passes a bill that will ban Abortions after 15 weeks, and a house committee passes gaming measures that would make sports gambling legal, adjusts the tax structure for pari-mutuel wagering, and outlaws gray gaming machines, all on day 49 of the 2022 Kentucky general assembly in regular session.

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

I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL Women in Kentucky could be prohibited from getting an abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy if Senate bill 321 becomes law.

The measure is sponsored by Campbellsville senator Max Wise He says it's similar to a ban passed in Mississippi that's no before the Supreme Court.

If the court allows the Mississippi ban to stand, Kentucky backers say Senate bill 321 could then take without a court challenge.

>> I VOTE NO ON THIS MEASURE.

THERE ARE ALREADY SIMILAR LAWS IN PLACES ON THE BOOKS.

MORE IMPORTANTLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE LEFT UP TO THE SUPREME COURT OR MORE IMPORTANTLY SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE LEFT UP TO A WOMAN AND HER PHYSICIAN.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, OUR CONSTITUTION PROTECTS BASIC RIGHTS.

THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ONES THAT I FIND IN THE 5th AMENDMENT PARTICULARLY LIFE, LIBERTY AND PROPERTY RIGHT, RIGHT TO LIFE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS SUBJECT TO PERSONAL OPINION.

IT'S NOTE SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT INTRUSION.

IT'S NOTE SUBJECT TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

IT IS INHERENT BY OUR CREATORS AND THAT'S WHY I SUPPORT THIS b >> Casey: The Senate passed Senate bill 321, 21 to 6, and i moves to the house.

The Senate also passed a bill that would remove barriers keeping convicted felons from getting KEES scholarship money.

Brandon storm, Senate Bill 163's sponsor, says it will give convicted felons more educational opportunities and will make them less likely to return to crime and then to pri But an amendment amendment offered by Marshall county Senator Danny Carroll blocks some of the most violent offenders from becoming eligibl Carroll defended the amendment, while some of the bill's sponsors say it defeats the bill's purpose.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, I SAYS THAT NO PERSON SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANY PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED UNDER THESE STATUTES WHO IS A VIOLENT OFFENDER, WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF AGGRAVATED TRAFFICKING OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED IN A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE OF TRAFFICKING OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE FIRST DEGREE, SECOND DEGREE OR THIRD DEGREE, ALSO TRAFFICKING IN A MISREPRESENTED CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, AND FINALLY, MR. PRESIDENT, IT WOULD ALSO ELIMINATE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AGAINST A VICTIM WHO IS A MINOR AS DEFINED IN KRS 17.500.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, SOME OF THE ITEMS IN THIS LIST JUST DON'T MAKE ANY ZONES TO ME.

LIKE I SAID TRAFFICKERS HAVE GOT HIRE PAYING JOBS ALREADY.

WE'VE GOT TO GIVE THEM A HIGH-PAYING JOB WHEN THEY GET OUT OR ELSE THEY'RE BACK ON THE STREET.

THIS OTHER THING, OFFENSES AGAINST A MINOR.

LET'S GET REAL ABOUT THIS.

IF SOMEBODY IS 17 OR 18, TRIED AS AN ADULT THEIR OFFENSE IS AGAINST SOMEONE YOUNGER THAN THEM THAT'S A MINOR.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DISPARATE.

THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT THINKING OF WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MAKING ALL THESE SPECIAL CATEGORY LISTS.

THE QUESTION NEED TO BE WE DO WANT PEOPLE WHEN INEVITABLY THEY'RE GETTING OUT TO BE EDUCATED TO WHERE THEY COULD GET TO A GOOD, MORE DECENT JOB THAN WHEN THEY WENT IN SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE I.

TO PAY THE COFFERS A PER DIEM TOWER PRISONS DAILY FOR THEM TO STAY IN LONGER OR COME BACK again >> Casey: Senators approved the amendment by a voice vote.

Then they passed Senate Bill 163, 33 to 4 A house committee passed four measures that would change how the Commonwealth handles gambling issues.

One of these measures would outlaw GRAY gaming machines, the unregulated machines popping up across the state in convenience stores, bars and gas stations.

Proponents of the machines say they are games of skill and tha they don't fall under the same prohibited category as slot mac But Representative Killian Timoney of electrics disagrees.

He explained the provisions in House Bill 608.

>> ADVANCE PROHIBITS GAMBLING DEVICES GAMING THAT FALL OUT OF OF THE PURVIEW OF KRS THAT STATUTES 154, 230 THE 2248.

THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T HAVE THESE MEMORIZED THAT'S GAMING, LOTTERY AND THE HORSE RACING.

SECOND THING IT DOES IS AUTHORIZES THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE DEDICATED TO REMOVING GAMBLINGY DEVICES NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW.

AND THE LAST THING IT DOES, IT DIRECTS THE JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY CABINET TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS REGARDING THE TASK FORCE.

WE HAVE ALREADY ESTABLISHED PARAMETERS FOR GAMING IN KENTUCKY.

WHEN WYE SEND A MESSAGE THAT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE, WE HAVE A PROCESS FOR HOW WE DO THIS.

OUR EXPANSION HAS A PROCESS, AND WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT PROCESS.

>> Casey: REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE Kentucky lottery say the me is hurting their sales in communities where the gray machines are prevent.

Mary Harville, president of the Kentucky lottery, told the hous licensing and occupations committee the impact the machines could have in the futu.

>> SO WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF ALL THESE MACHINES ON THE KENTUCKY LOTTERY?

IT'S EARLY, BUT IT IS SIGNIFICANT.

AND IT'S BECAUSE OF WHERE THE MACHINES ARE LOCATED.

WE FACE COMPETITION FROM ALL FORMS OF GAMBLING, LEGAL AND ILLEGAL.

BUT THESE MACHINES HAVE LANDED RIGHT IN LOTTERY LOCATIONS, WHICH IS CONVENIENCE STORES AND GAS STATIONS.

GRAY MACHINES TARGET THOSE VERY SAME LOCATIONS, AND THAT IS WHY UNREGULATED GAMING MACHINES ARE A MASSIVE BODY BLOW TO THE KENTUCKY LOTTERY.

BUT LET'S LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.

AT THE END OF QUARTER TWO WE LOOKED THED AT OUR STATEWIDE LOTTERY STORES.

STORES WITH THE GRAY MACHINES LAGGING BEHIND THE OTHERS.

ABOUT 5.5%.

>> Casey: Harville to say that scholarship dollars could be impacted if the gray machines aren't regulated, but opponents to House Bill 608 say they are operating in Kentucky The president of Pace-O-Matic, company that operates some of the machines, says they bring benefits to the state.

And former Kentucky justice cabinet secretary John Tilley says Pace-O-Matic has been in communication with local leader to ensure they aren't running afoul of the law.

>> DURING REGULAR ECONOMIC TIMES SMALL BUSINESS EXPAND WITH OUR PRODUCTS, AND HARSH ECONOMIC TIMES, AS WE HAVE SEEN WITH COVID AND THE CURRENT RISE OF INFLATION IN THE STATE AND IN THE COUNTRY, OUR GAMES WERE A LIFELINE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

PACE-O-MATIC PRIDES ITSELF ON CONDUCTING BUSINESS THE RIGHT WAY AND FOLLOWING THE LAW.

WE WILL NOT PLACE OUR GAMES IN A MARKET WITHOUT GETTING A LEGAL OPINION ON OUR MARKET AND.

IT'S A LOT OF INVESTMENT US TO TAKE AN ILLEGAL RISK.

>> I'LL TELL YOU THE IDEA THAT SOMEHOW THIS COMPANY ENTERED THE MARKETPLACE UNDER THE GOVERNOR COVER OF NIGHT IS NOT TRUE.

THE THEY ADVISOR CANVASSED THE MARKET, AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IS WHEN THEY DID THAT A CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONSULTING AGES DETERMINED DETERMINED THERE WERE 15 TO 20,000 ILLEGAL GAMES, THOSE GRAY MACHINES AND WORSE ALREADY EXCISIONING IN THE STATE.

THAT'S THE REALITY.

AND WITHOUT ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM, THOSE GAMES WILL REMAIN DESPITE WHATEVER BAN BILL YOU MAY PASS.

THAT IS A FACT.

THE LEGAL OPINION STANDS BY ITSELF AND IS CREDIBLE AND MANY OF YOU HAVE READ THAT LEGAL opi >> Casey: The Kentucky fraternal order of police are using the machines to raise mon Their Vice President says they'll remove the machines if the legislature deems them illegal but says he hopes they can be regulated instead.

>> THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE ARE PROUD TO PARTEDNER WITH EAST COAST AMUSEMENTS AND PACE-O-MATIC AS THEY PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES AND FOR OUR ORGANIZATION.

AND FOR SPEAKING WITH MANY PRIVATE ATTORNEYS, MANY COUNTY.

AND MANY COMMONLY WEALTH'S ATTORNEYS WE BELIEVE THAT THESE MACHINES ARE LEGAL AND ALLOWED TO BE UTILIZED IN OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

AFTER ALL, WE WANT BE SITTING HERE TODAY IF THE MACHINES WEREN'T LEGAL.

NOT ONLY DOES THE FOP GET THE MUCH-NEEDED FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY AND THEIR FAMILIES, BUT THEY ALSO HELP SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS AT A TIME WHERE MAIN STREETS IN OUR STATE AND COUNTRY ARE strugglin >> Casey: A committee substitute to the measure was proposed that would have regulated the gray gaming machines instead of declaring them illegal.

A motion on the s failed, and the house licensing and occupations committee passe the original House Bill 608 wit 11 yes votes, 3 no votes, and 4 If you're feeling confident tha your favorite team is going to win the title, a House Bill would allow you to place a wage on them.

House Bill 606 legalizes sports gaming.

It's similar to a sports gaming bill that passed the house licensing and occupations committee last session, but failed to get across the end zone.

If the legislation becomes law, KENTUCKY WOULD JOIN 33 OTHER states that have legal sports g The proceeds from the new law would go toward funding the Commonwealth's under funded pension liability.

Erlanger Republican Adam Koenig says the bill will help Kentuckians who are gambling illegally right no.

>> ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATION, THERE'S $2 BILLION WAGERED ILLEGALLY ON SPORTS IN KENTUCKY EVERY YEAR.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BRING THOSE PEOPLE OUT OF THE SHADOWS, TO DRY UP THE BLACK MARKET, AND MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THEIR GOVERNMENT PROTECTING THEM.

WHEN YOU GO TO A BOOKIE AND IF YOU HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND AND YOU GO TO COLLECT, THEN YOUR BEING DOESN'T WANT TO PAY YOU, WHERE DO YOU GO?

WHAT RECOURSE DO YOU HAVE?

THE ANSWER IS NONE.

IF THAT'S THE CASE, IF AND WHEN WE LEGALIZE IT THAT WON'T BE THE CASE.

YOU WILL HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT WILL INTERVENE ON YOUR BEHALF AND MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF properly >> Casey: The family foundation has been a consistent opponent to expanded gaming legislation.

Today in committee, their executive director spoke agains House Bill 606.

He calls the measure bad government and bad Koenig had a response to those .

>> PREDATORY GAMBLING, ESPECIALLY IN THE EXPANSIVE FORM HAS THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED THIS MORNING IN HOUSE BILL 606, NOT A VICTIMLESS FORM OF OF ENTERTAINMENT OR COMPETITION.

THAT'S SIMPLY THE TRUTH AND ANOTHER A HARSH REALITY.

THIS TYPE OF PREDATORY GAMBLING IS DESIGNED TO PREY ON HUMAN WEAKNESS WITH THE GOVERNMENT COLLUDING WITH THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY TO EXPLOIT OUR FELLOW KENTUCKIANS.

IT IS AN INDUSTRY DESIGNED WILL NOT TO CREATE WEALTH BUT TO SIMPLY TRANSFER WEALTH PRIMARILY FROM THE POOR TO THE WEALTHY.

>> YOU HEAR ABOUT THESE -- MANY OF THESE BILLS, THE PARADE OF HORRIBLES THAT WILL OCCUR IF PASSED, AND I THINK MOST OF THE TIME, IF NOT ALL THE TIME, THE PREY OF HORRIBLES NEVER SHOW UP.

THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THERE ARE COSTS, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT WHEN WE GET TO 609, BUT THOSE COSTS ARE THERE NOW.

THERE'S BILLIONS BEING WAGERED CURRENTLY, LEGALLY IN THE STATE ON VARIOUS FORMS OF gaming.

>> Casey: Louisville Representative Al gentry is a cosponsor on Koenig's measure.

He says the bill will help regulate an industry that is operating despite becoming ille.

>> I THINK WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE THE DECISIONS FOR OURSELVES.

PEOPLE THAT BET ON SPORTS FOR THE MOST PART ARE ALREADY DOING IT.

AND THE WORST THING ABOUT IT IS WHEN YOU BET ON CREDIT, AND THAT'S ILLEGAL BETTING, AND WE ARE GOING TO REGULATE THAT AND WE ARE GOING TO END THAT, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO WHAT THE MAJORITY OF STATES IN THE UNITED STATES ALREADY HAVE, WHICH IS LEGALIZED TIGHT REGULATED SPORT >> Casey: House Bill 606 passed the house licensing and occupations committee and heads to the house.

Taxes on pari-mutuel wagering, or pool betting that is traditionally used in horse racing, received an update.

Currently, different types of pari-mutuel bets are taxed at different rates.

Online bets are taxed at a half percentage point, live and HISTORICAL HORSE RACING machine at 1.5%, and bets made at track window at 3.

House Bill 607 would tax every wager at a steady 1.5%.

The bill's sponsor, Adam Koenig, says this will help bring in new revenue as the way people bet changes with emergin He explains some other parts of the measure.

>> THERE'S AN ADMISSIONS TAX WHICH WE DON'T KNOW HOW OLD IT IS, PROBABLY 100 YEARS OLD, FOR 15 CENTS FOR EVERY PERSON THAT COMES TO A TRACK.

THAT'S BACK IN THE DAY WHEN THAT WAS THE ONLY PLACE WHERE YOU COULD LEGALLY WAGER IN KENTUCKY.

AND SO YOU GOT TICKETS, AND YOU SHOWED UP, AND THERE WERE TURNSTILES.

AND THAT MAY MAKE SENSE FOR A COUPLE TRACKS, BUT AT TURF WAY I'VE NEVER GONE THROUGH A TURNSTILE AT TURF WAY AND I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THEM IN THE NEW FACILITY.

SAME WITH KENTUCKY DOWNS.

SAME WITH ELLIS PARK.

SAME WITH RED MILE.

SO THEY'VE BEEN JUST KIND OF ESTIMATING HOW MANY PEOPLE COME IN, AND THEN THEY SEND THE STATE MONEY.

I THINK IN 2020 FISCAL YEAR IT WAS $150,000, SO IT'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY.

WE'RE GOING TO ELIMINATE THAT.

IT INCLUDES LANGUAGE TO REQUIRE THAT THE RACING COMMISSION BE SELF-FUNDING.

WE'VE BEEN SPENDING MONEY FOR YEARS ON THEIR FUNDING, AND THEY'RE GOING TO -- WE HAVE ENOUGH OF THE HHR MACHINES NOW THAT THEY CAN PUT A FEE ON THERE AND THEY CAN BE SELF-SUFFICIENT.

IT REQUIRES OPERATORS TO MAINTAIN A SELF-EX CLUES LIST AND TO SHARE THAT LIST WITH THE RACING COMMISSION.

>> Casey: Kentucky's gamblers WILL ALSO GET A BENEFIT AS HOUSE BILL 607 MAKES CHANGES TO break Today, tracks are able to round winning bets down to the neares 20-cent increment.

That rounding is called breakage.

House Bill 607 will force tracks to pay out winnings to the penny.

Koenig explains how this will benefit .

>> IT'S MY VIEW THAT THAT IS THE BETTORS' MONEY, AND I'VE BEEN VERY INTERESTED, AFTER LAST YEAR'S HHR DEBATE IN MAKING SURE THE BETTORS ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

WE TOOK CARE OF ERVIN ELSE.

WE TOOK CARE OF THE BREEDERS.

WE TOOK IR CAST TRACKS.

YOU KNOW, THE HORSE OWNERS, THE TRAINERS, THE JOCKEYS.

EVERYONE'S GETTING HEALTHY ON THIS EXCEPT FOR THE BETTORS.

AND THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO HELP THE BETTORS, IS THEY'RE GOING TO GET PAID TO THE PENNY RATHER THAN EVERY 20 CENTS.

AND IT WILL, IN ADDITION TO TAKING CARE OF THE BETTORS, IT WILL MAKE KENTUCKY THE PLACE IN NORTH AMERICA TO WAGER.

IF YOU'RE SOMEONE WHO WAGERS A LOT OF MONEY, DO IT FOR A LIVING, DO IT FOR ENTERTAINMENT, WHATEVER IT IS, WHY WOULD YOU BET ANY PLACE ELSE?

WHY WOULD YOU BET SOMEPLACE WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO GET PAID 780 WHEN YOU WOULD GET PAID 796.

>> Casey: Claiming races, or the lower purse races that are common throughout the state, could also get a boost in HB 60 Louisville Representative Al gentry explains how the Kentuck thoroughbred racing fund could be able to give claiming races .

>> WHAT THOSE FUNDS ARE USED FOR ARE PURSE SUPPLEMENTS FOR KENTUCKY-BRED THOROUGHBREDS AND ARE STANDARDBREDS THAT RACE, WHICH ATTRACT A LOT MORE BREEDING, A TRACTS A LOT MORE PARTICIPATION IN OUR RACING CIRCUIT HERE IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

BUT THE CLAIMING RACES, WHICH ARE THE LOWEST LEVEL RACES, WHICH ACTUALLY COMPRISE MOST OF THE EVERYDAY RACING THAT GOES ON IN THE STATE AND A LOT OF OUR, I WOULD SAY, LOWER INCOME OPERATIONS ARE IN THIS TYPE OF RACING, AND BEFORE THE CLAIMING RACES WERE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PURSE SUPPLEMENTS.

THIS BILL WILL, SINCE WE NOW HAVE THE FUNDING WITHIN THE FUND TO DO THIS, WE ARE ADDING CLAIMING RACES TO THOSE PURSE SUPPLEMENTS FOR KENTUCKY BREDS, AND THIS IS VERY, VERY importan >> Casey: House Bill 607 passed the house licensing and occupations committee and heads to the house.

Despite a thriving horse racing industry, Kentucky does not have a program to help people with problem gaming.

House Bill 609 turns the corner by establishing the Kentucky problem gaming assistant board.

The board would be created with $225 million rewarded to Kentucky from the PokerStars se Adam Koenig says Kentucky not doing anything for problem gaming is unacceptable.

>> AWARENESSY, PREVENT AND TREATMENT OF GAMING IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND KENTUCKY DOES NOT ADDRESS IT.

THERE'S NO REQUIREMENTS IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM FOR ANY OF THE OPERATORS.

TO ENGAGE IN THIS.

I SAW THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY, AND MR. STONE FROM KENTUCKY COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMING, ACTUALLY GAVE US THIS IDEA, WHICH WAS WHAT BETTER USE OF THIS MONEY THAN TO ADDRESS OUR PROBLEM GAMING AND RESPONSIBLE GAMING issues.

>> Casey: House Bill 609 passed the house L&O c heading to the full house.

Could some refugees leaving Ukraine end up in Kentucky?

Lawmakers discussed a bill that would set up a way for Kentucky to handle new refugees.

Senate Bill 195 would create a fund to provide $10,000 per refugee family for up to 5,000 families.

It's sponsored by Senator Chris McDaniel of Taylor mill.

He discussed the refugee situation in Europe.

And the executive director of Kentucky refugee mi explained how past refugee placements have worked out in K. >> IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS, 3 MILLION FOLKS WHO OTHERWISE WERE GOING ABOUT NORMAL LIVES HAVE BEEN DISPLACED INTO THE ADJOINING NATION POLAND.

THAT WOULD BE ROUGHATELY EQUIVALENT IN THREE WEEKS OF 450,000 NEW PEOPLE ENTERING THE BORDERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH WITH NOTHING BUT THE CLOTHES ON THEIR BACK.

AS THIS YEAR ADVANCES, THERE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP WITH THE RESETTLEMENT OF THESE PEOPLE WHO WANTED NOTHING BUT TO BE FREE AND THEY'RE LEAVING COUNTRYMEN BEHIND WHO ARE FIGHTING THE VERY KIND OF FIGHT THAT THIS NATION FOUGHT SEVER CENTURIES AGO TO BE ABLE TO LIVE FREE IN A NATION WHERE THEY SELF-DETERMINE.

>> SO JUST RECENTLY, AS YOU WILL RECALL, THE U.S., WE RESETTLED OVER 70,000 AFGHANS, MOST OF WHOM DID DIRECT PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO OUR MILITARY OR THE U.S. MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN AND WERE EVACUATED IN AUGUST.

WE RESETTLED OVER 460 OF THEM, 320 IN LOUISVILLE, 126 IN LEXINGTON, ABOUT 40 IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

AND I CAN SAY WE HAVE HAD OVERWHELMING, IN DOING SO, WE HAD OVERWHELMING COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

WE HAD DOZENS AND DOZENS OF TEAMS, PRIMARILY FROM FAITH-BASED COMMUNITIES, WHO PROVIDE FURNITURE, FOOD ASSISTANCE, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, CLOTHING AND THAT WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL EFFORT HERE IN KENTUCKY, AND I'M PROUD TO SAY A GOOD NUMBER OF THOSE AFGHANS WHO WERE SETTLED HERE IN KENTUCKY IN OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER ALREADY WORKING.

>> Casey: This bill applies to all refugees, not just those from Ukraine.

The Senate appropriations and revenue committee voted in favor of the Lawmakers heard this morning from John Minton, chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Justice Minton urged the Senate appropriations and revenue committee to support higher pay for judges and employees in the judicial branch.

He said judicial employees are paid less than workers in the executive and legislative branches, and he told the committee that Kentuck judicial branch ranks 53rd in pay among 55 states and territo.

>> IT PROVIDE LITTLE INCENTIVE LONG-TERM TO ATTRACT THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST PEOPLE TO LEAVE A CONSECUTIVE LAW PRACTICE AND BRING THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL AND ABILITY TO BEAR WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST, THE IN COURTROOM.

THE LONGER WE POSTPONE OUR ATTENTION TO THIS, MR. CHAIRMAN, THE MORE DIFFICULT IT WILL BE TO CATCH UP ON LOST WAGES AND AVOID DIMINISHING LONG-TERM THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE AS IT'S PROVIDED IN COURTROOMS ALL ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

THE MAIN FOCUS OF OUR BUDGET REQUEST, MR. CHAIRMAN, IS A SALARY PARITY PLAN THAT, WHILE , WOULD BE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN CREATING A MORE EQUITABLAL SALARY SCALE.

TO IMPLEMENT THAT PLAN, WE HAVE ASKED FOR A FLAT $10,000 INCREASE FOR ALL COURT PERSONNEL IN OUR JEWISH BRANCH BUDGET RECOMMENDATION.

WE APPRECIATE VERY MUCH THE FLANGES THAT WE HEARD THE SENATE SENDING BY GIVING THE JUVE BRANCH EMPLOYEES A $4,500 INCREASE IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, AND A POTENTIAL 10% INCREASE IN FISCAL YEAR '24.

>> Casey: The judicial branch budget was up for discussion only.

There was no vote today on justice Minton's suggestions.

Andy Beshear has used the power of the Governor's pen.

He vetoed Senate joint resolution 150 tod The measure would end Kentucky' COVID-19 state of emergency earlier than originally planned Beshear says the resolution put $50 million in federal money Kentucky is receiving to supplement the snap program.

IN JEOPARDY.

HE ISSUED THIS ZAPATA TODAY.

>> I BELIEVE THAT GIVEN WE HAVE ZERO STATEWIDE RESTRICTIONS, AND WE HAVEN'T FOR SIX MONTHS, ALL THIS RESOLUTION DOES IS HURT THESE FOLKS BY CUTTING OFF THIS EXTRA FOOD AID WHILE DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ELSE.

FOR THAT REASON, I AM VETOING JOINT RESOLUTION 150.

>> Casey: The general assembly will now have the opportunity t override the Governor's veto.

The Senate state and local government committee took up Senate bill 343 which would create a task force to address failing water systems in the Co Among the recommendations, lifting any holds or financial audits on cities to allow the use of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act for water syste That prompted Senator Christian McDaniel to tell Senator Wheele that while he supported the bil in spirit, he had to vote no if audits were suspended.

>> THAT'S A GREAT CONCERN TO ME.

IF WE CAN DO AN AMENDMENT, PULL THAT OUT BEFORE IT GETS TO THE FLOOR.

THE THING ABOUT ARPA FUNDS IS THEY HAVE TO BE OBJECT GUIDE BY '24, EXPENDED BY '26.

TO ME THAT'S EVEN MORE OF A CARROT FOR FOLKS TO GET THEMSELVES THERE.

WE PUT THAT AUDIT LANGUAGE IN YEARS AGO FOR A REASON AND I DON'T LIKE TO SEE THE I COMING OUT.

>> SENATOR MCDANIEL I BASICALLY AGREE.

ACCOUNTABILITY IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO ME.

I GUESS WHAT I WOULD SAY IS STOPPING THE PROJECT, OBVIOUSLY, IS A GREAT INCENTIVE TO YET GET YOUR BOOKS IN ORDER BUT ON THE OTHER HAND THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH REAL NEEDS AND SOMETIMES THE COST OF STOPPING A PROJECT CAN ACTUALLY INCREASE THE COST OF THAT PROJECT.

I THINK YOU STILL HAVE ACCOUNTABLE.

THIS IS NOT SAYING THAT THE AUDITS WON'T BE DONE.

IT JUST ALLOWS THE PROJECT TO PROCEED IN THE INTERIM.

BUT I DO UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN, AND I DO APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

FOR THE BILL IN GENERAL.

>> Casey: The committee was told there were 62 cities in th state that currently have a funding hold or need to undergo an audit on projects.

House speaker David Osborne went before committee today, asking for support of a bill that woul change the process of prefiling He says people often believe that prefiled bills have GONE VETTING WHEN, IN FACT, THEY ARE WORKING documents.

Osborne says he wants to change prefiled bills to working documents and set up a website where the public can view those documents.

>> INSTEAD OF IT BEING PRESENTED TO THE PUB AS HAVING TO PICK A SIDE, TO EITHER DECLARE YOU'RE FOR IT OR AGAINST IT, IF IT'S A WORKING DOCUMENT, IT BECOMES -- IT INVITES THE PUBLIC TO ACTUALLY WORK ON SOMETHING, AND IT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY GET FILED AND INTRODUCED ON DAY ONE.

THERE'S -- WE SEE EVERY YEAR THE NUMBER OF COMMITTEE SUBS THAT IMMEDIATELY COME AS PREFILED BILLS START GETTING HEARD, AND IT'S BECAUSE THEY -- ONCE THEY'RE PREFILED, THEY IMMEDIATELY OR THEY GET INTRODUCED THAT WAY ON THE VERY FIRST DAY OF, AND I'VE SEEN A LOT OF REALLY WELL-INTENDED AND ACTUALLY WELL-CONSIDERED BUT MAYBE NOT COMPLETELY VETTED LEGISLATION THAT HAS KIND OF GOTTEN DERAILED BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO TAKE THAT SIDE EARLY ON, AND IT'S HARD TO REVISIT that.

>> Casey: Two members of the committee say they are in support of the change and believe it will help the public better understand th legislative process.

>> I'M GOING TO BE A LITTLE MORE DIRECT AND SAY THAT THE PREFILING OF BILLS IS A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME.

PEOPLE USE TO IT ACHIEVE POLITICAL GOALS, TO GET READY TO RUN FOR HIGHER OFFICE, AND I'VE BEEN TIRED OF THEM FOR A LONG TIME.

ITS A HUGE DISTRACTION AND I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO YOU BRINGING THE BILL TODAY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING IT.

>> SOMETIMES WHEN YOU GET A PREFILED BILL, IT EVIDENCES A CERTAIN MINDSET WHICH MAY NOT BE THE CASE AND SOMETIMES CAUSES PEOPLE TO GO INTO THEIR BULLPENS PREMATURELY WHEN IN MANY CASES THESE ARE MERELY A WORK IN PROGRESS, SO I THINK THIS NEW IDEA THAT YOU'VE COME UP WITH WILL BE MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE IN GETTING THE PEOPLE, ALL THE PARTIES TO THE TABLE TO TRY TO CRAFT BETTER, MORE APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION.

>> Casey: One senator asked how soon the site would be set Osborne says it will happen as soon as the bill is passed.

It will now move to the Senate for This afternoon, house and Senat did not concur on either versio of the executive branch budget.

The two chambers selected a conference committee to negotiate the differences.

THE COMMITTEE INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES Osborne, Meade, Rudy, miles, McCoy, Jenkins, Gr Hatton, Petrie and reed, and senators Stivers, Givens, THAYER, RAQUE ADAMS, Wilson, McGarvey, Thomas and Webb.

The conference committee met for the first time this afternoon, and you can watch that action on ou That concludes our coverage of day 49 of the 2022 Kentucky general assembly.

We hope to see you again tomorrow night at 11:00 p.m. eastern time for "Le FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-80 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.