANTS TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS, BUT, BUT THERE IS A STATE A LITTLE NORTH OF US THAT JUST PUT A LAW IN THAT SAYS THEY COULD.

SO MY POINT IS, AGAIN, FLEXIBILITY.

HOW DO WE MAKE THIS?

WE DON'T WANT TO DO IT.

IT IS NOT WHAT WE WANT TO DO, BUT THREE YEARS FROM NOW DO WE REALLY WANT TO COME BACK AND CHANGE THIS BILL?

SO HOW DO WE MAKE -- I DON'T KNOW THAT.

THAT'S -- I AM STRUGGLING JUST COACHING BASKETBALL.

HOW DO WE HAVE MITCH THE ABILITY TO LOOK AT THIS IN A YEAR OR DO TO SAY, THIS ISN'T WHAT WE WANT BUT WE ARE GETTING CLOBBERED AND KENTUCKY BASKETBALL IS THE GOLD STANDARD.

IT IS.

PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO US, WHAT ARE WE DOING?

AND I HATE TO TELL YOU, WHAT IS YOUR STATE DOING?

AND SO WE ARE IN A GREAT POSITION AND THE MORE FLEXIBILITY -- I TRUST MITCH BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN AROUND -- HE WANTS TO WIN NOW, AND AS, AT EVERYTHING, SOCCER, HE PACES, SOFTBALL HE PACES, HE WANTS TO TO WIN.

HE IS NOT GOING TO BUTT HIS TEAMS AT A DISADVANTAGE BUT NONE OF US, WOULD YOU AGREE, MITCH, WANT TO GO DOWN THIS ROAD.

WE JUST DON'T.

>> SENATE BILL SIX BARTZ STUDENT ATHLETES FROM PROMOTING PRODUCTS THAT ARE ILLEGAL, SPORTS JAM BLING OR ADULT ENTERTAINMENT.

THE MEASURE PASSED THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND MAKES ITS WAY TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR DENTAL SERVICES UNDER MEDICAID VICE PRESIDENT BEEN INCREASED IN 20 YEARS.

AND SOME KENTUCKY DENTISTS ARE SAYING THEY ARE NOT GETTING REIMBURSE.S EQUAL TO THE DECADES OLD FEE SCHEDULE.

SENATE BILL 87 REQUIRES MEDICAID MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS, OR MCO'S, TO REIMBURSE DENTISTS SEEING 50 OR MORE MEDICAID PATIENTS AT THE 20-YEAR-OLD FEE SCHEDULE.

WINCHESTER SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO SAYS MANY DENTISTS DON'T ACCEPT MEDICAID BECAUSE THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES ARE SO LOW.

WE REQUIRE THAT ANY MEDICAID MCO'S TO REIMBURSE MEDICAID DENTAL PROVIDERS WHO SEE AT LEAST 50 PATIENTS DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR AT A LEVEL EQUAL TO THE FEE FOR SAME SERVICE.

THERE IS A CLINIC IN MY DISTRICT IN LEXINGTON THAT PROVIDES CARE EXCLUSIVELY FOR MEDICAID PATIENTS, BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN AND THEY ARE BARELY HANGING ON, REALLY KENTUCKY STRUGGLES TO FIND DENTAL PROVIDERS WILLING TO SEE MEDICAID PATIENTS BECAUSE THE RATES ARE FRANKLY SO LOW.

GREENE COUNTY DENTIST DEPART BOBROWSKI THE ACCEPTS MEDICAID AT HIS PRACTICE, HE SAYS DENTIST WHOSE TAKE MEDICAID AREN'T ALWAYS REIMBURSED AT WHAT THE FEE SCHEDULE SAYS THEY SHOULD BE, AND THAT THOSE DEN CAN TESTS CAN'T WORK HARD OR GAS ENOUGH TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

>> MANY OF THE SERVICES WE NOW PROVIDE ARE REIMBURSED AT BELOW COSTS.

MANY OF YOU ARE BUSINESS PEOPLE, AND HOW LONG WOULD YOU WORK FOR A 1998 PAY SCHEDULE?

