>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE 25TH LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THE 2024 REGULAR SESSION IS IN THE BOOKS.

THAT LEAVES US WITH JUST FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS REMAINING THAT WILL BE SPREAD OUT OVER THE NEXT TWO OR THREE WEEKS.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE MET THIS MORNING AND INTO THE AFTERNOON WORKING THROUGH MULTIPLE CALENDARS OF BILLS.

THIS IS THE POINT IN THE SESSION WHEN LAWMAKERS NEED TO GET ANY BILLS THEY WANT TO PASS MOVING IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT.

WE'LL START OUR COVERAGE IN THE HOUSE, WHICH TOOK UP CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION AIMED AT SHIELDING CHILDREN FROM INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT.

CURRENTLY, UNDER ALABAMA LAW, CERTAIN OBSCENITY LAWS DON'T APPLY TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

HOUSE BILL 385 FROM REPRESENTATIVE ARNOLD MOONEY WOULD MAKE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR DISTRIBUTING OBSCENE MATERIALS APPLY TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND SCHOOL LIBRARIES, BUT NOT COLLEGE LIBRARIES.

IT ALSO CLARIFIES IN GREAT DETAIL WHAT QUALIFIES AS OBSCENE CONTENT.

EMPLOYEES OF SUCH FACILITIES WOULD COMMIT A CLASS C MISDEMEANOR IF THEY FAIL TO REMOVE SUCH CONTENT ONCE IT IS REPORTED.

MOONEY SAID HIS INTENTION IS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM VIOLENT AND PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL.

DEMOCRATS PUSHED BACK ARGUING THAT POTENTIALLY ARRESTING LIBRARIANS IS GOING TOO FAR.

>> UNDER EXISTING LAW ANY USE OF PREMISE TO DISTRIBUTE OBSCENE MATERIALS TO MINORS IS A PUBLIC NUISANCE.

THIS BILL FURTHER PROVIDES THAT USE OF ANY PREMISES USED TO DISTRIBUTE TO MINORS IS A PUBLIC NUISANCE.

UNDER EXISTING LAW, THE TERM SEXUAL CONDUCT IS DEFINED.

THE BILL FURTHER PROVIDES FOR THE DEFINITION OF SEXUAL CONDUCT.

UNDER EXISTING LAWS, CERTAIN OBSCENITY LAWS DON'T APPLY TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES, PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES, COLLEGE LIBRARIES OR UNIVERSITY OF LIBRARIES OR ANY AGENTS OF SUCH LIBRARIES.

THIS BILL PROVIDES THAT THESE CRIMINAL OBSCENITY LAWS DO NOT APPLY TO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES, OR THEIR AGENTS BUT DO APPLY TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES, PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS.

THIS IS AN EFFORT TO PROTECT CHILDREN.

IT'S NOT A DEMOCRAT BILL.

IT'S NOT A REPUBLICAN BILL.

IT'S A PEOPLE BILL TO TRY TO PROTECT CHILDREN.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES NOT DO, IT DOES NOT EFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY ADULT TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL OR GENDER-RELATED SPEECH IN ANY PLACE.

WHERE MINORS ARE NOT PRESENT AND OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE DEFINED AS OBSCENITY.

ADULT MEN AND WOMEN ARE FREE TO DRESS AS THEY CHOOSE AND ACT AS THEY CHOOSE, AS LONG AS IT'S NOT IN A PLACE WHERE MINORS ARE EXPECTED AND KNOWN TO BE PRESENT SUCH AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY, OR A PUBLIC LIBRARY.

>> THE BILL PASSED AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

HERE ARE SOME OTHER NOTABLE BILLS THAT PASSED THE HOUSE TODAY.

SENATE BILL 240 FROM SENATOR WILL BARFOOT WOULD IMPROVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE ON THE LOCAL LEVEL.

THAT'S FINAL PASSAGE AND IT NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR.

HOUSE BILL 415 FROM REPRESENTATIVE JUANDALYNN GIVAN REPEALS THE DISTRESSED COLLEGE LOAN FUND SET UP BY THE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR TO ASSIST BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE.

THE SCHOOL HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL CLOSE THIS YEAR.

THE BILL GOES TO THE SENATE.

HOUSE BILL 200 FROM REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND MAKES IT A FELONY FOR A MEDICAL EXAMINER TO RETAIN A DEAD PERSON'S ORGANS WITHOUT CONSENT FROM THE FAMILY.

THIS HAS CROPPED UP FROM SOME JARRING STORIES WHERE DECEASED INMATES RETURNED TO THEIR LOVED ONES WITH ORGANS MISSING.

THAT BILL NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

AND HOUSE BILL 165 FROM REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN.

IT WOULD REQUIRE PARENTAL CONSENT FOR CHILDREN TO RECEIVE VACCINES.

IT NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

AFTER THE HOUSE ADJOURNED, WE CAUGHT UP WITH SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER ON A NUMBER OF TOPICS.

FIRST, HE GAVE AN UPDATE ON WHERE THE ETHICS REFORM BILL IS IN THE PROCESS.

WEEKS AGO, THE HOUSE PASSED LEGISLATION FROM REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON MAKING SIGNIFICANT REVISIONS TO THE STATE'S ETHICS CODE, BUT THE SENATE HAS YET TO TAKE IT UP.

>> I THINK WE PASSED A GOOD ETHICS REFORM BILL.

THINK THE SENATE CERTAINLY HAS TAKEN A HARD LOOK AT THAT, AND WE'RE GOING TO MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVE SIMPSON WHEN WE GET DONE HERE.

KIND OF SEE WHERE WE'RE AT.

LIKE YOU SAID, WE DON'T HAVE MANY DAYS.

AND LOOKING NEXT WEEK AT MOVING THE SUNSET BILLS AND GENERAL FUND AND GETTING US IN A PRETTY GOOD POSITION, WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS LOOKING TO SEE WHAT TO GET DONE.

AND THE ETHICS BILL, KIND OF SEE HOW IT GOES.

>> AND ON THE ISSUE OF GAMBLING.

A SIX MEMBER CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE DELEGATES IS STILL IN NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT A COMPROMISE CAN BE REACHED ON THE DIFFERENT PLANS PASSED BY THE TWO BODIES.

.

>> WHEN YOU GO TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, LOTS OF TIME YOU TAKE TWO STEPS, THE HOUSE AND SENATE WORKING TOGETHER.

FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, I'VE HEARD FROM REPORTS, CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE HAD.

WE'LL SEE.

KIND OF SEE HOW IT GOES.

IT'S A PROCESS AND THIS IS JUST PART OF IT.

>> THE SPEAKER ALSO REACTED TO THIS WEEK'S MEETING IN WHICH HOUSE AND SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE MEMBERS INVITED LEADERS FROM ARKANSAS AND NORTH CAROLINA TO TALK ABOUT THEIR STATES' EXPERIENCE EXPANDING MEDICAID.

TALKS ARE ONGOING IN ALABAMA ABOUT A POTENTIAL PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT COULD LEVERAGE MEDICAID EXPANSION DOLLARS TO CLOSE THE INSURANCE COVERAGE GAP.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THE GAP, THE MEDICAID EXPANSION THING, SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS BEEN OPPOSED TO.

AND THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IS SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT.

I DON'T KNOW.

NOW, I SAY THAT, BUT DOESN'T MEAN I SUPPORT IT.

JUST LIKE WITH THE BUDGETS, WE HAVE TO BE OPEN-MINDED AND LOOK AT THINGS FOR THAT.

WE'RE FOR IT OR AGAINST IT.

I TALKED TO THE HEALTH CHAIRMAN AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD MEETING AND HE GAVE ME CONVERSATION LAST NIGHT ABOUT WHAT THEY HAD SEEN, WHAT NORTH CAROLINA IS DOING, WHAT ARKANSAS IS DOING.

AND I'M GOING TO LET HIM STEER THE SHIP.

HE DOES A GOOD JOB CHEERING THE HEALTH COMMITTEE AND WE'LL LISTEN TO HIM AND KIND OF WATCH WHAT GOES ON.

I RESPECT WHAT HE DOES.

>> ON TO THE SENATE WHICH TOOK UP MOSTLY NON CONTROVERSIAL BILLS, INCLUDING LOCAL BILLS.

HERE ARE A FEW NOTABLE BILLS THAT PASSED.

SENATE BILL 309, FROM SENATOR STEVE LIVINGSTON, WOULD INCREASE SALES TAX ON PRODUCTS SOLD AT ABC STORES.

LIVINGSTON SAID IT WOULD BRING THOSE TAXES TO THE SAME LEVEL OF PRIVATE LIQUOR STORES FOR FAIRNESS SAKE.

IT NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

HOUSE BILL 330, FROM REPRESENTATIVE MATT WOODS, WOULD REQUIRE ALABAMA COLLEGES TO REPORT ANY FUNDING THEY RECEIVE FROM COUNTRIES OF CONCERN.

THIS IS STEMMING FROM REPORTS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FLOWING TO ELITE UNIVERSITIES FROM COUNTRIES LIKE QATAR AND CHINA.

THE BILL WAS AMENDMENT WAS ADDED SO IT WILL GO BACK TO THE HOUSE.

SENATE BILL 317, FROM SENATOR RODGER SMITHERMAN, WOULD SPECIFIC PENALTIES FOR MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ACTS WITH YOUTHS UNDER THE AGE OF 19 OR A PROTECTED PERSON UNDER 22.

IT NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

AND SENATE BILL 281, FROM SENATOR TIM MELSON, IS DUBBED THE SECOND AMENDMENT FINANCIAL PRIVACY ACT.

IT WOULD PROHIBIT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING BANKS OR CREDIT CARD COMPANIES FROM DISTINGUISHING FIREARM RETAILERS FROM OTHER RETAILERS IN PAYMENT AND TRANSACTION RECORDS.

THAT BILL NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

MUCH OF THE TALK UPSTAIRS WAS ABOUT THE EDUCATION BUDGET THAT SHOULD BE ON THE FLOOR NEXT WEEK.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ARTHUR ORR SAID ONE OF THE ITEMS HE'S LOOKING AT IS TRYING TO FIND FUNDING FOR A SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP KIDS AVOID GOING HUNGRY AFTER SCHOOL LETS OUT.

THERE'S LOTS OF INTEREST IN FINDING THE MONEY, BUT IT'S NOT THAT EASY NOW THAT THE BUDGET IS ALMOST FINISHED.

>> THE NUMBER WE'RE DEALING WITH IS 10-$14 MILLION FOR THE STATE TO MANAGE.

THAT'S THE COST THAT DHR INFORMED ME THAT WOULD INCUR IF WE FUND THE PROGRAM.

AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAYS FOR, AS MY RECOLLECTION, 80-90, THE SNAP SUMMER BENEFITS FOR FEEDING THE CHILDREN.

>> WHEN YOU ARE THE SECOND CHAMBER, THE CONCRETE BEGINS TO SET AFTER THAT FIRST CHAMBER HAS PASSED THE BUDGET AND THINGS GET A LITTLE BIT MORE TRICKY AND YOU TRY TO FIND MONEY OF YOUR MEMBERS AND YOUR SECOND CHAMBER.

FINDING $10 MILLION, WHAT BOOBY TRAPS ARE THERE OUT THERE, LAND MINES THAT MAY GET TRIGGERED AS WE MOVE RESOURCEES FROM ONE PLACE TO THE OTHER.

SENATOR ORR ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF UPDATING THE WAY ALABAMA DOES ITS EDUCATION FUNDING.

THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A JOINT RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A STUDY INTO HOW THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM CURRENTLY USED TO ALLOCATE EDUCATION DOLLARS CAN BE UPDATED TO BE MORE FORWARD LOOKING AND DATA-DRIVEN.

IT'S SOMETHING LAWMAKERS ARE GOING TO WORK ON AFTER THIS SESSION CONCLUDES.

IF YOU FOLLOW THE FUNDS AMONG THE STATES, TENNESSEE BEING THE MOST RECENT ONE THAT HAS PASSED STUDENT-BASED FUNDING, AND BY THAT I MEAN WE LOOK AT THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS OVER A PARTICULAR BASE AMOUNT.

LET'S ASSUME, ALABAMA HAS $7,000 BASE STUDENT AMOUNT.

WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT ENHANCEMENTS FOR STUDENTS IN POVERTY, STUDENTS THAT ARE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, STUDENTS THAT ARE GIFTED, AND LOOKING AT THE CATEGORIES TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS OF THOSE PARTICULAR NEEDS OF THE STUDENT.

WE KNOW THAT STUDENTS IN HIGH POVERTY AREA HAVE A MORE DIFFICULT TIME IN SCHOOL AND THEREFORE NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES DEVOTED TO THEM, BE IT COACHES FOR THE TEACHERS OR DIFFERENT TUTORS, ET CETERA, AFTER-SCHOOL SESSIONS, EVEN SUMMER SCHOOL.

AND LOOKING AT THE SITUATION, HOW DO WE ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS IN PARTICULAR AS OPPOSED TO JUST ONE SIZE FITS ALL BASED ON HEAD COUNT.

>> AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED IN THE STATE HOUSE TODAY.

THE LEGISLATURE WILL RETURN ON TUESDAY FOR THE 26TH LEGISLATIVE DAY.

SO WE ARE TRULY IN THE HOMESTRETCH.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, I'LL BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE REX REYNOLDS OF HUNTSVILLE.

HE CHAIRS THE HOUSE GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMMITTEE.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND HIS RECENTLY FILED LEGISLATION ALLOCATING OPIOID SETTLEMENT DOLLARS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> TODD STACY: WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT, STATE REPRESENTATIVE REX RERNLD, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE FUND GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMMITTEE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

I KNOW THE GENERAL FUND IS COMING UP NEXT WEEK.

AND I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU THE BILL YOU FILED THIS WEEK, THE FIRST ALLOCATION OF THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND.

Y'ALL SPENT MONTHS GOING THROUGH HEARINGS AND TALK ABOUT, BEFORE WE GET INTO THE SPECIFICS, TALK ABOUT YOUR PROCESS AND SORT OF ANALYZING WHERE THESE FUNDS NEEDED TO GO.

>> AS YOU KNOW, DURING THE 2023 SESSION, WE PASSED THE HJR, OPIOID FUNDS, AND OUR COMMISSION WHICH WAS STOOD UP AT THE TIME TO COME UP WITH A STATEWIDE PLAN.

AND OUR COMMISSION WORKED THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, FALL, AND WINTER AND WE'VE HAD HOURS OF TESTIMONY FROM THOSE PROVIDING TREATMENT, REHAB TREATMENT, DIRECT TREATMENT, PREVENTION PROGRAMS, OTHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR THE OPIOID ABUSE.

WE'VE LEARNED A LOT AND SO, STATEWIDE PLAN IS OUT THERE NOW, AND IT'S FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION.

WE SUBMITTED AS A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT AS A BILL AND COME BACK AND HAVE TO TWEAK IT.

OUR CHALLENGE MAY CHANGE OVER THE NEXT FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS.

WE HAVE FUNDS COMING IN AND WE WANTED FLEXIBILITY TO DO SO.

AT THE SAME TIME ON TUESDAY, WHEN WE SUBMITTED THE PLAN TO THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, THEN I ALSO DROPPED LEGISLATION TO ALLOCATE, YOU KNOW, IN THE 2023 SESSION WE DID $10 MILLION WITH THE DIRECT APPROPRIATION FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

AND WE WANT TO COME BACK AND DO THE SAME THING THIS TIME AND THIS TIME, IT'S FOR $30 MILLION.

>> AND Y'ALL TALKED FROM THE BEGINNING, THIS MONEY TOWARD THINGS THAT WERE SUSTAINABLE A GOOD USE OF MONEY AND NOT SETTING UP PROGRAMS IN PERPETUITY OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RITE.

YOU PROBABLY HEARD ME SAY DURING THE COMMISSION SESSION, THIS IS NOT FOREVER, THIS IS ONE TIME MONEY, ONE TIME TREATMENT THAT WE CAN SUSTAIN.

AGAIN, PROBABLY FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS AND DEPENDS ON HOW LONG THE FUNDING LASTS.

WE DIDN'T WANT TO DO BRICKS AND MORTAR SETTING UP NEW ORGANIZATIONS DEPENDENT ON FUNDING FOR YEAR SIX OR SEVEN.

>> TALKING ABOUT THE $30 MILLION.

WHERE DO THE FUNDS GO.

>> DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, WE DO WHAT WE CALL MEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT, MAT, FOR INMATES WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THEIR RELEASE.

AND WE FOLLOW THAT UP WITH PROBATION AND PAROLE.

WHEN THEY ARE ON PAROLE LIKE THAT, TRACKING THEM WITH TREATMENT, IF NEEDED.

AND OF COURSE, 20% OF THIS FUNDING, A LITTLE OVER $20 MILLION WILL GO TO MENTAL HEALTH.

AND THAT WILL BE A GRANT PROCESS JUST LIKE WE DID THE 8.5 MILLION OF 10 LAST YEAR.

AND WE HAD A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS GETTING FUNDING FROM THAT.

THE AVERAGE GRANT WAS 300 TO $400,000.

OUT OF THAT PROGRAM, THAT WORKED SIMILAR THIS TIME.

OUTSIDE OF THAT, WE ALSO INCLUDED IN THAT $20 MILLION, WE INCLUDED $3 MILLION FOR THE SUICIDE ASSISTED LINE AND ALWAYS CONNECTED TO THE USE OF AND ABUSE OF OPIOIDS UNFORTUNATELY.

WE HAVE $3 MILLION IN THERE FOR VETERANS, FOR A SPECIFIC PILOT PROGRAM.

I CALL IT THE ECO SYSTEM OF CARE.

AND WE PUT THAT OUT THERE AS AN RFP AND SEE WHO IN ALABAMA CAN OFFER THAT AS CARE FOR OUR VETERANS.

WE HAD AUBURN UNIVERSITY, THEY HAVE A PHARMACY SCHOOL DOING OPIOID RESEARCH, OPIOID TRAINING NOT ONLY FOR PHARMACISTS BUT FOR OTHER PHYSICIANS.

AND THEY ARE GETTING IN K-12 PROGRAMS AND BEYOND.

AND EDUCATION, ON THE PREVENTION SIDE.

WE ALLOCATED THEM $1 MILLION TO EXPAND THOSE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT ALABAMA.

AND TO UAB, BIRMINGHAM AREA, THEY HAVE A SMALL PROGRAM IN TUSCALOOSA AND THEN INTO MONTGOMERY.

AND WE'RE ADDING ADDITIONAL RESIDENCIES FOR PSYCHIATRY.

AND THAT WILL ASSIST IN SOME OF THOSE THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM ADDICTIONS AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, THE VIOLENT CRIME THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

>> TODD STACY: WHAT I'M HEARING IS PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND ALL AROUND THE ABUSE OF OPIOIDS.

NOT JUST TREATING IT BUT TREATING IT IN THE FUTURE, AND EDUCATION.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

AND WE PUT FUNDING IN THERE FOR STATEWIDE MARKETING.

WE'RE SURPRISED HOW FEW ALABAMIANS REALLY KNEW ABOUT THE 988 SUICIDE LINE AND YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MARKETING FOR THAT.

AND EDUCATION AROUND THE OPIOID USE.

WE WANT TO TAKE THAT MESSAGE AND TAKE THE BILLBOARD, AIRWAYS, ON YOUR AIRWAYS HERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT.

AND I'M AMAZED SINCE 9 WILL 88 WAS CREATED -- 988, YOU KNOW, IF YOU DON'T KNOW, YOU DON'T KNOW.

SO YOU FILED THE BILL ON TUESDAY.

PRETTY LATE IN THE SESSION, DO YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO GET THROUGH THE PROCESS?

>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

WE HAD IN GENERAL COMMITTEE YESTERDAY AND PASSED IT OUT OF THE COMMITTEE AND EXPECT IT TO BE ON THE CALENDAR ON TUESDAY AND MOVING IT JUST AHEAD OF THE BUDGET JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

HOPEFULLY THAT'S GOING TO PASS THEN.

WE HAVE THE SIMILAR BILL MOVING IN THE CHAIRMAN ALBRITTON DROPPED THE BILL UP THERE AS WELL.

AND STARTING ON TUESDAY, I HAVE TO SHIFT INTO THE BUDGET AND WE FEEL LIKE WE'VE GOT THAT WRAPPED UP AND CLOSING IT UP TODAY.

IT WILL GO TO PRINT IF YOU WILL AND PARTICIPATE BRIEFLY BY THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS BEFORE TUESDAY AND WE'LL HAVE A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AT 10:30 ON TUESDAY.

THAT'S WHEN THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THE BILLS.

>> JUST AS A REMINDER TO VIEWERS, YOU KIND OF SWITCHED ROLES EVERY YEAR AND THIS YEAR, THE GENERAL FUND STARTED IN THE SENATE AND THE EDUCATION FUND STARTED IN THE HOUSE AND BACK AND FORTH.

YOU DON'T JUST PUT RUBBER STAMPS ON IT YOU PUT YOUR CHANGES ON IT HOW MANY CHANGES SHOULD WE EXPECT?

>> INTERESTING BUDGET CYCLE HERE FROM WHAT THE GOVERNOR WILL GET, GOOD SOLID BILL.

AMENDMENT HAD TWICE WITH TWO DIFFERENT TIMES, SUBSTITUTE BILLS IN THE SENATE.

AND WE WORKED OFF THAT.

AND CERTAINLY THERE ARE NEEDS WITHIN, FROM THE HOUSE MEMBERS.

AND I HAD A PRIORITY TO GO BACK AND CULL THE AGENCIES AND I FEEL LIKE THAT'S A PRIORITY AND SERVICE FROM ALABAMA AND YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A PRETTY CONSIDERABLE CHANGE.

NOT A LOT OF CHANGE FROM WHAT SENATOR ALBRITTON HAS DONE.

WE'VE HAD TO MOVE SOME MONEY AROUND BUT WE WILL PARTICIPATE, ANTICIPATE ADDITIONAL REVENUES ABOVE AND BEYOND BOTH WHAT THE GOVERNOR AND THE SENATE RECOGNIZED.

>> IT'S BEEN INTERESTING TO SEE IN RECENT YEARS, GENERAL FUND HEALTHY.

I MEAN, IN SOME CASES, HAVING SURPLUSES AND THINGS.

I GUESS, IT HAS TO DO WITH INTEREST RATES AND SSUT.

>> IT IS.

INTEREST RATES ARE UP OVER 190% ON STATE ACCOUNTS.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU SEE A LOT OF ONE TIME EXPENDITURES THERE.

AND YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO CREATE ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO CAUSE RECURRING FOR FUTURE GENERAL FUND BUDGETS.

AND THE SSUT HAS BEEN UP.

WE'VE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF FLATTENING IN THE MARSH RECEIPTS BUT APRIL IS GOING TO REBOUND BACK JUST FIND ON THE SSUT.

AND AD VALOREM TAXES UP, PREMIUM TAXES UP AND SEEN AN INCREASE UP THERE.

RIGHT NOW, THE ECONOMY IS STRONG BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS TOWARD THE OUTLYING YEARS.

AND ARPA, MOST OF THAT IS GOING TO BE GONE BY DECEMBER OF 2026 SO WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THAT, IN THE TIME-FRAME.

>> AND YOU MADE AN EMPHASIS ON CONSERVING MONEY AND PUTTING MONEY ASIDE IN RESERVE ACCOUNTS.

ARE THERE MONEY GOING TO THE CONSERVE ACCOUNTS NOW.

>> NO, WE DON'T HAVE A SINGLE ITEM.

LAST YEAR, WE PUT ANOTHER $50 MILLION IN THERE.

WE HAVE $150 MILLION IN RESERVES.

>> THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD FUND.

>> AND IF YOU RECALL DURING SESSION, WE PAID OFF THE DEBT TO ATF, ABOUT $60 MILLION.

AND THAT'S NOW DEBT SERVICE NOT COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.

AND THINK THIS LEGISLATIVE BODY HAS BEEN VERY CONSERVATIVE.

>> WELL, THE CITIZENS EXPECT TUESDAY PAY IT BACK.

IT WAS A PROMISE MADE, AND PROMISE KEPT.

I KNOW YOU WANT TO HIT THE ROAD BACK UP TO HUNTSVILLE.

SO, WE'LL BE FOLLOWING ALL OF THIS WHEN IT HITS THE FLOOR NEXT WEEK.

>> THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" WEEK IN REVIEW.

THAT'S 7:30 HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.