>> Renee: A REWRITE OF THE STATE'S OPEN RECORDS LAWS.

RATIFYING THE GOVERNOR'S WEATHER-RELATED EMERGENCY ORDER AND OPT-OUT PROVISIONS FOR OBJECTORS OF VACCINES.

THOSE ISSUES AND MORE OCCUPY DAY 26 OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" TONIGHT I'M RENEE SHAW.

WE BEGIN WITH HOUSE FLOOR ACTION TODAY, HEFTY CHANGES ARE COMING TO THE STATE'S OPEN RECORDS LAWS AS FINAL PASSAGE WAS AWARDED TO A BILL THAT COULD SHIELD LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC VIEW.

PROPONENTS SAY IT PROTECTS PRIVACY OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS WHO SHARE PERSONAL DETAILS WHEN SEEKING THEIR HELP.

BUT MEDIA OUTLETS AND OPEN GOVERNMENT ADVOCATES BELIEVE IT THERE IS A OR EVEN CUTS OFF ACCESS TO IMPORTANT RECORDS.

SPONSORS BUDGED ON RESTRICTIVE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS IN FILIN REQUESTS TO KEEP IT FROM HINDERING NATIONAL PRESS ORGANI UNDER THE BILL, PUBLIC AGENCIES IN KENTUCKY WOULD HAVE UP TO FIVE DAYS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC RECORDS INSTEAD OF THREE, AS IT IS NOW REPRESENTATIVE BART ROWL TICKED OFF THE AGREED UPON SENATE CHANGES TO HOUSE BILL 31.

>> IT ADDS PROPERTY OWNERS AND THOSE THAT WORK WITHIN KENTUCKY TO BE INCLUDED AS RESIDENTS INSIDE THE RESIDENT DEFINITION, ALSO EXPANDS THE DEFINITION OF RESIDENTS TO INCLUDE ANY NEWS GATHERING ORGANIZATION REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY HAVE A LOCATION OR AFFILIATE IN KENTUCKY.

IN ADDITION, IT CLARIFIES THAT PUBLIC AGENCIES ARE REQUIRED TO ACCEPT THE STANDARDIZED FORM DEVELOPED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BUT THE FORM IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE USED WHEN REQUESTING THOSE RECORDS.

YOU CAN STILL USE A PROCESS THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN IN PLACE BY EXPLAINING IN DETAIL IN AN EMAIL SPECIFICALLY THE RECORDS THAT YOU ARE REQUESTING.

>> Renee: HE KENTUCKY PRESS ASSOCIATION IS NEUTRAL ON THE MEASURE NOT STAKING A POSITION ON THE BILL.

THE SENATE-AMENDED HOUSE BILL 312 WAS AWARDED FINAL PASSAGE ON A VOTE OF 70 TO 26.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK FOR HIS CONSIDERATION.

AS KENTUCKY'S PACE OF COVID VACCINATIONS ACCELERATES, A POTENTIAL NEW LAW MAKES ALLOWANCES FOR THOSE WHO WANT T OPT-OUT OF IMMUNIZATIONS.

KENTUCKIANS COULD EXEMPT THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN O RELIGIOUS AND MEDICAL GROUNDS, OR A CONSCIENTIOUSLY-HELD BELIEF, BY SUBMITTING A SIGNED, SWORN STATEMENT.

BOWLING GREEN REPUBLICAN MIKE WILSON'S SENATE BILL 8 WAS CONSIDERED IN THE HOUSE TODAY.

PHARMACIST AND STA REPRESENTATIVE DANNY BENTLEY CARRIED IT ON THE FLOOR AND EXPLAINED MORE ABOUT WHAT THE BILL IS NOT.

>> THIS BILL HAS BEEN WRITTEN REALLY FOR A FUTURE EPIDEMIC.

CURRENTLY THERE IS NO OPT-OUT, AND THIS PROVIDES AN OPT OUT OF THE-OUT.

SECOND, NO SCHOOLS ARE INVOLVED WITH THIS BILL.

NO COVID, NO COVID IS INVOLVED WITH THIS BILL.

AND IT DOESN'T AFFECT THE WORKPLACES.

IT DOES DEAL WITH RELIGIOUS OPT-OUT, MEDICAL OPT-OUT FROM YOUR MD, YOUR PARENTS HAVING THE AUTHORITIES TO OPT OUT, AND PROVIDING FOR A STANDARDIZED FORM TO DO THAT WITH.

>> Renee: CURRENTLY, THERE ARE RELIGIOUS AND MEDICAL EXEMPTION FOR K-12 SCHOOLKIDS.

HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER JONI JENKINS READ A STATEMENT FROM LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT LISA WILNER ASSERTING THAT VACCINES ARE MORE .

ABOUT COMMUNITY THAN INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCE, AND EMPHASIZED THAT NO CITIZENS WOULD BE FORCED TO GET A VACCINE AGAINST THEIR WIL MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.

>> KENTUCKY DOES NOT MANDATE VACCINES.

THERE IS NO PLAN OR EXPECTATION THAT KENTUCKY WILL EVER MANDATE VACCINATION.

KENTUCKY CANNOT LEGALLY MANDATE THE COVID-19 VACCINE, BUT VACCINATIONS ARE THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO THE END PANDEMIC.

IF SENATE BILL 8 BECOMES LAW, IT ONLY SERVES TO SPREAD DISINFORMATION ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF VACCINATION BY FORCE AND TO POTENTIALLY PROLONG THE SPREAD OF A DEADLY VIRUS AND THE PAINT CURRENT PANDEMIC.

>> Renee: HOUSE HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIR KIM MOSER BOTH DEFENDED THE MEASURE FOR PROTECTING INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES WHILE ALSO ARGUING THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINES IN ERADICATING DISEASE SHE LAMENTED ON THE DISEASES AN CO-MORBIDITIES THAT HAVE LED TO KENTUCKIANS TO BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO COVID-19 CONFLICTING CONTENTION WHETHER FORCIBLE VACCINATIONS CURRENTLY EXIST WERE AT THE CENTER OF THE FLOOR DEBATE.

>> CERTAINLY CIVIL LIBERTIES MUST BE BALANCED WITH THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS NOT TO BE INFECTED, AND LIKELY KILLED BY DEADLY DISEASE, ESPECIALLY IF THEY CANNOT BE VACCINATED FOR MEDICAL REASONS.

THIS LEGISLATION WOULD EXPAND THOSE EXEMPTIONS TO ADULTS WITH A CONSCIENTIOUS OX OBJECTION DURING AN EPIDEMIC, BUT WE MUST ALL BE MINDFUL OF THE RISKS NOT ONLY TO OURSELVES BUT TO OTHERS WHEN WE MAKE THESE DECISIONS.

VACCINES DO SAVE LIVES.

THEY PREVENT THE SPREAD OF DANGEROUS DISEASES.

THAT BEING SAID, INDIVIDUALS SHOULD TALK TO THEIR DOCTOR TO DECIDE IF THIS IS A SAFE VACCINE FOR THEM.

>> UNDER KRS 214.036 IT IS CLEARLY SAYS THAT THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES HAS THE ABILITY TO REQUIRE THE IMMUNIZATION OF ALL PERSONS IN THE AREA OF AN EPIDEMIC, AND WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE THAT SINCE IT'S NOT FULLY APPROVED JUTS YET THAT THEY COULDN'T DO THAT, THIS ISN'T ABOUT THE EVERYONE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE.

IT'S ABOUT ANY VEEN.

I HAVE ALSO HEARD A LITTLE BIT OF SCARE SACK TACTICS BEING USED IN OUR SCHOOLCHILDREN WHEN K-12 IS NOT IMPACTED BY THIS LEGISLATION.

FRANKLY I FEEL LIKE AND I WISH THAT IT WENT FURTHER IN MANY ASPECTS BECAUSE I FIRMLY DO BELIEVE THAT KENTUCKIANS HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS' ADVICE.

>> I'M EXPLAINING MY NO VOTE.

I DON'T BELIEVE THIS BILL DOES ANYTHING ACTUALLY.

I THINK RIGHT NOW IN KENTUCKY NO ONE IS BEING FORCED TO TAKE VACCINATIONS.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMAGE WE ARE SENDING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM -- MESSAGE THAT WE ARE SENDING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE, AND I'M ALSO DOING THIS BECAUSE MY FAMILY HAS BENEFITED GREATLY FROM VACCINATIONS.

MY DAD IS A POLIO SURVIVOR, AND WE HAPPILY TOOK THAT VACCINE WITH A WAS VERY, VERY, VERY YOUNG, BUT HIS CONTRACTING POLIO HAS AFFECTED HIS ENTIRE LIFE.

I'M VERY HAPPY THAT HE'S 89 AND DOING VERY WELL, BUT IT HAS, IN FACT, AFFECTED HIS ENTIRE life >> Renee: SENATE BILL 8 AS AMENDED BY A HOUSE COMMITTEE WA SENT BACK TO THE SENATE ON A VOTE OF 77 TO 20.

A BILL TO HOLD BAD COPS TO A GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY AND ROOT OUT THOSE WITH A HISTORY OR MISCONDUCT IS THE PURPOSE OF SENATE BILL 80 THAT STRENGTHENS THE POLICE DECERTIFICATION PROCESS THAT BECAME LAW IN 2019 FORMER STATE TROOPER AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BLANTON SAI THIS YEAR'S MEASURE BUILDS ON EFFORTS TO MAKE SURE TROUBLED OFFICERS DON'T BOUNCE FROM AROUND POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

>> SENATE BILL 80 HELPS PROTECT THE REPUTATION OF HONORABLE OFFICERS IN THEIR DEPARTMENTS AND RENEWS HAVE MOVES THE FEW BAD ACTORS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE MEASURE ADDS THE FOLLOWING TO THE LIST OF OFFENSES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE KENTUCKY LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNCIL KOC, IMMEDIATELY REVIKING POLICE OFFICER CERTIFICATION.

ONE, CONVICTION FOR ANY STATE OR FEDERAL FELONY OR ANY CRIMINAL OFFENSE COMMITTED IN ANOTHER STATE THAT WOULD EXECUTE A FELONY IN KENTUCKY, WILLFUL FALSIFICATION OF INFORMATION TO OBTAIN OR MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION.

ADDITIONALLY, THE BILL ADDS THE FOLLOWING TO THE LIST OF ACTS THAT QUALIFY AS PROFESSIONAL MAL FEE ANSWER: UNJUSTIFIED USE OFEST EXCESSIVE OR DEADLY FORCE, INTERFERENCE OF THE FRAY ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, AND ENGAGEMENT IN ANY SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A VICTIM, WITNESS, DEFEND OR INFORMANT IN A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION.

THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES AN OFFICER TO INTERVENE WHEN ANOTHER OFFICER ENGAGES IN UNLAWFUL AND UNJUSTIFIED EXCESSIVE OR DEADLY FORCE.

IT PREVENTS ANY OFFICER FROM SKIRTING DESERTION BY RESIGNING OR RETIRING BEFORE AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION IS completed >> Renee: THE HOUSE ADDED A NON-CONTROVERSIAL, CLEAN-UP PROVISION TO SENATE BILL 80 THA NOW NEEDS APPROVAL BY THE UPPER chamber THE HOUSE APPROVED THE MEASURE 91 TO ZERO.

PEACE OFFICERS WOULD FACE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A PERSON THEY ARREST HAVE IN CUSTODY OR ENCOUNTER DURING A TRAFFIC STOP OF.

THAT MEASURE WAS PROVED SENATE BILL 52 WAS AWARDED FINAL PASSAGE BY THE HOUSE ON A VOTE OF 93 TO 1.

LEGISLATION TO GIVE CRYPTOCURRENCY MINING COMPANIES MOTIVATION TO SET UP SHOP IN KENTUCKY IS ADVANCING.

SENATE BILL 255 WOULD ALLOW CRYPTOCURRENCY COMPANIES TO TAP INTO "INCENTIVES FOR A CAPITOL INVESTMENT FROM THE COMPANY OF OVER A MILLION DOLLARS WOULD MAKE THEM ELIGIBLE FOR SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTIONS AMONG OTHER HOUSE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER STEVEN RUDY OFFERED MORE DETAIL ON THE FLOOR THIS AFTERNOON.

>> THE BILL THAT MODERNIZE AN EXISTING TAX EXEMPTION FOR POWER USED IN TRADITIONAL MANUFACTURING, MINING AND INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING, TO INCLUDE COMMERCIAL MINING OF CRYPTO CURRENCY.

SENATE BILL 255 ESTABLISHES THE INCENTIVE FOR ENERGY-RELATED BUSINESS ACT BY TRANSFORMING AN INACTIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE, THAT IS ALREADY ON THE LIST EXPENDITURES, TRANSFERS TO IT A PROGRAM THAT WILL ENCOURAGE COMMERCIAL CRYPTO CURRENCY MINING FACILITIES TO LOCATE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

ELIGIBLE FACILITIES CAN BE AWARD SEVERAL INCENTIVES, INCLUDING SALE OF A NEWS TAX PAID ON EQUIPMENT, BUSINESS TAXES, SUCH AS CORPORATE INCOME, LIMITED LIABILITY, GROSS PROFITS AND GROSS RECEIPTS TAXES.

A MINIMUM INVESTMENT OF $1 MILLION IS REQUIRED TO BECOME ELIGIBLE.

>> Renee: THE MEASURE PASSED T HOUSE 74 TO 19.

FINALLY FROM THE HOUSE FLOOR· A BILL TO RATIFY THE GOVERNOR'S WEATHER-RELATED EMERGENCY ORDERS FROM THE RECENT ICE STORM AND FLOODING WAS APPROVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBL REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BLANTON PRESENTED AN AMENDED HOUSE BILL 542 THAT WAS FAST-TRACKED THROUGH THE PROCESS IN JUST ONE DAY TODAY.

>> DURING THE TIME OF THE ORIGINAL DRAFTING OF THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION UNBEKNOWNST TO ANY OF US WE ALSO COUNTERED SOME VERY BAD FLOODING ACROSS KENTUCKY, SO THE COMMITTEE SUB INCLUDES INCLUDES THE FLOODING AS WELL AND WHAT THIS DOES, IT RATS FIES THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE FORCED 60 DAYS FROM FEBRUARY 11th ON THE ICE STORMS AND FROM THE EFFECT OF DATE OF THIS ICE ON THE -- ON THE FLOODING.

>> MR. SPEAKER SINCE THIS BODY PASSED LEGISLATION EARLY IN THE SESSION REGARDING THE COVID EMERGENCY, WE HAVE HAD HAVE WE HAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT OUR SUPPOSED INABILITY TO DEAL WITH EMERGENCIES.

AND THAT THE STATE CAN ALLOW CONTINUOUS UNCHECKED POWERS.

THIS BILL EXTENDS THE STATES OF EMERGENCY AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS ALLOWING THE GOVERNOR TO DO NOT DEAL WITH THE UNFORESEEN EFFECTS OF THE SNOW AND ICE STORMS THAT RECENTLY HIT OUR STATE AND THE FLOODS THAT HAVE SO BADLY DEVASTATED EASTERN KENTUCKY.

WE AS THE LEGISLATURE WILL SOON ADJOURN, BUT WHILE WE ARE HERE WE HAVE THE A LITTLE BIT TO CONFIRM AND EXTEND THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY TO DEAL WITH THESE EMERGENCIES WHICH WE'RE DOING.

>> THIS BILL.

>> SEVERAL DEMOCRATS ROSE NOT IN OPPOSITION OF THE BILL'S PRINCIPLES OR ITS INTENT BUT WITH THE SHORTCUT PROCESS BY WHICH HOUSE MEMBERS WERE CONSIDERING IT.

>> THIS IS PROOF THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN DO SOMETHING DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU SHOULD.

WHILE THIS IS MEANT TO PROVE THAT WE CAN DO IT, IT IS TURNING OUT N. INSTEAD TO PROVE ALL OF THE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD NEVER LEGISLATION IN THIS MANNER.

WHILE THE BILL ITSELF IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S TERRIBLE, THE PROCESS AND THE WAY THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO ACT AS A LEGISLATIVE BODY IS COMPLETELY LOST HERE.

>> I RISE TO EXPLAIN A YES VOTE.

YOU KNOW, SOMETHING TO REMEMBER IS THAT WE ARE A REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY.

THE PEOPLE THAT ELECT US SEND US UP HERE TO MAKE DECISIONS, SOMETIMES ON THE FLY, AS GOOD AS WE CAN WITH THE BEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS SHOWS WE CAN DO IT.

AND FURTHERMORE, NOT EVERYTHING CAN BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, LIKE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, WHICH NEVER HAVE ANY PUBLIC INPUT.

WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THEY'RE COMING UNTIL THEY ARE ISSUED AND HAVE THE RULE OF LAW.

AT LEAST IN THIS DELIBERATIVE BODY, EVEN THOUGH IT MAY BE RUSHED, THERE WAS A COMMITTEE HEARING AND EVERY ONE OF THE 100 OF US IS CAPABLE OF HAVING INPUT FOR OUR PEOPLE.

THANK YOU 1 Mr. Speaker >> Renee: THE MEASURE CLEARED THE HOUSE 86 TO 9.

WHEN IT WAS SENT TO THE SENATE, THE SAME complaints ABOUT WAIVING PROCEDURAL RULES RESOUNDED FROM DEMOCRATS IN THE UPPER CHAMBER.

THEY TOOK ISSUE WITH THE PROCESS, DESPITE BEING IN FAVOR OF EXTENDING THE GOVER EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE RECENT WINTER STORMS.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN McGARVEY MADE COMPARISONS TO THE INFAMOUS SEWER BILL THAT MADE CHANGES TO THE PENSION SYSTEM AND WAS LATER STRUCK DOWN, IN 2018.

>> IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY FOR US CREATING THIS BILL, IT'S ONE WE'VE CREATED.

WE COULD HAVE DONE THIS AT ANY POINT FROM FEBRUARY 11th UNTIL TODAY, BUT WE'RE DOING IT TODAY AND WE'RE DOING IT TO PROVE SOME KIND OF.

IN PROVING A POINT, THOUGH, WE ARE PASSING A BILL FROM START TO FINISH IN ONE DAY THAT ANY CHANCE FOR PUBLIC INPUT.

>> I HAVE SERIOUS RESERVATIONS WERE THE CONSTITUTIONAL OF IT AND CERTAINLY ABOUT THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETIY AND IN THE PROCESS THAT WE SHOULD STAUNCHLY BE DEFENDING.

>> Renee: AFTER WADING THROUGH THOSE PROCEDURAL MOTIONS, THE SENATE THEN GAVE HOUSE BILL 542 FINAL PASSAGE WITH 29 YES VOTES.

SENATORS JOHN SCHICKEL AND will SCHRODER VOTED TO PASS ON THE M WHEN IT COMES TO A VACANCY IN KENTUCKY'S U.S. SENATE RANKS, THE GOVERNOR WOULD BE STRIPPED HIS AUTHORITY TO OUTRIGHT APPOINT A REPLACEMENT IF SENATE BILL 228 BECOMES LAW.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS' BILL 228 PRESCRIBES THE METHOD AND PROCEDURES FOR A FILLING THE VA THE CLAY COUNTY REPUBLICAN SAYS HE'S OFTEN ASKED ABOUT THE MOTIVATION FOR THE BILL.

>> IS THIS ABOUT SENATOR McCONNELL IS IF IS HE RETIRING?

IS HE LEAVING?

LET ME MAKE THIS DEFINITIVE STATEMENT.

HE IS NOT SICK.

HE IS NOT LEAVING.

MAYBE TO SOME PEOPLE'S CHAGRIN.

BUT HE PLANS TO BE THERE BECAUSE I ASKED HIM ABOUT THIS AND SAID, IF I FILE THIS, PEOPLE WILL QUESTION WHY AM I FILING THIS.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYBODY POTENTIALLY LEAVING.

WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL, HE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID, "I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE AND I LIKE WHAT IT DOES, AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO WHEN SENATOR PAUL WAS INJURED BY HIS NEIGHBOR, SOMETHING COULD HAVE HAPPENED THERE THAT, YOU KNOW, GOD FORBID THAT SOMEBODY HAS TO LEAVE BECAUSE HEALTH, BUT THAT happen >> Renee: THE BILL REQUIRES THE GOVERNOR TO PICK A REPLACEMENT FROM A LIST OF THREE NOMINEES PROVIDED FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE EXITING SENATOR'S POLITICAL PARTY.

THE BILL ALSO SETS UP PROCESSES FOR WHEN AND HOW AN ELECTION SHOULD BE RUN IN FILLING THE UNEXPIRED TERM, ENSURING THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME FOR INCUMBENCY.

THE HOUSE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE CLEARED THE MEASURE FRIDAY AFTERNOON, SENDING IT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR LATER CONSIDERA FINALLY, AS WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, WE'VE BEEN INTRODUCING YOU FROM TIME TO TIME TO SOME O THE NEW FACES IN THE KENTUCKY HOUSE AND SENATE.

AS PART OF OUR FRESHMAN PROFILES SERIES, YOU GET TO KNOW THE BACKGROUNDS OF THE NEW LEGISLATORS, WHAT PROMPTED THEM TO SEEK ELECTED OFFICE AND WHAT THEY HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH WHILE THEY'RE HERE THIS SESSION.

TONIGHT'S FEATUR· REPRESENTATIVE ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH OF ANDERSON COUNTY AND KILLIAN TIMONEY OF LEXINGTN ♪ >> MY NAME IS KILLIAN TYMONY AND I REPRESENT THE P. I WAS A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL GOVERNMENT TEACHER, AND BEING AN ACTIVE CIVICALLY ENGAGED CITIZEN IS WHAT I WOULD HOPE THAT ALL MY STUDENTS WOULD GO ON TO BE, AND I GUESS YOU COULD SAY THAT THIS WAS THE FINAL LESSON THAT I TAUGHT THEM ABOUT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, THAT THEY CAN GO AND DO THINGS IF THEY CARE PASSIONATELY AND CARE ABOUT PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY.

I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT A LOT OF ISSUES.

OBVIOUSLY NUMBER ONE IS EDUCATION.

WE'VE GOT TO PULL OUR ECONOMY BACK.

WE'VE GOT GET BACK ON TRACK.

I AM AN OPTIMIST ETERNALLY.

I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL BE BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER.

I'VE SAID IT MANY TIMES RECENTLY THAT OUR BEST DAYS ARE STILL IN FRONT OF US.

I'M COMMITTED TO THAT, AND I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD ADOPT AT LEAST SOME OF THAT.

I'M SKEPTICAL, SO WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO, BUT WE HAVE TO WAKE UP EVERY MORNING SAYING, HOW CAN I IMPROVE AND HOW CAN I BE BETTER THAN I WAS YESTERDAY SO THAT TOMORROW IS EVEN BETTER.

ALL OF MY VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES INVOLVE SCHOOLS.

COACHING, VOLUNTEERING AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, READING TO SECOND GRADE CLASSES.

SO MY LIST OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY IS PRETTY LOW BECAUSE I WAS ALL INTO PUBLIC EDUCATION.

I WAS ALL INTO SERVING THE COMMUNITY THAT WAY.

AND ALL OF OUR TEACHERS HAVE DONE A MIRACULOUS JOB OVER THIS PAST YEAR, NOT TO GO INTO A NEW DIRECTION, BUT THEY'VE REALLY REINVENTED THEIR PROFESSION AND THEY SHOULD BE APPLAUDED AND LISTENED TO AND HERALDED IN THE COMMUNITY.

LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY, RESTAURANTS DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY, BUT TEACHERS REALLY -- THERE WAS NO GUIDE BOOK FOR THIS.

YOU HAVE TEACHERS WHO HAVE TAUGHT THE WAY THAT THEY'VE TAUGHT IN TRADITIONAL SETTINGS FOR 25, 30 YEARS ARE BEING ASKED TO DO EVERYTHING WITHOUT THE HUMAN CONTACT, WITHOUT SEEING STUDENTS IN FRONT OF THEM, SO THE SUCCESSES REST SOLELY WITH THEM.

AND AS COMMUNITIES WE CAN DO THINGS WITH BROADBAND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ACCESS ACROSS THE BOARD.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT BALANCING ISSUE AS FAR AS MAKING SURE EVERYONE HAS AN EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY.

AND IT TRANSLATES TO BUSINESS ALSO.

WE'VE GOT PARTS OF EASTERN KENTUCKY THAT DESPERATELY NEED THAT.

I ENVISION BRINGING BROADBAND TO EASTERN KENTUCKY VERY SIMILARLY TO HOW THE TVA BROUGHT ELECTRICITY.

SO I THINK WE'RE AT THAT LEVEL WHERE WE NEED TO BE DOING SOME PRETTY INTENTIONAL THINGS TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD THERE AND GIVE PEOPLE OPPORTUNITIES.

BECAUSE I THINK THAT THROUGH THOSE OPPORTUNITIES, THAT'S HOW YOU BUILD HOPE, AND HOPE IS WHERE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES RISE BACK UP, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

YEAH, I'M FIRST GENERATION AMERICAN.

MY PARENTS CAME TO THE UNITED STATES IN THE '70s, AND MY PARENTS CHOSE TO BECOME CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

SO MY PERSPECTIVE IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT ON DEMOCRACY.

MY PARENTS CHOSE TO BE HERE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IN THE PROCESSES, THEY BELIEVED IN THE SANCTITY OF THE CONSTITUTION.

SO I'M LIVING A DREAM BY BEING HERE.

I LIVE -- I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, AND I TRULY BELIEVE IT, I LIF A LIVE I DID NOT DESERVE.

THE FACT I SERVE THE 45th IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME.

SOMEBODY WHO BELIEVES IN THE PURITY AND THE SANCTITY OF CONSTITUTION AND THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, AND I.

TALK ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONALITY TIME, AND I READ A LOT ABOUT MY DEGREE WAS IN HISTORY AND I READ A LOT ABOUT THE FORMER PRESIDENTS AND SENATORS, AND THERE'S SUCH A MAJESTY THERE, THERE'S A MA JEST TUCK KIND OF OVERVIEW.

MAJESTIC KIND OF OVERVIEW.

THERE ARE SETBACKS THINGS THAT WE HAVE OVERCOME BUT EVERY TIME WE OVERCOME AN OBSTACLE WE ARE STRONGER, AND THE BIGGER THE OBSTACLE THE STRONGER WE GET ON THE OTHER SIDE.

>> I'M ADRIEN SOUTHWORTH IN THE 7th SENATE DISTRICT IS ANDERSON, FRANKLIN, GALLATIN, OWEN AND WOODFORD COUNTIES.

I STARTED MY FIRST YEAR ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY HERE WAS 2009 2009 WHERE I WAS READING THE BILLS AND WALKING INTO COMMITTEES, TALKING TO LEGISLATORS, JUST BEING A VOICE FOR THE REGULAR PEOPLE THAT EITHER DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING OR JUST REALLY DIDN'T HAVE MEANS TO GET UP HERE ALL THE TIME AND KEEP YOU WITH THINGS, AND IT TURNED INTO A HOBBY.

IT WAS REALLY A PASSION.

AND I OBVIOUSLY COLESEED AROUND SEVERAL KEY ISSUES REGARDING LIBERTY AND FREEDOM AND JUSTICE, THOSE TYPE THINGS, BUT BEING A VOICE FOR THE PEOPLE FOR YEARS ON THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL AND SPEAKING FOR THOSE TYPE PEOPLE, IT'S JUST ALMOST SIMILAR TO CONSTITUENCIES THAT I HAVE NOW.

I DEFINITELY WASN'T LOOKING TO RUN FOR OFFICE, SO THE STATE SENATE IS WHERE I'VE SPENT PROBABLY 80 MYSELF TIME OVER THE LAST DECADE, BARRING THE TIME THAT I WAS ACROSS THE STREET IN THE CAPITOL, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M FAMILIAR WITH, SO WHEN OUR SEAT CAME AVAILABLE, I WASN'T THINKING ABOUT IT AT ALL BUT IT WAS ONE OF THOSE KIND OF WEIRD SITUATIONS THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN IT KIND OF COMES TO YOU, YOU KNOW, MY HUSBAND IS LITERALLY TALKING AFTER DINNER, HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE SENATE SEE SEAT?

HE WOULD HAVE NEVER SAID THAT.

SO I KNEW IT WASN'T HIM SAYING THAT.

I SAID, NO, I HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF THAT.

SO I TOOK A LOOK AT IT.

COMBINING MY EXPERIENCE FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THAT REALLY SHED A LOT OF LIGHT ON WHAT WENT ON OVER HERE, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE EVEN MORE OF A DEEPER DIVE NOW THAN I EVER COULD HAVE, AND WHAT MOST LEGISLATORS DON'T EVER GET TO SEE, AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING I THINK CONSTITUENTS NEED, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE MY CONSTITUENTS, A LOT OF THEM ARE STATE WORKERS, AND I WAS KIND OF IN THE TRENCHES WITH AND ALONGSIDE THOSE TYPE PEOPLE.

SOME OF THE BILLS I HAVE THIS YEAR ARE REALLY THINGS THAT WE CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR FOR VARIOUS REASONS, AND SOME OF THE BILLS I HAVE THIS YEAR ARE TRYING TO GET THE BALL ROLLING FOR NEXT YEAR.

IT'S A LOT EASIER TO GET THINGS OUT IN THE PUBLIC VIEW SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THIS CONVERSATION, YOU KNOW, STARTING IN APRIL AND ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FALL TO REALLY HAMMER OUT THE DETAILS.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE ONE ACTUAL TASK FORCE THAT IS SPECIFIC TO THAT, SJR38 EXIT WOULD LOOK AT PUBLIC BANKING, SO CURRENTLY THE STATE PUTS THEIR MONEY IN JPMORGAN CHASE.

IT USED TO BE FARMER'S BANK IN FRANKFORT.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS CAN WE HAVE THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY HOLD ONTO ITS OWN MONEY LOOK A BANK STRUCTURE.

WE COULD ACTUALLY USE AND IT KEEP THE PROFITS.

PROTECTING LIBERTY AND DOING JUSTICE.

SO IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

LIBERTIES AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

AND LIBERTY IS PROTECTING SOMEBODY'S ACTUAL RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO DO THINGS AS LONG AS THEY'RE NOT INFRINGING ON OTHER PEOPLE'S LYE RIGHTS TO DO THE SAME THINGS.

JUSTICE, OF COURSE, IS SORRENTO OUT OF THE DIFFERENCES WHEREVER YOU HAVE A CLASH.

IS ON WEI ME THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE CIVIL GOVERNMENT FOR.

YOU DO NOT WANT SEWAGE GOING ONTO YOUR PROPERTY.

SO THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

AND THAT'S JUST THE BASIC FRAMEWORK THAT I WOULD VIEW EVERYTHING.

>> Renee: YOU CAN SEE MORE PROFILES OF THIS YEAR'S FRESHMAN CLASS ON KET'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

WELL, THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 26 COVERAGE OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-80 YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL T GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOU 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'LL SEE YOU MONDAY NIGHT FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" AT 8:00 EASTERN 7:00 CENTRAL AS WE TALK ABOUT NO-KNOCK WARRANTS.

AND CASEY PARKER-BELL WILL BE MERE FOR LOCKET UPDATE AT 11:00 P.M. EASTERN 10:00 CENTRAL RIGHT HERE ON KET.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.