♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ LAWMAKERS PICK UP THE PACE AND RACE THROUGH SCORES OF LEGISLATION TODAY ON WELFARE REFORM, MEDICINAL MARIJUANA, TRANSGENDER SPORTS PLAY AND MORE ON DAY 50 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, WELCOME TO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT, I AM RENEE SHAW.

WE BEGIN WITH HOUSE FLOOR ACTION, A SEISMIC WELFARE BENEFITS OVERHAUL PLAN SEEKS TO CRACK DOWN ON FRAUD AND CERTAIN ABLE BODIED PEOPLE IN THE WORKFORCE BUT CRITICS BLAST THE HOUSE GOP PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RESTRUCTURING PROPOSAL AS A QUOTE DRACONIAN DISREGARD OF THE NEEDS OF THE STATE'S POOREST CITIZENS.

HOUSE BILL SEVEN PUSHED BY THE HOUSE'S TOP LEGISLATIVE LEADERS RESTRICTS PUBLIC CASH ASSISTANCE FROM BEING SPENT AND BARS ADULT ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES AND CASINOS ON ALCOHOL, TOBACCO OR LOTTERY TICKETS, AND CREATES PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THAT RANGE FROM A ONE-MONTH TO FIVE YEARS SUSPENSION.

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THE OR ELECTRONIC BENEFIT CARDS CAN ONLY BE USED TO BUY ITEMS THAT ARE QUOTE NECESSARY FOR THE WELFARE OF THE FAMILY.

75 PERCENT OF MONTHLY SNAP OR FOOD STAMP BENEFITS ARE RECOMMENDED TO BE USED ON HEALTHY FOODS.

THE ARCHITECTS OF HOUSE BILL SEVEN SAY STREAMLINES THE PROCESS FOR SENIORS AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES TO ENROLL AND MAINTAIN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BENEFITS, AND IT ALSO REACTIVATES THE SNAP WORK AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR ABLE BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT CHILDREN, MAKES THEM MEET MORE REPORTING RULES ON INCOME CHANGES AND CONTAINS PROVISIONS TO REMOVE AN ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS FROM THE ROLES.

CRITICS CONTEND THE MEASURE WILL CREATE BARRIERS FOR THE NEEDIEST OF KENTUCKIANS TO GET FOOD AND MEDICINE.

>> IT REALLY SEEMS LIKE WE ARE GOING AFTER A, OR TRYING TO PUNISH PEOPLE FOR BEING POOR, WHEN WE REALLY SHOULD BE GOING AFTER PROVIDERS OF HEALTHCARE OR LABS AMBULANCES WHICH COST WAY MORE THAN A MOM WITH THREE OR FOUR KIDS THAT MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN A MONTH OF FOOD THAT SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE.

>> THE ENEMY HERE IS NOT SNAP BENEFITS, IT IS NOT WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION, THE ENEMY HERE IS THAT 1.4 MILLION OF OUR CITIZENS ARE, OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS ARE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE.

>> IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL OF THEM IS SOMEHOW DEFRAUDING US ALL.

>> BUT CONDITIONS, PANDEMICS, ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE CALLED FORTH FROM US NOT THE LIFEBOAT THAT IS NEEDED TO GET TO SHORE BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS CALLED FORTH A BUNCH OF CARPENTERS WITH DRILLS LOOKING TO DISMANTLE THE BOAT WHILE WE ARE STILL AT SEA.

>> HOUSE BILL 7 BY THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND SPEAKER PRO TEM WOULD PUNISH THOSE WHO TRAFFICKED EB.

THE CARDS WITH TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT INELIGIBILITY FROM ALL PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

THE MEASURE AUTHORIZES THE KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL TO ENFORCE LAW IF IT IS NOT FOLLOWED BY THE STATE HEALTH CABINET.

A JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WOULD BE CREATED FOR ABLE BODIED ADULTS ENROLLED IN MEDICAID.

THE MEASURE WAS GIVEN A FLOOR VOTE THIS AFTERNOON AFTER IT PASSED COMMITTEE ADJUST COUPLE OF HOURS EARLIER.

SPEAKER PRO TEM DAVID NEMES DEFENDED HIS MEASURE AGAINST CLAIMS IT WILL PUSH CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY OFF MEDICAID AND FOOD STAMP PROGRAMS.

