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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

TODAY WAS DAY SEVEN OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2024 REGULAR SESSION.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE 30 MEETING DAYS TO COMPLETE WITHIN 105 CALENDAR DAYS, AND THERE MOVING AT A FAST PACE.

THE HOUSE WORKED THROUGH A CALENDAR OF BILLS THAT EMERGED FROM COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.

ONE BILL THAT SAW A LOT OF DEBATE HAS TO DO WITH LOCAL AIRPORT AUTHORITIES.

HOUSE BILL 87 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN WOULD ALLOW ALABAMA'S 96 PUBLIC-USE AIRPORTS TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH COMPANIES FOR PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

BROWN SAID THE INTENT WAS TO ALLOW CASH-STRAPPED AIRPORTS MORE ACCESS TO REVENUE.

A FEW LAWMAKERS QUESTIONED THE BILL'S EFFECT ON THE BIRMINGHAM SHUTTLESWORTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, BUT MOST AGREE WITH TH SPONSOR.

>> IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

LIKE THE STATEHOUSE AGREEMENT WITH RSA.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT?

IT'S THE END OF THE DAY, THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY IS -- IT'S GOING TO BE SPELLED OUT.

MORE THAN LIKELY IT WILL BE A SEPARATE ENTITY THAT YOU FORM TO DO THAT ONE OPERATION.

WHETHER IT BE SAFE OF SAY YOU BUILD A PARKING DECK.

THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT WOULD BE COULD OF TO COME UP WITH 60 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD A PARKING DECK AND THAT IS MONEY OUT OF OPERATIONS BECAUSE EVERY AIRPORT HAS TO COME UP WITH 010 TO 20 PERCENT FOR AN FAA MATCHING FUNDS SO THIS ALLOWS THEM TO DO THAT AND PROVIDE BETTER SERVICE TO THE CONSUMER.

>> THAT BILL PASSED 982 AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

THE HOUSE ALSO CONSIDERED SEVERAL BILLS THAT CAME THROUGH THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HAVING TO DO WITH CHANGES TO CRIMINAL LAW.

HOUSE BILL 42 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE DONNA GIVENS WOULD MANDATE LIFE SENTENCES FO ANYONE CONVICTED OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 19.

DUBBED THE SOUND OF FREEDOM ACT AFTER THE RECENT FILM ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING, THE BILL ORIGINALLY CALLED FOR THE DEATH PENALTY FOR SUCH CRIMES.

BUT THE BILL WAS AMENDED AFTER CONCERNS WERE RAISED ABOUT EIGH AMENDMENT IMPLICATIONS.

>> THIS BILL UNDER EXISTING LAW, TRAFFICKING IS A FIRST FIRST CLASS FELONY WHICH IS 20 YEARS.

THIS BILL CHANGES IT.

AS LONG AS IT IS SOMEONE 18 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER TO A MANDATORY LIFE SENTENCE.

FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

>> ONE THING THAT WE SEE A LOT OF, THAT THE COST IS UNDETERMINED, ALWAYS UNDETERMINED.

BUT BY THE TIME WE GET DOWN TO THE BUDGET, WE MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE THOSE FUNDS.

BUT WE HAVE ALREADY ALLOCATED THAT UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IN THE BUDGET, AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY AVENUES FROM WHICH TO GET THAT MONEY SO THAT WE CAN CARRY IT OUT.

SO IT COULD BE A POSSIBILITY THAT ENFORCEMENT MIGHT BE DELAYED.

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

THE HOUSE PASSED TWO OTHER NOTABLE JUDICIARY BILLS: HOUSE BILL FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY, WHICH WOULD MAKE THOSE CONVICTED OF SEX CRIMES AGAINST MINORS INELIGIBL FOR PAROLE.

AND HOUSE BILL 78 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP ENSLER, WHICH WOULD CREATE THE CRIME OF SWATTING - THAT'S CALLING IN A FALSE REPORT WITH THE INTENT TO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOW UP AT A RESIDENCE OR BUSINESS TO CAUS A DISTURBANCE.

I'LL SPEAK WITH BOTH THESE BILL SPONSORS LATER IN THE SHOW.

OVER IN THE SENATE, WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A NON CONTROVERSIAL DAY BROKE DOWN AFTER LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCE ON THE ISSUE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

SENATE BILL 129 FROM STATE SENATOR WILL BARFOOT WOULD BAR CERTAIN PUBLIC ENTITIES FROM HAVING A DEI OFFICE AND FROM PROMOTING DIVISIVE CONCEPTS RELATED TO RACE, SEX OR RELIGION.

