[♪♪] >> Bill: A VETO OVERRIDE FRENZY IN FRANKS FOR THE.

A SHAKE-UP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE ONE PRESIDENT STEPS DOWN AND A NEW LEADER TAKES CHARGE.

THE LEGISLATURE GAVE ANNIVERSARY UNIVERSITIES A CLEAR PATH.

[INAUDIBLE] $20 MILLION DISTRIBUTED TO EFFORTS TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE HERE IN THE STATE.

HEADING FOR APRIL, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] GOOD EVENING, I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, HANNAH PINSKI POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE COURIER JOURNAL.

ALEX ACQUISTO POLITICS AND HEALTH REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER AND SARAH LADD POLICY REPORTER NOT THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

THE LEGISLATURE WORKED HARD ON THE LAST TWO DAYS TO OVERRIDE THE DOZENS OF BILLS THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR FULLY OR PARTIALLY VETOED.

MORE THAN A THOUSAND BILLS WERE PROPOSED IN THE SESSION AND SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WAS A LOT AND OFFERED A SOLUTION.

>> I THINK IT VERY MUCH IS AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHEN WE MEET WITH OUR CAUCUS BEFORE THE SESSION, PEOPLE ARE SAYING WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DISCUSS THIS.

WELL, IF YOU DON'T THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DISCUSS THEM, THEN RESTRAIN FROM FILING SO MANY BILLS.

>> Bill: SO, ALEX, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAY THEY ARE GENERALLY PLEASED WITH WHOOFS ACCOMPLISHED AND SOME CRITICISM OF THE SESSION IT WAS RUSHED THAT TRANSPARENCY MAY HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED IN THAT RUSH, AND SOME CASES.

STIVERS ACKNOWLEDGED HE WANTED TO DEAL WITH FAR FEW ERBILS.

>> RIGHT.

I MEAN IT IS A SHORT SESSION THERE WERE MORE BILLS FILED THIS SESSION THAN LAST SESSION, WHICH IS DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF TIME.

UNOFFICIAL RULES I HEARD FROM SENATORS SAYING FILE FIVE BILLS.

OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE DON'T LISTEN TO THAT.

THERE IS NO HARD RULE LAWMAKERS CAN FILE AS MANY AS THEY WANT BUT PRACTICALLY ONLY A MARGIN WILL GET TRACTION AND FEWER WILL GET PASSED COMPLETELY.

I DOUBT THAT THAT IS A THING THAT IS GOING TO IMPROVE OVERTIMED.

IT IS A REALITY.

>> Bill: STIVERS REQUESTING THAT RESTRAINT AND 200 BILLS OUT OF THE SENATE AND 800 FROM THE HOUSE.

HE WAS EFFECTIVE WITH HIS CHAMBER.

SARAH, HOUSE MEMBERS SEEM TO WANT A LOT OF CHANGES IN KENTUCKY?

>> AND THERE ARE MORE MEMBERS YOU DO EXPECT MORE AND YOU ALSO THEY HAVE A LOT OF IDEAS.

WE SEE THE WHOLE CONVERSATION AROUND FLUORIDE.

THEY HAD THAT IN THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE'S WERE THE INCOME TAX REDUCTION ORIGINATED.

AND YOU HAVE SOME BILLS THAT ARE FILED WITH NO INTENTION OF THEM GOING ANYWHERE.

I THINK OF LEXINGTON DEMOCRAT LINDSEY BURKE SHE FILES A PAIR OF BILLS EVERY YEAR.

FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, SEEKING TO ROLLBACK THE ABORTION BAN IN KENTUCKY AND SHE KNOWS IT'S NOT GOING TO PASS.

YOU HAVE MORE MEMBERS AND MORE IDEAS YOU EXPECT MORE FOR SURE.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO, NOTE, TOO, PLENTY OF LAWMAKERS FILE BILLS THAT THEY KNOW WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE.

BUT THEY CAN LOOK AT THAT AND POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND POINT AND TELL THEIR CONSTITUENTINGS I FILED THIS FOR YOU.

THERE WERE A COUPLE OF FRESHMEN THAT FILED DOZENS OF BILLS.

THEY KNEW THEY WOULD NOT PASS BUT THEY COULD POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND GET RILED UP THAT WAY.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO STAY IN OFFICE AND YOU THINK ABOUT REELECTION IT IS ALL A STRATEGY.

>> Bill: AGAIN I THINK IT WAS 1080 BILLS CONSIDERED.

KENTUCKY HAS ONE OF THE WEAKEN FERREST VETO VOTES.

NOBODY HAS TROUBLE TURNING BACK THE GOVERNOR'S OBJECTIONS.

THEY STOPPED D.E.I.

IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

SUPPORTERS SAID THE PROGRAMS ARE OUT OF DATE.

>> HOUSE BILL 4 PROBABLY ONE OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION ONE OF THE FIRST VETOES THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR ISSUED.

AND HIS MESSAGE HE SAID THIS BILL IS GOING TO PREVENT UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES FROM FULLY EMBRACING STUDENTS OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS.

OPPONENTS A LOT ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE SAID YOU KNOW, THIS BILL IS GOING TO BAN EFFORTS TO BE INCLUSIVE HURTING THE EFFORTS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN TALENTED STUDENTS.

SUPPORTERS UP FOR THIS BILL, ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY REALLY SAID THAT D.E.I.

OFFICES AND INITIATIVES THEY ARE DISCRIMINATORY THEMSELVES AND THIS BILL IS TO MAKE SURE WE EVEN THE PLAYING FIELD AND EVERYONE HAS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND MAKE SURE THAT THE POLICIES DON'T DIVIDE STUDENTS INTO COMPETING GROUPS.

>> Bill: WHAT CHANGES WOULD WE BE LOOKING FOR ON CAMPUSES AS A RESULT OF THIS LEGISLATION?

>> THE BAN AND THE DISMANTLING IS BROAD.

BUT I MEAN, TO START, YOU KNOW, MOST HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS HAVE D.E.I.

OFFICES OR AT LEAST OFFICES THAT ARE MOSTLY GEARED AT D.E.I.

MEASURES.

THOSE OBVIOUSLY WOULD BE CLOSED.

UNCLEAR TO SAY FOR SERB BUT PROBABLY THERE ARE STAFF MEMBERS RELATED TO D.E.I.

I WOULD IMAGINE THE ROLES WILL BE CHANGED OR THEY WOULD LOSE THEIR JOBS.

THE TRICKLE EFFECTS WILL GO FROM THERE.

BUT THOSE ARE THE IMMEDIATE CHANGES.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL BE WATCHING ON THAT.

HANNAH, THE GOVERNOR ALSO OBJECTED TO THE MOMENT OF SILENCE IN SCHOOLS BILL.

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THERE WERE TWO PARTS OF BILL.

THE FIRST MANDATES THAT SCHOOLS HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AT THE START OF THE SCHOOL DAY AND THE SECOND PART ADDED THE LAST WEEK BEFORE THE VETO PERIOD BEGAN ALLOWS SCHOOL BOARDS TO LET STUDENTS BE EXCUSED FOR ONE HOUR FOR MORAL INSTRUCTION IN THE BILL.

IT WAS NOT DEFINED WHAT THAT COULD BE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR POINTED OUT IN HIS VETO MESSAGE THAT SCHOOL TIME IS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL AND THAT TIME AND THAT'S WHY HE ISSUED A VETO FOR THE BILL.

>> Bill: IT WAS OVERRIDDEN.

>> IT WAS OVERRIDDEN.

AND AS HANNAH WAS SAYING THE MOMENT OF SILENCE IS MORE CLEAR AND I REMEMBER THERE WAS A DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR ABOUT SOME DISTRICTS IN KENTUCKY HAVE THIS CARVE OUT TIME AND HOUSE MEMBERS SAYS OUR DISTRICTS ALLOW FOR MORAL INSTRUCTION.

PINNING WHAT MORAL INSTRUCTION IS, IT WAS NEVER OFFERED AN EXPLANATION.

THE DEMOCRATS THEY IT IS REPUBLICANS' ATTEMPT TO INFUSE RELIGION INTO SCHOOL TIME.

IT WILL GO INTO LAW.

>> Bill: GOVERNOR BESHEAR VETOED A BILL THAT REPUBLICANS SAID ADDED CLARITY TO KENTUCKY'S VERY NARROW ABORTION BAN EXCEPTIONS.

THOUGH SOME SAID THE CLARIFICATION MIGHT MAKE THINGS MORE CONFUSING.

>> WE KNOW THAT THE ANTIABORTION PLAYBOOK IS TO REDEFINE MEDICAL TERMS AND MANIPULATE LANGUAGE AND ERODE WOMEN'S RIGHTS SLOWLY.

THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT KENTUCKY IT IS A NATIONAL BATTLE AND EVERY STATE THAT CODIFIES THIS LANGUAGE, EVERY STATE THAT ACCEPTS THIS LIE BRINGS US CLOSER TO A NATIONAL BAN ON LIFE-SAVING ABORTIONS.

>> I STRONGLY FEEL WE SHOULD INEQUIVOCALLY BE PROTECTING THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER IN THESE SITUATIONS.

WHILE VERY LEGITIMATE CONCERNS HAVE BEEN RAISED BY BOTH KNOWLEDGEABLE AND COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE, I DO GENUINELY FEEL THAT THIS LEGISLATION WILL HELP TO SAVE LIVES.

>> DOCTORS, PROVIDED TREMENDOUS INPUT INTO HOUSE BILL 90.

GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK WE'VE DONE.

WE'VE BEEN QUESTIONED AS A MAJORITY PARTY OF WHAT IS OUR POSITION ON THE LIFE OF A MOTHER.

IT IS SO CLEARLY ARTICULATED.

>> Bill: SO ANOTHER BILL VETOED AND OVERRIDDEN BY LAWMAKERS.

SO ALEX, MORE CONFUSION OR MORE CLARITY?

>> I HONESTLY WOULD SAY BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

WHICH I THINK IS POTENTIALLY ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS BILL.

IN KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW, AND IT'S BEEN THE CASE SINCE 2022 YOU CAN ONLY LEGALLY GET AN ABORTION PROVIDED BY A DOCTOR IF YOU YOUR HEALTH IS BASICALLY AT IMMINENT RISK.

AND SO REPUBLICANS WERE APPROACHED BY Dr. JEFFREY GOLDBERG, THE LEGISLATIVE LIAISON WITH THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS AND I'VE REPORTED ON THIS DOCTOR'S HANDS ARE TIED WHEN TRYING TO TREAT PATIENTS WITH PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

REPUBLICANS' PROPOSAL IS TO TRY AND CLARIFY THAT AND IN SOME WAYS IT DOES.

IT LISTS PARTICULARLY CONDITIONS LIKE AN ECTOPIC PREGNANCY THAT DOCTORS CAN TREAT AND ADDS AMBIGUOUS LANGUAGE AND IT INCLUDES NOT MEDICAL JARGON THAT IS USED BY ANTIABORTION GROUPS.

IT IS A FUSION, IT IS A COMPROMISE.

YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS LIKE REPRESENTATIVE LAUGH FERITY WHO BRIEF IT IS WILL SAVE LIVES.

AND IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE STANDARD IT TRIES TO CLARIFY IT.

BUT WILL IT MOVE THE NEEDLE?

MAYBE.

BUT IF IT WILL IT WILL BE VERY SLIGHT.

>> I TALKED TO A LOT OF DOCTORS ON THIS, TOO.

JUST FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT IS THEIR PROCESS LOOK LIKE NOW AND THEY TREAT THE COMPLEX PREGNANCIES AND WILL THIS CHANGE ANYTHING AND THEY TOLD ME THEY FELT MORE CONFUSED.

AND WHAT ALEX MENTIONED ABOUT THE JARGON WE HAVE A TERM, FEET TALL SEPARATION OF SEPARATING AN UNBORN CHILD FROM HISSER MOTHER.

THAT BESHEAR HINTED AT THAT LANGUAGE IN THE VETO MESSAGE WHEN HE SAID HE FELT LIKE SOME OF THE LANGUAGE LAID THE GROUND WORK FOR LITIGATION AGAINST IVF WHICH HAS BEEN A CONVERSATION FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS IS IVF PROTECTED IN KEN OR NOT.

THAT DEPENDS WHO YOU ASK.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE DOCTORS I'VE TALKED TO FEEL LIKE THE BILL THIS CLARIFICATION LANGUAGE STILL DOESN'T ADDRESS THE FACT THAT THEY COULD MAKE A CALL IN HER MEDICAL JUDGMENT AND SAY AN ABORTION NEEDS TO HAPPEN AND SOMEONE ELSE COULD COME IN AND HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE TO A STANDARD AND THEY WEREN'T IN THE ROOM WHEN IT HAPPENED.

THEY CAN SAY IT WASN'T GOOD MEDICAL JUDGMENT.

THEY APPRECIATE THE SPECIFICS AS ALEX MENTIONED ECTOPIC PREGNANCIES BUT HEMORRHAGE WHICH IS MENTIONED IN THE LANGUAGE HOW MUCH HEMORRHAGE BEFORE YOU CAN STEP IN?

AND THEN THE ISSUE OF HOW BROAD IS THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER?

BECAUSE FUTURE FERTILITY IS SOMETHING NOT ADDRESSED AND DOCTORS TOOK ISSUE WITH THAT, TOO.

IF YOU LET A COMPLICATION GO SO LONG THAT YOU NEED A HYSTERECTOMY, YOU CAN'T HAVE BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE.

FUTURE FERTILITY BEING PART OF THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER NOT ADDRESSED IN THE VETO.

>> AND ALSO WE CAN CLOSE IT BY SAYING THIS IT HIGHLIGHTS THIS FRICTION.

I TALKEDDED TO A HANDFUL OF CLEL SCHOLARS WHO STUDY ABORTION POLICY ACROSS STATES AND THIS FETAL [SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE] IN THIS IT BEGS THE QUESTION IS A COMPROMISE THAT ALLOWS DOCTORS THE ADEQUATE FREEDOM TO TREAT PATIENTS POSSIBLE UNDER A BAN ON ABORTION THAT STILL INCLUDES A CLASS D FELONY.

THEY DON'T THINK IT EXISTS.

ONE TOLD ME IT WAS AN UNWORKABLE SOLUTION.

REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIED TO SOLVE IT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, ONE THING THIS BILL DOESN'T COVER IS NONVIABLE PREGNANCIES NOT IMMEDIATELY THREATENING TO THE LIFE OF THE PREGNANT PERSON.

THAT IS NOT COVERED.

DOCTORS' HANDS ARE TIED, IT'S SLIGHT.

>> Bill: MORE TO BE HASHED OUT IN FUTURE SESSIONS OR IN LEGAL ACTION.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO VETOED A MEDICAID BILL.

AND THAT HANNAH, WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD A LOT OF DEBATE, IT HAD REQUIREMENTS.

>> SO THAT BILL HAD A LOT OF CHANGES TO THE STATE'S MEDICAID PROGRAM.

ONE EXAMPLE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH CAN NOT MAKE CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM UNLESS THEY HAVE APPROVAL FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY UNLESS IT IS A FEDERAL LAW REQUIREMENT.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST CRITICISMS WE HEAR ABOUT IS THE MANDATE OF WORK REQUIREMENT THAT SAYS ADULTS BETWEEN 18-60 YEARS OLD WHO DON'T HAVE DEPENDENTS MUST WORK IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THEIR MEDICAID BENEFITS.

WE'VE SEEN OTHER STATES TRY THIS WITH GEORGIA AND A LOT OF CONCERNS IS THIS WORK REQUIREMENT COULD LEAD TO PEOPLE LOSING THEIR COVERAGE POTENTIALLY.

>> Bill: AND THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS.

THERE IS A PUBLIC SERVICE COMPONENT AS WELL?

>> I THINK CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERING, THERE IS A FEW THERE.

IT'S INTERESTING ON -- TO GO OFF WHAT HANNAH WAS SAYING ABOUT THE WORK REQUIREMENT, BESHEAR'S ADMINISTRATION, CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL WRITE THE APPLICATION FOR THIS WORK WAIVER HOW THEY DO IT IN THE DETAILS AND HOW MUCH RED TAPE IS IN THAT IT'S UP TO THEM.

SO IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE WHO IS SOMETHING A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO THEN APPLY TO THE REPUBLICAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THERE IS A LOT OF MOVING PARTS POLITICALLY THERE, TOO.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING WHAT THE DETAILS ARE.

>> Bill: AND PEOPLE ARE SEEING THINGS THROUGH DIFFERENT LENSES OFTEN.

A LOT OF SUBJECTS WE ARE TAKING UP A VETO OVERRIDE FOR SENATE BILL 89 BY ALLOWING STATE REGULATIONS WITH FEDERAL ONES THAT ARE WEAKER.

AND OPPONENTS ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE IMPACT IT WILL HAVE ON KENTUCKIANS WHO REPLY ON GROUND WATER.

>> JUST WE SHOULD BE HAVING CONVERSATIONS DURING THE INTERIM.

ON WHAT THIS IS ACTUALLY DONE AND WHAT THE COMPROMISE DOES AND DOES NOT DO.

BECAUSE IT DOES NOT PROTECT GROUND WATER IN THE WAY WE NEED TO DO IT.

AND WE CAN DO IT IN A RATIONAL, RESPONSIBLE MANNER THAT IS NOT ONEROUS TO FARMERS, INDUSTRY, OR INDIVIDUALS OR MUNICIPALITIES.

SO I DON'T SUPPORT THIS MEASURE NOW AND I HOPE TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AND I'M WILLING TO BE PART OF THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR AND OTHERS HAVE LED EVERYONE TO BELIEVE THAT WE'RE NOT -- THAT WE'RE DOING AWAY WITH ANYTHING ANY OVERSIGHT OF THIS BILL.

AND WE'RE NOT.

THAT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.

THERE'S FIVE STATUTES THAT STILL GOVERNS THE WATER.

THE SAFE DRINK WATER ACT IS STILL PART OF THIS.

WE'VE NOT GUTTED THIS BILL AT ALL.

WE JUST BROUGHT IT BACK TO ALIGN IT WITH THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES.

>> Bill: THAT SENATOR MAIDEN THERE.

WHO HE WAS OPEN ABOUT AND TRYING TO BENEFIT THE COAL INDUSTRY AND ALSO BELIEVE IT IS MAY HELP THE HOUSING INDUSTRY AND OTHERS BY LOOSENING THE STANDARDS.

>> DEVELOPERS.

IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, AS SENATOR WEBB WAS SAYING AND SHE IS FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY, AS MAIDEN IS, THIS IDEA COAL COMPANIES ARE FOR THIS BILL, ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ALMOST UNIFORM NATIONALLY AND STATE OFFICIALS WHO WORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CABINET ARE ALL AGAINST IT.

AS HE SAID, YOU KNOW, DRINKING WATER IS STILL REGULATED AND IT'S TRUE.

BUT ALSO THIS BILL IS A DEREGULATION ESSENTIALLY OF SOME OF THE RUNOFF WHICH ENVIRONMENTALISTS WARN HAS A MUCH HIGHER LIKELIHOOD OF SATURATING GROUND WATER IN A STATE LIKE KENTUCKY PARTICULARLY IN RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE WHERE THERE'S NOT RELIABLE DRINKING WATER, PEOPLE REASONABLY WERE SOUNDING THE ALARM.

BUT THEY OVERRODE THE VETO.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

AND THE GOVERNOR RAISED HIS OBJECTIONS TO THAT AHEAD OF THAT.

THE LEGISLATURE ALSO OVERRODE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO ON A BILL THAT WILL PROTECT CONVERSION THERAPY AND BESHEAR CALL TO DO DANGEROUS AND DISCRIMINATORY.

HE ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING AGAINST USING MEDICAID FOR THAT OR HE WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE USE OF MEDICAID FUNDS AND -- >> HE ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER IN 2024 TRYING TO LIMIT THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR CONVERSION THERAPY ON MINORS IN KENTUCKY.

AND HE DECIDED RESEARCH AND SEEN THAT MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS AND CHILD ADVOCATE ORGANIZATIONS TAKE ISSUE WITH CONVERSION THERAPY IT HAS DEVASTATING MENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS ON LGBTQ PEOPLE.

HE DID VETO THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER AND THAT REALLY DIDN'T SIT RIGHT WITH A LOT OF LEGISLATORS AND SOME WHO HAVE WANTED TO BAN CONVERSION THERAPY IN KENTUCKY IN THE PAST THEY DIDN'T LIKE THAT BESHEAR WENT ABOUT IT THAT WAY.

THEY WANTED THE LEGISLATURE TO DO IT IF IT GOT DONE.

THIS BILL BASICALLY AS IT STARTED OUT, IT WOULD MAKE NEWLY THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IN A WAY TO PROTECT CONVERSION THERAPY AND IT GOT MORE EDITS.

BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT HIM TO DO IT THAT WAY.

>> Bill: I WANT TO CLARIFY.

HE WANTED TO PREEMPT THE USE OF MEDICAID FUNDS.

>> HE DID NOT WANT CONVERSION THERAPY TO HAPPEN.

>> Bill: SOME NEW LAWS ARE COMING AND THE GOVERNOR LET SOME BILLS BECOMING LAW WITHOUT HIS SIGNATURE THAT INCLUDED DENYING HORMONE THERAPY AND MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR TRANSGENDER STATE INMATES.

>> THIS IS ANOTHER ONE WHERE REPUBLICANS CLAIMED IT WAS A PROCESS ISSUE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR BASICALLY PROMULGATED THESE ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS THAT ALLOWED THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO PROVIDE DOCTOR RECOMMENDED HORMONE THERAPY TO TRANSGENDER INMATES.

THE WAY THEY DO FOR ANY OTHER INMATE WHO NEEDS A MEDICATION.

REPUBLICANS FOUND OUT ABOUT IT.

IT BECAME A BIG DEAL PREVIOUSLY BEFORE THEY GAVELED IN FOR THE SESSION AND IT WAS A PRIORITY BILL SENATE BILL 2, THE GOVERNOR LET IT BECOME LAW WITHOUT VETOING IT.

AND HE HAD SAID-THAT THAT PARTIALLY HE DOESN'T THINK THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED SHOULD HAVE MORE RIGHTS TRANS PEOPLE INCARCERATED SHOULD HAVE MORE RIGHTS THAN PEOPLE WHO AREN'T.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT SLIPPERY WHEN IT COMES TO COMMENTING ON THESE ISSUES.

BUT THIS WAS ONE WHERE THEY SAID YOU WERE OUTSIDE OF YOUR LANE WHEN YOU ALLOWED THIS TO BECOME POLICY.

WE'RE GOING TO REIN IT IN AND TAKE IT BACK.

>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR SIGNED A BILL INTO LAW DECIDING TO CRACKDOWN ON DOMESTIC ABUSE.

RUSSELL COLEMAN PUSHED FOR STRONGER PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO DEFY PROTECTIVE ORDERS.

>> IT WAS ONE OF THE BILLS THAT RUSSELL COLEMAN WHEN HE OUTLINED PRIORITIES THAT WOUND UP WITH THAT.

I BELIEVE IT WAS HOUSE BILL -- I CAN'T REMEMBER.

>> THERE WERE SO MANY.

>> BUT IT WAS REPRESENTATIVE TIPTON'S BILL AND IT INCREASED PENALTIES FOR PEOPLE WHO VIOLATE PROTECTIVE ORDERS AS A DISINCENTIVE TO NOT VIOLATE PROTECTIVE ORDERS.

>> AND I THINK AT THE SAME TIME IT'S INTERESTING THIS PASSED AND A BILL FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN, REPRESENTATIVE DEETS FAILED TO PASS AND HER BILL WOULD HAVE MADE IT A POSSIBLE FOR A A KENTUCKIAN WHO IS THE VICTIM OF COERCIVE CONTROL BUT AN EMERGENCY CONTROL AND THAT BEING SOMEONE'S MENTALLY THREATENING YOU.

MAYBE YOU ARE NOT IN IMMEDIATE DANGER BUT SOMEONE IS CONTROLLING YOUR LIFE AND FINANCES.

AND THAT BILL DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

>> Bill: THE SENATE PRESIDENT TOLD ME HE DOESN'T KEEP UP WITH THE BILL NUMBERS.

HE SAID HE HAS TO DO IT BY SUBJECT MATTER.

THE GOVERNOR DID SIGN A BILL THAT WILL LOWER THE AGE AT WHICH KENTUCKIANS CAN GET A DRIVERS PERMIT TO 15.

>> SO, THAT NEW LAW TAKES EFFECT RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE IT HAS AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE.

BESHEAR DID SAY 15-YEAR-OLDS WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR A LITTLE TIME BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS SO OUTDATED THEY HAVE TO REPROGRAM IT.

HE GAVE AN ESTIMATE OF APRIL 2 THAT 15-YEAR-OLDS CAN START APPLYING FOR PERMITS.

>> Bill: RETAILORS WHO SELL VAPING PRODUCTS WILL BE MORE REGULATED?

>> THEY WILL BE LICENSED.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE ADMINISTRATION CONTROL CAN COME IN AND INVESTIGATE PROPERTIES.

ALSO, CLERKS WHO SELL TO MINORS WILL BE FINED.

THIS IS WAS AN EFFORT THAT CAME OUT OF THE SENATE TO TRY TO PROTECT MINORS FROM HAVING ACCESS TO NICOTINE PRODUCTS.

WE KNOW THERE ARE HIGH RATES OF SMOKING IN KENTUCKY IN ADULTS AND MINORS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING CHILD ADVOCATES WERE HAPPY ABOUT AND IT PASSED.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY IS INVESTING $300,000 INTO SPACE RESEARCH THAT IS DESIGNED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MICRO GRAVITY.

>> KENTUCKY IS ALLOCATED $THREE00,000, 10% MATCH FOR ROUGHLY $3 MILLION NASA GRANT.

THE MONEY IS GOING TO HELP A LOUISVILLE NONPROFIT SEND.

ORG KNOWEDS INTO SPACE THE ISS LABORATORY AND STUDY CURES AND TREATMENTS WITH THE HOPE OF CURES FOR ALZHEIMER'S, PARKINSON'S AND MS. YEAH, LAWMAKERS ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> Bill: IT APPEARS EKU MIGHT HAVE A CLEARER PATH TO START A COLLEGE OF OS PATHIC MEDICINE.

AND MURRAY STATE WANTS TO ESTABLISH A VETERINARY COLLEGE.

THE COUPLE ON POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION NOW HAS THE CHARGE TO APPROVE THE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS.

>> AND THIS IS ALL GETTING AT EKU IS CHAMPIONING THIS PROGRAM IT IS A SOLUTION TO SHORTAGE OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

SO OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL ONCE THE SCHOOL IS ESTABLISHED AT EKU.

>> Bill: THERE WAS A CHANGE AT AND THE U OF L BOARD NAMED JERRY BRADLEY AS THE PRESIDENT.

QUICK EXIT AND THE BOARD OF TRUCE TRUSTEES MADE NO COMMENT ABOUT HER DEPARTING THEY ACCEPTED HER RESIGNATION.

>> IT WAS A QUICK PROCESS AS SOON AS SHE HANDED IN THE RESIGNATION, THE NEW PRESIDENT WAS ACCEPTED AS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE.

THE ONLY ILLUSION WE HAVE TO WHY SHE LEFT IS BECAUSE THE BOARD HAD SAID THEIR GOALS AND HER GOALS SHIFTED.

TYPICALLY THERE IS A NATIONAL SEARCH CONDUCTED FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT BUT BRADLEY WAS APPOINTED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE BY THE BOARD.

>> Bill: WHICH IS INTERESTING.

IT WAS QUICK, NO INTERIM PERIOD HE IS THE PRESIDENT.

THE 20TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE.

>> AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THIS WEEK HE WAS NOT CONCERNED WITH THE CHOICE BUT HE WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO SEE A NATIONAL SEARCH BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT TYPICALLY HAPPENS AND THE BOARD CALLED THIS A LOGISTICAL DECISION AND DEFENDING APPOINTING HIM BECAUSE THEY WANT STABILITY FOR THE UNIVERSITY.

>> Bill: BRADLEY IS THE FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT AND SAID HIGHER EDUCATION CHANGED HIS LIFE HE WAS A DENTIST BEFORE BECOMING A PROVOST.

RUSSELL COLEMAN ANNOUNCED $20 MILLION IS GOING TO 75 KENTUCKY ORGANIZATIONS TO FIGHT OPIOID AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE.

>> THIS IS NOT ME WITH A LARGE CHECK PRESENTATION.

THIS IS NOT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S MONEY.

THIS MONEY PASSED THROUGH THE COMMISSION IS BLOOD MONEY.

THIS IS BLOOD MONEY.

THIS IS MONEY CLAW BACK FROM THOSE THAT BROUGHT THIS CRISIS AND BROUGHT THIS DEVASTATION TO OUR COMMONWEALTH.

WE MUST TREAT THIS MONEY AS STEWARDS.

>> Bill: ALEX THOSE WILL BE SPLIT INTO TREATMENT, RECOVERY AND PREVENTION AND THE PROGRAMS ARE STATE-WIDE BUT TAKE LOCAL APPROACHES.

>> A LOT OF THEM ARE LOCAL.

AND, AGAIN, ATTORNEY GENERAL COLEMAN MENTIONED BLOOD MONEY A COUPLE YEARS AGO THEY ESTABLISHED THE OPIOID ABATEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION AND WE GOT $900 MILLION SETTLEMENT FROM THE LAWSUITS TO COMBAT THE EPIDEMIC.

THIS COMMISSION CHOOSES ORGANIZATIONS WHO APPLY TO DIVVY THIS UP.

A LOT OF THEM ARE HYPER LOCAL.

>> Bill: HE INVITED THEM TO BE CREATIVE.

>> HE TALKS ABOUT THIS THREE LEGGED STOOL OF PREVENTION.

HE INVITES NEW IDEAS AND I THINK HE IS EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THE LEGISLATURE DID GO TODAY AND ADJOURN, THE LEGISLATURE IS ALSO NAMING A PORTION OF KENTUCKY HIGHWAY 2221 THE JOHNNY L. TURN ARE MEMORIAL HIGHWAY HE DIED AFTER A LAWN MOWER ACCIDENT HE WAS A FORMER SENATOR AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

AND ALBERT ROBINSON HONORED WITH A PORTION OF HIGHWAY 30 NAMED FOR HIM.

MIDWAY UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED A $2 MILLION GIFT FROM A DONOR IT WILL BE USED FOR A NEW LIBRARY.

THE SCHOOL IS CLOSING IN ON A $10 MILLION GOAL FOR THAT PROJECT.

MIDWAY HOPES TO OPEN THE LIBRARY LATE NEXT YEAR.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.