>> Casey: THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE HEARS A BILL THAT WOULD REPLACE KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY'S BOARD OF REGENTS.

THE SENATE PASSES MEASURES TO IMPROVE ELECTION SECURITY.

AND BANKS THAT WON'T INVEST IN FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES WOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM RECEIVING STATE BUSINESS.

ALL ON DAY 42 OF THE 20222022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION GOOD EVENING, E WELCOME TO "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE".

A CASEY PARKER-BELL.

THE SENATE HAS PENNSYLVANIA AID MEASURE APING TO MAKE KENTUCKY'S ELECTION MORE SECURE SENATE PRESIDENT BILL 216 REQUIRES ALL ROWING MACHINES TO HAVE PAPER BACKUPS BY THE BEGINNING OF 2024 THAT PROHIBITS VOTE MACHINES BEING CONNECTED ON A NETWORK LIKE THE INTERNET, AND REQUIRES VOTING MACHINES TO BE PLACED IN A LOCKED AREA UNDER VIDEO SURVEILLANCE FOR 30 DAYS AFTER AN ELECTION IN CASE AN AUDIT IS NECESSARY.

HARDEN SENATOR ROBE MILLS SAID SENATE BILL 216 WOULD ALLOW KENTUCKIANS TO HAVE MORE FAITH IN ELECTION RESULTS.

HE EXPLAINS SOME ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS TO THE BILL.

>> IT INCREASES.

THE NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT INQUIRIES COMPLETED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOLLOWING THE ELECTION FROM SIX TO 12.

IT REMOVES THE CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD AS AN ALTERNATE FORM OF I.D.

OR VOTER I.D.

ACCORDING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE, IN 2020 ON 167 VOTERS USED THIS FORM OF I.D.

ALMOST OUT OF 3 MILLION THAT VOTED.

>> Casey: DEMOCRATS HEDGE REGGIE ST. THOMAS AND MORGAN McGARVEY REMOVED THE MORGUES OF THE BILL THATTAL ALLOWS THE VOTERS TO USE A DEBIT CARD FOR A FORM OF POISONING THEY SAY IT'S HARDER FOR TEAM TO PEET VOTE.

>> THE SENATOR FROM HENDERSON MAKES A POINT THAT THESE CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS WITHING ON USED 167 TIMES P MR. PRESIDENT BE WE HAVE SEEN INSTANCE AFTER INSTANCE EVEN IN THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHERE IN CLOSE ELECTIONS ONE OR TWO VOTES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENT IN THE WORLD, AND TO BE ABLE TO DENY A PERSON THE RIGHT TO VOTE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A PHOTO I.D.

AND THEY HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, AND THEY HAVE A CREDIT CARD GOES OPPOSITE OF WHERE I THINK WE OUGHT TO BE GOING IN OUR ELECTIONS.

>> WE'VE HEARD THE SENATOR FROM HENDERSON CITE THE SECRETARY OF STATE THAT SAYS THIS WOULD ONLY IMPACT 167 PEOPLE.

I WANT TO TURN THAT AROUND.

THIS WOULD HAVE KEPT 167 PEOPLE FROM VOTING, AND THEIR VOTES COUNT.

THIS IS REALLY EASY.

IF YOU WANT MORE PEOPLE TO DO SOMETHING, MAKE IT EASIER.

IF YOU WANT FEWER PEOPLE TO DO SOMETHING, MAKE IT HARDER.

THIS BILL MAKES IT HARDER TO VOTE.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 216 MAKES THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE CHAIR OF THE KENTUCKY STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND RETURNS THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE'S VOGTS POWER.

THE SECRETARY WAS REMOVED FROM THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTION IN 2019 AFTER CONTROVERSY ABOUT HOW THEN SECRETARY ALISON LUNDERGAN GRIMES' OFFICE USED THE STATE'S VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM.

LAWRENCEBURG REPUBLICAN ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH SAID PUTTING THE SECRETARY OF STATE BACK ON THE BOARD IS A BAD IDEA.

>> TO ME IT'S GOING WAY TOO FAR.

IT GOES RIGHT BACK WHERE WE WERE.

THE WHOLE POINT OF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS IS IT IS A BIPARTISAN BODY.

HALF REPUBLICAN, HALF DEMOCRAT.

EVEN NUMBER.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE CAN CAST A TIE-EK BRING VOTE UNDER THIS BILL -- BREAKING VOTE UNDER THIS BILL.

WHAT IS IN THE WORLD IS THE POINT OF A BIPARTISAN BODY WHENEVER YOU DON'T EVEN MEET ANY CONSENSUS AT ALL BECAUSE WHOEVER IS THE SECRETARY OF STATE, IT GOES THEIR WAY.

I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE COULD DO HERE IS GET THIS RIGHT INSTEAD OF GETTING IT WRONG A SECOND TIME IN A ROW.

GETTING IT RIGHT WOULD MEAN, YEAH, THE SECRETARY OF STATE NEEDS TO HAVE SOME KIND OF COORDINATION WITH THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, AFTER ALL, IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO BE THE ELECTION OFFICIAL THAT HAS NO CONNECTION TO THE BOARD BE A NON-VOTING MEMBER.

>> Casey: SOUTHWORTH ALSO SAYS SHY HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH HOW THE VOTING SYSTEM WOULD WORK AND CLAIMS THE LAW WOULD ACTUALLY ALLOW VOTING MACHINES TO BE CONNECTED TO NETWORKS.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS COUNTERED THOSE REMARKS ON THE FLOOR.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT ANY SYSTEM, IT IS AS ANY SYSTEM VERY FALLIBLE, BUT NO ONE HAS SHOWN US THAT THERE'S ANY BETTER ACTUAL VOTING SYSTEM.

THERE MAY BE A COMPLAINT WITH HOW YOU GET IDENTIFIED, BUT THE ACTUAL ACT OF CASTING A VOTE IS THE MOST SECURE WAY ANYBODY CAN SHOW, AND NOBODY HAS OFFERED ANY ALTERNATIVE.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON FOR THIS VOTE IS TO STAND AGAINST ALL FORMS OF VOTER FRAUD AND AGAINST ALL FAKE ATTEMPTS TO CLAIM THAT WE'RE SOLVING IT.

>> Casey: THE SENATE PASSED SENATE BILL 216 22-10 AND IT HEADS TO THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE PASSED ANOTHER ELECTION MEASURE HOUSE BILL 301 WOULD PREVENT OUTSIDE GROUPS FROM CONTRIBUTING MONEY TO ELECTION ADMINISTRATION.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DAMON THAYER SAYS THAT PROCESS COULD LEAD TO OUTSIDE MONEY IMPACTING ELECTIONS.

>> WE KNOW THAT KENTUCKY RECEIVED AT LEAST $7.1 MILLION FROM THOSE ORGANIZATIONS, $5.5 MILLION OF WHICH WENT TO ONLY TWO COUNTIES.

MR. PRESIDENT, IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE.

IF YOU WANT TO TRY TO AFFECT ELECTION OUTCOMES, DO IT THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESSES WHERE YOUR DOLLARS ARE REPORTED IN SUPPORT OF CANDIDATES OR ISSUE COMMITTEES THAT ARE REGULATED BY THE KENTUCKY REGISTRY OF ELECTION FINANCE OR THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION.

WE SHOULD NOT HAVE PRIVATE MONEY FROM THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT OR IN THE MIDDLE GOING TO COUNTY CLERKS TO HELP FUND ELECTION ACTIVITIES IN SELECT COUNTIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> Daniel: A SENATE AMENDMENT TO THE MEASURE WOULD TEMPT EXEMPT FOOD AND NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FROM BEING.

THIS MEASURE IS TO PREVENT FOOD AND DRINKS BROUGHT TO POLL WORKERS ON ELECTION DAY FROM RUNNING AFOUL OF THE LAW.

LEXINGTON SENATOR REG THOMAS SAYS THERE ARE MANY EXPENSES RELATED TO ELECTIONS, AND THAT BANNING OUTSIDE MONEY COULD KEEP PEOPLE FROM BEING INFORMED ABOUT POLLING LOCATIONS AND TIMES.

>> I MUST ADMIT THAT THERE IS CERTAINLY A PART OF ME THAT UNDERSTANDS WHY YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO USE OUTSIDE SOURCES TO SPEND ON ELECTIONS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME THERE IS NO PUBLIC FUNDS BEING USED TO TALK ABOUT THINGS OTHER THAN JUST THE ACTUAL ELECTION, AND WHEN WE HAVE ELECTIONS THAT ARE PROMOTED AND ADMINISTERED BY COUNTY CLERKS.

THERE'S MORE THAN JUST THE ACTUAL ELECTIONS THAT GO INTO THAT.

YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE VOTER INFORMATION AND VOTER AWARENESS, AND THOSE THINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

>> Casey: LOUISVILLE SENATOR DAVID YATES VOTED IN FAVORITE BILL.

HE AGREES WITH THOMAS AND FUNDING FOR MARKETING AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES RELATED TO ELECTIONS IS ESSENTIAL BUT SAYS IT SHOULD BE DONE WITH PUBLIC MONEY.

>> ONE OF MY CONCERNS WITH THIS ORIGINALLY, LIKE ANYONE ELSE, IS WHEN YOU HAVE OUTSIDE MONEY COMING IT IT COULD INFLUENCE OUR ELECTIONS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S NOT DONE.

WE HAVE HEARD HORROR STORIES LOOKING BACK, ONE OF THE CRAZIEST ELECTIONS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFETIME, AS YOU AS WELL, 2020, IT WAS DONE PRETTY EFFICIENT AND IT WAS BECAUSE OF OUTSIDE MONEY.

WHAT NEED TO DO IS BE SURE BY VOTING THIS THAT WE DO FULL FUND THAT SO THAT THE PEOPLE ARE INFORMED, PEOPLE DO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 3 EVER 301 PASSED 27 TO 4 AND HEADS BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR A CONCURRENCE VOTE.

SOME NATIONAL BANKS ARE MAKING MAJOR INVESTMENTS TO COMPANIES THAT WILL LIMIT PLANET WARMING EMISSIONS POTENTIALLY AT THE EXPENSE OF KENTUCKY'S FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES.

THE SENATE BILL 205 PROHIBITS THE STATE FROM WORKING WITH COMPANIES THAT BOYCOTT ENERGY COMPANIES DEALING IN FOSSIL FUEL-BASED ENERGY AND REQUIRES THE STATE TREASURER TO MAINTAIN A LIST OF THOUGH COMPANIES ENGAGED IN THE BOYCOTTS.

HENDERSON SENATOR ROBBY MILLS SAYS THE MEASURE WILL HELP KENTUCKY BUSINESSES.

>> THIS DISCRIMINATION TOWARD FOSSIL FUELS BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IS LIKELY TO LIMIT CAPITAL AVAILABILITY FOR THOSE IN THE COAL AND OIL AND GAS BUSINESS AND RESULT IN A HIGHER COST OF CAPITAL FOR ALL ENERGY PRODUCERS.

SENATE BILL 205 GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT IF YOU CHOOSE TO LEVERAGE YOUR RESOURCES TO ELIMINATE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRIES IN KENTUCKY, THE STATE OF KENTUCKY CHOOSES TO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH YOU.

WE ARE STEWARDS OF KENTUCKY TAX DOLLARS AND PENSION PLANS, AND WE SHOULD SET ENERGY POLICY IN KENTUCKY.

NOT THESE OUT-OF-STATE MEGA FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

>> Casey: MILLS SAYS THE KENTUCKY COAL ASSOCIATION AND THE KENTUCKY OIL AND GAS ASSOCIATION SUPPORT THE BILL.

ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH ASKED MILLS ABOUT HOW THIS WILL IMPACT KENTUCKY'S INVESTMENTS RIGHT NOW, AND MILLS EXPLAINED THAT THERE ARE PROTECTIONS TO KEEP THE STATE FROM LONGS MONEY.

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE USED TO HAVE OUR MONEY IN THE COMMONWEALTH HELD BY FARMERS BANK IN FRANKFORT, AND SEVERAL YEARS BACK WE SWITCHED IT TO CHASE, AND I JUST HEARD OF THE SENATOR FROM HENDERSON MENTION CHASE ON THE LIST OF INSTITUTIONS THAT MAY GET CAUGHT IN THIS.

DOES THE SENATOR FROM HARDEN KNOW IF -- HENDERSON KNOW IF BEE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET OUR MONEY OUT OF CHASE BANK UNDER THIS BILL AND BUT IT BACK TO A LOCAL, TOO, THAT HAS MORE KENTUCKY INTERESTS AT HEART?

>> SENATOR FROM HENDERSON.

>> YES.

SENATE BILL 205 GIVES SEVERAL STEPS, TWO STEPS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN IF THERE IS MON INVESTED, STATE FUNDS INVESTED IN A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS ON THIS LIST THAT COMES FROM THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

I WOULD MAKE A NOTE THAT IF THERE IS A -- IF THESE ARE INVESTMENTS THAT MIGHT CAUSE A FINANCIAL LOSS, THERE IS A PERIOD OF A YEAR BEFORE THESE INVESTMENTS NEED TO BE REVIEWED AND THEN COULD POSSIBLY BE WITHDRAWN, SO I WOULD HOPE THAT IF THEY ARE, IF WE DO HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF INVESTMENTS IN A BANK THAT IS ON THIS LIST, THAT WE ARE ABLE TO REMOVE IT WITHOUT LOSS AND MIGHT HAVE TO A LOCAL BANK.

>> Casey: LOUISVILLE DEMOCRATS KAREN BERG AND DAVID YATES BOTH VOTED NO.

THEY CALLED THE BILL GOVERNMENT I DON'T EVER REACH.

>> IF YOU WANT TO -- OVERREACH.

>> IF YOU WANT TO INVEST IN A BUSINESS THAT PROMOTES CLEAN ENERGY THAT THE STATE OF KENTUCKY ISN'T GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO DO BUSINESS WITH THAT BUSINESS, AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A RIGHT, AS INDIVIDUALS, TO VOTE AND TO CAST OUR VOTE, AND WE ALSO HAVE A RIGHT, AS INDIVIDUALS, TO VOTE WITH OUR WALLETS.

>> HERE WE HAVE COMPANIES THAT WE'RE ALMOST GOING TO LOOK TO BLACKLIST AT A TIME WHEN WE'RE TRYING VERY, VERY HARD TO BRING IN JOBS TO KENTUCKY.

WE KNOW R OUR GDP IS SO SMALL COMPARED TO OTHER STATES AND YET HE TRY TO FLEX AND IT HAD HURTS OUR PEOPLE.

AT A TIME WE SHOULD BE BRINGING THIS IN, WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER ONE OF THE BIGGEST BATTERY OPERATED PLACES HERE IN KENTUCKY YET WE'RE GOING TO BLACKLIST COMPANIES WHICH IS GOING TO MAKE IT VERY, VERY DIFFICULT FOURS TO BE ABLE TO MULTIPLY JOBS CREATION.

>> Casey: EASTERN KENTUCKY SENATORS ROBIN WEBB AND JOAN TURNER BOTH VOTED IN FAVORITE MEASURE.

THEY SPOKE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENERGY SECTOR IN THEIR PART OF THE STATE.

>> I DIDN'T HEAR A THING IN THIS BILL THAT SAID THAT BANKS CAN'T HELP THE GREENFIELD IF THEY WANT TO.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS PROTECTS THE COAL INDUSTRY IN THE AREA WHICH IS PROVIDED BASICALLY REAL CHEAP ELECTRICITY FOR THIS STATE FOR ALL THESE YEARS, AND IF THERE'S AN INSTITUTION IN MY COUNTY THAT SAYS, I CAN'T HELP THE COAL INDUSTRY, I'M GOING TO TELL THEM MINERS AND PEOPLE WHO SUFFERED FOR ALL THOSE YEARS OF PROVIDE P THAT CHEAP ELECTRICITY TO SAY, YOU NEED TO MOVE YOUR MONEY TO ANOTHER BANK.

>> WE JUST HAD A MOUNTAIN CAUCUS MEETING ON ENERGY, AND THE DIRE STRAITS OF INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING OURSELVES WHEN WE GO HOME AND OPEN UP A POWER BILL TO HOMES WE HAVEN'T BEEN TO AND IT'S DOUBLED AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE FIXED INCOME AND OTHER WOES THAT YOU HEARD ABOUT LATE IN EAST KENTUCKY, AND COAL AND FOSSIL FUELS ARE A NATIONAL DEFENSE ISSUE TO ME, AND I THINK WE'RE SEEING THAT NOW MORE THAN EVER ON A GLOBAL SCALE.

SO WHEN GLOBAL ACTIVISM CAN IMPACT THIS COUNTRY'S DECISION IN ITS BEST INTERESTS OVERALL AND DICTATE POLICY, I WOULD VOTE FOR IT AGAIN IF YOU ADD ANIMAL AGRICULTURE TO IT.

I VOTE AYE.

>> Casey: THE MEASURING PASSED THE SENATE 26 TO 5 AND MAKES ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE.

PET OWNERS WHO HAVE PETS SEIZE BECAUSE OF ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES COULD HAVE TO PAY MUNICIPALITIES BACK FOR HOUSING THE ANIMALS.

SENATE BILL 125 WOULD FORCE ANIMAL CARE COSTS FOR SEIZED PETS TO BE PAID FOR-HIGH BEAU THE OWNER AFTER THE OWNER HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF FELONY RELATED TO ANIMAL CRUELTY.

SENATE MAJORITY CAUCUS CHAIR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS SAID SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN HAD LARGE BILLS FOR HOUSING ANIMALS AND THAT THE MEASURE WOULD PROTECT TAXPAYERS.

>> ONE OF THE GREATEST OBJECT TACKLES STACKS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ENFORCING ANIMAL ENFORCEMENT IS THE HUGE COST OF CARING FOR THE ABUSED ANIMALS.

AGENCIES ARE OFTEN FORCED TO CARE FOR SEIZED FLANNEL FOR MONTHS AT SIGNIFICANT COST TO THE TAXPAYERS AND THE ANIMALS.

EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE, HOUSING, FOOD, WELLNESS CARE COSTS CAN SKYROCKET WHEN IT COMES TO NEGLECTED ANIMALS CAUGHT UP IN COURT CASES.

SO WITHOUT A PROCEDURAL LAW IN PLACE, ANIMAL SHELTERS AND ULTIMATELY TAXPAYERS ARE BURDENED BY THESE COSTS.

IT IS UNFAIR FOR SHELTERS AND COUNTIES TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THE OFTEN DEBILITATING COST OF CARE FOR SEIZED ANIMALS WHEN IT IS THE OWNER WHO IS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ANIMALS.

JUST IN FAYETTE COUNTY WAS A AN EXAMPLE, 135 CATS WERE SEIZED FROM ONE HOUSE AND IT TOOK OVER A YEAR TO BE RESOLVED IN COURT, AND THE COST OF BOARDING THOSE CATS WAS OVER 80,000TH TO THE PEOPLE IN THAT COUNTY -- 80,000TH.

>> Al Cross: OF.

>> Casey: AN AMENDMENT SPONSORED BY RAQUE ADAMS DIFFERENTIATEDY NEST DOMESTICATED PETS FROM POULTRY AND LIVESTOCK.

SENATOR ROBIN WEBB SAYS THE BILL SETS UNCLEAR STANDARDS.

>> THE CO-OWNER THAT MAY HAVE A NON-POSSESSORY INTEREST IN THE ANIMAL WHEN THESE ALLEGATIONS -- THEY'RE ALLEGATIONS -- OCCUR, THEY HAVE NO OR LITTLE OR NO PROTECTION HERE AND NO REMEDY TO EXERCISE, AGAIN, THEIR PERSONAL PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHT.

SO WE'RE THROWING THAT OUT THE WINDOW AND THERE 33 UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THIS BILL, THERE WILL BE.

YOU WILL SEE PERHAPS TARGETING AND PIPELINES FOR SEIZURES AND FORFEIT CHURES BECAUSE THERE'S MONEY IN THIS.

THERE'S MONEY IN IT.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 125 PASSED THE SENATE 24 TO 7.

AFTER THE SENATE ADJOURNED FOR THE NIGHT, THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE BEGAN A HEARING ON A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR TO SELECT NEW MEMBERS FOR KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY'S BOARD OF REGENTS.

THE UNIVERSITY IS IN NEED OF FINANCIAL HELP, AND HAS REQUESTED $23 MILLION TO COVER ITS BUDGET SHORTFALL.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM DAVID GIVENS SAYS THE MEASURE IS THE FIRST STEP TO GETTING KSU BACK ON SOLID FOOTING AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE E. CAN COUNCIL ON POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION SAYS SENATE BILL 265 NEEDS TO MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO ENSURE KSU GETS HELP.

>> IT REQUIRES THE GOVERNOR'S POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION NOMINATING COMMITTEE TO SUBMIT 16 NOMINATIONS BY DATE CERTAIN OF MARCH THE 26th FROM WHICH THE GOVERNOR SHALL SELECT EIGHT.

THOSE WILL BE THEN APPOINTED ON OR BEFORE APRIL THE 1st AND WILL THEN GO THROUGH THE SENATE CONFIRMATION PROCESS.

ALL OF US IN THE ROOM ARE AWARE OF THE VITAL ROLE THAT KSU PLAYS IN OUR POST-SECONDARY LANDSCAPE.

IN ADDITION, ALL OF US IN THE ROOM ARE WELL AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE COME TO LIGHT IN THE FISCAL MANAGEMENT AND THE CHALLENGES IN PRODUCING GRADUATES THAT KSU HAS FACED.

THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN A PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO REALIGN THIS BOARD, REFOCUS THIS BOARD, GIVE THE GOVERNOR THE CHANCE TO BASICALLY RECONSTITUTE THE BOARD OF HIS ITSELF.

>> IT'S OBVIOUS, YOU'VE HEARD ME SPEAK OVER AND OVER AGAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF KSU, THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING KSU NOT ONLY SURVIVE AND WE NEED THAT $23 MILLION BY THE END OF THE MONTH REALLY, TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE, AND THIS IS NOT A -- THIS IS NOT A JOKE, AND WE HAVE TO GET THAT IN PLACE TO DO THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO.

THE POINT I WILL MAKE AROUND THIS BILL IS NOT NECESSARILY WHETHER IT'S FOR IT OR AGAINST IT, BUT IT IS THIS, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO IT, WE NEED TO DO IT BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUSH THIS ENVELOPE TO GET ENOUGH PEOPLE ALIGNED INTO THE POST-SECONDARY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING THE, THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEETINGS TO GEM THEM ONBOARD AND TO ALIGN WITH ALL THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH, ALONG WITH THE ACTIONS THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH ALL THE TIME.

>> Casey: SENATOR JERALD NEAL A KSU ALUM, SAID SOME PEOPLE HAVE TOLD HIM THEY'RELED WORRIED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WANTS TO CLOSE THE UNIVERSITY.

HE ASKED GIVENS IF HE WAS COMMITTED TONE SUGAR KSU GETS THE HELP IT NEED, BUT GIVENS SAYS EVEN THOUGH HE IS COMMITTED, THE CLOSURE HAS TO BE ON THE TABLE.

>> IS THERE GOING TO BE TOTAL COMMITMENT TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS UNIVERSITY, THE MAINTENANCE OF ITS HISTORICAL MISSION, PLUS THOSE THINGS THAT WILL MAKE IT A STATE-OF-THE-ART UNIVERSITY, WHICH I UNDERSTAND THAT IS VERY MUCH DOABLE GIVEN SUFFICIENT FUNDING, TIME AND MAYBE THOSE OTHER FIVE THINGS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?

ARE YOU TOTALLY COMMITTED TO THAT?

>> SENATOR NEAL,PLASTY TALK ABOUT FAILURE FOR JUST A MOMENT.

THIS GENTLEMAN SITTING HERE BESIDE ME JUST A MOMENT AGO SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPORT OF MONEY THAT'S NEEDED AND THE TIMELINESS OF THIS MONEY, SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FAILURE, I THINK THE PLACE WE'VE GOT TO START IS THAT FAILURE TO MOVE BY THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THIS MATTER CONSTITUTES CLOSURE OF KSU.

>> WE AGREE TO THAT.

>> SO WE HAVE A CHOICE TO EITHER MOVE AND MOVE THIS, TOO, FORWARD INSTITUTION FORWARD OR DO NOTHING.

>> Casey: GIVENS MENTIONED HOUSE BILL 50 WOULD APPROPRIATE THE $23 MILLION NEEDED TO PAY KSU'S BUDGET SHORT THAW.

NEAL SAID MORE WILL BE NEEDED AND GAVE AN IMPASSIONED SPEECH WITH THE AS IMPORTANT AS IMPORTANCE OF THE UNIVERSITY.

>> DESPITE THOSE DEFICIENCIES IN FUNDING, HAS PRODUCED AND, IN FACT, IN RECENT YEARS HAS RE REDUCED NOTWITHSTANDING AND I CAN SHOW YOU THAT.

I THINK -- I HATE TO LECTURE TO YOU AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT BUT I GUESS I'M A LITTLE IMPATIENT ABOUT IT BECAUSE I HAVE YOU MATRICULATED THERE.

I KNOW THE HISTORY OF THIS INSTITUTION.

I KNOW THE FAILURES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I KNOW THE NARRATIVE HAS BEEN ABOUT THIS BOARD THAT DIDN'T DO THIS, THAT OR THE OTHER.

WELL, WE'LL SEE WHAT THAT'S ABOUT.

BUT HISTORICALLY YEAR AFTER YEAR, DECADE AFTER DECADE, SINCE SLAVERY, AND ITS INSTITUTIONAL BEGINNING, THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY INSTITUTIONALLY HAS NOT STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE.

>> Casey: LEXINGTON SENATOR REG THOMAS ASKED GIVENS IF THE TIMELINE IN THE BILL WAS EVEN POSSIBLE AND ASKED WHY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO APPROVE THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTMENTS.

SENATE BILL 265 WOULD REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTMENTS BE MADE BEFORE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINAL DAY OF THE SESSION, GIVING THEM TIME FOR LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL.

>> IN THE EVENT THAT THE GOVERNOR IS JUST NOT ABLE TO MEET THAT TIME FRAME BECAUSE, AGAIN, I THINK THERE'S A LOT TO DO IN THE NEXT -- YOU'RE ONLY TALK WITH 24 DAYS.

ISN'T IT SAFE TO ASSUME THAT THE GOVERNOR, LIKE THE LEGISLATURE, IS GOING TO APPOINT COMPETENT, ASTUTE INDIVIDUALS, AND THEREFORE BASED UPON THAT ASSUMPTION THAT WE'RE OWL ALL ON THE THE SAME I U.

SAME PAGE, GOVERNOR AND US AS LEGISLATOR WITH ISN'T IT REALLY NECESSARY THAT THIS SENATE CONFIRM THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS BY APRIL 14th?

>> SENATOR THOMAS, IT IS AND I'LL SHARE WITH YOU WHY AND IT RELATES TO THE COMPANION PIECE OF LEGISLATION WE REFER AS THE HOUSE BILL 250.

THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT LEVEL OF VOTER CONFIDENCE THAT HAS TO HAPPEN US IN APPROPRIATING $23 MILLION FOR KSU AND TRUSTING THAT THAT MONEY IS GOING TO BE WELL SPENT AND WISELY SPENT, SO THE BOARD OF GOVERNANCE, THIS BEING THE CASE, YOU BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHOULD CERTAINLY BE IN PLACE AND CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE IN A TIMELY FASHION FOR US TO BE ABLE TO PLACE THAT VOTE OF CONFIDENCE, THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY OF $23 MILLION, AND INVEST IT IN THAT INSTITUTION, AND BASICALLY TURN IT OVER TO THAT BOARD TO SAY, PLEASE MAKE THIS UNIVERSITY SHINE AS WE THINK IT CAN.

SO, YES, WE DO FEEL CONFIDENT IT CAN BE DONE.

WE ALSO FEEL CONFIDENCE IS PARAMOUNT THAT WE GET THIS DONE FOR SENATE CONFIRMING BEFORE WE ADJOURN SINE DIE ON ARCH THE 15th.

>> Casey: THOMAS AND NEAL BOTH VOTED IN FAVOR OF SENATE BILL 265, BUT WHILE THOMAS EXPLAINED HIS YES VOTE, HE SAYS CLOSURE IS NOT AN OPTION.

>> THE REASON KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY IS IN THIS POSITION IS NOT BECAUSE OF ANY FRAUD OR THEFT BY THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

IT MADE SOME BAD DECISIONS, TRYING TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS THAT WERE SET BY KENTUCKY STATE -- SET BY THIS LEGISLATURE, BUT IT COULD NOT ACHIEVE BECAUSE OF THE PERFORMANCE FUNDING MODEL.

I HAVE TO BE VERY HONEST.

I SAID IN 2016 THAT I WAS IN FAVOR OF PERFORM FUNDING.

AND ON THE FLOOR I VOTED FOR IT, BUT I ALSO SAID AT THAT TIME-- AND YOU CAN EVER AND YOU CAN GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE HISTORY -- THAT I THOUGHT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY OUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THAT MODEL FOR FOUR YEARS.

I SAID THAT BACK IN 2016 WHEN I SANFORD OVER.

PERFORMANCE FUNDING.

HISTORY HAS BORNE OUT THAT WHAT I SAID AT THAT TIME WAS INDEED CORRECT.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT AS OF TODAY, MARCH 7, 2022, KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY HAS NEVER RECEIVED A DOLLAR FROM PERFORMANCE FUNDING, AND THAT HAS CONTINUED TO PENALIZE IT AND PETITION FURTHER AND FURTHER BACK AND BEHIND THE 8 BALL.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 265 WAS APPROVED BY THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND CAN NOW BE HEARD BY THE FULL SENATE BODY.

A BILL THAT OUTLINES HOW COLLEGE ATHLETES CAN EARN MAIN ONNER NAME BE BE WITH IMAGE AND LIKENESS IS HEADED TO THE GOLFER'S DESK P SENATE BILL 6 PASSED TODAY.

THE BIPARTISAN WAGS SPONSORED BYRON MAX WISE AND DEMOCRATIC SENATOR MORNING McGARVEY.

IT ALLOWS STUDENT ATHLETES TO MONETIZE THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS AND USE AN AGENT TO SECURE AGREEMENTS.

THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES PLAYERS TORRET THEIR NIL DEALS TO THEIR SCHOOLS AND VOIDS THE STUDENTS NIL CROSS CONTRACTING UPON HIS OR HER GRADUATION OR TURNING PRO.

THE THE BILL DESCENDS GOVERNOR BASH'S EXECUTIVE HOARD LARDING NIL THAT WAS SIGNED BACK IN JUNE.

TODAY REPRESENTATIVE RUTH ANN PLUMB BOW OF LEXINGTON SHARED A STORY ABOUT WHY SHE FEELS THIS LEGISLATION IS NEEDED.

>> A UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE VOLLEYBALL PLAYER HAPPENED TO WIN THE TITLE OF MISS KENTUCKY USA WHILE SHE WAS A STUDENT.

SHE WAS ASKED TO APPEAR IN AN AD AND WAS COMPENSATED $3,000 FOR THAT SERVICE.

THE AD DID NOT MENTION THAT SHE PLAYED VOLLEYBALL OR THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE.

THE NCAA FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS.

SHE HAD TO GIVE UP THE $3,000 WHICH, OF COURSE, SHE DIDN'T HAVE, BUT THE WORST PART WAS SHE BECAME INELIGIBLE.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 6 PASSED BY A VOTE OF 89-2.

THE HOUSE ALSO PASSED A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE SURE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ATHLETES HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TO BENEFIT FROM THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS, AN ISSUE UK HAS DEALT WITH IN POTENTIAL BASKETBALL PLAYER OF YEAR.

THE WAY BILLS PRE-FILED WOULD BE COULD BE CHANGING UNDER NEW LEGISLATION APPROVED TODAY IN THE HOUSE.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID OSBORNE IS THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 10.

HE SAID THIS IS PRECEPTION THAT PRE-FILED BILLS HAVE CLEARED THE LEGISLATIVE HURRIEDLY.

>> ONCE THIS PASSES WHAT WE WILL DO IS PRESIDENT STIVERS AND I, AS THE CHAIRS OF THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION, WILL DIRECT THE LRC DIRECTOR TO DEVELOP A PUBLIC WORKING BILL SITE.

IT WILL STILL ABSOLUTELY, IF ANYBODY HAS -- ONCE THEY KEEP THEIR LEGISLATION PRIVATE UNTIL THEY -- THEY'RE READY FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION, IT WILL BE DONE SO.

IF SOMEBODY WANTS IT OUT THERE FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION, IT WILL NOT BE ASSUMED TO BE PRE-FILED AND WILL STILL HAVE TO HAVE THE NORMAL PROCESS OF FILING A BILL THAT WE DO EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE LEGISLATURE EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST DAY.

>> DANIEL: >> Casey: THE BILL PASSED BEAU A IS ON THE 90 TO 1.

IT'S NOW HEADED TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.

THAT CONCLUDE OUR COVERAGE OF DAY 22 OF THE 2022 GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU TERM NOTICE AT 11:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" PER FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS CALL 1-800-633-9650.

YOU ARE YOU BE ALSO OF ALL OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY KLOET DOWNLOADING KET'S COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET.

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

THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.