>> AN OMNIBUS ANTI-ABORTION BILL GETS A PUSH IN COMMITTEE.

COLLEGE STUDENT ATHLETES ARE A STEP CLOSER TO PROFITING FROM THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS CHANGES NARROWLY ADVANCE TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

SENATE DEMOCRATS FILE HATE CRIME LEGISLATION AND THE HOUSE ENDORSES A PLAN TO CLAMP DOWN ON CHARITABLE BAIL ORGANIZATIONS.

ALL THIS AND MORE ON DAY 38 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

A MULTIFACETED PRO-LIFE BILL MADE UP OF MEASURES FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSIONS IS AWAITING A FULL HOUSE VOTE.

ADVOCATES CHEERED IN COMMITTEE AND LATER AT A CAPITOL ROTUNDA RALLY AS A HOUSE PANEL TODAY APPROVED MORE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS EMBODIED IN AN OMNIBUS ANTI-ABORTION MEASURE.

CRITICS CONTEND IT WON'T STOP ABORTIONS FROM HAPPENING ALTOGETHER BUT PREVENT SAFE ONES.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE NANCY TATE OF MEADE COUNTY IS THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 3 THAT STRENGTHENS PARENTAL CONSENT OF MINORS SEEKING ABORTIONS AND TIGHTENS THE JUDICIAL BYPASS GUIDELINES, CODIFIES THE DISPOSAL OF TERMINATED REMAINS AFTER PREGNANCY LOSS, OUTLAWS MAILED ABORTION MEDICATION AND PROHIBITS TAXPAYER FUNDED ABORTIONS IN KENTUCKY.

A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SUSAN B. ANTHONY LIST IN WASHINGTON, D.C., TESTIFIED IN COMMITTEE TODAY THAT CHEMICAL ABORTIONS OR PREGNANCY TERMINATING PILLS ARE FRAUGHT WITH MEDICAL LANDMINES.

>> IT'S MOSH 50% OF ALL ABORTIONS NATION WIDE.

LAST WEEK THE INSTITUTE RELEASED NEW STATISTICS IT IS FOW 54% OVER HALF OF ALL ABORTIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

IN KENTUCKY CHEMICAL ABORTION HAS NOWT OUT PACED SURGICAL ABORTION THE IN KENTUCKY, CHEMICAL ABORTION WAS 51%.

THIS NEW FRONTIER HAS SNUCK UP ON STATES.

ABORTIONIST ACTIVISTS HAVE QUIETLY BUILDING A BUSINESS MODEL.

TARGET YOUNG WOMEN ON THEIR PHONES.

TO CLICK AND GET THE DRUGS BY MAIL.

THAT MAKES EVERY BATHROOM IN YOUR HOME OR THE DORM BATHROOM HAS BECOME THE NEW ABORTION CLINIC AS WE LIKE TO SAY >> THE DIRECTOR FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD ADVOCATES OF INDIANA AND KENTUCKY COUNTER ARGUED THAT MEDICAL RESEARCH FINDS THAT LEGAL ABORTION IS ONE OF THE SAFEST MEDICAL PROCEDURES WITH LOW MORTALITY AND COMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENTS.

>> NSKTD, THE OVERALL ABORTION COMPLICATION RATE IS APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES LOWER THAN THAT FOR WISDOM TOOTH EXTRATION AND ABOUT 3 TO 4 TIME LOWER THAN FOR A TONSILECTOMY.

STUDIES SHOW WOMEN IN THE U.S.

EXPERIENCE MAJOR COMPLICATIONS LESS THAN 1% OF THE TIME.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT NONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN THIS BILL ARE BACKED BY MEDICAL BEST PRACTICE OR SUPPORTED BY LEADING MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE RESTRICTIONS ON MEDICATION ABORTION DIRECTLY CONTRADICT THE FDA'S UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEDICATED MEDICATED ABORTION.

IN DECEMBER THE FDA FOLLOWED THE AVAILABLE SCIENCE AND RENOFD THE MEDICALLY UNNECESSARY REQUIREMENT THAT MEDICATION ABORTION BE DISPENSED IN PERSON.

DOES IN THE APPLY TO ANY OTHER DRUG AT THAT PATIENTS CAN TAKE AT HOME.

