>> Casey: THE SENATE PASSES ITS VERSION OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BUDGET.

THEIR PROPOSAL HAS LARGE RAISES FOR STATE WORKERS BUT DROPS FUNDING FOR F AND THE TRANSGENDER ATHLETES BILL IS PASSED BY A HOUSE COMMITTEE, ALL ON DAY 44 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPD I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

IN A SINGLE DAY, THE SENATE HAS UNVEILED ITS VERSION OF THE STATE BUDGET, PASSED IT OUT OF COMMITTEE, AND SENT IT BACK TO THE HOUSE AFTER A FLOOR vote.

THE SENATE'S PLAN WAS ROOM FOR 10% RAISES FOR STATE AND SOCIAL WORKERS, PROVIDES MONEY TO GIVE STATE TROOPERS A PAY BUMP, AND UPS THE FUNDING FORMULA FOR POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS.

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE CHAIR CHRIS MCDANIEL EXPLAINED THE BUDGET'S DETAILS ON THE SENATE FLOOR THIS AFTERNOON, BUT HE SAYS THIS BIENNIAL BUDGET DIFFERS SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE TWO ONE-YEAR BUDGETS PASSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DURING COVID.

>> 2020 AND 2021 WERE HISTORIC ONE-YEAR BUDGETS.

WE DRAFTED THOSE BUDGETS FROM A PLACE OF UNCERTAINTY AND FEAR.

NO ONE KNEW WHAT COVID WAS OR MUCH LESS WHAT TAX ROOFS WOULD LOOK LIKE.

WE DRAFTED SOME OF THE MOST FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE BUDGETS IN MODERN HISTORY.

WE TIGHTENED OUR BELTS AND PINCHED EVERY PENNY POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT WE DID NOT PUT THE COMMONWEALTH IN A POSITION WHERE WE WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH MID-YEAR CUTS TO CRITICAL SERVICES LIKE JUSTICE, EDUCATION, ORE CHILD SERVICES.

NOW, ALTHOUGH MANY PEOPLE DID NOT LIKE THE FRUGAL NATURE THOSE BUDGETS, WE GAVE AGENCIES THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE COULD AT THAT TIME, WHICH WAS FINANCIAL STABILITY.

WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE ALL THE MONEY WE WANT 234 OUR IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES OR IN GOVERNMENT, BUT IF YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE WITH CERTAINTY, YOU CAN AT LEAST PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.

BUT, MR. PRESIDENT, BIA FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO SOUND BUDGETING.

DUE TOO RECORD INCOME TAX RECEIPTS AND SALES TAX RECEIPTS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE REALIZED MAJOR SURPLUSES.

WE WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY SERVICE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH EVERY DIME OF GROWTH REVENUE BEING CONSUMED BY PENSION OBLIGATIONS AND MEDICAID.

>> Casey: LAST MONTH THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT RELEASED A REPORT SAYING INFLATION ROSE 7.5% OVER THE LAST YEAR.

MCDANIEL SAYS THAT IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FACING KENTUCKIA THE SENATE HAS ALREADY PASSED A MEASURE HE PROPOSED, SENATE BIL THAT WOULD GIVE KENTUCKIANS UP TO A $500 REBATE ON THEIR 2020 THE SENATE'S BUDGET AIMS TO HEL STATE WORKERS IN ANOTHER WAY, WITH A SIGNIFICANT PAY RAISE.

IT WOULD GIVE STATE WORKERS A 10% OVERALL PAY RAISE FOR THE NEXT YEAR, MEANING ALL EMPLOYEES GET A $4,500 BUMP.

MCDANIEL SAYS IT HAS BEEN 15 YEARS SINCE MOST STATE EMPLOYEES RECEIVED A RAIS.

>> IN BUDGET HAS A 10% RAISE IN YEAR ONE AND A 10% RAISE IN YEAR TWO FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

NOW, ON TOP OF THAT WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT SOME OF THE MID AND LOWER LEVEL EMPLOYEES WHERE WE ARE SEEING A GREAT DEAL OF ATTRITION, SO WE TOOK THAT 10% IN YEAR 1, AGGREGATED THE DOLLARS AND GUIDED IT HAD BY THE TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES TO COME UP WITH AN EVEN DOLLAR FIGURE SPREAD ACROSS THE WORKFORCE WHICH WORKS OUT TO AN APPLIED ACROSS-THE-BOARD RAISE OF $4,500 PER EMPLOYEE.

WHAT THIS MEANS IS IF YOU'RE AN EMPLOYEE MAKING LESS THAN $45,000 PER YEAR, YOU WILL SEE MORE THAN A 10% RAISE.

IF YOU ARE MAKING MORE THAN $45,000 PER YEAR, YOU WILL SEE LESS THAN 10%.

YEAR TWO OF THE BUDGET BEGINS TO ADDRESS THE WORK ENVIRONMENT QUESTION AS PART OF THE RAISES.

WE ARE REQUIRING THE PERSONNEL CABINET TO MAKE POSITIONAL AND GEOGRAPHIC RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHICH WE WILL THEN USE TO ASSIGN SPECIFIC DOLLARS TO THOSE POSITIONS NEXT YEAR.

NOW, LET ME BE CLEAR.

THIS BUDGET HAS APPROPRIATED THE MONEY FOR A FULL 10% INCREASE IN STATE GOVERNMENT SALARIES NEXT YEAR AS WELL.

>> Casey: THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE HAS BEEN APPROPRIATED AN ADDITIONAL $15,000 PER YEAR, PE TROOPER IN THIS BUDGET.

HOW THAT IS ALLOCATED WILL DEPEND ON A TROOPER PAY SCALE BILL WAITING ACTION BY THE SENATE A&R COMMIT SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD RECEIVE A $4,800 RAISE IN JULY, AND A 10% INCREASE IN YEAR TWO OF THE BUD THE MEASURE ALSO ESTABLISHES A NEW WORK PROGRAM FOR SOCIAL WORKERS THAT MCDANIEL SAYS COUL HELP WITH RETENTION RATES.

>> WE ALSO ESTABLISH AN ALTERNATIVE WORK PROGRAM, AND WHAT THIS IS -- OR WE DON'T ESTABLISH THE PROGRAM.

WE DIRECT THE CABINET TO ESTABLISH IT.

AND WHAT THIS IS, IN A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH DIFFERENT ONES, MENTAL BURN-OUT BECOMES RAN ISSUE IN THESE POSITIONS, AND THE GOAL IS TO -- FOR THE CABINET TO COME UP WITH A RECOMMENDATION FOR A PROGRAM WHERE THE SOCIAL WORKERS WILL WORK FOUR YEARS IN THE SOCIAL WORK FIELD AND THEN HAVE AN OPENING TO GO ELSEWHERE INSIDE OF GOVERNMENT FOR A YEAR AND DO ANOTHER JOB AND RETURN WITH THE INTENT BEING THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO RETAIN SOCIAL WORKERS WITH MORE EXPERIENCE FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.

>> Casey: THE SENATE'S BUDGET MAINTAINS THE PER PUPIL SEEK LEVELS FOUND IN THE HOUSE BUDGET, $4,100 PER STUDENT IN 2023 AND $4,200 PER PUPIL IN 20 IT ALSO UPS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION BUDGETS WOULD RECEIVE FROM CURRENT LEVE.

>> INSIDE OF THE SEEK FORMULA, OVER THE PATS TWO YEARS THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE SCHOOLS HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT 1.

$9BILLION IN ARPAIO MONEY AND CARES MONEY PUSH THROUGH BUT WE FELT IT WAS STILL IMPORTANT TO PUSH ADDITIONAL FUN THROUGH THE SEEK FORMULA SO IN YEAR 1 WE INNES CROOKED IT $4,100 AND IN YEAR TWO WE INCREASED IT $4,200, AND IN THE TRANSPORTATION SIDE OF THAT FORMULA IN YEAR TWO, WE INCREASED TO IT 70% OF FUNDING, AND WE DID RUN THAT THROUGH THE STATUTORY FORMULA.

>> Casey: KENTUCKY'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WILL MAINTAIN THEIR LEVEL OF FUNDING BUT THE PERFORMANCE-BASED FUNDING SYSTE WILL SEE A $97 MILLION PER YEAR ONE MAJOR DIFFERENCE FROM THE HOUSE BUDGET IS THE SENATE REMOVED THE FUNDING FOR ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN FOUND IN THE HOUSE'S PROPOSAL.

THE NEW HOUSE BILL 1 ALSO AIMS TO IMPROVE SOME OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S INFRASTRU FROM FUNDING IMPROVEMENTS TO TH STATE CAPITOL AND THE STATE'S VOTING SYSTEM, TO MONEY FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO STATE PARKS.

MCDANIEL SAYS THE PARKS ARE GEMS IN NEED OF A POLISH.

>> AT ONE POINT THEY WERE A GEM, BUT THAT GEM HAS BECOME VERY ROUGH, WE WE WERE DIRECT A STUDY IN YEAR ONE, AND THEN IN YEAR TWO ALLOCATE $250 MILLION FOR A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF THE KENTUCKY STATE PARK SYSTEM.

THE CAPITOL, MR. PRESIDENT, THE BEAUTIFUL BUILDING THAT WE GET TO COME TO WORK IN EVERY DAY, WE NOTICE CERTAIN THINGS ABOUT THE CAPITOL, AND WHAT WE REALLY NOTICE THAT THE PAINT IS PEELING, BUT WHAT YOU DON'T REALIZE IS THE PAINT IS PEELING BECAUSE THE HVAC SYSTEM IS FAILING BECAUSE IT'S 60 YEARS OLD AND YOU REALIZE IT WANT CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE WATER THAT LEAKS THROUGH THE CRACK IN THE CONCRETE ROOF THAT'S BEGIN TO DETERIORATE AND ON AND ON AND ON.

SO WE ALLOCATE IN YEAR TWO $250 MILLION FOR A COMPLETE RENOVATION OF THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING.

THE STATE FAIR.

WE DIRECT THE BOARD FOR A FIRST-YEAR STUDY AND THEN ALLOCATE $200 MILLION FOR A TOTAL RENOVATION OF THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR ROUNDS GROUNDS.

THE COASTLINE CLERKS WERE ALLOCATED $29 MILLION FOR THEIR ONLINE DEEDS SYSTEM AND VOTING MACHINES.

>> Casey: MCDANIEL SAYS THE BUDGET IS ABOUT MOVING THE STAT FORWARD, SAYING MANY ASPECTS OF THE BUDGET ARE FUNDED AT RECORD SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN MCGARVEY SAYS HE APPRECIATES THE WORK FROM MCDANIEL BUT SAYS THE PROCESS FOR PASSING THE BUDGET WAS WRONG.

HE SAYS THE FIRST TIME DEMOCRATS SAW THE BUDGET BEING PASSED TODAY WAS THIS MORNING.

>> THE BUDGET IS ONE OF THOSE BILLS WHERE YOU HAVE TO READ EVERY WORD ON EVERY LINE ON EVERY PAGE TO REALLY KNOW WHAT'S IN IT.

YOU'RE DEALING WITH HUNDREDS OF PAGES OF THE STATE'S SPENDING PLAN.

THE ROADMAP FOR OUR STATE FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

THE ULTIMATE POLICY DOCUMENT.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ABSORB IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME WITH WHICH IT WAS VOTED OUT OF COMMITTEE AND THEN BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR TODAY.

ALREADY IN LOOKING AT IT WE HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS.

WE HAVE SEVERAL CONCERNS PER THERE ARE ALSO SOME THINGS IN THE BUDGET WE LIKE, YOU KNOW, FOR INSTANCE AS IT COMES TO EDUCATION, THERE ARE SOME GOOD FUNDING IN HIGHER EDUCATION, BUT LOOKS LIKE THE SEEK FORMULA MIGHT HAVE BEEN REUSED DUDES.

IT LOOKS LIKE FUNDING FOR FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IN THE HOUSE BUDGET WAS PULLED OUT AND, OF COURSE, THERE'S NOTHING IN IT FOR UNIVERSAL PRE-K EVEN THOUGH WE CLEARLY HAVE THE MONEY IN THIS BUDGET TO FIND IT.

-- FUND IT.

WE'RE STILL LOOKING.

WE'RE STILL LOOKING FOR THROUGH THE BUDGET, BUT THE REALITY THIS BUDGET IS ONE THAT HAS NOT STOPPED.

WE HOPE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE INPUT.

>> Casey: THE SENATE'S PROPOSA LEAVES $1.75 BILLION IN THE BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND, AND ANOTHER $1.27 BILLION IN UNSPEN SENATE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR REGGIE THOMAS SAYS THE BUDGET I ITS CURRENT FORM IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY AND THAT THE UNSPEN MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT IMPROVING THE STATE.

>> WE DON'T FUND UNIVERSAL PRE-K, WHICH WE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO DO THAT, MR. PRESIDENT, FOR 20 YEARS, FOR 20 YEARS WE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO DO THAT.

WE DON'T EVEN FUND FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

MR. PRESIDENT, I AND OTHER COLLEAGUES HERE IN THIS CHAMBER SPENT A WHOLE SUMMER LOOKING AT SCHOOL FUNDING AND RECOMMENDING THAT.

WE DON'T EVEN FUND THAT.

DESPITE THE TREMENDOUS SUCCESS WE HAVE HAD THIS YEAR IN THE GOVERNOR'S ARTICULATED THAT WITH 18,000 JOBS AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO BECOME THE LEADING ELECTRIC BATTERY PLANT IN THE NATION, WE DON'T EVEN FUND HIS REQUEST FOR $250 MILLION FOR MORE SITES SO WE CAN HAVE MORE MAJOR BUSINESSES COME HERE AND INVEST AND LOCATE HERE IN KENTUCKY TO HAVE JOBS.

THERE'S JUST SO MUCH MORE WE COULD HAVE DONE WITH THAT $4 BILLION THAT WE DON'T DO.

AND THAT REALLY BOTHERS ME.

I'M TROUBLED BY THAT.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 1, WITH T SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE, PASSED THE SENATE 30 TO 6.

ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH HAS THE LON REPUBLICAN TO VOTE AGAINST THE IT NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE FOR A CONCURRENCE VOTE, BEFORE THE CHAMBERS LIKELY CREATE A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO HASH OU THE BUDGET'S FINAL VERSION.

THE SENATE ALSO PASSED A MEASURE AIMING TO PROTECT KENTUCKIANS FROM WHAT SENATOR PAUL HORNBACK CALLS INTOXICATING HEMP PRODUCT SENATE BILL 170 WOULD PREVENT THE SALE OF HEMP PRODUCTS CONTAINING THE DELTA-8 SUBSTANC DELTA-8 THC HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE FDA FOR SAFE US AND CAN CAUSE PSYCHOACTIVE AND INTOXICATING EFFECTS.

HORNBACK SAYS PRODUCT CONTAINING DELTA-8 CAN CURRENTLY BE BOUGHT OVER THE COUNTER IN KENTUCKY.

>> EVERY PROCESSOR THAT I'VE MET WITH IN THIS STATE HAS AGREED IT CAN BE A HALLUCINOGENIC, IT CAN BE INTOXICATING, IT CAN BE TOXIC TOXIC, AND, FOLKS, WE'RE SELLING THAT NOT BEHIND THE COUNTER, NOT WITH LABELING, NOT WITH AGE RESTRICTIONS.

WE'RE SELLING THIS PRODUCT, INTOXICATING, HALLUCINOGEN WICKE TOXIC, SOME OTHER PROBLEMS WITH IT, WE'RE SELLING IT OVER THE COUNTER TO ANY CHILD OR ANYBODY THAT WANT TO COME IN TO BUY IT.

TEN YEARS OLD, EIGHT YEARS OLD, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.

IT'S A WILD WEST OUT THERE.

>> Casey: WHILE HORNBACK SAYS THE STATE SHOULD BAN ALL INTOXICATING HEMP VARIANTS, LOUISVILLE SENATOR DAVID YATES SAYS THE BILL WILL JUST STOP GOOD ACTORS FROM WORKING IN KENTUCKY AND CREATE A BLACK MARKET FOR THE PRODUCT.

HE SAYS THE STATE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO REGULATE THE PRODUCTS, NOT BAN .

>> IF THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH IT BEING SOLD TO MINORS IN SOME WAY, THEN WE REGULATE THAT.

THE WHOLE IDEA AND THE ISSUE WITH THE MARIJUANA IS THAT OUR REGULATION IS NON-EXISTENT.

WE JUST SAY IT'S ILLEGAL.

WE CRIMINALIZE IT, BURY OUR HEAD IN THE SAND AND UNDERSTAND THERE'S A MARKET TO IT.

IN THE EVENT WE MADE SURE THAT LAW OF ABIDING CITIZENS CAN PURCHASE THESE PRODUCTS THEN WE CAN ACTUALLY REGULATE.

SO I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND WHAT MY COLLEAGUE, HIS WORRIES, CONCERNS WITH THIS IS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I BELIEVE WE'RE JUST HEADING IN THE WRONG direc >> Casey: SENATOR ROBIN WEBB SAYS HER GRANDFATHER GREW HEMP AND THAT SHE SUPPORTS GROWING THE PRODUCT.

SHE'S AFRAID SENATE BILL 170 COULD HURT LOCAL BUSIN.

>> BUT WHAT CONCERNS ME IS I HAVE A COMPANY IN APPLY HOMETOWN THAT'S BASED THERE.

WEST VIRGINIA IS GIVING THEM AWARDS, AWARDS FOR ENTREPRENEURIALSHIP, THEIR PRODUCT AND THE BUSINESS, AND IT'S A STONE'S THROW ACROSS THE RIVER, AND THEY MIGHT BE FORCED TO LEAVE KENTUCKY, AND I DON'T WANT THAT.

WE WANT TO DEVELOP A CLIMATE FOR BUSINESS, BUT YET HAVE SAFETY, RESTRICTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH AGE LIMITS, BUT I DO NOTE WANT TO LOSE OUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRITS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THAT HAVE INVESTED THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THE COMMONALITY IN THE HEMP INDUSTRY AND THAT ARE WITHIN THE FDA limits >> Casey: SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS EXPLAINED HER VOTE BY SAYING SHE SUPPORTS MED MARIJUANA BUT THAT THE STATE NEEDS TO REGULATE DELTA-8.

>> I SUPPORT PUTTING A FRAMEWORK AROUND THIS NATURALLY OCCURRING PLANT, BUT THIS DELTA-8 BILL TACKLES THIS SYNTHETIC VERSION THAT HAS NO FRAMEWORK, NO AGE LIMITS AND NO LONG-TERM UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHEMICALS THAT ARE USED TO DERIVE THIS, SO I LOOK FORWARD -- I'M GLAD THAT THE SPONSOR WANTS TO CONTINUE WORKING ON THIS TOPIC.

WE HAVE WAY TOO MANY PRODUCERS IN THIS STATE FOR DEPENDING ON US TO GET THIS RIGHT.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 170 PASS THE SENATE 23 TO 13.

A SENATE AMENDMENT ELIMINATED THE EMERGENCY CLAUSE ATTACHED TO TH THE LEGISLATURE COULD BE ALLOWE TO MAKE AN UP OR DOWN VOTE ON THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS IF ONE OF THE SENATE'S PRIORITY BILLS CONTINUES THROUGH THE PRO SENATE BILL 4 WOULD REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR TO FILE EXECUTIVE ORDERS WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE, WHO WOULD THEN PASS COPIES TO THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION.

NO EXECUTIVE ORDER WOULD BE VALID UNTIL FILED WITH THE SECRETARY.

LEGISLATORS WOULD GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAG THE EXECUTIV ORDER AS VOID AND PROHIBIT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE FROM FILING A SIMILAR EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR A Y.

SENATOR STEPHEN WEST EXPLAINS PART OF SENATE BILL 4.

>> BUT EXECUTIVE ORDERS, AS IT GOES NOW, THEY KIND OF HANG OUT THERE FOR A WHILE, AND THEY'RE UNABLE TO BE REVIEWED, LACK OF OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AT TIMES, AND SO ALL THIS DOES, THIS DOESN'T REALLY INFRINGE ON THE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR.

IT JUST, IT PUTS THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS IN AN ORDER AND SETS UP A PROCESS WHEREBY THE LEGISLATIVE -- LUMBERS CAN REVIEW THOSE ORDERS.

SO -- LEGISLATURE CAN REVIEW THOSE ORDERS.

IT HAD ESTABLISHES UPON STUDENT A EXECUTIVE ORDER THE GOVERNOR SHALL CATEGORIZE THE ORDER WITHIN ONE OF EIGHT CATEGORIES AND SHALL NUMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE -- SHALL NUMBER THEM IN SUCH 1-800-THAT EXPRESSES THE YEAR IN WHICH IT WAS FILED, AND THEN THE GOVERNOR HAS TO FILE THAT WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

AND THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IS NOT EFFECTIVE UNTIL HE FILES IT WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE >> Casey: WEST SAYS SENATE BILL 4 WOULD MAKE THE PROCESS SIMILAR TO WHAT IS USED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REGU THE LEGISLATION WOULD ALSO HAVE EXECUTIVE ORDERS EXPIRE 90 DAYS AFTER A GOVERNOR LEAVES OFFICE.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN MCGARVEY SAYS THE MEASURE IS ERODING THE GOVERNOR'S POWER.

>> EVEN TODAY, WITH THE BILL SIGNING OF SENATE BILL 6, A PRIORITY BILL, THAT STARTED AS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER.

NOW THE LAW IS WHAT SUPERSEDES THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER, AND IT'S THERE SO THAT WE KNOW THERE'S PERMANENCY OUT TO.

WHAT WE'RE SAYING HERE IS SIMPLY, NO, IF WE DON'T LIKELY IT, WE CAN VOTE IT DOWN AND PROHIBIT SOMETHING SIMILAR FROM BEING INTRODUCED FOR A YEAR.

HOW IS THAT NOT AN EROSION OF EXECUTIVE POWER?

>> WELL, WE CAN -- AND JUST FYI, I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THIS MORNING AND I TOLD THEM -- THEY ASKED TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS, AND THIS MORNING WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD HEARD FROM THEM, AND I SAID, THAT'S NO PROBLEM.

I THINK THIS MAY PASS OUT OF COMMITTEE TODAY, BUT MY DOOR IS OPEN IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTED CHANGES, SO THE INTENT IS THAT FROM THIS BILL, AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT LANGUAGE IN HERE IF YOU WANT, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO PASS SOME TYPE OF STATUTE TO FIND ANY EXECUTIVE ORDER NULL AND VOID.

WE HAVE TO DO THAT NOW.

BUT THERE'S NOTHING -- THERE'S NO INTENT IN HERE TO PULL THAT BACK.

WE WOULD STILL HAVE TO PASS THROUGH BOTH CHAMBERS SOME TYPE OF STATUTE FINDING THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER NULL AND VOID.

NOW, I THINK WHAT YOU'RE TALKING MORE ABOUT IS MORE PROSPECTIVE ACTIONS OF THE GOVERNOR.

I WOULD SUGGEST WE DO THAT ALL THE TIME IN OUR LEGISLATION, IN OUR BUDGET, YOU KNOW, FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR YOU CAN'T DO THIS OR THAT.

>> RIGHT NOW THE INTERIM COMMITTEE HEARINGS CAN HEAR ANY TOPICS THEY WANT TO.

WE CAN'T VOTE DURING THE INTERIM.

THIS STEEPS BE THE A DIRECT REACTION TO THIS GOVERNOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO STRIP AWAY EXECUTIVE POWER.

I'M HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU ON IT.

I WANT THE LEGISLATURE TO BE THE POLICY OF THIS body >> Casey: SENATE BILL 4 PASSED THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMM IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

THE TRANSGENDER ATHLETE BILL WAS HEARD THIS AFTERNOON IN A SPECIALLY CALLED MEETING OF THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

SENATE BILL 83 WOULD PROHIBIT TRANSGENDER FEMALES FROM PARTICIPATING IN GIRLS' SPORTS FROM GRADES 6 THROUGH 12.

THE BILL WOULD USE THE BIOLOGICAL SEX INDICATED ON A STUDENT'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE TO DETERMINE REPRESENTATIVE RYAN DOTSON EXPLAINS SOME OF THE CHANGES IN THE HOUSE'S VERSION OF THE MEAS.

>> CASES WITH AN UNEDITED BIRTH CERTIFICATE THAT WE FIND THAT WE CAN USE A SWORN AFFIDAVIT FROM A PHYSICIAN, ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE, A PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT OR CHIROPRACTIC.

ANY INDIVIDUAL CAN PARTICIPATE IN A BOYS' OR COED TEAM BUT THIS LEGISLATION SPECIFIES GIRLS' TEAMS IN KHSAA.

IT DOESN'T ADD THE PURVIEW TO HERE CHANGES REGARDING BIOLOGICAL MALES PARTICIPATING IN ALL GIRLS SPORTS.

SECTION 2 SIMPLY IS POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION THAT GOES ALONG WITH THIS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE 1.

H. AN ENFORCEMENT MEASURE AND THE ENFORCEMENT MEASURE HAS BEE >> Casey: LEXINGTON REPUBLICAN KILLIAN TIMONEY VOTED AGAINST SENATE BILL 83.

HE SAYS IT WILL HURT KENTUCKY'S CHANCES TO ATTRACT EVENTS AND BUSINESSES.

>> 1 YOU KNOW, WE PASSED LANDMARK TAX REFORM, REDUCING OUR INCOME TAX PERCENTAGE ON THE BELIEF THAT WE'RE GOING TO DRAW POPULATION TO KENTUCKY.

ON THE BELIEF THAT WE'RE GOING TO ATTRACT BIG BUSINESS AND THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO COME HERE AND BRING BIG JOBS.

AND I'M GOING TO SPEAK VERY, VERY CONCISELY WITH THIS.

I'VE BEEN ON BID PACKAGES BEFORE WHERE WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO ATTRACT BIG BUSINESSES.

THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION IS QUESTION IN THOSE BIG PACKAGES.

THIS REFLECTS POORLY ON THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

WE VOTED FOR TAX REFORM.

THIS IS A STEP IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

KENTUCKY -- A LINE WILL BE DRAWN THROUGH KENTUCKY WHEN IT COMES TO SITE SELECTION FOR BIG-TIME JOBS.

THE LIST OF CORPORATIONS WAS MASSIVE OF COMPANIES THAT THIS IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO.

>> Casey: REPRESENTATIVE ATTIC SCOTT SAYS HER CONSTITUENTS AREN'T ASKING FOR THIS BILL AND SAYS THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO PROTECT TRANS CHILDR.

>> IT'S NOT COMMON SENSE.

IT'S NOT FAIRNESS IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

NOT ONE PERSON IN DISTRICT 41 HAS ASKED ME TO SUPPORT THIS BILL.

IN FACT, I'VE BEEN ASKED BY AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IN DISTRICT 41 TO OPPOSE THIS BILL.

THEY JUST WANT KIDS TO PLAY SPORTS.

THAT'S IT.

JUST LET THEM PLAY SPORTS.

I AM I MEAN, THIS GOES AGAINST THE NCAA.

THIS GOES AGAINST TITLE IX.

THIS IS NOT THE WAY FORWARD FOR KENTUCKY.

WE SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF AND PROTECTING OUR TRANS kids.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 83 PASSED THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

FOR THE THIRD DAY IN A ROW, SENATE BILL 265 MAKES ANOTHER STEP ALONG THE LEGISLATIVE PROC THE MEASURE WOULD DIRECT THE GOVERNOR TO REPLACE THE KENTUCK STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF REGEN A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE TO THE MEASURE CHANGED THE DATE FOR TH GOVERNOR TO MAKE NEW APPOINTMENTS FROM APRIL 1ST TO APRIL 4TH AND ALSO TEMPORARILY EXEMPTS SOME OF THE DIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS OF THE BOARD, LIKE POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

TINA BOJANOWSKY ASKED HOW APPOINTING A NEW BOARD WOULD IMPACT THE SEARCH FOR KSU'S NEW PRESIDENT.

>> HOW WILL THIS WIM PACT THE NEW PRESIDENT'S SEARCH?

>> WE WANT TO GIVE THE GOVERNOR FULL LATITUDE TO PRESS THE RESET BUTTON.

THE THEN WE'RE GOING TONE TRUST THIS GROUP OF FOLKS WITH THE ABILITY TO DO THE REST OF WHAT'S INVOLVED IN THE TURNAROUND, WHICH IS THE LEGISLATION YOU SENT TO US ALONG WITH SOME CHANGES WE'RE LOGICAL GOING TO BE MAKING AND SENDING BACK TO YOU.

SPECIFIC TO THE PRESIDENT SEARCH THAT IS IN MOTION NOW, IT IS A QUESTION OF CONVERSATION IN 250, HOUSE BILL 250 ABOUT WHETHER WE WILL PAUSE THAT SEARCH OR CONTINUE THAT SEARCH.

WE HAVEN'T ARRIVED AT A FINAL DECISION.

THIS DOES NOT IMPACT WHAT WE DO IN 250 SPECIFICALLY PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH AND AS IT STANDS TODAY THAT SEARCH IS STILL ongoing >> Casey: SENATE BILL 265 PASSED THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND NOW CAN BE CONSIDERED BY TH FULL HOUSE BODY.

IN HOUSE CHAMBERS, A BILL THAT WOULD REORGANIZE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS COMMISSION.

REPRESENTATIVE SHANE BAKER OF SOMERSET IS SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 334.

THE BILL CALLS FOR REMOVING THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS COM SPEAKING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, REPRESENTATIVE BAKER EXPLAINED HOW THE NEW MEMBERS WILL BE CHO.

>> THE CURRENT COMMISSION IS COMPOSEDCH FIVE MEMBERS.

THIS BILL EXPAND THE MEMBERSHIP IN THE COMMISSION FROM FIVE MEMBERS TO SEVEN.

THE GOVERNOR SHALL MAINTAIN TWO OF THOSE APPOINTMENTS.

EACH OF THE OTHER APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE BY ONE OF THE OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, THE TREASURER, AUDITOR, COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, SECRETARY OF STATE, AND ATTORNEY GENERAL HAD EACH HAVE ONE APPOINTMENT.

RIGHT NOW UNDER CURRENT LEGISLATION THE GOVERNOR HAS THOSE FIVE APPOINTMENTS.

THIS JUST PUTS THOSE APPOINTMENTS TO EVERYONE WHO FALLS UNDER THE EXECUTIVE BRANC >> Casey: IN A STATEMENT, REPRESENTATIVE BAKER SAID THIS BILL GIVES CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES EQUAL REPRESENTATION ON THE BOARD AND, "MORE AUTHORITY FROM THE KENTUCKIANS WHO ELECTE HOUSE BILL 334 PASSED THE HOUSE ON A STRICT PARTY-LINE VOTE.

IT IS NOW HEADED TO THE SENATE FOR HOUSE BILL 590 WOULD ALLOW COUNTY JAILS TO CHARGE INMATES MONEY FOR THE COST OF THEIR JAI COUNTY JAILS WERE ALREADY DOING THIS WHEN THE STATE SUPREME COURT RULED LAST OCTOBER THAT I COULDN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT A JUDGE'S ORDER.

THE SPONSOR, REP MICHAEL MEREDITH OF OAKLAND, SAYS THE LEGISLATION WILL HELP COUNTIES DEAL WITH ONE OF THE BIGGEST EXPENSES, EXPENSES JUDGES DON'T ALWAYS APPRECIATE.

WE ALL KNOW THAT FROM A FISCAL STANDPOINT JAILS ARE THE LARGEST EXPENSE NEARLY EVERY COASTLINE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY THAT'S A TAXPAYER EXPENSE, IF THERE'S NOT SOME REIMBURSEMENT COMING IN, AND FRANKLY JUDGES ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PUTTING PEOPLE BEHIND BARS EITHER TO HOLD THEM PRIOR TO CONVICTION OR AFTER SENTENCING.

THIS JUST ENSURES THAT THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE BEING HOUSED HAVE A STAKE IN THEIR FINANCIAL CONDITION THERE, IF THEY HAVE ADDITIONAL FUNDS SITTING IN THEIR CANTEEN ACCOUNTS.

AND AGAIN, THIS WAS COMMON PRACTICE I THINK IN JAILS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THE OCTOBER 2021 RULING THAT SPECIFICALLY SAID YOU HAD TO HAVE A COURT ORDER FROM THE JUDGE TO BE ABLE TO DEDUCT ANY OF THOSE THINGS CREATED A PROBLEM BECAUSE, AGAIN, THE JUDGE HAS NO FINANCIAL STAKE IN ANY OF THIS WHATSOEVER.

THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT DOES AND THE COUNTY JAIL DOES.

BUT THE JUDGE SENTENCES OR HOLDS SOMEONE WITHOUT ANY REGARD TO THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE COUNTY OR THE jail.

>> Casey: IF AN INMATE IS LATER ACQUITTED OF HIS OR HER CHARGES, THE MONEY WOULD BE REFUNDED.

THE HOUSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.

RIGHT NOW IN KENTUCKY, A NURSE PRACTITIONER HAS TO HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH A PHYSICIAN IN ORDER TO PRESCRIBE CONTROLLED S BUT HOUSE BILL 354 WOULD CHANGE DR. WENDY FLETCHER, A NURSE PRACTITIONER FROM MOREHEAD, DESCRIBED THE BILL TO THE HOUSE LICENSING AND OCCUPATIONS COMMI.

>> THE THING THAT THIS DOES IS ELIMINATES THE AGREEMENT IT.

DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE.

THE NURSE PRACTITIONERS WHO ARE NEW WILL STILL HAVE FOUR YEARS COLLABORATING WITH A PHYSICIAN BEFORE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE GOOD STANDING REVIEW BY THE BOARD, AND THEN IF THEY ARE DEEMED IN GOOD STANDING, THEN THAT AGREEMENT WITH THE PHYSICIAN WOULD GO AWAY, BUT THEY WOULD CONTINUE PRESCRIBING UNDER THE SAME RULES AND THE SAME STATUTORY LIMITS THAT ARE ALREADY IN place >> Casey: THE KENTUCKY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION'S CORRIE MEADOWS TESTIFIED AGAINST THE BILL.

HE SAYS THIS SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE AT A TIME WHEN KENTUCKY IS BATTLING AN OPIOID PROBLEM.

>> KENTUCKY IS NOW RANKED THIRD IN THE NATION FOR OVERDOSE DEATHS.

IT'S UP 55% IN OUR STATE.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SOMETHING VERY CLEAR HERE BECAUSE IT WAS REFERENCED, AND I THINK ATTENTION WAS GIVEN TO IT IN THE PREVIOUS TESTIMONY.

WE'RE NO BLAMING NURSE PRACTITIONERS FOR THAT INCREASE IN THOSE OVERDOSE DEATHS.

IT'S A NICE TALKING POINT BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WHAT WE'RE DOING -- AND DR. FLETCHER IS CORRECT, IS THAT A LOT OF THIS SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS ON COMING FROM OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.

BUT WHAT MESSAGE DO WE SEND AT THE HEIGHT OF OUR OPIOID EPIDEMIC TO WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT A BILL AND REMOVING BACK BE A LEGITIMATE CHECK AND BALANCE TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF THESE VERY SERIOUS MEDICATIONS WHEN WE STILL ARE LOOKING AT NUMBERS AT THAT DEGREE.

WE THINK IT RUNS COUNTER TO WHAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS DONE FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS IN PASSING LEGISLATION, TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE OPIOID USE YOU DISORDER THAT WE FACE.

NUMEROUS PIECES LEGISLATION HAVE BEEN PASSED TO FIX THAT PROBLEM.

TO RECTIFY WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

AND SO WE THINK THAT SENDS THE WRONG message >> Casey: THE BILL ALSO CREATES A NEW BOARD TO HANDLE THIS PROCESS.

MEADOWS ASKED IF ANOTHER LEVEL OF BUREAUCRACY WAS A GOOD IDEA.

THE COMMITTEE PASSED THE BILL, SENDING IT TO THE FULL HOUSE.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE OF DAY 44 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME FOR "LE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-80 YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET.

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

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.