>> A LEGISLATIVE PANEL ADVANCES MEASURES TO ENSURE PUBLIC COMMENT AT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AND EXPAND KEES SCHOLARSHIPS TO TRADE SCHOOLS.

EFFORTS TO KEEP VEHICLE TAXES FROM REVVING UP COULD SOON KICK INTO GEAR - AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH ONE LAWMAKER LEADING THE CHARGE.

AND, THE SENATE ACTS ON MEASURES RELATED TO EXECUTIVE BRANCH POWERS ON DAY 15 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

A MEASURE MAKING ITS WAY IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE REQUIRES LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS TO GIVE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT SO PARENTS OR OTHERS AT EACH MEETING.

HOUSE EDUCATION CHAIRWOMAN REGINA HUFF, THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 121, SAYS PARENTS HAVE ASKED HER TO BRING THE BILL.

>> THIS PAST SUMMER WE SAW NATION WIDE NOT JUST HERE IN KENTUCKY BUT A RISE OF DEATH THREATS AGAINST SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, AGAINST POTENTIAL SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATESCH WE SAW REALLY ROWDY BEHAVIOR ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT WAS WIDELY REPORTED AND I JUST WONDER IF THIS BILL, IF YOU SEE -- IF THINGS WERE TO GET OUT OF HAND, IS WILL AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SECURITY SAKE TO BE ABLE TO SHUT DOWN THIS PERIOD IF THE SECURITY PERSONNEL ON SITE FEEL THAT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

IS THERE THAT FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THE BILL?

>> WELL THERE'S ALWAYS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHUT SOMETHING DOWN IT THERE'S GOING GOING TO BE AN INJURY JUST FOR SAFETY PURPOSES.

I DON'T FORESEE THAT.

PEOPLE WERE FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T THINK THEY COULD BE HEARD.

THIS ALLOWS THE 15 MINUTE.

THEY SIGN UP TO BE HEARD SO THERE'S NO CONFUSION THIS IS WHO WILL BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK.

I JUST IT WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE THAT SMALL WINDOW AVAILABLE AND THEY -- BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE 0 CLOSE IN 15 MINUTES.

IT'S AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARDS.

MOST BOARDS ARE DOING THIS AND ARE WIDELY OPEN.

BUT WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PARENT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO JUST HAVE A VOICE >> HUFF'S MEASURE CLARIFIES THAT IF NO ONE HAS SIGNED UP AND REQUESTED TO SPEAK AT A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, THE BOARD CAN PROCEED WITH BUSINESS OR ADJOURN.

JEFFERSON COUNTY DEMOCRAT AND EDUCATOR TINA BOJANOWSKI AGREED WITH HER COLLEAGUE THAT STATE LAWMAKERS SHOULD ADOPT THE SAME POLICY IN REQUIRING A 15 MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AT LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS.

AND, SHE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT PROTOCOLS.

>> MY QUESTION IS, DO YOU HAVE DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR MAINTAINING QUORUM DURING THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS?

I MEAN, SUCH AS YOU KNOW MAYBE LIMITING THE COMMENTS TO ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA.

I MEAN, THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING VERY MUCH NEEDS THE PUBLIC INPUT BUT THEY ALSO NEED TO GET THEIR WORK DONE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> IT WOULD BE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD.

DECORUM WOULD BE AS IT ALWAYS IS IN THE BOARD MEETING.

WITH THE 15 MINUTES, THIS IS JUST GOING TO ALLOW FOR THAT 15 MINUTES, SO IF THEY WANT TO GO ON, THEY CAN GO ON.

THAT'S AT THEIR DISCRETION AS WELL.

THIS JUST GIVES THE 15 MINUTES >> BOONE COUNTY REPUBLICAN AND FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER OF 22-YEARS ED MASSEY HAS CONDUCTED TRAINING ON SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.

HE'S CONCERNED THAT STATE LAWMAKERS ARE INTRUDING ON WHAT, HE BELIEVES, SHOULD BE UP TO THE LOCALS TO DECIDE.

LEGISLATORS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WHO SERVED ON LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES EXPRESSED THEIR SKEPTICISM AS WELL.

>> THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING IS ACTUALLY THE MEETING OF THE BOARD.

IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE MEETING THE COMMUNITY.

THAT BEING SAID, IN OUR BOARD WE ALWAYS ALLOWED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, AND I THINK YOU INDICATED ON YOUR COMMENTS THAT MOST BOARDS DO.

SO I ALWAYS GET CONCERNED WHEN WE PASS LEGISLATION THAT MAY BE AIMED AT A FEW PARTICULAR BOARDS THAT AREN'T DOING WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING.

I THINK THE PUBLIC COMMENT, WE SET THE TERMS AT OUR MEETINGS.

WE GIVE THEM A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THEY CAN SPEAK.

IF IT GETS OUT OF CONTROL, WE CAN STOP IT BECAUSE IT'S OUR MEETING.

I'M CONCERNED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT INTRUDING ON THAT OPERATIONAL COMPONENT OF THE LOCAL BOARDS BECAUSE I THINK ONLY THEY ARE BEST TO DETERMINE WHAT THEY NEED TO DO AT THEIR LOCAL MEETINGS.

SO I'M GOING TO BE A YES FOR TODAY BUT I HAVE SOME CONCERNS THAT WE ARE DELVING INTO AN AREA AS LEGISLATORS THAT IS LEFT TO THE AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK TO GIVE THEM LOCAL CONTROL.

>> I'M GOING 0 PASS FOR NOW HAVING BEEN A MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL AND COURT BEFORE I GOT HERE.

EVERYONE I KNOW DOES THIS ALREADY, EVERY PUBLIC AGENCY, AT LEAST IN MY PART OF THE WORLD.

BUT WE DON'T REQUIRE IT OF ANY PUBLIC AGENCY CURRENTLY.

NO CITY COUNCIL, NO FISCAL COURT, NO LIBRARY BOARD OR OTHER TAXING DISTRICT IS REQUIRED TO DO THIS.

I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD AND CERTAINLY THOSE WHO ARE NOT -- ALLOW PUBLIC INPUT OR ANYONE IN THEIR MEETINGS THAT'S A GOOD WAY TO GET UNELECTED AS I LIKE TO SAY.

BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL ESPECIALLY IN THIS PARTICULAR FORM OF GOVERNMENT IS THE WAY TO GO ABOUT IT.

I'M GOING TO PASS.

>> I SERVED ON LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL OF COURSE WE HAD A COMMENT PERIOD.

I ALSO HAVE SPOKEN TO THE SCHOOL BOARDS OF EDUCATION ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.

THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS COMING AFTER THE CALCULATED RIGHT WING ATTACKS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY WHERE PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO DISRUPT OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, AND I WAS AT SOME OF THOSE MEETINGS AT CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL WHERE PEOPLE LITERALLY WERE COMING INTO A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE LIKE ME WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY COVID, ANGRY THEY HAD TO WEAR MASKS AND TRYING TO DISRUPT THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

I'M A NO ON THIS BILL FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHO LIKE TO HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY THAN THAT BILL WOULD ALLOW >> WITH 16 YES, 2 NO AND 1 PASS VOTE, HOUSE BILL 121 THAT REQUIRES LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS PROVIDE AT LEAST A 15-MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD DURING THEIR BOARD HEARINGS CLEARED THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE.

THAT SAME COMMITTEE OVERWHELMINGLY ENDORSED A MEAURE THAT WIDEN ACCESS AND USE OF KEES MONEY TO TRADE AND PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS IN WELDING, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL AND THE LIKE.

MASON COUNTY REPUBLICAN WILLIAM LAWRENCE IS THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 234 THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO USE SCHOLARSHIPS EARNED THROUGH THE KENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP, KEES, FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS TO WORK IN HIGH-DEMAND FIELDS.

THE KEES PROGRAM GIVES SCHOLARSHIP MONEY TO STUDENTS BASED ON HIGH SCHOOL GRADES AND ACT SCORING.

>> MOST THE FACTORIES YOU GO AND TALK TO ARE LOOKING FOR TRADES PEOPLE.

THE REALITY OF IT TRY TO HIRE AN AT PERSON TODAY OR ELECTRICIAN OR PLUMBER, SOMEONE LIKE THAT.

THEY'RE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

THERE'S TALK ABOUT THE EXPENSE OF THE MONEY.

IN MY OPINION WE AS A STATE CAN NOAFER OVERINVEST IN THE EDUCATION OF OUR WORKFORCE.

MONEY STUDENTS HAVE ALREADY EARNED THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE THAT AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THAT MONEY >> HOUSE BILL 234 REQUIRES PROPRIETARY INSTITUTIONS OR TRADE SCHOOLS TO HAVE OPERATED FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS WITH ITS HEADQUARTERS OR MAIN CAMPUS LOCATED IN THE STATE.

THE KENTUCKY COMMISSION ON PROPRIETARY EDUCATION, ESTABLISHED IN 2012 BY STATE LAWMAKERS, IS IN CHARGE OF LICENSING AND REGULATING THOSE SCHOOLS.

ADAM HINTON, OWNER AND DIRECTOR OF KWI WELDING INSTITUTE IN FLEMINGSBURG, TESTIFIED REMOTELY THAT HE STARTED KWI IN 2014 IN RESPONSE TO THE DEMAND FOR JOBS AND SEEING STUDENTS LEAVE THE AREA TO PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES ELSEWHERE.

HE SHARED WITH THE COMMITTEE THE FINANCIAL OBSTACLES STUDENTS PURSUING THE TRADES FACE.

>> NO DOUBT WE DO A GOOD JOB THESE MONEY IN KENTUCKY BECAUSE ALL THE STUDENTS THAT WERE ELIGIBLE FOR KEES MONEY OR HAD EARNED DURING THERE TAME FOO HIGH SCHOOL BY HARD WORK MADE US AWARE THEY'D EARNED THIS MONEY SO PUT US IN A SITUATION WHERE WE COULD EITHER NOT ACCEPT THAT MONEY OR NOT RECOGNIZE THAT MONEY OR THAT WE COULD TAKE THAT MONEY OFF THE TOP OURSELVES.

SO WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE KEES MONEY THAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE EARNED.

WE TAKE THAT OUT OF OUR OWN POCKET FROM AUGUST 2015 TO DECEMBER 21, WE HAVE KENTUCKY STUDENTS HAVE ATTENDED KENTUCKY WELDING INSTITUTE HAVE EARNED THEIR TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL, >> A FEW LAWMAKERS ON THE EDUCATION PANEL WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FISCAL IMPACT EXPANDING THE KEES SCHOLARSHIP TO PROPRIETARY AND TRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS WOULD HAVE ON THE FUND.

THE KEES PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE KENTUCKY LOTTERY.

THE KEES REWARD IS GOOD FOR 5 IS IN THE MILITARY, AND FOR UP THE MILITARY, AND FOR UP TO 8 SEMESTERS.

BOURBON COUNTY REPUBLICAN MATTHEW KOCH TALKED ABOUT THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH THESE TYPES OF SCHOOLS.

HIS CAREER IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY BEGAN WITH HIM ATTENDING KENTUCKY HORSESHOEING SCHOOL.

>> THESE STUDENTS HAVE 146,076 EARNED THAT MONEY, OKAY, AND THEY'RE GOING TO USE THIS MONEY TO GO SOMEWHERE.

WE'RE SAYING THEY HAVE TO GO THIS DIRECTION IF THEY WANT TO USE THE MONEY THEY EARNED P WE ARE TRYING TO OPEN THAT DOOR SO THAT THESE STUDENTS CAN USE WHETHER TEST KENTUCKY WELDING INSTITUTE WHO ARE SHOEING SCHOOL CDL LICENSE.

I THINK THERE'S A REALLY LIMITLESS WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH THIS.

TO PUT A NUMBER ON THIS WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY WAY TO DO IT.

THERE'S NO DETERMINATION HOW MANY KENTUCKY STUDENTS WILL CHOOSE TO GO DOWN THAT PATH BUT THE POINT IS THEY ALREADY EARNED THE MONEY.

>> I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS MOVING FORWARD WITH.

IF WE -- SOMETHING THAT IS OVERWHELMING TO THE KEES SYSTEM, THEY START LOSING THE BENEFITS, THEN WHERE ARE WE?

WE BACK WHERE WE STARTED BEFORE THE KEES SCHOLARSHIP WAS CREATED >> ON A COMMITTEE VOTE OF 18 TO 1, HOUSE BILL 234 THAT EXTENDS KEES SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS IN TRADE OR PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS ADVANCED TO THE HOUSE FLOOR, WHERE IT'S WAITING FOR ACTION BY THE FULL MEMBERSHIP.

ANOTHER OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH'S ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS HAS BEEN RULED DEFICIENT BY THE SENATE.

DURING THE 2021 SESSION, LEGISLATORS PASSED A BILL GIVING THEM THE ABILITY TO REMOVE ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS PUT IN PLACE BY THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION.

PARIS SENATOR STEPHEN WEST WAS THE SPONSOR OF THE ORIGINAL BILL, AND HE SPONSORS SENATE BILL 65, WHICH WOULD DEEM A NEW REGULATION DEFICIENT.

HE EXPLAINS THE PURPOSE OF THE MEASURE.

>> AS REGS WOULD COME BLCH THE COMMITTEE MY COMMITTEE -- THEY WOULD -- WOULDN'T ALWAYS GO ALONG WITH OUR REQUEST TO DEFER OR IF THEY DID, THEY WOULDN'T WORRY TOO MUCH ABOUT NEGOTIATING WITH VARIOUS PARTIES ON MAKING THE REGS.

BETTER BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY WOULD GO INTO IMMEDIATE EFFECT, THAT THE GOVERNOR WOULD ALLOW THEM TO PROCEED AND WHEN WE FRANKLY CAME BACK INTO SESSION, NOTHING WOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT AND WE WOULD FORGET ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

WS WENT ON TO SAY REGULATIONS SHOULD REFLECT THE WILL OF THE LEGISLATURE, NOT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE REG THAT WOULD BE RULED DEFICIENT MAKES CHANGES TO WORKERS COMP REGULATIONS AND ESTABLISHES A THAT WEST SAYS WOULD, "SET UP A WHOLE NEW BUREAUCRACY."

SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN MCGARVEY VOTED AGAINST >> WHAT THIS DOES IS IT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR WORKERS TO RECEIVE THE BENEFITS THEY DESERVE FASTER IN A MORE EXPEDIENT WAY.

IT'S MODELED OFF OR OTHER STATES WITH SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS, STATES LIKE TENNESSEE THAT THIS LEGISLATURE POINTS TO SO OFTEN.

I FEAR THAT IN PASSING THIS BILL WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS DENY WORKERS A TIMELY WAY TO -- IN WHICH THEY WILL RECEIVE THEIR BENEFITS.

BENEFITS THAT ARE NEEDED, BENEFITS THEY DESERVE >> MCGARVEY'S COMMENTS DREW CRITICISM FROM SEVERAL REPUBLICANS.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAYS IF THE ADMINISTRATION LIKED THE REGULATION, THEY SHOULD HAVE PROPOSED A BILL WITH SIMILAR LANGUAGE.

SENATORS PHILLIP WHEELER AND STEPHEN WEST SAY THE ADMINISTRATION HANDLED THE REGULATION THE WRONG WAY, AND THEY WERE OFFENDED BY MCGARVEY'S REMARKS.

>> I'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK COMP IN MY TIME AND WHAT THIS REGULAR LEUTION IS GOING TO BE DO IS GIVE A DOCTOR THE ABILITY TO THE -- THROUGH THE PROCESS TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADJUDICATORY POWER MAKING FINDINGS OF FACT AND LAW PRIOR TO A LAWYER LOOKING AT IT.

WE MET WITH THE CABINET, EXPLAINED THIS TO THEM THAT YOU ARE HAVING A CAUSATION FINDING AS TO WHETHER SOMEONE COULD RECEIVE WORKER COMPENSATION BENEFITS BEFORE THERE HAD ACTUALLY BEEN A DETERMINATION, WHICH IS A CLEAR AND SEPARATE AND DISTINCT PROBLEM OF SEPARATION OF POWERS.

>> IF THIS WAS A GREAT IDEA FOR THE COMMONWEALTH, THE STATE OF TENNESSEE WAS DOING IT, WE WERE OPEN TO THAT.

THEY DEFERRED THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND TRIED TO WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS.

I WENT OUT OF THE WAY AS A CHAIRMAN TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING TO SENATOR FROM CLAY AND SENATOR FROM PIKE I'M REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY BUT THEY DEAL A LOT MORE WITH WORKER'S COMP THAN I HAVE.

FRANKLY, WE THOUGHT WE HAD AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CABINET.

BUT THAT WAS NOT TO BE.

THE VERY NEXT MEETING THAT PUSHED IT THROUGH OUR OBJECTIONS AND IF THE PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE FEELS THIS IS A GREAT IDEA, THEN FILE A BILL.

>> WE BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO WORK WITH THE ADMINISTRATION ON THIS.

OF GOING FURTHER THAN WHAT THE SENATOR SAID.

I THINK WE WERE LIED TO.

WE WERE TOLD THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE A SPECIFIC COURSE OF ACTION TO TRY TO WORK THIS OUT IN A WAY THAT BENEFITED INJURED WORKERS.

INSTEAD, WHAT DO THEY DO?

THEY COME STRAIGHT IF FRONT OF THE COMMITTEE TRY TO SHOVE THIS REGULATION THROUGH WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF NEGOTIATION, WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF INPUT FROM THE PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF AND SENATOR FROM CLAY WHO ACTUALLY KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS STUFF >> SENATE BILL 65 PASSED THE SENATE 28 TO 7 ON A PARTY LINE VOTE.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE.

ANOTHER BILL SEEKING TO REIN IN THE POWER THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH'S POWER PASSED THE SENATE TODAY.

SENATE BILL 46 SETS STANDARDS FOR HIRING LOBBYISTS THAT HELP AWARD GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.

THE MEASURE REQUIRES A CONTRACT CAN'T BE AWARDED WHILE EMPLOYING AN EXECUTIVE BRANCH LOBBYIST WHO WAS CONVICTED OF A CRIME RELATED TO A SIMILAR CONTRACT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

LEITCHFIELD SENATOR STEPHEN MEREDITH SAYS THE REASON FOR THE MEASURE GOES BACK TO THE TIM LONGMEYER BRIBERY SCANDAL - AND THAT HIS BILL WILL HELP WITH GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY.

>> PEOPLE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT IT DOAPT DO ANY GOOD TO BID BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE CONSIDERED ANYWAY.

LOBBY IS SENT TO PRISON YOU PAY THE FINE AND YOU'RE GOING TO GET THIS CONTRACT BECAUSE IT'S THE BEST CONTRACT.

WE WONDER WHY PEOPLE HAVE LOST FAITH AND CONFIDENCE IN GOVERNMENT.

SO TO CORRECT THAT PROBLEM, THIS BILL SAYS THAT IF YOU HAVE A LOBBYIST WHO IS EMPLOYED BY YOU THAT IS IN FEDERAL PRISON BECAUSE OF THE ACTIONS HE HAS TAKEN, YOU CAN'T BE CONSIDERED FOR A CONTRACT FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME >> SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SPOKE IN FAVOR OF SENATE BILL 46, BUT HE SAYS THE BILL DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

HE SAYS HE'LL WORK WITH THE HOUSE TO INCREASE PENALTIES.

>> I SAID THIS BILL DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH, AND I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR IT.

I'M GOING TO GO DOWN TO HOUSE AND SAY LET'S INSTITUTE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES CALLED DEBARMENT.

DEBARMENT FROM BEING A LOBBYIST, DEBARMENT FROM DOING CONTRACTING BUSINESS WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

HAD YOU DO THINGS LIKE THIS.

HOW WOULD THAT APPLY TO THE LAST SITUATION?

WE SET UP THE PARAMETERS, THEN THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BID ON THE CONTRACT.

BECAUSE THEY VIOLATED THE PARAMETERS WE CAN SET.

WE'LL RECOGNIZE PRINCIPLE.

THAT'S DONE IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SO WHY CAN'T WE DO IT IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT?

>> SENATE BILL 46 PASSED THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY - 35 TO ZERO.

KENTUCKY MAY BE FORCED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MEDICAID MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS IT CONTRACTS WITH.

A BILL PASSED BY THE SENATE TODAY WOULD LIMIT THE NUMBER OF THOSE CONTRACTS TO THREE.

MEDICAID MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS - OR MCOS AS THEY'RE OFTEN CALLED - ARE PRIVATE COMPANIES CONTRACTING WITH THE STATE TO ADMINISTER MEDICAID BENEFITS.

THE MCOS ARE PAID ON A PER-MEMBER PER-MONTH BASIS.

KENTUCKY CURRENTLY CONTRACTS WITH SIX DIFFERENT MCOS, AND SENATOR STEPHEN MEREDITH SAYS THAT IS TOO MANY.

THE FORMER HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR SAYS BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF MCOS SENATE BILL 45 WOULD REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS FOR HOSPITALS - PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS.

>> IT'S A BUREAUCRACY THAT'S JUST THOT BAD.

IT'S A BUREAUCRACY THAT'S CRUSHING PARTICULARLY FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

WHEN I TALK TO MCOs THEY ASSURE ME EVERYBODY IS BEING TREATED EQUALLY.

AS WE KNOW OVER DISCUSSIONS PAST FEW YEARS, TREATING EQUALLY IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING TREATED EQUITABLY THE THIS PLAY IS DISPROPORTION AT BURDEN UPON RURAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

THEY ARE STRUGGLING LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER STRUGGLED BEFORE.

I GET -- BUSINESS MODEL DOES IT MAKE US TO OF EXPENSE OF TRYING TO FOLLOW MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS NOT JUST FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BUT FOR CABINET, MEDICATE SERVICES BECAUSE THESE INDIVIDUAL MCOs HAVE TO BE AUDITED.

FOR ACTUARIAL STUDIES, MAKE SURE THEY'RE PAID APPROPRIATELY AND IT'S VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DO >> REPUBLICAN SENATOR DANNY CARROLL SAYS HIS BUSINESS WORKS WITH MCOS ON OCCASION, AND THE ENTIRE PROCESS MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR THE BUSINESS TO FUNCTION.

>> THE SYSTEM AS IT STANDS TODAY IS EXTREMELY INEFFICIENT FOR THE PROVIDER.

IT TAKES AWAY FROM THE SERVICES THAT THESE PROVIDERS NEED TO BE ABLE TO SPEND THEIR TIME AND THEIR EFFORTS ON.

AND I CANNOT SAY THAT I HAVE SPOKEN WITH ANY PROVIDER AT ANY LEVEL THAT DEALS WITH MANAGED CARE THAT IS SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRAM >> LOUISVILLE SENATOR AND PHYSICIAN KAREN BERG VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE BILL, BUT SHE SAYS IT WON'T REDUCE THE COST OF HEALTHCARE ACROSS THE STATE.

IN RESPONSE TO BERG, DOCTOR AND WINCHESTER SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO MADE A DIRECT APPEAL TO OTHER PHYSICIANS, SAYING THAT REDUCED ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS WOULD BE PASSED ON TO CUSTOMERS.

>> THIS IS NOT GOING TO SAVE OUR STATE MONEY.

ALL WE'RE DOING IS LIMITING THE NUMBER OF MEDICAID MCOs THAT WE OFFER IN THIS STATE.

IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME COST PER BODY, WHETHER WE'RE USING TWO MCOs OR SIX MCOs.

I AGREE THERE'S DUPLICATION OF SUPERVISES THAT AREN'T NECESSARY.

I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL BUT I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THE CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE WATCHING US AT HOME A FALSE SENSE THAT WE'RE DOING SOMETHING MAGICAL HERE, THAT IT'S GOING TO ACTUALLY REDUCE THE COST OF HEALTH CARE DELIVERY IN THIS STATE.

>> YOU KNOW THAT THIS BILL IS GOING TO SAVE YOU MONEY IN YOUR PRACTICE.

WHEN I HAD A PRACTICE, IF YOU'RE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS NEVER BILLED FOR OUR OWN MEDICAL SERVICES OR ACTUALLY RUN YOUR OWN MEDICAL PRACTICE YOU MIGHT HAVE THE OPINION THAT YOU HEARD A FEW MOMENTS AGO.

AN INDIVIDUAL LIKE HIGHSELF WHO HAS RUN MY OWN MEDICAL PRACTICE HIRE TWO FULL TIME PEOPLE TO HANDLE MCOs CUTTING THAT IN HALF IS GOING TO SAVE MY PRACTICE MONEY.

TRANSFER THAT SAVINGS ON TO PATIENTS I SEE AS WELL TO IMPLY THIS ISN'T GOING TO SAVE CONSTITUENT MONEY IF YOU'RE MEDICAL PROVIDER, A NURSE, A DOCTOR, A THERAPIST, ANYBODY WHO IS IN HEALTH CARE, YOU KNOW HOW MANY FORMS YOU FILL OUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FORMS YOU FILL OUT REDUCING YOUR BUREAUCRACY IS GOING TO SAVE YOU MONEY AND SAVE YOU PATIENTS MONEY >> SENATE BILL 45 PASSED THE SENATE 32 TO 4.

IN TONIGHT'S IN DEPTH SEGMENT, WE'RE EXAMINING THE SKYROCKETING MOTOR VEHICLE TAXES EXPECTED THIS YEAR AND THE BILLS IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY ATTEMPTING TO REIN IN THOSE ESCALATING COSTS.

OLIVE HILL REPUBLICAN PATRICK FLANNERY HAS FILED ONE OF SEVERAL BILLS ADDRESSING THIS CONCERN.

HE STOPPED BY OUR CAPITOL ANNEX STUDIOS TO TALK ABOUT THE REASON FOR THE CAR TAX HIKES AND MEASURES TO REIN THEM IN.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THESE VEHICLE TAXES.

YOU HAVE A BILL, HOUSE BILL 6 I THINK THERE ARE A FEW OTHER HANDFUL OF OTHER BILLS AT THAT WANT TO ADDRESS THIS ESCALATION IN CAR TAXES THAT WE ANTICIPATE ALMOST 40% OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US?

>> THAT'S WHAT THE MEMO FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE INDICATED THAT THEY SENT OUT IN EARLY JANUARY IS THAT THERE WOULD BE A 40% INCREASE AND AS YOU STATED THERE ARE SEVERAL BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED.

I FILED HOUSE BILL 6.

AND I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME MOVEMENT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT IDEAS ON HOW TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE, AND AT THIS TIME, WE'RE -- GOING THROUGH SOME OF THE DIFFERENT PROPOSALS TO TRY AND FIND OUT THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS THIS 40% INCREASE IN MOTOR VEHICLE TAXES.

>> CAN YOU TELL US THE REASON FOR THIS INCREASE?

THERE WAS AN INCREASE 3% THE PREVIOUS YEAR, 40% EXPECTED FOR 2022.

WHAT'S THE REASON FOR IT?

>> I THINK THERE ARE TWO THINGS GOING ON RENEE.

FIRST, OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A MARKET DISTORTION IN THE PRICE OF VEHICLES.

IF YOU TRIED TO BUY A VEHICLE RECENTLY OR MAYBE LOOKED AT A VEHICLE OR HAD A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND HAS, WE KNOW THE VEHICLE MARKET ESPECIALLY USED VEHICLES IS THROUGH THE ROOF.

TYPICALLY A VEHICLE IS DEPRECIATING ASSET AND NOT SOMETHING THAT GROWS IN TIME MORE VALUABLE.

WE'RE REALLY SEEING THE OPPOSITE NOW.

WE'RE IN A HE HAVE RARE CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF MARKET.

THE SECOND THING I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE LANGUAGE HAS NOT CHANGED ON THIS.

>> RIGHT.

>> ACTUALLY THE FIRST BILL THAT I FILED AS A LEGISLATOR LAST YEAR WAS HOUSE BILL 274.

I FEEL SOMEWHAT PROPHETIC FILING THAT NOW.

I FELT THERE WAS GOING TO BE THE POTENTIAL FOR A LOT OF ABUSE WITH THIS.

THE STATUTORY LANGUAGE IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IS TO USE AN AVERAGE TRADE-IN VALUE.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I BELIEVE IT WAS IN 2009, THEY ISSUED A MEMORANDUM, AND ON THEIR OWN THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE DECIDED THAT THEY BELIEVED THAT AVERAGE TRADE-IN WAS BET REFLECTED BY WHAT'S CALLED A CLEAN TRADE IN VALUE.

>> WHICH MEANS.

>> IT'S HIGHER.

>> THE TRANSLATION IT'S HIGHER.

>> IT'S HIGHER AND VERY SIMPLY A CLEAN TRADE-IN VALUE IS A HIGHER TIER VALUATION.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT TYPE OF SHAPE A VEHICLE IS IN, A CLEAN TRADE-IN IS A HIGHER TIER ASSESSMENT OF OR APPRAISAL ON WHAT TYPE OF SHAPE THAT VEHICLE IS IN.

SO IT'S GOING TO BRING A HIGHER DOLLAR THAN THE AVERAGE TRADE IN.

I THINK THE THOUGHT WITH AVERAGE TRADE IN THROUGH THE YEARS IS THAT THAT'S RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE, MAYBE IT WILL BE A LITTLE HIGH, MAYBE IT WILL BE A LITTLE LOW BUT IT WAS FAIR WAY TO JUST FOR ALL THE TAXPAYERS.

SO THAT'S THE OTHER THING THAT I'M WANTING TO ADDRESS IN THE LONG-TERM I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS OUT THERE AND IF HOUSE BILL 6 IS THE BILL THAT'S USED TO ADDRESS THRKS I DEFINITELY THINK THERE WILL BE SOME CHANGES TO THAT.

I'M LOOKING TO INCORPORATING SOME OF THE THINGS.

I ALSO THINK THAT -- FOR THE PEOPLE IN JANUARY AND PROBABLY IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY THAT THERE WILL BE SOME OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME OF THAT MONEY TO BE RETURNED IF THEY HAD AN OVERPAYMENT ON THEIR MOTOR VEHICLE TAXES.

>> YOU'RE NOT PROPOSING TO REPEAL THE MOTOR VEHICLE TAX?

>> WELL, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I COULD DEFINITELY GET BEHIND, AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING.

WE HAVE -- THERE WAS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PASSED OVER 20 YEARS AGO THAT WOULD ALLOW THAT.

>> RIGHT.

>> BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT.

>> AND THE FISCAL IMPACT OF THAT.

>> AND HOW THAT WOULD AFFECT NOT JUST THE STATE, THE STATE BUDGE BUT ALSO LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

>> YES, 73.1 MILLION IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.

THAT'S -- YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A 13 BILLION-DOLLAR ANNUAL STATE BUDGET BUT EVERY BIT COUNTS, RIGHT?

>> SURE.

>> THAT'S SOME CHANGE TO CONSIDER THERE.

SO THE NEXT STEPS, WHEN DO YOU EXPECT YOUR BILL TO BE HEARD IN COMMITTEE AND ACTED ON?

>> I WOULD THINK WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.

>> WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM MEMBERS IN YOUR CAUCUS OR ENOO ACROSS THE AISLE?

I DON'T THINK THIS IS A PARTISAN ISSUE.

>> I KNOW THERE'S BILL FILED IN THE SENATE BY A DEMOCRAT SO I DEFINITELY THINK THIS IS SOMETHING AS BI-- HAAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, AT LEAST SOME.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE SEVERAL BILLS FILED IN BOTH CHAMBERS SO I'M VERY CONFIDENT.

I THINK THE FEELING IS BECAUSE IT'S TAX ISSUE, THAT IT SHOULD START IN THE HOUSE.

I DO EXPECT WE WILL START IN THE HOUSE AND LIKE I SAID, WE'RE JUST DISCUSSING TRYING TO FIND THE BEST APPROACH FOR THIS AND TRYING TO FIND A WAY THAT WILL GIVE THE MOST RELIEF TO TAXPAYERS ON THIS ISSUE.

>> WE'LL KEEP OUR EYE ON THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND THE OTHERS THAT AFFECT YOU AS WE MOVE ALONG THIS SESSION AND A QUICK CORRECTION BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT.

ON THURSDAY'S SHOW, I INADVERTENTLY REFERRED TO LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MILLER AS A DEMOCRAT.

THAT WAS NOT CORRECT.

HE IS A REPUBLICAN.

I APOLOGIZE TO HIM AND OUR VIEWERS FOR THAT ERROR.

THAT WILL DO IT FOR DAY 15 COVERAGE OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

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.

YOU CAN WATCH ON OUR KENTUCKY CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG.

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

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11 EASTERN, 10 CENTRAL FOR DAY 16 EDITION OF LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING