>> Renee: THE HOUSE ADVANCES MEASURES DEALING THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS, FREE SPEECH RIGHTS ON STATE COLLEGE CAMPUSES AND A TOBACCO-FREE PUBLIC SCHOOL CAMPUSES· ON DAY 27 OF 2019 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WE BEGIN WITH EDUCATION NEWS · ON THE VERGE OF A STATE TAKEOVER LAST YEAR, SOME LAWMAKERS AND EDUCATORS BELIEVE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CAN MAKE AN EDUCATIONAL ABOUT-FACE TO IMPROVE STUDENT OUTCOMES IF THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT IS GIVEN GREATER AUTHORITY AND FLEXIBILITY, WHILE STILL ENSURING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

LOUISVILLE SENATE REPUBLICAN JULIE RAQUE ADAMS IS THE SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 250 THAT GIVES THE SUPERINTENDENT THE POWER TO HIRE AND FIRE STAFF, AND PRINCIPALS - A MOVE BEMOANED BY SCHOOL COUNCIL GROUPS WHO CURRENTLY HAVE SAY ON PRINCIPAL SELECTION.

JCPS IS UNLIKE OTHER KENTUCKY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH A100-THOUSAND PLUS STUDENT POPULATION IN MORE THAN 150 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.

HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER JOHN BAM CARNEY CARRIED THE MEASURE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY.

>> SENATE BILL 250 MAINTAINS TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, MANDATING THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DAY TO DAY DECISIONS ARE REGULARLY REPORTED TO THE BOARD AND TO THE PUBLIC.

NECK WE PROVIDE SUPERINTENDENT THE ABLILT TO SELECT A TEAM THAT SELECTS AND WILL WORK TO IMPLEMENT A UNIFIED STRATEGIC VISION AT INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS AND THE CENTRAL OFFICE.

THIS BILL DOES NOT TOUCH, AND LET ME STRESS THIS, THIS BILL DOES NOT TOUCH TEACHER TENURE.

AGAIN, A CRITICAL IMPORTANT POINT THAT I WANT TO MAKE VERY CLEAR.

IT DOES NOT TOUCH TEACHER TENURE IT GIVES THE SUPERINTENDENT GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO BUILD HIS OR HER TEAM BY ALLOWING THEM TO MOVE ADMINISTRATORS TO OTHER TENURED ROLLS THAT MAY BETTER SUIT THEIR STRENGTH AND ENSURES SCHOOL BASED DECISION MAKING COUNCIL REMAIN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SELECTION PROCESS ALLOWING THEM TO SEND THEIR PREFERRED CANDIDATE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

THAT'S REALLY PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS IN THE BILL.

THE FINAL RESOLUTION THAT THE SENATOR FROM JEFFERSON CAME UP WITH WOULD BE THE SITE BASED COUNCIL WOULD MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.

HE OR SHE COULD ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION.

IF NOT, THEN THEY WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELECT A CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE.

>> Renee: THE METS-- THE MEASURE WOULD ALLOW THE SUPERINTENDENT TO MAKE PURCHASES UP TO $20 OUT THIS BOARD APPROVAL.

SEVERAL DEMOCRATS WHO REPRESENT JEFFERSON COUNTY AND SOME WHO DON'T STOOD IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.

AMONG THEM, EASTERN KENTUCKY LAWYER ASHELY TACKETT LAFFERTY WHO REPRESENTS FLOYD AND PART OF PIKE COUNTY SAID THAT ALTHOUGH SENATE BILL 250 ONLY AFFECTS JEFFERSON COUNTY, IN HER MIND, THE MEASURE CREATES A SLIPPERY >> AS THE DAUGHTER OF A RETIRED PRINCIPAL, I'VE SEEN THE VALUE OF COOL DECISION MAKING COUNCILS I'D LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR TODAY, ESPECIALLY TO MY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT MY OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL IS NOT BASED UPON MY DISTRUST OF SUPERINTENDENTS AND THE VERY IMPORTANT JOB THAT THEY DO EVERY DAY.