HOW LONG WOULD YOUR BUSINESS SURVIVOR?

AND WE AGREE WITH SENATOR ALVARADO, SENATE SENATE BILL 87 TO ESTABLISH THAT THE MCO'S MUST USE THESE CONTRACTS.

WE TALKED ABOUT THAT AT THE LAST MEETING.

WE NEED TO PUT SOME JACKS UNDER EACH CORNER OF THAT FLOOR AND RAISE IT TO OFFSET THE EXTRAORDINARY COSTS TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE PROVIDING DENTAL CARE SERVICES IN THE STATE.

THE STATE AND THE MCO'S MAY SHOW THERE IS OVER 1,500 DENTISTS THAT PROVIDE MEDICAID DENTAL SERVICES, THAT IS THE NUMBER ON THE ROLE, BUT IT IS NOT THE ACCURATE NUMBER OF DEN CAN TESTS AND ORAL SURGEONS PROVIDING MANY DENTAL SERVICES.

WE JUST HAD A REPORT THE OTHER DAY THAT ONE OF THE TACK MEMBERS WHO IS AN ORAL SURGEON IS NO LONGER GOING TO PROVIDE MEDICAID SERVICES.

SEVERAL OF THE STATE'S OLDER MCO'S LOCKED THEIR REIMBURSEMENT BY ANOTHER TEN-PERCENT.

THIS IS JUST KILLING OUR ABILITY TO SERVE OUR POPULATION FOR THEIR PROFITS.

THIS BILL WOULD PROVIDE A SAFETY NET FOR MEDICAID DENTAL PROVIDERS.

>> SENATE BILL 87 REQUIRES MCO'S TO PAY THE FULL MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR DENTAL SERVICES, BUT BOBROWSKI AND ALVARADO SAY THOSE RATES ARE STILL TOO LOW.

THE FEE SCHEDULE CAN'T BE ADJUSTED UNTIL THE NEXT ROUND OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN STATE AND THE MEDICAID MCO'S.

GREENBURG SENATOR DAVID GIVENS ASKS WHY THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES HAVEN'T BEEN ADJUSTED.

>> I DID NOT REALIZE IT HAD BEEN THAT MANY YEARS SINCE WE REVIEWED THIS SCHEDULE.

IS THAT TYPICAL IN THIS SPACE?

>> YAMPLET SPEAK FOR THE DENTISTS.

MR. COAL THAN HAS MORE EXPERIENCE ON WHAT TO EXPECT AND CAN ANSWER THAT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE ENTIRE MEDICAL COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN THE CASE.

I CAN SAY AMONG PHYSICIANS WE HAVE VERY OLD FEE SCHEDULES AND OFTEN RELIED AS A STATE AND AS A COUNTRY ON THE GOOD WILL OF OUR PROVIDERS TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE ON THIS.

AND SO THAT WE JUST SAY, AH, THESE ARE FOLKS THAT HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO TAKING CARE OF US, YOU KNOW, WE WILL KEEP PUTTING STRAIN ON THEM AND PUT PRESSURE ON THEM, THEY WILL BE THE ONES TO FILL IN THE GAP.

AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT GOOD WILL IS STARTING TO RUN OUT AND THE PANDEMIC HAS PUT THAT MUCH MORE STRAIN ON FOLKS.

IT IS GETTING DIFFICULT AND THE REALIZE THAT 36 PERCENT OF OUR POPULATION IN THE STATE HAS MEDICAID.

THESE ARE ADULTS, KIDS, IF THEY DON'T GET -- THERE ARE VERY FEW PROVIDERS THAT OFFER THESE SERVICES AND SO, AGAIN, THIS BILL DOESN'T REALLY INCREASE THAT FEE SCHEDULE, IT JUST MAKES THE MCO'S PAY AT THE PREVIOUSLY AGREED TO FEE SCHEDULE THAT IS STILL WOEFULLY DEFICIENT.

>> SENATE BILL 87 PASSED THE SENATE HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE AND HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.