THIS CHANGE WAS BASED ON OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE, DECADES OF DATA AND CONSULTATION AND SUPPORT FROM MEDICAL EXPERTS IN THIS FIELD.

MEDICATION ABORTION IS A SAFE OPTION THAT GIVES PATIENTS MORE CONTROL OVER THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE >> HOUSE BILL 3 REQUIRES THE STATE TO PUBLISH THE NAMES OF ALL PHYSICIANS PROVIDING MEDICATION ABORTION.

ABORTION PROVIDERS WHO TERMINATE THE PREGNANCY OF A MINOR WITHOUT THE REQUIRED CONSENT WOULD BE GUILTY OF A CLASS D FELONY.

IT ALSO REQUIRES THE STATE TO ISSUE "BIRTH-DEATH" CERTIFICATES FOR ALL ABORTIONS.

ALL REPUBLICANS ON THE HOUSE VETERANS, MILITARY AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE, FORWARDING IT ON TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THERE ARE NEW RULES POSSIBLY FOR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT BAIL OUT INMATES INMATES EARNED APPROVAL FROM THE KENTUCKY HOUSE TODAY.

FORMER LAW ENFORCER JOHN BLANTON AND ATTORNEY JASON NEMES, BOTH HOUSE REPUBLICANS, ARE BEHIND HOUSE BILL 313 THAT KEEPS CHARITABLE BAIL ORGANIZATIONS FROM POSTING BAIL OF MORE THAN $5,000.

IT ALSO CLAMPS DOWN ON THE TYPES OF CHARGES FOR WHICH GROUPS CAN POST BAIL.

AMID CONSTITUTIONALITY CONCERNS, THE FINAL VERSION REMOVES REQUIREMENTS TO DISCLOSE THE NAMES OF DONORS WHO'VE CONTRIBUTED TO CHARITABLE BAIL GROUPS.

RENEWED INTEREST IN THE MEASURE CAME AFTER ACTIVIST QUINTEZ BROWN, SHOT AT LOUISVILLE MAYORAL CANDIDATE CRAIG GREENBERG, WAS RELEASED TWO DAYS LATER AFTER THE LOUISVILLE BAIL PROJECT POSTED A $100,000 BOND.

ONE OF THE BILL'S SPONSORS, REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BLANTON OF SAYS UNDER THE CURRENT BAIL GET OUT OF JAIL TOO EASILY.

>> WE HEARD TESTIMONY OVER THIS.

WE HEARD OF A FAMILY WHO LOST A SON FROM SOMEONE WHO HAD JUST BEEN BAILED OUT BY ONE THE BAIL PROJECT GROUPS.

HE WAS SHOT WALKING HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL.

WE HEARD OF A YOUNG TEENAGE GIRL JUST THE OTHER DAY WHO WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND A GUY THAT JUST THE DAY BEFORE WAS BAILED OUT BY THE BAIL PROJECT HAD COMMITTED A ROBBERY, STOLE A TRUCK, WAS DRIVING THE WRONG WAY DO YOU KNOW THE HIGHWAY, WRECKED AND HIT AND KILLED THIS YOUNG GIRL THERE IS NO GUARDRAILS.

THEY'RE INDISCRIMINATELY GOING AND BAILING PEOPLE OUT >> UNDER HOUSE BILL 313, CHARITABLE BAIL ORGANIZATIONS CAN'T POST BAIL FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE OFFENSES, OR COURT-ORDERED SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.

SUCH GROUPS WOULD HAVE TO RECORD AND PUBLICLY POST EXPENDITURES, THE ALLEGED OFFENDERS BEING BAILED OUT AND THEIR CHARGES AND SUBMIT THAT INFORMATION TO A LEGISLATIVE PANEL.

REPRESENTATIVE PAMELA STEVENSON OF LOUISVILLE SAYS THIS BILL MAKES IT HARDER FOR A POOR DEFENDANT TO BAIL OUT OF JAIL, WHILE DOING NOTHING SHE SAYS TO LIMIT A WEALTHY DEFENDANT FROM BAILING OUT, AND SHE SAYS IF SOMEONE IS A DANGER, THE JUDGE SHOULD KEEP THEM IN JAIL.

>> SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT ALLOWS PEOPLE WHO HAVE MONEY TO BAIL THEMSELVES OUT.

DON'T FIX A BROKEN LEGAL SYSTEM ON THE BACKS OF POOR PEOPLE.

IT'S CONSISTENT THAT WHAT MUST HAPPEN IS THAT WE MUST FIX THE SYSTEM.

IF WE NEED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE BAIL NOT BE SET, THEN LET'S DO THAT.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, DON'T PUNISH EVERY DAY WORKING PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE MINOR OFFENSES, GO TO JAIL FOR THREE DAYS AND LOSE EVERYTHING BECAUSE THEY WERE IN JAIL FOR THREE DAYS AND COULDN'T AFFORD BAIL >> OTHER OPPONENTS OF THE BILL SAID KENTUCKY'S BAIL SYSTEM NEEDS A FULL OVERHAUL, AND THIS IS ONLY A BAND-AID.

THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE TODAY, 76 TO 19.

SENATORS MORGAN MCGARVEY AND GERALD NEAL ANNOUNCED THAT THEY ARE FILING A BILL TO STRENGTHEN KENTUCKY'S HATE CRIME LAWS.

THE BILL WOULD INCREASE PRISON TIME IF A CRIME WERE PROVEN TO HAVE BEEN INTENTIONALLY COMMITTED BECAUSE OF RACE ETHNICITY, COLOR, RELIGION, DISABILITY, GENDER IDENTITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

MOREOVER, THOSE CONVICTED OF A HATE CRIME WOULD BE INELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE, PROBATION, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF EARLY RELEASE.

FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE VICTIMS OF THE 2018 JEFFERSONTOWN KROGER SHOOTING AND SARA WAGNER, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF LOUISVILLE, JOINED THE LEGISLATORS TO EXPRESS THEIR >> SUPPORT FOR THE BILL.

WE COMMIT A CRIME GNS AN AN INDIVIDUAL, IT HURTS A AN INDIVIDUAL.

WHEN YOU COMMIT A HATE CRIME YOU'RE ATTACK THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT'S ON THE BOOK NOW, WHICH IS CHARACTERIZED AS A HATE CRIME OR HATE CRIME LEGISLATION IS NOT EFFECTIVE IN ANY WAY.

IN FACT IT ADDS NOTHING.

THE LANGUAGE ADDS NOTHING TO OUR ABILITY TO ADDRESS THIS IN A PROPER WAY.

>> LAWS HAVE TO BE AMENDED TO CHANGE WITH THE TIMES.

AND WE HAVE TO DO SO HERE.

YOU CAN'T SAY THESE DON'T HAPPEN HERE.

THESE ARE JUST CASES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY MANY MORE THAT ARE UNREPORTED.

AND THEY'RE UNREPORTED BECAUSE THERE IS A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY HERE.

>> YOU FIRST HAVE BEEN TON VICTED OF UNDERLYING OFFENSE.

AFTER YOU'RE CONVICTED OF UNDERLYING OFFENSE, THEN THERE IS A SEPARATE PROCEEDING TO SEE IF YOU'RE GUILTY OF A HATE CRIME.

IF CONVICTED OF A HATE CRIME THERE ARE ADDITIONS TO YOUR SENTENCE.

GENERAL, THIS IS NOT JUST A CRIME AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL.

IT'S A CRIME AGAINST AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

>> FOR US TO HAVE APPROPRIATE JUSTICE FOR THE COMMUNITIES TO HAVE APPROPRIATE JUSTICE FOR US AS VICTIMS OF THE FAMILY TO HAVE APPROPRIATE JUSTICE, IT NEEDS TO BE THAT A HATE CRIME IS IDENTIFIED AND PEOPLE ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

>> WE NEED TO DETER THE PERPENDICULAR PERPETRATORS FROM COMMITTING CRIMES AND IF IT STOPS JUST ONE PERSON, THEN IT'S WORTH EVERY EFFORT.

WE KNOW THAT THE VICTIMS OR POTENTIAL VICTIMS NEED TO BE UNDERSTOOD, ACKNOWLEDGED AND HEARD, AND WE KNOW THAT WE NEED TO SPEAK LOUDLY IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY WHERE ALL MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY AND WE'RE ALL DESERVE TO LIVE NOT IN FEAR, NOT UNCOMFORTABLE AND NOT LOOKING OVER ANYONE'S SHOULDER.

>> THIS IS OUR HOME.

K R KENTUCKY IS OUR HOME.

IT'S YOUR PLACE.

