>> Casey: THE HOUSE PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW NEW JEFFERSON COUNTY CITIES AN INCREASE IN PENALTIES FOR TRAFFICKING FENTANYL AND A SENATE BILL WOULD CHANGE HOW EXECUTIVE ORDERS BY THE GOVERNOR ARE FILED.

ALL ON DAY 47 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE."

I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

SUBURBAN JEFFRIES E. JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMUNITIES COULD BECOME CITIES UNAID BILL PASSING THE KENTUCKY HOUSE THIS AFTERNOON.

HOUSE BILL 314 WOULD GIVE THE LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERNMENT NEW SUBPOENA POWER, MAKES IT EASIER FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO FILE ORDNANCES AND REQUIRES ANNUAL REPORTING OF EXPENSES TO SERVICE DISTRICTS.

BUT A SECTION OF THE BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMUNITIES TO ANNEX THEMSELVES DROVE CAROLINA DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMES EXPLAINED THE PARTH OF THE BILL THAT CREATED THE MOST DISCUSSION.

>> IF THIS BILL ALLOWS ANNEXATION WEEK THERE'S ANNEXATION ALLOWED IN THE COUNTIES ACROSS KENTUCKY EXCEPT FOR IN JEFFERSON COUNTY THERE'S A 12-YEAR HIATUS WHEN WE PLEDGED IN 2000.

IT'S NOW 20 SOMETHING YEARS LATER.

BUT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE HERE.

HERE IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE 75% OF THE VOTERS, OF THE VOTERS WHO ARE TO BE ANNEXED TO AGREE WITH THIS CROSS THE COMMONWEALTH THAT NUMBER IS TWO-THIRDS.

THIS GOES UP TO THREE-FOURTHS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO APPROVE OR TO RESET REACH THAT 75% MARK.

THE OTHER THING IT DOES IS IT ALLOWS THE MAKING OF NEW CITIES IN JEFFERDS COUNTY.

I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR HERE.

I DO NOT WANT MORE SMALL CITIES IN LOUISVILLE.

AVERAGE CITY IN KENTUCKY IS ABOUT 6,000.

SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE SAID, NO CITY CAN INCORPORATE IN JEFFERDS COUNTY IF THEY DON'T HAVE MORE THAN 6,000 PEOPLE.

NOW WHEN WE THINK OF JEFFERSON COUNTY CITIES, THERE'S THIS MISNOMER THAT JEFFERS COUNTY HAS TONS AND DONS TONS OF CITY'S AND TWO OF THEM DEFUNCT SOVINE CITIES, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT PER POPULATION THAT'S ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT, 1 PER 10,000 VOTERS, AS IT IS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH, SO WHILE WE HAVE 80 CITIES OR SO, THAT'S NOT MORE WHEN YOU LOOK AT PER CAPITA.

>> Casey: AN AMENDMENT APPROVED TO HOUSE BILL 314 REDUCED NUMBER OF TERMS A LOUISVILLE MAYOR MAY SERVE FROM THREE TO two.

LOUISVILLE REPRES JEFFREY DONAHUE SAYS THERE IS ALREADY A PROCESS FOR COMMUNITIES TO ANNEX THEMSELVES AND THAT THE METRO COUNCIL HAS NEVER STOOD IN THE WAY OF IT HAPPENING BEFORE.

>> SO WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THIS, IS THAT WE HAVE A PROVISION IN THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW TO DO EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE WANTING TO DO.

NOW, THEY MADE SOME CHANGES IN THIS BILL, BUT TALK ABOUT ANNEXATION IS WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING, THEY CAN DO IT NOW.

AND I HOPE THIS BODY UNDERSTANDS, READ INTO ALL THE BS, OKAY, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, ONCE AGAIN, WE HAVE SOMETHING TWEAK DO IN LOUISVILLE.

LET LOUISVILLE, LET THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE VOTED HAD TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

>> Casey: ONE OF THE MAJOR TOPICS OF SIGNIFICANCE WAS THE IMPACT THE CREATION OF NEW CITIES LOVE ON THE TAXABLE WAGE BASE FOR A MEW METRO COUNTS.

IT WILL REMOVE ALLOW THE NEW CITY TO USE IT TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN SERVICES LIKE A POLIC LOUISVILLE'S REPRESENTATIVES SAID REDUCING THE LOUISVILLE METRO TAX BRINGS IN WOULD HURT THE SPIRE CITY.

