Yesterday, Governor Andy Beshear vetoed House Bill five, the so-called Safe Kentucky Act.

Details and reaction in tonight's legislative update.

The bill would mean automatic life sentences for anyone convicted of three violent felonies.

It calls for the destruction of guns used in murders.

It creates tougher punishments for carjackers.

The bill would also ban outdoor camping in public spaces, and that provision has been criticized for hurting the state's homeless.

Speaking last week before the veto, the governor said there were some things in the bill that he liked and some things he didn't.

The destroying a weapon that's been used in a murder has nothing to do with a response to homelessness.

It just doesn't.

And there's a big difference when you respond to homelessness.

If you're responding to a violent incident or just a person who is without that home and also worried that the legislation treats an abandoned car better than one that has a person sleeping in it.

The bill's sponsor, State Representative Jared Baughman, a Republican from Louisville, put out a statement about the governor's veto of the Safer Kentucky Act.

Quote, I hope that he would take this opportunity to do the right thing as we work to address public safety, a fundamental obligation of government, and an issue that unites Kentuckians regardless of where they live.

Instead, he once again uses misinformation and fear mongering to distract from the fact that his actions show he is more concerned about offending criminals than protecting innocent Kentuckians and advocating for victims.

Unquote.

We'll talk more about this with NPR senior editor Ryland Barton coming up in just a few minutes.

The governor also vetoed a bill requiring a special election to replace a U.S. senator.

If that senator resigns or dies during a term right now, the governor would appoint a temporary senator.

Republican lawmakers have supermajorities in both chambers and they will have the chance to override these vetoes when they reconvene Friday and Monday.

The governor did not veto Senate Bill two, that the bill that allows retired police and military to serve as guard ins in schools.

They would not be school resource officers.

The bill will become law without the governor's signature.

The governor signed Senate Bill one, which creates a fund to pay for collaborative research among Kentucky's public universities.

It was a top priority this session for Senate President Robert Stivers.