WE HAVE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO WHAT WE MUST DO AND ARE OBLIGATED TO DO IN OUR HOME >> UNDER THE PROPOSAL, A CLASS A OR B MISDEMEANOR WOULD BE INCREASED BY AT LEAST HALF OF THE MAXIMUM IMPRISONMENT SENTENCE AND FINE THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS.

FOR A CLASS D FELONY, THE TERM OF IMPRISONMENT WOULD BE INCREASED BY ONE TO FIVE YEARS, A CLASS C FELONY WOULD BE INCREASED BY FIVE TO TEN YEARS, AND A CLASS A OR B FELONY WOULD BE INCREASED BY 10 TO 20 YEARS.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY PROPONENTS BACK A BILL CALLED THE "CHURCH IS ESSENTIAL" ACT THAT SECURED ANOTHER VICTORY TODAY IN THE KENTUCKY HOUSE.

SOMERSET REPUBLICAN SHANE BAKER IS THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 43.

MOTIVATION FOR THE BILL STEMS FROM GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR'S COVID-RELATED EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT TEMPORARILY SHUTTERED IN-PERSON RELIGIOUS SERVICES AT THE OUTSET OF THE VIRUS TWO YEARS AGO.

UNDER BAKER'S BILL, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS WOULD BE ABLE TO STAY OPEN AND OPERATE LIKE OTHER ESSENTIAL BUSINESS DURING EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS.

>> DURING THIS TIME, CHURCHES WERE SHUT DOWN.

AT THE SAME TIME BIG BOX RETAILERS, GROCERY STORES AND HOME IMPROVEMENT CENTERS REMAINED OPEN.

THIS WAS A DIRECT ASSAULT ON OUR GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS THAT ARE PROTECTED IN THE CONSTITUTION.

GOVERNMENTS SHALL NOT PROHIBIT THE FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION.

NOT ON GOOD DAYS, NOT ON BAD DAYS.

NOT WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING AND NOT DURING A PANDEMIC.

SECONDLY, THERE'S A BIBLICAL REASON.

HEBREWS 10:24 AND 25 LET US CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER IN ORDER TO STIRRUP LOVE AND GOOD WORKS, NOT FORSAKEN THE ASSEMBLY OF YOURSELVES TOGETHER AS IS THE MANNER OF SOME.

BUT EXHORTING ONE ANOTHER, LIFTING ONE ANOTHER UP AND SO MUCH MORE YOU SEE THE DATE APPROACHING.

THESE WERE DARK TIMES.

THESE WERE TIMES TO LIFT EACH OTHER UP, TO DRAW TOGETHER, TO HELP ONE ANOTHER >> REPRESENTATIVE BAKER'S MEASURE TO KEEP GOVERNMENT FROM RESTRICTING RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN EMERGENCIES WAS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE 83 TO 12 AND IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

A BILL THAT COULD HELP KEEP KENTUCKY'S BOURBON BUSINESS BOOMING PASSED A SENATE COMMITTEE TODAY.

SENATOR JOHN SCHICKEL, CHAIR OF THE SENATE LICENSING AND OCCUPATIONS COMMITTEE, IS SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 160.

HE SAYS THE BILL FIXES SOME LANGUAGE THAT WILL ALLOW DISTILLERIES TO RESUME WITH BARREL SELECT SALES.

CHRIS NOLAN WITH THE KENTUCKY DISTILLERS' ASSOCIATION SAYS THIS IS JUST ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION HIS GROUP HOPES WILL PASS THIS SESSION.

HE EXPLAINED TO THE COMMITTEE WHAT A BARREL SELECTION IS AND WHY IT'S COVETED.

>> BARREL PICKS ARE VERY UNIQUE.

IT'S THE PROCESS WHETHER IT'S A LIQUOR STORE OR A RESTAURANT OR BAR OR AN INDIVIDUAL CAN GO TO A DISTILLERY AND A DISTILLERY WILL PICK A HANDFUL OF BARRELS USUALLY 4 TO 10 OUT OF THE WAREHOUSE IN VARIOUS SPOTS AND YOU CAN TASTE FROM EACH BARREL.

THE CONSUMER THAT'S THERE TO PURCHASE A SINGLE BARREL, THAT'S WHY THEY'RE CALLED BARREL PICKS GETS TO TASTE FROM EACH BARREL AND GETS TO TASTE THE FLAVOR DIFFERENCES IN EACH BARREL.

THEN THEY DECIDE WHICH BARREL THEY WOULD LIKE TO BUY.

SO THEY PICK THE BARREL THAT HAS A UNIQUE FLAVOR THAT THEY LIKE AND THAT BARREL IS THEN BOTTLED AND ALL THOSE BOTTLES COME FROM JUST THAT ONE BARREL.

SO THAT'S WHY THEY ARE A BARREL PICK.

THEY'RE VERY POPULAR IN OUR INDUSTRY.

AND THE BOTTLE -- THE CONTENTS OF WHAT'S IN THOSE BOTTLES IS UNIQUE TO JUST THAT BARREL.

SO NO OTHER BOWSH ON IN THE WORLD WILL TASTE LIKE JUST IN A ONE BARREL >> SENATE BILL 160 UNANIMOUSLY PASSED THE COMMITTEE.

IT'S NOW HEADED TO THE FULL SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.

WHETHER ITS AUTOGRAPHS, TV COMMERCIALS OR FINDING STARDOM ON SOCIAL MEDIA, COLLEGE ATHLETES COULD SOON BE PAID FOR THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

IT'S AN ISSUE THAT THE SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 6 SAYS WAS FORCED ON THE STATE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE OF INACTION BY THE NCAA AND A RECENT U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING LEGALIZING NIL AND EMPOWERED STATES TO CREATE THEIR OWN RULES AROUND SPONSORSHIP DEALS FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES.

THE BI-PARTISAN MEASURE BY SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MAX WISE AND SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER MORGAN MCGARVEY HAS A FEW LEGISLATIVE HURDLES TO GO YET.

IT MADE A STOP TODAY IN THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

WE FEEL WE HAVE A MODEL PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT IS VETTED THROUGH OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

IT HAS THE SUPPORT OF OUR COLLEGE ATHLETES OF THE IT HAS THE SUPPORT OF OUR UNIVERSITIES.

IT PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY AND IT PROVIDES THE ABILITY FOR OUR COLLEGE ATHLETES TO SAY, WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND KENTUCKY IS HERE FOR YOU.

>> WE DO SAY THAT YOU CANNOT GET INVOLVED IN THE NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS BILL THAT LAST TO DO WITH SPORTS BETTING, CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, A SUBSTANCE NCAA FORBIDS, ADULT ENTERTAINMENT OR PRODUCTS OR SERVICES THAT WOULD BE ILLEGAL FOR THE STUDENT ATHLETE TO BE INVOLVED WITH AT THE TIME.

OTHER THAN THAT, THE INSTITUTION GETS TO SET WHAT THOSE POLICIES ARE.

AND SO THIS IS ONE WHERE WE'RE ALLOWING THE STUDENTS TO HAVE THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS TO PROFIT OF THEM, ALLOWING THE UNIVERSITIES TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, LEGAL SERVICES TO HELP THE STUDENTS INVOLVED IN THIS.

WE'RE MAKING SURE THIS IS A SAFE AND COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR KENTUCKY STUDENT ATHLETES >> KATIE GEORGE IS A FORMER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE VOLLEYBALL PLAYER AND MISS KENTUCKY USA 2015.

SHE EARNED A FULL RIDE AT UOFL AND WAS AN UNPAID INTERN AT A LOCAL TV STATION IN LOUISVILLE.

SHE TALKED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES SHE WAS DENIED A FEW YEARS AGO TO PROFIT FROM A MODELING GIG FOR A PILLOW COMPANY.

THE AD DIDN'T MENTION HER CONNECTION TO UOFL, AND SHE WAS PAID $3,000.

>> FAST FORWARD TWO YEARS LATER, I WON MISS KENTUCKY U.S.A.

IN JANUARY OF 2015.

THE PILLOW COMPANY CONGRATULATED ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SAYING HERE IS THE AD FROM TWO YEARS AGO.

WE'RE SO PROUD OF KATIE.

BEST OF LUCK AT MISS USA.

I GOT A CALL FROM LOUISVILLE COMPLIANCE OFFICE AT THE UNIVERSITY.

THEY SAID, WHEN DID YOU DO THIS?

I THINK I WAS FRESHMAN A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHY.

YOU DIDN'T ASK OUR PERMISSION.

I DIDN'T THINK I HAD TO ASK YOUR PERMISSION.

I DID IT ON MY OWN TIME.

IT DIDN'T INTERFERE WITH VOLLEYBALL OR SCHOOL.

WE SHOULD HAVE ALERTED NCA.

A.

WHAT DOES THAT MATTER YOU MADE MONEY OFF OF IT.

THEY PROBABLY ASKED YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE A VOLLEYBALL PLAYER.

NO THEY DIDN'T.

THAT WAS THE REASONING THEY GAVE ME SO WE HAD TO ALERT THE NCAA.

THEY THEN SAID, WELL BECAUSE YOU MADE MONEY OFF YOUR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS AND THAT IS NOT ALLOWED, YOU HAVE TO PAY THE MONEY BACK WHICH WAS $3,000 I DIDN'T HAVE AND THEY DECIDED INSTEAD OF PAYING IT BACK TO THE PILLOW COMPANY I WOULD HAVE TO DONATE IT TO A CHARITY OF MY CHOICE.

I DIDN'T HAVE THAT $3,000 SO MY PARENTS PULLED OWL THEIR CHECKBOOK AND DONATED $3,000 A CHARITY OF OUR CHOICE.

THEY RULED ME INELIGIBLE FOR THE SPRING OF 2015, WHICH DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A BIG DEAL BUT I DIDN'T GET TO COMPETE IN ANY OF MY SPRING TOURNAMENTS WITH TEAMMATES WHICH WAS DEVASTATED AT THE TIME.

I HAD TO DO 60 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE TO BE REINSTATED BY THE NCA A >> UOFL WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH JEFF WALZ TESTIFIED THAT THE BILL IS ABOUT MORE THAN WHAT IT CAN DO FOR STUDENTS.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL STUDENT ATHLETES, NOT ONLY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE BUT EVERY UNIVERSITY IN THE STATE.

WHO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND THIS BILL WILL ALLOW THEM TO DO MORE AND MORE OF THAT >> THE SPONSORS OF SENATE BILL 6 SAY THE MEASURE DOESN'T RESTRICT COLLEGE ATHLETES' FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO FREE SPEECH IF OR WHEN THEY MAKE POLITICAL EXPRESSIONS.

THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE ADVANCED THE NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS MEASURE, AND IT NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE.

JOBLESS BENEFITS FOR OUT-OF-WORK KENTUCKIANS ARE FACING A SEISMIC SHIFT UNDER A REFORM MEASURE THAT'S GAINING MOMENTUM.

HOUSE BILL 4 PASSED THE SENATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

THE MEASURE INCREASES JOB SEARCH REQUIREMENTS AND MOVES THE NUMBER OF WEEKS PEOPLE CAN COLLECT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TO A SLIDING SCALE BASED ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

THE SCALE WOULD RANGE FROM 12 WEEKS WHEN THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 4.5% OR LESS TO 24 WEEKS WHEN THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE EXCEEDS 10%.

SHEPHERDSVILLE REPRESENTATIVE RUSSELL WEBBER SAYS THE BILL >> THAT'S THE WORK SHARE PROGRAM.

A NUMBER OF FOLKS WERE EXCITED.

AFTER THE PRESENTATION THE CABINET MADE, I INVESTIGATED IT, LOOKED INTO IT, DID RESEARCH ON IT AND FOUND IT TO BE A WORTH WHILE PROGRAM THAT I THINK NEEDED TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS BILL.

27 STATES IMPLEMENT IT.

IT CAN HELP EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES.

THE WORKERS CONTINUE TO WORK.

A PORTION OF THEIR HOURS AND THEY RECEIVE A PORTION OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

THIS KEEPS THE WORKERS FROM BEING PERMANENTLY LAID OFF OR LOSING THEIR POSITIONS.

THIS PROCESS ALSO ALLOWS WORKERS TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THEIR EMPLOYER BENEFITS SUCH AS THEIR HEALTH CARE AND THEIR RETIREMENT SAVINGS.

AGAIN, THAT'S A WORTHWHILE PROGRAM.

I THINK IT HELPS THE WORKERS >> WEBBER SAYS 1974 WAS THE LAST TIME THE KENTUCKY UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND WAS SOLVENT AND SAYS HE HOPES HIS MEASURE HELPS TO STABILIZE THE FUND.

KATE SHANKS FROM THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS THE STATE NEEDS A MULTI-FACETED APPROACH TO ADDRESSING KENTUCKY'S LABOR SHORTAGE SO AS TO STAVE OFF LONG-TERM IMPACTS TO THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

>> A ROBUST ECONOMY IS NOT NOT SUSTAINABLE WITH NEARLY HALF THE WORKING AGE POPULATION IS NOT WORKING.

OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE IS NOT UNCERTAIN BECAUSE BUSINESSES DON'T WANT TO LOCATE OR EXPAND HERE.

OUR GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, LOW COST OF DOING BUSINESS, AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE ENERGY ARE ALL REASONS TO DO BUSINESS IN KENTUCKY BUT WE CANNOT BECOME KNOWN AS A STATE THAT IS SHORT ON WORKERS >> ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, KENTUCKY'S LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE - OR THE PERCENTAGE OF WORKING AGE ADULTS IN THE WORKFORCE - IS JUST UNDER 57%.

MEMBERS OF THE KENTUCKY AFL-CIO AND KENTUCKY COUNCIL OF CHURCHES SPOKE AGAINST HOUSE BILL 4.

THEY SAY THE BILL WON'T HELP WITH WORKFORCE SHORTAGES AND WILL HURT KENTUCKY'S MOST VULNERABLE.

>> WHAT RATIONALE CAN THERE BE FOR ENACTING A LAW THAT WILL HARM KENTUCKIANS ALREADY HANGING BY A THREAD?

WHAT RATIONALE CAN THERE BE FOR ENACTING A LAW FORCE NOR KENTUCKIANS INTO THE CATEGORY OF THE WORKING POOR.

SHOULD WE BE CONTENT WITH A SYSTEM WHERE ANYONE WHO WORKS REMAINS POOR?

ARE WE REALLY WILLING TO SACRIFICE OUR NEIGHBOR SO SOME OF OUR CORPORATE NEIGHBOR CANS PAY LOWER WAGES IN ORDER TO INCREASE PROFITS?

>> 41 STATES PROVIDE THE STANDARD 26 WEEKS MAXIMUM UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

AMONG THE 10 STATES WITH THE HIGHEST LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE, ONLY ONE HAS LESS THAN 26 WEEKS OF BENEFITS.

HB 4 PROPONENTS CLAIM THERE ARE OVER 140,000 JOB OPENINGS IN KENTUCKY.

INCREASING JOB SEARCH REQUIREMENTS THE NUMBER OF JOB OPENINGS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASE.

YET, AS OF DECEMBER, 2021, THE LATEST DATA AVAILABLE, THERE WERE ONLY 12,982 WORKERS RECEIVING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS, WHICH IS LESS THAN 1% OF THE WORKFORCE >> LOUISVILLE SENATOR DAVID YATES AND PIKEVILLE SENATOR PHILLIP WHEELER ASKED HOW THIS BILL COMPARES WITH OTHER STATES.

DUSTIN PUGEL, A POLICY ANALYST WITH THE KENTUCKY POLICY, TOLD THEM WHAT HIS RESEARCH SHOWS.

>> HOW WOULD RATE IT ON HISTORICAL BASIS.

>> EAR' MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH A LARGE DEPOSIT MADE LAST YEAR IN PAYING BACK THE LOAN AS WELL AS STRONG CORPORATE HEALTH IN PAYING INTO IT.

THE OTHER THING TO CONSIDER, THOUGH, IS THAT THE TAX RATE AS A PERCENT OF PAYROLL IS THE LOWEST IT HAS BEEN IN THE 83 HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM.

IT IS AS LOW NOW AS IT HAS EVER BEEN.

>> SO WOULD THIS BE ONE OF THE MOST STRINGENT STANDARDS FOR ANYONE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> SIX WEEKS IS HALF AS STRICT AS ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY, ABSOLUTELY.

>> YOU CAN GET A JOB WHERE SHE CAN FLIP BURGERS.

WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A FAMILY WHO IS HAVE BUDGET, MORTGAGE, CHILDREN, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO GO AND SUPPLEMENT THAT INCOME?

IN IS SHORT-SIGHTED AND LET ALONE THE THEORY ENCOURAGE MORE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION, ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE FOR THAT THEORY BUT IT'S BEEN PROVEN WRONG.

THIS ISN'T ONE WE CAN PLAY IGNORANT.

WE'RE VOTING AGAINST OUR WORKERS.

>> WE'VE JUST COME OUT OF A TWO-YEAR PANDEMIC IN WHICH WE SAW WHAT THE RAVAGES OF LACK OF EMPLOYMENT DID TO OUR OUR COUNTRY IN TERMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, IN TERMS OF MENTAL HEALTH, IN TERMS OF AFFECTS ON CHILDREN AND THEIR EDUCATION AND EFFECTS OF TAKING THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKIANS, MILLIONS OF PEOPLE OUT OF THIS COUNTRY OUT OF WORK.

SO OUR ANSWER TODAY FROM HOUSE BILL 4 IS THAT NOW WE WANT TO CUT THOSE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS?

I MEAN, I HAVE IT AGREE WITH THE PASTOR THAT SPOKE, THAT THAT'S IMMORAL.

THAT'S JUST PLAIN RIGHT IMMORAL >> AFTER THOMAS EXPLAINED HIS VOTE, REPUBLICAN PHILLIP WHEELER VOICED SIMILAR OBJECTIONS.

WHEELER CALLS THE BILL INHUMANE.

>> I MEAN, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE FACT THAT I JUST -- I'VE SEEN MY OWN REGION ABSOLUTELY DECIMATED THE POPULATION DOWN TURN OF ITS INDUSTRIES AND YET I FAIL TO SEE THIS CHAMBER EVER TO STEP UP FOR EASTERN KENTUCKY IN RURAL AREAS.

I SEE POLITICAL CORRECTNESS BUT I NEVER SEEN OFFICE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT OR ANY TYPE OF EFFORTS TO PROMOTE JOB GROWTH.

I SEE PROMOTION OF OUT SOURCING LOSS OF AK STEEL HURT OUR COAL INDUSTRY AND MANY THAT HAVE BEEN THE BACK BONE OF RURAL KB IN AMERICA.

HERE WE ARE AGAIN TODAY TO PUNISH THEM ONCE MORE FOR JUST TRYING TO EEK OUT A LIVING AND BECAUSE THEY LOVE THEIR HOMES.

>> THIS IS A TERRIBLE BILL AND I CANNOT SUPPORT IT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE >> HOUSE BILL 4 PASSED THE SENATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM COMMITTEE 6 TO 4.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

MORE DEBATE ON LABOR SHORTAGES CAME ON THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY AS SENATE REPUBLICANS CRAFT A PLAN AIMED AT FILLING THE NEARLY 10,000 NURSING VACANCIES ACROSS THE STATE.

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS TESTIFIED LAST WEEK THAT THE OPENINGS ARE TAKING A TOLL ON EXISTING STAFF WHO ARE PICKING UP THE SLACK.

SENATE BILL 10 - SPONSORED BY HENDERSON SENATOR ROBBY MILLS - IS AN ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM.

THE LEGISLATION EASES THE PROCESS FOR OUT-OF-STATE AND FOREIGN-TRAINED WORKERS TO START WORK IN KENTUCKY, IMPROVES ACCESS TO NURSING PROGRAMS BY REMOVING ENROLLMENT LIMITS AND ENTRY BARRIERS AND MAKES CHANGES TO THE BOARD OF NURSING'S MEMBERSHIP.

MILLS EXPLAINED HIS BILL ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> THE IDEA OF THESE CHANGES ARE TO ALLOW QUALIFIED NURSES TO GET TO WORK QUICKLY IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY AND TO REMOVE ANY RED TAPE THAT COULD BE SLOWING DOWN THE LICENSE APPROVAL.

MR. PRESIDENT, THE SECOND THING THAT SENATE BILL 10 DOES, SENATE BILL IMPROVES ACCESS TO NURSING PROGRAMS.

BY REMOVING ENROLLMENT LIMITATIONS PLACED UPON OUR NURSING PROGRAMS AND OF COURSE THIS WAS WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING THAT ARE PROVIDED IN THESE NURSING PROGRAMS >> SENATE BILL 10 PASSED THE SENATE 36 TO 0 AND NOW MAKES ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 38 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 AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 EASTERN, 10:00 CENTRAL FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING I'M RENEE SHAW.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT, AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON.