>> There again for the 10 year has Kentucky State Capitol.

Wear a tie?

Trying to get men carelessly.

Go for 60.

>> Is this finally the year for legalized medical marijuana in Kentucky?

>> To me this whole bill is like putting a Band-Aid on a heart attack.

>> Well, proposed school discipline I can talk to classrooms safer.

>> Give them a chance.

Give them a chance to make a living in the state with a legal product.

>> And strong feelings for and against a ban on grain machines and Kentucky.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Endowment for Kentucky Productions.

The owner Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Tuesday March, the 14th, we thank you for joining us.

I'm Renee Shaw coming to you from the KET studios at the Capitol.

Annex in Frankfort.

And I'm precedent and leap forward in making medical marijuana legal intent.

Hockey as a measure is green-lighted to the full Senate, similar attempts in previous years have passed the House twice only to be blocked in the upper chamber, a narrowly tailored measure sponsored by Senate Republican Stephen West allows medical marijuana to be used for certain medical conditions, including cancer, chronic and debilitating pain, epilepsy or seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, chronic nausea and PTSD and other medical conditions or diseases.

The Kentucky Center for cannabis find appropriate that big ends.

Tonight's legislative update.

Now, here's more of what Senate Bill 47 requires.

Users must apply for get approved and KET a written verification card.

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services would monitor and oversee the program.

It would take effect January first, 2025 a person under 18 can acquire possess or by medicinal marijuana without assistance from a caregiver.

No smoking of marijuana would be allowed and there are licenses for cultivators dispensers and producers in 1994 at age.

22 Eric Crawford of Mason County survived a major car wreck that changed his life with his neck broken in 3 places.

He became a quadriplegic and he's as he's done for 10 years.

He's testified about how medical cannabis helps ease his pain.

Hair again.

>> For the 10th year has Kentucky State Capitol.

Wear a tie?

Trying to get medical care was legal for sick people.

Medical cannabis relaxes.

My continuous, uncontrollable, violent muscle spasms.

Medical cannabis.

Really smart, constant, never ending pain.

Cannabis helps me.

I've been crippled for almost 30 years.

I know what is best for me.

I don't want to be high.

I just want to feel better.

>> But the reality is that there is insufficient scientific evidence that marijuana is an effective pain relieving agent.

Or that it is safe and effective as medication.

That is why the Family Foundation has acknowledged the need for additional research into the potential medicinal properties of marijuana and has advocated for the FDA to ensure timely research.

While the majority of states have enacted so-called medical marijuana, those decisions have been political.

And lacked a careful scientific evaluation of the benefits and risks of marijuana use.

>> An unexpected supporter of the measure registered a yes vote on the bill.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer of Georgetown Republican had long opposed medical marijuana.

He said today he was casting a vote for those who suffer.

>> I do.

Yes.

I want to explain my vote.

I've been a long-time opponent.

Legislation relating to marijuana.

I came into this body 20 years ago with a strong set of core beliefs.

I grew up.

In the 1980's during a very strong anti drug culture.

If you're a pot smoker and you're looking for me.

To help get the camel's nose under the tent so you can smoke your pot legally in Kentucky.

I'm not your guy.

But I believe Senator West has done a fantastic job.

Limiting.

The number of afflictions that medical cannabis can be used for.

This narrowly focused.

Approach.

He's got my vote.

>> On a 2, 3, vote Senate Bill.

47 advance from a Senate committee.

The first time a medical marijuana legalization measure had done so and now awaits action by the full Senate last year.

Governor Andy Beshear through executive action allowed Kentuckians with certification from a licensed health care provider to use medical cannabis for certain conditions if bought legally in other states regulate or outlaw.

That's the choice for state lawmakers over slot like entertainment machines and thousands of Kentucky restaurants, bars and gas stations.

House Bill 5.94 sponsored by Representative Kilian Timoney would ban so-called gray machines and make them illegal in Kentucky.

Those operating the machines face a $25,000 fine.

That would be paid to the county in which they're operating.

Now.

Critics blast the measure has monopoly protection for horse racing venues like Churchill Downs to spare them competition from what they believe are legal skill games.

Supporters of the so-called gray machine ban say lawmakers need to stop the largest expansion of gambling in Kentucky as they threatened charitable gaming of groups like veterans organizations.

>> It's not about protecting monopoly.

It's not about picking winners and losers and it's not about squelching competition.

House Bill 5.94 is nothing more than an exercise of the General Assembly's police powers to make certain types of gambling devices illegal.

Since those great machine showed up the revenue that was derived from charitable gaming by those 4 organizations.

>> Have been cut in half.

You can extrapolate that to the Vso post in your districts.

If this continues for those that are doing charitable gaming, you can rest assured that those revenues are going to be cut in half or more.

The negative impact of that is going to continue.

Thank you to increase.

>> Games like burning Barrel by Georgia-based company.

Peso.

Matic have wound up and thousands of mom and pop stores across Kentucky.

A spokesman for the regulation of these machines call it a double standard to favor sports wagering on mobile devices, but want to ban the slot White Games with cash payout, especially since so many small store owners are relying on the on them to buoy their businesses.

>> Where's the concern for underage access on phones?

Yes, good games are concerned for the under aged when our business owners are trusted to sell alcohol and tobacco.

You would be doing a disservice to this legislative body, your constituents and the people of the Commonwealth to vote in favor of passing House Bill 5.51. which grants access to gamely through phone apps while simultaneously being against any kind of conversation about regulating and taxing the skill game industry.

Democrats talk all the time about where the party of working families.

>> Well, here they are.

You have a chance to vote for working families.

What Republicans say we're the party of free enterprise.

We believe in open markets.

Competition, let them decide.

Let the consumer decide.

Not government.

Do you just believe that out there?

Or do you believe it in here?

That's the question.

These people are depending on you to represent them, not the special interests and give them a chance.

Give them a chance to make a living in the state with a legal product.

>> Lexington, Republican Kelly and Tim Moneys House Bill 5.94 that bans the CIT skill games are so-called gray machines was forwarded from the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee to the Senate floor on an 8 to 2 vote.

The full Senate later today passed the measure by a vote of 29 to 6.

It now goes on to the governor's desk for him to sign veto or let it become law without his signature.

Last night the state House gave approval of sports betting in Kentucky.

The bill would allow Kentucky horse racing tracks to be set up a sports betting facilities and would be allowed to let them work with other companies to set up online betting platforms.

Some legislators say that many Kentuckians are already betting weather across state lines or illegally.

But opponents of House Bill 5, 5, 1, say legalizing sports wagering would hurt the state.

>> This does create a regulated marketplace for sports wagering taking sports wagering in Kentucky out of the shadows out of the darkness and moving it into the light.

>> This bill didn't take didn't bring the job to Kentucky.

I didn't bring any job states.

Kentucky.

We're going to get 22 million dollars in revenue for the state.

2 and a half percent goes to the game when fun and we're going to lose our people of Kentucky are going to lose.

>> House Bill 5.51, past the House.

63 to 34 yesterday.

Sports betting bills have passed the House in previous sessions of the Kentucky General Assembly and then falling short in the Senate where the bill is now headed.

The Senate also passed a bill that would reopen a Louisville detention center for juvenile offenders.

House bill 3 appropriates more than 13 million dollars to refurbish and reopen facility.

But some senators took issue with changes the Senate made regarding detention for juveniles accused of violent crimes.

Others say it's necessary.

>> But we must be careful about detaining our youth about putting our young people in jail every time we do, it increases the risk not just to them and to their future, but also to the commonwealth into its citizens.

>> And we've had an explosion of violent juvenile crime in northern Kentucky.

The public demands that people be held accountable for violent crimes.

The detention part of this bill has to do with violent.

>> Felonies.

>> House Bill 3 pass the Senate.

29 to 7.

It now heads back to the House for a vote on the Senate's changes.

Some Republican senators say a new version of a bill that would prevent gender transition services for minors goes too far.

The so-called do not harm bills sponsored by Representative Jennifer Decker passed the House last week in a Senate committee today.

Former state Representative Jerry Miller, a Louisville Republican, testified against the measure citing his personal experience with this young grandchild.

>> Do I wish he were a quote, normal boy.

Absolutely.

Yes.

But Joan is not.

I still screw up the pronoun But regardless of anything, I'm going to love my grandchild.

And fight for what I think is best for Joe to HB 4.70.

Will not, quote, do no harm close quote, quite the opposite.

This bill condemns vulnerable children to an even more difficult life.

Then they've already been born into.

>> A number of people spoke in favor of the bill, including Presha Mosley who said she regrets transitioning as a teen.

>> My parents were lied to and manipulated by the same therapist and my doctors.

They were told to choose between a dead daughter and a loving son.

I had already attempted suicide by this time.

And this was held over them as proof that they were not affirming enough.

Doctors said that if I was not not medical lysed, I would try to kill myself again.

Testosterone caused severe emotional and physical issues.

It made my emotions harder to control and understand.

>> Several senators said they struggled with the added language in the bill.

Still, many of them voted for it saying they hope to make changes before the bill reaches the Senate floor.

>> The part this give me a lot of troubles want inpatient, outpatient hospital services that is written.

So broadly.

>> If I'm the lawyer for a doctor.

I don't know how to tell him to answer a question that a mom or dad asks.

Even if I was the doctor myself.

And I want to ask a question about.

Are if I was being asked a question and I don't believe in this, I don't believe in in transitioning.

I don't think that's good.

I think it's healthy.

I think it goes against what God created.

But if I was the doctor that situation, even if I wanted to steer that child away, I don't know how to answer the question in a way that one parent might not think.

I was trying to assist.

That liability is huge.

I think it's overly hostile to providers and we didn't have to go that far.

I too.

And I don't like the bill.

I hate the tone of the bill.

I think we could have accomplished what we needed to accomplish without going so far.

I'm in the process.

I'm working on some changes to this bill.

>> House Bill 4.70, as amended passed the committee on a vote of 63.

Another transgender bill Senate Bill.

One 50 has been rolled into House Bill 4.70, and the provisions in it have changed.

The bill now includes language that would ban any child regardless of grade level from studying or exploring gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

It also requires schools to develop a bathroom policy that grants students a quote right to privacy from members of the opposite sex Senator Max Wise to sponsor Senate Bill.

One 50 says his bill aims to make sure parents are communicated with about school curriculum and to move away from matters.

Like the use of student preferred pronouns.

Lawmakers heard arguments today for House Bill 5.38, a bill that supposed to give educators more options in dealing with disruptive students in the classroom.

Our Casey Parker Bell has more on that in a bill that would let teachers express their religious beliefs.

>> I'm sure you guys have are much like me are getting calls, if not daily weekly.

From educators concerned.

Their safety of not only their sales, but also students in the classroom.

>> The bill giving teachers more flexibility with school discipline passed committee this morning, House Bill 5.38.

Allows teachers to remove students from the class and allows principles to remove them permanently discipline students would use alternative forms of education like virtual learning.

As a principal the virtual is not as good of an option as in-person.

I understand that.

But I also understand that.

A student who is being chronically disruptive.

Or abuses or harassing teachers or other students.

There's also not need to be in the classroom.

McKee representative to be true.

It says the bill could also deter students from disrupting class House Bill 5.38.

Can now be heard by the full Senate.

The Senate Education Committee also passed a bill that the sponsor says it's meant to protect religious freedoms for school teachers and staff.

What's the intent behind you?

Bring it?

We don't we don't have that problem in Kentucky.

Now.

>> Because of people from the outside of Kentucky writing letters and trying to teachers and faculty from expressing their religious beliefs.

That is created a fear inside our school systems.

>> The bill's sponsor, Che Diaz Representative Chris Few get says the bill was influenced by the United States Supreme Court decision on a former football coach is right to pray on the school field after games.

But the ACLU of Kentucky says hospital 5.47. could lead to legal challenges.

Teachers, our government employees paid to speak on behalf of the government in convey its message.

>> This bill as written is likely unconstitutional for Kentucky edition.

I'm Casey Parker Bell >> House bills.

5, 38 5.47.

Can now be heard by the full Senate.

We heard opposition to proposed school discipline bills last night on Kentucky.

Tonight.

Kamar Rashad is a teacher and activists from Louisville.

He said the bills or 2 they might lead to some students being punished more than others.

>> When we come to the discipline problems, you let's go to our marginalized groups.

Black students, for example, only make a 10 to 11% of the population are always infractions under a dome over the 30%, which is which telling statistic be, you know, I think that's with a lot of people that wrote the bill into considering a bill on thinking about that.

The unintended consequences and the knot.

And then I going to address the disparity how how these things are.

>> You can see more of last night's discussion online on demand at KET DOT Org.

Slash K why tonight yesterday the House Education Committee passed Senate Bill one.

56 a bill to create a statewide reading research center today.

The committee considered an addition to that bill that would require an independent audit of the Jefferson County Public School system.

It also recommended breaking up the district into several smaller districts.

Senator Stephen West explained those additions to the bill.

>> Two-thirds of Kentucky's lowest-performing schools are in high poverty, mostly minority schools in JCPS.

So we we have we've had a ton of audits.

Sounds like.

It going way back.

But as a general assembly, we have to be about results.

We we have to have results.

And so those audits primarily been for the information of JCPS and that's great.

But this audit has constituted would be primarily for the benefit of JCPS and the General Assembly.

>> They've had all did after on it.

>> What do we think that's going to show?

We know what the problems are.

Some of the things we're trying to do to help fix them.

They're not going to work, you know, cause we know we know our public schools are made up of our societal issues.

question everyone's what are we doing about the societal issues?

That's our public schools.

We need more social workers.

We reading specialist we need ever grit.

Every kid reading on grade level by 3rd grade we'll pay and then pay for another on it.

It's going to give us the information that we already know.

I mean, to me, it's a waste of money wasted time.

And here we are at the last time we get something like this attached to a really good bill in it.

You know, let's and I know I've been here long enough to know that's how things operate up here.

But it's not right.

And I mean, no one is thank you.

>> Jefferson County Superintendent Doctor Marty Pollio was most concerned about the recommendation that Jefferson County be split into multiple school districts.

He says that would cost more money and make the teacher shortage worse.

>> I am not opposed to an audit at all bring on audit.

If that's what we have stood up to 7, 8, 10 different audits in a matter of 5 years.

I'm all right with that.

Bring the audit.

If that's what it takes, don't put in a pre determined decision with a recommendation to break up our district into multiple districts.

That is not good for the community and it will be one of the most devastating decisions for education in Jefferson County in 50 years.

>> The committee vote was 9 to 6 with 3 members passing.

Maybe even though more members voted.

Yes, the know 9, yes votes one enough to move the bill forward.

So this proposed audit will not be added to the bill.

Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are one of the leading causes of death for Americans between ages 18 45.

That's according to the CDC.

Kentucky isn't immune to this problem.

The state's opioid abatement Advisory Commission is working to allocate money from settlements with opioid companies to organizations that can help curb this dangerous trend.

Brian Hubbard, executive director of the commission says his team is working hard to sift through hundreds of applications that.

>> Thus far, we have 65 applications that have been completed.

We have another 260 that are in the pipeline and why we have about 30 million dollars with which to issue grants this year that has come over.

65 have been completed as 132 million dollars.

So there's a tremendous need in demand for dollars to fund services and Drake could defend the opioid epidemic.

But with the resources we have, we're going to be strained, making sure that we organizations that are doing the most with the least.

And that is our goal.

>> The committee's next meeting is next week.

And Frankfort, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced today a new agreement between the city's Office of Inspector General and the Louisville Metro Police Department last week.

The U.S. Department of Justice released findings from its investigation into the LMPD and Louisville Metro government saying they engaged in discriminatory practices and violated the civil rights of residents.

Greenberg said the new memo of understanding will improve transparency and civilian oversight.

One of the recommendations in the DOJ reports.

>> The agreement strengthens investigations by the Office of Inspector General on behalf of civilian review and Accountability Board in 2 important ways.

The chief of LMPD will require officers to attend witness interviews requested by the Office of Inspector General.

The OIG and turn.

We'll make sure the interview process complies with state law.

And affords officers due process.

There had been a lack of clarity around officers rights and due process.

And now we've clarified that and are able to move forward.

The second way disagreement improves transparency involves body camera footage.

The Office of Inspector General will now receive direct access to body-worn camera footage related to the incidents under the investigation.

This direct access will enhance the ability of the Office of Inspector General to investigate any complaints that may be made by computer team members.

And it will help address concerns about any delay or manipulation of the footage.

>> Mayor Greenberg said the agreement goes into effect immediately.

♪ The University of Kentucky is hosting the 4th annual James Bourbon Conference this week.

Scientists, farmers and industry insiders are coming together to discuss the future of Bourbon Distilling in Kentucky.

Yesterday was the opening day and Governor Andy Beshear spoke about how important the bourbon industry used to the state's economic prosperity.

>> As our economy has taken off.

So has investment in bourbon and thankfully, so has tourism, which is back and bigger.

Then ever.

The Bourbon Trail is becoming a state wide trail.

It's going to bring people into counties that they had never been before.

It's going to bring people into small businesses in those counties eating at the restaurants, shopping in those stores.

You think about tourism being an 11.2 billion dollar industry and how the bourbon Trail is one of the primary draws now that bring people to our commonwealth.

More than 2.8 billion dollars in new investments.

The creation of more than 1300 really good.

Kentucky jobs simply put Kentucky signature bourbon and spirits industry has never been stronger.

>> The conference includes seminars focused on diversity and inclusion in the bourbon industry.

Distillery representatives heard from experts about how to attract rim women and people of color to the rapidly expanding profession.

You know, everyone loves bourbon for most everyone right.

And so to make sure people see themselves represented in the plants and for the companies, I think that helps drive people to the product because to drive talent into the industry, first through your consumer, particularly United States 2045, the minority will be the majority.

What kind of keeps me up at night, particularly in the bourbon space.

We have a long aging product.

So fluid, you know, liquid going into barrels a day will come out for for 10 plus years.

Who will that consumer be?

And will we still be booming as we are today?

If we don't fully understand?

>> The changing dynamics of our consumers are and the representation of that.

>> The conference takes its name from the James B being Institute for Kentucky Spirits currently being built on UK's campus.

Once it opens students from all academic disciplines will be able to learn about what goes into making bourbon.

Sounds pretty good.

Well, that'll do it for us tonight and we hope we'll see you again tomorrow night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky.

Addition when we inform connect and inspire, you can subscribe to our weekly Kentucky Edition email newsletter and watch full episodes and clips at KET Dot Org.

Thank you so much for joining us.

And I'll see you tomorrow night.

♪