>> WE ARE NOT CHANGING ONE SINGLE REQUIREMENT TO ENROLL IN SNAP.

NOT ONE.

THTHERE ARE ALREADY WORK REQUIREMENTS IN PLACE IN OUR STATE, THEY HAVE JUST BEEN PUT ON STOP BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

THEY WERE IN PLACE PRIOR TO COVID AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE IN PLACE AFTER COVID.

>> IT IS FALSE THAT THIS WILL AFFECT FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH AND THOSE OTHER PROGRAMS MENTIONED BECAUSE THAT SECTION AGAIN WAS DELETED.

LAST, TO SUM IT UP, THE ONLY WAY, THE ONLY WAY YOU LOSE YOUR BENEFITS IS THAT YOU EITHER VIOLATE THE LAW OR YOU ARE AN ABLE BODIED ADULT WITH NO DEPENDENTS THAT DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE REBUILD OUR WORKFORCE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE GIVE PEOPLE THE SAME NET THAT THEY NEED SO THAT WHEN THINGS GO WRONG THEY HAVE GOT SOMETHING TO FALL BACK ON.

BUT IT IS IMPORTANT WE GIVE PEOPLE A HANDUP AND NOT A HANDOUT.

>> THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE HEALTH CABINET SAYS IT WOULD NEED DOUBLE THE WORKFORCE UP TO 500 MORE EMPLOYEES AT THE COST OF TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO COMPLY WITH THE WELFARE REFORM PLAN.

SOME DEMOCRATS CLAIM THAT THE MATH DOESN'T ADD UP FOR THEM AND DENOUNCED THE MEASURE AS A WAR ON THE POOR.

>> WE WILL REGRET TAKING THESE ACTIONS JUST TO FEEL THE SATISFACTION OF CATCHING AND PUNISHING AN INFINITESIMALLY SMALL NUMBER OF POOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING THE WRONG THING.

WE WILL INSTEAD PUNISH GROCERY STORES AND PHARMACIES, HOSPITALS, WORKING FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND FOR WHAT?

WHO GAINS?

WHO IS BETTER OFF WHEN WE SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO SAVE THOUSANDS?

>> IF IT IS ACCOUNTABILITY WE ARE AFTER, WE NEED TO LOOK ELSEWHERE.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT EMPLOYERS COMMITTING WAGE THEFT, NOT PAYING THEIR EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR LABOR, WHETHER IT IS NOT PAYING OVER TIME OR TAKING THEIR TIPS, THIS COSTS KENTUCKY MILLIONS.

>> WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE CORPORATIONS WHO ARE PAYING THEIR EMPLOYEES POVERTY LEVEL WAGES, KNOWING THAT THE STATE WILL SUBSIDIZE THEIR BUSINESSES BY PROVIDING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.

>> THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN WELFARE REFORM PLAN PASSED THE HOUSE LARGELY ALONG PARTY LINES, 71-26.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

>> MEDICINAL CANNABIS, KENTUCKY GROWN AND PROCESSED FOR PATIENTS ACROSS KENTUCKY.

THATHAT IS HOW JASON NEMES COUCD THE BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND SET UP A FRAMEWORK REGULATORY FOR GROWERS, PROCESSORS, REGULATORS AND SAFETY TESTERS, THE QUALIFYING CONDITIONS NAMED IN THE BILL WOULD HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED BY A DOCTOR AND SINCE KENTUCKY DOESN'T TAX MEDICINE MEDICINAL MARIJUANA WOULDN'T BE TAXED EITHER, NEMES SHARED THE EXPERIENCES OF KENTUCKIANS WITH THE MEASURE WOULD BENEFIT THE MOST HE SAYS.

IT WASN'T A PERSUASIVE ARGUMENT FOR SOME IN HIS CAUCUS, THOUGH.

>> DON'T THINK FOR A SECOND THIS BRINGS NEURON KENTUCKY.

IT IS HERE.

THE BEST PART ABOUT THIS BILL AND CLOSING WITH THIS, THE BEST PART ABOUT THIS BILL IS THAT 85-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AND THAT 43-YEAR-OLD FATHER AND ERIC CRAWFORD CAN GO AND GET PRODUCT THAT IS MADE IN KENTUCKY BY KENTUCKIANS, TESTED IN KENTUCKY AND IT IS SAFE, HE KNOWS IT IS SAFE AND NOT PEDALED TO HIM BY SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT WANT TO GIVE HIM MORE SO I ANSWERED THE QUESTION HOW CAN KENTUCKY WIN?

THAT'S HOW, LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION.

AND I WILL CALL THE QUESTION.

IF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR YOUR WIFE'S PHYSICIAN OR HUSBAND'S PHYSICIAN OR GOD FORBID YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN TOLD YOU THAT THIS PRODUCT WORKS IN OTHER STATES AND IT WILL HELP YOUR CHILD, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

IF YOU LOOK UP, IF YOU GOOGLE WATCH THE MOST USED DRUG IN AMERICA, NUMBER ONE, ALCOHOL.

NUMBER 2, TOBACCO, NICOTINE, NUMBER 3, MARIJUANA AND I GUESS WE CAN SAY IT IS MORE MEDICAL PURPOSES AND ALL GO HOME AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES, WE HELPED SOME PEOPLE,.

WE CAN JUSTIFY IT AS THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

I DIDN'T COME TO FRANKFORT FOR LIQUOR, FOR GAMBLING, OR FOR MARIJUANA.

I CAME NEAR STAND AGAINST IT, TO NOT PROMOTE IT, TO TRY TO HELP MY COMMUNITIES RATHER THAN ADDING TO THE DEVASTATION GOING ON IN PEOPLE'S LIVES ALREADY.

>> THE HOUSE ADOPTED A FLOOR AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 136 THAT ADS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER TO THE LIST OF PERMISSIBLE DIAGNOSES FOR THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA, IT WAS PROPOSED BY RACHEL ROBERTS, JASMIN REPUBLICAN MATT LOCKET LATER URGED KAWRGS SIX CAUTION AS HE SAYS KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS ARE BEING ASKED TO PASS A LAW IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO A FEDERAL ONE.

>> SO ANY ARGUMENT THAT THIS IS A BACK DOOR WAY IN FOR TO ACCESS MEDICAL CANNABIS IS UNFOUNDED BECAUSE OF THE PROVISIONS FOR DIAGNOSIS IN THIS GOOD BILL.

AND IN TRUTH, BECAUSE OF THE LONG LINGERING STIGMA AROUND SUCH A CLINICAL DIAGNOSES.

I AM FORTUNATE TO DO WORK IN THIS REALM BY TEACHING MEDITATION, YOGA AND BREATHING TECHNIQUES AT HIGH RISK FOR PTSD.

>> POLICE, SEXUAL ASSAULT VISIONSORS NONE OF WHOM ARE EAGER TO CARRY THIS DIAGNOSIS, IF PEOPLE WANT TO ACCESS TO CANNABIS FOR ADULT RECREATIONAL USE, THIS IS NOT YOUR BILL.

>> THOSE FOLKS SHOULD SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 521.

BUT THIS BILL AND THIS AMENDMENT WILL INDEED HELP CLINICALLY DIAGNOSED PATIENTS.

>> I THINK IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO KNOW TOO AND TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS THAT IS IT AGAINST FEDERAL LAW?

IT IS A SIMPLE YES.

IT IS AGAINST FEDERAL.

SO WE ARE ASKED AS A BODY TO GO ON A EMOTION RATHER THAN A LEGAL STANDPOINT.

OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SAID THAT MARIJUANA IS AGAINST THE LAW.

WE CAN'T CHANGE THAT IN THIS BODY.

BUT WHAT WE ARE BEING ASKED TO DO IS GO AGAINST FEDERAL LAW.

IT IS TO PASS A LAW DIRECTLY IN OPPOSITION TO A FEDERAL STATUTE.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE NOT ENFORCING IT, I UNDERSTAND ALL OF THAT, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THAT IT IS STILL AGAINST THE FEDERAL LAW.

>> BEFORE THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEBATE ON HOUSE BILL 136 THE HOUSE APPROVED A SEPARATE MEASURE TO CREATE THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR CANNABIS RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY TO STUDY ITS SAFETY AND EFFECT TIIVES.

IF PASSED -- IT PASSED WITHOUT OPPOSITION BUT A MUCH NARROWER MARGIN OF VICTORY FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION FOR JASON NEMES AS HIS HOUSE BILL 136 EARNED PASSAGE 59 TO 34 AND NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE SENATE FOR THE CHAIR WESTER CHEADLE SAID LAST WEEK HE SUPPORTS THE MEASURE.

>> THE MARATHON HOUSE SESSION CONTINUED OF WHAT GAVE THE SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS ACT BARRING TRAPS GENDERS GIRL FROM PLAYING ON ALL GIRL SPORTS TEAMS FROM SIXTH GRADE THROUGH COLLEGE, IT MIRRORS A HOUSE BILL WITH THE SAME PURPOSE IN MIND, CLARK COUNTY REPUBLICAN RYAN DODSON CARRIED THE SENATE BILL ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THIS AFTERNOON.

>> 37 STATES HAVE INTRODUCED THIS LEGISLATION.

11 STATES HAVE NOW PASSED ON MARCH THE THIRD IOWA BECAME THE, BECAME THE 11TH, AT PUBERTY MALES HAVE INCREASED MUSCLE MASS, STRENGTH, INCLUDING INCREASED HEART SIZE, HIGHER HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS THAT RESULT IN GREATER OXYGEN CARRYING CAPABILITIES.

AND DIFFERENT MUSCLE TO FAT RATIOS ARE MUCH HIGHER IN BIOLOGICAL MALES THAN FEMALES.

BIOLOGICAL MALES HAVE GREATER BONE DENSITY, GREATER METABOLISM RATE, THUS RELEASING GREATER ENERGY FASTER.

THE CLEAR PHYSIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES LEAD TO MAJORITIES CAL ADVANTAGES FOR MALES OVER FEMALES.

>> SENATE BILL 83 DEFINES HOW BIOLOGICAL SEX IS DETERMINED BY AN ORIGINAL UNEDITED BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND IF ONE IS NOT AVAILABLE A SWORN AFFIDAVIT FROM AN APPROVED LIST OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WOULD BE ACCEPTED.

BIOLOGICAL BOYS WHO IDENTIFY AS FEMALES COULD PARTICIPATE ON A BOYS OR CO-ED TEAM, BUT SENATE BILL 83 SPECIFIES THAT ONLY BIOLOGICAL FEMALES CAN PLAY ON GIRL'S TEAMS IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVELS AND IN COLLEGE.

IT DREW THIS REACTION FROM OPPONENTS.

>> THERE IS ALSO A BUSINESS ARGUMENT AGAINST THIS BILL, AND WE RECEIVED LAST WEEK AT LEAST THOSE OF US SERVING ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE RECEIVED A LETTER SIGNED BY OVER 150 KENTUCKY EMPLOYERS, LARGE BUSINESSES, INCLUDING AMAZON, WHICH IS BUILDING AN ENORMOUS FACILITY RIGHT NOW IN MY DISTRICT, GOING TO HIRE A LOT OF PEOPLE, OFFER SOME REALLY GOOD JOBS, THEY SAID THEY DO NOT SUPPORT ANTI-LGBTQ LEGISLATION.

THEY DO NOT SUPPORT AMENDMENT LGBTQ POLICIES.

IT MAKES THE STATE UNFRIENDLY TO THE VERY TYPES OF BUSINESSES THAT WE ARE TRYING TO ATTRACT, THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DRAW TO OUR STATE.

THIS IS ABOUT MIDDLE SCHOOLGIRLS, MIDDLE SCHOOL TRANS GIRLS WHO JUST NEED A SENSE OF BELONGINGNESS THEY GET FROM BEING ON A SPORTS TEAM THAT MATCHES THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.

BUT IT IS MORE THAN BELONGINGNESS I AM WORRIED ABOUT.

IT IS KEEPING THEM ALIVE.

THE TREVOR PROJECT SURVEY DID A STUDY OF SUICIDAL IDEATIONS OF LGBTQ STUDENTS.

42 PERCENT OF LGBTQ YOUTH SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED ATTEMPTING SUICIDE IN THE YEAR PRIOR TO THE STUDY.

I VOTED NO FOR THE TRANS KIDS WHO DESERVE TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED AS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, THAT YOU ARE NEEDED AND THAT YOU ARE WELCOME HERE.

I VOTED NO BECAUSE THIS IS NOT ABOUT FAIRNESS IN WINS SPORTS.

THIS IS ABOUT CONTINUED POWER DOMINATION AND CONTROL OVER PEOPLE'S BODIES, EVEN OUR KIDS.

I VOTED NO BECAUSE THIS BILL TARGETS SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE YOUNG PEOPLE, IT RUNS AFOUL OF NCAA GUIDELINES, AND AS THE CLEAR VIOLATION OF TITLE IX WHICH PROHIBITS SEX BASED DISCRIMINATION IN ANY SCHOOL OR ORDER EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT RECEIVES FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I VOTED YES ON THIS BILL BECAUSE, MR. SPEAKER, I DON'T KNOW HOW I COULD GO BACK TO THE 100TH DISTRICT AND EXPLAIN TO THE FEMALE CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPION OF THE STATE THAT I VOTED TO ALLOW HER TO COMPETE WITH MALES.

THERE ARE A FEW OTHER THINGS.

I ALSO THINK THAT VOTING FOR THIS BILL WILL HELP PRESERVE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE CITIZENS OF THE 100TH DISTRICT ARE VERY MUCH FOR THIS BILL AND IF WE DID NOT PASS SOMETHING LIKE THAT WE WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THEY WOULD HAVE US BACK HERE DEMANDING WE CHANGE THINGS SO THAT THEY HAD PARENTAL CHOICE ON WHERE TO GO.

>> ON A VOTE OF 70-23 SENATE BILL 83 CLEARED THE HOUSE BUT BECAUSE OF SOME CHANGES MADE IN THE LOWER CHAMBER THE SENATE MUST SIGN OFF ON THOSE BEFORE IT CAN BE SENT ON TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

IN SENATE FLOOR ACTION TODAY SCHOOL BOARDS COULD SOON BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AT THEIR MEETINGS.

HOUSE BILL 121 REQUIRES EACH BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING TO INCLUDE AT LEAST 50 MINUTES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

TWO SENATE AMENDMENTS TO HOUSE BILL 121 WERE APPROVED, FLOOR AMENDMENT 2 SPONSORED BY GERALD MILL REQUIRES THE PUBLIC COMMENT FORCED ADHERE TO ANY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING POLICIES AND ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH SENATE BILL 3 DELETES LANGUAGE THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED BOARDS TO END PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS IF THERE ARE NO REQUESTS TO SPEAK.

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MAX WISE SAYS PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE SHUT OUT OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION.

>> WE DID SEE IN KENTUCKY AND ALSO IN MANY OTHER STATES THAT PARENTS WERE SHUT OUT OF MANY SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS TO NOT ALLOW FOR THEIR FREEDOM OF SPEECH, TO HAVE A TIME FOR OPEN COMMENT.

WE ALSO THIS SESSION HAVE TALKED ABOUT CIVILITY AND WE PREACH THAT CIVILITY AND WANT OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS TO BE PLACES WHERE PARENTS, CITIZENS AND OTHERS CAN COME TO GIVE THEIR OPINIONS, TO GIVE THEIR STANCES ON ISSUES BUT TO DO SO IN A CIVIL WAY.

>> SENATORS MORGAN MCGARVEY AND WIL SCHRODER, A PAIR SCHRODER CALLED A PLEASANT SURPRISE, BOTH VOTED AGAINST HOUSE BILL 121.

THEY SAY SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS SHOULD HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT BUT THAT SO SHOULD THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> LET'S MAKE SO MISTAKE ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE TODAY, THOUGH.

WE ARE TELLING LOCALLY ELECTED OFFICIALS HOW TO RUN THEIR MEETINGS, WE ARE DOING SO IN A WAY THAT PROVIDES FOR NO DISCRETION AFTER THAT FLOOR AMENDMENT, THAT WE ARE SAYING IT HAS TO BE A FLOOR.

LET'S PUT OURSELVES UNDER THE SAME RULES IF THEY ARE SO GOOD.

I KNOW WE WON'T, I THINK IT IS IN A LOT OF WAYS COMMON SENSE THAT WE WOULD WANT PUBLIC DIALOGUE AT THESE MEETINGS, AND IT IS A SHAME THAT WE HAVE TO LEGISLATE THIS AND AT THE SAME TIME I AGREE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT AS A NECESSITY AT OUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS AS WELL.

>> TWO OTHER SENATORS VOTED AGAINST HOUSE BILL 121 BECAUSE OF HOW THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS PLACING RESTRICTIONS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LEITCHFIELD GOVERNMENT MEREDITH AND YATES EXPLAINED THEIR NO VOTES.

WE RAILED AGAINST MANDATES AND SHEER ANOTHER MANDATE.

WE DON'T NEED MORE GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE BUT LESS GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE AND LET COMMUNITIES HANDLE THEIR OWN BUSINESSES.

I THINK IT IS GREAT TO HAVE A 15-MINUTE PERIOD BUT SHOULDN'T REQUIRE A STATE LAW TO DO THIS AND I THINK IF PEOPLE WANT TO GO TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL BOARDS SHOULDN'T GIVE IT TO THEM THEY SHOULD DEMAND NEW LEADERSHIP.

>> I DO NOT THINK, THOUGH WE SHOULD BE PLAYING THE BIG GOVERNMENT APPROACH AND DICTATING WITH LOCAL BODIES THAT ARE ELECTED HOW THEY DECIDE TO DO THINGS.

THIS IS NOT A GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT DICTATES.

THEY ARE ELECTED AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY THE AMENDMENT.

>> THE AMENDMENT HOUSE BILL 121 PASSED THE SENATE 25-10 AND HEADS BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR CONCURRENCE THERE.

THERE ARE OVER 14,000 ORPHANED WELLS IN KENTUCKY.

THE ABANDONED OIL AND NATURAL GAS WELLS CAN HAVE NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR PROPERTY OWNERS.

SENATE BILL 315 CHANGES STATUTE TO LET KENTUCKY RECEIVE FEDERAL MONEY TO PLUG THOSE ORPHANED WELLS.

CONGRESS PASSED THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT LAST YEAR AND KENTUCKY IS RECEIVING $104 MILLION TO CLEAN UP ORPHANED WELLS, HENDERSON SENATOR ROBBY MILLS AND PIKEVILLE SENATOR PHILLIP WHEELER EXPLAINED WHY THE MEASURE IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THEIR PARTS OF THE STATE.

>> IT IS GOING TO MEET A IMMEDIATE IN OUR COMMONWEALTH TO CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT .. AND TO CLEAN P THESE OIL WELLS THAT ARE OUT IN ALMOST EVERY FIELD AS YOU DRIVE THROUGH RURAL KEN KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE MANY OF THESE WELLS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT MY DISTRICT AS WELL.

IN FACT IN JOHNSON COUNTY AND SOMEWHAT IN LAWRENCE COUNTY, YOU KNOW, TH THERE IS A LOT OF POLLUTION THAT HAS COME FROM ABANDONED OIL WELLS AND ABANDONED GAS WELLS SO THIS OPPORTUNITY PROVIDED BY SB, SENATE BILL 315 WILL NOT ONLY REMEDIATE OUR ENVIRONMENT AND, BUT ALSO PROVIDE SHOVEL READY JOBS IN A REGION THAT IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF IT SENATE BILL 315 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 35-0.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE ALSO GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO SENATE BILL 265.

AGREEING WITH THE HOUSE'S CHANGES.

THAT MEASURE DIRECTS THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT A NEW BOARD OF REGENTS TO KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY.

THE HOUSE CHANGED THE DATE THE GOVERNOR MUST MAKE THE NEW APPOINTMENTS FROM, FROM APRIL 1ST TO THE FOURTH.

A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW HOUSES OF WORSHIP TO HOLD IN PERSON SERVICES DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY PASSED THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TODAY.

THE BILL IS IN RESPONSE TO THE DECISION BY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR TO RESTRICT IN-PERSON GATHERINGS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THE SUPPORT ISSUES OF THE BILL SAY CHURCHES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE DURING AN EMERGENCY.

SENATE CHRISTIAN MCDANIEL VOTED FOR THE BILL BUT SAYS HE HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT THE LEGISLATION COULD HAVE IN THE FUTURE.

>> YOU ARING UP FOR INTERPRETATION WITH THIS WHAT IS ACTUALLY CONSTITUTED AS RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION AND A RIGHT OF ACTION AGAINST THE STATE THAT SCURNL -- THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS AND I THINK THAT WE MAY BE OPENING OURSELVES UP TO SOME UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN THOUGHT THROUGH VERY WELL WITH YOU.

I GIEJ THE VOTE AYE BECAUSE I AM WITH YOU ON THE ISSUE BUT I THINK WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE HEADING INTO SOME DANGEROUS TERRITORY HERE.

>> HOUSE BILL 43 PASSED THE COMMITTEE AND NOW HEADED TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.

THE COMMITTEE ALSO TOOK UP A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR MORE IN-PERSON ABSENTEE VOTING.

HOUSE BILL 564 ALSO INCLUDES THE THREE EXTRA DAYS OF EARLY VOTING DURING AN ELECTION THAT LAWMAKERS PASSED LAST YEAR.

MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER SENATOR DAMON THAYER QUESTIONED THE BRILL'S SPONSOR, REPRESENTATIVE JOSH AMBULANCE SCUM, ABOUT EXPANDING EARLY VOTING.

>> WE DON'T EXPAND THE EARLY VOTING MORE THAN THREE DAYS ALLOW BY SENATOR DECKER'S BILL LAST YEAR.

>> SENATOR, WE HAVE THE EXCUSED ABSENTEE VOTES BETWEEN DAYS 13 AND THE THURSDAY OF IN-PERSON VOTING, THAT'S THE GAP PERIOD NOW WHERE SOMEONE IS NOT ABLE TO CURRENTLY VOTE THAT WE NEEDED TO FIX.

SO AS FAR AS AN EXPANSION OF VOTING I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WOULD REALLY CALL THAT AN EXPANSION.

>> NO, I JUST MEAN RIGHT NOW WE ALLOW FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND MONDAY.

>> THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY.

>> THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY.

>> HAS NOT CHANGED.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T EXPAND EARLY VOTING BEFORE THAT.

A.

NO, SIR.

>> PLEASE DON'T TRY THAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THE BILL IS NOW WOULD BE ILLEGAL TO LOOK UP TO THE INTERNET, ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH SAID SHE HAS ISSUES WITH THE BILL SAYING THERE ARE GAPS IN IT THAT COULD ALLOW FOR HACKING AND FRAUD.

>> WHAT I SEE RIGHT HERE IS PRETTY MUCH MORE OF THE SAME, WHAT I CALL SLIGHT OF HAND, BAIT AND SWITCH, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, WE ARE -- WE SAY WE ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING AND WRITE IT IN A WAY THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE HAPPEN.

WE WRITE THINGS LIKE THE WORD AUDIT MAKES EVERYBODY EXCITED AND SAY WELL WE THINK WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE CONTROL PRADO WHERE WE ANNOUNCE 30 DAYS AHEAD OF TIME WHAT WE ARE HE CANNING -- CHECKING AND WHAT WE ARE 0 NOT AND WE DECIDE INTERNALLY WHAT WE WILL CHECK AND THAT WE WILL NOT AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ACCESS TO THESE SYSTEMS ARE ABLE TO DECIDE WHAT WE ARE CHECKING AND THEN THE THINGS THAT AREN'T CHECKED ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE MAGNETS FOR FRAUD AND WHEN THAT IS ANNOUNCED AHEAD OF TIME IT IS A TERRIBLE IDEA.

IN STATUTE THIS -- WE ARE CONCERNED WE WILL BE DOWN THE SAME PATH AS OTHER STATES.

>> SUPPORTERS SAY THE ELECTION SYSTEM USES AN INTERNAL NETWORK THAT IS NEEDED FOR COMMUNICATION AND THAT THE HOUSE BILL 564 COVERS SAFEGUARDS FOR THAT SYSTEM.

THE BILL, WITH I PASSED IN THE COMMITTEE, WOULD ALSO MAKE IT A PHONE THREATEN OR INTIMIDATE PRECINCT OFFICERS AND FOLLOW WATCHERS.

ANOTHER ELECTION-RELATED MEASURE IS INCHING CLOSER TO FINAL PASSAGE.

SENATE BILL 216 INCLUDES SEVEN ELECTION REFORMS.

IF PASSED VOTING BOOTHS AND BALLOT BOXES WOULD BE LOCKED UP FOR 30 DAYS AFTER AN ELECTION, AND BOTH WOULD BE UNDER VIDEO SURVEILLANCE.

IT ALSO GUARANTEES THAT VOTING EQUIPMENT WILL NEVER BE LINKED TO THE INTERNET AND SUBJECT TO TAMPERING.

AND KENTUCKIANS COULD NO LONGER USE A CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD AS A FORM OF VOTER ID AT THE POLLS.

SENATOR ROBBY MILLS, A COSPONSOR SAYS, THAT HAPPENED 187 TIMES IN 2020, AND HE'S WORRIED IT IS TOO EASY TO GET THAT KIND OF CARD AND POSSIBLE TO MISUSE IT AT THE POLLS.

>> >> THE IDEA ABOUT THE DEBIT AND CREDIT CARD IS THAT THERE IS ALMOST ANYBODY CAN DEPOSIT $1,000 OR $500 IN AN ACCOUNT CAN GET A DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD AND IT IS NOT THE MOST SECURE ID.

SO THAT WAS MY NOUGHT.

AND THEN WHEN I DID THE RESEARCH THAT VERY FEW PEOPLE USED IT IN THE LAST ELECTION, I DON'T THINK WE ARE LIMITING PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO PROVE THEIR ID.

>> WERE THERE ANY ISSUES OF FRAUD WITH THOSE 167 PEOPLE?

>> NOT MY KNOWLEDGE.

>> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE OF THE 167 SPECIFICALLY.

THAT MAY BE A QUESTION FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, IF THEY WOULD BE THE AGENCY TO INVESTIGATE THOSE SITUATIONS OF CLAIMED VOTER FRAUD.

SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE ID, WE HAD -- ONE OF THOSE IS FROM MY COUNTY, SHE COULDN'T GET HER DRIVER'S LICENSE OUT OF HER WALLET SO IT WAS EASIER TO GET HER BANKCARD OUT VERSUS -- SHE HAD HER DRIVER'S LICENSE, WE COULD SEE IT BUT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS EASIER TO PULL THAT OUT, SO WHILE IT IS 167 PEOPLE, IT MAY NOT TRULY BE 167 PEOPLE, BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET DRIVER LICENSES OUT OF THE LITTLE SLEEVES T THEY PUT IN THE WALT LETS THESE DAYS.

>> SIX COUNTIES ARE, RIGHT NOW AFTER EVERY ELECTION, SIX COUNTIES ARE RANDOMLY CHOSEN FOR ELECTION AUDITS.

THE BILL WOULD INCREASE THAT TO 12.

UNDER THE BILL, ELECTION RETURNS WOULD BE BACKED BY PAPER RECORDS STARTING IN 2024.

THE HOUSE ELECTIONS, CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FORWARDED THE MEASURE ON TO THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FULL MEMBERSHIP.

AN UPDATED VERBAL VERSION OF A BILL REQUIRING ARMED SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS ON EVERY SCHOOL CAMPUS IN KENTUCKY BY AUGUST HAS CLEARED ANOTHER LURLD IN FRANKFORT.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED THE SCHOOL SAFETY AND RESILIENCE ACT IN 2019.

SINCE THEN, NOT ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE FOUND WAYS TO FUND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS OR WHAT IS CALLED SROS.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN BRATCHER OF LOUISVILLE SPONSORED HOUSE BILL 63.

TODAY IN FRONT OF THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE HE TESTIFIED THAT HIS BILL IS ABOUT MAKING SURE EACH DISTRICT HAS A PLAN ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE, THERE WAS A LOT OF DEBATE ON SROS I WOULD TELL THEM THE SRO QUESTION, THE SRO ON EACH CAMPUS HAS BEEN SETTLED THREE YEARS AGO OR TWO YEARS AGO.

THIS IS SIMPLY, IF YOU CANNOT GET TO AN SRO ON EACH CAMPUS, THAT YOU MUST REPORT IT TO THE SCHOOL SAFETY CENTER WHICH IS IN RICHMOND, I BELIEVE.

AND COME UP WITH A PLAN TO GET THERE.

>> LANGUAGE WAS ALSO ADDED TO THE BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO CREATE THEIR OWN LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

SENATOR DANNY CARROLL OF BENTON SAYS THE CHANGE COULD ALLOW DISTRICTS TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL FUNDS.

THE BILL PASSED THE COMMITTEE AN NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL SENATE.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH WAS THE ONLY MEMBER .. TO VOTE AGAINST THE BILL.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 50 COVERAGE OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

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WE HOPE SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT OUR SPECIAL FRIDAY NIGHTTIME, 8:30 EASTERN, 7:30 CENTRAL FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING P I AM RENEE SHAW.