BUT RATHER MY OPPOSITION IS BAS ED UPON MY CONFIDENCE, THE CONFIDENCE, THE COMPLETE CONFIDENCE THAT I HAVE IN OUR SCHOOL-BASED DECISION MAKING COUNCILS TO KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR SCHOOLS.

THANK YOU.

>> BUT MARTY IS NOT GOING TO BE SUPERINTENDENT OF JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOREVER.

AND WHILE HE GREW UP THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND HE KNOWS THOSE SCHOOLS, I'M NOT SURE HE KNOWS ALL 150 OF THEM.

I'M NOT SURE HE KNOWS WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL IN SHIVELY AS WELL AS HE SHOULD AND I THINK HE IS GOING TO TRY TO DO THAT.

AND I ALSO KNOW HAVING BEEN HERE FOR 25 YEARS, WHEN SOMETHING GETS STARTED IN JEFFERSON COUNTY , DON'T LOOK IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR BECAUSE IT'S COM ING YOUR WAY, TOO.

LET'S VOTE THIS BILL DOWN.

LET US IN JEFFERSON COUNTY CONTINUE TO WORK TO MAKE SURE EVERY CHILD IN JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE.

>> OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN OVER WERE IT NOT FOR MARTY POLIO, WERE IT NOT FOR THIS MAN.

THIS DISTRICT IS NOT LIKE ANY OTHER IN THIS STATE.

THIS IS A VERY COMPLEX DISTRICT.

I WOULD DARE TO DIFFER WITH ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES FROM JEFFERSON EARLIER WHO SAID SUPERINTENDENT POLEO DOESN'T KNOW WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL AND SOME OF THE OTHERS.

I KNOW MARTY POLEO AND I THINK HE IS VERSED ON EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL THAT WE HAVE.

THIS BILL PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE 31-6.

JEFFERSON COUNTY SENATORS ADAMS, SIME, CLARK, McGARVY AND HARPER ANGEL ALL VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.

ONLY ONE JEFFERSON COUNTY SENATOR DID NOT.

I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY TWO FORMER JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMEN, 2K5EU6D R DAVID JONES JUNIOR AND CHRIS BRADY.

THIS BILL PROVIDES AND CHRIS BRADY'S OWN WORDS.

THIS BILL PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT AND ALIGN S WITH THE BOARD'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

>> SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS SENATE BILL 250 THAT GIVES THE JEFFERSON COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT MORE AUTHORITY ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE ON A 54 TO 42 AND NOW HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK FOR HIS REVIEW.

TEACHERS CLAD IN THEIR STANDARD UNIFORM COLOR SHOWED UP IN MASS AGAIN AT THE CAPITOL.

SOME WERE EYEING SENATE BILL 250, AND OTHERS ARE ALSO KEEPING WATCH OVER PLANS TO CHANGE THE COMPOSITION OF THE TEACHER'S RETIREMENT SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES THAT THEY FEAR COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT PENSION DECISIONS AND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING IMPACTS IF PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDITS ARE APPROVED OUR ASSOCIATE PRODUCER ABBEY OLDHAM CAUGHT UP WITH TWO EDUCATORS: AUSTIN NORRID FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY AND HEATHER HOWARD, A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER FROM OCKERMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHO TALKED ABOUT CONTROVERSIES SURROUNDING THE RECENT SICK-OUTS.

>> I UNDERSTAND.

I MEAN I UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES.

I UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, FAMILIES, IT'S UNFORTUNATE FOR FAMILIES TO TRY TO FIND DAYCARE OR WHAT HAVE YOU FOR STUDENTS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR TO US HAVE SOME SOL DARED-- SOLIDARITY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETIMES IN ORDER TO PUSH SOMETHING THROUGH THAT'S IMPORTANT, THERE ARE GOING TO BE SACRIFICES.

>> I'M HERE TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR MY STUDENTS FOR THEIR FAMILIES, FOR MY STAFF AND TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE GETTING EVERYTHING THAT THEY DESERVE IN ORDER TO FUNCTION PROPERLY.

IT'S VERY INVIGORATING IT'S WONDERFUL TO FEEL THE SUPPORT FROM NOT ONLY ADDITIONAL STAFF IN THE STATE BUT ALSO FROM THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL.

WE FEEL GREAT BEING HERE.

WE WANT TO REPRESENT WHAT'S BEST FOR EVERYONE IN OUR DISTRICTS AND FOR THE STATE OF KENTUCKY IN GENERAL.

(CHANTING THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT) (CHANTING WHO'S HOUSE, OUR HOUSE ).

>> WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT HOUSE BILL 354.

WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO THE BILL AS IT STANDS BUT WE ARE VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE IT IS IN A FREE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WHICH MEANS THAT ANY LANGUAGE COULD BE INSERTED WHATSOEVER INTO THE BILL.

AND IT'S ALREADY HAD ITS THREE READINGS IN THE CHAMBER AND PASSED EACH CHAMBER AND ONLY NEEDS TO GO BACK FOR ONE MORE VOTE AND WE ARE WORRIED THAT THE SCHOLARSHIP TAX LANGUAGE COULD BE INSERTED INTO THE BILL.

IT'S REALLY EMPOWERING AND FEELS REALLY GREAT TO BE WITH A BUNCH OF MY COLLEAGUES FROM ACROSS THE STATE DEFENDING OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE WHAT THIS SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT BILL WOULD DO IS IT WOULD TAKE AWAY IN THE FIRST YEAR AROUND LOAN, $25 MILLION FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND IN THE SECOND YEAR, UP TO $50 MILLION AWAY.

I TEACH AT AN INNER CITY SCHOOL IN LOUISVILLE AND MY CLASSROOM HAS WATER DAMAGE WHEN IT FLOODED IN THE 2009 ICE STORM.

I WAS A STUDENT IN 2009 AND MY CLASSROOM HAS BEEN DAMAGED FOR THAT LONG.

THERE ARE WATER DAMAGED CABINETS , BROKEN ASBESTOS TILES ACROSS THE FLOOR.

SO TO THINK THAT THE STATE REPRESENTATIVES OR G.O.P.

THINK IT'S OKAY TO TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM OUR SCHOOLS IS UNCONSCIONABLE.

I TEACH STUDENTS THAT OFTEN TIMES THEIR ONLY WARM MEAL IS AT SCHOOL.

THE ONLY POSITIVE INTERACTIONS THEY HAVE WITH ADULTS IS AT THE SCHOOL.

A THIRD OF MY STUDENTS ARE INTERNATIONAL REFUGEES.

THE BUDGET WAS 54% WAS PROVIDED BY SEEK MONEY, THE STATE GIVES LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE REST COMES FROM LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES OR OTHER MEANS.

CURRENTLY JCPS SEEK FUNDING IS 10% FROM THE STATE AND THE REST IS MADE UP FROM THE LOCAL JEFFERSON COUNTY TAXPAYERS.

IT'S A HUGE TREND AS THE STATE TAKES 340ER7B OUT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE STUDENTS ARE THE ONES WHO SUFFER.

I TAUGHT AT THE ARCH DIOCESE IN LOUISVILLE FOR A YEAR AND THOSE BUILDINGS ARE ALSO ROUGH.

THOSE BUILDINGS ARE JUST AS OLD SO THEY'RE ALSO STRUGGLING FOR FUNDING WHICH IS WHY WE ARE SEE ING THIS BILL.

THE EDUCATION THAT KIDS RECEIVE IS PHENOMENAL BUT THE EDUCATION THAT KIDS RECEIVE IN JCPS IS ALSO PHENOMENAL AND WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOUR FAMILY IS PERFECT FOR YOUR FAMILY.

THE CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF LOUISVILLE HAS A 64 MILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET AND THEIR MISSION IS TO MAKE CATHOLIC SCHOOL AFFORDABLE FOR EVERY STUDENT WHO WANTS IT.

IF YOU QUALIFIED FOR AID, YOU CAN GET AID.

YOU DON'T NEED TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM STUDENTS WHOSE FAMILIES CAN'T AFFORD CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

>> Renee: WITH JUST THREE WORK ING DAYS REMAINING EDUCATORS ACROSS THE STATE ARE LIKELY TO MAINTAIN THEIR PRESENCE AT THE CAPITOL.

CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY AND HEALTH GROUPS ARE APPLAUDING THE PASSAGE OF TOBACCO-FREE PUBLIC SCHOOL CAMPUS MEASURE.

CURRENTLY, ONLY 42 PERCENT OF KENTUCKY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE ADOPTED TOBACCO-FREE POLICIES, AND HEALTH AND CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY GROUPS BELIEVE KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT ALL OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S STUDENTS LEARN IN A HEALTHY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.

HOUSE HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIR KIM MOSER'S HOUSE BILL ELEVEN WOULD APPLY TO ALL STAFF, STUDENTS AND VISITORS AT ALL TIMES TO ELIMINATE TOBACCO USE DURING SCHOOL HOURS AND AFTER SCHOOL EVENTS.

THE MEASURE WOULD ALSO APPLY TO E-CIGARETTES AND VAPING.

>> ACCORDING TO THE CDC, ONE IN FIVE HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOLERS AND ONE IN 20 MIDDLE SCHOOLERS ARE NOW USING E-CIGARETTES IN THE UNITED STATES.

78% REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 78 % IN VAPING AND JUULE FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS IN THE U.S.

AND 48% INCREASE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS IN JUST ONE YEAR'S TIME.

THIS BILL WOULD BE A LOCAL OPTION.

THE PROVISIONS IN THIS BILL WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AND ENFORCED BY THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT WORKS BEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THIS WILL NOT PROHIBIT POSSESSION.

SMOKING CESSATION OR TOBACCO IN A TEACHER EGOS POSSESSION, FOR EXAMPLE WOULD NOT BE IN VIOLATION OF THIS BILL.

IT ONLY PERTAINS TO TOBACCO USE.

>> Renee: THE HOUSE APPROVED AN AMENDMENT THAT ALLOWS LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO OPT-OUT OF THE PROVISIONS ALTOGETHER WITHIN THREE YEARS.

WESTERN KENTUCKY REPRESENTATIVE LYNN BECHLER CALLED THE MEASURE A FEEL-GOOD MEASURE.

HE UNSUCCESSFULLY OFFERED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A POLICY PERTAINING TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS, ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE PRODUCTS, AND VAPOR PRODUCTS.

THAT FLOOR AMENDMENT WAS DEFEATED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE.

WITH MANY OF THE STATE'S SCHOOL DISTRICTS ADOPTING TOBACCO-FREE POLICIES, BECHLER BELIEVES A STATE MANDATE IS NOT NECESSARY.

>> SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS REGULARLY OBJECT TO MANDATES FUNDED AND UNFUNDED.

THESE MANDATES ARE MANDATES THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY REQUIRE OF THEM SO WHY IS IT NECESSARY NOW TO MAINTAIN SOMETHING THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO?

SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHOULD HAVE TO TAKE A STAND.

IF THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS BELIEVE THAT IMPLEMENTING SUCH A POLICY IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT THEY SHOULD NOT TRY AND HIDE BEHIND WHAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SAYS THEY HAVE TO DO AS AN EXECUTION-- EXCUSE TO ENFORCE A PARTICULAR BILL OR A PARTICULAR MANDATE.

SHE PREDICTED THAT MOSER'S HOUSE BILL 11 WOULD HAVE A TOUGHER HILL TO CLIMB IN THE SENATE.

>> FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NEW MEMBERS, YOU PROBABLY DON'T REALIZE THAT I SPENT THREE YEARS OF MY LIFE TRAVELING THE STATE, EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE HAZARDS AND HEALTHCARE COSTS FOR SECOND HAND RELATED SMOKE, SO I APPRECIATE AND CONGRATULATE THE LADY FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY SENSITIVE TOPIC TO SO MANY PEOPLE ONE THING THAT I STILL HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT IS THE FACT THAT FABRICS AND WALLS AND FLOORS ALL ABSORB THE TOXINS AND THE CHEMICALS AND AS LONG AS THERE IS SMOKING AFTER HOURS, THOSE ODORS WILL BE THERE, THOSE CHEMICALS WILL BE THERE AND THE CHILDREN WILL STILL BE EXPOSE.

HOWEVER THAT MAY NOT BE VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE I WOULD SUGGEST THAT BY THE TIME THIS BILL GETS DOWN TO THE OTHER CHAMBER, ALL I CAN SAY IS I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE KIM MOSER'S TOBACCO-FREE PUBLIC CHOOLS BILL PASSED THE HOUSE 85 TO ELEVEN AND NOW TRAVELS TO THE SENATE.

A DRY RIDGE REPUBLICAN SAYS PROHIBITING FREE HUGS, PASSING OUT FLYERS, OR USING CROSSES TO SYMBOLIZE ABORTIONS ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF HOW UNIVERSITIES ARE MUZZLING THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF STUDENTS.

REPRESENTATIVE SAVANNAH MADDOX IS THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 254 THAT'S CALLED THE CAMPUS FREE SPEECH ACT.

IT REQUIRES PUBLIC POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS TO ADOPT POLICIES ENSURING THE PROTECTION OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND EXPRESSION BY STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

MADDOX SAYS STUDENT'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO FREE SPEECH ARE BEING INFRINGED UPON WHEN THEY FALL OUTSIDE OF DESIGNATED FREE SPEECH ZONES ON KENTUCKY'S COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

>> WHAT DOES THIS MEAN AND LOOK LIKE HERE IN KENTUCKY?

IT PROHIBITS BAPTIST STUDENT MINISTRIES FROM GIVING FREE HUGS ON FREE HUG DAY BECAUSE THEY WERE TWO FEET OUTSIDE THE FREE SPEECH ZONE.

PREVENTS LGBTQ GROUPS FROM PASSING OUT FLYERS AND PREVENTS PRO-LIFE GROUPS FROM USING CROSS ES TO REPRESENT CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ABORTED.

IT PROHIBITS BLACK LIVES MATTER FROM SPEAKING OUT AGAINST IN JUSTICE.

IT FORCES PREACHERS TO GO TO EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS JUST TO PASS OUT A BIBLE.

IRONICALLY IT HAS STOPPED STUDENTS FROM REGISTERING OTHER STUDENTS TO VOTE.

THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE EVERYDAY DEMONSTRATIONS STOP PED RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY BECAUSE THEY WERE OUTSIDE OF A FREE SPEECH ZONE.

>> Renee: FRESHMAN DEMOCRAT PATTI MINTER, A FACULTY MEMBER AT WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY VOICED HIS OBJECTIONS TO THE MEASURE.

SHE BELIEVES MADDOX'S HOUSE BILL 254 DOES NOTHING TO ADDRESS FREE SPEECH ISSUES AND THE CONFLICTS THAT ARISE ON KENTUCKY'S COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

>> AND I'M DEEPLY CONCERNS THAT IT IS A BILL THAT IS NOT SUPPORT ED BY FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN, NOT SUPPORTED BY THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF KENTUCKY AND IT IS OPPOSED BY THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAMS THAT HAS SOME PRETTY SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT THIS WILL DO TO CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HARASSMENT, BOTH SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND OTHER VERBAL HARASSMENT THAT STUDENTS ENDURE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES THAT CAUSE GREAT PROBLEMS FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF MEMBERS ON THE CAMPUSES THAT HAVE TO ADJUDICATE IT.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE SAVANNAH MADDOX'S HOUSE BILL 254 CLEARED THE HOUSE ON A 64 TO 33 VOTE AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

A BUSINESS FRIENDLY SENATE MEASURE THAT WOULD LET KENTUCKY COMPANIES REQUIRE THEIR WORKERS ENTER INTO AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE WITH SOME CHANGES.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SENATE BILL 7 DEALS WITH THE ISSUE OF ARBITRATION THAT ALLOWS FOR DISPUTES AND COMPLAINTS TO BE NEGOTIATED PRIVATELY INSTEAD OF SEEKING COURT ACTION.

>> AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW ALREADY, THE RECENT SUPREME COURT RULING LEAVES KENTUCKY AS THE ONLY STATE, THE ONLY STATE IN THE UNION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW AND PROHIBITS MANDATORY ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.

THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER IS IN FAVOR OF THIS LEGISLATION.

COMMERCE LEXINGTON, THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, GREATER LOUISVILLE, INC., THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS, THE KENTUCKY DISTILLERS ASSOCIATION, THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES AND KAKO ALL SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION BECAUSE THEY KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE KEEP KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY MOVING.

WE DON'T GIVE REASONS FOR EMPLOYERS NOT TO RELOCATE THEIR BUSINESSES INTO KENTUCKY SO WE CAN KENTUCKY TO GROW OUR ECONOMY SO WE CAN GENERATE THE TAX REVENUE NEEDED TO PAY TEACHERS IN RETIREMENT.

>> Renee: A HOUSE AMENDMENT WAS APPROVED THAT WOULD PREVENT THE ARBITRATION PROVISIONS FROM APPLYING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS BETWEEN EMPLOYER AND UNION GROUPS.

PIKEVILLE ATTORNEY AND DEMOCRAT CHRIS HARRIS ASSERTED THE ARBITRATION MEASURE IS A DANGEROUS ATTACK ON THE COURT SYSTEM AND MAINTAINS THE BILL IS PARTICULARLY UNFAIR TO LOW-WAGE EARNERS.

>> THE 7th AMENDMENT WAS PLAC ED IN OUR CONSTITUTION FOR A REASON.

AND THAT'S TO PROTECT US, THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTRY, TO ALLOW SOCIETY, THE PEOPLE WE ALL REPRESENT, THE PEOPLE THAT ELECT US AND SEND US HERE, TO ALLOW THEM TO DECIDE WHEN SOMEBODY HAS BEEN AGGRIEVED OR SOMEBODY HAS BEEN WRONGED AND WHAT THAT IS WORTH.

HOW MUCH IF ANYTHING SHOULD BE AWARDED TO THAT PERSON.

THAT'S WHAT OUR COURT DISSEM IS FOR.

THIS IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTED AND WE'VE HEARD TIME AND TIME AGAIN THIS SESSION ABOUT PROTECT CONSTITUTION AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT THAT IS LAID OUT IN THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION WE ARE TAKING RIGHTS AWAY FROM OUR SKITS BY PASSING THIS BILL.

NOW I HEARD THAT LOTS OF BUSINESS ENTITIES ARE IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL.

THEY ARE.

NO QUESTION.

BUT YOU KNOW WHO ISN'T FOR BILL?

PROBABLY THE 42,000 PEOPLE THAT SEND US HERE AND EXPECT US TO PASS LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THEM , TO HELP THEM.

>> Renee: BY A SLIM MARGIN, ROBERT STIVES SENATE BILL 7 WITH HOUSE CHANGES CLEARED THE HOUSE 51 TO 45.

IT NOW GOES BACK TO THE SENATE FOR ITS APPROVAL OR REJECTION OF THE HOUSE AMENDMENTS.

A CONTESTED WESTERN KENTUCKY HOUSE SEAT FROM THE 2018 ELECTION THAT RESULTED IN MULTIPLE VOTE TALLIES AND AN EVENTUAL CONCESSION FROM THE REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER IS THE IMPETUS BEHIND A BI-PARTISAN EFFORT TO OFFER MORE GUIDANCE WHEN ELECTION CONTESTS HINGE ON RAZOR THIN MARGINS.

IN THE DISPUTED HOUSE DISTRICT 13 SEAT THAT WAS SETTLED IN FEBRUARY, THE HOUSE EMPANELED A SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE VOTE COUNT AND DECIDE THE OUTCOME.

ORIGINALLY DEMOCRAT JIM GLENN WON THE SEAT BY ONE VOTE, BUT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BALLOT COUNTS ENSUED.

REPUBLICAN DJ JOHNSON DROPPED HIS CHALLENGE TO THE SEAT LAST MONTH.

HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE AND HOUSE DEMOCRATIC FLOOR LEADER ROCKY ADKINS ARE BEHIND HOUSE BILL 522, THAT THEY BOTH AGREE HELPS TIGHTEN UP THE LAW TO GIVE DIRECTION ON TIGHT ELECTION CONTESTS.

>> IN ISENCE, WHAT HOUSE BILL 522 WILL DO IS TRIGGER AN AUTOMATIC RECOUNT FOR ANY ELECTION FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS WELL AS STATEWIDE OFFICES AND IN SOME RARE OCCASIONS FOR CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES.

IT WILL TRIGGER AN AUTOMATIC RE COUNT IF THE VOTE IS DECIDED BY LESS THAN ONE HALF PERCENT OF THE TOTAL VOTE.

IT ALSO WILL PROVIDE FOR A PROCESS BY WHICH AN ELECTION CONTEST OR A VOTE THAT DOES NOT FIT WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THAT ONE HALF OF 1%, A PROCESS IN WHICH A CANDIDATE CAN REQUEST AND CAN PETITION THE COURT AS OTHER CANDIDATES OR OTHER RACE DOZEN FOR THAT RECOUNT AND THAT WOULD BE TRIGGERED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE RECANVAS 234 MUCH THE SAME WAY AS THE RECANVAS.

IT ACTUAL-- IT DOES STILL PROVIDE AN ELECTION CAN BE CONTESTED IF THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE ELECTION CONTEST SUCH AS RESIDENCY, SUCH AS BALLOT ACCESS ELIGIBILITY.

THOSE THINGS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO AN ELECTION CONTEST WHICH WOULD BE HANDLED BY THIS BODY.

SO WE'LL EVERY BE ABLE TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF ELECTION CONTEST BUT HOPEFULLY THIS WILL GIVE US GUIDANCE AND GIVE US SOME AUTOMATIC RESPONSE IN CASE OF VERY, VERY CLOSE ELECTIONS.

THESE AUTOMATIC RECOUNTS WOULD BE PAID FOR BY THE STATE AND IF AN ELECTION CONTEST IS TRIGGERED BEYOND THAT, IT WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PETITION ING BODY.

>> THAT IS THE THE ATTEMPT OF THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN A VERY BIPARTISAN WAY, TO TRY TO GET A STATUTE THAT IS VERY DIRECT, ONE THAT IS VERY EXACT AND ONE THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED HOPEFULLY THE WAY OTHER CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT BESIDE US WOULD FOLLOW.

WE WOULD FOLLOW THAT SAME PATH OF ANY KIND OF RECOURSE THAT WE WOULD WANT TO TAKE ON AN ELECTION THAT IS A ONE VOTE OR TWO VOTE OR WITHIN THE.5% WHICH WOULD TRIGGER AN AUTOMATIC RE COUNT.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE, TOGETHER PUT TOGETHER A GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION, ONE THAT WILL HOPEFULLY MOVE OUT OF THIS CHAMBER TO THE SENATE FOR THEM TO CONSIDER OVER THESE FEW DAYS THAT WE HAVE LEFT, AND AT LEAST LAY A FOUNDATION THAT WE CAN BUILD UPON IN THE FUTURE.

>> Renee: HOUSE BILL 522 CLEARED THE HOUSE 94 TO ZERO AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

A "WATERED-DOWN" PLAN BY A SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER TO PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS ON ITS WAY BACK TO THE HOUSE AFTER THE ORIGINAL BILL FAILED TO PASS A HOUSE COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.

THE SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE TO HOUSE BILL 114 CONTAINS SOME OF THE SAME LANGUAGE THAT WAS PRESENT IN SENATE BILL 34, THE BILL THAT FAILED TO PASS THE HOUSE ELECTIONS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS COMMITTEE.

HB 114, WITH THE SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE, CHANGES THE MAKEUP OF THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND REMOVES THE SECRETARY OF STATE AS THE PRESIDING MEMBER.

SENATOR DAMON THAYER WAS THE SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 34, AND HE EXPLAINED HOW THE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE TO HOUSE BILL 114 WOULD AFFECT THE SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICE'S ACCESS TO THE VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM.

>> INSTEAD OF LIMITING 9 ACCESS TO THE VOTER REGISTRATION DATABASE AS FEDERAL LAW APPEARS TO PROHIBIT, THE LEGISLATION INSTEAD MAKES A MISDEMEANOR TO ALT ALTER ABUSE OR MISUSE THE CONTEST TENTS OF THE DATABASE WHICH HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN A THREE-PART SERIES BY PRO-PUBLICA IN THE LEXINGTON "HERALD-LEADER ."

NOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND TWO OF HIS OR HER DESIGNEES MAY ACCESS THE DATABASE BUT MAY NOT MAKE CHANGES TO IT WITHOUT APPROVAL OF THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

WE HAVE DEBATED THIS AND PASSED IT IN THIS CHAMBER ONCE ALREADY AND THIS BILL IS ADMITTEDLY A WATERED DOWN FERGS OF MY ORIGINAL BILL.

MY ORIGINAL BILL WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED THE SECRETARY OF STATE ACCESS TO THE VOTER ROLLS BECAUSE THE ALLEGATIONS ARE VERY SERIOUS, Mr.

PRESIDENT THE ALLEGATIONS ARE THAT THE SECRETARY ACCESSES THE VOTER DATABASE FOR INFORMATION REGARDING A HIRING DECISION.

NOW I SEEM TO REMEMBER AN ATTORNEY GENERAL INVESTIGATING A GOVERNOR NOT LONG AGO FOR SIMILAR TYPE ACTIVITY TIFFTS-- ACTIVITIES, Mr.

PRESIDENT.

>> Renee: THAYER ALSO EXPLAINED A SENATE FLOOR AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 114.

THE AMENDMENT CHANGES LANGUAGE THAT WOULD HAVE PLACED TWO ACTIVE COUNTY CLERKS ON THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS WITH TWO RETIRED COUNTY CLERKS.

LEXINGTON SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS VOTED NO AGAINST HOUSE BILL 114 AND HE REFERRED TO NATIONAL NEWS, SAYING HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT CHANGING THE ELECTION SYSTEM IN KENTUCKY WHEN, NATIONALLY, THE SYSTEM IS UNDER INQUIRY AND INVESTIGATION.

>> FIRST OF ALL, OUR SECRETARY OF STATE HAS A NATIONAL SECURITY CLEARANCE THAT WILL BE WEAKENED BY THE PASSAGE OF THIS LEGISLATION SUCCEEDEDLY, WE GIVE THE GOVERNOR, THROUGH HIS APPOINTMENTS, MORE CONTROL OVER OUR ELECTION PROCESS AND, AGAIN, THAT WEAKENS, AS I SAID, WITH REGARDS TO ACTIONS WE'VE TAKEN TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THAT WEAKENS THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE TWO BODIES AND WHEN THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK IS THAT WE GIVE ELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS LIKE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE SECRETARY OF STATE INDEPENDENCE FROM THE GOVERNOR SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE THOSE LOCAL ENFORCEMENT OF GOVERNOR SNEAKING IN ON OTHER IMPORTANT CRITICAL FUNCTIONS OF OUR STATE LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT, LIKE VOT ING: I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BILL AND THE WEAKENING OF THAT INDEPENDENCE.

>> Renee: THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE IN REPRESENTATIVE MYRON DOSSETT'S HOUSE BILL 114 MOVING THE DEADLINE FOR STATEMENT-OF-CANDIDACY FORMS FOR INDEPENDENTS TO THE LAST TUESDAY IN JANUARY REMAINS IN THE BILL.

HOUSE BILL 114 WITH SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE 1 AND SENATE FLOOR AMENDMENT 1 PASSED THE SENATE 27 TO 9.

THE MEASURE NOW HEADS BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR THAT CHAMBER'S APPROVAL OR REJECTION OF THE SENATE CHANGES.

THAT'S ALL FOR OUR COVERAGE OF DAY 27 OF THE 2019 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 SEE OUR INTERVIEWS WITH THOSE IN AND CLOSE TO THE ACTION.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11 PM EASTERN, 10 CENTRAL FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

FOR K-ET, I'M RENEE SHAW.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

SEE YOU TOMORROW.