>> Renee: STATE LAWMAKERS END THEIR FIRST WORK WEEK OF THE 60-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE REVIEW SOME OF THE SENATE PROPOSALS UNDER DISCUSSION WITH AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SENATE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER DAMON THAYER AND LOOK BACK ON SOME SIGNIFICANT HAPPENINGS THI WEEK IN FRANKFORT ON DAY 4 OF THE 2020 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE THE GOP TOOK CONTROL ON THE UPPER CHAMBER IN THE STA.

THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS CELEBRATED THAT MILESTONE THIS WEEK THAT BROUGHT THE RETURN OF SOME FAMILIAR FACES LEADER DAMON THAYER AND I TALKED ABOUT HOW THAT 20-YEAR-OLD LEADERSHIP CHANGE HAS IMPACTED THE STATE AND THE SENATE'S TOP PRIORITIES THAT WERE INTRODUCED THIS WEEK.

WE DISCUSS THAT HAD AS WELL.

>> WE'VE CHANGED THE TRAJECTORY OF PUBLIC POLICY IN KENTUCKY, AND I THINK THE RESULTS OF OUR WORK IS EVIDENT.

I MEAN, WE HAVE SOME OF THE STRONGEST PRO-LIFE LAWS IN AMERICA AND OUR PRO BUSINESS AGENDA IS WORKING.

WE'VE GOT 50,000 NEW JOBS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

WE'VE GOT TO LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN HISTORY.

MANUFACTURING IS ON THE UPTICK.

OUR SIGNATURE INDUSTRIES LIKE BOURBON AND HORSES AND AUTOMATIC MANUFACTURING ARE HUMMING ALONG GOING -- AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING ARE HUMMING ALONG, YEAR AFTER YEAR GROWTH THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN A LONG TIME.

SO I LOOKED AT SENATOR WILLIAMS AND SENATOR KELLY BOTH IN THEIR POSITIONS ON THE ROSTRUM AND IN THE LEADER'S CHAIR, AND IT BROUGHT BACK SOME GREAT MEMORIES, AND ALONG WITH A HANDFUL OF OTHERS WHO WERE THERE AT THE BEGINNING.

THEY REALLY STARTED IT ALL.

AND I'M GLAD THEY CAME BACK TO SEE SOME OF THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR.

>> DID THEY SAY THEY MISSED BEING THERE?

>> THEY DIDN'T SAY THAT.

[LAUGHTER] THEY DIDN'T SAY THAT.

BUT I DO THINK THEY BOTH ENJOYED BEING BACK HERE FOR A LITTLE BIT.

>> SURE.

AND ARE VERY PROUD OF THE FOUNDATION THAT'S HELPED BUILD TO LEAD TO THE SUCCESS THAT YOU ALL ARE NOW ENJOYING.

>> I HOPE SO.

BECAUSE WE'VE ENACTED A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT THEY TALKED ABOUT RIGHT FROM THE START, EVEN BEFORE WE WERE IN THE MAJORITY, AND SO IT'S GOOD TO SEE THAT THAT LESSON ABOUT PERSEVERANCE IS REALLY PAYING OFF.

>> SENATE PRESIDENT DAVID WILLIAMS, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, WAS THE FIRST TO RING THE ALARM BELL ABOUT THE PENSIONS CRISIS IN THE EARLY 2000s BEFORE I THINK EVEN THE LEAKY BUCKET REPORT HAD COME OUT BY THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER, SO HE CERTAINLY SAW THAT WOO YES GOING TO BE IN A QUICK DECLINE, A RAPID DECLINE.

>> HE SAW IT, AND HE WORKED WITH THEN DEMOCRATIC LEADER ED WHORLY WHO AGREED.

IT WAS BEFORE THE PENSION ISSUE BECAME SO PARTISAN WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE IT REALLY IS A SERIOUS POLICY ISSUE, AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT TO CREDIT DAVID WILLIAMS.

HE WAS THE ONE WHO SOUNDED THE ALARM.

>> SO SPEAKING OF PENSION, OF THE FIRST FIVE BILLS THAT HAVE ROLLED OUT BY THE MAJORITY CAUCUS IN THE SENATE, PENSION IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

CAN YOU TELL US WHY.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO SEE ONE NEXT WEEK THAT I'M GOING TO FILE, AND IT WILL ELIMINATE LEGISLATIVE PENSIONS SPIKING ON A GOING-FORWARD BASIS.

SO THAT'S COMING NEXT WEEK.

WE'RE GOING TO INTRODUCE FIVE MORE BILLS NEXT WEEK TO COMPLETE OUR TOP TEN PRIORITY BILLS, AND WE WILL HAVE A PENSION REFORM BILL.

IT DID PASS, AS LEGISLATIVE PENSION SPIKING, THE BANNING OF THIS PRACTICE DID PASS AS PART OF SENATE BILL 151 BUT, OF COURSE, THAT WAS UNFORTUNATELY TODAYS OUT ON A PROCEDURAL MATTER BY THE SUPREME COURT SO WE'RE GOING TO PICK THAT PIECE OF IT OUT AND TRY TO PASS IT AGAIN.

>> SO THAT WILL BE A SOLO TYPE OF MEASURE DEALING STRICT WITH THE LEGISLATIVE PENSIONS.

>> CORRECT.

>> AND YOU SAID THAT'S GOING FORWARD SO THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY RETROACTIVITY TO IT?

>> I'D LOVE TO DO RETROACTIVITY BUT I'M AFRAID THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF LAWSUITS ON THE INVIOLABLE CONTRACT ASPECT OF IT.

SO WE'LL DO IT ON A PROSPECTIVE BASIS.

>> AND SO FOR THOSE OF OUR VIEWERS WHO MAY NOT COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, TALKING ABOUT WHEN A LEGISLATOR TAKES A JOB IN ANOTHER GOVERNMENT BRANCH, EXECUTIVE, JUDICIAL, WITH A HIGHER SALARY, THEIR SALARIES ARE OFTEN, THEIR PENSIONS CAN OFTEN BECOME VERY ABUNDANT, AND THIS WOULD STOP THAT PRACTICE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE AVERAGE LEGISLATOR MAKES AROUND $35,000 TO 40,000 AIDS YEAR, AND IF YOU RETIRE FROM THE LEGISLATURE AFTER BEING VESTED AFTER FOUR YEARS, YOU GET A PENSION BASED ON THAT SALARY.

BUT IF YOU GO TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND GET THREE YEARS IN THERE OR THE JUDICIAL BRANCH, YOU GO INTO A SIX-FIGURE JOB, YOU JUST DO THE MATH AND AFTER THREE YEARS YOUR PENSION CAN BE IN THE SICKS FIGURES.

AND WE WANT TO ELIMINATE THAT PRACTICE.

WE'VE BEEN TRYING FOR YEARS.

WHEN THE DEMOCRATS HELD THE HOUSE, THEY WOULD NEVER PASS IT.

THEN WE FINALLY GOT A REPUBLICAN HOUSE.

WE PASSED IT AS FAR AS SENATE BILL 151.

THE SUPREME COURT TODAYS IT OUT SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER STAND AT IT.

>> SO OTHER PENSION REFORM MEASURES ABOUT WILL WE SEE FROM YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE IN THE MAJORITY OR MAYBE PERHAPS IN THE HOUSE, ANOTHER PENSION REFORM-RELATED BILL RELATED TO THE TRS, THE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM?

>> IT'S TO BE DETERMINED.

I DO HAVE A BILL READY TO GO IF WE DECIDED TO FILE ON IT TRS ONLY.

I KNOW THAT THERE'S A BILL FOR CERS THAT IS BEING TALKED ABOUT DOWN IN THE HOUSE.

>> IS THAT A SEVERABILITY MEASURE?

>> IT RELIGHTS TO THE GOVERNANCE.

IT RELATES TO THE GOVERNANCE AND THE BOARD GOVERNANCE FOR CERS& I'VE TALKED TO A COUPLE OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME TRS REFORM.

I SPOKE TO REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT LEWIS EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND HE HAD A BILL LAST YEAR ON TRS REFORM, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THAT.

SO WE'LL SEE.

IT'S STILL EARLY.

AND, YOU KNOW, LOOK, I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS INTERESTED IN DOING ON TEACHER PENSIONS, AND WE'LL SEE SOME OF THAT IN HIS BUDGET PROPOSAL AND SEE IF HE'S WILLING TO WORK WITH US ON TRS REFORM.

FULL FUNDING IS IMPORTANT.

IT'S CRITICAL.

I SUPPORT IT ON A GOING-FORWARD BASIS.

I VOTED FOR THE LAST TWO BUDGETS THAT FULLY FUNDED TRS PENSIONS.

BUT STRUCTURAL REFORM IS NEEDED.

>> RIGHT.

AND SO WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THE BUDGET THIS TIME AROUND, STILL LOOKING AT, WHAT, 12% OF THE BUDGET TO GO TOWARD THE PUBLIC PENSION SYSTEM.

THAT THE RIGHT FIGURE?

>> 12 TO 13 PERCENT.

>> 12 TO 13 PERCENT.

THAT'S 1 POINT HOW MANY BILLION DOLLARS?

>> CLOSE TO $1.5 BILLION, MAYBE CLOSE TO $2 BILLION.

>> THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE PRIORITY LEGISLATION THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DISCUSSED THIS WEEK.

YOUR FIRST FIVE INITIATIVES.

SENATE BILL 1 YOU ALLUDE TO EARLIER, SANCTUARY CITIES OR AS I WAS CORRECTED SENATOR CARROLL WHO WE HAD ON OUR PROGRAM EARLIER THIS WEEK SAID IT'S NOT SPECIFICALLY A SANCTUARY CITIES BILL.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS AND PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS MADE AN IMPASSIONED FLOOR SPEECH YESTERDAY TRYING TO CLARIFY THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL PARTICULARLY BEING THE PRIORITY BILL IN ITS NUMBER OF IDENTIFICATION AS SENATE BILL 1.

TELL US WHY THIS WAS CHOSEN TO BE THE MEASURE, TO BE THE TOP PRIORITY OF SENATE REPUBLICANS.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS ACROSS KENTUCKY ABOUT CITIES NOT ALLOWS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO BE ABLE TO COOPERATE WITH FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN IT COMES TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND ILLEGAL ALIENS.

THAT -- THAT IS A BIG CONCERN ACROSS KENTUCKY.

AND IT WAS ALSO A CAMPAIGN PLATFORM OF ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON.

AND SO IN -- YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER A LOT OF OUR BIG PRIORITIES HAVE BEEN PASSED.

YOU TALKED ABOUT RIGHT TO WORK AND REPEALING OF PREVAILING WAGE AND WORKERS WORKERS' COMPENSATION REFORM AND OUR PRO-LIFE BILLS, SO WHEN WE WERE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO MAKE SENATE BILL 1, AND THAT IS IS THE PRESIDENT'S PREROGATIVE.

HE CHOSE TO MAKE THIS BILL THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION ACT OF 2020 THE PRIORITY BILL.

SENATOR DANNY CARROLL AND REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BASELINE HAD BEEN WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ON THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

>> TWO FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS THEMSELVES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THEY'RE BOTH FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT, ONE STATE POLICE, ONE SHERIFF AND CITY POLICE.

SO THEY SPEAK WITH A LOT OF AUTHORITY IN OUR CAUCUS ON THESE ISSUES.

AND IT ALSO IS VERY, VERY HELPFUL TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO RAN AND WON ON THIS ISSUE TO WORK WITH AND SORT OF TAKE THE LEAD ON IT.

AND IT'S -- IT REALLY BASICALLY MAINTAINS THE STATUS QUO.

THERE'S A LOT OF WAILING AND GNASHING OF TEETH FROM OPPONENTS WHO ARE REALLY READING SOMETHING INTO THE BILL THAT'S NOT THERE.

I WOULD URGE THEM TO READ THE BILL.

IT'S A SHORT BILL, FOUR PAGES.

SENATE BILL 1, IT'S ONLINE.

TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

IT BASICALLY MAINTAINS THE STATUS QUO AND IT SAYS THE THAT A CITY CANNOT BAN ITS LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM WORKING AND COOPERATING WITH FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ENFORCE THE LAW.

>> WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE SENATE'S PRIORITY LEGISLATION COMING UP A LITTLE LATER WITH THE BILL SPONSOR DANNY CARROLL, ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL RAM CAMERON, AND A HOUSE DEMOCRATIC AND IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY WHO OFFERS A CONTRASTING VIEW THE BILL.

NOW ON TO THE SECOND high SENATE PRIORITY THIS SESSION, EMBODIED IN THE CORRESPONDING BILL ASSIGNMENT, VOTER IDENTIFICATIO.

SENATE BILL 2.

IT'S AN IDEA ON WHICH KENTUCKY NEW CHIEF ELECTION OFFICIAL MICHAEL ADAMS CAMPAIGNED THAT WOULD REQUIRE KENTUCKIANS TO SHOW A VALID PHOTO ID BEFORE THEY CAST THEIR VOTES.

THE MEASURE REQUIRES A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD BE PUT BEFORE VOTERS THIS CRITICS ARGUE VOTER ID LAWS ARE A SUPPRESSION TACTIC, BUT ADAMS IN A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK COUNTER ARGUED.

HE SAID IN STATES LIKE GEORGIA THAT HAVE VOTER ID LAWS HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN VOTER PARTICIPATION.

>> THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRATIC ISSUE OR A REPUBLICAN ISSUE.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND IF YOU LOOK AT ELECTION FRAUD CASES IN KENTUCKY IS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE ELECTION FRAUD CASES OCCUR IN PRIMARIES.

THIS IS REPUBLICANS CHATTANOOGA OTHER REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS CHEATING OTHER DEMOCRATS.

IT'S NET A GENERAL ELECTION SITUATION USUALLY BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT AN ADVERSARIAL PROCESS, YOU'VE GOT CHALLENGERS AND SO FORTH, PEOPLE WATCHING EACH OTHER FROM EITHER PARTY WHERE YOU SEE MOST OF THE FRAUD IS IN THE PRIMARY CONTEXT.

AND SO AGAIN I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS IN THE PRIMARY.

TO ME IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO HAVE A PERIOD OF TIME TO PUT THE PUBLIC ON NOTICE.

STATES THAT HAVE PASSED PHOTO ID, GEORGIA, FOR EXAMPLE, ACTUALLY SAW MINORITY TURNOUT GO UP AFTER THEY PASSED PHOTO ID, AND AGAIN WE'VE GONE OUT OF OUR WAY TO PROVIDE FUNDING THAT WILL BE ADDED, I'M SURE THE BUDGET IF THIS PASSES, BOUGHT BUT WE'LL PROVIDE FOUNDING MAKE SURE THE CIRCUIT COURTS CAN GIVE THESE IDs OUT FOR FREE.

AND WE'RE NOT VENTION anybody >> Renee: IN MY CONVERSATION TODAY WITH SENATE MAJORITY DAMON THAYER, WE TALK ABOUT SENATOR ROBBY MILL'S MEASURE TO PUT ON THE BALLOT THE QUESTION OF WHETHER KENTUCKIANS SHOULD HAVE TO SHOW AN ID BEFORE THEY STEP INTO THE VOTING BOOTH.

>> I'VE BEEN WORKING A VOTER ID BILL SINCE 2014 BUT I'VE NEVER HAD A SECRETARY OF STATE WILLING TO TAKE IT ON.

SO I STARTED WORKING ON A BILL DRAFT THIS SUMMER AFTER MIKE ADAMS WON THE PRIMARY IN THE HOPES THAT WE WOULD WIN, AND HE DID, WHICH MADE ME VERY HAPPY BECAUSE HIS NUMBER ONE POLICY PLANK IN HIS CAMPAIGN PLATFORM WAS TO REQUIRE A PHOTO ID AT THE POLLS.

SO SENATOR MILLS VOLUNTEERED TO CARRY THE BILL AS FLOOR LEADER, I LIKE TO HAND THE BALL OFF TO DIFFERENT MEMBERS AND LET THEM CARRY IT ACROSS THE GOAL LINE, AND THIS WAS AN ISSUE HE WAS VERY INTERESTED IN, AND SO HE DECIDED TO BECOME THE SPONSOR.

WE STARTED MEETING WITH SECRETARY LEGISLATIVE, THEN SECRETARY-ELECT ADAMS RIGHT AWAY.

OUR STAFF, HIS STAFF, HIM PERSONALLY BECAUSE HE'S ONE OF THE SOP TOP CAMPAIGN ELECTION LAWYERS IN THE COUNTRY, AND SO WE WERE ABLE TO MEET WITH HIM SEVERAL TIMES.

HE MADE THE BILL BETTER, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT SENATE BILL 2 AND THAT HE JOINED US FOR HIS FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE AS SECRETARY TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BILL.

>> AND FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT BE A HARDSHIP FOR TO THEM FINANCIALLY TO GET A GOVERNMENT ISSUED ID, WAIVING THE FEE IS HEART OF WHAT THE THIS BILL CUSS.

HESAY DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE HE DOESN'T WANT TO SPEND HIS FIRST TERM BEING IN AND OUT OF COURT, AND SO PERHAPS THIS BILL MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN OTHERS THAT HAVE FACED PRETTY HEAVY COURT JUTE NEE.

>> CORRECT.

WE LOOKED AT OTHER STATES LIKE ALABAMA AND INDIANA THAT HAVE HAD VOTER ID BILLS THAT HAVE WITHSTOOD A COURT CHALLENGE BECAUSE, AGAIN, JUST LIKE HE SAID, WE DON'T WANT TO BE DEFENDING THIS BILL FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS IN THE COURTS.

AND THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FOR COURT SUPPORT OF THE BILL IS MAKING SURE THAT THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD A PHOTO ID GET ONE FOR FREE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO INCLUDE SOME MONEY IN THE BUDGET.

IT COULD BE BETWEEN $250.000 AND $500,000.

WE DO NOT KNOW.

WE'RE JUST LOOKING AT THE ALABAMA AND INDIANA NUMBERS BUT IT'S ABOUT $30 TO PROVIDE AN ID, AND IF SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE A COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE OR A REGULAR DRIVER'S LICENSE OR A REAL ID, WE WILL -- THE STATE WILL PAY FOR THOSE IDs.

IS ON THAT ELIMINATES ANY CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE.

IT ELIMINATES THE ARGUMENT THAT THIS IS A POLL TAX THAT DISFRANCHISES PEOPLE.

EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE -- EVERYONE WHO WANTS AN ID WILL BE ABLE TO GET ONE.

>> >> Renee: OPPONENTS OF A VOT ID LAW, LIKE THE ACLU OF KENTUCKY, HAVE SAID THEY ARE AN IMPEDIMENT TO VOTING AS 11% OF ALL U.S.

CITIZENS AND 25% OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS LACK GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO IDS.

IN EXCERPTS FROM AN ISSUED STATEMENT EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE GROUP CONTENDS, "MANDATING PHOTO IDENTIFICATION WILL EXACERBATE THE DIFFICULTIES KENTUCKIANS ALREADY FACE WHEN VOTING, PARTICULARLY THE DISABLED, MINORITIES, THE ELDERLY AND HOURLY WORKERS.

THE REAL PROBLEM FACING KENTUCKY VOTERS AND ELECTIONS ARE OUR RESTRICTIVE VOTING POLICIES, THEY SAY, AND THIS MANDATORY VOTER ID BILL WILL ONLY MAKE MATTERS WORSE.

WHEN ENACTED, PHOTO ID LAWS REDUCE TURNOUT BY 2 TO 3 PERCENT."

THEY SAY.

THEY GO ON TO SAY THAT IF THE SENATE TRULY CARED ABOUT IMPROVING OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES, THEY WOULD MAKE THE EASIER TO VOTE BY INCREASING ACCESS TO THE BOWLS BY CREATING VOTE-BY-MAIL, EXPANDING THE HOURS POLLS ARE OPEN OR EVEN ALLOWING PEOPLE TO VOTE ABSENTEE WITHOUT AN EXCUSE SENATOR THAYER AND I DISCUSS OTHER PIECES OF P LEGISLATION IN HIS CAUCUS AND WE'LL BRING THAT TO YOU ON MONDAY NIGHT'S "LEGISLATIVE UPD IN AN EFFORT TO CRACK DOWN ON UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN KENTUCKY, A PAIR OF REPUBLICAN STATE LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING ON MEASURE TO BAN SANCTUARY CITIES PADUCAH SENATOR DANNY CARROLL, FORMER LAW ENFORCER, IS THE SPONSOR OF THE GOP CONTROLLED CHAMBER'S TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY, SENATE BILL 1.

IT WOULD BAN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PUBLIC AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS FROM ADOPTING WHAT ARE CALLED SANCTUARY POLICIES AND REQUIRES THEM TO USE THEIR "BEST EFFORTS" CONSIDERING AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW.

WHILE THE BILL WOULD APPLY TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM THE MEASURE.

SANCTUARY POLICIES, WHEN IT COMES TO IMMIGRATION, A DESIGNED TO LIMIT COOPERATION WITH OR INVOLVEMENT IN FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS SENATOR CARROLL SAT DOWN WITH M WEDNESDAY TO TALK ABOUT SENATE BILL 1 AND HE SAW THE to SQUELCH CRITICISM ABOUT THE BILL'S INTE.

>> PEOPLE PRETTY MUCH HAVE A PRECONCEIVED IDEA OF WHAT A SANKTUALLY BILL IS, AND IT'S THAT TOPIC IN ITSELF IS VERY LARGE AND ENCOMPASSES A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS VERY NARROWLY FOCUSED IN RELATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COOPERATION BETWEEN FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES IN ORDER TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION AND COOPERATE AS FAR AS DETAINERS OR ISSUES LIKE THAT DEALING WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION.

>> SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AGENCIES, PUBLIC AGENCIES, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BEEN CONCERNING TO SOME IS THAT IT INCLUDES HIRE EDUCATION, COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITIES.

IS THAT THE CASE?

>> THEY ARE INCLUDED IN THAT, AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE BILL REALLY DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING.

THERE IS A -- THERE ARE PROCEDURES THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT GOES THROUGH WHEN THEY NEED LEGISLATION, WHEN THEY NEED COOPERATION, AND SO WITH OUR UNIVERSITIES, WITH SECURITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BEING ON CAMPUS, IT WOULD BE NORMAL THAT IF THERE WERE A FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ISSUE THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT, ASK FOR ASSISTANCE, AND THAT ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GIVEN.

AND WHAT THE BILL IS -- THE PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROTECT THE STATUS QUO OF WHERE WE ARE IN THIS STATE TO MAKE SURE THAT POLITICAL AGENDAS DON'T IMPACT LAW ENFORCEMENT'S ABILITY TO COOPERATE BASICALLY TO PROTECT OUR PUBLIC.

YOU KNOW AND HAVE HEARD THE STORIES WITH ALL THE MEXICANS GANGS THAT ARE COMING IN, THE MEXICAN CARTEL AND ALL THE ISSUES THAT WE FACE WITH THAT, AND IT IS CRUCIAL THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE EVERY TOOL AVAILABLE TO THEM IN THE SHARING OF INFORMATION, BEING ABLE FOR THE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION TO DEPEND ON LOCAL AGENCIES FOR DETAINERS OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE WHEN THEY'RE DOING INVESTIGATORS WHATEVER THE CASE MIGHT BE.

IT'S CRUCIAL TO THAT SUCCESS.

AND WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT WE SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

>> Renee: SENATOR CARROLL'S LEGISLATIVE ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN KENTUCKY GOT SOME REINFORCEMENTS ON THURSDAY WITH HIS CO-SPONSOR, A MEMBER OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER O POLICE AND THE STATE'S NEW TOP SAYING THAT HE WAS MAKING GOOD ON HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO BE A ADVOCATE FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY, KENTUCKY'S NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON SAYS IMMIGRATION SANCTUARY POLICIES DISCOURAGE COLLABORATION BETWEEN EACH LEVEL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO THE DETRIMENT OF, BUT SAFETY.

>> OUR STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITIES MUST BE ABLE TO USE EVERY TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.

THIS, IN MY JUDGMENT, MEANS WORKING DILIGENTLY AND COLLABORATING WITH OUR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY TO SHARE INFORMATION AND INTEL.

I'M FORTUNATE IN MY ROLE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL TO HAVE REGULAR CONVERSATIONS AND WORK CLOSE WI WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE STATE, AND I CONSISTENTLY HEAR FROM THEM ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

WHEN ONE AREA OF THIS TRIAD IS REMOVED, THEN THE OTHER TWO AREAS SUFFER.

WHY, IN MY JUDGMENT, WOULD WE WANT ANYTHING ELSE FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?

WHY WOULD WE WANT TO PREVENT OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM COLLABORATING AND COORDINATING WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE?

WHEN WE DICTATE WHICH AGENCIES LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN WORK WITH AND CANNOT WORK WITH, WE CREATE AN OBVIOUS VULNERABILITY THAT CAN BE EXPLOITED BY THOSE WHO WISH TO BREAK THE LAW.

PROHIBITING LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM WORKING TOGETHER, WILL NOT SOLVE THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT IT DOES HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BOTH DEEP THE RITES AND HARM PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Renee: THE REPUBLICAN SPONSORS REBUFF ACCUSATIONS THA THE MEASURE IS DISCRIMINATORY.

JASON ROTHERMUND, REPRESENTING THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE I LEXINGTON, SAYS FEDERAL ASSISTANCE HAS ASSISTED IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

HE SAYS THE BOTTOM LINE OF THE LEGISLATION IS ABOUT PUBLIC PROTECTION, AND HE SAYS IT'S NOT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

>> THAT'S REALLY ALL THAT THIS IS, IS CODIFYING THE FACT THAT IN THE COMMONWEALTH, WHETHER YOU'RE STATE, LOCAL OR FEDERAL, WE ARE GOING TO ACT AS ONE SERVING AND PROTECTING ENTITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT BECAUSE OF POLITICS, RESOURCES ARE NOT BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THEM MOST BECAUSE WHETHER WE WANT TO SAY IT OR NOT, FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES, PEOPLE THAT ARE IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES SUCH AS OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES NEED PROTECTING FROM THE PEOPLE THAT COME HERE ILLEGALLY TO DO HARM TO THEM.

I THINK THAT THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE FROM THE INCEPTION OF THIS BILL ADDRESS A LOT OF THE ISSUES WITH VICTIMS CRIME IN THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT MOVE FORWARD, AGAIN, THIS JUST SIMPLY CODIFIES THE FACT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS THE ABILITY TO ASSIST EACH OTHER AS WE CURRENTLY DO, AND IT DOES NOT GIVE ROOM FOR CHANGE FOR POLITICAL GAIN OR PURPOSES.

>> Renee: LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT NIMA KULKARNI, AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, JOINED ME IN OUR CAPITOL ANNEX STUDIOS THIS WEEK TO VOICE HER CONCERNS ABOUT SENATE BILL 1.

SHE SAYS SHE'S CONFIDENT SOME OF THE BILL'S PROVISIONS WOULDN'T WITHSTAND COURT SCRUTINY AND WOULD BE STRUCK DOWN.

SHE ALSO PREDICTED THAT THE LEGAL LIABILITY COSTS FROM THE IMMIGRATION MEASURE WOULD FALL SQUARELY ON LOCAL JU SHE SHARED MORE OF HER CRITICIS.

>> ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS IS THAT THIS BILL MANDATES ESSENTIALLY ANY PUBLIC AGENCY EMPLOYEE TO DO THE BEST THAT THEY CAN IN, I GUESS, DETERMINING WHO IS AN IMMIGRANT, WHO IS AN IMMIGRANT THAT'S HERE WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION, AND THEN HAVING THE AUTHORITY SOMEHOW WITHOUT ANY TRAINING WHATSOEVER TO ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAW.

SO THIS IS GOING FAR BEYOND ANY KIND OF A SANCTUARY CITY POLICY.

THIS IS SPECIFICALLY MANDATING PUBLIC AGENCY EMPLOYEES INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO USE THEIR OWN BEST JUDGMENT AND IN THEIR OWN DISCRETION TO PHYSICALLY DETAIN TIMES, QUESTION, INTERROGATE, AND REALLY SINGLE OUT INDIVIDUALS BASED ON WHAT WE DON'T KNOW ACCORDING TO THIS BILL BECAUSE THERE'S NO TRAINING IMPLEMENTED IN IT, THERE'S NO COMPONENT, THERE'S NO FUNDING FOR IT.

SO IT'S ESSENTIALLY GIVING CART BLANCHE AND CREATING THIS ENVIRONMENT WHERE NOW EVEN YOUR NEIGHBOR CAN ESSENTIALLY TURN YOU IN FOR BEING AN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT.

>> DOVE TO PROVIDE SOME SUBSTANTIATED EVIDENCE, DOCUMENTATION TO THAT EFFECT?

>> SO THE ONLY DOCUMENT THAT'S MENTIONED IN THIS BILL IS A DRIVER'S LICENSE WHICH NOT EVERY CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES EVEN HAS, SO THAT IS NOT AN IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT.

THAT HAS NO BEARING ON WHAT IMMIGRATION STATUS AN INDIVIDUAL MIGHT HAVE, AND IT'S VERY, AGAIN, VERY DEEPLY CONCERNING THAT THIS IS PLACED IN A PIECE OF LEGISLATION WITHOUT ANY THOUGHT TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF WHO MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND WHO IS THE PERSON ASKING FOR THAT DOCUMENT AND HOW ARE THEY POSSIBLY GOING TO ASCERTAIN AN IMMIGRATION STATUS BASED ON THIS DOCUMENT, AGAIN WITH NO TRAINING WHATSOEVER.

>> AND SO THEN THE DUE PROCESS FOR THE PERSON THAT'S BEING ACCUSED OF BEING UNDOCUMENTED IS WHAT AND HOW LABORIOUS IS THAT AND HOW WOULD THEY GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF SECURING THEIR PLACE HERE FOR THE TIME BEING OR PERMANENTLY?

>> RIGHT.

SO THIS PLACES THE BURDEN OF DETENTION OF BASICALLY DETAINING, ARRESTING ANYBODY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND JAILS.

SO THE COST TO THE JAILS IN TERMS OF CAPACITY WE ALREADY KNOW THAT WE'RE OVER CAPACITY IN A LOT OF KENTUCKY JAILS, THE COST AND THE PROCESSING TIME AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF THAT, NONE OF THAT IS MENTIONED IN HERE AS A POTENTIAL IMPACT OR CONSEQUENCE.

ALL OF THOSE COSTS AND ALL OF THOSE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE BORNE IN THE LOCALITIES WHERE THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE KEPT AND DETAINED.

BASED ON WHAT I DON'T KNOW.

THERE IS NO THOUGHT GIVEN TO ANY DUE PROCESS CONSIDERATIONS.

>> Renee: OF COURSE WE'LL BE FOLLOWING SENATE BILL 1 AND THE OTHER PIECES OF LEGISLATION AS THEY MOVE THROUGHOUT THIS SESSION THE FIRST DAY OF THE SE BROUGHT OUT A CROWD OF SECOND AMENDMENT ACTIVISTS WHO DESCENDED ON FRANKFORT TO DISCOURAGE THE ENACTMENT OF GUN CONTROL LAWS LIKE A RED FLAG LA THAT TEMPORARY REMOVE GUNS FROM SOMEONE DEEMED BY A JUDGE TO BE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHER WE CAUGHT UP WITH ONE GUN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS TO GET HIS TAKE.

>> THE RED FLAG LAW IS TOO WIDE OPEN.

THE WAY IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, IF YOUR NEIGHBOR AND HIS WIFE HAVE AN ARGUMENT AND THEY WAKE YOU UP AT 4:00 A.M., YOU CAN CALL THE LAW AND SAY I HEARD HIM SAY THAT HE WAS GOING TO SHOOT HER, AND THEY'RE GOING TO COME TAKE THAT MAN'S GUNS.

I'M SORRY, THE GOVERNMENT, THEY TAKE WHAT THEY WANT.

YOU DON'T GET NOTHING BACK.

I'VE GOT FAMILY THAT'S MENTALLY DISTURBED, AND I'D SPEAK OUT INSTANTLY IF I THOUGHT THEY HAD A GUN IN THE HOUSE BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT CAPABLE OF MAKING THOSE KINDS OF DECISIONS.

BUT WHY SHOULD THAT EFFECT MY RIGHT TO OWN ONE?

WHEN OUR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS STARTED BECOMING A PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY, OUR GOVERNORS AND A LOT OF THE REST OF THEM SAID OUR STATE'S, OUR CITY'S GOING TO BE A SANCTUARY CITY.

AND EVERYBODY SAID, WELL, THEY'RE THE LAWMAKER.

OKAY.

SO THAT ALLOWED THE STATES TO OVERRIDE FEDERAL LAW.

BUT NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN THE COUNTIES, THE LITTLE CITIES ARE SAYING, WE'RE GOING TO BE A SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY FOR OUR STATE, THEY'RE HOLLERING THAT'S ILLEGAL.

HOW CAN YOU PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS LAWS YOU'RE GOING TO COL FOL?

THEY WANT TEAK OUR WEAPONS AWAY FROM US, CHANGE THE U.S.

CONSTITUTION.

OF COURSE IT STILL ISN'T GOING TO WORK.

WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT IT TOOTH AND NAIL.

>> Renee: AND FINALLY TONIGHT, ON THE EDUCATION FRONT GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN, WHO ALSO HEADS THE EDUCATION CABINET, ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT GED TEST-TAKING FEES WOULD BE WAIVE AS THE ADMINISTRATION IS COMMITTING HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND OF DOLLARS TO HELP KENTUCKIANS TRYING TO EARN A HIGH SCHOOL EQ.

>> MORE THAN HALF OF OUR KENTUCKIANS THAT DO NOT HAVE A GED OR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ARE CURRENTLY NOT ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKPLACE, THAT THEY HAVE NOT ACHIEVED A LEVEL OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO GET A JOB.

THAT HARMS THOSE FAMILIES.

IT ALSO MAY HOLD OUR STATE BACK.

IF THEY'RE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE, THEY ARE LIKELY UNABLE TO AFFORD TO GO BACK TO CLASS AND PAY TO COMPLETE THEIR GED.

THEY ARE STUCK IN A CYCLE WHERE THEY CAN'T GET THE JOB TO HAVE THE DOLLARS TO PAY THE FEES FOR THE GED THEY NEED TO GET A BETTER JOB.

SO WITH TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT WE ARE REMOVING THAT ROADBLOCK AND ANOTHER BARRIER FOR OUR FAMILIES THAT NEED ANOTHER CHANCE TO START THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY.

>> WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE EDUCATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CABINET HAS ALLOTTED $600,000 IN STATE FUNDING TO WAIVE GED TEST FEES FOR FIRST-TIME TEST TAKERS.

OUR GOAL IS TO INCREASE GED ATTAINMENT AND CREATE CAREER PATHWAYS FOR KENTUCKIANS WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED DUE TO THE LACK OF THEIR education >> Renee: THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 4 COVERAGE OF THE 2020 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SES FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE, CALL 1-80 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 KENTUCKY CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG AND SEE OUR EXCLUSIV INTERVIEWS WITH THOSE IN AND CLOSE TO THE ACTION.

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

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

FOR KET, I'M RENEE SHAW.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

AND AN EVEN BETTER WEEKEND.