>> I HAVE HEARD RESIDENTS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS SAY THEY WOULD TRA THEY ARE THEIR TAX MONEY GO TO THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD RATHER THAN THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR TO US REMEMBER THAT AND LISTEN TO THEM, BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO SET OUT THE FACTS SUCH AS TO ORDER, IN ORDER TO RUN LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERNMENT AND PROVIDE SERVICES LIKE OUR POLICE, OUR COUNTY JAIL, OUR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE LOUISVILLE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, PLANNING AND DESIGN, AND MORE, WE RELY ON A VARIETY OF REVENUE STREAMS, INCLUDING INSURANCE PREMIUM TAXES THAT ARE PAID BY PEOPLE IN THE OLD CITY OF LOUISVILLE AND IN YOU CAN INCORPORATED AREAS.

OUR BUDGET FOR THOSE TAXES THIS YEAR IS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT $70 MILLION.

THAT $70 MILLION THAT WE WOULD POTENTIALLY LOSE UNDER THIS LEGISLATION BECAUSE NEW CITIES WOULD TAKE THOSE INSURANCE PREMIUM TAXES AND OTHER FUNDS FOR THEMSELVES, REDUCE METRO'S REVENUE, AND THREATEN THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE IMPORTANT COUNTY-WIDE SERVICES.

>> AND THIS IS A WAR ON LOUISVILLE.

THIS IS THE EAST END PITTING ITSELF AGAINST OUR URBAN CORE.

IT IS A WAR ON LOUISVILLE, AND IT COULD TAKE $69 MILLION OUT OF OUR LOUISVILLE BUDGET THAT PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.

NOT TO MENTION OUR ARTS, OUR CITY ROADS, OUR LAPD.

AND, YES, I SEE THEM EVERYWHERE.

I DRIVE IN THE SOUTH END.

THAT'S THE LMPD THERE.

>> Casey: HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JONI JENKINS' TOME HONCH SHIVELY IS ONE OF THE I COMMUNITIES THAT HAS ALREADY INCORPORATED.

SHE SAYS THAT WHILE SOME OF THE SERVICES THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE ARE THE ENVY OF OTHER LOUISVILLEANS, SHE SAYS THE ADDITIONAL TAXES SHE HAS TO PAY ARE NOT.

>> THESE SWASHES WE HAVE FULL-TIME FIRE.

OUR ROADS GET CLEANED BEFORE ANYBODY ELSE'S DO.

WE HAVE TRASH AND PICKUP AND LAND WASTE AND RECYCLING, THE PUBLIC WORKS IS OUT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE THREE TIMES A WEEK, AND PI PAY FOR THOSE SERVICES.

AND SOMETIMES MY CONSTITUENTS THAT LIVE OUTSIDE OF SHIVELY IN THE PLEASURE RIDGE PARK AREA OR THE VALLEY STATION AREA WILL CALL ME AND SAY, WE WANT WHAT YOU HAVE IN SHIVELY, AND I SAY, WELL, HERE'S MY TAX BILL, AND THEY GO, OH.

I PAY METRO TAXES AND THE LOUISVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE LOUISVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT BACK UP THE SHIVELY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

AND I CERTAINLY TALK TO THEM ABOUT ORGANIZING AND HAVING A SERVICE DISTRICT WHICH THEY WOULD PAY AN ADDITIONAL TAX TO GET THOSE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.

>> Casey: WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY GRANTED LOUISVILLE THE ABILITY TO FORM THE METRO GOVERNMENT, KEVIN BRATCHER WAS ALREADY A LOUISVILLE R. HE REMEMBERS THE VOTE, AND HE VOTED NO.

HE SAYS THAT VOTE WAS ABOUT POLITICS AND THAT HOUSE BILL 314 CHANGES THAT.

>> IF YOU WANT DO GET RIGHT DOWN TO IT, YOU HAVE THE GENE SNYDER AND EVERYBODY OUTSIDE OF THE GENE SNYDER AND PARTS OF WATTERSON EXPRESSWAY GET NO SERVICES, AND THEY BELONG TIE CERTAIN PARTY, AND EVERYBODY ELSE INSIDE THE WATTERSON BELONGS TO ANOTHER PARTY, AND THEY GET ALL THE SERVICES AND THEY'RE THE ONES POPPING OFF HERE TODAY.

THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON.

MANY OF US CANNOT DO ANYTHING IN THIS CITY WITHOUT COMING THROUGH THIS CHAMBER.

IT'S NOT THAT WE WANT TO BRING THIS TO YOU.

IT WAS SET UP THAT WAY.

IT WAS SET UP BY AN OLIGARCHY 22 YEARS AGO THAT, YES, FOUND ONE REPUBLICAN THAT WAS FOR IT AND THAT PUSHED IT DOWN EVERYBODY ELSE'S THROAT.

>> Casey: JOSIE RAYMOND SAID THE MEASURE WILL HURT MINORITY COMMUNITIES WHO WON'T BE ABLE TO INCORPORATE LIKE WEALTHIER PARTS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.

SHE STEAD THE BILL WOULD MAKE THE CITY WEAKER.

>> ALLOWING THRIVING TO BECOME THE COUNTY OF A THOUSAND CITIES, ACTUALLY MAYBE 156, -- 146, DILUTES ALL THAT GIVES LOUISVILLE ITS UNIQUE TONIGHT.

IT'S ALSO GOING TO SIPHON REVENUE FROM THE CITY AND WEAKEN LOUISVILLE.

IT ALSO DISADVANTAGES AND DEPRIVES LOW-INCOME AND WORKING CLASS PEOPLE, PEOPLE OF COLOR AND IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES, ALL OF WHOM ARE REST LIKELY TO LIVE IN AREAS THAT WILL BECOME CITIES.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 314 PASSED THOUSANDS 70 TO 23.

KENTUCKY IS AMONG THE STATES WITH THE HIGHEST INCREASE IN DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THE CDC SAYS OVERDOSE DEATHS ROSE OVER 50% IN KENTUCKY FROM SEPTEMBER 2019 TO SEPTEMBER 2020.

ONE OF THE REASON WAS THE INCREASE OF THE PREVALENCE OF THE DRUG FENTANYL, AN OPIOID THAT IS ALMOST 100 TIMES STRONGER THAN MORPHINE.

THE THE HOUSE IS ATTEMPTING TO DETER THE TRAFFICKING OF THE POWERFUL DRUG WITH HOUSE BILL 215.

THE BILL SPONSOR, CHAFIST IS REPUBLICAN CHRIS FUGUEAT, SAID THE BILL EXTENDS SENDS A MESSAGE TO DEALERS OF DRUG.

>> THIS DRUG IS NOT JUST DESTROYING LIVES AND FAMILIES.

IT'S TAKING LIVES AND IT'S KILLING PEOPLE ALL OVER THE STATE OF KENTUCKY AND REALLY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S A THREAT TO THE KIDS, IT'S A THREAT OF DEATH TO THE KIDS THAT ARE BEING RAISED IN THE HOMES AND PLACES WHERE FENTANYL IS SOLD AND TRAFFICKED.

IT'S A THREAT TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO RESPOND TO DRUG OVERDOSE COMPLAINTS.

IT'S A THREAT OF DEATH TO THOSE THAT ARE EXECUTING SEARCH WARRANTS ON HOUSES AND VEHICLES.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 215 WOULD REQUIRE TRAFFICKERS OF FENTANYL TO SERVE AT LEAST 85% OF THEIR SENTENCE BEFORE BECOMING ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE.

DEMOCRATS JONI JENKINS AND LISA WILLNER BOTH SAY ACTION IS NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE OPIOID CRISIS THAT SAY HOUSE BILL 215 ISN'T THE SOLUTION.

>> INCREASED PENALTIES AND INCARCERATION DON'T MOVE THE NEEDLE.

THEY'RE VERY EXPENSIVE FOR US AS A STATE, AND WE ARE PUTTING PEOPLE, WE ARE NARCOTICKING PEOPLE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS WITHOUT GETTING THE BANG FOR OUR BUCK.

INCARCERATING PEOPLE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

WHAT 23 KNOW WORKS IS FREMONT.

AND I KNOW THIS IS TRYING TO TARGET PEOPLE WHO SELL, BUT MOST PEOPLE WHO USE ARE SELLING TO FEED THEIR ADDICTION.

AND I THINK THE COMMITTEE SUB MAKES THIS A BETTER BILL.

I THINK THE FLOOR AMENDMENT MAKES THIS A BET BILL.

BUT THAT 85% REALLY WORRIES ME.

AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE ARE GOING TO SPEND AS A STATE INCARCERATING PEOPLE WHEN THAT MONEY COULD BE DIVERTED TO TREATMENT I THINK IS A MISTAKE.

>> AS THE SPONSOR OF BILL POINTED OUT, WE'VE SEEN DURING THE PANDEMIC THE RATES OF DEATHS INCREASE SHARPLY.

WHAT DOES WORK IS TO ESTABLISH AND FUND PROGRAMS TO TREAT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, TO MAKE MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENTS WIDELY AVAILABLE IN AREAS, IN RURAL AREAS, IN POOR AREAS, IN AREAS IN CITIES WHERE THAT KIND OF TREATMENT IS TOO HARD TO COME BY BY.

>> Casey: DEMOCRAT ANGIE HATTON AND REPUBLICAN JASON PETRIE, BOTH FORMER PROSECUTORS, VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.

THEY SAY IT IS TARGETS THE TRAFFICKERS WITHOUT IMPACTING USERS OF THE DRUG.

>> YOU HAVE TO REACH AMOUNTS THAT ARE EXTRAORDINARY, AND TRAFFICKING HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH USING.

WE LIKE TO COMMONLY REFER TO IT AS FOR MONEY, ALTHOUGH THAT MIGHT NEED NOT BE THE CASE LEGALLY.

LARGE QUANTITIES.

SO I'VE BEEN A FELONY PROSECUTOR AS WELL AS CRIMINAL DEFENSE.

AND WHEN YOU'RE SORTING THESE ISSUES OUT IN A COURTROOM ABOUT SUPPLY AND DEMAND, USER OR TRAFFICKER, I WHAT AN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CLEAR.

GENERAL PORTATION INTO KENTUCKY OF A LETHAL SUBSTANCE AND, A VATED TRAFFICKING OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF THESE TYPE SUBSTANCES IS NOTHING BUT PREDATORY ACTION.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT PUT MONEY ABOVE THE WELFARE OF EVERYBODY ELSE THAT THEY DEAL WITH.

THAT IS A SCOURGE ON THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

>> SO WHILE I DO BELIEVE STRONGLY IN PRISON REFORM, I DO BELIEVE THAT OUR PRISONS ARE OVERCROWDED, AND I DO BELIEVE THAT THE WORST WAY TO TREAT THE ADDICTED IS TO JUST INCARCERATED THEM AND NEVER PROVIDE TREATMENT, THIS BILL DIRECTLY TARGETS THOSE WHO ARE TRAFFICKING THESE SUBSTANCES.

>> Casey: LOUISVILLE DEMOCRATS MARY LOU MARZIAN AND PAMELA STEVENSON BOTH VOTED AGAINST HOUSE BILL 215.

MARZIAN SAID INCREASES IN PENALTIES HAVEN'T MADE A DENT IN THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC, AND STEVENSON SAYS THE BILL IS LIKELY TO NEGATIVELY IMPACT PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> ASSAYS BODY, WE THINK WE CAN INCARCERATE OURSELVES OUT OF THIS RUG EPIDEMIC.

LOCKING PEOPLE UP IS NOT THE ANSWER.

WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 20, THE 25 YEARS, AND IT JUST GETS WORSE.

IT'S TIME TO LOOK AT WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM STARTING DRUGS.

>> I VOTED NO ON THIS BILL BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE DRUG DEALERS, AND YET, NO MATTER HOW HARD WE TRY, BY THE TIME THIS LAW GETS DOWN TO THE GROUND LEVEL, IT HAS AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON PEOPLE OF COLOR.

LIKE I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY FIND A WAY, BUT THEY FIND A WAY TO APPLY IT SO THAT WE DON'T GET THE DRUG DEALERS.

WE GET THE USERS.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 215 PASSED 82 TO 12.

A MEASURE THAT WOULD DIRECT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR TO REPLACE THE KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY BORDER OF REGENTS IS ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO FINAL PASSAGE.

THE HOUSE GAVE APPROVAL OF TO THEIR VERSION OF SENATE BILL 265 AND REPRESENTATIVE JAMES TIPTON EXPLAINED THE HOUSE'S CHANGES.

>> THE FIRST CHANGE IS THE ORIGINAL BILL AS DRAFTED IN THE SENATE WOULD REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENTS BY APRIL 1st, 2022, AND THE HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE IT WOULD EXTEND THAT TIME TO APRIL 4th, 2022.

THE OTHER CHANGES THAT WERE MADE IN CURRENT STATUTE, THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR APPOINTMENTS TO UNIVERSITY BOARDS.

IT WOULD NOT WITHSTAND, IF YOU LOOK DOWN THERE ON THE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE, IT TWO NOT WITHSTAND THE PROVISIONS ON THE -- IT WOULD NOT WITHSTAND THE TERRIFIC PROVIDERS OAT POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

THE MEMBERS OF BEING RESIDENTS OF SAME COUNTY, AND THE LIMIT ON INSTITUTIONAL GRADUATES WHO RESIDE OUTSIDE KENTUCKY.

>> Casey: KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY IS FACING A BUDGET SHORTFALL AND HAS REQUESTED $23 MILLION FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SO THEY CAN CONTINUE OPERATING AFTER THE SPRING SEMESTER.

THE BILL SPONSOR, SENATOR DAVID GIVENS, HAS SAID THE LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATING THAT MONEY WILL HAPPEN IN TANDEM WITH SENATE BILL 265.

DERRICK GRAHAM, A GRADUATE OF KENTUCKY STATE, SAID HE SUPPORTS THE BILL DESPITE SOME CONCERNS.

>> THIS BILL CARRIES STEEP -- A STEEP PRICE, AND I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THAT BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WE SHOULD NOT PAINT THE TROUBLING SITUATION WITH THE SAME BROAD STROKES.

THERE WERE SOME ON THE -- AT THE UNIVERSITY WHO SOUGHT TO PROVIDE PROPER OVERSIGHT OF THE PAST ADMINISTRATION, AND THEY MAY HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR RESIGNATION RESIGNATION, BUT THAT DID NOT MEAN THEY WERE GIVING UP ON THE UNIVERSITY.

IN FACT, IT WAS JUST THE OPPOSITE.

IT IS IRONIC THAT SOME OF THOSE WHO LEFT SHOULD HAVE STAYED, AND SOME OF THOSE WHO ARE -- WHO STAYED SHOULD LEAVE THE BOARD.

THIS LEGISLATION GIVES THE GOVERNOR THE CHANCE TO BRING SOME OF THOSE LEADERS BACK IN THE FOLD, IF POSSIBLE, AND WHOEVER THE APPOINTED, THOUGH, I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT I WILL BE DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO NOT ONLY WORK WITH THEM AND THE UNIVERSITY BUT TO WORK WITHIN THIS BODY TO HELP THE UNIVERSITY SUCCEED.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 265 WAS SENT BACK TO THE SENATE AFTER RECEIVING PASSAGE IN THE HOUSE 92 TO ZERO.

THE HOUSE ALSO PASSED A COUPLE OF MEASURES AIMING TO IMMOVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

FIRST, THE HOUSE PASSED AN UPDATE TO CASEY'S LAW WHICH ALLOWS COURTS-ORDERED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

HOUSE HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIR KIM MOSER SAYS HOUSE BILL 362 WILL HELP EXPAND THE LAW, WHICH CURRENTLY ISN'T BEING USED IN EVERY COUNTY BECAUSE OF SOME CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES TO THE THE LA LAW.

HOUSE BILL 362 WOULD ADD LANG THAT CREATING A BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT STANDARD IN COURT AND WOULD ALLOW FOR THE CROSS-EXAMINATION OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS RECOMMENDING COURTS-ORDERED FREMONT.

SHE EXPLAINS HOW THE BILL WILL IMPACT CASEY'S LAW OVERALL.

>> AND WE WANT EVEN MORE VICTIMS OF SUBSTANCE USE TO HAVE THE TREATMENT AND TO BE ABLE TO GET THE TREATMENT THAT THEY NEED.

THE SAME KIND OF FREMONT THAT CASEY NEEDED.

BUT THERE ARE CHALLENGES TO THIS GOAL.

THERE HAVE BEEN REPEATED CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES TO CASEY'S LAW IN COURTS AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH.

AS A RESULT, SEVERAL COUNTIES IN KENTUCKY CURRENTLY RENEWS TO HEAR CASEY'S LAW PETITIONS.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 362 PASSED THE HOUSE 94 TO ZERO.

A MEASURE THAT WOULD ESTABLISH A FUND TO CREATE MOBILE CRISES CENTERS ALSO RECEIVED HOUSE PASSAGE.

REPRESENTATIVE DANNY BENTLEY AND LISA WILLNER SAY IT WILL INCREASE ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR KENTUCKIANS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES TO RECEIVER IT IS.

>> AND WE FOUND OUT THAT ONE OF THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS HAD A 38 FEET CAMPER THEY HAD CONVERTED INTO A LAB.

AND SO THEY COULD GO OUT INTO RURAL AREAS.

THE FIRST TIME I MET UP WITH THEM, TWO VETERANS CAME UP TO ME WITH PTSD AND SAYS, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT DRIVING TO THE BIG CITY BUT IF YOU BRING IT HERE, I'LL COME IN.

SO IT'S STRIKING TO NOTE THAT WE SHOULD TRY TO DO SOME OF THESE BECAUSE A FEW ROUND NUMBERS, THESE TYPE A CAMPERS ARE ABOUT $200,000, AND IF WE CAN GET THEM OUT INTO THE RURAL AREA, WE WOULD REALLY GET A BANG FOR OUR BUCK.

>> WE HAVE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE SHORTAGES OF BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AS WELL AS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 625 HAVE 45 HEADS TO THE SENATES AFTER PASSING THE HOUSEN 93 TO ZERO.

WENT REJECTS TESTING SERVICES BECOME MORE BOB P A KENTUCKY REPRESENTATIVED THE GUARDS RAILS ON THE SERVICES NEED TO BE ESTABLISHED.

EASTERN KENTUCKY HAVE REPRESENTATIVE DANNY BENTLEY SAID HOUSE BILL 502 WILL HELP DO JUST THAT.

HE DISCIPLINED HOW HIS BILL COULD HELP, TO THE HOUSE.

>> DNA OF THE EXPOSURE OF MEDICAL INFORMATION A PERSON WHO WISHES TO KEEP PRIVATE OR MAY NOT EVEN KNOW HIM OR HERSELF SUCH AS A PRE-DIGS POSITION TO CERTAIN CANCERS OR -- PREDISPOSITION TO CERTAIN CANCERS OR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

GENETIC INFORMATION CAN REVEAL DID PREDISPOSITION TO DISEASE AS WELL AS EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE DIFFICULT TO DETECT.

DNA THEFT CAN REVEAL INFORMATION ABOUT VICTIMS.

THE FAMILY RELATIONS THAT YOU HAVE, SUCH AS WHETHER A CHILD IS GENETICALLY RELATED TO THEM OR WHETHER THEY THEMSELVES, THE GENETIC CHILDREN ARE THEIR PARENTS.

>> Casey: AN AMENDMENT TO THE BILL WILL PROTECT VICTIMS SEXUAL ASSAULT FROM HAVING THEIR DNA ADD TODAY DATABASES.

NEWPORT REPRESENTATIVE RACHEL ROBERTS EXPLAINED HER PROPOSED AMENDMENT.

>> INVESTIGATORS OFTEN ASK SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS TO PROVIDE A SAMPLE OF THEIR OWN DNA SO THAT, THEN, THEY CAN DINNER SHATE BETWEEN THEIRS AND THE SUSPECT'S.

THE EXPECT ADDITION FOR VICTIMS IS THAT THIS GOES THE ONLY THING, THE ONLY CRIME THAT THESE SAMPLES WILL BE USED FOR.

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF A RECENT CASE OUT OF CALIFORNIA WHERE PAY WOMAN WAS LINKED TO A THEFT THROUGH A POLICE DNA DATABASE THAT WAS COLLECTING AND STORING VICTIMS' DNA FROM THEIR SAME KITS.

THIS CASE AND OTHERS LIKE IT RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT 4th AMENDMENT RIGHTS WHICH PROTECT PEOPLE FROM UNREASONABLE SEARCH AND SEIZURE.

ITS LIKELY VITALLING SECTION 26A KENTUCKY'S CONSTITUTION MARSY'S LAW WHICH GUARANTEES VICTIMS THE RIGHT TO FAIRNESS AND DUE CONVERSATION CRIME VICTIMS' STATE OF, SIG IN IT AND PRY ASSESS.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 502 WITH HOUSE CHLOROAMENDMENT 2 WAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE 93 TO ZERO.

IT HOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

A BILL THAT WOULD CHANGE THE TAX ANNAL WAGE BASE GOT FINAL APPROVAL FROM THE HOUSE.

HOUSE PILL 144 WILL NOW HEAD TO THE GOVERNOR AFTER I VOTE OF 85-THE-PENALTY FOR CHILD ABUSE HAS LEADER THE KENTUCKY SENATE.

FIRST DEGREE CRIMINAL ABUSE IS CURRENTLY A FELONY IN THE STATE.

HOUSE BILL, ASK 53 SEX OFFENDERS WYE C. EDWARD MASSEY CALLED FOR CHANGING THE CLASSIFICATION FOR A CLASS B FELONY IF THE VICTIM UNDER THE AGE OF 12.

SENATOR ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH A LAURINBURG REPUBLICAN, SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE BILL.

>> BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHEN PARENTS END UP IN PRISON BECAUSE OF A MISTAKE, ONE MISTAKE, BECAUSE FAMILIES HAVE CHILDREN THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH AT TIMES AND OPPOSE HEAVY SENTENCING BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE CRIME THIS TIME AND EVERY TIME I SEE IT.

>> Casey: TWO OTHER REPUBLICANS LAWMAKERS SENATORS STEVEN MEREDITH AND SENATOR JOHN SCHICKEL, ALSO VOTED AGAINST THE MEASURE.

SENATOR WOULD BEIN EVER ROBYN WEBB OF GRAYSON WAS THE ONLY DEMOCRAT TO TO GET VEINS AGAINST THE BILL.

SHE had SHE SAID KENTUCKY'S CRI JUSTICE SYSTEM NEEDS A MAJOR OV.

>> HERE WE GO AGAIN DOING A QUILT PIECEMEAL APPROACH TOWER CONTACT LENS JUSTICE PENAL CODE, AND YOU TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE I SIT SATURDAY'S COUN AND WORKED ON IN MY OPINION WE NEED COMPREHENSIVE OVERHAUL AND WE NEED TOCK THREE STATUTES THAT DOVETAIL WITH EACH OTHER, AS WELL AS THE SENTENCING WHICH WE'RE ALL OVER THE BOARD ON FROM YEAR TO YEAR, ISSUE TO ESH IR.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 263 PASSED THE THAT THE GUY A BOAT OF 31 TO 4.

HOW EXECUTIVE ORDERS ARE HANDLED IN KENTUCKY WOULD COULD CHANGE UNDER A BILL BEING DEBATED IN FRANKFORT.

SENATOR STEVEN WEST OF PAIRS IS SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 4.

IF PASSED, WEST SAID THE BILL WOULD SEPTEMBER UP A FRAMEWORK FOR TRACKING EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND WOULD IMMEDIATELY ALLOW FOR THE BILL WOULD ALSO CREATE A PROCESS FOR LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES TO REVIEW AND OBJECT TO EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

SENATOR WEST TRIED TO REASSURE HIS COLLEAGUES ABOUT WHAT HE SAYS THIS LITTLE WILL NOT DO, BILL WILL NOT DO.

>> THIS IN MOW I.

NO WAY STEPS ON THE KOIVU REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR, JUST PUTS SOME MORE PROCESS IN WHERE THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE CAN HAVE TRANSPARENCY AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> Casey: SENATE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER MORGAN McGARVEY SAYS THE BILL ISN'T NEEDED AND ADDS THAT IT MAY VIOLATE KENTUCKY'S CONSTITUTION.

>> I VOTE NO ON THIS BILL.

I THINK THIS BILL IS UNNECESSARY.

I THINK THIS BILL FURTHER ERODES EXECUTIVE POWER, POTENTIALLY IN A WAY THAT VIOLATES OUR CONSTITUTION.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAS TO THE PYROTO ISSUE EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

ALL EXECUTIVE ORDERS MADE BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ARE MADE PUBLIC, THEY'RE TRANS PARENTS AND READILY AVAILABLE.

THIS BODY ALREADY THAT IS HAS THE AUTHORITY TO COME IN AND THROUGH STATUTE UNDO EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING EXECUTIVE ORDERS IS WHAT WE DO IN STATUTE, IT IS NOT ACTUALLY A PROCESS BY WHICH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH NEEDS TO HAVE THEIR EXECUTIVE ORDERS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

SO I VOTE NO.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 4 PASSED ALONG STRICT PART LINES.

IT'S NOW HEADED TO HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION.

THE MOST HEATED DEBATE IN THE SENATE TODAY WAS ABOUT REGULATING SOLAR FARMS.

SENATOR PAUL HORNBACK OF SHELBY VILLE SAID HE WORKS OVER THE STURM TO CRAFT AN AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 392.

HIGH SAID THIS BILL IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ENERGY POLICIES THAT LEGISLATURE IS TAKING UP THIS YEAR.

CURRENTLY IN KENTUCKY, SOLAR COMPANIES ARE GUIDED BY A STATE BOARD.

SENATOR HORNBACK SAYS HIS BILL OUTLINES SOME MINIMUM REGULATIONS THAT THE BOARD WOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW.

>> SOY THAT WHEN SOLAR COMPANIES DECIDE OR CHOOSE TO TRY TO LOCATE IN KENTUCKY, THERE ARE SOME MINIMUM STANDARDS THEY KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FOLLOW.

IT GIVES OF THEM A LOT MORE ASSURANCES BECAUSE IN KENTUCKY I THINK WE'VE ONLY GOT 67 COUNTIES THAT HAVE ZONING, OTHER COUNTIES DON'T HAVE ZONING.

THOSE COUNTIES WITH ZONING WILL BE DIFFERENT FROM COUNTIES WITHOUT ZONING.

I.

THEY MAY NOT REQUEST MUCH OF THEM.

BUT I THINK IN ORDER FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH TO MAKE SURE THAT 20, 30 YEARS FROM NOW WE DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CLEANUP OF SOME OF THOSE THINGS, THAT'S THE REASON I PUT THIS BILL IN OR WANTED TO TRY TO GET THIS BILL, THIS LANGUAGE PASSED.

>> Casey: A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICANS REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS VOTED AGAINST THE BILL.

SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO SAID HE'S RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF eMAILS FROM HIS CONSTITUENTS ENCOURAGING HIM TO VOTE AGAINST IT.

SENATOR STEVEN WEST OF PARIS ALSO OUTLINED SEVERAL REASONS WHY HE SAYS HE CAN'T SUPPORT THE BILL.

>> SO IN SUMMARY, IN ORDER TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT WE HAVE TO BULLDOZE TREES, COVER RICH STREAM GRASSLANDS WITH SOLAR PANELS.

THIS MAKES NO SENSE.

THIS PLAN IS NOT FREE ENTERPRISE.

OUR CITIZENS' TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING USED TO SUBSIDIZE INDUSTRIAL SOLAR.

>> Casey: THE BILL PASSED 27 TO 5.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HELD HIS FINAL COVID PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON.

DURING IT, HE TOOK AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON SOME OF THE LEGISLATION MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

FIRST HE SPOKE TO THE SENATE'S VERSION OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BUDGET.

HE SAYS THE BILL DOESN'T LEAVE MONEY FOR HANDLING THE PANDEMIC FROM NOW ON.

>> I THINK THE SENATE VERSION HAS ZERO DOLLARS GOING TOWARDS CONTINUED COVID MITIGATION.

I'M NOT SURE I RECALL EXACTLY WHAT THE HOUSE HAS.

WITHOUT ADDITIONAL DOLLARS IN THIS BUDGET FOR COVID MITIGATION BECAUSE, REMEMBER, WE'RE LEARNING TO LIVE WITH IT, IT'S NO DISAPPEARING, WE WOULD LOSE, WITHOUT ADDITIONAL COVID MITIGATION DOLLARS WANT WE'D LOSE IF ABILITY TO DO A COUPLE OF THINGS.

>> Casey: THE GOVERNOR ALSO COMMENT ON THE COVID STATE OF EMERGENCY THAT COULD END ABRUPTLY THE WITH THE PASSAGE OF SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 150.

HE SAYS IT HAD COULD HURT THE ABILITY TO GIVE THE STATE EXPANDED SNAP BENEFITS AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO GIVE MONEY TO STATES.

>> ENDING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY EMERGENCY, CUTTING $50 MILLION WORTH OF FOOD TO OUR PEOPLE IS WRONG, AND FOR WHAT?

THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS, NO COVID RESTRICTIONS IN KENTUCKY.

NONE.

AND THERE HAVEN'T BEEN FOR SIX MONTHS.

>> Casey: SENATE PRESIDENT RECORDS, STIVERS RELEASED A SENATE ON SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 150 THIS AFTERNOON.

IT SAYS SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 150 EXPLICITLY STATES THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS NO INTENT TO IMPAIR OR DELAY THE ABILITY OF THE COMMONWEALTH TO OPPRESSIVE ANY FEDERAL STIMULUS OR PANDEMIC-RELATED FUNDS OR SERVICES.

HE CONTINUED TO SAY THE GOVERNOR STILL HAS TIME TO MAKE REQUESTS FROM THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE THE END OF THE REGULAR SESSION.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE FOR DAY 47 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE SHOWN TO SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 P.M. FOR "LEGISLATIVE Update."

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-800-633-9650.

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

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

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.