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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

LAWMAKERS MET WERE DAY SEVEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION TODAY BEFORE HITTING THE ROAD FOR EASTER WEEKEND.

THAT MEANS THIS 30-DAY SESSION IS ONE-FIFTH COMPLETE.

THE FENTANYL TRAFFIC CRACKDOWN BILL THAT WAS A TOP PRIORITY FOR MANY IN THE LEGISLATURE IS NOW STATE LAW.

THERE WOULD BE MANDATORY SERVICES FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF TRAFFICKING THE DEADLY DRUG.

POSSESSION OF ONE TO TWO GRAMS THREE-YEAR SENTENCE, TWO TO FOUR GRAMS, FOUR TO EIGHT YEARS, AND EIGHT OR MORE CARRIES A LIFE SENTENCE IN PRISON.

THE SENATE GAVE FINAL PASSAGE EARLIER TODAY IN LESS THAN A MINUTE AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IT INTO LAW THIS AFTERNOON.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM GREG REED SUPPORT TO THE HIGH PRIORITY LAWMAKERS PLACED ON THIS ISSUE.

>> I'VE HEARD FROM MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS, DETAILS ON THINGS FROM THE DEA AT THE BORDER AND WHY THIS IS SUCH A PANDEMIC ISSUE FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA IN REGARD TO FENTANYL AND HOW TERRIBLE AND AWFUL THE OUTCOMES HAVE BEEN AS A RESULT OF -- THAT'S WHY WE PASSED THE BILL IN NO TIME.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS ISSUE.

WE GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO TRY TO DO THEIR BEST TO ENFORCE THE LAW ON THIS ISSUE.

IF YOU ARE IN ALABAMA, AND YOU ARE DEALING FENTANYL AND ENGAGED IN FROM PRACTICE, WE WANT YOU TO GO TO PRISON AND BE OFF THE STREETS AND HAVE THE TOOLS FOR EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT OPTION TO DEFEND OUR CITIZENRY AND PROTECT OUR KIDS.

>> ALSO GOING TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK IS A BILL THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME VISITATION RIGHTS.

SENATE BILL 113 FROM SENATOR GUDGER WAS APPROVED 101 WITH FOUR ABSTAINING.

IT REQUIRES HEALTHCARE FACILITIES TO ESTABLISH POLICIES THAT WOULD ENSURE IN-PERSON VISITS UNDER CERTAIN SCENARIOS SUCH AS PEDIATRIC OR END-OF-LIFE SITUATIONS.

THE SENATOR EXPLAINED THE BILL ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" YESTERDAY.

>> THE BILL IN THE END ALLOWS FOR VISITORS TO COME TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE VISITORS IS THE HOSPITAL IN CHARGE OF PROCEDURES BUT THIS GOES A STEP FURTHER AND DOES AN ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER.

IT IS DESIGNATED BY THE PATIENT.

AND WE HAVE IN THE BILL IF THE PATIENT IS NOT ABLE TO DESIGNATE AN ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER WE HAVE A POWER OF ATTORNEY OR GARDEN OR FAMILY MEMBERS.

FROM THAT THEY HAVE AN ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER THAT CAN BE BY THEIR SIDE TWO HOURS A DAY NO MATTER WHAT AND WITH VISITING HOURS.

YOU HAVE VISITING HOURS PLUS TWO HOURS A DAY.

SO VISITORS ARE CONTROLLED BY THE HOSPITAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND THE TREATING PHYSICIAN.

IF THE TREATING PHYSICIAN SAYS THIS PERSON IS TOO SICK, FOR EXAMPLE, TO HAVE WHITE EMPLOYEE BLOOD CELLS FROM CANCER -- >> THAT DOES HAPPEN.

>> IT DOES AND YOU DON'T NEED PEOPLE IN THERE WITH THE FLU OR WITH CHILDREN AND THERE ARE NO VISITORS IN THAT ROOM BUT THIS BILL GOES TO THE NEXT STEP AND SAYS YOU CAN DESIGNATE AN ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER THAT WILL BE BY THAT PERSON'S BEDSIDE TWO HOURS A DAY.

>> THE HOUSE APPROVED TWO TAX CUT MEASURES IN UNANIMOUS VOTES.

HOUSE BILL 116 WOULD ELIMINATE THE LOWEST STATE INCOME TAX RATE OF 2% AND HOUSE BILL 115 REDUCES THE HIGHEST RACE OF 5% DOWN TO 4.95%.

THE BILLS WHICH GO THE SENATE ARE BY SENATOR GARRETT.

>> IT IS A COMPLEX, RUIN BIGS CUBE OF POLICIES.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE OTHER THINGS CONSIDERED THAT WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT THOUGH THE BUDGET WE WANT TO PUT THE BUDGET IN JEOPARDY.

WHAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS BEEN BUILDING ON THIS STRATEGY OF TRYING TO TARGET AND GIVE RELIEF WHERE WE CAN WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING THE BUDGET.

LAST YEAR WE INCREASED THE CAN EXEMPTION FOR TAXPAYERS THAT MAKE LESS THAN $50,000.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN ALABAMA THAT HELPED THEM.

WE CONTINUE TO BE A LOW TAX STATE AND BECOME A LOWER TAX STATE.

>> THE PAST FEW MONTHS JEFFERSON COUNTY LAWMAKERS HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT DANGEROUS AND DEADLY STREET RACING AND CAR STUNTS IN THE CITY.

SENATE BILL 58 FROM RODGER SMITHERMAN WOULD STRENGTHEN PENALTIES AND GIVE POLICE BETTER TOOLS TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM.

THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE SENATE AFTER PASSING UNANIMOUSLY.

>> SEEING PEOPLE COMING DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND DOING DOUGHNUTS AND WHAT NOT AND WE HAVE HAD FOUR PEOPLE GET KILLED AS A RESULT OF THAT.

RIGHT NOW THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IS DEAL WITH MISDEMEANORS, RECKLESS DRIVING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WE UPPED THE ANTE WHERE WE GET THESE PEOPLE AND VEHICLES OFF THE STREET FOR THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF CITIZENS.

>> THE BILL REALLY DOES GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO CLAMP DOWN ON THE DANGEROUS DRIVING THAT'S OUT THERE.

WHEN I SAW YOU FILED THIS BILL, I APPLAUD YOU FOR IT AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING ATTENTION TO.

>> I HAVE ALMOST BEEN RUN OVER.

I'VE SOON IT PERSONALLY IN THE COUNTY AND WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM.

IT IS NEEDED.

>> ONE ISSUE LAWMAKERS ARE GRAPPLING WITH THIS SESSION IS WHETHER TO OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE.

YEARS OF MISMANAGEMENT AND SOME BAD LUCK CAUGHT UP WITH THE COLLEGE RECENTLY AND IT IS FACING POTENTIAL CLOSURE.

SCHOOL LEADERS ARE ASKING THE LEGISLATURE FOR $35 MILLION IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

SOME LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN RESISTANT TO THE IDEA WHILE SOME, INCLUDING HOUSE SPEAKER LEDBETTER SAID THEY WOULD BE OPEN TO A LOAN OF SOME KIND.

ONE SENATOR IS PLEADING WITH HER COLLEAGUES TO COME TO THE COLLEGE'S RESCUE.

>> AS A LEGISLATOR, I HAVE A DUTY TO REPRESENT THE CONSTITUENCY BASE OF THAT AREA, A DUTY TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP AREAS INCOME REVENUE PRODUCING.

I HAVE A DUTY TO THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES BUT ALSO THE STUDENTS.

LOOK AT THE INVESTMENTS THESE PARENTS HAVE MADE.

THESE PARENTS CHOSE THAT COLLEGE FOR A REASON.

BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN HAS BEEN ONE OF THE TOP LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES IN THE COUNTRY, NOT JUST THE SOUTHEAST BUT IN THE COUNTRY AS HAVING ONE OF THE TOP POLITICAL SCIENCE PROGRAMS AND NOT ONLY THAT, ALABAMA CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE NOT ANOTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, ESPECIALLY AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING.

>> I'LL TALK TO SPEAKER LEDBETTER ABOUT THIS AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES IN OUR EXTENSIVE INTERVIEW WHEN WE COME BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

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

♪ >> THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY WAS FOUNDED IN 1901 BECOMING THE FIRST PUBLICLY FUNDED INDEPENDENT ARCHIVES AGENCY.

IT MAKES ACCESSIBLE ARTS AND ARTIFACTS AND RECORDS TO THE STATE.

THE FIRST DIRECTOR WAS EXCEEDED BY HIS WIFE WHO HEADED THE ARCHIVES FOR 35 YEARS AND THE SECOND WOMAN TO LEAD THE STATE AGENCY.

>> MY SON'S NAME IS NATHAN.

NATHAN IS A WELDER.

HE ENJOYS IT.

LOVES IT.

SO MY PLAN THAT HE WOULD GRADUATE FROM PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL AND GO ON TO AUBURN UNIVERSITY, WHICH IS WHERE EVERYONE ON HIS DAD'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY GOES TO COLLEGE.

IT IS VERY OBVIOUS NOW THAT I HAVE THE ABILITY TO STEP BACK, HE DOES MUCH BETTER HANDS-ON LEARNING.

NATHAN HAD TAKEN A TOUR AT A LOCAL CAREER TECHNICAL SCHOOL AND WAS VERY INTERESTED IN THE WELDING PROGRAM.

MY INITIAL REACTION ABOUT A CAREER TECHNICAL SCHOOL WAS PROBABLY THE FARTHEST FROM THE TRUTH.

YOU KNOW, I WAS PROJECTING MY THOUGHTS ON TO HIM AND MY EXPECTATIONS ON TO HIM AND IT REALLY TOOK A LOT OF MOM MATURITY TO STEP BACK AND JUST STEP UP AND BE THERE FOR HIM.

AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, NATHAN FOUND A WELDING JOB VERY QUICKLY.

I'D SAY WITHIN THREE WEEKS OF GRADUATION WAS WORKING FOR A LOCAL CONTRACTOR.

I REMEMBER HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH MY OWN MOTHER AND SHE SAID, IS THERE ANY MONEY IN WELDING AND WHAT EXACTLY DO WELDERS DO?

AS A 19-YEAR-OLD, HE IS MAKING $47 AN HOUR, RIGHT.

I THOUGHT I WAS RAISING A CEO AND AS IT TURN OUT I WAS RAISING A WELDER.

WHO KNEW?

NATHAN KNEW.

♪ JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE NATHANIEL LEDBETTER, SPEAKER OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> ALWAYS AN HONOR TO BE WITH YOU.

>> THE NEWS OF THE DAY IS HB-1.

THE PRIORITY FOR THE HOUSE, THE PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNOR DEALING WITH FENTANYL, CRACKING DOWN ON FENTANYL TRAFFICKING.

IT IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE LAW TONIGHT.

TALK ABOUT THIS FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

YOU CALLED THIS EARLY ON.

YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS AS A PRIORITY OVER A YEAR.

>> SPEAKER IS ONE OF MY PRIORITIES, I THINK ACROSS THE STATE WE HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF DEATHS BECAUSE OF FENTANYL AND IT'S BECOME A CRISIS IN OUR STATE BECAUSE THE BORDER BEING AS OPEN AS IT IS WE ARE GETTING MORE FENTANYL IN THE COUNTRY.

IT DOESN'T TAKE A LARGE AMOUNT OF FENTANYL TO BE DEADLY.

SOME THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED, THAT PEOPLE TALK TO ME ABOUT, EVEN IN MY OWN DISTRICT WHERE PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IN ALABAMA, IF YOU BRING IT TO OUR STATE YOU WILL BE IN JAIL A LONG TIME.

I FELT THE BILL CHAIRMAN SIMPSON COME UP WITH KNOWING THE THINGS GOING ON IN OUR STATE, I THOUGHT IT WAS A PRIORITY.

AS SPEAKER IT WAS MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AND SEEING IT GET OUT AND THE SENATE PASS IT TODAY I'M APPRECIATIVE OF THEM GETTING IT THROUGH AND I'M SURE THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN IT THIS AFTERNOON.

>> MR. SIMPSON TALKED ABOUT THE ISSUE MAY BE BROADER THAN LEGISLATION.

IT IS ABOUT AWARENESS AND MAYBE THIS IS A STARTING POINT TO CRACKING DOWN, NOT JUST LEGALLY, NOT JUST FOR PROSECUTORS BUT PUBLIC AWARENESS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

THANKS TO SHOWS LIKE YOURS AND BEING ABLE TO SEE IT, PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN THE TRAVESTY GOING ON IN THE STATE BECAUSE OF FENTANYL WILL LEARN ABOUT IT AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT SEE OR HEAR ABOUT IT MAY STAY AWAY FROM IT.

THAT'S THE THING.

ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS I'VE SEEN, THERE'S ENOUGH FENTANYL ACROSS THE BORDER TO KILL EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD IN OUR COUNTRY.

THIS IS A DEADLY DRUG, ONE OF THE MOST DEADLY DRUGS WE HAVE SEEN.

TO CURTAIL IT IN ALABAMA IS A PRIORITY OF OURS AND I'M CERTAINLY GLAD TO SEE IT HAPPENING TODAY.

>> CAN'T FIX THE BORDER.

BUT YOU CAN DO THIS.

THIS IS WEEK 4 OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

DAYS FIVE, SIX AND SEVEN.

WE ARE ONE-FIFTH THROUGH THE SESSION WHICH IS KIND OF CRAZY.

>> REALLY IS.

>> THIS IS YOUR FIRST SESSION AS SPEAKER.

ARE YOU PLEASED WITH THE PACE AND HOW THINGS HAVE GONE IN THE CHAMBER?

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

I THINK OUR MEMBERS ARE ENGAGED AND WE HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO GO OVER THE ISSUES WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT ON THE DAY.

WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS STAFF AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB AND YOU PUT IT TOGETHER AND WE HAVE A GOOD COMBINATION.

THE LEADERSHIP TEAM IS STRONG AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE DIRECTION AND INITIATIVE THEY ARE TAKING TO LEAD ON MAJOR ISSUES.

THE ONE WE JUST TALKED ABOUT WITH CHAIRMAN SIMPSON IS PRIME EXAMPLE OF THAT.

I'M EXCITED.

I THINK THE BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD OF US AND EXCITE ABOUT WHERE WE ARE AT AND SEEING SOME OF THE GUYS IN THE TRENCHES THE PAST FEW YEARS STEP UP AND BECOME CHAIR PEOPLE.

I THINK WE ARE GOING IN A GOOD DIRECTION.

>> THE ONE BILL THAT GOT HUNG UP WAS THE DISTRACTED DRIVING BILL BUT THAT ALWAYS SORT OF HAPPENS.

>> IT DOES.

>> AND TO THE POINT WHERE IT GOT TABLED.

IT LAID ON THE TABLE, I GUESS AT THE CALL OF THE CHAIR AND THEN ADJOURNMENT RIGHT THEN.

IS THAT A SIGN THAT BILL IS TOO CONTROVERSIAL RIGHT NOW OR NEEDS WORK?

>> I THINK IT NEEDS SOME WORK.

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS TODAY WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE, MATT SIMPSON HAD SOME CONCERNS ON THE BILL.

>> HE HAD AN AMENDMENT.

>> HE DID.

AND FRANCES HOLK-JONES HAD ONE AND A.J.

CAMPBELL HAD TALKED TO ME.

SO WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS GET THEM TOGETHER AND SAY OKAY IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN OR SOMETHING ON THE BILL, LETS TALK ABOUT IT.

I THINK THE BODY NEEDS A CHANCE TO VOTE ON IT, UP OR DOWN AND SEE WHERE IT GOES FROM THERE.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S AN ISSUE.

DISTRACTED DRIVING, DUI, IT IS PRETTY SIMILAR.

DISTRACTED DRIVING IS THE SAME AS DUI OR HOLDING A DEVICE IN YOUR HAND.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.

>> COMPLICATED.

TO HEAR SOME OF THE DEBATE, YEAH, WHAT IS TEXTING VERSUS USING THE GPS?

IT IS NOT EASY TO SPLIT THESE HAIRS.

>> IT'S NOT.

WE HAVE HAD SOME WOMEN TALKING ABOUT, WHEN I PUT MY MAKEUP ON.

THAT'S PROBABLY NOT WHAT YOU NEED TO BE DOING.

>> I HEARD REPRESENTATIVE SAY SHE WAS DOING HER MASCARA.

>> I'VE SEEN IT.

I'VE GONE DOWN THE ROAD AND SEEN IT HAPPENING OR AT THE RED LIGHT MORE THAN DRIVING BUT WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES.

WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO REVISIT IT.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN THING.

THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY WANTING THE LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE AS MUCH AS $35 MILLION TO ESSENTIALLY BAIL THEM OUT.

I DON'T MEAN THAT IN THE PEJORATIVE BUT IT IS KIND OF WHAT IT IS.

YOU COMMENTED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS.

MAYBE THE LEGISLATURE WOULD BE OPEN MORE TO A LOAN SITUATION THAN A ONE-TIME BAILOUT.

>> I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

I HAVE COME OPPOSED TO THE ONE-TIME BAILOUT AND HAVEN'T CHANGED MY VIEW ON THAT.

I THINK THE PRESIDENT HAS GOTTEN CREATIVE AND I TALKED TO MY BUDGET CHAIR AT LENGTH ABOUT IT AND THERE ARE TWO OR THREE OPPORTUNITIES AND WE CAN LOOK AT IT AND IF WE CAN DO THE LOAN AND GIVE PEOPLE OF THE STATE, IT'S THEIR MONEY, COLLATERAL SO IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN THEY COULD GET THEIR MONEY BACK.

THEY HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS AND A LOT OF FACILITIES DOWN THERE THAT COULD BE USE.

WE WANT TO GO FORWARD AND I THINK DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND I'M NOT SAYING IT MIGHT BE IT BUT I THINK IT IS MORE LUCRATIVE THAN A BAILOUT AND THE PEOPLE WOULD BE MORE APPRECIATIVE THAN A STRAIGHT BAILOUT.

>> KIND OF GIVE THEM SOME SKIN IN THE NAME?

>> IT DOES GIVE THEM SKIN IN THE GAME AND IF SOMETHING WERE TO GO WRONG THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO GET THEIR FUNDS BACK.

>> INTERESTING.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THESE INCENTIVE BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED FINALLY.

GOODNESS, THE RUN UP TO THIS WAS THE BIGGEST TEASE BUT FINALLY FILED.

YOU WERE PART OF THIS UNIQUE PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE IT WAS THE GOVERNOR, ALL THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP, BOTH PARTIES.

WHEN YOU ALL GET LINED UP ON SOMETHING I DON'T SEE A CHANCE OF THIS NOT PASSING.

DO YOU EXPECT WHEN YOU GET BACK FOR THESE TO MOVE QUICKLY?

>> I THINK SO.

WE WILL SEE THEM ON THE FLOOR POSSIBLY AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

MY THING WAS INSTEAD OF PUSHING THEM HARD AND FAST, I WANT THE MEMBERS TO LOOK AT THEM AND VET THEM AND THEY WILL HAVE THEM OVER THE WEEKEND.

IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS THEY CAN ASK THEM.

WE DID THE SAME THING WITH ARPA FUNDS, HAD MEETINGS AND HAD PEOPLE A CHANCE TO ASK ANY QUESTION AND WE WILL DO THAT NEXT WEEK.

AFTER THEY VET THEM WE WILL HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE SECRETARY'S OFFICE TO ASK AS MANY QUESTIONS AS THEY WANT AND I'M SURE LEADER DANIELS WILL BE DOING THE SAME THING.

I TALKED TO HIM AND THE PRO-TEM AND I THINK WE ARE ON A GOOD PATH AND WILL HAVE A POSITIVE RESULT.

>> IS THAT IMPORTANT IN GENERAL WITH SO MANY NEW MEMBERS, YOU HAVE 32 NEW MEMBERS, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THEY ARE SOAKING EVERYTHING IN.

DRINKING FROM A FIRE HOSE.

IS IT IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE TIME TO READ A BILL, UNDERSTAND, ASK QUESTIONS RATHER THAN RUSH IT THROUGH?

>> IT IS FOR ME.

I THINK IT IS MORE TRANSPARENCY.

IT GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE VESTED IN WHAT WE ARE DOING.

REGARDLESS OF IF YOU ARE A FRESHMAN OR SENIOR MEMBER, I THINK YOU DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE COMING OUT AND, YOU KNOW, THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION WE HAVE DONE THAT.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING IT'S EASIER FOR THEM TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND SAY THIS IS A GOOD THING FOR OUR STATE AND FOR YOU IN OUR DISTRICT.

>> YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO GO BACK AND SAY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

THAT PUTS THEM IN A BAD SPOT.

>> IT DOES.

WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING AND AS MEMBERS WE ARE OBLIGATED TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY ONCE THE BILLS COME OUT TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHAT IS IN THEM.

>> SPEAKING OF THE NEW MEMBERS, WHAT IS YOUR OBSERVATION OF HOW MOST OF THEM HAVE TAKEN TO THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS NOW THEY HAVE HAD -- I GUESS SEVEN DAYS UNDER THEIR BELT.

>> I'M EXCITED FOR THEM.

I THINK WE HAVE SOME RIGHT PEOPLE THAT HAS COME IN AND THEY HAVE BIG SHOES TO FILL, SOME OF THE ONES THAT LEFT THAT HAD THE SENIORITY BUT THEY ARE ENERGETIC AND WILLING TO LISTEN.

ONE THING I FOUND FROM THIS GROUP IS THEY WANT TO LEARN AND ARE WILLING TO LISTEN TO THE SENIOR MEMBERS THAN CHAIRS AND TO THE FOLKS IN THE BODY, TO THE LEADER AND REALLY CAPTURE ALL OF THAT IN.

LISTEN, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES AND WE HAVE HAD SOME MISTAKES.

I HAVE MADE, TODAY IS ONE OF THEM, BUT WE WILL HAVE MISTAKES ALONG THE WAY.

IT IS PART OF THE LEARNING PROCESS.

THEY ARE SOAKING IT IN.

>> YEAH.

SPEAKING OF NEW THINGS TO DO, I GUESS TODAY WAS THE FIRST SPECIAL ORDER CALENDAR OF THIS NEW LEGISLATURE, NEW RULES CHAIRMAN.

YOU HAVE YOUR SPEAKERS PICKS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

DID THAT PROCESS GO SMOOTHLY?

>> IT DID.

IT WENT GREAT.

THE CHAIRMAN FROM LEE COUNTY IS DOING A GREAT JOB.

WHEN I CHOSE HIM TO BE THE RULES CHAIR, I KNEW HIS PERSONALITY.

I FELT LIKE IT FIT GOOD IN THE ROLE.

I KNEW HE WAS SMART.

FOR ME, IT WAS A NATURAL FIT FOR HIM AND HE IS NOT ONLY DONE WHAT I THOUGHT HE COULD DO BUT EXCEEDED THAT.

I'M PROUD OF THE WORK HE'S DOING AND I THINK THE MEMBERS REALLY RESPECT HIM.

TO BE HONEST, TO BE RULES CHAIR AND HAVE THE RESPECT FOR THE MEMBERS IS A PRIMARY GOAL OF MINE.

THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

I THINK CHAIRMAN LOVVORN HAS GAINED THAT FROM THE MEMBERS.

>> THAT'S TOUGH.

WHEN YOU ARE THE ONE THAT PUT THE BILL ON THE CALENDAR.

>> HE GAINED A LOT OF FRIENDS.

>> WHILE I HAVE YOU, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

TODAY THE NEWEST CRISIS CENTER OPENED IN MONTGOMERY I'M LOSING COUNT.

I THINK IT IS THE SIXTH BUT THIS IS A LEGACY OF YOURS.

YOU REALLY WERE SPEARHEADING THIS.

YOU AND THE GOVERNOR TO REALLY DO MORE IN TERMS OF GETTING CRISIS CENTERS OPEN, REALLY HELPING OUT LAW ENFORCEMENT TO NOT JUST SEND FOLKS IN CRISIS TO JAIL.

TALK ABOUT THAN FROM -- ARE YOU PLEASED THAT WE HAVE GONE THIS FAR OR DO YOU WANT MORE PROGRESS DOWN THE ROAD?

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHERE WE ARE AT.

TO COME AS FAR AS WE HAVE IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME IS AMAZING.

TODAY THE THIRD CRISIS CARE CENTER WE OPENED AND WE WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF SIX AND THEY ARE READY TO BE ONLINE AND IN PROCESS.

THE THING I GET NOW IS THE SPACE IS NOT AS MUCH AS WE NEED.

FROM THE STANDPOINT OF A POLICE OFFICER, WHEN AN OFFICER CAN DRIVE INTO THE FELT, PHYSICALLY DRIVE INTO IT AND LET THE PATIENT GO IN -- THE THING IT DOES, I THINK, IT GIVES THEM THE CARE THEY NEED IMMEDIATELY BUT NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE OFFICER THAT IS ON PATROL FOR THE CITIZENS THAT HE SERVES, IT GETS HIM A CHANCE TO GET BACK TO THE ROAD QUICKER.

>> THEY DON'T HAVE TO BOOK THEM AND ALL OF THAT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> FROM THAT STANDPOINT IT HAS BEEN GREAT.

IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE I WILL BE GOING TO ATLANTA NEXT WEEK TO SPEAK TO A NATIONAL GROUP BECAUSE OF WHAT ALABAMA HAS DONE IN MENTAL HEALTH.

>> INTERESTING.

THEY HAVE INVITED YOU TO COME SORT OF TALK ABOUT THE EXAMPLE.

>> YEAH.

>> THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN A LOT.

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

WE ARE SEEING DIFFERENT STATES PICK UP OUR MODELS AND ONE OF THEM IS DELAWARE AND THEY ARE COPYING SOME OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE.

WHEN I WAS IN OKLAHOMA CITY THIS SUMMER, THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT ALL THINGS MENTAL HEALTH.

IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, STEPS THAT COULD BE DONE, WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED THOSE STEPS.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE FOR A CHANGE THAT WE ARE LEADING IN SOMETHING.

I THINK IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE PEOPLE'S HEALTH ACROSS THE STATE.

ONE THING, TODD, THAT I HAVE TALKED ABOUT WHEN I SPEAK TO DIFFERENT GROUPS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND I THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND MORE NOW BECAUSE A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT'S ON TV, WHETHER IT IS A SPORTS FIGURE OR MOVIE STAR, A SINGER, ARE COMING OUT SAYING I HAVE HAD SOME ISSUES.

IT'S NOT TABOO LIKE IT ONCE WAS.

I THINK STARTING THIS PROGRAM IN THE STATE HAS MADE IT LESS TABOO FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

WE FIGURED OUT IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO BE HEALTHY MENTALLY AS PHYSICALLY.

WE STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO AND THINGS TO DO BUT THE ENGAGEMENT FROM THE BODY HAS BEEN EXCITING AND THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN IN TUNED THE WHOLE WAY.

>> WELL, WE GET A BREAK OVER THE WEEKEND AND COMING BACK DO YOU EXPECT ANOTHER THREE-DAY WEEK, MORE FAST-PACED STUFF OR WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT WHEN THE LEGISLATURE COMES BACK?

>> WE WILL HAVE A THREE-DAY WEEK.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE UP TIME WE LOST DURING THE SPECIAL.

BECAUSE WE STARTED IT LATER, BEING AN ELECTION YEAR PUT US BACK, IN WHAT WOULD BE SOME PEOPLE'S VACATION TIME.

WE MAY TRY TO END IT QUICKER BUT WE WANT TO GET THE DAYS IN AND MAKE SURE THE 30 DAYS WE ARE ALLOWED WE GET THEM IN.

I THINK THIS HELPED OUR PROCESS.

ONCE WE WILL START ON TUESDAY AND COME IN WEDNESDAY TO OPEN THE JOURNAL TO DO SOME BILLS AND HOUSE COMMITTEE MEETINGS COME BACK ON THURSDAY AND ANOTHER FULL DAY LIKE TODAY.

>> OKAY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK NEXT WEEK.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, NATHANIEL LEDBETTER, THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WE'LL 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 ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> MOUNDVILLE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK CONTAINS THE REMAINS OF ONE OF THE LARGEST PREHISTORIC NATIVE AMERICAN SETTLEMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

FOUNDED IN 1120, IT WAS LOCATED ON THE WARRIOR RIVER SOUTH OF TUSCALOOSA.

A THRIVING CEREMONIAL AND POLITICAL CENTER OF MISSISSIPPI AND CULTURE, THE SITE WAS OCCUPIED FOR MORE THAN THREE CENTURIES BUT ABANDONED BY THE EARLY 16TH CENTURY.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:30 WITH OUR WEEK IN REVIEW EPISODE HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.