POSITIVE COVID-19 ABILITY BODY, ANTIBODY TESTS COULD BE RECOGNIZED AS EQUIVALENT TO VACCINATION IF A SENATE RESOLUTION GETS FINAL APPROVAL.

>> .. SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 80 IS SIMILAR TO A RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD BY WINCHESTER PHYSICIAN RALPH ALVARADO DURING LAST YEAR'S SPECIAL SESSION.

HE SAYS THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE ON NATURAL IMMUNITY FROM COVID-19 INFECTION FOR LEGISLATURE TO DECIDE ON THE RESOLUTION.

>> I DID, I DID A BIT MORE RESEARCH ON THIS AND LOOKED AT SOME OF THE DATA SINCE OUR MEETING IN SEPTEMBER AND NOTED WE HAD SEVERAL STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED LOOKING AT THE LEVEL OF IMMUNITY, FROM NATURAL INFECTIONS, JOHNS HOPKINS DID A RECENT STUDY, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HAS A SCIENTIFIC BRIEF BASED ON NATURAL IMMUNITY AND STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL STUDY THAT I, A WHITE PAPER I BROUGHT FROM AUSTRALIA IT IS GREAT FOR IMMUNE PROTECTION.

MORE AND MORE STUDIES COMING OUT THE THE POINT WE HAVE INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE THAT HAVE BEGUN TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS BEING EQUAL TO BEING VACCINATED, FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU WANT TO TRAVEL, I THINK I WROTE THEM ALL DOWN, ALL OF THE COUNTRIES IN EUROPE, AND I WILL LIST THEM, ALBANIA, FINLAND, ICELAND, IRELAND, MONTENEGRO, SERBIA, AUSTRALIA, DENMARK, ESTONIA, GERMANY, HUNGARY, ITALY, LAT I HAVE, A ENTER LANDS, SPAIN, SWEDEN, AND SWITZERLAND, JUST IN EUROPE, NOW IF YOU WANT TO TRAVEL TO THEIR COUNTRY YOU HAVE DO HAVE PROOF OF VACCINATION OR PROOF OF PREVIOUS INFECTION WITH ANTIBODY RESPONSE.

RECOGNIZING THAT TO BE EQUIVALENT.

>> >> KAREN BURKE OPPOSED THE MEASURE, SHE QUESTIONS WHY IT'S NEED IF THE COMMONWEALTH ISN'T MANDATING VACCINES.

>> THE CAT IS -- THE DATA IS STARTING TO COME OUT.

IT WILL EVENTUALLY POSSIBLY BE USEFUL, BUT AT THIS POINT, THERE ARE NO CDC, FDA WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, NOBODY IS RECOMMENDING THIS AT THIS POINT.

THE DATA IS STARTING TO COME OUT.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO SEE WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IN NATURAL IMMUNITY VERSUS VACCINE INDUCED IMMUNITY VERSUS, YOU KNOW, THE COMBINATION OF BOTH, WHICH WE KNOW IS BY FAR THE BEST, AND MOST PROTECTIVE AT THIS LEVEL, AND UNTIL WE HAVE THAT DATA, AND WE HAVE IT STRONG THERE IS NO WAY, NO WAY I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF THIS.

>> SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 80 PASSED THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE.

IT IS NOW UP FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE SENATE.

THE SPONSOR OF A JOINT RESOLUTION THAT WENT BEFORE THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS AND REF LIEU COMMITTEE SAY IT WOULD LOWER SKYROCKETING MOTOR VEHICLE TAX RATES IN THE STATE.

STATE SENATOR DONALD DOUGLAS, A REPUBLICAN FROM NICHOLASVILLE, INTRODUCED SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 99.

>> SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 99 DIRECTION IT IS GOVERNOR DO ORDER THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO EXEMPT THE PANDEMIC DRIVEN INCREASE SIGNIFICANT DEVIATION IN VEHICLE VALUES FROM THE MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS, PROPERTY TAX CALCULATIONS.

INSTEAD OF ASSESSING THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLES AT TODAY'S ASSESSMENT, THAT WE ARE SIMPLY ASKING IS THAT WE ASSESS THOSE VEHICLES BASED ON THE JANUARY JANUARY 12021 LEVEL.

THIS WOULD REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE YEARS 2021 -- FOR THE YEARS 2021, '22, AND 22-23.

THIS WILL BRING A GREAT DEAL OF RELIEF TO THE KENTUCKY VEHICLE OWNERS, TO JOB CREATORS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AND ALSO TO BUSINESSES WITH FLEET VEHICLES.

>> SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 99 REQUIRES THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO TAX MOTOR VEHICLES BASED ON THE 21 ASSESSED VALUE INSTEAD OF THE HIGHER CLEAN TRADE VALUE RATE.

IT IS NOW UP FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE SENATE.

ANOTHER WILL BILL TO LOWER THE KENTUCKY VEHICLE TAX IS A STEP CLOSER TO REALITY IN THE HOUSE.

HOUSE BILL 6 PASSED THE LOWER CHAMBER THIS AFTERNOON.

VEHICLE TAXES HAVE GONE UP AS MUCH AS 40 PERCENT, BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED VALUE OF USED CARS DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC.

THE BILL CHANGES THOUSAND TAX IS CALCULATED.

LAWMAKERS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THE INCREASED TAX.

>> I WAS HONORED TO VOTE YES.

THIS HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE FOR OUR PEOPLE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

THEY ARE GETTING THEIR VEHICLE TAX BILLS AND THEY ARE 40 PERCENT HIGHER THAN WHAT THEY WERE LAST YEAR, AND BASICALLY THEY ARE EXPERIENCING SHOCK.

SO I HAVE HEARD A LOT FROM PEOPLE, FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY AND I AM THEIR VOICE HERE IN FRANKFORT AND I WAS HONORED TO VOTE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS TAX BILL.

LET'S JUST MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE DO TAX REFORM THAT WE DO AWAY WITH VEHICLE PROPERTY TAX ALTOGETHER.

THANK YOU.

THE HOUSE APPROVED THE BILL UNANIMOUSLY.

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

IF THE BILL WELCOMES LAW, ANYONE WHO'S ALREADY PAID THEIR VEHICLE TAX THIS YEAR WILL GET SOME MONEY BACK.

SUPPORTERS OF HOUSE BILL 337 SAY THERE ARE TIMES WHEN A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE WILL FIND A PROPOSED REGULATION TO BE DEFICIENT.

BUT THE GOVERNOR OR A CABINET SECRETARY WILL MOVE AHEAD WITH THE REGULATION ANYWAY.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVID HALE FOLD THE HOUSE LICENSING AND OCCUPATIONS COMMITTEE THAT HOUSE BILL 337 WILL BRING IN A THIRD PARTY TO DEAL WITH THE DEFICIENT REGULATION.

>> IF HOUSE BILL 337 WITH 337 WAS TO BECOME ANY REGULATION THAT WOULD BE FOUND DEFICIENT BY EITHER A STANDING COMMITTEE OR THAT REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE WOULD NOW BE REPORTED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE GOVERNOR, BOTH OF THEM PURSUANT TO 330, AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE BODY, THE CABINET OR WHOMEVER THEN HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAL WHATEVER THAT FINDING OF DEFICIENCY MAY BE WITHIN A PERIOD OF TIME, AND I KNOW THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WOULD SAY AND EVEN I HAVE RECEIVED SOME E-MAILS FROM PEOPLE THAT SAY THIS IS JUST ANOTHER POWER GRAB, BUT I WOULD RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THAT.

THIS MEASURE, IN MY OPINION, STRENGTHENS VERY MUCH THE CHECKS AND BALANCES BY GRANTING THIS REVIEW TO A THIRD PARTY WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE OUR -- THE STATE'S CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

TO THIS IS NOT ABOUT TAKING POWER AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR OR THE ADMINISTRATION, WHOMEVER THAT ADMINISTRATION OR THAT FOR MAYBE MAY BE.

>> TOM FITZGERALD TESTIFIED AGAINST THE BILL.

IN AT THE THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE KENTUCKY RESOURCES COUNCIL.

HE SAYS IT IS INSTITUTIONAL VIOLATES THE SEPARATION OF POWERS AND IS THE WRONG SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T OCCUR VERY OFTEN ANYWAY.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE FRUSTRATIONS AMONG THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS THAT ARE FAR TO EXCEED OR INCONSISTENT WITH THE LEGISLATIVE MANDATE.

WE HAVE REMEDIES FOR THAT.

AND THE REMEDIES WE HAVE HAVE BEEN TESTED AND ARE IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE HARD SEPARATION OF POWERS THAT OUR STATE CONSTITUTION HAS IN IT AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE COMMITTEE, THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS FIXING.

IT IS -- WE ARE DEALING WITH LESS THAN -- WE ARE DEALING WITH .24 PERCENT OF THE REGULATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN ADOPT OVER THE PAST 16 YEARS, THOUSANDS OF REGULATIONS AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER WHETHER, IN FACT, WE NEED TO UPEND THIS PROCESS AND POTENTIALLY RUN AFOUL OF THE CONSTITUTION IN ORDER TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE THAT IS ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED CURRENTLY.

>> THE HOUSE L AND O COMMITTEE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE BILL, WITH TWO DEMOCRATS VOTING NO.

KENTUCKY HAS THE HIGHEST CHILD ABUSE RATES IN THE NATION, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL MEASURES MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO REVERSE THAT GRIM TREND.

AMONG THEM IS HOUSE BILL 263, THAT STIFFENS JAIL TIME FOR CERTAIN CHILD ABUSERS, THE MEASURE SPONSORED BY HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE UPGRADES THE PENALTY FOR FIRST DEGREE CRIMINAL ABUSE TO A CLASS B PEOPLE IF THE VICTIM IS UNDER 12 YEARS OF AGE.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S CLASSIFIED AS A CLASS C FELONY.

THE BILL WAS APPROVED WITHOUT OPPOSITION AND NOW ADVANCES TO THE FULL HOUSE.

ORDINARILY, COUNTY MAGISTRATES SEE THEIR DISTRICTS ADJUSTED THE YEAR AFTER EVERY U.S. CENSUS.

THE REDISTRICTING WAS SUPPOSED TO START IN MAY OF 2021.

BUT THE COVID PANDEMIC CAUSED A DELAY IN GETTING NEW POPULATION INFORMATION TO THE STATE, SO REDISTRICTING COULDN'T START IN TIME.

TODAY, REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MEREDITH TOLD THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ABOUT THE EFFORT TO DEAL WITH THAT, WHY THAT EFFORT DIDN'T WORK, AND WHY THERE IS A NEED FOR ANOTHER BILL, HOUSE BILL 212.

WE PASSED A BILL LAST YEAR THAT WOULD HAVE DONE THE IMAGINE JERRELL REASSESSMENT TO THE YEAR FOLLOWING THE CENSUS TO ACCOMMODATION DATE THAT ISSUE BUT WHAT WE FOUND OUT OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A MAGISTERIAL ELECTION YEAR, AND BY PLACING THAT TIME FRAME IN THAT MAY AND 60 DAYTIME FRAME THERE WAS A POTENTIAL THAT SOMEONE COULD HAVE WON A PRIMARY ELECTION AND THEN BEEN DISQUALIFIED TO RUN IN THE FALL BY THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

SO WE WANTED TO CORRECT THAT AND THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY.

THE BILL WOULD MOVE THAT DATE TO MAY THE FIRST OF NEXT YEAR, FOR REAPPORTIONMENT WHERE THERE ARE NO MAGISTERIAL RACES ON THE BALLOT UNLESS THERE IS A SPECIAL ELECTION OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE AND WILL ALLOW THAT TO BE DONE NEXT YEAR.

>> THE COMMITTEE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.

AND IT MOVES ON TO THE SENATE.

SECRETARY FOR THE CABINET OF HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, ERIC FREDE LANDER, WENT BEFORE THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE TODAY, TO OUTLINE HOW FEDERAL FUNDS ARE BEING USED TO HELP SUPPORT CHILDREN IN THE STATE.

KENTUCKY RECEIVED AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT IN PANDEMIC RELEE -- RELIEF FUNDS FOR CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE.

>> IT IS A LARGE, UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF MONEY GOING INTO THE CHILDCARE SYSTEM IN KENTUCKY,.

>> I THINK IT IS A VERY GOOD THING, CERTAINLY NEEDED.

AND THAT WILL START OFF.

THERE ARE THREE REALLY BIG POTS OF MONEY.

PART IS THE CORONAVIRUS RELIEF ACT THAT WAS ALMOST $68 MILLION.

THE CARISSA FUNDS, WHICH IS REALLY CLOSE TO 109 $6 MILLION, 19 $6 MILLION, AND THE ARPA FUNDS, WHICH SPEND, AS YOU CAN SEE GETS UP TO, YOU KNOW, .. 7, ALMOST $750 MILLION GOING IN, SO ALL TOTAL YOU CAN SEE WITH THAT, THAT IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUNDING TO GO INTO AND SUPPORT THE CHILDCARE SYSTEM.

AND WHAT I THINK HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT AS WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC IS THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILDCARE TO THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

>> TWO AREAS OF FOCUS BROUGHT UP AT THE MEETING, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF CHILDCARE CENTERS IN THE STATE, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE CHILDCARE DESERTS, AND KEEPING EXISTING CHILDCARE CENTERS OPEN.

FRIEDLANDER SAYS ONE OF THE WAYS THE CABINET IS ATTEMPTING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CHILDCARE CENTERS IS THROUGH STARTUP FUNDS.

HE SAYS HE HOPES IT WILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO OPEN AT-HOME CHILDCARE.

SENATOR CHRISTIAN MCDANIEL QUELLED WHETHER THERE IS ENOUGH INCENTIVE FOR AT HOME CHILDCARE BUSINESSES.

>> THE STARTUP FUNDS FOR FAMILY CHILDCARE HOMES, OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU ARE CONTENDING WITH IN GOVERNMENT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH IS THE CASH MODEL, RIGHT?

>> UH-HUH.

>> THERE IS CONSTRUCTION, MORE THAN A FEW FOLKS THAT FLOAT AROUND IN CONSTRUCTION THAT DO CASH WORK, AT HOME CHILDCARE IS A BIG CASH INDUSTRY.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU START ADDING IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE THINGS TO OBTAIN MONEY THROUGH THE CABINET.

THE HOW DOES $2,500 EVEN NECESSARILY COMPETE IN THAT ENVIRONMENT OR IS IT A SPACE WE NECESSARILY DON'T WANT TO TRY TO COMPETE?

>> FRIEDLANDER SAYS THE CABINET IS ALSO WORKING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CHILDCARE WORKERS IN THE STATE, WHICH HE SAYS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR CHILDCARE CENTERS.

>> WE ARE ALSO PROVIDING SOME EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIPS TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY.

CHILDCARE CENTERS, WE HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT CLOSE.

WE HAVE SEEN SOME CLOSE BUT WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS A LACK OF WORKERS IN THESE CENTERS WHERE THEY HAD TO CLOSE CLASSROOMS AND THEY CAN'T PROVIDE THE CAPACITY THAT THEY HAD IN THE PAST.

SO THIS KIND OF GETS -- THESE APPRENTICE SHIPS, THESE EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIPS, THEY WILL HELP INCREASE THE PIP LINE, SOME OF WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WITH NURSING, SOME OF THE SAME KIND OF CONCEPT, SO REALLY TRYING TO INCREASE THAT PIPELINE OF FOLKS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT WHO CAN THEN GO WORK IN CHILDHOOD CENTERS.

>> THE COMMITTEE SAYS IT PLANS TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT CHILDCARE NEEDS IN THE STATE TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE THE MODEL WHEN THE FEDERAL FUNDS RUN OUT.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE OF DAY 25 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

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

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