>> Renee: State lawmakers take on COVID restrictions, vaccinations and masking.

College sports stars can make deals and get paid for their name, image and likeness.

A second anti-abortion measure surfaces, and the sponsor of a bill to legalize medical marijuana believes he's got the right plan and it's the right TIME, HE SAYS, TO PASS it All those issues and more as we recap week 11 of the Kentucky general assembly in regular ses Good evening, everyone.

Welcome to "Legislative Update."

I'm Renee Shaw.

COLLEGE STUDENT ATHLETES ARE ABLE TO PROFIT OFF OF THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS AS THE GOVERNOR SIGNED INTO LAW A MEASURE CODIFYING THE EXECUTIVE ORDER HE'D ISSUED LAST SUMMER.

SURROUNDED BY A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS AND AN IMPRESSIVE LINE-UP OF COLLEGE COACHES AND PLAYERS, BESHEAR SIGNED SENATE BILL 6 THAT ALLOWS ATHLETES TO MAKE AND GET PAID FOR ENDORSEMENT DEALS.

THERE ARE SOME RESTRICTIONS ON NIL AGREEMENTS.

PLAYERS CAN'T ADVERTISE FOR GAMBLING, ALCOHOL OR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.

COACH JOHN CALIPARI HAS SAID KENTUCKY'S LEGISLATION IS A NATIONAL MODEL.

THE STAGE IS ALMOST SET FOR STATE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS AS THE SENATE PASSED ITS VERSION OF THE TWO-YEAR EXECUTIVE BRANCH BUDGET.

THE PLAN PROPOSES RAISES FOR STATE WORKERS, STATE TROOPERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS, ALONG WITH RENOVATIONS TO THE STATE CAPITOL AND REHAB OF THE STATE PARKS.

HERE'S SENATE BUDGET CHAIRMAN CHRIS MCDANIEL BREAKING DOWN THE PROPOSED RAISES FOR STATE WORKERS, MOST OF WHOM HAVEN'T SEEN A RAISE ISN'T IT 2006.

>> WE ARE REACHING A MOUNT OPERATIONALLY WHERE OUR STATE WORKFORCE HAS FOR MOST EMPLOYEES BEEN OVER 15 YEARS WITHOUT A RAISE.

WE HAVE LOST AND CONTINUE.

TO LOSE SOME OF THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST TALENT IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

THEREFORE, THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN THIS BUDGET IS IMPROVING THE WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR THE COMMONWEALTH STATE EMPLOYEES.

FOR THIS BUDGET HAS A 10% RAISE IN YEAR 1 ONE AND A 10% RAISE IN YEAR TWO FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

NOW, ON TOP OF THAT WE WERE WORRY ABOUT SOME OF THE MID AND LOWER LEVEL EMPLOYEES WHERE WE ARE SEEING A GREAT DEAL OF ATTRITION, SO WE TOOK THAT 10% IN YEAR ONE, AGGREGATED THE DOLLARS AND DIVIDED IT BY THE TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES TO COME UP WITH AN EVEN DOLLAR FIGURE SPREAD ACROSS THE WORKFORCE WHICH WORKS OUT TO AN APPLIED ACROSS-THE-BOARD RAVES $4,500 PER EMPLOYEE.

WHAT THIS MEANS IS THE IF YOU'RE AN EMPLOYEE MAKING LESS THAN $45,000 PER YEAR, YOU WILL SEE MORE THAN A 10% RAISE.

IF YOU ARE MAKING MORE THAN $45,000 PER YEAR, YOU WILL SEE LESS THAN 10%.

YEAR TWO OF THE BUDGET BEGINS TO ADDRESS THE WORK ENVIRONMENT QUESTION AS PART OF THE RAISES.

WE ARE REQUIRING THE PERSONNEL CABINET TO MAKE POSITIONAL AND GEOGRAPHIC RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHICH WE WILL THEN USE TO ASSIGN SPECIFIC DOLLARS TO THOSE POSITIONS NEXT YEAR.

>> Renee: THE SENATE ERGAS VERY OF THE BUDGET TAKES INTO ACCOUNT PROPOSED STATE INCOME TAX REBATES OF $500 OR $1,000 TO KENTUCKIANS.

THE PLAN ALLOTS $15,000 RAISES EACH YEAR FOR STATE TROOPERS AND GIVES AN ADDITIONAL $215 MILLION TO STATE POLICE PENSIONS.

IT RAISES BASE PER PUPIL FUNDING IN K THROUGH 12 TO $4,100 THE FIRST YEAR OF THE BIENNIUM AND $4,200 IN THE SECOND YEAR.

HIGHER EDUCATION WOULD SEE $97 MILLION EACH YEAR FOR PERFORMANCE-BASED FUNDING, A $4 PER DAY PER DIEM INCREASE WOULD GO TO LOCAL JAILS BECOMES $250 MILLION EACH GOES TO THE STATE PARK SYSTEM UPGRADES AND RENOVATIONS OF THE STATE CAPITOL.

SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER MORENO McGARVEY SAID WHILE THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS WITH THE GOP PLAN -- >> THERE ARE ALSO SOME THINGS IN THE BUDGET WE LIKE.

FOR INSTANCE, AS IT COMES TO EDUCATION, THERE'S SOME GOOD FUNDING IN HIGHER EDUCATION BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE SEEK FORMULA MIGHT HAVE BEEN REDUCED IT.

LOOKS LIKE FULL-DAY, FUNDING FOR DUHL FAY KINDERGARTEN IN THE HOUSE BUDGET WAS PULLED OUT AND, OF COURSE, THERE'S NOTHING IN IT FOR UNIVERSAL PRE-K EVEN THOUGH WE CLEARLY HAD THE MONEY IN THIS BUDGET TO FIND IT.

WE'RE STILL LOOKING.

WE'RE STILL LOOKING THROUGH THE BUDGET, BUT THE REALITY IS THIS BUDGET IS ONE THAT HAS NOT STOPPED.

WE HOPE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE INPUT.

>> Renee: THE SENATE REVISED HOUSE BILL 1 PASSED THE SENATE 30 TO 6.

THE HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO REJECT THE BUDGET PLAN BY THE UPPER CHAMBER SETTING THE STAGE FOR NEGOTIATIONS BY A SELECT GROUP OF LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH CHAMBERS AND PARTIES.

A PLAN TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL CANNABIS FOR CERTAIN SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS IS BACK IN CIRCULATION.

THURSDAY NIGHT, A LEGISLATIVE PANEL ADVANCED, WITH MINIMAL OPPOSITION, REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMES AS HOUSE BILL 136 THAT PROVIDES A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR MEDICINAL MARIJUANA.

I TALKED WITH REPRESENT I THINK NEMES TODAY ABOUT HIS BILL IN OUR CAPITOL ANNEXATION STUDIOS.

HOUSE BILL 136, IS THIRD TIME THE CHARM?

>> I HOPE IT IS.

I HOPE.

>> IT IS YOU SEEM MORE OPTIMISTIC THIS TIME AROUND YOU.

SAID IN COMMITTEE HEARING ON THURSDAY NIGHT THAT THIS WAS THE RIGHT BILL AT THE RIGHT TIME.

WHY IS IT DIFFERENT THAN OTHER ITERATIONS?

AND WHY THIS JEER BETTER THAN PREVIOUS SESSIONS?

>> WELL, TWO YEARS AGO WE PASSED IT WITH ALMOST 70% OF VOTES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EXIT WENT OVER TO THE SENATE BUT DIED A COVID DEATH.

I'M NOT SAYING I.

WOULD HAVE PASSED BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY THAT IT NEEDED.

AND SO WE'VE TAKEN THOSE TWO YEARS AND EDUCATED PEOPLE.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PEOPLE, A LOT OF THE TIMES THEY HAVE A WALL IN FRONT OF NEM, AND THEN YOU CAN PIERCE THE WALL WITH FACTS AND WITH STORIES FROM CONSTITUENTS, AND PEOPLE CHANGE.

AND LIKE I SAID YESTERDAY, THE DEBATE OVER WHETHER IT HELPS PEOPLE IS OVER TIME NOT SAYING IT HELPS EVERYTHING.

IT'S NOT A PANACEA.

IT DOESN'T SOLVE ALL THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS BUT THE DEBATE ON WHETHER IT HELPS SOME PEOPLE IS OVER.

THE DEBATE BECOMES IS THIS A BILL THAT PEOPLE CAN SUPPORT.

ONCE I GET INSIDE THE DOORS, THE OFFICES AND TELL THEM, HERE'S WHAT'S IN THE BILL AND HERE'S WHAT'S NOT, PEOPLE, MOVING.

>> SO LAST NIGHT OR THURSDAY NIGHT WHEN THIS BILL PASSED, THERE WAS ONLY ONE NO VOTE FROM REPRESENTATIVE KIM MOSIER WHO WAS EXPRESSED HER OBJECTIONS TO IT BEFORE.

EVEN BEFORE IT CAME UP THIS TIME.

AND SHE BELIEVES IN MORE RESEARCH.

