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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TODAY WAS BOTH A COMMITTEE DAY AND A LEGISLATIVE DAY HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE.

THAT MAKES FOR A LOT OF ACTION FOR LAWMAKERS, LOBBYISTS AND US IN THE MEDIA.

HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS.

THE HOUSE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE MET AND TOOK UP THE CONTROVERSIAL CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT BILL.

HOUSE BILL 272 FROM REPRESENTATIVE SHANE STRINGER OF SARALAND WOULD REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT GUN OWNERS OBTAIN A PERMIT TO CARRY A CONCEALED HANDGUN.

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL ITERATIONS OF THE BILL AND THIS IS THE LATEST FROM HOUSE REPUBLICANS.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT SIMPLY AFFIRMS SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS, BUT OPPONENTS, INCLUDING SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT, SAY IT TAKES AWAY AN IMPORTANT TOOL POLICE USE TO PROTECT OFFICERS.

>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS THIS BILL GIVES RAW ABIDING CITIZENS ABLE TO ONLY A FIREARM THE ABILITY TO CARRY THAT FIREARM CONCEALED OR IN THEIR CAR FOR THEIR PROTECTION.

IT'S NOT VERY COMPLICATED.

IT DON'T CHANGE WHO CAN OR CANNOT CARRY AND IT DOES NOT CHANGE WHERE YOU CAN OR CANNOT CARRY.

IT ONLY ADDRESSES THE PERMIT ITSELF.

THIS BILL DOES NOT DO AWAY WITH PERMITS.

PERMITS WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE FORS ARE RECIPROCITY AND FOR SCHOOLS -- SCHOOL ZONES FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT YOU HAVE A PISTOL PERMIT.

>> THE BILL PASSED COMMITTEE AND IS SET TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE FULL HOUSE TOMORROW.

THE SENATE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE TOOK UP A BILL THAT WOULD DELAY BY THREE YEARS THE HOLDBACK PROVISION OF THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT.

SENATOR RODGER SMITHERMAN OF BIRMINGHAM IS SPONSORING THE BILL FOR THE SECOND TIME AFTER GOV.

KAY IVEY VETOED IT LAST YEAR.

UNDER THE LITERACY ACT, STUDENTS WHO DO NOT READ PROFICIENTLY BY THIRD GRADE WOULD NOT BE PROMOTED TO FOURTH GRADE STARTING THIS YEAR.

IVEY HAS RECENTLY SAID SHE SUPPORTS A ONE YEAR DELAY OF THE HOLDBACK PROVISION.

TODAY IN COMMITTEE, SMITHERMAN ACCEPTED AN AMENDMENT FOR A TWO YEAR DELAY.

>> LAST YEAR WE HAD COVID-19.

WE HAD THE PROBLEMS.

A YEAR OUT NOW, ALL WE GOT -- WE GOT OMICRON AND COVID-19 AND WE CAN'T GET PEOPLE TO TEACH THESE KIDS.

I MEAN THAT'S A FACT.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT DEBATABLE.

THEY CAN'T EVEN GET SUBS NOW.

WE HAVE KIDS -- THAT'S WHY WE HAVE BROADBAND HAVE KIDS THAT CANNOT GET CONNECTED.

BUT THE POSITION IS MORE ON ADMINISTRATIVE STEPS THAN IT IS TRYING TO SAVE THESE CHILDREN.

>> SENATE BILL 200 PASSED AS AMENDED 82.

I'LL SPEAK WITH MARK DIXON OF THE A PLUS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP ABOUT THE LITERACY ACT LATER IN THE SHOW.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TOOK UP A BILL THAT REMOVES THE CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR POSSESSING LESS THAN TWO OUNCES OF MARIJUANA.

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON HAS SPONSORED THE BILL.

HE SAID 38 OTHER STATES HAVE DECRIMINALIZED SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA.

>> I THINK WHAT IT DOES, IT KEEPS OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FROM BEING BACKED UP WITH THESE, YOU KNOW, MARIJUANA CASES.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN STILL ARE NOT BEING COMPED AND HAVING TO PAY FINES.

YOU HAVE 3 SHOTS AT THIS.

THE 1ST TIME YOU GET CAUGHT WITH MARIJUANA UP TO 2 OUNCES YOU GET A $250 FINE.

THE SECOND SHOT WOULD BE $500 AND THE 3RD WOULD BE A CLASS D FELONY.

WHAT WE'RE DOING IS TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT JUST LOCKING PEOPLE UP ON MARIJUANA CHARGES AND TURN THAT FROM A CRIMINAL TO A CIVIL FINE >> SENATE BILL 160 PASSED BY A 5 TO 4 VOTE.

D>>IT NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

>> THE HOUSE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE TOOK UP A BILL THAT WOULD BAN TRANSGENDER STUDENTS FROM USING SCHOOL BATHROOMS AND LOCKER ROOMS THAT DO NOT MATCH THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH.

SUPPORTERS OF HOUSE BILL 322 ARGUE IT IS ABOUT SAFETY AND KEEPING MALES OUT OF FEMALE BATHROOMS.

OPPONENTS, INCLUDING THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN, SAID THE BILL WOULD CODIFY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANSGENDER YOUTH AND PUT THEM AT RISK OF BEING ATTACKED OR BULLIED.

THE BILL PASSED COMMITTEE AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION.

LAST YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED AND GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SIGNED A LAW PROHIBITING TRANSGENDER STUDENTS FROM PLAYING ON HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS TEAMS NOT MATCHING THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX.

>> MOVING TO FLOOR ACTION, THE HOUSE DEBATED AND PASSED A BILL FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE PARKER MOORE OF DECATUR INTENDED TO HELP MILITARY FAMILIES MOVING TO ALABAMA.

HOUSE BILL 151 WOULD EXTEND FROM 180 DAYS TO 360 DAYS THE WINDOW OF TEMPORARY PROFESSIONAL LICENSES FOR MILITARY SPOUSES RELOCATING TO ALABAMA.

THE BILL WOULD ALSO APPLY TO SPOUSES OF NASA AND FBI EMPLOYEES.?

Reporter: UNDER EXISTING LAW OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARDS ARE REQUIRED TO ADOPT RULES AND TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE OF CERTIFICATION OF SPOUSES FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL IF THE APPLICANT POSSESS' LAWMAKERS OR CERTIFICATE FROM ANOTHER STATE THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVELENT TO ALABAMA'S LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS AND THIS BILL WOULD REVISE THE DATE BY WHICH THE RULES MUST BE ADOPTED AND EXTENDAL TIME FRAME FOR WHICH A TIME IS EFFECTIVE FOR A MILITARY SPOUSE AND IT WOULD NO LONGER EXEMPT MILITARY HOUSING BOARDS FROM THE ACT.

>> THE SENATE DEBATED AND PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR TO NOTIFY VICTIMS' FAMILIES BEFORE COMMUTING A DEATH SENTENCE TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

SENATE BILL 196 FROM SENATOR STEVE LIVINGSTON WOULD ALSO REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR TO NOTIFY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

LIVINGSTON SAID THE MEASURE STEMS FROM THE LAST MINUTE COMMUTATION OF JUDITH ANN NEELY BY FORMER GOVERNOR FOB JAMES BACK IN 1999.

>> THIS FAMILY HAS RELIVED THIS HOW MANY TIMES?

THEY RELIVE IT EVERY TIME SHE COMES UP FOR PAROLE.

>> WHILE I COULD HAVE SYMPATHY FOR THAT FAMILY BUT WE CONTINUE TO MAKE LAWS AROUND ONE SOMEBODY IN THE STATE AND EVERYBODY ELSE HAS TO SUFFER FOR IT.

>> THIS IS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

>> I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

AND THAT'S WHAT -- THAT'S WHY I'M STANDING HERE TALKING.

WE WANT THE PEOPLE TO VOTE ON IT AND PUT IT IN THE CONSTITUTION.

THAT'S WHAT BOTHERS ME WITH THIS.

IT WAS SOMETHING WE WERE AUTHORIZING THE GOVERNMENT BY STATUTE TO DO SO BUT WE WANT TO PUT THIS IN THE CONSTITUTION?

THAT'S WHAT -- THAT WOULD BE THERE FOR FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER.

>> COMING FROM LA THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE COULD DO THIS.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>>> NEXT ON THE PROGRAM I'M JOINED BY MARK DIXON, PRESIDENT OF THE A PLUS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP.

MARK, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> TELL US MORE ABOUT A PLUS AND WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION DOES.

>> A PLUS OCCUPATION PARTNERSHIP HAS BEEN AROUND 30 YEARS AND WE ARE A STATEWIDE ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATION.

WE BRIEF EVERYBODY CHILD DESERVES AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION REGARDLESS OF ZIP CODE.

WE HAVE THE ALABAMA BEST PRACTICES CENTER AND COLLEGE READY BOTH OF WHICH PROVIDE COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT TO TEACHERS AROUND THE STATE, SO WE'RE WORKING WITH TEACHERS EVERY DAY, ONE FOOT IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE, ONE FOOT IN THE STATEHOUSE.

>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING WAY TO PUT IT.

I KNOW YOU WERE A BIG PROPONENT OF THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT PASSED IN 2019.

WHY WAS THAT RAW SO IMPORTANT.

>> LITERACY AND READING ARE THE FOUNDATION OF ALL LEARNING.

SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT STRONG FOUNDATION A CHILD IS NOT GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ANY OTHER SUBJECT OR LIFE.

SO ESTABLISHING THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THE LITERACY ACT IS A STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO IMPROVE LITERACY IN OUR STATE WITH HISTORIC FUNDING TO GO WITH IT.

SO $85 MILLION RECOMMENDED IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ALONE THIS YEAR FOLLOWED BY AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF FEDERAL DOLLARS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OVER $110 MILLION THAT ARE GOING DIRECTLY TO THESE EFFORTS AND THIS IS -- THAT STATEWIDE STRATEGY INCLUDES SEVERAL COMPONENTS.

.UP FRONT IS CHAINING TEACHERS TO GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO TEACH SIGNS.

AND ALSO TO HAVE THE HIGH QUALITY READING PROGRAMS THAT HELP THEM TO DO THAT IN THE CLASSROOM EVERY DAY AND ALSO INFORMATIVE ASSESSMENT THAT HE IS LOOK AT WHERE STUDENTS ARE AND TO IDENTIFY GAPS EARLY SO WE CAN TELL IF WE HAVE PROBLEMS EARLY IN KINDERGARTEN AND THEN TO PROVIDE INTERVENTIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CORRECTING THE PROBLEMS AND GIVING THEM THE FOUNDATIONAL STEPS THEY NEED.

>> I READ A LOT ABOUT READING COACHES IN ADDITION TO TEACHERS SET TO SYMPTOMS THROUGH THE STATE.

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

WE HAD COACHES THROUGH THE ALABAMA READING INITIATIVE IN EVERY K-3 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AROUND THE STATE.

THAT AIR A CRITICAL COMPONENT AND PROVIDE SUPPORT ON THE GROUND AND APPROACH THEM USING DATA TO HELP IDENTIFY THOSE CHALLENGING STUDENTS AND COACH THEM ON HOW TO BETTER APPROVE THE SUPPORT THEY PROVIDE.

THE LITERACY ACT ADDED MORE REGIONAL COACHES TO WORK WITH OUR BOTTOM 5 PERCENT SO THAT THE SCHOOLS THAT NEED THE MOST SUPPORT ARE GETTING THE MOST SUPPORT.

>> YOU KNOW THIS LAW PASSES IN 2019.

OF COURSE THE NEXT YEAR COVID HITS.

THIS PANDEMIC THAT 4 A LOT OF IMPACTS ALONE LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS, AND SO THE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE DELAYED THE LITERACY ACT OR THE HOLD BACK PROVISION.

THE GOVERNOR VETOED THAT BILL SO IT DIDN'T TAKE EFFECT AND NOW THE GOVERNOR, HAVING ALL OF THE DATA OR HAVING THE DATA SAID A ONE YEAR DELAY IS NECESSARY AND THEN RODGER SMITHERMAN SAID A 3 OR 4 YEAR DELAY.

IT'S CONFUSING TO THE REST OF US.

WHAT IS YOUR RECOMMENDATION ON ISSUED THIS LAW BE DELAYED?

SHOULD THE OLD BACK BE DELAYED AND BY HOW FAR.

>> WE SUPPORTED GOV.

IVEY'S POSITION TO VETO THAT DELAY LAST YEAR AND THE MAIN REASON IS THAT WE HAD NOT SEEN ANY DATA YET.

WE WERE CIVIL LOOKING AT ASSESSMENT DATA ON WHERE STUDENTS WERE AND THE STATE HAS A BRAND-NEW END OF THE YEAR ASSESSMENT THEY GIVE THAT IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE LITERACY ACT AND THAT'S WHY THEY'RE COMING BACK THIS AND TALKING ABOUT THAT.

LAST YEAR THE FOLKS NEEDED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CHILD CONTINUES TO GET THAT SUPPORT SO THEY CAN LEARN TO READ.

WE FELT LIKE ANY DELAY AT THAT TIME WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE-FOOT OFF THE GAS.

WE HAVE SEEN AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MOPE TUB ITEM SINCE THE LAW WAS PASSED THAT WOULD SAY GOOD FOR STUDENTS.

WE SUPPORT A ONE YEAR DELAY AFTER SEEING THE INITIAL DATA AS WELL AS TO FINALIZE THAT NEW ASSESSMENT AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S IN PLACE SO WHEN WE FULLY IMPLEMENT THAT IN A YEAR THEN WE KNOW ALL OF THAT DATA IS ACCURATE AND WEAVER FOCUSED ON THE STUDENTS THAT NEED THAT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.

SO WE'RE FOR THAT.

HOWEVER, YOU KEEP EXTENDING THIS OUTS 2, 3, 4 YEARS AND YOU TAKE AWAY ALL OF THAT MOW MOMENTUM THAT THE LAW WAS MEANT TO DESIGN.

WE KEEP FORGETTING EVERY TIME WE DELAY THIS A YEAR WE'RE PASSING ON ANOTHER COR SHORT OF STUDENTS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE SUPPORTED AND HAS LITTLE CHANCE OF GRADUATING WITHOUT THOSE SKILLS.

>> I HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE, LOS ANGELES LAWMAKERS AND OTHERS TALK ABOUT RETENTION AND HOLD BACKS AS IF IT'S JUST A KNOW BRAINER.

OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO DO THAT.

BUT MY GUT FEELING IS THAT THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF OTHER PEOPLE'S KIDS.

WHEN IT'S YOUR KID THAT IS GOING TO BE HELD BACK AT 3RD GRADE THAT'S A DIFFERENT THING.

SO WHENEVER THIS LAW GETS IMPLEMENTED AND WHENEVER THAT PROVISION DOES HAPPEN A LOT OF KIDS WILL BE HELD BACK AND PARENTS UPSET.

I WOULD IMAGINE THERE WOULD BE BACKLASH.

HOW DO WE HANDLE THAT?

>> THE WHOLE POINT IS TO GET KIDS READING SO THEY CAN BE EFFECTIVE LEARNERS.

THAT 3RD TO 4TH GRADE TRANSITION IS WHERE KIDS LEARN TO READ AND THEN TO READING TO LEARN.

THEY HAVE TO READ TO DO SCIENCE AND MATH AND OTHER STUDIES.

AND ALSO IT'S NOT JUST BASED ON ONE TEST.

IT'S BASED ON MULTIPLE TEST AND A STUDENT READING PORTFOLIO THAT FOCUSES ON THOSE THINGS THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND THE GOAL IS 20 MAKE SURE THAT YOU AIR ONLY ON OBTAINING THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT ONE1 MORE YEAR TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THOSE SKILLS.

YOU WANT TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM EARLY AND NOT GET INTO HIGH SCHOOL WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE KIDS WHO WANT TO READ.

ALL PARENTS WANT THEIR KIDS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND WE HAVE TO BE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF COMMUNICATING HOW THAT JOB IS GOING TO WORK.

>> IT'S WELL-KNOWN THAT WE HAVE TALKED A LOT ON THE PROGRAM ABOUT WE'RE LAST IN MATH, WE'RE NEXT TO THE LAST IN READING.

IT'S A PROBLEM.

WELL-KNOWN.

AND YET THERE ARE ATLANTA OF FOLKS THAT JUST DON'T SEEM TO HAVE A CERTIFICATION OF URGENCY ABOUT IT.

MAYBE THEIR KIDS ARE IN A GOOD SCHOOL SYSTEM OR IN PRIVATE SCHOOL.

AND IT'S THIS SINCE OF SENSE OF WELL, I'M NOT THAT WORRIED ABOUT THINKS BACKSLIDING IN EDUCATION IS IN OTHER POOLS.

HOW DO YOU GET THOSE FOCUS INTERESTED IN THE PUBLIC EDUCATION OUTCOMES?

>> LOOK WE HAVE A CRISES IN MATH.

6.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY WAY GOAT AROUND IT.

WE ARE LAST AND WE VOLCANO HAVE BEEN LAGGING AND PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN USED TO THAT.

WE LOOKED AT THE MOST RECENT STATE DATA AND TEST DATA FOR STUDENTS.

100 DISTRICTS, 102 DISTRICTS IN THE STATE, THAT'S EVERYONE OVER 70 PERCENT OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE LESS THAN A QUARTER OF THEIR STUDENT'S PROFICIENT IN MATH.

SO WE'RE TALKING IN 70 PERCENT OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS 3 OUT OF EVERY 4 CHILDREN IS NOT EFFICIENT.

THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR STUDENTS AND NOT GOOD FOR THE STATE'S VIABILITY.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO CHANGE RIGHT NOW AND LONG YES, MA'AM.

>> AND SPEAKING OF THAT, THERE'S NO MESSAGE WAND IN PUBLIC POLICY.

ANY CHANGES HAVE TO HAPPEN OVERTIME.

POLITICS IS WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY SO HOW DO YOU TALK TO COUPLE OF WEEKS OTHER POLICYMAKERS AND GET THEM INVESTED INTO LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS WHEN THEY REALLY WANT A QUICK BUSINESS.

>> THERE'S A LAW WORK WORKING RIGHT NOW AND I THINK WE NEED A STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT LOOKS AT MATH AS WELL.

NOT THE SAME BILL.

NOT TALKING ABOUT RETENTION OR THAT IT HAS TO LOOK THE SAME BUT THE CORE COMPONENTS ARE, THAT TRAINING FOR TEACHERS AND THE SUPPORT FOR MATH, ESPECIALLY IN GRADES K-5 TO HAVE, AGAIN, THOUGH HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN THE CLASSROOM THAT THE KIDS USE AND INTERVENTION FOR THOSE BEHIND.

WE HAVE TO PUT A DEDICATED FOCUS ON THIS AS STATE.

THAT'S WHAT THE LITERARY ACT HAS DONE.

WE HAVE SILOS GOING AROUND IN DEEP COMMITMENT BUT WE AREN'T MAKING THAT I SAY PRIOR TO GIVE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.

>> MARK, UNAWARE OF COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE PARKER MOORE FROM DECATUR THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODD.

>> YOU HAD A BILL UP TO TODAY ON THE FLOOR HAVING TO DO WITH THE MILITARY AND MILITARY FAMILIES.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

>> SURE.

IT'S ALL PART OF THE LT.

GOVERNOR'S PACKAGE WE HAD THIS PAST SESSION.

AND IT'S BASICALLY THE WHOLE INTENT IS TO MAKE US THE MOST MILITARY FRIENDLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

AND ESSENTIALLY WHAT MY BILL DID WAS TO HAVE A FAMILY THAT IS COMING IN AND RELOCATE THE GUY OUR STATE TO HAVE THEIR SPOUSE, IF THEY HAVE A LICENSE FROM ANOTHER STATE THAT IS SIMILAR TO OURS TO GIVE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY TO COME IN AND START THEIR PRACTICE OR WHATEVER THEY DO AS SOON AS AND AS SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE.

SO UNDER MY BILL IT ALLOW'S SPOUSE TO COME IN AND APPLY FOR A TEMPORARY LAWMAKERS THAT HAS TO BE GRANTED IN 30 DAYS.

AND CURRENT LAW STATES THAT THAT TEMPORARY LICENSE IS GOOD FOR 108 DAYS AND THIS BILL EXPANDS ON THAT TO EXPAND IT OUT TO THE 360 DAY MARK SO RIGHT SHY OF A FULL YEAR SO THEY CAN COME IN AND SEAMLESSLY MOVE INTO THEIR PROFESSION WITH WHAT THEY'RE DOING BECAUSE RELOCATION IS, AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, ON A MILITARY FAMILY, IT BECOMES ROUTINE.

BUT IT'S STILL STRESSFUL.

>> SO IF I -- SO SOMEBODY RELOCATES TO REDSTONE FROM OUT OF STATE AND THEIR SPOUSE IS A HAIR HAIRDRESSER OR A REALTOR, THAT'S THE KIND OF THING YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, THOSE LICENSES?

>> CORRECT.

AND I CARRIED A BILL THIS LAST SESSION THAT KIND OF LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY AND SOME OF THOSE LICENSES BUT THIS ALSO EXPANDS IT UP TO INCLUDE THOSE OF OUR MEMBERS THAT ARE WITH THE FBI, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, WITH NASA, SO THIS OPENS IT UP TO A LITTLE BIT MORE BROADER RANGE FOR THOSE THAT GET BUMPED AROUND.

>> NASA AND FBI, THOSE ARE AREAS OF HUGE GROWTH IN YOUR AREA.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, 3 OR 4 YEARS, THAT THE GROWTH AND THE OPPORTUNITY HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS ON HAVING THAT ABILITY TO COME IN AND ALSO TRYING TO MAINTAIN, YOU KNOW, WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY BUT ALSO EMBRACING YOU KNOW, WHAT IS COMING IN, THE CHALLENGES AND THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE SEEING AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE BILLS THAT WILL HELP ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES THAT WE ARE SEEING.

>> SPEAKING OF GROWTH.

Y'ALL HAVE ONE OF -- I DON'T KNOW, PROBABLY ONE OF THE STATE'S BIGGEST DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS EVER, THE MAZDA PLANT.

IT'S A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY BUT A TREMENDOUS CHALLENGE IN TERMS OF GETTING ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ALL OF THAT READY.

WHAT IS THE LATEST?

>> IT IS.

THE -- IT'S BASED ON A TIER SYSTEM SO WE'RE STILL GETTING A FEW OF THE SUPPLIERS, TIER 3 SUPPLIERS COMING IN AND THAT IS NOT COMPLETELY DONE BUT IT IS A $1.6 BILLION INVESTMENT WITH UP TO 6,000 JOBS WHICH IS HUGE ECONOMIC IMPACT SO GOING AROUND WHEN I RAN FOR OFFERS THAT WAS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE EVERYONE WAS CONCERNED WITH WAS KEEPING UP WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WAS COPPING AND WE ARE VERY FORTUNE THAT WE HAVE HAD OVER $114 MILLION THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME IN AND HELP WITH THAT INFRASTRUCTURE SURE AND WE REALIZE THAT SEEMS LIKE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY.

BUT DOWN THE ROAD WE'RE STILL LOOKING FOR THE FUTURE, WHAT IS COMING SO WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF ROOM THAT WE HAVE TO GROW.

SWITCHING GEARS THERE'S A HOT ISSUE IN THE STATEHOUSE HAVING TO DO WITH CONCEALED CARRY PERMITS, THE BILL GOT THROUGH HOUSE COMMITTEE TODAY.

I COULD BE ON THE FLOOR PRETTY SOON.

AND I KNOW THAT YOU'RE A CO-SPONSOR OF THE BILL.

WALK ME THROUGH WHY YOU SUPPORT THIS CONCEAL CARRY BILL.

>> SURE.

IT'S BEEN A HOT TOPIC FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

AND I THINK THAT REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTSSON LAID THE FOUNDATION THIS LAST YEAR WITH HIS LIFETIME CARRY PERMIT BILL THAT SETS UP THAT THAT PROHIBIT THE PERSONS LIST THAT PUT THAT FOUNDATION TO KIND OF EASE POTENTIALLY SOME OF KNOWS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT THAT HAD SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS BUT STILL ON THE OTHER (HANDS DOCUMENT.)

RESPECTS THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THIS BILL.

SO I THINK THAT HAS ALLOWED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS BILL TO FINALLY COME UP AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE STATE.

IT'S FIGHTING TO PROTECT OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THIS BILL, AND I WANT TO THAT REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTSON AND SHANE STRINGER FOR THEIR VERY HARD WORK ON THIS BILL AND -- >> YOU KNOW AT THE SAME TIME WE DID SEE A LOT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SHERIFF'S AND POLICE OFFICERS COMING DOWN TO SAY THEY STILL HAD CONCERNS ABOUT DOING AWAY WITH THIS -- WHAT THEY CALL A TOOL THEY USE TO PROTECT THEIR OFFICERS.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE CONCERNS?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW -- AND I DON'T WANT TO PUT ANYBODY ON AN ISLAND BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN IN ALL OF THE MEETINGS THEY HAVE BUT FROM WHAT WE HAVE SEEN, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS BILL OVER 2 AND A HALF YEARS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO THE TABLE TO ADDRESS EVERY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED -- THEY HAVE COME.

AND I THINK NOW IT'S TO THE POINT WHERE IT'S COME TO THE REALIZATION THAT WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THIS AND TAKE THIS ISSUE UP.

AND I THINK THOSE SMALL FEW THAT ARE STILL IN OPPOSITION TO THIS ARE JUST TRYING TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD A LITTLE BIT WITH IT.

>> IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO WATCH, ONE OF THE HOTTEST ISSUES HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW AT 10:30 FOR MORE LEGISLATIVE COVERING.

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