>> GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MOMENT MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, GUN CONTROL, VACCINE PASSPORTS AND VAPING WERE ALL A PART OF TODAY'S LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE DAY.

ALL OF THOSE ISSUES ARE COMING UP BUT WE WILL BEGIN TONIGHT WITH THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

THE STATE'S RECORD SCHOOL SPENDING PLAN WAS THE SUBJECT TODAY OF A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

A VOTE IS EXPECTED TOMORROW.

HOUSE EDUCATION BUDGET CHAIR BILL POOLE OF TUSCALOOSA CONTENDS THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD THINGS IN THE PLAN.

>> THE FY-222 HOUSE BUDGET WILL PROPOSE A FUNDING LEVEL OF $7.65 BILLION.

THAT WILL BE THE LARGEST PUTTING IN THE EDUCATION PUTTING IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AND I DON'T THINK IT TAKES MUCH FOR US ALL TO PAUSE AND REALIZE HOW SIGNIFICANT THAT IS NOTWITHSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE UNFORTUNATE CONDITION WE'RE IN COMPARED TO OTHER STATES THAT ARE CUTTING THEIR BUDGETS AS WE SPEAK.

SO A CREDIT TO TO THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA AND TO THE ECONOMY OF ALABAMA TO BE RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>>> THE EDUCATION BUDGET PROPOSES AMONG OTHER THINGS A 2 PERCENT RAISE FOR ALL EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

A NEW STEP RAISE STRUCTURE FOR TEACHERS, MORE MONEY TO HIRE CREDENTIALED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS AND ANOTHER BIG INCREASE TO EXPAND PRE-K CLASSROOMS AROUND THE STATE.

AGAIN A HOUSE COMMITTEE VOTE ON THE BUDGET IS SET TOMORROW, AND A FAVORABLE VOTE WOULD SEND IT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> A BILL THAT WOULD BAR THE ENFORCEMENT OF NEW FEDERAL GUN CONTROL LAWS AND ORDERS IN THE STATE CLEARED ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE HURDLE TODAY.

IT PASSED THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

REPRESENT SHANE STRINGER OF CITRONELLE IS SPONSORING WHAT HE IS CALLING THE ALABAMA FIREARMS PROTECTION ACT.

>> THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL IS TO USE THE ANTI COMMANDEERING DOCUMENT TO PREVENT.FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM REQUIRING STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ENFORCE ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S FIREARM LAWS.

THE BILLY EFFECTIVELY REQUIRES FEDERAL FIREARM LAWS TO BE ENFORCED BY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND LIMITS STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO ENFORCE STATE FIREARM AND FEDERAL LAWS ARE TO BE LEFT TO THE FEDS.

>> STRINGER IS AMONG A NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO SAY THEY WANT TO PROTECT THE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT OF LAW-ABIDING ALABAMA RESIDENTS.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.

>> THE BILL HOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> THE SENATE JUDICIARY APPROVED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE EVERY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN THE STATE TO ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PROGRAM.

IT'S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE JIM HILL OF MOODY, A RETIRED JUDGE THAT CONTENDS SUCH PROGRAMS COULD INTERFERE WITH OTHER PROGRAMS LIKE DRUG COURT.

>> SOME OF OUR CIRCUITS ARE MULTI COUNTY.

IT WOULD NOT REQUIRE EACH COUNTY WITHIN EACH CIRCUIT BUT IT WOULD REQUIRE EACH CIRCUIT.

IF THERE'S TWO OR THREE COUNTIES THEY WOULD HAVE ONE PROGRAM THAT COVERS THOSE COUNTIES.

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, IT'S AN ALTERNATIVE TO COMMITMENT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HILL CONTENDS THAT COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS IS PROVEN TO REDUCE PRISON RECIDIVISM.

TODAY'S COMMITTEE APPROVE SENDS TO IT THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> A BILL THAT WOULD BAN VACCINE PASSPORTS IN THE STATE CLEARED THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE TODAY.

IT SAYS THAT A STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY COULD NOT REQUIRE A PERSON TO RECEIVE AN IMMUNIZATION OR PRESENT DOCUMENTATION OF A SHOT AS A CONDITION FOR RECEIVING ANY GOVERNMENT BENEFIT OR SERVICE OR FOR ENTRY INTO A GOVERNMENT BUILDING EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW.

THE BILL IS SPONSORED BY ARTHUR ORR OF DECATUR WHO RECENTLY SPOKE ABOUT IT ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> A LOT OF THESE ARTICLES TALK ABOUT IT BECOMES A CLASS ISSUE, WHERE POOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T ACCESS THE VACCINE ARE EXCLUDED, AND, AGAIN, I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO GET INTO THAT.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE, WHICH IS GET PEOPLE VACCINATED AND LET'S GET TO TO THE HERD IMMUNITY LEVEL AND NOT ON THE BACK END USE WHAT COULD BE A COERCE I HAVE MEASURE, SUCH AS THE PASSPORT AND SAY IF YOU DON'T GET ONE YOU CAN'T DO THIS OR YOU CAN'T DO THAT AND WE'RE GOING TO EXCLUDE YOU.

>> ORR'S BILL ALREADY PASSED THE SENATE AND WITH TODAY'S HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVAL IT NOW MOVES TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TODAY UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A BILL TO PUT MORE TEETH IN THE STATE'S VAPING LAW.

IT WOULD RAISE THE AGE TO BUY VAPE PRODUCTS TO 21 AND ALLOW THE STATE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A FEDERAL VAPING REGISTRY.

THE LEGISLATION IS BEING CARRIED IN THE UPPER CHAMBER BY SENATOR OF CULLMAN.

>> IN ALABAMA COMES INTO COMPLIANCE, WE'RE BEING ABLE TO SHARE IN THE FEDERAL FUNDS SO WE CAN HELP ENFORCE ALL OF THESE VAPE SHOPS, WHAT THEY PRODUCE, HOW THEY TRANSPORT AND WE'RE ABLE TO GET SOME OF THAT MONEY TO ENFORCE THAT THROUGH ALEA.

>> I AGREE 100 PERCENT WITH IT.

THE WAY THAT THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED, I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT ALL OF THOSE AMENDMENTS COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE ON THAT BILL.

IT'S HALFWAY GUTTING THE BILL.

>> INSPECTION, NOBODY TALKED ABOUT DOING INSPECTIONS IN A STORE.

I THINK THAT STIFFENS THE BILL AND MAKES SURE THEY'RE SELLING WHAT THEY'RE SELLING.

THEY COULDN'T PUT SOMETHING IN A DATABASE AND WITH INFORMATION THAT COULD NOT BE TRUE.

>> BOBBY SINGLETON OFFERED AN AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE ANNUAL UNANNOUNCED INSPECTIONS OF VAPING STORES BUT IT FAILED.

SENATOR GUDGER AGREED TO ADDRESS HIS CONCERNS.

THE LEGISLATION NEXT MOVES TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON APT'S FREE MOBILE APP.

>> KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, RECOLLECTION REYNOLDS OF HUNTSVILLE IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

REPRESENTATIVE WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU DON APPRECIATE THAT.

>> ALWAYS NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> YES, SIR.

>> I REMIND OUR VIEWERS THAT YOU HAVE A LONG LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND AND YOU BRING A LOT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT-RELATED LEGISLATION.

THIS YEAR NOTWITHSTANDING AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF YOUR BILLS.

I WANT TO BEGIN WITH THE ONE THAT WOULD ADD LAW ENFORCEMENT TO OTHER PROTECTED CLASSES, AND I'M TALKING ABOUT PROTECTED CLASSES LIKE RACE, COLOR, ETHNICITY, PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CHALLENGES.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PHILOSOPHY HERE.

>> SO, DON, AS YOU KNOW, I BROUGHT THAT BILL LAST YEAR, AND DID A LOT OF WORK WITH MEMBERS PRIOR TO BRINGING IT TO THE FLOOR AND TO THE COMMITTEE.

AND THERE WERE AMENDMENTS DONE TO THAT BILL.

WE PASSED THAT BILL -- I THINK IT WAS LIKE 95 TO ZERO BUT BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS SUPPORTED THAT BILL.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU, WE PREFILED THAT BILL THIS YEAR.

WE MOVED IT INTO COMMITTEE AND WE'RE STILL HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT BILL BECAUSE I WILL TELL YOU, BASED ON CHANGES IN THE WORLD TODAY, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME STATES THAT HAVE LOOKED AT THAT BILL AND HAVE REVERSED THEIR DECISIONS ON THAT BILL AND SAID MAYBE THIS WOULD CREATE A DIVIDE BETWEEN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND OUR COMMUNITIES SO WE'RE STILL DOING RESEARCH ON THAT.

I HAVE CHOSEN TO HOLD THAT BILL FOR NOW.

AND WE WILL JUST SEE WHAT THE FUTURE BRINGS WITH IT.

>> THERE'S CERTAINLY A NATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUT POLICING RIGHT NOW IN THE WAKE OF A LOT OF THINGS NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS RACIAL UNREST AND ALLEGATIONS OF POLICE BRUTALITY, AND THAT SORT OF THING, THE GEORGE FLOYD VERDICTS IN MINNEAPOLIS THIS WEEK PUT THE SPOT LIKE BACK ON THIS ISSUE AGAIN.

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE ALL OF THAT INTO ACCOUNT IN CRAFTING A FUTURE BILL OF THIS NATURE?

>> I THINK YOU DO.

I THINK THERE'S TWO SIDES TO THAT.

WE TALK ABOUT POLICE REFORM BUT I TELL YOU, POLICE REFORM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LOT OF YEARS.

WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE MORE AND MORE ACCREDITED AGENCIES, A LOT OF YOUR MAJOR AGENCIES IN ALABAMA ARE -- HAVE GOOD OFFICERS AND GOOD POLICIES AND I THINK WE HAVE TO BUILD ON THOSE IN EVERY AGENCY.

WE HAVE A TO FOCUS ON RECRUITMENT AND HIRING AND TRAINING.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT HE GET THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN PLACE.

WHEN I FIRST BEGAN TO LOOK AT THE GEORGE FLOYD CASE, AND PARTICULARLY ZEROED IN ON THE POLICE OFFICER, JUST BECAUSE MY CURIOSITY THERE ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF THE HISTORY IN THAT OFFICER'S PAST, YET HE WAS STILL A TRAINING OFFICER AND PUT IN THAT POSITION.

SO IT'S LIKE I WANTED TO LOOK BEFORE THAT, WHAT MAYBE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO PREVENT THAT, AND THEN YOU ALSO IN THAT CASE, YOU HAVE GOT TO LOOK AT MENTAL HEALTH AND YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT POLICE RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH.

NORTH ALABAMA RECEIVED A GRANT ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

THEY INCREASED AND EXPANDED THEIR TRAINING AND WE CALL IT CRISES INTERVENTION TRAINING.

AND IT'S ALL ABOUT DECREASING THAT VOLATILE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE POLICE OFFICER AND SOMEONE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH, WHETHER IT'S INDUCED BY DRUGS OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE, WHATEVER CHALLENGES ARE OCCURRING THERE.

AND THEN INCREASING THE CLINICAL RESPONSE TO THAT PERSON THAT NEEDS THAT.

AND MAYBE WE AVOID THAT SOMETIMES DEADLY ENCOUNTER BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHERS.

>> TO THAT END DO YOU ALSO HAVE A BILL THAT WOULD MAIN DATE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD HAVE TO UNDERGO NO LESS THAN 16 HOURS OF CRISES INTERVENTION TRAINING?

>> I DO HAVE.

AGAIN, WE PASSED THAT LAST YEAR.

THAT WAS ONE OF FIVE BILLS THAT CAME OUT AS YOU KNOW, LEADER LEDBETTER IN THE SUMMER OF 2019, WE MET WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS, PROBATE COURT, WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHERS, EDUCATION, ABOUT WHAT WE KIND OF NEEDED THERE AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

SO WE PASSED THE BILL LAST YEAR.

IT DIED IN THE SENATE BECAUSE OF THE COVID SHUTDOWN.

WE CAME BACK THIS YEAR, PASSED THAT OUT OF COMMITTEE.

BUT THEN AFTER WORK WITH A POST, THEY ACTUALLY WENT AHEAD BECAUSE OF THE DELAY AND WE NOW IN ALABAMA HAVE A 16 HOUR CURRICULUM FOR CRISES INTERVENTION TRAINING AND WE'RE HOLDING THAT BILL AND IT'S NOT PRECEDED TO THE FLOOR YET.

>> APO OST OVERSEAS LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THAT MEANINGFUL POLICE REFORM CAN COME OUT OF THIS NATIONAL CONVERSATION, WHATEVER THAT MIGHT END UP BEING?

>> WELL, AGAIN, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT I BELIEVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND POLICE REFORM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME.

ETCH WHAT IS CRITICAL IS BEFORE THAT, OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY, YOU CAN'T WAIT FOR LACK OF BETTER WORDS, WAIT UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF, TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS, YOU KNOW, WITH YOUR LEGISLATOR LEGISLATORS, WITH YOUR PASTORS AND ALL ASPECTS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

SO I WAS FORTUNE ENOUGH TO BE ON A PANEL EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TUSCALOOSA AND IT WAS AMAZING THAT EVERYONE ON THE PANEL AND THE PEOPLE THAT CALLED INTO THAT.

WE ALL KIND OF WANT THE SAME THING.

WE WANT TO HIRE THE BEST POLICE OFFICERS WE K WE WANT TO TRAIN THEM.

WE WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND EVERY ASPECT OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND AGAIN, WE CONTINUE TO SEE MORE AND MORE ACCREDITED AGENCIES IN ALABAMA AND THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

I JUST GOT -- I JUST THINK WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON WHAT WE GET RIGHT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT DATA ACROSS THE BOARD AND LET NO OFFICER FALL SHORT OF THAT.

>> WE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES LEFT.

BEFORE WE CLOSE, REPRESENTATIVE, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER BILL THAT YOU BROUGHT THIS YEAR DEALING WITH WIRETAPPING.

TELL US WHAT WAS ON THE TABLE.

>> AGAIN THAT WAS -- IT'S HOUSE BILL 17.

WE PASSED THAT BILL LAST YEAR IN THE HOUSE.

IT DIED IN THE SENATE BECAUSE OF THE COVID.

THAT BILL IS ACTUALLY -- WOULD BE ENABLED THE BILLY FLOYD THE THIRD ACT AFTER AN UNDERCOVER NARCOTICS AGENCY THAT WAS KILLED A.

UNDER A VOLATILE OPERATION IN HUNTSVILLE, JUST AS WE WORKED WITH SBI AND ALEA UNDER THAT BILL.

AS YOU KNOW NOW UNDER TITLE.

III, WIRETAP ON THE FEDERAL AUTHORITY YOU WORK DO THAT.

WE NEED THAT ON THE STATE LEVEL.

THE NUMBER OF STATE AGENCIES COMPARED TO FEDERAL OFFICERS IN ALABAMA ARE 10 TO 1 AND WE JUST FEEL LIKE WE NEED THAT AUTHORITY.

WE MADE I.T.

VERY NARROW AND PUT A LOT OF SAFEGUARDS ANYTIME.

I EVEN WORKED WITH A DEMOCRAT, CHRIS ENGLAND WORKED WITH ME TO GET THAT BILL RIGHT AND CONTINUED TO ACCEPT THE AMENDMENTS THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.

WE'VE GOT A GOOD BILL.

IT IS TARGETED JUST FOR TRAFFICKING AND NARCOTICS IN ALABAMA.

>> WHAT IS ITS STATUS RIGHT NOW?

>> IT'S IN THE SENATE AND SURE HOPE IT GETS ON THE FLOOR TOMORROW.

>> AND AGAIN YOU'RE WANTING TO EXTEND SOME OF THOSE FEDERAL WIRETAPPING AUTHORITIES TO THE STATE LEVEL BECAUSE, AS YOU SEE IT, WE NEED THEM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE HAVE GOOD PROCESSES.

WE HAVE ALEA INVOLVED AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL INVOLVED, ON A REVIEW PROCESS BEFORE IT EVER GETS BACK TO THE JUDGE OF JURISDICTION THAT ACTUALLY SIGNS THE ACID FOR THE EXECUTION OF A WARRANT.

>> DO YOU THINK OUR DRUG TRAFFICKING EFFORTS SUFFER, FOR LACK OF IT AT THE MOMENT?

>> I THINK THEY DO.

AGAIN IT'S ANOTHER TOOL.

IT'S A TOOL THAT IN THE AGENT'S CASE MAY HAVE PREVENTED THEM FROM GOING INTO THAT VERY VOLATILE UNDERCOVER OPERATION.

WHAT IF THEY COULD HAVE PROSECUTED THAT DRUG TRAFFICKER BY MEANS ELECTRONICALLY AND NOT SO DANGEROUS OF A SITUATION HE WAS IN THERE.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE BILL IS IN THE SENATE NOW.

>> IT IS.

>> THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON THE SENATE.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC IT MIGHT GET OUT.

>> I GETS TEXTS EVERY DAY.

I HOPE IT IS.

TOM BUTLER IS CARRYING THAT BILL.

HE'S BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN IT.

WE CAME OUT OF COMMITTEE 9-ZERO, AND CERTAINLY HOPE IT PASSES HERE IN OUR FINAL FIVE DAYS.

>> I ARE REMIND OUR VIEWERS SBA IS STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, WHAT USED TO BE CALLED THE ABI, ALABAMA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND ALEA IS THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

RECOLLECTION REYNOLDS OF HUNTSVILLE, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, REPRESENTATIVE HOLLIS IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU HAD A BILL GET OUT OF COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

IT DEALS WITH PROVIDING FREE FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

IT'S MOVING.

DO YOU THINK THIS WILL GO ON ON TO FINAL PASSAGE.

>> I HOPE SO.

BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE SO LITTLE DAYS LEFT IT MAY BE HARD BUT I'M GOING TO TRY REAL HARD.

IT IS ON THE CALENDAR FOR THURSDAY, TOMORROW, SO WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES.

IF WE CAN GET TO IT AND I'M GOING TO WORK AT FAST AS I CAN TO GET IT IN THE SENATE.

I HAVE REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN WAITING ON THE BILL TO BRING IT ON HOME, YOU KNOW, FOR US AND FOR THESE GIRLS OUT HERE.

AND IT'S HB-88.

AND WHAT THE BILL DOES, IT PROVIDES FOR LOCAL BOARDS -- I HAVE MY NOTES HERE; SO I DON'T MISINFORMATION -- OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS AT CERTAIN SCHOOLS, 5TH THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE GIRLS.

WHAT IS GOING ON, PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE ONE IN FIVE GIRLS, ONE IN FIVE, THAT MISS SCHOOL DUE TO THEIR MONTHLIES.

AND YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY IS NOT EQUIPPED OR HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE LIKE OTHER PEOPLE DO.

AND SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS GIST MAKES SURE THAT OUR GIRLS HAVE THEIR HANDS ON FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS FREE AT NO CHARGE, AND BECAUSE WHAT IS GOING ON WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS IS THAT WE HAVE YOUNG LADIES THAT ARE ACTUALLY MAKING THEIR HYGIENE PRODUCTS OUT OF FACE RAGS, OUT OF SOCKS, PAPER TOWELS YOU KNOW, ALL OF THAT.

SO THIS IS JUST A TIME TO -- LET'S TRY TO GET RID OF WHAT WE CALL "PERIOD POVERTY" AND THIS BILL WAS MOTIVATED BY TWINS BRIANA AND BROOK BENNETT.

AND THEY MOTIVATED THIS BILL.

THEY ASKED THEIR PARENTS FOR THEIR TWELFTH BIRTHDAY FOR FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

AND I WAS LIKE WHO DOES THAT?

>> DO THEY LIVE IN YOUR DISTRICT?

>> NO.

THEY ACTUALLY LIVE IN MONTGOMERY.

THEY SAW A BILL THAT I DID IN THE PAST WITH THE WOMEN THAT'S INCARCERATED IN PRISONS.

SO THAT'S WHY THEY THOSE ME, AND I'M GLAD THEY DID.

I CALL THEM MY LITTLE SHEROS.

THEY MOTIVATED THIS BILL BY ASKING FOR PRODUCTS FOR THEIR TWELFTH BIRTHDAY, AND THE PARENTS DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY.

THE PARENTS TOOK THEM SHOPPING TO GET WHAT THEY WANTED AND MOM ASKED THEM WHY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

AND THEY MADE LITTLE PACKAGES TO GIVE OUT THESE PRODUCTS IN THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS WHERE IT'S NEEDED.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN ON A MISSION EVER SINCE.

AND I AM -- I'M GRATEFUL TO BE CHOSEN BY THESE YOUNG LADIES.

>> YOU SAID THE ESTIMATE IS ONE IN FIVE GIRLS THAT ARE SCHOOL AGE DON'T HAVE FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> IS IT AN ECONOMIC THING?

THEY CAN'T AFFORD THEM.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, AND -- IT GETS TO A POINT, WHEREAS THE PARENT IS THINKING OF, YOU KNOW, DO I PAY THIS BILL OR DO I BUY THIS AS FAR AS GROCERIES OR DO I GET PADS AND FEMININE NAPKINS AND TAMPONS.

AND I HAVE HAD COLLEAGUES COME TO ME FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO SAY YOUR QUESTION IS THAT LITTLE GIRL.

TO I DO UNDERSTAND.

THIS IS A BILL THAT WE NEED.

>> AND BECAUSE OF THIS LACK OF RESOURCES, MANY OF THEM CHOOSE TO MISS SCHOOL RATHER THAN BE THERE AND NOT HAVE PROPER ACCESS TO THE PRODUCTS THEY NEED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND THAT LEADS TO A WHOLE 'NOTHER ISSUE.

>> IT LEADS TO ALL OTHER ISSUES.

>> EDUCATIONAL, LACK OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

>> EDUCATION AND ALL OF THAT.

SO I FEEL THAT THIS IS A BEGINNING TO END THIS TYPE OF POVERTY THAT WE HAVE GOING ON.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT THE TWINS CAME TO YOU WITH THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THEY KNEW ABOUT YOUR PAST HISTORY ON THIS VERY ISSUE.

YOU MENTIONED FEMALES INCARCERATED IN STATED PRISONS.

YOU PASSED A BILL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THAT SAYS THEY HAVE TO BE PROVIDED, FEMALE PRISONERS DO, WITH FEMININE HIGH GENERAL PRODUCTS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IT AND IT'S LAW.

AND I HAVE HAD SO MANY WOMEN THAT WERE INCARCERATED TO EMAIL ME AND WOMEN THAT WAS IN AND OUT THAT TOLD ME THAT -- EXPLAINED AND TOLD ME ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES, AND THEY THANKED ME FOR IT.

YOU DON'T THINK OF LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE THINK THEY'RE LITTLE THINGS BUT ANY WOMAN THAT HAS A WORKING UTERUS NEEDS THIS PRODUCT.

AND IF YOU HAVE SISTERS, HAVE YOU OF IF YOU HAVE A WIFE, YOU KNOW THAT WOMEN NEED THIS.

AND I TELL MY MALE COLLEAGUES THAT, YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?

YOU COME FROM THE WOMB OF A WOMAN.

SO THESE ARE ITEMS THAT ARE NEEDED.

IT'S NO WAY AROUND IT.

>> WELL, GOOD LUCK WITH THIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE SENATE TOMORROW?

>> NO.

IT'S IN THE HOUSE TOMORROW ON THE SPECIAL CALENDAR.

YES.

THANK YOU.

>> I WANT TO SPEND THE LAST COUPLE OF MINUTES AND WE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE LEFT, TALKING ABOUT SOME RATHER PASSIONATE TESTIMONY THAT YOU GAVE RECENTLY AT A PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL DEALING WITH THE MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT AND IT PROPOSES TOUGHENING THE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING THE MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT BY MOVING HISTORIC MONUMENTS AND THE LIKE.

YOU WERE AMONG SEVERAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN LAWMAKERS WHO SPOKE OUT VEHEMENTLY ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION.

TELL ME ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID AND HOW YOU FEEL.

>> WELL, IT WAS A SITUATION WHEREAS, YOU KNOW, AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HOW A PERSON FEELS.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S 10 A OF 5 OF US.

WE EACH REPRESENTATIVE OUR OWN DISTRICTS.

AND WHEN WE CREATE BILLS, IT'S MOTIVATED BY SOMETHING, WHETHER IT'S YOUR CONSTITUENTS OR A BUSINESS, OR AN ORGANIZATION, ET CETERA.

AND I FEEL THAT EVERYBODY'S BILL IS IMPORTANT.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

EVERYBODY'S BILL IS POSH.

BECAUSE THERE ARE REASONS WHY YOU'RE CREATING THE BILL.

AND IT WAS JUST A SITUATION WHEREAS THIS BILL -- AND IT WAS HB-242 -- THE ATTEMPT TOE PROTECT CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS.

THE ISSUE THAT I HAD WAS THERE WAS ANOTHER BILL BY ANOTHER ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES WHICH WAS HB-512, WHICH WAS WHATEVER MONUMENTS ARE OUT THERE, WHY DON'T WE MAKE MUSEUM FOR THEM, YOU KNOW, TO PLACE THEM IN A MUSEUM.

AND THE PRESENTATION WAS WELL, GIVEN.

AND THAT BILL WAS VOTED DOWN WITH NO PROBLEM AT ALL, NO CONSIDERATION.

>> IT DID NOT MAKE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE.

>> IT DID NOT MAKE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE.

AND MY THING IS, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE DO THIS, LET'S BE FAIR ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, LET'S BE FAIR ABOUT IT.

THOSE TWO, REGARDLESS TO BEING ON DIFFERENT AISLES, THOSE TWO SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME TOGETHER AND SAY WHY DON'T WE DO THIS AND WE DO THIS AND THEN THAT WAY EVERYBODY IS HAPPY RATHER THAN MAKING IT, YOU KNOW -- YOU KNOW, YOUR BILL IS NO MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY BILL, YOU KNOW.

SO IF WE CAN START WORKING TOGETHER IN A UNION TO TRY TO MAKE BOTH SIDES HAPPY, I THINK WE WILL HAVE A BETTER PLACE.

AND IT WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS, DON, WHERE YOU KNOW I WAS TO THE POINT THAT I WAS JUST TIRED.

AND YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE GOING TO TELL TRUTHS ABOUT STUFF, LET'S TELL ALL THE TRUTH AND THAT WAS MY THING.

AND LET'S BE FAIR ABOUT WHAT WE DO AND LET'S CONSIDER EACH OTHER'S FEELINGS, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE -- IT TAKES CERTAIN PEOPLE TO BE IN THESE POSITIONS NOW.

YOU GOT TO BE ABLE TO -- AS MY GRANDMOTHER SAID, YOU HAVE TO BE LIKE A DUCK AND LET WATER RUN OFF YOUR BACK AND KEEP ON MOVING.

BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING, LET'S WORK TOGETHER.

BECAUSE I THINK IF WE WORK IN BEING IN ONE WITH SOME OF THIS STUFF GOING ON, I THINK THAT WE WOULD SEE THAT WE COULD DO SO MUCH MORE FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> INDEED.

REPRESENTATIVE HOLLIS OF BIRMINGHAM, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU DON.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

WITH.

>> THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW AT 10:30 WE WILL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE INCLUDING A SCHEDULED HOUSE COMMITTEE VOTE ON THE RECORD EDUCATION BUDGET, AFTER A PUBLIC HEARING ON IT TODAY.

AND WE'RE SCHEDULED TO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE COREY HARBINSON OF CULLMAN THAT WOULD EXEMPT CULLMAN COUNTY FOR HAVING TO PAY FOR A PISTOL PERMIT.

WE WOULD BE JOINED BY ALAN BAKER OF BREWTON WHO WILL DISCUSS HIS ABSENTEE BALLOT BILL AND HIS LEGISLATION TO RAISE THE PAY FOR CREDENTIALED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

FOR ALL OF US AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL," THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.