SO WHEN YOU SAY IT'S INDISPUTABLE ALMOST THAT MEDICAL MARIJUANA HAS EFFECTIVE AND SAFE TREATMENT POWERS, SHE STILL IS NOT CONVINCED.

ARE THERE FOLKS IN THE SENATE WHO ALSO NEED TO BE CONVINCED AS SHE DOES?

>> THERE ARE, BUT LET ME TALK ABOUT KIM MOSIER.

KIM MOSIER AS SHE SAID LAST NIGHT, WE'RE NOT AS FAR APART AS WE WERE BEFORE.

SHE AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING A LOT RECENTLY AND SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT THE DEBATE IS OVER ON WHETHER IT HELPS SOME PEOPLE AS WELL.

SHE WANTS RESEARCH ON THE DOSAGE AND THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF.

>> AND WHY IS THAT NOT ADDRESSED IN THE BILL?

>> THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DOSAGE SITUATIONS, AND BY THE WAY THE THC LEVELS IS ADDRESSED IN THE BILL.

WE STOLE IT FROM OHIO.

BUT THE PARTICULARS ON HOW A PARTICULAR PHYSICIAN TREATS A PARTICULAR PATIENT BE WITH THAT'LL BE, YOU KNOW, WORKED OUT JUST LIKE IT IS WHEN THEY TREAT -- TAKE THIS MEDICATION AS NEEDED.

SO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WITH THE KENTUCKY BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE WHICH IS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE DOCTORS AND THE INDIVIDUAL PHYSICIAN WILL WORK THOSE THINGS OUT.

SO I RESPECT HER POSITION BUT SHE'S MOVED, ALSO.

DR. DANNY BENTLEY HAS MOVED AS WELL AND WE'LL SEE HIM SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE BILL ON THE FLOOR WHICH WE HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE.

WE HAD TWO PEOPLE TURN YESTERDAY AND VOTED YES, AND THAT WAS JENNIFER DECKER FROM SHELBY COUNTY AND JOE FISHER FROM CAMPBELL COUNTY, AND SO WHEN PEOPLE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM THE THEIR CONSTITUENTS, THAT OPENS THEIR MIND AND OPENS THEIR HEART, AND THEN WHEN THEY HEAR WHAT IS ACTUALLY IN THE BILL AND, AS IMPORTANTLY WANT EVER, AS NOT IN THE BILL PEOPLE START MOVING.

>> ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES, CHAD McCOY I. COY, SAID DURING THE EXPLANATION OF VOTE THAT HE SAYS -- I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW HE FILLETS PARADED IT.

HE HATED THE BILL BECAUSE HE TELL THE FELT IT WAS TOO RESTRICTIVE.

TELL US HOW HE BELIEVES IT WAS TOO RESTRICTIVE EVEN THOUGH IT'S MORE POLITICAL PALPABLE TO OTHERS.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH HIM.

IF YOU ASKED ME DO YOU LIKE THE BILL?

I WOULD SAY I DON'T EVEN LIKE MY BILL BECAUSE IT IS TOO RESTRICT HAVE ANY IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.

UP WITH WAY CHAD THINK IT IS ICE RESTRICTIVE IS THE PHYSICIAN AND PATIENT SHOULD DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES.

THE IF FOYER QUALIFYING CONDITIONS ARE EPILEPSY, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, CANCER TREATMENT, AND THEN CHRONIC DEBILITATING PAIN, AND THEN WE MAY ADD PTSD.

THERE'S A FLOOR AMENDMENT TO ADD PTSD WHICH I WILL IDENTIFY AS A FRIENDLY AGREEMENT.

AND CHAD AND I AGREE IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE PHYSICIAN AND THE PATIENT, BUT IN ORDER TO GET A VOTE THAT IS ONE OF THE CONCESSIONS I HAD TO MAKE.

WHY THOSE INDIVIDUAL FOUR?

BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT THE SCIENCE IS COMPLETELY SETTLED ON, AND I THINK MOST PHYSICIANS WOULD EVEN AGREE WITH THAT.

THERE ARE SOME LIKE KOREANS DISEASE THAT I STRONGLY BELIEVE OUGHT TO BE INCLUDED.

CROHN'S DISEASE.

SOME PEOPLE WITH CROHN'S DISEASE, NOT EVERYBODY PUT SOME PEOPLE WITH CROHN'S DISEASE HAVE DEBILITATING PAIN BUT NOT EVERYBODY DOES, AND THE GASTROENTEROLOGISTS THAT I SPEAK TO SAYS IT HAD SHOULD BE INCLUDED.

IT'S NOTE.

>> DOES THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN, DOES IT ALLOW FOR OTHER AILMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WOULD IT STATUTORY REMEDIES.

>>ERS.

>> A BOARD PUTTED TOGETHER DOMINANT BY PATIENCE BUT IT ALSO HAS INPATIENT ADVOCATES, THAT BOARD CAN ADD OR TAKE AWAY.

>> SO DOES THIS MEAN THAT PEOPLE CAN SMOKE POT?

>> NO, ARE THERE NO SPOKING IN THE BILL.

YOU CAN TAKE IT BY OTHER MEANS.

ARE THERE NO GUM IS AND THINGS THAT ARE ATTRACTIVE TO CHILDREN.

WE WERE VERY STRICT ABOUT THOSE TYPES THINGS.

YOU CAN TAKE IT IN TINCTURES AND PILLS AND OILS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

BUT THERE IS NO SMOKE, AND THERE'S NO SELF-GROW, EITHER.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEM'S HOUSE BILL 136 STRANDS FROM THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THURSDAY NIGHT ON A 15 TO 1 VOTE.

NEM SAYS HOPEFUL FOR A HOUSE FLOOR VOTE NEXT WEEK.

AT MID-WEEK IS THE SENATE PASSED A MEASURE AIMING TO PROTECT KENTUCKIANS FROM WHAT SENATOR PAUL HORNBACK CALLS INTOXICATING HEMP PRODUCTS.

SENATE BILL 170 WOULD PREVENT THE SALE OF HEMP PRODUCTS CONTAINING THE DELTA-8 SUBSTANCE.

DELTA-8 THC HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE FDA FOR SAFE USE AND CAN SAUCE PSYCHOACTIVE EFFECTS.

HORNBACK SAYS PRODUCTS DIDN'T CONTAINING DELTA CAN CAN CURRENTLY BE BOUGHT OVER THE COUNTER IN KENTUCKY.

>> EVERY PROCESSOR THAT I'VE MET WITH IN THIS STATE HAS AGREED IT CAN BE A HALLUCINOGENIC, IT CAN BE INTOXICATING, IT CAN BE TOXIC TOXIC.

AND, FOLKS, WE'RE SELLING THAT NOT BEHIND THE COUNTER, NOT WITH LABELING, NOT WITH AGE RESTRICTIONS.

WE'RE SELLING THIS PRODUCT, INTOXICATING, HALLUCINOGENIC, TOXIC, SOME OTHER PROBLEMS WITH IT, WE'RE SIGNATURE OVER THE COUNTER TO ANY CHILD OR ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO COME IN TO BUY IT.

TEN YEARS OLD, EIGHT YEARS OLD, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.

IT'S A WILD WEST OUT THERE.

>> Renee: WHILE HORNBACK SAYS THE STATE SHOULD WAN ALL INTOXICATING HEMP ASIANS EVER VARIANTS, LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT DAVID YATES SAID THE BILL WOULD JUST STOP GOOD ACTORS FROM WORKING.

IN KENTUCKY AND CREATE A BLACK MARKET FOR THE PRODUCT.

HE SAYS THE STATE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO REGULATE THE PRODUCTS, NOT BAN.

>> IF THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH IT BEING SOLD TO MINORS IN SOME WAY THEN HE REGULATE THAT.

THE WHOLE ISSUE AND THE ISSUE WITH THE MARIJUANA IS THAT OUR REGULATION IS NON-EXISTENT.

WE JUST SAY ICE ILLEGAL.

WE CRIMINALIZE IT, BURY OUR HEAD IN THE SAND UNDERSTANDING THERE'S A MARKET FOR IT.

IN THE EVENT WE ENSURE THAT LAW ABIDE YOU CAN CITIZENS CAN BUY THESE PRODUCTS THEN WE CAN ACTUALLY REGULATE.

I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND WHAT MY COLLEAGUE, HIS WORRIES, CONCERNS WITH THIS IS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I BELIEVE WE'RE JUST HEADING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 170 PASSED THE SENATE 23 TO 13 ON WEDNESDAY.

IT'S NO IN THE POSSESSION OF THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

A RAFT OF COVID-RELATED MEASURES AIMED AT MASK MANDATES, BANNING PROOF OF VACCINATION, ENDING THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY DECLARATION, AND BYPASSING EMPLOYER-MANDATED VACCINATIONS ALL MOVED FORWARD THIS WEEK.

A RESOLUTION IMMEDIATELY ENDING THE GOVERNOR'S COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY ONCE IT BECOMES LAW WAS SENT TO GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR'S DESK.

IF HE VETOES IT, THE SUPER MAJORITIES IN BOTH CHAMBERS HAVE ENOUGH VOTES TO OVERRIDE SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 150 ALSO REQUIRES THE GOVERNOR TO GET PERMISSION FROM STATE LAWMAKERS BEFORE DECLARING ANOTHER COVID EMERGENCY.

A BILL THAT WOULD BAN MASK MANDATES IN KENTUCKY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES IS NOW UP TO THE SENATE TO DECIDE ON AFTER THE HOUSE PASSED IT THIS WEEK 56 TO 35.

THE BILL'S SPONSOR, CRITTENDEN COUNTY REPUBLICAN LYNN BECHLER, SAYS IF HIS BILL BECOMES LAW, MASKS WOULD BE OPTIONAL IN THOSE EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS WEEK INCLUDING DAYCARE CENTERS.

>> AS WE LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY WE SEE SEDATES LIKE PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, DELAWARE, CONNECTICUT, MASSACHUSETTS, ILLINOIS, OREGON AND OTHERS LIFTING THEIR MASK MANDATES.

THE CDC IS ONCE AGAIN CHANGED POLICY.

RECENTLY GOVERNOR BESHEAR LOOKED AT LISTED HIS MASK MANDATES FOR MOTION FACILITIES.

INTERESTINGLY IT'S BEEN KNOWN ALMOST SINCE COVID HIT OUR SHORES THAT CHILDREN WERE THE LEAST SUSCEPTIBLE TO COVID, AND IF GETTING IT -- AND IF GETTING IT HAD FEWER SYMPTOMS THAN ADULTS.

>> Renee: LAST SUMMER THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY MET IN SPECIAL SESSION TO REVOKE THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MASKING, REASONING THAT THE DECISION WAS BEST LEFT TO COL LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

LOUVRE DEMOCRAT LISA WILLNER READ A LETTER FROM A STUDENT WHO FAVORS MASK MANDATES.

DURING HER FLOOR REMARKS ON THE BILL, SHE SAYS SHE EMPATHIZEES WITH PANDEMIC FATIGUE BUT IS PUZZLED BY A REFEET FROM PROTECTIVE MEASURES FOR SCHOOLS AGAINST COVID.

BUT FOR SOME THE MATTER BOILS DOWN TO LOCAL CONTROL AND HOME RULE.

>> SO I'M GOING TO SHOW ON THE VOTE NO ON THIS BILL.

I'M GOING TO VOTE NO FOR MUHAMMAD.

I'M GOING TO VOTE NO FOR OTHER STUDENTS LIKE HIM WHO HAVE BEEN TAUGHT IN HIS PUBLIC EDUCATION WITH THE CARE AND CONCERN AND COMPASSION THAT WE NEED TO SHOW TO ONE ANOTHER, TO HIS FELLOW STUDENTS, TO THEIR TEACHERS.

I'M GOING TO VOTE NO ON THIS FROM THE FRONT PIPELINE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS FOR EXHAUSTED TO THE MARROW OF THEIR BONES.

AND I'M GOING TO VOTE NO ON THIS FOR THE MEDICALLY FRAGILE STUDENTS WHO MAY VERY WELL BE PUT IN HARM'S WAY IF THIS TOOL IS TAKEN AWAY FROM OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> WHO HERE HAS EVER SATISFIED L. SAID SAID, BOY, WASHINGTON DC, THEY GOT IT RIGHT.

THEY'RE SO GOOD.

WE SHOULD SEND MORE POWER TO WASHINGTON, DC.

THEY GOT IT FIGURED OUT.

THEY KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR KENTUCKY.

ANYONE?

BECAUSE I DON'T.

TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE.

WE WANT POWER SENT HERE TO KENTUCKY FROM WASHINGTON, DC, JUST ABOUT EVERY CHANCE WE GET.

AND SIX MONTHS AGO WE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION, TAKING POWER OUT OF FRANKFORT NO MATTER WHICH BRANCH IT CAME FROM AND SENDING IT TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND SAYING, YOU MAKE THE DECISION THAT'S BEST FOR YOUR DISTRICT.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE LYNN BECHLER'S HOUSE BILL 51 BANNING MASK MANDATES AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE ON A 56 TO 35 VOTE AND IS NOW WAITING FOR ACTION BY THE SENATE.

DRY RIDGE REPUBLICAN SAVANNAH A MADDOX'S HOUSE BILL 28 WOULD BAR PUBLIC EMPLOYERS FROM REQUIRING CURRENT OR PROSPECTIVE PLIES EMPLOYEES TO DISCLOSE THEIR COVID I IMMUNIZATIONS STAT US.

IT PROHIBITS COLLEGE AND K-12 SCHOOLS FROM REQUIRING FACULTY OR STAFF MEMBERS TO SHOW THEIR IMMUNIZATION STATUS AND ALLOWS AN OBJECTION TO IMMUNIZATION ON THE BASIS OF CONSCIENTIOUSLY HELD BELIEFS.

THE MEASURE SPARKED POINTED QUESTIONS FROM THOSE IN OPPOSITION.

>> HOW CAN THE GOVERNMENT AS THE ONLY PERSON THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COMMON GOOD TAKE ACTIONS TO PROTECT THE COMMON GOOD IF THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION?

>> LADY FROM GRANT.

>> I THINK INFORMATION IS A KEY WORD THAT THE LADY HAS SAID.

I THINK IT'S THE APPROPRIATE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE ACCURATE, UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION TO ITS CITIZENS.

I DO NOT THINK THAT THE WORDS "PROTECTION" OR "THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE OR SAVE LIVES" OR ANY OF THESE EUPHEMISMS THAT WE CONTINUE TO HEAR THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY EUPHEMISMS FOR FORCING A NEEDLE INTO SOMEONE'S ARM AGAINST THEIR WILL.

THAT'S WHAT MANDATORY VACCINATION IS.

SO I THINK THAT THE WORD "INFORMATION" IS KEY THERE.

THAT IS THE ROME OF GOVERNMENT, NOT TO COMPEL CITIZENS TO COMPLY WITH VACCINE MANDATES AGAINST THEIR WILL.

>> Renee: WHILE SOME REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THE MEASURE STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN LIBERTY AND SAFETY, SOME DEMOCRATS ARGUED THE BILL IS OVERREACHING AND USURPS LOCAL DECISION MAKING.

THE COVID IMMUNIZATION DISCLOSURE BAN ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE 71 TO 29 ON THURSDAY AND IT'S NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE SENATE.

EMPLOYEES COULD BYPASS PRIVATE EMPLOYER-MANDATED VACCINES IF A BILL PASSED BY THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THIS WEEK BECOMES LAW.

A REVISED SENATE BILL 93 WOULD ALLOW FOR EMPLOYERS TO REJECT IMMUNIZATION MANDATES FOR RELIGIOUS OR HEALTH REASONS.

BOURBON COUNTY SENATOR STEPHEN WEST PROVIDED AN EXPLANATION.

>> THE FIRST PART OF THE BILL SIMPLY ALLOWS, WHEN AN EMPLOYER DOES A VACCINE MANDATE IN KENTUCKY, WE WILL ALLOW TWO EXCEPTIONS TO THAT, ONE IS IN THE CASE OF A SINCERELY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEF, AND THE OTHER ONE IS IN CASE OF A MEDICAL EXCEPTION.

AS PART OF THAT, WE REQUIRE THAT THE EMPLOYER PROVIDE NOTICE OF THESE EXCEPTIONS TO THEIR EMPLOYEE.

WE PUT IN THE BILL HOW THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT.

IT IS VERY SIMPLE TO THE EMPLOYER.

IT'S A ONE PAGE SIGN-OFF SHEET.

THE COMPANIES THAT ARE DOING VACCINE MANDATES, I'M SURE THEY'RE ALREADY HAVING EMPLOYEES SIGN SOMETHING, SO THERE'S NO MORE BUREAUCRACY THAN IS ALREADY THERE.

SO IT SIMPLY SAYS IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A VACCINE MANDATE, THE EMPLOYEE HAS TO HAVE NOTICE OF IT, THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE TWO EXCEPTIONS AND THEY HAVE TO SIGN OFF.

>> Renee: FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES HEALTH CARE WORKERS TO BE VACCINATED.

SENATE BILL 93 WOULDN'T INTERFERE WITH THOSE RULES.

PHYSICIAN AND LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT KAREN BERG JOTTED VOTED AGAINST THE MEASURE.

SHE SAYS VACCINES HAVE SAVED MILLIONS OF LIVES.

AND SHE SAYS SHE'S NOT AWARE OF ANY RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE PUBLISHED CONTRA INDICATIONS TO COVID VACCINE.

>> THERE'S NO SINGLE RELIGIOUS, AN ORGANIZED RELIGION IN THE WORLD THAT HAS COME OUT AND SAID, WE HAVE A RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION TO THIS VACCINATION.

SO WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS CLOSELY HELD CONSCIENTIOUS BELIEFS.

I PERSONALLY THINK THAT AN EMPLOYER HAS THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE AN EMPLOYEE TO GET VACCINATED.

GOD DID NOT GIVE YOU THAT JOB.

YOU EARNED THAT JOB, AND YOU WORK TO KEEP IT.

>> Renee: THE JACKER PANEL FORWARD SENATE BILL FINANCE 93 TO THE SENATE FLOOR WHERE IT'S AWAITING VOTE BY THE FULL CHAMBER.

SENATE REPUBLICANS WANT TO CLONE A MISSISSIPPI PRO-LIFE MANNER THAT OUTLAWS ABORTIONS AFTER THE 15th WEEK OF PREGNANCY TO A GROWING SERIES OF RESTRAINTS ON ABORTION PRICE IN KENTUCKY.

SENATE BILL 321 IS A CARBON COPYCH A MISSISSIPPI LAW THAT'S CURRENTLY BEFORE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

MANY EXPERTS ESTIMATE FETAL VIABILITY TO BE ABOUT 24 WEEKS.

CAMPBELLS VILLE SENATOR MAX WISE SPONSORS THE BILL.

HE SAYS IT WILL GIVE KENTUCKY A PIECE OF ABORTION LEGISLATION THAT WON'T REQUIRE A LEGAL FIGHT IF THE SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS MISSISSIPPI'S LAW.

OPPONENTS REASON THE BILL IS ILL-TIMED.

>> SENATE BILL 321 DOESN'T DO ANYTHING THAT OUR STATE HASN'T ALREADY DONE.

IT ATTEMPTS TO IMITATE MISSISSIPPI'S 15-WEEK BAN WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT JUST LIKE THE 15 WEEK BAN OUR STATE HAS ALREADY ENACTED.

THE MISSISSIPPI BAN STILL HAS NOT BEEN HELD TO BE CONSTITUTIONAL, AND IT HAS NEVER GONE INTO EFFECT.

PASSING YET ANOTHER 15-WEEK BAN WITHOUT WAITING FOR THE SUPREME COURT TO ISSUE A RULING ON MISSISSIPPI'S BAN AND WITHOUT WAITING FOR A RULING ON THE 15-WEEK BAN, OUR STATE HAS ALREADY PASSED, SHOWS THAT THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN APPLICABLE THEATER DESIGNED TO SCORE POINTS IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

>> WHAT WE'RE ANGER HERE TODAY IS WHEN DOES A BABY BECOME A HUMAN BEING WORTHY OF LIFE.

WHEN DOES THAT INDIVIDUAL HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTED RIGHTS.

WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT VIABILITY, 15 WEEKS, 24 WEEKS, WHATEVER THAT NUMBER IS, AND WHAT I HEARD FROM THE OPPONENTS IS IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER WHEN THAT VIABILITY PERIOD IS.

WE WANT ABORTION ON DEMAND AT ANY TIME.

THAT'S WHAT I HEAR.

SO I ALWAYS THINK IF YOU'RE GOING TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF LIFE OR DEATH, YOU ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF LIFE IN GIVING THESE BABIES A CHANCE.

>> Renee: THE 15-WEEK ABORTION BAN WAS APPROVED BY THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL SENATE.

A BILL TO KEEP TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM PARTICIPATING IN GIRLS' SPORTS IS MOVING AHEAD.

SENATOR ROBBY MILLS IS THE SPONSOR SENATE BILL 83 AND HE PITCHED FOR ITS PASSAGE BEFORE THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

HE SAYS IT PROTECTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIOLOGICAL FEMALES TO COMPETE FAIRLY IN SCHOOL SPORTS.

>> ASSEMBLY 83 PLACES IN STATUTE TWO SIMPLE SENTENCES THAT CLEARLY DIRECTS KHSAA TO PROMOTE, PROMULGATE REGULATIONS OR BYLAWS THAT PROVIDE THAT AN ATHLETIC ACTIVITY OR SPORTS DESIGNATED AS GIRLS SHALL NOT BE OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE MALE SEX.

IT ADDITIONALLY STATES THAT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN AN REFLECT ACTIVITY OR SPORT, THAT THE SEX OF THE STUDENT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE STUDENT'S BIOLOGICAL SEX AS INDICATED ON THE STUDENT'S CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATE AS ORIGINALLY ISSUED AT THE TIME OF BIRTH OR ADOPTION.

>> Renee: HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL WOULD ALLOW FOR A SIGNED AFFIDAVIT FROM A WORK DOCTOR, ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE, A PA OR CHIROPRACTIC IN CASES WHERE A BIRTHDAY CERTIFICATE ISN'T AVAILABLE.

LEXINGTON REPUBLICAN KILLIAN TIMONEY VOTED AGAINST SENATE BILL 83.

HIS RATIONALE, IT RUNS COUNTER TO EFFORTS TO BOOST KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY THROUGH JOB ANDO.

LATION GROWTH.

>> YOU KNOW, WE PASSED LANDMARK TAX REFORM.

REDUCING OUR INCOME TAX PERCENTAGE.

ON THE BELIEF THAT WE'RE GOING TO DRAW POPULATION TO KENTUCKY.

ON THE BELIEF THAT WE'RE GOING TO ATTRACT BIG BUSINESS AND THEY'RE GOING TO WANT COME HERE AND BRING BIG JOBS.

AND I'M GOING TO SPEAK VERY -- VERY CONCISELY WITH THIS.

I'VE BEEN ON BID PACKAGES BEFORE WHERE WE HAVE ATTRACTED, WHERE WE HAVE A ATTEMPTED TO ATTRACT BIG BUSINESSES.

THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION IS QUESTIONED IN THOSE BIG PACKAGES.

THIS REFLECTS POORLY ON THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

WE VOTED FOR TAX REFORM.

THIS IS A STEP IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

KENTUCKY -- A LINE WILL BE ANDREW THROUGH KENTUCKY WHEN IT COMES TO SITE SELECTION FOR TIG BIG DISCIPLE JOBS.

THE LIST OF CORPORATIONS WAS MASSIVE OF COMPANIES THAT THIS IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 83 IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE FULL HOUSE AFTER THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVED IT EARLIER THIS WEEK.

A BILL RESHUFFLING THE GOVERNING BOARD AT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY HAS MOVED AT A FASHION CLIP THIS WEEK.

THAT IDEA IS EMBODIED IN SENATE BILL 265.

THE STATE'S ONLY PUBLICLY-FUND HISTORICALLY BLACK UNIVERSITY IS IN DIRE FINANCIAL DIGS TRES AND IS SEEKING A $23 MILLION LOAN FROM THE STATE.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM DAVID GIVENS SAYS HE IS COMMITTED TO HELPING KSU BUT HE SAID CLOSURE MUST REMAIN AN OPTION.

>> GENUINE CONCERN, TRUE PASSION, AND FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF IN THE POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE SUCCESS.

I THINK WE AGREE ON ALL THOSE THINGS.

I THINK WE HAVE ALSO GOT TO BE EYES WIDE OPEN AND HONESTLY ADDRESS THAT THIS IS A TIME OF CRISIS AND CHALLENGE FOR THIS INSTITUTION.

WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT KSU AS A STAND-ALONE ENTITY BUT UNDERSTAND IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE OVERALL FABRIC OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IN OUR COMMONWEALTH.

WE WE HAVE AN OVERARCHING GOAL OF SAVINGS ACCOUNT% OF OUR CITIZENS HAVING ATTAINED A POST-SECONDARY DEGREE OR SOME CREDENTIAL BY THE YEAR 2030.

IT'S VITAL IMPORTANT WE ACHIEVE THAT MARK BECAUSE IT IMPACTS SO MANY OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR COMMONWEALTH.

>> Renee: THE GOVERNOR WOULD PINT THE EIGHT NEW MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS FROM A LIST OF 16 PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNOR'S POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION NOMINATING COMMITTEE.

THOSE NOMINEES CAN INCLUDE CURRENT AND FORMER THE BOARD MEMBERS.

LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT JERALD NEAL IS AN ALUMNUS OF KSU AND SAYS THE STATE LEGISLATURES BEARS SOME RESPONSIBILITY IN ITS CRISIS.

>> WE TALK ABOUT WHETHER KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY HAS TO ACHIEVE SOME BENCHMARK OR NOT OR CLOSE.

THAT'S NOT THE QUESTION.

THE QUESTION IS, IS THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY GOING TEAK ADVANTAGE OF THIS HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY TO DO RIGHT BY THAT INSTITUTION, TO DO RIGHT BY ITS HISTORY, DO RIGHT BY ITS PURPOSE, DO RIGHT BY ITS MISSION AND STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND INVEST ADEQUATELY AND SUBSTANTIALLY IN WAYS IT HAS NEVER DONE HISTORICALLY.

NEVER DONE HISTORICALLY.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 265 NOW AWAITING ACTION IN THE HOUSE.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 46 AND WEEK 11 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-800-866-0366 1-800- 1-800-633.

63 YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-OBVIOUSLY GALVANIZING COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET.

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

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU UGANDA MONDAY NIGHT AT 11:00 EASTERN 10:00 CENTRAL TIME FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE."

THANK YOU SOAP FORE WATCHING.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON.