>> GOOD EVENING FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY.

I'M DON DAILEY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST, THE LEGISLATURE WRAPPED UP ITS WORKWEEK TODAY WITH A RECORD EDUCATION BUDGET CLEARING ANOTHER COMMITTEE HURDLE AND A BILL DEALING WITH CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING FAILING A PROCEDURAL VOTE IN THE HOUSE.

WE'LL GET TO AT THIS TIME ALL BUT WE BEGIN WITH SEVERAL ELECTION-RELATED BILLS PASSES THE SENATE.

A BAN ON CURBSIDE VOTING WAS CARRIED OVER.

SPONSORED BY DAN ROBERTS OF MOUNTAIN BROOK.

>> THE GOAL OF THE BILL IS TO MAINTAIN SECURITY OF ELECTIONS AND ABILITY OF VOTERS TO CAST A SECRET BALLOT.

IT WILL MAKE SURE IT IS NOT MANIPULATED THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES OR BALLOTS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING.

IT IS SEALED IN AN ENVELOPE.

THE PERSON VOTING GOING TO PUT IT IN THE BOX.

THE ELECTED OFFICIAL IS STANDING BY THE BOX.

YOUR POLL WATCHER, MINE, HIS AND HIS ARE STANDING BY THE BOX.

TELL ME WHAT IS NOT SECURE ABOUT THAT.

>> BECAUSE THE PROPOSED CURBSIDE VOTING BAN WAS CARRIED OVER IT COULD BE BACK UP FOR CONSIDERATION NEXT WEEK IN THE SENATE.

THE UPPER CHAMBER APPROVED SEVERAL ELECTION-RELATED BILLS ONE THAT DEALS WITH DOUBLE VOTING AND IT WAS SPONSORED BY CLAY SCOFIELD OF GUNNERSVILLE.

>> IF YOU VOTE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AND IN THE SAME ELECTION YOU VOTE IN ANOTHER STATE, THAN THAT IS ILLEGAL.

>> THE QUESTION I RAISED IS A QUESTION I WILL PUT ON THE FLOOR NOW.

CAN YOU OFFER ME AN APPRECIABLE NUMBER OF ALLEGED VOTER FRAUD ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THIS STATE?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE RESPONSE WAS?

I BET I HAVE THE SAME NUMBER.

TWO.

>> AMONG THE OTHER ELECTION BILLS THAT PASSED THE SENATE TODAY IS ONE THAT WOULD UPDATE ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION DEADLINES TO ACCOMMODATE FOR DELAYS WITH THE POSTAL SERVICE.

IT WAS SPONSORED BY ALLEN BAKER OF BRUTON AND HE WILL JOIN US SHORTLY TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

>> THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS EDUCATION COMMITTEE TODAY APPROVED THE RECORD $7.6 BILLION EDUCATION BUDGET PUTTING IT IN POSITION FOR POSSIBLE FINAL LEGISLATIVE PASSAGE NEXT WEEK.

REPRESENTATIVE BILL POOLE OF TUSCALOOSA IS THE HOUSE BUDGET CHAIRMAN.

>> THIS IS A POSITIVE BUDGET FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA IN LIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC AND EVERYTHING THAT THIS STATE AND OUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN THROUGH IN RECENT MONTHS.

TO BE ABLE TO PASS AND ADOPT THE STATE'S LARGEST EDUCATION INVESTMENT IN STATE'S HISTORY IS SIGNIFICANT AND POSITIVE.

IT SPEAKS POSITIVELY FOR THE STATE, OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAJECTORY, OUR RESILIENCE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND OUR ABILITY TO PLAN AND STRATEGICALLY MAINTAIN THAT PROGRESS IN THE FUTURE BY VIRTUE OF THESE INVESTMENTS.

>> THE RECORD SCHOOL SPENDING PLAN INCLUDES 2% PAY RAISES FOR ALL EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

MORE MONEY TO RESTRUCTURE STEP RAISES FOR TEACHERS, FOR HIRING MORE CREDENTIALED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER AND EXPANDING PRE-K CLASSROOMS AROUND THE STATE.

>>> A CLOSELY WATCHED BILL THAT WILL ALLOW SOME LOCAL TAX DOLLARS TO FOLLOW A CHILD TO A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL FAILED A PROCEDURAL VOTE IN THE HOUSE TODAY.

ROLL CALL INDICATED THAT 37 REPUBLICANS JOINED WITH DEMOCRATS IN NOT ALLOWING THE LEGISLATION TO GO TO A VOTE.

IT IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE COLLINS OF DECATUR.

>> IN 2015, THIS BODY VOTED FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS TO COME INTO THIS STATE.

IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY HAVE GROWN SMALL AND SLOWLY BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH A TIGHT, TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE BILL BECAUSE THAT'S BEST FOR THE STUDENTS OF ALABAMA AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> DEMOCRATS WERE UNITED IN THEIR OPPOSITION TO COLLINS' LEGISLATION CALLED THE ALABAMA SCHOOL CHOICE AND OPPORTUNITY ACT.

AMONG THE DEMOCRATS WHO SPOKE AGAINST IT TODAY WAS REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA BOYD OF ANDERSON WHO IS HERSELF AN EDUCATOR.

>> CHARTER SCHOOLS WILL NOT BENEFIT THE CHILDREN IN THIS STATEMENT I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY IF YOU WOULD HAVE BROUGHT SOMETHING INTO PUSH FORWARD THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT DO WORK.

FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE OUR READING PROGRAMS.

>> THE CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING BILL MAY OR MAY NOT COME BEFORE THE HOUSE BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS OVER.

>>> A BILL THAT WOULD SET UP THINK ALABAMA DIGITAL EXPANSION AUTHORITY PASSED THE HOUSE TODAY.

IT IS PART OF THE EFFORT TO GROW BROADBAND SERVICE IN RURAL, UNDER SERVED AREAS.

IT IS SPONSORED BY DANNY GARRETT AND HERALDED AMONG OTHERS, RANDALL SHED OF COLEMAN WHO CHAIRS THE URBAN AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

>> WITH HOUSE BILL 400, WE HAVE WORKED WITH SENATE BILL 90 WHICH ESTABLISHED -- IMPROVED THE GRANT PROGRAM FOR BROADBAND EXPANSION AND THE 5 G THAT HELPS URBAN ALABAMA.

SO THIS IS ANOTHER GREAT STEP TO GETTING CONNECTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE.

THIS IS A GREAT BILL TODAY THAT WILL DO THAT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDS THAT ARE COMING DOWN THE PIKE.

>> THE DIGITAL EXPANSION AUTHORITY LEGISLATION HAS BEEN PRAISED BY HOUSE RURAL CAUCUS CHAIR DAVID STANRICH.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG OR ON THE FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST ALLEN BAKER IS BACK WITH US.

>> GLAD TO BE WITH YOU, DON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> VOTING HAS BEEN A CENTRAL THEME OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THERE HAVE BEEN, IF I CAN PUT IT THIS WAY, A SLEW OF VOTING RELATED BILLS INTRODUCED THIS YEAR.

YOU ARE CARRYING ONE AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

IT DEALS WITH ABSENTEE VOTING AND REVISING THE TIME FRAME BY WHICH YOU CAN APPLY FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

TO CLARIFY FURTHER, IT IS ACTUALLY INVOLVING THE APPLICATION FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

SO THAT'S ONE THING I NEED TO DISTINGUISH AS I MOVE THE BILL BEFORE THE COMMITTEE AND ALSO THOUGH HOUSE FLOOR AND THEN AS WELL FURTHER INTO THE SENATE.

THE BILL ISN'T CHANGING ANYTHING IN REGARD TO THE DEADLINE FOR THE ACTUAL ABSENTEE BALLOT RETURNED BUT THIS IS CHANGING, REVISING THE TIME FRAME, THE DEADLINE FOR MAIL IN APPLICATIONS FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

SO THAT WAY IT'S WHERE, PARTICULARLY WITH THE POSTAL SERVICE DELAYS, WHICH WERE EXPERIENCED DURING THIS PAST ELECTION, AND WHICH ARE ACTUALLY ANTICIPATED TO CONTINUE FOR QUITE SOMETIME INTO THE NEAR, FORESEEABLE FUTURE AND SO THAT'S REALLY WHAT THE THRUST OF THIS BILL WAS TRYING TO ENSURE THAT POTENTIAL WOULD BE VOTERS WERE RECEIVING THEIR BALLOT BACK IN A TIMELY MANNER DUE TO PERHAPS POSTAL DELAYS AND THEREFORE THERE NEEDS TO BE A REVISED DEADLINE EXTENDING THAT TIME FRAME.

SOMEONE COULD STILL GO IN, WALK IN AND GET THE APPLICATION UP TO FIVE DAYS OUT FROM AN ELECTION.

>> WE'RE BUILDING INTO THE PROCESS ANY LAG TIME THAT MAY RESULT FROM THE POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY PROCESS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THAT'S WHAT IS INTENDED.

SO THAT WAY THE VOTER WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THEIR ABSENTEE BALLOT MAILED BACK TO THEM IN A TIMELY MANNER AND THEY WOULD EITHER RETURN IT BY HAND OR MAIL IT IN, HOPEFULLY BY HAVING AN EXTENDED TIME FRAME THIS WOULD HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE CONCERNS WITH DELAYS WITH THE POSTAL SERVICE.

>> THESE ARE IMPORTANT CAVEATS, REPRESENTATIVE BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONTENDED THAT A LOT OF THE VOTING LEGISLATION THAT'S BEEN INTRODUCED THIS YEAR AMOUNTS TO VOTER SUPPRESSION IN THEIR MINDS.

IT SOUNDS LIKE, TO ME, YOU ARE TRYING TO HELP THE ABSENTEE BALLOT PROCESS ALONG BY ALLOWING FOR EXTRA TIME TO ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA POSTAL DELAYS?

>> OF COURSE I HAVE HEARD THAT ON BOTH SIDES, FROM VOTER SUPPRESSION TO TRYING TO RESTORE VOTER INTEGRITY IN THE PROCESS.

I HAVE HEARD CONCERNS WITH THE VARIOUS SORTED ELECTIONS BILLS, WHICH YOU ARE RIGHT, THERE'S BEEN QUITE A FLURRY OF THOSE BILLS THAT HAVE COME BEFORE BOTH BODIES.

>> DID WE SEE ANY PARTICULAR PROBLEMS IN ALABAMA, OR DID YOU HEAR ANY PROBLEMS IN ALABAMA LAST YEAR?

WHAT SPURRED YOU TO BRING THE LEGISLATION.

>> THE LEGISLATION WAS NOT PROMPTED BY THE -- THE ELECTION PROCESS OTHER THAN -- I GUESS YOUR QUESTION IS REGARD TO FRAUD.

THIS BILL IS NOT PROMPTED BY ANY POTENTIAL FRAUD OR SUCH AS THAT.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING THAT WAS TO THE EXTENT OF WHAT THEY CALL WIDESPREAD.

I'M SURE THERE WERE ISOLATED INCIDENTS IN ALABAMA AS WELL AS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE BILL WAS PROBABLY MORE SO BY THE POSTAL SERVICE DELAY IN TRYING TO ENSURE GOING FORWARD THAT VOTERS WOULD HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEIR VOTE TO BE COUNTED.

>> I WANT TO TURN TO ANOTHER PIECE OF LEGISLATION YOU BROUGHT THIS YEAR AND IT DEALS WITH TEACHERS.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT ON THIS PROGRAM MANY TIMES THE NEED FOR CREDENTIALED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS IN THIS STATE.

WE HAVE A SHORTAGE RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE TEACHERS BUT NOT ALL OF THEM ARE CREDENTIALED IN MATH AND SCIENCE.

WE WANT TO RECRUIT MORE CREDENTIALED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

TO DO SO, WE ARE LOOKING TO REVITALIZE THE SALARY STRUCTURE.

>> THAT IS CALLED THE TEAMS BILL.

IT IS TARGETING MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY, ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN GRADES 6-12, APPROXIMATELY 7500 SLOTS FOR THE MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

OF THOSE SLOTS, ROUGHLY 3,000 OF THOSE ARE NOT CERTIFIED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM.

JUST UNDER HALF.

SO, I MEAN THAT IS SOMETHING THIS THAT IS QUITE ALARMING TO MANY OF US AND TO ADDRESS THIS CRITICAL SHORTAGE, THE TEAMS BILL IS A CAREER CHOICE FOR THOSE THAT MIGHT WANT TO GO INTO MATH AND SCIENCE BUT AT GREATLY ELEVATED SALARIES THAN WHAT PRESENTLY EXIST, BUT WITH THAT, THERE'S ALSO THE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT GOES WITH THAT WHERE THEY ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE EXTRA CREDENTIALS SUCH AS THE NBCT, THE NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR TEACHERS OR A S.T.E.M.-TYPE OF CERTIFICATION WITH THAT.

WE WANT THE EXTRA RIGOR.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS FOR EVERY AND MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER.

THE FOCUS IS PRIMARILY FOR THOSE POTENTIAL NEW HIRES, THE INCOMING STUDENTS, TEACHERS, YOUNG PEOPLE, AS WELL AS EVEN THOSE THAT ARE EXPERIENCED THAT MIGHT COME IN FROM OTHER STATES THAT FIND THAT ALABAMA NOW HAS A MORE LUCRATIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM BY COMING TO ALABAMA.

HOWEVER, HAVING SAID THAT, WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT EXISTING MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS, WE DID NEED TO BE FAIR AND ALLOW AN OPT-IN PROVISION FOR THEM, AS WELL.

>> MATH AND SCIENCE IS SO IMPORTANT IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW AND IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE STUDENTS PROPERLY PREPARED.

TO THOSE TEACHERS HOLDING THESE POSITIONS NOW, WHICH AREN'T NECESSARILY CREDENTIALED, WE KNOW THEY ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN, BUT TO HAVE CREDENTIALED PEOPLE IN THE POSITIONS IS VITAL, DON'T YOU THINK?

>> INDEED.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT S.T.E.M.

SEEMS TO BE EVER GROWING.

THE TECHNOLOGY IS EVER GROWING IN OUR STATE.

>> S.T.E.M.

MEANING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

WITH THAT THE GOVERNOR THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDERS CREATED A S.T.E.M.

COUNCIL.

WE ALSO HAVE AN INNOVATION CAN COMMISSION OF WHICH CHAIRMAN POOLE SERVES AS THE COCHAIR ON THAT AND HAS A LOT OF CONNECTION INTO WHAT THE TECHNOLOGY OR S.T.E.M.-RELATED FIELDS.

SO IT IS SOMETHING WE RECOGNIZE WE NEED TO PROPEL OUR STATE IN A STRONG WAY TOWARDS SOME OF THE GOALS WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN REGARDS TO ELEVATING THE PROFICIENCIES ACROSS THE STATE FOR THE STUDENTS, BUT AS WELL WE HAVE TO HAVE THE TEACHERS WELL QUALIFIED TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP THOSE PROFICIENCIES GOING FORWARD.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, WE ONLY HAVE 90 SECONDS, BUT IN 90 SECONDS, GAMBLING IS A HIGH PRIORITY IN THE CLOSING DAYS OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE HOUSE NEXT CONSIDERS A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN THAT WILL SET UP LOTTERY, CASINOS, SPORTS BETTING IN THE STATE.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THIS ISSUE?

>> I DON'T MEAN TO BE EVASIVE OR TO DODGE THE QUESTION, DON, BUT I WOULD SAY THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL GAMING BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN A PART OF MY EXISTENCE HERE IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

>> REMIND US HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> I CAME IN IN 2006.

ROUGHLY 15 YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS GAMING BILLS THAT HAVE COME BEFORE THE BODY.

BUT NOTHING THAT ACTUALLY SEEMED TO MOVE FORWARD AND ADVANCE.

SO, WITH THAT, I'M IN A VERY SORT OF HOLDING PATTERN AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

I WANT TO WAIT AND SEE IF SOMETHING MOVES OUT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE.

IT DEVELOPED LATE IN THE SESSION, COMING OUT OF THE SENATE A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING BILL.

WHETHER THE BILL CHANGES IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE OR MOVES FORWARD IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE I DON'T KNOW ON THAT.

I DON'T LIKE TO TAKE MY TIME.

I FEEL LIKE I WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE TO MY CONSTITUENT BASE AND THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA IN WORKING ON OTHER AREAS THROUGH MY EFFORTS AND NOT BECOME ABSORBED ON SOMETHING THAT MIGHT NOT EVEN MAKE ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE FLOOR TO HAVE A CHANCE FOR A VOTE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

NOT TO BE EVASIVE BUT I'LL TAKE THAT UP AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

>> YOU ARE IN A WAIT AND SEE MODE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS CLAMORING FOR A CHANCE TO VOTE ON THIS?

>> IT SEEMS TO BE SOMEWHAT VARIED.

THE RESPONSES THAT I GET.

IT MAYBE LEANS MORE ON THE SIDE OF THOSE THAT WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE NOT KNOWING WHAT THE BILL WOULD BE AND HOW REVENUES MIGHT BE DIRECTED.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE THERE SEEMS TO BE A DIVIDE AMONG THE CITIZENS AND AS WELL AS IN THE LEGISLATIVE BODY, NOT ONLY TO WHAT EXTENT IS THE GAMING PERMITTED ALL ACROSS THE BOARD, LOTTERY, CASINOS OR LIMITED TO A SEGMENT OF THAT AND THEN HOW THOSE REVENUES WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED.

I THINK THOSE SEEM TO BE THE DIVIDING POINTS.

>> IT IS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, DON.

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

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ON FACEBOOK AND ON TWITTER.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT DDAILEY@APTV.ORG OR BY MAIL.

NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE COREY -- IS WITH US.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> GUN-RELATED BILLS HAVE BEEN BIG IN THE SESSION THIS YEAR AS THEY USUALLY ARE IN ALABAMA, BEING THE STAUNCH SECOND AMENDMENT STATE IT IS.

YOU HAD A BILL THAT GARNERED ATTENTION AND IT WOULD HAVE SAID THAT GUN PERMITS WOULD BE FREE IN COLEMAN COUNTY.

IT DIED LAST WEEK.

>> IT DID.

>> THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES, RIGHT?

>> I THINK IT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAPPEN UNTIL WE SEE SOMETHING CHANGE WITH THE PERMITS AND, YOU KNOW -- I HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK WHY WE DIDN'T DO FREE PERMITS, I MEAN PERMITLESS CARRY.

WHEN YOU TRAVEL OUT OF THE STATE, YOU STILL HAVE TO HAVE A PERMIT.

I WOULD BE FINE MAKING ALABAMA A CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY STATE AND ALLOWING THE SHERIFFS TO DO THE PERMITS IF SOMEONE CHOOSES TO.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE WILL BE HEADING EVENTUALLY.

>> ALL OF THOSE THINGS, OF COURSE, HAVE BEEN ON THE TABLE THIS YEAR.

THE BILL THAT HAS COME FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW WHICH SAYS WE WOULDN'T REQUIRE A PERMIT IN ALABAMA BUT YOU COULD GET ONE IF YOU WANTED ONE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU WERE GOING TO CROSS STATE LINES WITH A FIREARM.

ALSO THERE IS A LIFETIME PERMIT BILL THAT'S BEEN ON THE TABLE THIS YEAR.

FOR SOME PEOPLE IT MIGHT BE CONFUSING.

>> I THINK IT WILL.

THERE WAS A LIFETIME PERMIT BILL THAT PASSED THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

I THINK IT'S A $300 FEE.

IT GOES THROUGH ALIA.

I GUESS FOR A YOUNG PERSON THAT'S A GOOD DEAL.

YOU HAVE TO CALCULATE YOUR AGE AND SEE WHAT YOU WOULD RATHER DO.

I KNOW IN COLEMAN COUNTY IT CURRENTLY COSTS $15 A YEAR FOR YOUR PISTOL PERMIT.

EVERY COUNTY ACROSS ALABAMA IS DIFFERENT IN THOSE FEES.

THAT IS SET BY LOCAL LEGISLATION.

I BELIEVE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY IT IS $7.50 FOR YOUR PISTOL PERMIT AND $5 OF THAT GOES BACK TO THE DELEGATION HERE IN MONTGOMERY FOR DISCRETIONARY FUNDS.

I DON'T KNOW THE HIGHEST AND THE LOWEST BUT I KNOW IN COLEMAN WE ARE AT 15.

>> DID YOU HEAR A LOT FROM FOLKS BACK HOME ABOUT YOUR BILL THAT WOULD HAVE HAD FREE -- >> I HEARD A LOT OF POSITIVE AND A COUPLE OF NEGATIVE COMMENTS I'VE READ ON FACEBOOK.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THOSE WERE REAL ACCOUNTS OR NOT.

I DON'T KNOW THE PEOPLE AND COULDN'T TELL.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE LIKE TO BASE THEIR OPINIONS ON LEGISLATION, BASED ON ME RATHER THAN THE LEGISLATION THEMSELVES.

THAT'S PART OF POLITICS.

YOU'LL FIND PEOPLE WHO FOR SOME REASON OR ANOTHER DOESN'T LIKE A PERSON AND THAT'S FINE.

THAT'S PART OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

OVERALL IT WAS VERY POSITIVE AND THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT OUR LOCAL SHERIFF WAS IN FAVOR OF AND KNEW WE WERE DOING AS A DELEGATION.

IT WAS A POSITIVE THING AT HOME.

I HEARD A LOT OF DISAPPOINTMENT THAT IT FAILED.

THERE WAS TWO PARTS OF THE BILL AND ONE, OF COURSE, WAS THE NO-COST PERMIT AND THE SECOND PART IS IT SAID THE SHERIFF WOULD NOT HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY TYPE OF DATABASE SUBMITTING TO THE STATE.

SO, REWIND TO THE WEEK BEFORE THAT -- MY BILL WAS ACTUALLY FILED BEFORE THIS OTHER BILL PASSED THE HOUSE BUT THERE WAS A BILL THAT PASSED THE HOUSE THAT I MENTIONED THAT GIVES YOU A LIFETIME PERMIT.

IT ALSO REQUIRES SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO SUBMIT PERSONS PROHIBITED FROM THE FIREARM DATABASE.

EVEN WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY IN THE STATE, IF YOU ARE PROHIBITED FROM HAVING A FIREARM, YOU ARE PROHIBITED.

I'M A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MYSELF.

I WENT TO THE JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S ACADEMY IN 2008.

MY ARGUMENT WITH THE DATABASE, ONE, WE ALREADY HAVE INFORMATION, A FEW SYSTEMS THAT DISPATCH CAN GET INFORMATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL FROM.

WE'RE SPENDING A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BUILD A DATABASE IN ALABAMA AND IT IS COSTING THE TAXPAYERS MONEY.

I FEEL LIKE WE ARE DUPLICATING SERVICES.

ALSO -- SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR ADMITTED THIS, BUT I THINK YOU WILL SEE OFFICERS BASE THEIR APPROACH ON A VEHICLE ON WHAT THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THAT CAR HAS ON THE DATABASE INFORMATION.

I MEAN, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

SOMEBODY COULD STEAL A CAR FROM MY HOUSE AND I'M THE REGISTERED OWNER AND I COULD HAVE MY WEAPON IN THE CONSOLE AND THEY COULD FIND THAT AND RUN MY TAG AND SAY, HEY, THAT'S CORY HARBISON, HE IS OKAY AND GET UP TO THE VEHICLE AND THE PERSON HAVE MY WEAPON.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO I ALWAYS USE CAUTION AND APPROACH EVERY VEHICLE AND MAKE AN ASSESSMENT.

I REMEMBER AS A YOUNGER GUY, I WAS AROUND 22, MY BROTHER'S THREE YEARS OLDER THAN ME AND WE WERE DRIVING AND WE GOT UP TO A DRIVER'S LICENSE CHECKPOINT.

MY BROTHER WAS GETTING OUT HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE.

AND HE HANDED IT TO THE OFFICER AND THE OFFICER SAW THERE WAS A PISTOL PERMIT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S LICENSE AND HE PULLED OUT HIS WEAPON AND SAID WHERE'S YOUR FIREARM BECAUSE HE SAW HE HAD A PISTOL PERMIT.

I KNOW THIS DATABASE SHOWS PROHIBITED PERSONS BUT IT IS LIKE A TRUE AND FALSE TEST.

IF THIS PERSON IS PROHIBITED, OR NOT PROHIBITED -- SO, IF YOU HAVE THE LIST, YOU KNOW THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE PROHIBITED.

WOULD THEY AUTOMATIC ASSUME THEY HAVE A WEAPON AND APPROACH A VEHICLE IN THAT MANNER.

I THINK IT COULD CAUSE SOME PROBLEMS BUT I WILL HOPE FOR THE BEST BECAUSE I SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I WANT THEIR JOBS TO GO AS WELL AS THEY CAN AND GET HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES EVERY DAY.

>> OF COURSE.

REPRESENTATIVE, WE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES LEFT BUT I WANT TO ASK YOU BEFORE WE CLOSE ABOUT THE GAMBLING ISSUE.

IT'S GOING TO BE IN YOUR CHAMBER NEXT.

THERE'S LOTTERY, CASINOS, THERE'S SPORTS BETTING.

WHERE DO YOU FALL ON ALL OF THIS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE FINAL BILL LOOKS LIKE.

I'VE HEARD OF SEVERAL AMENDMENTS THAT MAY BE COMING.

IT'S GOING TO GO TO THE ECONOMIC TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE I WOULD THINK.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COMMITTEE AND GO FROM THERE.

WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR OFFICE, I PLEDGED TO LET THE PEOPLE VOTE ON A LOTTERY.

I HAD SOMEBODY ASK ME HOW I WAS GOING TO VOTE ON THE LOTTERY.

I SAID I HAVEN'T MADE UP MY MIND.

MY VOTE WILL COUNT JUST LIKE YOURS BECAUSE WE WILL BOTH GET A VOTE BUT I WILL PROBABLY LET THE PEOPLE VOTE ON THE LOTTERY.

>> THAT SEEMS TO BE WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO FOR A LOT OF LAWMAKERS EVEN IF THEY HAVE PERSONAL ISSUES WITH GAMBLING.

THEY WANT IT FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS TO HAVE A VOTE.

>> I THINK THAT POLLS SHOW THAT PEOPLE ACROSS ALABAMA ARE PRETTY ADAMANT THEY WANT TO VOTE ON IT.

IF WE LEAVE IT UP TO THE PEOPLE, THAN I TRUST THEY WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION AND HOPEFUL WE WILL HEAD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR THE STATE.

>> THAT'S ANOTHER BIG QUESTION MARK SURROUNDING THIS IS IF THIS DOES GET PASSED IN THE LEGISLATURE AND GOES TO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE, WOULD THE PEOPLE VOTE A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN UP OR DOWN?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

THAT'S A QUESTION THAT REMAINS UNANSWERED AND WE CAN SEE.

YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE IN THEIR HANDS ULTIMATELY.

IT WOULD BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT OF THE STATE.

I HAVE HAD PEOPLE ASK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S STANCE AND THE PROCESS ON A GAMING BILL WOULD BE IT GOES TO THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE FIRST AND THEN THE NEXT CHAMBER AND THEN THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT SIGN OFF ON IT.

IT AUTOMATICALLY GOES TO THE PEOPLE FOR THAT VOTE.

YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAVE TO TRUST THE PEOPLE TO VOTE WHAT THEY THINK IS BEST FOR THE STATE AND DO THE BEST WE CAN TO MANAGE IT, IF THEY VOTE IT IN.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CORY HARBISON OF COLEMAN, ALWAYS HAVE A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TONIGHT.

COMING UP TONIGHT AT 7:30, ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WEEK IN REVIEW, WE WILL HAVE A WRAP UP OF THE LEGISLATIVE WEEK AND OUR GUESTS WILL INCLUDE GREG ALBRITTON WHO WILL DISCUSS THE SET BACK FOR THE GOVERNOR'S PRIVATE RELEASE PRISON PLAN AND HIS HOPE THE HOUSE WILL APPROVE THE GAMBLING PLAN.

WE WILL BE JOINED BY PARDONS AND PAROLE DIRECTOR CAM WARD AND PRESIDENT ANNETTE FUNDERBURK THUNDERBIRD WHO WILL DISCUSS PRISON RECIDIVISM.

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