♪ ♪ ♪ >> THE STATEHOUSE PASSES RESCUE PACKAGES FOR RURAL HOSPITAL IT IS AND RURAL BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT.

BITCOIN COMPANIES ARE ON TRACK TO GET SOME INCENTIVE TO DO BUSINESS IN KENTUCKY.

AND SOME QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES COULD SEE SOME RELIEF FROM PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS, WHILE OTHERS COULD PAY MORE.

WE WILL BREAK DOWN ACTION ON THOSE MEASURES AS WE RECAP DAY 22 OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, WELCOME TO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

I AM RENEE SHAW.

RURAL AID PACKAGES DEALING WITH INTERNET DEPLOYMENT AND SAVING RURAL HOSPITALS WERE ENDORSED BY THE LOWER CHAMBER THIS AFTERNOON.

THOSE TWO ITEMS WILL SHOW UP ON THE BALANCE SHEET IN THE STATE'S ONE YEAR BUDGET THAT LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE HAMMERING OUT.

KENTUCKY HOUSE MEMBERS MADE A BIPARTISAN SHOWING FOR GENERAL FUND DOLLARS FOR BOTH OF THOSE PROJECTS.

FIRST, HOUSE REPUBLICANS FASHION A PLAN THEY SAY WILL MOVE BROADBAND FORWARD IN THE STATE, ALL THE WAY TO THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LAST MILE OF RURAL AREAS.

THEY ARE PUTTING A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS BEHIND AN EFFORT TO LET RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES PROVIDE BROADBAND SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED AND UNSERVED HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESSES.

>> AND ALL OF US FROM THE RURAL DISTRICTS KNOW FIRSTHAND WE HAVE CONSTITUENTS THAT HAVE, THAT HAVE ZERO ACCESS TO INTERNET, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT HIGH SPEED INTERNET, I AM TALKING ABOUT INTERNET PERIOD, SOME HAVE THREE TO FOUR HOMES PER MILE, AND THOSE AREAS WILL NEVER BE ENTICING TO THOSE LARGE COMMUNICATION COMPANIES TO SERVICE.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR AS WE HAVE BEEN UP HERE PASSING LEGISLATION TO DEREGULATE TELL TELECOM COMPANID ADDITIONAL MONEY TO ENTICE THEM TO EXPAND TO THE LAST MILE AND WHEN I SAY LAST MILE, I MEAN TO THE LAST HOUSE ON THAT SMALL COUNTY BACK ROAD IN RURAL AREAS.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT EVERYTHING WE HAVE DONE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS ULTIMATE GOAL.

>> THE $250 MILLION ALLOCATED TOWARD THE PROJECT WILL COME FROM THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND.

IT'S A POINT ON WHICH LEXINGTON DEMOCRAT CHERYLYNN STEVENSON SOUGHT SOME CLARITY.

>> AM I UNDERSTANDING YOU RIGHT THIS IS USING SOME OF OUR ONE TIME MONEY THAT WE HAVE?

BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MONEY?

>> NOT EXACTLY.

WE ARE -- THIS WILL COME ARE THE GENERAL FUND TO BE FUNDED AND HOWEVER WE CHOOSE TO DO THAT BUT I AM JUST SAYING RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A LOT OF ONE TIME MONEY, THAT CARES WE WILL PROBABLY SEE CARES ACT 2 AND 3 COME THROUGH AND LOT OF INFLUX TO THE STATE AND THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP OUR RURAL DISTRICTS.

THE AMENDED HOUSE BILL 320 ADVANCED THERE THE HOUSE ON A 91-4 VOTE AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

THE THE FROM RURAL INTERNET TO RURAL HOSPITALS A GREEN JUNE COUNTY LAWMAKER WHOSE DISTRICT SUFFERED HOSPITAL CLOSURE WANTS TO SET ASIDE 20 MILLION.

>> GENERAL FUND DOLLARS TO HELP RURAL HOSPITALS WITH THEIR OPERATING EXPENSES FROM A REVOLVING TRUST FUND ALREADY ESTABLISHED IN LAW.

HOUSE BILL 556 SEEKS TO FINANCIALLY PROP UP RURAL HOSPITALS IN COUNTIES WITH LESS THAN 50,000 PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO PAY FOR PERSONNEL OR MEDICAL DEVICES.

>> THIS FUND IS A TRUST FUND WHICH CAN TAKE MONEY FROM THE STATE, IT CAN TAKE MONEY FOR -- PURPOSE OR GIFTS AND WHEN PEOPLE, THE RURAL HOSPITALS APPLY TO IT, IT IS A TRUST FUND THAT THEY WILL PAY THE MONEY BACK WITH INTEREST, OVER 20 YEARS.

SO THIS IS NOT A GRANT, AND THIS IS NOT A LOT OF MONEY.

IF THE HOSPITALS STAY AND ARE PRODUCTIVE, THERE IS NOT LOST MONEY.

WE HAVE OVER 100 HOSPITALS IN KENTUCKY, ABOUT 24 OF THEM ARE IN FINANCIAL DISTRESS.

SO WE NEED TO HELP THEM OUT AND IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE WE APPROVED THIS BILL AND IT BECAME LAW IN KRS 24 SO IT IS TIME TO FUND IT.

>> LAST YEAR, THE TEXAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY AWARDED THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE A $35 MILLION PARTIALLY FORGIVABLE LOAN TO HELP TURN AROUND JEWISH HOSPITAL AND OTHER FORMER KENTUCKYONE HEALTH INCORPORATED ASSETS.

MEMBERS OF THE LOUISVILLE DELEGATION FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TODAY SAID RECIPROCITY WAS IN ORDER IN URGING SUPPORT OF THE RURAL HOSPITAL BILL.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY RURAL HOSPITALS IN MY DISTRICT, SO THIS BILL WON'T HELP MY PEOPLE, AT LEAST NOT DIRECTLY, BUT LAST YEAR MY PEOPLE NEEDED YOU TO STAND UP, WE NEEDED YOU TO STAND UP FOR US AND YOU STOOD UP FOR US, FOR OUR HOSPITAL, NOW THIS BILL RECOGNIZES THE SUM OF OUR RURAL HOSPITALS, MANY OF THEM ARE HURTING.

AND WHETHER THEY ARE FROM ROCK CASTLE COUNTY I THE GEM OF THE COUNTY IS THE COUNTY HOSPITAL FROM DAVIS COUNTY, SO MANY OF OUR RURAL HOSPITALS ARE HURTING.

NOW WE FROM LOUISVILLE GET GET O STAND UP FROM YOU.

>> WHEN THE SPEAKER AND I BROUGHT A BILL TO BILL TO SAVE R HOSPITALS IN LOUISVILLE AND I TOLD YOU THEN THAT I WOULD DO WHAT I COULD FOR RURAL HOSPITALS SO I AM PROUD TO VOTE FOR THIS BILL TODAY.

IT IS A LITTLE EMOTIONAL FOR ME BECAUSE THAT HOSPITAL WAS GOING TO CLOSE, ST. MARY HOSPITAL WAS DUE TO CLOSE AND BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DID HERE IT STAYED OPEN AND THAT IS THE HOSPITAL LAST SUMMER THAT SAVED MY DAD'S LIFE, SO I AM VERY, VERY HAPPY THAT SO MANY OF YOU IN THIS CHAMBER JOINED US IN MAKING SURE THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE HEALTHCARE WAS ABLE TO MERGE AND TAKE CARE OF THOSE HOSPITALS SO I AM PROUD TO HELP YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR HOSPITALS.

THANK YOU.

>> HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER STEVEN RUDY WAS ASKED WHY THE $20 MILLION RURAL HOSPITAL AID PACKAGE WAS BEING CONSIDERED OUTSIDE THE STATE BUDGET.

LAWMAKERS ARE CRAFTING A SINGLE YEAR SPENDING PLAN.

RUDY SAID THE HOUSE WAS MAKING A STATEMENT BY HIGHLIGHTING THE HOSPITAL AND RURAL BROADBAND BILL IN MESSAGING ITS IMPORTANCE TO BUDGET NEGOTIATORS IN THE SENATE.

>> THIS WILL CERTAINLY SHOW UP ON THE BALANCE SHEET, BUT I THINK THE GENTLEMAN FROM TODD HAS LED THE WAY ON A CONTINUATION BUDGET WITH NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS.

THIS IS CERTAINLY BEYOND A NECESSARY MODIFICATION.

AND WE IN THE HOUSE MAY VERY WELL HAVE THE FINISHED PRODUCT WILL WANT TO PUT EMPHASIS THAT AN APPROPRIATION LIKE THIS IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH, WHICH WE CAN MAKE APPROPRIATIONS IN ANY FORMS OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET.

>> THE RURAL HOSPITAL AID BILL WENT ON TO CLEAR THE HOUSE 96-0.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

IN RESPONSE TO A NOW DEFUCT OBAMA ERA POLICY THAT A GRANT COUNTY REPUBLICAN SAYS DISCOURAGED BANKS FROM DOING BUSINESS WITH THE FIREARMS INDUSTRY, REPRESENTATIVE SAVANNAH MADDOX IS SPONSORING HOUSE BILL 175, SHE SAYS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HAVE CONTINUED TO ENGAGE IN THE DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AND STILL OFTEN REFUSE TO DO BUSINESS WITH GUN INTERESTS.

HER HOUSE BILL 175 INTENDS TO PREVENT DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AGAINST FIREARM AND AMMUNITION MANUFACTURERS, RETAILERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND SHOOTING RANGES RANGES.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK FAR TO FIND A SHOOTING RANGE ONLY TO FOUND OUT THEY HAVE BEEN DENIED THE ABILITY TO PROCESS CREDIT CARDS OR RUN INTO LENDING ISSUES AND I HAVE A LIST OF, I AM NOT GOING TO NAME ANY BUSINESSES OR ANY BANKS HERE OF COURSE ON THE FLOOR TODAY BUT GIVE YOU SOME LOCATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THIS SPECIFICALLY HERE IN KENTUCKY.

IN WINCHESTER, KENTUCKY, THERE HAS BEEN AN ESTABLISHMENT THAT WAS TURNED DOWN FOR FINANCING BY SEVERAL LARGE BANKING INSTITUTIONS AND MOST CREDIT CARD PROCESSORS WILL NOT WORK WITH THIS COMPANY, ALSO IN MURRAY, KENTUCKY, SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR.

CRESTWOOD, KENTUCKY, AND IN FRANKLIN COUNTY TEXAS AS WELL, SO THERE IS AN ISSUE HERE AND, YOU KNOW, ALLOWING FINANCIAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE FIREARMS INDUSTRY POSES JUST AS MUCH OF A THREAT TO THE PEOPLE WHO SEEK TO THEIR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS AS IT DOES TO THE ENTITIES THAT SUPPLY THE GOODS WHICH ENABLE THEM TO DO SO.

>> THE KENTUCKY BANKERS ASSOCIATION SAYS IT IS NEUTRAL ON THE BILL, MEANING THE GROUP HAS NOT STAKED A POSITION FOR OR AGAINST IT.

HOUSE MINORITY WHIP ANGIE HATTON, A SUPPORTER OF GUN RIGHTS LEGISLATION, WAS AMONG THE 24 HOUSE MEMBERS WHO VOTED AGAINST THE BILL.

HE IS DOESN'T SEE HOUSE BILL 175 AS PRO SECOND ANTI-, BUT A PLAN THAT MANDATES ONE PRIVATE INDUSTRY DO BUSINESS WITH ANOTHER.

>> AND I THINK IT'S AN INVITATION TO LITIGATION THAT IS GOING TO COST OUR BANKING INDUSTRY A TON OF MONEY TO DEFEND AND VERY OFTEN BANKS CANNOT TELL A CUSTOMER WHY THEY HAVE REFUSED TO LEND TO THEM, BECAUSE THERE IS A SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY REPORT OR SOME OTHER SUCH REASON AND I JUST THINK THIS IS NEEDLESS AND THAT OUR BANKING INDUSTRY DOES NOT WANT THIS LITIGATION.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAME ACROSS THIS NEUTRAL TODAY BUT IF THAT'S THE CASE, I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THEY ASKED FOR.

>> ON A 73-24 VOTE, HOUSE BILL 175 WAS SENT TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

FOR COMPANIES IN THE CRYPTOCURRENCY BUSINESS LOOKING FOR PLACE TO LAND, KENTUCKY STATE LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO SWEETEN THE POT TO LURE THEM TO THE BLUEGRASS.

BOTH CHAMBERS TODAY PASSED SEPARATE MEASURES ON THESE DIGITAL ASSET COMPANIES THAT ARE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS BIT DOWN, BITCOIN.

THESE BLOCK CHAIN MINING INTENSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE AND AS THEY EXPAND, MORE COMPANIES ARE LOOKING TO LOCATE MINING FACILITIES IN THE U.S. A ONE SUCH FACILITY, CORE SCIENTIFIC, IS ALREADY IN MARSHAL COUNTY, KENTUCKY.

.. HOUSE BILL 230 WOULD OFFER SALES TAX EXEMPTION ON POWER USAGE.

>> FOR MANY YEARS, KENTUCKY AND MANY OTHER STATES HAVE OFFERED TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR POWER AND USE OR FOR POWER USED IN TRADITIONAL MANUFACTURER, MINING AND INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING, THIS IS NOT TRADITIONAL, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY A NEW AND EMERGING INDUSTRY.

BY OFFERING THE VERY SAME TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR POWER USAGE THAT WE CURRENTLY OFFER, WHICH CAN REPRESENT AS MUCH AS 60 PERCENT OF THE COST OF GOODS SOLD IN CRYPTOCURRENCY, HOUSE BILL 230 IS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE EVEN MORE INVESTMENT IN THE COMMONWEALTH LIKE CORE SCIENTIFIC.

AS THE FIRST STATE TO EXTEND THE FIRST EXEMPTION OF THIS, THIS TECHNOLOGICAL FORM OF MINING, LIKE CRYPTOCURRENCY, KENTUCKY WOULD JUMP TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE TO LOCATE OTHER FACILITIES.

>> THE AMENDED BILL HAS A SUNSET PROVISION AND IT REQUIRES ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE AMOUNT OF THE TAX EXEMPTION CLAIMED EACH YEAR.

REPRESENTATIVE STEVEN RUDY SAYS THE BILL HAS BEEN TAILORED TO APPLY ONLY TO MINING FACILITIES SIMILAR IN SIZE AND SCOPE TO TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES.

HOUSE BILL 230 HAS A $1 MILLION FISCAL NOTE.

IT DREW BOTH CRITICISM AND PRAISE FROM DEMOCRATS.

>> KENTUCKY IS ALREADY AN ATTRACTIVE FLOARK THESE CRYPTOCURRENCY MINING BUSINESSES BECAUSE OF OUR LOW COST OF ENERGY AND BECAUSE WE HAVE THE EXISTING STRUCTURES FOR THEM TO CRUZ, SO THERE IS REALLY A TAX BREAK FOR EXISTING BUSINESSES MORE THAN IT IS AN INCENTIVE TO LURE NEW ONES.

WE HEARD ABOUT A $45 MILLION INVESTMENT BEING MADE RIGHT NOW, THAT IS GREAT, AND THAT IS MADE WITHOUT ANY I INCENTIVES, IT IS WHOLLY UNNECESSARY, AND WHAT WE ARE DOING IS PINNING THE HOPES OF PROPPING UP THE COAL INDUSTRY ON COMPANIES WITH VERY FEW EMPLOYEES.

IF WE THINK THIS IS THE FUTURE OF KENTUCKY JOBS, I HAVE A GROINL SELL YOU.

>> I AM GOING SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION, I THINK THERE IS A REAL POSSIBILITY THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS SITES ALL OVER KENTUCKY THAT COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SORT OF BUSINESS.

I THINK THAT THERE ARE TONS OF BIG WAREHOUSES THAT ALREADY HAVE ACCESS TO A WHOLE LOT OF HIGH-POWERED ELECTRICITY THAT ARE SITTING IN ABANDONED MINE SITES ALL OVER EASTERN KENTUCKY ABANDONED MINE SUPPLY STORES.

I DO THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT EASTERN KENTUCKY COULD BENEFIT FROM AND THAT I HAVE ALREADY ASKED FOR A LIST OF EXACTLY WHAT QUALIFICATIONS THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IN THESE SITES SO THAT I CAN HELP COMPILE A LIST FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY.

WE WILL TAKE ANY NUMBER OF JOBS, BECAUSE WE ARE TIRED OF THE MASS EXODUS FROM OUR PLACE AND WHILE THIS MAY NOT HELP OTHER AREAS THERE IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY IT WILL HELP OURS.

MY ONLY FEAR IS THAT WHILE ENERGY IS INEXPENSIVE THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF KENTUCKY AS A WHOLE, IT IS NOT INEXPENSIVE WHERE I LIVE, AND WE HAVE GOT TO TAKE ACTION TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ELECTRIC BILLS ARE UNDER CONTROL.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HATTON WISHES THE BILL OFFERED AN EVEN BETTER TAX EXEMPTION FOR LOCATING IN AN AREA RIDDLED WITH JOB LOSSES AND RUTTING SKY HIGH ENERGY COSTS.

THE CRYPTOCURRENCY MEASURE PASSED THE HOUSE 82-15 AND HEADS, NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE WHERE THAT BODY ALSO APPROVED A BILL THAT APES TO GIVE CRYPTOCURRENCY MINING COMPANIES MOTIVATION TO SET UP SHOP IN KENTUCKY.

SENATE BILL 255 WOULD ALLOW CRYPTOCURRENCY COMPANIES TO TAN INTO INCENTIVES FOR ENERGY RELATED BUSINESS.

A CAN TOLL INVESTMENT FROM THE COMPANY OF OVER A MILLION DOLLARS WOULD MAKE THEM ELIGIBLE FOR SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTIONS AMONG OTHER BENEFITS.

IT PASSED THE SENATE 36 TO ONE.

KENTUCKY'S QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES OVERBURDENED WITH PAYMENTS TO THE STATE PENSION SYSTEM'S UNFUNDED LIABILITY ARE BEING OFFERED SOME RELIEF.

QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, LIKE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND RAPE CRISIS CENTERS ARE PAYING A FLAT RATE OF ABOUT 85 PERCENT OF PAYROLL, OR FOR EVERY DOLLAR PAID TO AN EMPLOYEE THOSE ENTITIES ARE PAYING ANOTHER 85 CENTS TO THE STATE PENSION SYSTEM.

HOUSE BILL 8 SETS TO CHANGE THAT, CHANGE THAT BY ALLOWING THE QUASIS TO PAY BACK THE LIABILITIES THEY ACTUALLY OWE OVER A 30-YEAR PERIOD.

ELIZABETHTOWN REPRESENTATIVE JIM DUPLESSIS HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE PENSION ISSUES FOR QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL INTISHES FOR YEARS.

HE SPONSORS HOUSE BILL EIGHT.

>> WHAT WE FOUND AS WE DUG INTO THIS ISSUE IS, SOME EMPLOYERS OWED 85 PERCENT.

OTHERS OWED 130 PERCENT.

SOME LIKE OUR RAPE CRISIS CENTERS CENTER WERE IN THE 20 PERCENTILE SO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING BY HAVING A BROAD 85 PERCENT NUMBER FOR EVERYBODY, THOSE WHO DON'T OWE MUCH LIKE THE RAPE CRISIS CENTERS ARE HELPING TO SUBSIDIZE THOSE WHO DO OWE A LOT, SUCH AS HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

SO WHAT WE LOOKED AT WITH THE HELP OF KDRS AND THEIR ACTUARY, WE HAVE SPLIT OUT THE INDIVIDUAL LIABILITIES OF EVERY EMPLOYER IN THE SYSTEM, AND WE HAVE ASSIGNED IT, ASSIGNED THAT EMPLOYER THEIR LIABILITY OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS YEARS.

SO WHAT THAT DOES IS IT BASICALLY GIVES THEM A FLAT LEVEL BILL FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS.

THERE COULD BE SOME ADJUSTMENTS EVERY FOUR YEARS AS EXPERIENCE STUDIES COME OUT BUT FOR THE MOST PART THEY WILL NOW HAVE A FLAT PAYMENT THAT THEY CAN BUDGET TO.

WE DON'T WANT ANY AGENCIES PUT AT RISK AND IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS LAST STRUCTURAL ISSUE WE LITERALLY ARE DOING THAT, THE RAPE CRISIS CENTERS OF THIS STATE, REGIONAL MEDICAL HEALTH CENTERS, THEY ARE SEEING SKYROCKETING COSTS BECAUSE OF THIS AND IT WILL AFFECT THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE, AND EVEN THE LEGITIMACY TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY DO.

THIS BILL LOCKS DOWN WHAT THEY OWE, WHERE THEY CAN BUDGET TO IT, WHERE THE STATE CAN HELP THEM WITH THEIR BUDGETING AS WELL AND WE WILL KNOW AS A GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS WHAT EACH INDIVIDUAL ENTITY NEEDS IN ORDER TO STAY IN BUSINESS AND INSTEAD OF THIS RATCHETING EFFECT WE SEE EVERY YEAR.

>> HOUSE BILL 8 PASSED THE HOUSE IN FEBRUARY.

EVERY YEAR THE KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEM CALCULATES THE UNFUNDED LIABILITY AND MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW MUCH SHOE PAID INTO THE PENSION SYSTEM, MANY STATE EMPLOYERS STRUGGLED WITH THE INCREASING AMOUNT THEY HAD TO PAY IN THE SYSTEM, WITH SOME LAYING OFF EMPLOYEES TO REDUCE THEIR PAYROLLS.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM DAVID GIVENS SAYS HOUSE BILL 8 SHOULD BE THE LAST TIME THE LEGISLATURE TRIES TO ADDRESS PENSION ISSUES WITH QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND TOOK ISSUE WITH NAMING WHO WOULD BE THE WINNERS AND LOSERS.

>> THE OVERARCHING PREMISE IS ONE I THINK ALL OF US CAN AGREE TO, HOUSE BILL 8 APPORTION IT IS UNFUNDED LIABILITY TO THE ENTITY THAT CREATED IT.

THAT IS A WONDERFUL AND AWESOME STARTING POINT.

ALL OF US AGREED ON THAT RAPIDLY AS WE TRIED TO FIND A WAY FORWARD ON HOUSE BILL 8.

THE QUESTION LARGELY CAME DOWN TO THE THINGS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, WHICH ARE SUBSIDIES.

AND THE SUBSIDY PIECE, IT IS INHERENT WE ALMOST ALWAYS REVERT TO THE PHRASE WINNERS AND LOSERS AND I REALLY DON'T LIKE THAT PHRASE, BECAUSE IT HAS A WRONG CONNOTATION.

BUT IF THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO HOLD ON TO, I UNDERSTAND WHEN WE LOOK AT THAT POSITIVE IMPACT OR THE NEGATIVE IMPACT.

UNDERSTAND, THOUGH, THAT THE ENTITY THAT IS SEEING A NEGATIVE IMPACT HAS ACTUALLY BENEFITED FROM YEARS OF HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT THEY REALLY SHOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN.

THEY REALLY HAVE BEEN CARRYING FORWARD BENEFITS THAT THEY DIDN'T DESERVE BECAUSE THEY HAD ACCRUED MORE LIABILITY IN THE SYSTEM THAN THEY WERE PAYING AND SO IF WE SAY THEY ARE A LOSER TODAY THEN WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEY WERE A HUGE WINNER FOR YEARS IN THE PAST.

AND THAT IS THE TRUTH.

WE CAN WISH IT WEREN'T THAT WAY BUT THAT IS THE UNDERLYING TRUTH OF IT.

>> SENATOR MORGAN MCGARVEY ASKED HOW EMPLOYERS COULD APPEAL THE AMOUNT IT IS STATE SAYS THEY OWE TO THE PENSION SYSTEM.

>> WHERE IT SAYS NO APPEAL SHALL BE SUBMITTED BY THE EMPLOYER OR CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD REGARDING THE ASSUMPTIONS OR METHODOLOGY USED BY THE ACTUARY TO DETERMINE A PARTICULAR EMPLOYER'S PERCENTAGE, WHAT IS THE RATIONALE FOR NOT ALLOWING THEM TO DISPUTE THE ASSUMPTIONS OR METHODOLOGY, PARTICULARLY IF THOSE END UP BEING INCORRECT?

>> SO REPRESENTATIVE DUPLESSISLY HANDLE THAT ONE, SO THE INTENT, THOSE ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODOLOGY ARE DECIDED UPON BY THE BOARD IN CONCURRENCE REQUEST THEIR CONSULTING ACTUARIES.

THE REAL -- AND SO THOSE HAVE TO BE DECIDED BY THOSE EXPERTS AS THEY ADVANCE.

NOW, WHAT WE ARE PROVIDING IN THIS IS AN APPEALS PROCESS BASED OFF OF THE EMPLOYEES' WHO ARE ACTUALLY ASSIGNED OR NOT.

FOR EXAMPLE I KNOW YOUR COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY HAS AN ISSUE WITH SOME EMPLOYEES THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE THEIRS, EKU HAS BROUGHT FORWARD SOME ISSUES WITH EMPLOYEES THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE THEIRS AND HAVE SOME HEALTH SYSTEMS AND DIFFERENT THINGS AROUND THE STATE.

SO WE WANTED TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY, HEY, THESE EMPLOYEES ARE MINE OR NOT, YOU KNOW, NOT GET INTO THE DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE RATE OF RETURN SHOULD BE FIVE AND A QUARTER OR PAYROLL GROWTH SHOULD BE ZERO OR A NEGATIVE 1.

YOU KNOW, IT IS KIND OF LIKE YOU CAN'T THROW A CHALLENGE FLAG ON A NO CALL.

>> HOUSE BILL 8 PASSED THE SENATE A AND R COMMITTEE TODAY AND HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE SENATE ORDERS OF THE DAY FOR TOMORROW FOR ACTION BY THE FULL SENATE CHAMBER.

PARENTS ANXIOUS TO GET THEIR CHILDREN BACK TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION HAVE RECEIVED A POTENTIAL DATE FOR IT TO BEGIN.

A HOUSE BILL RECEIVING PASSAGE BY THE SENATE WOULD REQUIRE KENTUCKY SCHOOLS TO OFFER SOME FORM OF IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION BY MARCH 29TH.

HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR REGINA HUFF'S HOUSE BILL 208 WOULD REQUIRE AT LEAST TWO DAYS OF IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION IN A HYBRID MODEL WITH ONLINE LEARNING.

PARENTS WHO WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO REMAIN ALL REMOTE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN BY WRITING A LETTER TO THEIR SCHOOL.

SENATE EDUCATION CHAIR MAX WISE SAYS THIS BILL IS A CONTINUATION OF A BILL FROM LAST YEAR THAT GAVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SOME FLEXIBILITY WITH NTI DAYS TO DEAL WITH THE PANDEMIC.

THE A REMINDER FOR ALL THAT EVERYTHING AS OF THIS BILL ENDS WITH THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR.

THE INTENTION IS THAT EVERYTHING WE HAVE, WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL, NTI WILL BE LIMITED TO THE STATUTORY TEN DAYS, AS ALREADY IS IN STATUTE, IF THE DISTRICT'S PLAN IS APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER.

AND LASTLY, HOUSE BILL 208 IS AS BE BY THE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE SAYS THERE WILL BE NO HYBRID LEARNING ALLOWED UNLESS THERE WOULD BE ANOTHER EXECUTIVE ORDER.

HOWEVER, UNDER SENATE BILL 1, SUCH AN ORDER TO SEEK THESE STATUTES AND GO VIRTUAL WOULD HAVE TO BE AGREED TO BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THAT WOULD EXPIRE IN 30 DAYS WITHOUT LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL AT THAT TIME.

>> STATEWIDE TESTING IS ALSO ADDRESSED IN HOUSE BILL 208.

IT SAYS THE KENTUCKY BOARD OF EDUCATION CAN SEEK TO WAIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE TESTS IF GIVEN APPROVAL BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

REPUBLICANS CHRIS MCDANIEL AND DAVID GIVENS SAY THE MEASURE GIVES SCHOOL BOARDS LOCAL DECISION MAKING POWER AND THEY RESPONDED TO CRITICISM THAT SAYS SCHOOLS SHOULD BE OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

>> YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE HEARD THE MOST IS YOU HAVE TO FORCE PEOPLE TO BE BACK IN SCHOOL FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

YOU HAVE TO FORCE PEOPLE TO BE BACK IN SCHOOL FIVE DAYS A WEEK AND TO THOSE PEOPLE I SAY YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT,, GET OUT AND RUN FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD.

IF YOU WANT YOUR KIDS IN SCHOOL FIVE DAYS A WEEK, AND IF YOU WANT LOCAL CONTROL, RUN FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD, VOTE FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD, YOU CAN TARGET US AND SAY YOU LEGISLATORS IN FRANKFORT, YOU NEED TO FORCE THE BEHAVIOR BY THE ADMINISTRATION ON THE FIRST FLOOR, YOU NEED TO FORCE SCHOOLS OPEN, YOU NEED TO FORCE TEACHERS TO TEACH AND YOU NEED TO FORCE STUDENTS TO LEARN.

THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE.

WE PASSED THE POLICY, WE DON'T IMPLEMENT THE POLICY.

>> THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE PASSED HOUSE BILL 208 OUT OF COMMITTEE EARLIER IN THE DAY, BEFORE THE SENATE TOOK UP THE MEASURE ON THE FLOOR THIS AFTERNOON.

SENATE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR REGGIE THOMAS COUNTERED REPUBLICAN STATEMENTS THAT MEASURE WOULD RESTORE LOCAL CONTROL, SAYING IT DOES THE OPPOSITE.

IN HIS VIEW.

>> THIS BILL WEAKENS THE CONCEPT OF LOCAL CONTROL.

BECAUSE AS LOCAL CONTROL WAS DEFINED BY THE AUTHOR OF THIS BILL TODAY, THE LOCAL CONTROL MEANS THAT SCHOOL BOARD CONTROLS ALL OPERATIONS OF THE SCHOOL, INCLUDING OPENING AND CLOSING THE SCHOOLS, HOUSE TEACHERS TEACH AND ET CETERA.

AND THIS BILL TODAY TAKES ALL OF THAT AWAY.

>> HOUSE BILL 208, THE MEASURE THAT WOULD REQUIRE KENTUCKY SCHOOLS TO REOPEN TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION BY THE END OF MATCH PASSED THE SENATE 28-8.

THE MEASURE NOW HEADS BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR APPROVAL OF THE SENATE'S CHANGES.

WITH WIDENING DISPARITIES IN THE INCARCERATION OF YOUTH OF COLOR, JUVENILE JUSTICE ADVOCATES ARE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT A BILL TO GIVE JUDGES MORE DECISION MAKING POWER IN DETERMINING WHETHER CERTAIN TEENS SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO ADULT COURT.

SENATE JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN WHITNEY WESTERFIELD IS MAKING GAIN WITH HIS SAT BILL 36 THAT ALLOWS JUVENILE COURT JUDGES USE THEIR DISCRETION IN HANDLING YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS CHARGED WITH A PHENYLTHAT INVOLVED A FIREARM, WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS USED DURING A CRIME.

UNDER CURRENT LAW, THERE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSFER OF THOSE KIDS TO ADULT COURT.

THE MEASURE OF SENATOR WHITNEY WESTERFIELD ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WITHOUT OPPOSITION AND NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE.

WOMEN MAKE UP THE FASTEST GROWING INCARCERATION POPULATION, AND A MAJORITY OF THEM ARE PREGNANT, SAYS JEFFERSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS BUILDING ON LEGISLATION ADDRESSING PRENATAL CARE FOR WOMEN IN PRISON ..

HER SENATE BILL 84 COVERS THE POSTNATAL CONCERNS.

WHAT SENATE BILL 84 DOES IS OFFER SIX WEEKS OF POSTPARTUM CARE, WHERE CURRENTLY THERE IS NONE.

IT ENDS SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR INCARCERATED PREGNANT WOMEN AN AS YOU KNOW PREGNANT WOMEN ARE INCREASINGLY HARMED BY SOLITARY CONFINEMENT BECAUSE OF THE SHIFT IN THEIR MEDICAL NEEDS.

PREG FANT WOMEN ARE MORE SUSCEPT TO BE THE COMMON HARMS OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT BECAUSE OF THE HEALTH SITUATION SPECIFIC TO PREGNANCY.

IT REQUIRES THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO MAINTAIN PUBLICLY RELEASED DATA ON SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, INCLUDING AGE, GENDER, ETHNICITY, REASON, DATE IN AND OUT, AND THEY NEED TO PUBLISH THESE -- >> SENATE BILL 84 ADVANCED FROM THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WITHOUT DISSENT AND NOW WAITS FOR PLACEMENT ON THE FULL HOUSE DOCKET.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 22 OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

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

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

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

AND YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER TO GET UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

I SURE HOPE WE SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 EASTERN, 10:00 CENTRAL TIME FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

FOR KET, I AM RENEE SHAW.