>> THE KENTUCKY SENATE PASSES A BILL THAT WOULD SET THE PROCEDURE FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO CALL ITSELF INTO SPECIAL SESSION.

EDUCATORS FROM WESTERN KENTUCKY ASK FOR HELP AFTER THE DECEMBER TORNADOES.

AND A PLAN TO COMBAT "PORCH PIRATING."

ALL ON DAY 17 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.

A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SET TO GO BEFORE VOTERS IN THIS NOVEMBER'S ELECTION WOULD GIVE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THE POWER TO CALL ITSELF INTO SPECIAL SESSION.

NOW, THE KENTUCKY SENATE HAS PASSED A MEASURE SETTING GUIDELINES FOR HOW IT CAN DO SO.

SENATE PRO TEM DAVID GIVENS CALLS HIS SENATE BILL 88 COMPANION LEGISLATION TO THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

HE EXPLAINS HOW THE LEGISLATION WOULD WORK, IF IT BECAME LAW.

>> AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE LANGUAGE IN THE BILL, WE WOULD BE LARGELY ADOPTING INTO STATUTE THOSE CONSTRAINTS THAT ARE FOUND IN THE CONSTITUTION AROUND THE NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN AN ODD NUMBERED YEAR, EVEN NUMBERED YEAR.

THE PROCESS BY WHICH WE RETURN THAT JOINT PROCLAMATION PROCESS AND MIRRORING AND I USE THE WORD MIRRORING BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT, MIRRORING SENATE BILL 88 THE LANGUAGE IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT RESTRICTS US TO SOLELY A MAXIMUM OF 12 LEGISLATIVE DAYS.

THIS LEGISLATION WOULD NOT BECOME LAW UNLESS THE VOTERS RATIFIED THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD BE ON THE BALLOT THIS FALL >> THE LEGISLATURE WOULD BE ABLE TO CALL ITSELF INTO SPECIAL SESSION WITH A JOINT PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND HOUSE SPEAKER.

THE ORIGINAL TEXT OF SENATE BILL 88 REQUIRED LEGISLATORS TO USE AT LEAST FOUR LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN EACH WEEK DURING A SELF-CALLED SPECIAL SESSION.

AN AMENDMENT BY LAWRENCEBURG SENATOR ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH CHANGES THAT LANGUAGE.

SHE EXPLAINS HOW HER AMENDMENT WORKS.

>> WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE A SESSION AND BE LESS THAN FOUR DAYS IN CALENDAR WEEK, AND AS I'M SITTING HERE AND WE ALL SAT HERE LAST SEPTEMBER, WE DID A SESSION IN THREE DAYS.

IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING OUR TAXPAYERS MONEY, IF WE CAN DO THE PEOPLE'S WORK IN THREE DAYS, WE SHOULD DO THAT AND NOT BE HERE FOR FOUR, AND SO THIS CLARIFIES THAT INSTEAD OF REQUIRING A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DAYS PER WEEK, WE'RE GOING TO JUST LIMIT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WEEKS IN A YEAR THAT WE COULD BE IN A SESSION AND THEREFORE YOU COULD USE THOSE IN ANY WAY >> THE FLOOR AMENDMENT WAS APPROVED BY THE SENATE ON A VOICE VOTE.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN MCGARVEY SAYS THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD TAKE MORE TIME TO CONSIDER THE MEASURE.

HE SAYS IT WILL DRASTICALLY ALTER HOW THE LEGISLATURE OPERATES AND COMPARED IT TO THE LEGISLATURES USE OF WAIVING THE REQUIRED READINGS FOR A BILL IN RECENT SESSIONS.

GRAYSON SENATOR ROBIN WEBB AGREES WITH MCGARVEY'S CRITICISMS.

SHE REMEMBERS WHEN THE LEGISLATURE WENT TO YEARLY SESSIONS AND COMMENTED ON THE IMPACT THAT MADE.

>> AND THIS THE KIND OF BILL, THE EXACT KIND OF BILL THAT NEEDS INPUT FROM THE MINORITY AND THE MAJORITY.

FROM YOUNG, FROM OLD, FROM PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT CAREERS AND DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AN DIFFERENT PLACES IN THE STATE.

TO RAISE PROCEDURAL CONCERNS THAT COULD COME UP BECAUSE OF THIS BILL LONG AFTER ALL OF US ARE NO LONGER IN THIS BODY.

WHAT HAPPENS TO A BILL -- TO A BILL WE INTRODUCE IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE OF THIS LEGISLATION?

IT CONTINUES.

IF IT'S HAD ITS READINGS, IT CONTINUES.

WE CAN CALL OURSELVES INTO A ONE-DAY SPECIAL SESSION, HAVE A BILL THAT HAS TWO READINGS DO A COMMITTEE SUB AT THAT COMPLETELY CHANGES THE MEANING OF A BILL, VOTE IT OUT IN ONE DAY WHEN THE GENERAL PUBLIC REALLY ISN'T PAYING ALL THAT MUCH ATTENTION TO WHAT WE'RE DOING IN AUGUST.

I CAN SEE THE UTILITY OF BILLS KEEPING THEIR NUMBERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IF WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK FOO SESSION, SHOULD THEY KEEP THEIR READINGS?

THIS IS A DEBATE THAT'S WORTH HAVING.

AND IT'S A DEBATE OVER REALLY SUBSTANTIVE MAJOR CHANGES INTO HOW THIS BODY OPERATES.

AGAIN LONG AFTER ALL OF US ARE NO LONGER SERVING.

YOU KNOW, WE PASS TOO MANY BILLS.

I KIND OF LIKE EVERY OTHER SESSION.

I WAS SORT OF WAS FOR ANNUAL SESSIONS, MR. PRESIDENT, WHEN I THOUGHT, WELL WE CAN CLEAN UP REGULATIONS, WE CAN BE RESPONSIVE.

WE CAN FIX SOME OF THE STUFF WE PUT OUT.

SO I THOUGHT ANNUAL SESSIONS MIGHT BE A GOOD THING.

LOOK WHAT THEY'VE MORE OFFED INTO THERE ARE MORE BILLS FILED, THERE ARE BAD BILLS PASSED.

OUR WOK PRODUCT HAS GONE DOWN.

I CAN'T HELP BE BUT BE FEARFUL IF WE COME BACK WE PASS TOO MANY BILLS NOW.

OUR CRIMINAL LAW BOOKS HAVE GONE FROM THIS TO THIS.

WE DON'T REPEAL ENOUGH, TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT.

TOO MUCH STUFF.

WE SIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT THAT ALL THE TIME.

SO MY BIG PROBLEM, MY BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THIS BILL, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE ABILITY FOR US TO REMEDY THINGS OR COME IN AND EXERT SOME OF OUR PRESENCE AND AUTHORITY UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, BUT THESE BILLS THAT CARRY OVER, I DON'T LIKE THAT.

SUBJECT IT MISCHIEF.

OUR COMMITTEE SYSTEM NEEDS TO WORK AND WORK PROPERLY.

AND IF WE CAN'T CONCLUDE BUSINESS IN THE TIMEFRAME THIS THIS COMMONWEALTH AND THIS BODY HAS DONE BUSINESS UP TILL NOW, WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM >> SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DAMON THAYER AND WINCHESTER SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO BOTH SAY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR'S RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WAS THE SPARK THAT LED TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BE VOTED ON THIS YEAR.

THEY CRITICIZED HOW THE GOVERNOR HANDLED THE PANDEMIC AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SENATE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR REGGIE THOMAS DISAGREES WITH THAT ASSESSMENT.

HE DEFENDED THE GOVERNOR.

>> I'M GOING TO REMIND EVERYBODY WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY.

BECAUSE DURING THE SUMMER OF 2020, THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMONWEALTH LOST THEIR MINDS OVER THE FACT THAT WE HAD A DICK FOR INVENTORYAL GOVERNOR WHO WAS ACTING UNILATERALLY WITHOUT LISTENING TO ELECTED PEOPLE'S BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

BUSINESSES WERE BEING CLOSED.

THE GOVERNOR MAKING DECISIONS ON WINNERS AND LOSERS.

>> THE DISDAIN THIS GOVERNOR HAS FOR THIS CHAMBER AND SENATE AND HOUSE.

THIS IS HIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN THE STATE.

HE DOESN'T WANT TO COMMUNICATE WITH HIS BOARD OF EDUCATION.

YOU WANT TO GET THINGS ACCOMPLISHED HERE, WE ALL KNOW THIS IS ABOUT TEAM WORK.

THERE'S SOMEONE WHO CALLS THIS PLACE TEAM KENTUCKY.

THERE'S ONLY THREE OR FOUR PLAYERS ON THAT TEAM.

HE RAN ON THE IDEA OF THIS DAY HAVING A -- STATE HAVING A NEW TONE.

REMIND MEMBER THIS THERE WAS A DIAL TONE AT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

WHEN HE WITH CALL AN CONTACT WE GET NO RESPONSE.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ISSUES.

HAVE COME TO US ASKING FOR HELP?

WE WE GO NOT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, NOTHING.

>> I THINK THIS GOVERNOR HAS SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN HIS WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH THIS LEGISLATURE.

TWO YEARS AGO NOW, TWO YEARS AGO.

I KNOW WITH REGARD TO PEOPLE I WAS IN CONTACT WITH, THEY WERE QUITE PLEASED AND APPLAUDED AND APPROVED OF THE GOVERNOR'S HANDLING OF COVID.

AS I SAID MANY TIMES TWO YEARS AGO NOW, I'M REPEAT MYSELF, I THOUGHT THE GOVERNOR'S HANDLING OF COVID-19 WAS QUITE WELL.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS RESULTS COMPARED TO HIS COLLEAGUES IN SOUTHERN STATES HE WAS AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE NUMBER OF COVID CASES.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS RECORD AMONG HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE SOUTH, HE HAD AMONG THE FEWEST DEATHS IN THE STATE COMPARED TO HIS COLLEAGUES >> SENATE BILL 88 PASSED THE SENATE ON A LARGELY PARTY-LINE VOTE, 28 TO 9.

LAWRENCEBURG SENATOR ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH WAS THE ONLY REPUBLICAN TO VOTE AGAINST THE MEASURE.

IT'S BEEN OVER A MONTH SINCE THE DEADLY TORNADOES STRUCK WESTERN KENTUCKY, KILLING 77 AND DECIMATING LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

THE HARDEST HIT AREAS ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH AND THEIR SCHOOL SYSTEMS NEED HELP.

SUPERINTENDENTS FROM THE MAYFIELD, DAWSON SPRINGS AND GRAVES COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEMS TESTIFIED BEFORE THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

THEY EXPLAIN WHAT IT WAS LIKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE NATURAL DISASTER AND THE CHALLENGES THEY'RE FACING OVER A MONTH LATER.

>> BASICALLY, TELLING US HE DIDN'T EVEN TRY TO GET A SCHOOL BUS BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY INJURED HE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH AMBULANCE TO SAY GET HIM TO THE HOSPITAL.

WE WERE GOING TO HAUL THE INJURED OR HURT TO THE LOCAL HOSPITALS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

LITTLE DID I KNOW THE TWO MILE DRIVE TO OUR BUS GARAGE AND AN HOUR LATER THAT I MY BUS GARAGE AND MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT TOOK A DIRECT HIT.

EVERY SCHOOL BUSY TOOK, APPROXIMATELY 2 IN OUR SCHOOL BUSES WERE INOPERABLE, SOME COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND THE BUILDING WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

AT THAT TIME I WAS ABLE TO GIVE HIM CONTACT INFORMATION TO MR.

THE SEUNT THE GRAY'S COUNTY AND HIS BUS GARAGE WAS SPARED FOR THE MOST PART AND WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE THE BUS TO BE ABLE TO TRANSPORT THOSE INJURED FOLKS TO THE HOSPITAL AND GET THEM HELP.

IMMEDIATELY I CALLED HIM BACK HEAD OF THE EM.

IS AND TOLD HIM I WOULD OPEN THE GYM UP.

I SAID PEOPLE ARE WALKING THE STRIETS.

THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.

OBVIOUSLY THE CANDLE FACTORY HAD OVER 100 EMPLOYEES IN THE FACTORY THAT NIGHT.

SEVERAL THERE WERE SOME FATALITIES BUT MANY WERE BEING PULLED FROM THE RUBBLE AND SENT TO THE GYMNASIUM AS A NEIGHBORING SHIFT TREE JACK >> MAYFIELD AND DAWSON SPRINGS BOTH HAD 29 STUDENTS LEAVE THEIR SCHOOL SYSTEM AFTER THE STORMS.

DAWSON SPRINGS SUPERINTENDENT LEONARD WHALEN CALLED THE AMOUNT OF HELP THEY'VE RECEIVED "IMMEASURABLE" BUT SAYS THE CHALLENGES WILL CONTINUE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

HE LAID OUT WHAT WOULD HELP HIS SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> WE MISSED 14 DAYS OF SCHOOL AND WE'RE BACK AT IT.

THOSE SAME PEOPLE THAT LOST IT ALL, WE MISSED 14 DAYS OF SCHOOL AND WE'RE BATTLING COVID JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

WE'RE ACTUALLY OUT OF SCHOOL TODAY AND TOMORROW BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO BE ABLE TO SERVICE OUR KIDS THE WAY THEY NEED IT.

BUT I WANTED THIS COMMITTEE TO KNOW WE'RE GOING TO NEED SOME HELP.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED SOME HELP FOR A WHILE.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A ONE OR TWO-YEAR DEAL.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF MONTH THROWN OUT THERE TO HELP BUT THAT'S GREAT.

MAYFIELD AND DAWSON SPRINGS AND SOME OTHER SUPERINTENDENT COLLEAGUES, WE'RE GOING TO NEED SOME FINANCIAL HELP FROM A SEEK STABILIZATION STANDPOINT AND ALSO FROM A TAX BASE STABILIZATION STANDPOINT.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT REALLY HADN'T BEEN TOUCHED ON IN A LOT OF THE DISCUSSIONS I'VE HEARD UP HERE, AND THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE STATUTELY BOUND SO WE NEED SPECIAL RELIEVE AND SOME STABILIZATION FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GET BACK ON OUR FEET AND TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE MAYFIELD SCHOOLS AND DAWSON SPRINGS SCHOOLS AND OUR SCHOOLS ARE VIABLE FOR A LONG TIME >> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED HOUSE BILL 5 EARLIER IN THE SESSION.

IT APPROPRIATES $200 MILLION TO RELIEF EFFORTS, WITH $30 MILLION GOING TO HELP SCHOOLS, RIGHT NOW.

THE SUPERINTENDENTS SAY THEY HAVEN'T YET RECEIVED THAT MONEY YET, BUT KNOW THEY WILL NEED ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO HELP THE SCHOOL SYSTEM - AND THEIR COMMUNITIES - HEAL.

>> IN LOOKING THROUGH THE BILL THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE FELT WERE MAJOR ISSUES AS FAR AS FUNDING.

NUMBER 1 TO THIS DAY SINCE THE TORNADO, I'VE LOST 30 KIDS.

YOU SAY THAT'S NOT MANY -- EXCUSE ME 29.

YOU SAY THAT'S NOT MANY.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE WAY WE'RE FUNDING THAT'S STATE LEVEL THAT'S APPROXIMATELY OVER $157,000 JUST SINCE THE TORNADO.

KEEP IN MIND I SAID EARLIER WE'RE BUSING 95 KIDS IN A DAY THAT DO NOT LIVE IN MY DISTRICT.

ONCE THOSE KIDS ARE PLACED IN HOMES SOMEWHERE WHICH IS NOT LIKELY IN MAYFIELD BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THE RESIDENCE THERE FOR THEM TO MOVE TO THEN OBVIOUSLY THERE'S GOING TO BE EVEN MORE AT THE END OF THE YEAR THAT I WILL NOT HAVE ATTEND MY SCHOOL IN THE FUTURE.

YOU SAY WHEREABOUT DO YOU COME UP WITH THAT NUMBER.

UP AND BEYOND THE -- IS WHERE AT THAT NUMBER CAME FROM.

THERE WILL BE MORE COME THERE.

MY ASK TO THIS COMMITTEE WOULD BE IS YOUR WORK TO TRY TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF HOLD HARMLESS ON THE ADA WITHIN THE SEEK FORMULA FOR UP TO 5 YEARS AND I KNOW THAT'S A BIG ASKING, AND I KNOW YOU GUYS YOUR BUDGET IS ONLY TWO YEARS.

I KNOW YOU CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH FROM AT THAT PERSPECTIVE.

OUR TOWN WILL NOT BE BACK TO WHERE IT IS BEFORE THE TORNADO IN 5 YEARS.

BUT I DO FEEL LIKE THAT THAT WILL BE AN AMPLE TIME FOR US TO AT LEAST HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE MOVING FORWARD >> SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS COMMENDED THE SUPERINTENDENTS ON WORK THEY'VE DONE TO HELP THEIR COMMUNITIES.

HE ASKED WHETHER THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO PLAN FOR WHAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL NEED IN THE FUTURE.

>> IS THERE ANY WAY YOU CAN GIVE US -- THIS JUST FROM THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE FROM THE CITY GOVERNMENT OR THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES -- KIND OF A TIMELINE YOU MAY HAVE OR THAT YOU ALL PUT OUT THAT YOU WILL START KNOWING WE WILL NEED BEYOND A I WHICH WE'VE DONE, WE WILL NEED B, C, D HAVE NEW ALL IN ANY WAY BEEN ABLE TO MAP THAT OUT?

IS IT TOO EARLY?

THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T JUST SAY HERE IS $200 MILLION.

WE HADN'T GOTTEN INPUT RIGHTFULLY SO.

YOU UNDERSTAND MY QUESTION?

>> PRESIDENT STIVERS I CAN'T SPEAK FOR MY COLLEAGUES BUT I CAN TELL YOU IN DAWSON SPRINGS, REALLY SINCE DECEMBER THE TENTH, EVERYTHING WE'VE DONE HAS BEEN REACTION AREA.

WE REACTED TO THE TORNADO.

WE DID THE TRIAGE.

WE DID ALL THOSE THINGS UP TO THE CULMINATION OF TRYING TO GET OUR STUDENTS A AND STAFF BACK IN SCHOOL.

EVERYTHING WE'VE DONE HAS JUST BEEN LOOKING FORWARD LITERALLY A WEEK OR TWO, TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS, THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.

THE QUESTION YOU ASK IS A GREAT ONE BUT HONESTLY IN DAWSON SPRINGS, WE'VE HAD NO OPPORTUNITY TO EVEN GIVE THAT ANY CONSIDERATION >> GRAVES COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD HEATH SPONSORED HOUSE BILL 5, AND HE MADE CLEAR WHAT HE HOPES WILL HAPPEN WITH THE MONEY FROM THAT BILL.

>> THROUGH THE CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD HERE IS MY VISION OF A POTENTIAL PROCESS WE NEED TO DISCUSS.

WHEN YOU BUILD A NEW HOUSE, YOU GO TO THE BANK, YOU BOROUGH THE MONEY AND THERE'S A X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS IN THERE ARE TO YOU TO USE AS THE NEEDS OCCUR.

AND AS THE HOUSE IS BEING BUILT, YOU'RE DRAWING ON THAT LINE OF CREDIT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PROCESS PUT IN PLACE SO OUR EDUCATION FOLKS AND NON-EDUCATION FOLKS AS THEY HAVE NEEDS, THE MONEY HAS BEEN EARMARK AND THEY CAN START DRAWING THAT MONEY DOWN ON THE AS-NEEDED BASIS TO COVER THEIR EXPENSES ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS.

I WILL THROW ONE QUICK EXAMPLE IN THERE MAYFIELD ELECTRIC AND WATER HAS AN ASK OF $24 MILLION.

I WILL BE GLAD TO EXPLAIN WHAT THAT COVERS.

THEY DON'T NEED IT ALL IN THE NEXT 6 MONTHS.

SOME THEY WON'T NEED BUT TWO YEARS FROM NOW.

IF WE COULD PUT PROCESS 'IN PLACE MONEY IS EARMARKED WITH SPECIFIC THINGS THEY CAN USE IT ON AND LET THE MONEY DRAWN DOWN AS THEY NEED IT >> SEVERAL LEGISLATORS SAY THEY WILL TAKE THE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING, SHARE IT WITH OTHER LEGISLATORS AND USE IT PREPARE BILLS FOR DISASTER RELIEF.

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS COULD RECEIVE ADDITIONAL HELP GETTING A POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, THANKS TO A BILL SPONSORED BY SENATOR DANNY CARROLL.

SENATE BILL 94 WILL ADD ELIGIBILITY TO THE WORK READY KENTUCKY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN COMPREHENSIVE TRANSITION PROGRAMS.

HE EXPLAINS HOW THE MEASURE COULD HELP KENTUCKY'S WORKFORCE.

>> THESE FOLKS ARE A VIABLE PART OF OUR WORKFORCE IN THE COMMONWEALTH, AND THEY CAN HAVE SUCH A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR EMPLOYMENT, THEIR COLLEAGUES, THEIR CO-WORKERS SO THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE FOLKS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS COMMONWEALTH, AND I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT WILL EXPAND THEIR OPPORTUNITIES FOR POST SECONDARY.

I CANNOT BEGIN TO TELL YOU THE IMPACT THAT THIS PROGRAM HAS ON STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, NOT JUST FROM A SOCIAL ASPECT BUT TRULY FROM AN EDUCATIONAL ASPECT.

IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

IT'S WORTH THE INVESTMENT >> THERE ARE CURRENTLY THREE COLLEGES WITH COMPREHENSIVE TRANSITION AND POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS TO HELP PREPARE SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS FOR THE WORKFORCE.

THEY'RE MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY AND BLUEGRASS COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR THE KENTUCKY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE, JOHNNY COLLETT, SAYS ONLY 6% OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO EXIT KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOLS ARE ENROLLED IN COLLEGE AFTER GRADUATING.

HE SAYS THE BILL COULD HELP GET MORE STUDENTS ENROLLED AND OPEN THE DOOR FOR ADDITIONAL FEDERAL AID.

>> THESE PROGRAMS WERE APPROVED WITH THE LAST AUTHORIZATION OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT BACK IN 2008 AND WHAT THESE PROGRAMS DO, THEY SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES WHO WANT TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION SO THEY CAN BETTER PREPARE FOR COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT AND FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING.

BASED ON OUR MOST RECENT DATA WE KNOW ONLY ABOUT 6%, 6% OF STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES WHO EXIT KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOLS ARE ENROLLED IN COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN THE YEAR THAT FOLLOWS.

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE HAS SERVED AS THE STATEWIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR THIS WORK SINCE ABOUT 2010 AND THE DUAL FOCUS OF OUR WORK IS THIS, THAT WE FOCUS ON ENHANCING AND IMPROVING CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT EXIST IN KENTUCKY.

WE ALSO SUPPORT INTERESTED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AROUND ESTABLISHING PROGRAMS LIKE THIS >> SENATE BILL 94 PASSED THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE 13 TO 0 AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

PORCH PIRATES - THE PEOPLE WHO STEAL PACKAGES DELIVERED TO FRONT DOORS - COULD FACE HIGHER PENALTIES.

SENATOR DAVID YATES SAYS PORCH PIRATING IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN HIS HOMETOWN OF LOUISVILLE.

BUT COMMON CARRIER AND DELIVERY SERVICES DON'T HAVE THE SAME PROTECTIONS THE UNITED STATES POST OFFICE DOES.

YATES AIMS TO CHANGE THAT WITH SENATE BILL 23, WHICH HE EXPLAINS TO THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

>> NO MATTER IN THE EVENT IT'S DELIVERED BY THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE IS A FELONY.

THERE'S A LOOPHOLE IN THE LAW.

AT THE TIME WE PASSED THIS SOME 40 YEARS AGO, WE DID THOT CONSIDER THE TYPE OF COMMERCE WE'LL HAVE TODAY.

THE INTERNET WASN'T THE AMAZON AND THE FED-EX AND OTHER DELIVERY COURIER SERVICES.

SO, THEY'RE TREATED DIFFERENT UNDER THE LAW TODAY.

THIS WOULD SIMPLY ADD IN, WHICH OTHER STATES HAVE DONE ORIGINALLY, IS THAT IT WOULD ADD IN IN LINE 16 THAT INSTEAD OF LIMITED TO UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE.

IT WOULD BE COMMON CARRIER OR DELIVERY SERVICE.

NOW, HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE HAD CONSTITUENT CONCERNS WITH PORCH PIRATES WITH THE THEFT ON THEIR PORCHES?

IT'S A VERY BIG ISSUE IN LOUISVILLE.

AN ISSUE TO THE POINT THAT I WORRY IT WILL ESCALATE.

I TALKED ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED OVER AND OVER AGAIN FROM THE THEFT ON THE FRONT PORCH WHETHER IT'S MEDICINE OR OTHER THINGS DELIVERED OR ITEMS IMPORTANT TO THEM, WHATEVER IT IS, ON HOW THEY MAY ACT.

THIS BRINGS IT ALL INTO COMPLY COMPLIANCE >> YATES SAYS SENATE BILL 23 WILL LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD BETWEEN CARRIERS LIKE FEDEX AND UPS WITH THE POST OFFICE.

WHILE THE MEASURE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, NORTHERN KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN WIL SCHRODER DID EXPRESS SOME HESITATION BEFORE VOTING YES.

>> WHEN I LOOKED AT THIS, YOU KNOW, LIKE YOU HAD MENTIONED I'M HESITANT TO START MAKING MISDEMEANORS FELONIES AND IF IT'S A $5 PACKAGE A FELONY CAN SEEM KIND OF STEEP.

WE FEEL LIKE OUR CRIMES REALLY NEED TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY WITH THE AMOUNT OF TIME PEOPLE SERVE AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

I'M HESITANT TO JUST BUMP SOMETHING UP WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE.

I THINK YOU'VE DISPLAYED THERE IS A GOOD CAUSE HERE.

I APPRECIATE YOU EXPLAINING TO ME THE SITUATION WITH RINGS COME INTO LOUISVILLE AND NEEDING WARRANTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE WHEN YOU CAN'T HAVE CERTAIN THINGS WITH MISDEMEANORS AND JUST BEING THAT CLOSE TO THE HOUSE, I THINK THAT'S PRETTY DIFFERENT, TOO, IT HEIGHTENS THE SERIOUSNESS >> SENATE BILL 23, THE LEGISLATION AIMING TO HALT PORCH PIRATING, PASSED THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE 10 TO ZERO.

THE KENTUCKY HOUSE TODAY CONSIDERED SENATE BILL 100, A BILL THAT EXTENDS AN EXISTING LAW REQUIRING MENTAL HOSPITALS AND LONG-TERM CARE CENTERS TO LET AN ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER VISIT A RESIDENT.

THAT "ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER" COULD BE A RELATIVE OR VOLUNTEER.

THIS COMES AFTER MANY PEOPLE WERE CUT OFF FROM LOVED ONES BECAUSE OF RESTRICTIONS DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC.

REPRESENTATIVE SHAWN MCPHERSON SAID HE'S SEEN THE EFFECTS OF THIS ISOLATION, FIRST-HAND.

>> AS AN OWNER OF A COUPLE OF ASSISTED LIVINGS AND GOING THROUGH THE COVID PROCESS, WITH HE SAW PRETTY QUICKLY THAT PEOPLE THAT DID NOT HAVE INTERACTION WITH THE OUTSIDE AND THEIR OWN PEOPLE, PHONE, FACEBOOK WAS GREAT AND THINGS BUT THAT WASN'T THE SAME.

SO WE DID EVERYTHING WE COULD DO TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

WE HAD PLEXIGLASS LIKE YOU STAND BEHIND NOW MR. SPEAKER.

WE HAD TENTS SET UP OUTSIDE.

WE DID PORCH VISITS, WE DID A LOT OF OTHER VISITS THAT WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE TO STAY INTERACTIVE WITH THEIR OUTSIDE PEOPLE.

I THINK THIS VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR RESIDENTS.

SO I WOULD URGE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL >> REPRESENTATIVE LYNN BECHLER SUPPORTS THE BILL, BUT SAID HE WAS CONFUSED BY ONE LINE IN IT.

ACCORDING TO HIM, THAT LINE SAYS FACILITIES DON'T HAVE TO ALLOW A CAREGIVER ACCESS ALL THE TIME.

>> THE THRUST OF THE BILL OBVIOUSLY IS TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO VISIT AND AS HAS BEEN SAID, THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THESE LONG-TERM FOLKS IN THE LONG-TERM FACILITIES IS VERY IMPORTANT.

MY CONCERN IS THAT LINE H THERE KIND OF DEFEATS THE THRUST OF THE BILL BECAUSE IT SPECIFICALLY SAYS THAT THE FACILITY DOES NOT HAVE TO DO THAT.

>> AGAIN, I THINK THIS QUESTION WAS BROUGHT UP AT THE END WAS WHO HAS CONTROL?

IN THESE FACILITIES A LOT ARE PRIVATELY OWNED, SOME ARE NOT.

WE DO WANT TO KEEP CONTROL OF WHO IS COMING IN AND WHO IS M COULDING OUT AND THE TIME FRAMES SO EVEN THOUGH WE WANT TO ALLOW THIS AND WE THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, WE DO WANT CONTROL, SO SO WE CAN PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS >> THE HOUSE PASSED SB 100, 94 TO 0.

A HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE WILL SEND IT BACK TO THE SENATE FOR FINAL APPROVAL OF THE HOUSE'S CHANGES.

BUSINESSES' UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE RATES WOULD BE FROZEN IN 2022, IF LAWMAKERS PASS HOUSE BILL 144.

THE BILL'S BACKERS SAY BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING FOR TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC'S ECONOMIC IMPACT.

THE BILL'S SPONSOR, REPRESENTATIVE RUSSELL WEBBER, SAYS THAT KENTUCKY BUSINESSES - SMALL BUSINESSES ESPECIALLY - NEED THIS HELP.

>> RIGHT NOW OUR BUSINESSES I CROSS THE COMMONWEALTH -- ACROSS THE COMMON WET BECAUSE OF OUR WORKFORCE ISSUES ARE PAYING HIGHER WAGES, WE HAVE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

I MEAN, THINK OF THE TIMES THAT MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE AND MYSELF HAVE WALKED INTO BUSINESSES TO PURCHASE THINGS AND YOU LOOK AT THE SHELVES AND YOU THINK THEY'RE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS.

SO THAT'S AN ISSUE.

WE HAVE INFLATION ON THE RISE.

WE HAVE BUSINESSES RIGHT NOW I TALKED TO AN EMPLOYER YESTERDAY, HE HAS THREE OPEN POSITIONS IN HIS COMPANY THAT PAY $45,000 A YEAR AND HE CAN'T GET ANYONE TO APPLY FOR THOSE POSITIONS RIGHT NOW.

A RECENT DECENT WAGE.

THIS IS A ONE-YEAR FREEZE THAT WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOW OUR BUSINESSES -- AND I'M GOING TO SAY SMALL BUSINESSES BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY THE BULK OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THE COMMONWEALTH RIGHT NOW, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

THAT THIS ALLOWS THEM TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN, MEET THESE COSTS THAT ARE STILL THERE, THOSE COSTS ARE STILL -- THOSE BILLS ARE STILL GOING TO HAVE TO BE PAID.

THIS GIVES THEM SOME BREATHING ROOM.

IF WE DON'T HAVE THESE BUSINESSES OPEN IN THE FUTURE, WE WON'T HAVE FOLKS PAYING IN TO THE TRUST FUND TO GET IT TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

AND SO I SEE THIS AS AN OVERALL STRUCTURE TOWARD HELPING US GET THERE.

OUR UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND HASN'T SOLVENT SINCE THEAN 74, ONLY ONE OTHER STATE HAS BEEN INSOLVENT LONGER THAN WE HAVE.

SO THIS IS A REASONED APPROACH TO GETTING US THERE AND KEEPING BUSINESSES OPEN SO THEY CONTINUE TO EMPLOY KENTUCKIANS AND MOVE US AHEAD >> THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BACKS THIS BILL.

THE CHAMBER'S KATE SHANKS DESCRIBED THE CURRENT BUSINESS CLIMATE.

>> THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES WE CONTINUE TO FACE IN KENTUCKY ARE SIGNIFICANT.

WE HAVE WELL OVER 100,000 JOBS OPEN IN KENTUCKY.

WE NEED TO GET OUR WORKERS BACK.

I THINK IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO FIND REALLY ANY EMPLOYER SECTOR OF ECONOMY THAT'S THOT STRUGGLING WITH OUR WORKFORCE SHORTAGES IN KENTUCKY.

WE AREN'T OUT OF THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE IN WITH THE PANDEMIC JUST IN THE SENSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY IT CREATES.

OF COURSE, WE'RE DEALING WITH A NEW VARIANT RIGHT NOW.

I THINK WE'RE AT 32% POSITIVITY RATE THESE DAYS, SO THE HOSPITALS ARE DEALING WITH THAT.

THEY'RE DEALING WITH WORKER SHORTAGES AS WELL.

IT'S CHALLENGING BUT I WILL SAY THERE'S GREAT I THINK OPTIMISM ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE IN KENTUCKY.

THERE'S BEEN SIGNIFICANT JOB GROWTH.

WHEN I TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY, I ALWAYS TALK ABOUT TWO SIDES OF AN EQUATION WHERE WE HAVE TO CREATE JOBS AND WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF THAT AND WE'RE SEEING SO MANY OF THE POLICIES THAT YOU ALL PUT IN PLACE OVER THE YEARS REALLY.

THE BENEFITS COME TO FRUITION ON THAT BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE THE WORKERS TO FILL THE JOBS.

WE NEED TO DEAL WITH BOTH SIDES OF THAT EQUATION IN ORDER TO TO ACHIEVE THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY WE KNOW WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS KENTUCKY.

THAT'S WHY WE'VE BEEN SO FOCUSED ON WORKFORCE.

THIS LEGISLATION AND OTHER LEGISLATION WE'RE WORKING ON THIS SESSION IS GOING TO BE DIRECTED AT US CONTINUING TO RECOVER FROM THIS PANDEMIC, THE ECONOMIC CRISIS THAT IT CREATED WHILE ALSO ADDRESSING THESE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES.

SO I THINK WHAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS IS PRETTY CONSISTENT WHAT WE'RE A HEARING ACROSS THE STATE.

SOME ARE STRUGGLE, SOME ARE DOING BETTER THAN OTHERS.

WE ARE SEEING STATEWIDE CHALLENGES WITH WORKFORCE >> SHANKS ESTIMATES THE BILL WILL SAVE BUSINESSES AN AVERAGE OF $70 PER WORKER.

THE HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE'S MEMBERS APPROVED THE MEASURE.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE OF DAY 17 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 8:30 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.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR