>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, AS LAWMAKERS WOUND DOWN THEIR WORK WEEK TODAY IN MONTGOMERY, A NON-LEGISLATIVE CONTROVERSY WAS DOMINATING A LOT OF THE CONVERSATION IN THE HALLS.

IT SURROUNDED SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL REPORTEDLY ADMITTING TO AN INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIP WITH A WOMAN OTHER THAN HIS WIFE, SOMETHING THAT PROMPTED HIM TO ANNOUNCE ON WEDNESDAY THAT HE WON'T RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE NEXT YEAR, OR ANY OTHER ELECTED OFFICE.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WEIGHED IN IN THE LAST 24 HOURS, SAYING ITS ALWAYS UNFORTUNATE WHEN AN ELECTED OFFICIAL BETRAYS THE TRUST OF HIS CONSTITUENTS AND FAMILY.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON, WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED WITH JOHN MERRILL IN THE LOWER CHAMBER, WAS ASKED BY A REPORTER ABOUT THE AFFAIR CONTROVERSY THIS AFTERNOON >> I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY COMMENT, MIKE.

YOU KNOW, I, JUST IT'S A SAD SITUATION.

I HATE THAT HE'S GOING THROUGH THAT WITH HIS FAMILY.

NO, I DON'T HAVE ANY COMMENT ABOUT THAT.

>> DON: MEANTIME, REPRESENTATIVE JUANDALYNN GIVAN OF BIRMINGHAM WAS ALSO SPEAKING OUT TODAY ON THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE SECRETARY OF STATE, RELATING TO BOTH HIS ALLEGED INFIDELITY AND TO ALLEGATIONS FROM THE OTHER WOMAN THAT HE USED RACIST LANGUAGE, SOMETHING MERRILL HAS DENIED.

>> I CAME INTO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITH JOHN MERRILL.

I HAD A LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

AND I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED AND I FEEL HE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AND HE NEEDS TO DO IT IMMEDIATELY.

IF THERE'S ANY ISSUES OR IMPROPRIETY OR MALFEASANCE ON HIS BEHALF, HE NEEDS TO DO, JUST LIKE GOVERNOR BENTLEY, HE SHOULD STEP DOWN AND RESIGN IMMEDIATELY.

>> DON: JOHN MERRILL HAS REPORTEDLY SAID HE'S VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH HIS BEHAVIOR, BUT THAT HE INTENDS TO COMPLETE HIS TERM AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

THE HOUSE TODAY GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO LEGISLATION THAT WOULD SET UP A LIFETIME CONCEALED CARRY PISTOL PERMIT IN THE STATE.

SUCH PERMITS ARE CURRENTLY LIMITED TO FIVE YEARS.

THE LEGISLATION WAS SPONSORED IN THE LOWER CHAMBER BY REPRESENTATIVE PRONCEY ROBERTSON OF MOUNT HOPE, WHO SAYS IT ALSO SETS UP A STATEWIDE DATABASE OF PEOPLE PROHIBITED FROM HOLDING THE GUN PERMITS.

>> ONCE YOU PURCHASE THE PERMIT, THE LIFETIME CONCEPT, ONCE YOU HAVE THAT, THE SHERIFF, THE LOCAL SHERIFF BECOMES RESPONSIBLE FOR ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS TO DO BACKGROUND CHECK.

AND HE CAN DO IT MORE OFTEN IF HE CHOOSES TO.

THE LAW DOESN'T RESTRICT HIM TO THAT.

BUT IF THEY CHOSE TO DO THE BACKGROUND CHECK MORE OFTEN, WE ENCOURAGE THAT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HE HAS THE BACKUP OF KNOWING IF THERE'S A CONVICTION EVEN IN ANOTHER COUNTY THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THAT HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT THE PERSON IS NOW ON THE PROHIBITED LIST.

>> DON: REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTSON'S LEGISLATION SETS A FEE OF $300 FOR THE LIFETIME CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT, ALTHOUGH IT COULD BE REDUCED IF A PERMIT HOLDER'S PREVIOUS LICENSE IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE.

THE FEE IS $150 FOR THOSE 60 YEARS OLD AND OLDER.

IT WOULD BE WAIVED FOR ACTIVE OR RETIRED MILITARY OR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WITH TODAY'S FINAL PASSAGE IN THE HOUSE, THE BILL NOW GOES TO GOVERNOR KAY IVEY FOR HER SIGNATURE.

THE SENATE TODAY UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BAN VACCINE PASSPORTS IN ALABAMA, LIKE THOSE THAT ARE BEING DEVELOPED IN SOME OTHER STATES.

SUCH DOCUMENTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECEIVE GOODS AND SERVICES FROM A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ENTITY.

THE LEGISLATION IS SPONSORED BY SENATOR ARTHUR ORR OF DECATUR, WHO CONTENDS THAT ALLOWING SUCH VACCINATION PASSPORTS IN ALABAMA COULD CREATE A SYSTEM OF, AS HE PUT IT, HAVES AND HAVE NOTS.

>> MAYBE THEY DON'T WANT TO GET A VACCINE OR MAYBE THEY ARE IN A RURAL AREA AND THEY ARE NOT PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO GET A VACCINE.

AND THERE WERE PEOPLE WITH HEALTH ISSUES, SAY, THEY CAN'T GET VACCINATED.

WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO?

THE RESTRICTION ON CIVIL LIBERTIES OF PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE OR DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, GOING TO AN AUBURN-ALABAMA FOOTBALL GAME AND THEY SAY, NO, NO, NO, YOU DON'T HAVE A PASSPORT.

YOU CAN'T GET IN THE GAME.

>> DON: SENATOR ORR SAID TODAY THAT HE FELT THAT ANY DEMAND BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS TO CARRY PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION STRIPS THEM OF THE RIGHT TO MAKE BASIC CHOICES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

HIS BILL TO BAN THE VACCINATION PASSPORTS IN ALABAMA NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE.

A CLOSELY WATCHED BILL THAT WOULD SET UP A STATE LOTTERY DID NOT COME BACK UP FOR A VOTE TODAY IN THE SENATE.

THE UPPER CHAMBER APPROVED THE ENABLING LEGISLATION ON WEDNESDAY, BUT CARRIED OVER A VOTE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD MAKE AN EXCEPTION IN STATE LAW FOR A LOTTERY.

CAPITOL JOURNAL ASKED ITS SPONSOR, SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE, WHEN THE BILL MIGHT COME BACK UP.

>> SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

I'M NOT GOING TO PICK A DAY.

BUT I'M WORKING ON A VOTE NEXT WEEK TO COMPLETE THIS PROCESS, GET BOTH PARTS PUT TOGETHER AND GET THEM OUT, SENDING THEM TO THE HOUSE SO THE HOUSE CAN GET TO WORK.

MAYBE WE'LL FINALLY BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO OUR CONSTITUENTS WHO SAY THEY WANT TO VOTE ON A LOTTERY.

>> DON: SENATOR MCCLENDON SAYS HE BELIEVES THAT HE HAS THE VOTES TO PASS HIS LOTTERY BILL NEXT WEEK, BUT THAT IT MAY BE CLOSE.

IF NECESSARY TO GET IT APPROVED, MCCLENDON SAYS HE WOULD CONSIDER ADDING A MORE COMPREHENSIVE GAMING ELEMENT TO HIS LEGISLATION.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE PRONCEY ROBERTSON OF MOUNT HOPE IS BACK IN THE STUDIO.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, DON.

>> WELCOME BACK.

CONGRATULATIONS FINAL PASSAGE IN THE HOUSE TODAY OF YOUR LIFETIME CARRY PERMIT LEGISLATION.

THIS TOOK THREE YEARS TO ACCOMPLISH BUT FINAL PASSAGE IN THE HOUSE AND NOW ON THE WAY TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HER SIGNATURE.

REMIND FOLKS THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL.

>> WELL, THE PROCESS, IT WAS PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE WE WORKED WITH DIFFERENT ENTITIES AND PARTNERS, FROM THE SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION TO OUTSIDE PARTNERS, LIKE, THE NRA, ALEA, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION CENTER IN ALABAMA, TO FIND THE RIGHT APPROACH.

IT WAS JUST TO UPDATE AND BRING ACCOUNTABILITY AND STANDARDIZATION TO THE PERMITTING PROCESS.

WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED THAT WITH THIS BILL.

WE'VE CREATED AN OPTION OF A LIFETIME PERMIT FOR OUR CITIZENS, TO GIVE THEM, THOSE WHO ARE FRUSTRATED THE YEAR AFTER YEAR BACKGROUND CHECK.

THIS ALLOWS THE SHERIFFS TO DO THAT AND THEN TO BE ABLE TO DO REPETITIVE BACKGROUND CHECK ON THE PERMIT LIFETIME HOLDERS, GIVING THE SHERIFF THE ASSURANCE THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT THOSE FOLKS ARE STILL STAYING LEGAL.

AND THEN CREATE A TOOL FOR WHAT'S CALLED A PROHIBITED FIREARMS PERSON REGISTRY.

>> DATABASE OF THOSE WHO DON'T QUALIFY FOR THE PERMIT?

>> YOU GOT IT.

ACTUALLY, SOME PEOPLE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT, YOU YOU ARE CREATING A STATEWIDE DEBUT, I'VE HEARD THAT OF PISTOL PERMIT HOLDERS.

AND NOT AT ALL.

THERE'S NO NAME OF PISTOL PERMIT HOLDERS.

AND THE PROHIBITED PEOPLE, HOLDS THE NAMES OF THOSE PEOPLE CONVICT NATURAL DISASTER A COURT OF LAW, RULED PERHAPS MENTAL DEFECT, SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT, IN PROBATE COURT.

THOSE THAT CANNOT POSSESS A WEAPON.

SO, WHEN AN OFFICER HAS CONTACT WITH AN INDIVIDUAL AND IF THEY HAVE BEEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW, ADJUDICATED OF A CRIME THAT WOULD MAKE THEM PROHIBITED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A FIREARM UNDER FEDERAL OR STATE LAW THEIR NAME WOULD BE ON THE LIST.

AND MUCH LIKE A SEX OFFENDER, LIKE THE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY.

SO, THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEBUT, ONLY BE CONCERNED IF YOU ARE PROHIBITED OR CONVICTED OF SOMETHING.

>> AND THAT DATABASE SEEMED TO HAVE CAUSED THE -- >> THOSE OUT THERE WANT TO SEE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY.

AND I SAY TO THEM, THOSE DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY, THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IF THEY EVER HOPE TO HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS THAT TOOL TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHO THE PROHIBITED INDIVIDUALS ARE.

THIS IS GOING TO MOVE US A HUGE STEP IN THAT DIRECTION OF GIVING LAW ENFORCEMENT THE ASSURANCE THEY NEED THAT THOSE PEOPLE THEY ARE APPROACHING OUT THERE ARE PROHIBITED.

AND EVEN FROM A FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVE, MYSELF, IT'S NOT SO MUCH WHO HAS A PERMIT.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT WHO IS PROHIBITED.

THAT'S WHAT THIS LAW DOES.

IT ALLOWS US TO START IDENTIFYING THOSE EASILY FOR THE OFFICERS WHO ARE ON THE STREET.

SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO DIG THROUGH THINGS, GUESS, OR HAVING A TRAFFIC STOP OR ANY OTHER ENCOUNTER A LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSON HAS FOR THEM.

>> IT'S A $200 FEE FOR THE LIFETIME?

>> IT WENT TO $300.

AND THAT'S IMPORTANT TO MENTION THAT.

THAT $300 WAS THROUGH A LOT OF NEGOTIATION, OF COURSE, THE NRA AND THOSE TYPE GROUPS WOULD LIKE IT TO BE 0 WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY.

AND OUR SHERIFFS WERE LOOKING IN THE RANGE OF 500 TO $800.

AND AFTER ALL OF THAT WORK, ALL OF THE COMMUNICATION, AND THE PARTIES AT THE TABLE AND MY SENATE SPONSOR, I WANT TO GIVE HIM SO MUCH CREDIT, SENATOR RANDY PRICE, SENATOR REED, THE NEW SENATE PRO TEM.

SO MANY SENATORS GOT INVOLVEMENT TO HELP US THROUGH THIS WITH THE PARTIES SOMETIMES THAT CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT.

THIS IS A VERY PASSIONATE ISSUE WITH VERY REAL CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THIS WOULD EFFECT THEM.

IT TOOK WORK FOR ALL OF THEM TO GET TO THE TABLE AND FOUND A BALANCED APPROACH.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

I KNOW PEOPLE WANT THIS EXTREME OR THAT EXTREME.

BUT PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS HERE IS TAKING STEPS THAT ARE POSITIVE, BALANCED APPROACH TO WHATEVER WE DO.

AND I REMEMBER WHEN WE GOT HERE, JUST THREE YEARS AGO, SPEAKER McCUTCHEON MADE THE STATEMENT TO US AS FRESHMAN, YOU WANT TO LEAVE THIS PLACE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT.

THE GOAL SHOULD BE TO IMPROVE THINGS.

DOESN'T MEAN I'M MAKING IT PERFECT, BUT WE MOVE THAT NEEDLE TO LOOKING FOR THINGS THAT CHANGE LIFE FOR THE BETTER AND THE PROCESS IS FOR THE BETTER.

I'M REALLY CONVINCED THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THE BILL.

I HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA WILL APPRECIATE THAT.

>> AND ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THAT THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO SIGN IT INTO LAW?

>> I HOPE SO.

GOVERNOR IVEY HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THE POLICIES AND SO FOR THE.

WE'VE TALKED TO HER STAFF AND COMMUNICATED WITH ABOUT THE BILL ALL ALONG.

AND ALL INDICATIONS TELL ME WE WILL SEE THE GOVERNOR WITH THE BILL VERY, VERY SOON.

>> AND THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WANT AN OPTION FOR THE LIFETIME PERMIT.

AND NOW, ONE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES TINES CARRY A BILL THAT SAYS PERMITS ARE NOT REQUIRED.

THEY ARE OPTIONAL.

DO YOU THINK THAT WORKS HAND IN HAND WITH THAT PHILOSOPHY?

>> ABSOLUTELY DOES.

AGAIN, THIS IS A STEPPING STONE.

EVEN IF CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY COMES BEFORE THE END OF THE SESSION OR NEXT YEAR, THIS BILL SETS THE STAGE FOR THAT.

IT PREPARES THOSE TOOLS FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND IT BEGINS TO PREPARE OUR COMMUNITIES WITH THE EXTRA OPTION THERE AS WELL.

PEOPLE, WHO EVEN IF WE GO CONSTITUTIONAL WHERE A PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED TO PURCHASE, IF YOU PLAN TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA UNDER THE RECIPROCAL CONTRACTS WITH THE OTHER STATES AROUND US, AND AGREEMENTS, YOU STILL NEED A PISTOL PERMIT.

THEY ARE STILL GOING TO BUY THEM.

EVEN CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BUY PERMITS EITHER WAY.

SO, WITH THAT, WE WANT THEM TO HAVE THE OPTION TO GO IN THERE AND PURCHASE THAT ONE AND DONE, LIFETIME PERMIT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO KEEP REPEATING THE BACKGROUND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

SO, THIS WORKS HAND IN HAND WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY.

AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY AND LIFETIME OPTION WHERE YOU HAVE THE CARD TO GO TRAVEL ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

AND FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVING THE TOOL NOT TO WORRY WHO HAS THE PERMIT BUT TO WORRY ABOUT, WHO IS, AND TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY EASILY, WHO IS PROHIBITED AND ADJUDICATED IN A COURT OF LAW.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME, BUT IN 60 SECONDS, YOUR BILL COMES AT A TIME WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED EXECUTIVE ORDERS WITH GUN CONTROL.

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE ORDER, LOOKED AT THEM ASKANCE PERHAPS?

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN PRETTY BUSY TODAY SO I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO STUDY THEM.

I KNOW THE DIRECTION THEY ARE LEANING AND I KNOW THAT OUR CITIZENS ARE VERY CONCERNED.

WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT OUR CITIZENS' SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED AND THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT POSSIBLE TO REACH OUT, OBTAIN A WEAPON, TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AT HOME OR OTHERWISE.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR, IN ALABAMA, WE'RE A SECOND AMENDMENT STATE, AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK TOWARD THE GOALS THAT I KNOW EVERYBODY WANTS US TO PROTECT OUR SECOND AMENDMENT AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE PRONCEY ROBERTSON OF MOUNT HOPE, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU BET.

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

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, DEBBIE WOOD OF VALLEY IS WITH US IN THE STUDIO.

WELCOME TO COUNTER.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE.

>> WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE BILL THAT YOU PRESENTED, GARNERED VISITING PATIENTS IN THE HEALTHCARE PLACES.

NOW, INSPIRED BY THE PANDEMIC, AS I MENTIONED BECAUSE WE WERE SEPARATED FROM OUR LOVED ONES DURING THE PANDEMIC WITH RESTRICTIONS.

YOU ARE CARRYING THIS BILL AND CAME WITH A PERSONAL STORY, DID IT NOT?

>> YES.

I ACTUALLY SAW THE BILL ADVERTISED.

I CALLED THE SPONSOR, SENATOR JUDGER AND I SAID, THANK YOU FOR THE BILL.

IT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED.

I'M EMOTIONAL ABOUT THIS BILL BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED TO MY MOTHER.

I'LL A SHARE THAT BRIEFLY.

I TOOK MY MOTHER TO THE E.R.

SHE HAD AN ISSUE WITH HER STOMACH.

THEY TESTED HER.

SHE TESTED NEGATIVE FOR COVID.

THEY DO THAT WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

SHE WAS PLACED IN THE HOSPITAL.

THREE DAYS LATER, WE WERE GIVEN A COVID POSITIVE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM HER DOCTOR.

SO, WE WERE NO LONGER ABLE TO STAY WITH HER.

THAT WAS DONE THROUGH AN X-RAY OF HER CHEST.

SO, THEY SENT OFF THE COVID TEST AGAIN AND IT CAME BACK NEGATIVE.

SO, IT WAS VERY STRANGE.

ANYWAY, SHE WAS THERE FOR AN EXTENDED STAY.

SO, I WAS ABLE TO GO IN AFTER THAT NEGATIVE TEST CAME BACK AND FEED HER, DOING THE THINGS THAT YOU DO FOR YOUR LOVED ONE WHEN THEY ARE IN THE HOSPITAL.

AND TO KIND OF RELIEVE THE PRESSURE FROM THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MUCH THEY HAVE TO DO.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, THEY JUST WERE OVERWORKED AND I SAID, UNDERPAID AND OVERWHELMED BY ALL OF THIS.

SO, WHEN THEY DECIDED TO TRANSFER HER TO THE NURSING HOME FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY SO SHE COULD COME HOME, FEDERAL REGULATIONS, NOT REGULATIONS COMING FROM OUR GOVERNOR -- AND I NEED TO BE SURE I SAID THAT -- BUT THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS ARE MUCH STRICTER IN THE NURSING HOME BECAUSE THERE ARE PATIENTS OLDER AND WHO HAVE UNDERLYING CONDITIONS.

SO, THEY SAID WE HAVE TO GO IN QUARANTINE FOR 14 DAYS YOU CAN'T SEE YOUR MOM.

14 LED TO 15.

IT WAS COLD WEATHER.

THE ONLY WAY YOU COULD SEE AN INDIVIDUAL WAS OUTSIDE, OUTDOORS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT YOU TO BRING THE VIRUS INSIDE.

THERE WAS TOO MANY PATIENTS THERE.

SO, WE WERE ABLE TO SEE HER ONE TIME.

AND IT WAS NOT GOOD.

BUT IN 23 DAYS, MY MOTHER WAS DECEASED.

SO, I LOST THE LAST 23 DAYS OF HER LIFE.

AND IT WAS VERY EMOTIONAL BECAUSE YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK TO YOUR PARENTS AT SOME POINT.

I'M NOT GOING TO CRY.

I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT.

BUT YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AND THAT OPPORTUNITY WAS TAKEN FROM ME.

>> Don: SO, THIS IS VERY PERSONAL FOR YOU.

>> OH MY GOODNESS, YES, IT IS.

AND MY OWN PERSONAL THOUGHT IS, I'M PROBABLY GOING TO GET A LOT OF FEEDBACK BUT IF YOU CAN DRESS A PHYSICIAN, NURSE, DIETICIAN, HOUSEKEEPER AND KEEP THEM SAFE, YOU CAN EQUIP A FAMILY MEMBER TO COME IN AND BE WITH THEIR LOVED ONE IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THEIR LIFE.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO GET TO.

ALSO, WHEN ALL OF THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS WERE TOLD, GO HOME.

YOU CAN'T COME TO THE NURSING HOME.

YOU CAN'T COME TO THE LONG TERM HEALTHCARE FACILITIES.

THINK OF THE GAPS THERE, THAT THOSE HEALTHCARE WORKERS HAD TO STEP UP.

I WAS USED TO RUBBING THE LOTION ON HER HANDS, MAKING SURE SHE HAD LIP BALM AND BRUSHING HER HAIR.

I CAN TELL YOU WHAT, WHEN THEY CALLED ME TO THE E.R., MY MOTHER LOOKED VERY UNKEPT.

AND I'M NOT HERE TO SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

>> Don: SURE.

>> BUT, BOY, DID WE LEAVE GAPS WHEN THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS WALK OUT OF THE FACILITIES.

WE COULDN'T HELP, JUST COULD NOT HELP THEM.

>> AND YOUR BILL SAYS WITH REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS, RESIDENTS, PATIENTS AT THE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES SHOULD BE ALLOWED AT LEAST ONE VISITOR.

>> EXACTLY.

WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR ALL FAMILY MEMBERS TO COME IN.

YOU MENTIONED REPRESENTATIVE KITCHENS WAS HERE.

>> RIGHT, LAST WEEK, AND HE TALKED ABOUT LOOSING HIS GRANDMOTHER DURING THE PANDEMIC AND HE WAS VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE BILL YOU BROUGHT.

>> RIGHT.

THEY STAYED OUTSIDE A WINDOW AND WATCHED HER PASS AWAY.

I KNOW THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

BUT THERE ARE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED.

AND ONE OF THE LESSONS SHOULD BE THAT WE NEED FAMILY CONTACT WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL.

THERE'S WAYS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

AND WE HAVE TO INSURE THAT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, THERE'S A WAY FOR AT LEAST ONE FAMILY MEMBER TO BE THERE, TO SHARE WITH THEIR LOVED ONE.

PEOPLE SHOULD NEVER DIE ALONE.

AND WE SHOULD NEVER NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THOSE LAST WORDS THAT WE WANT TO SAY.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT SENATOR GUDGER LEARNED ABOUT THE BILL AND WANTED YOU TO THANK HIM.

AND THEN HE ASKED YOU TO CARRY IT IN THE HOUSE BECAUSE OF YOUR PERSONAL STORY IN THE HOUSE AND IT WAS EFFECTIVE.

APPARENTLY IT WAS.

>> I SHARED MY STORY WITH HIM.

AND HE WAS VERY GRACIOUS, HE CALLED ME BACK AND HE SAID, I WANT YOU TO CARRY THE BILL.

AND I SAID, SENATOR, I DID NOT CALL YOU FOR THAT REASON.

AND I WILL SAY THIS.

REPRESENTATIVE ESTES WHO WAS THE ONE GOING TO CARRY THE BILL.

AND HE CALLED ME, AND HE SAID, DEBBY, I THINK YOU NEED TO CARRY THE BILL, BECAUSE OF YOUR STORY, I WILL STEP ASIDE.

SO WHEN YOU HEAR ALL OF THE NEGATIVE THINGS.

AND LAST NIGHT, WE HAD A VERY ROUGH SESSION.

THERE ARE SOME GREAT THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE BETWEEN MEMBERS THAT UNDERSTAND THAT IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, WE HAVE TO STEP ASIDE AND ALLOW SOMEBODY ELSE TO NAVIGATE THE PATH.

AND IF THEY CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN, WE'RE WILLING TO DO THAT.

SO, HE WAS VERY GRACIOUS.

AND REPRESENTATIVE MOONEY HELPED ME A LOT WITH THE BILL AS WELL BECAUSE HE HAD A PERSONAL STORY AS WELL THAT HAPPENED TO HIM.

SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT AND THEY ARE STILL WOUNDED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE.

SO, HOPEFULLY THIS CAN BRING A LITTLE BIT OF ENCLOSURE TO THAT.

WE STILL HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THINGS, STILL GOT TO GET IT THROUGH THE SENATE.

I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

THE NURSING HOME, THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, ALL OF THOSE ASSOCIATIONS COMING TOGETHER TO WORK ON THIS TO GET TUESDAY THIS POINT.

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO TURN AWAY FAMILY MEMBERS EITHER.

SO, IT JUST HAPPENED.

HOPEFULLY, WE'LL BE MORE EQUIPPED HANDLING THIS GOING FORWARD.

>> YOU MENTIONED IT WAS ROUGH IN THE HOUSE LAST NIGHT.

YOU WORKED LATE AND TACKLED CHALLENGING ISSUES.

A LONG, CHALLENGING DAY.

ROUGH.

>> WE HAD A LONG, CHALLENGING DAY BUT WE HAD A 10-MINUTE CALENDAR THAT DID NOT ALLOW FOR EXTRA DEBATE TO KILL A BILL.

SO, A LOT OF PEOPLE, OR SOME PEOPLE, SOME INDIVIDUALS FELT LIKE THEIR VOICES WOULDN'T BE HEARD.

SOME OF THESE BILLS THAT NEED TO GET PASSED.

WE ONLY HAVE NINE DAYS LEFT IN THE SESSION.

SO, WE HAD A VERY STRANGE SESSION LAST QUEER.

WE HAD A VERY STRANGE SESSION FIRST YEAR COMING IN, GOING STRAIGHT INTO THE SPECIAL SESSION.

AND THERE WERE PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT MEMBERS WORKED VERY HARD ON AND WE WANTED TO BE SURE THAT THOSE WERE ABLE TO AT LEAST GET THROUGH THE HOUSE.

>> WHAT WAS THE FINAL VOTE ON YOUR BILL?

>> IT WAS, YOU WOULD ASK ME THAT!

I DON'T HAVE THE COUNT.

>> BUT DID IT PASS HANDILY?

>> YEAH, YES, OH, I THINK THERE WERE ONLY FIVE THAT VOTED AGAINST.

AND THOSE WERE MAINLY BECAUSE THEY FELT LIKE NOT BECAUSE THEY WERE AGAINST THE BILL BUT THEY WERE AGAINST THE PROCESS.

THAT HAPPENS A LOT WHEN WE GET AT ODDS IN THE HOUSE OR IN THE SENATE.

IT'S NOT JUST NECESSARILY THE BILL OR NOT NECESSARILY ME.

I WANT TO SAY THAT, THEY LIKE ME.

YOU JUST WANT TO THINK THAT!

>> OF COURSE THEY DO.

>> BUT IT DEFINITELY SOMETIMES HAPPENS UNFORTUNATELY.

OH, YEAH, IT PASSED.

THERE WAS ONE THAT EVEN SPOKE AT THE MIC AGAINST THE PROCESS BUT VOTED FOR MY BILL.

SO, IT WORKED OUT GREAT.

>> GOOD LUCK AS IT MOVES THROUGH THE SENATE.

REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE WOOD FROM VALLEY.

THANKS FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:30 ON CAPITOL JOURNAL: WEEK IN REVIEW, WE'LL BE JOINED BY SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE, WHO'LL DISCUSS THE PROSPECTS FOR HIS LOTTERY LEGISLATION.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON OF GREENSBORO WILL TALK WITH US ABOUT HIS SUPPORT OF A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING PLAN, AND ABOUT CAUCUS CONCERNS WITH BILLS DEALING WITH VOTING AND RIOTING.

CONGRESSMAN BARRY MOORE OF ENTERPRISE WILL BE WITH US TO DISCUSS ANOTHER CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER BEING KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, BORDER SECURITY, AND HIS CONCERNS WITH THE PRESIDENT'S INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE END OF THE ALABAMA MASK MANDATE.

FOR ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.