THAT INCLUDES K THROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS HIGHER EDUCATION.

THE BILL WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA, BUT THE SIMPLE INTRODUCTION OF IT SET OFF ON DEMOCRATIC LEADER WHO DECRIED IT AS RACIST.

BARFOOT SAYS THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE.

>> THIS IS SERIOUS.

THIS IS A RACE OF PEOPLE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DESTROY.

A WHOLE RACE OF PEOPLE.

AIN'T NOTHING RIGHT ABOUT THAT.

AND WE CAN'T STAND UP HERE AND LET THAT HAPPEN.

YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND IT.

YOU MAY NOT EVEN CARE.

BUT, YES, WE SEE THE END RESULTS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING.

I.

KEEP SAYING THIS AND YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT LIKE IT'S SOME CAMEO THING.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS TO BE BLACK.

>> MY MOTHER WAS A HISTORY TEACHER SHE WOULD NOTING FOR THAT BILL IF THAT WAS THE AFFECT OF IT INTENT OR NOT AND THAT IS CERTAINLY NOT THE INTENT AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S THE AFFECT OF THE LEGISLATION OF THE THERE'S SPECIFIC LANGUAGE IN THERE THAT ENCOURAGES AND AUTHORIZES AND CONTINUES TO AUTHORIZE THE TEACHING OF HISTORICALLY ACCURATE HISTORY AND CERTAINLY I THINK THAT IS A FABRIC OF WHAT HAS MADE ALABAMA FROM A HISTORY STAND POINT THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.

>> THE SENATE ALSO TOOK TIME TO MARK THE PASSING OF A REVERED PAST MEMBER TODAY.

FORMER STATE SENATOR JACK BIDDL PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK.

THE LONGTIME GARDENDALE LAWMAKE WAS 94.

>> MOST OF YOU IN THIS CHAMBER KNEW JACK, AND YOU KNEW WHAT A GREAT GUY HE WAS.

WHAT A REAL TALENT HE WAS.

AND I'VE NEVER HEARD ANYBODY MAKING THAT -- A BAD COMMENT ABOUT JACK BIDDLE.

>> JACK COULD SEPARATE POLITICS FROM HUMIDITY.

AND HE HAD THE COURAGE THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN AT THAT TIME THAT A PERSON EXHIBITS.

IF JACK THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS FAIR AND HE THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS RIGHT, HE STOOD FOR THAT.

>> IN SENATE COMMITTEE TODAY, LAWMAKERS SPARRED OVER A BILL SPONSORS SAY IS INTENDED TO CLARIFY GENDER ROLES AND PROTEC WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

SENATE BILL 92 FROM STATE SENATOR APRIL WEAVER WOULD DEFINE GENDER INTO LAW AND ALLO STATE AND LOCAL ENTITIES TO ESTABLISH SINGLE-SEX SPACES AND ENVIRONMENTS.

SOME DEMOCRATS ON THE COMMITTEE PUSHED BACK SAYING IT WOULD UNDERMINE THE RIGHTS OF TRANS INDIVIDUALS.

>> I'M HERE TODAY TO INTRODUCE SB-92 WHICH CODIFIES THE TIME HONORED DEFINITION OF MALE, FEMALE, MAN, WOMAN, FEMALE, MOTHER, FATHER AND SEX.

I'M HERE TODAY TO STAND FOR WOMEN'S RIGHT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOWLEDGE THERE ARE ONLY TWO SEXES MALE OR FEMALE AND THE TERM SEX IS OBJECTIVE AND FIXED.

>> THERE IS AN ATTACKS ON TRANS PEOPLE ACROSS THE BOARD AND ESPECIALLY TRANCE WOMEN.

THIS LEGISLATION PUT FOR FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR PEOPLE OF ALABAMA?

HOW DOES IT RAISE WAGES FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA?

HOW DOES IT IMPACT ON NEW JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?

IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING.

THEY HAVE A BOGEYMAN, BOOGIEWOMAN RIGHT NOW AND THAT'S TRANS WOMEN.

>> THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PROPOSAL MOVED QUICKLY THROUGH THE HOUSE LAST WEEK, BU NOW THAT IT'S IN THE SENATE, TH PLAN IS SLOWING DOWN.

MULTIPLE REPUBLICAN SENATORS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROPOSAL AND SAID THEY NEED TIME TO REVIEW IT.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY, WHO SUPPORTS THE HOUSE PLAN, SAID SHE HOPED SENATORS WOULD PASS IT WITHOUT ANY CHANGES.

>> ILLEGAL GAMBLING IN THIS STATE IS ABSOLUTELY RAMPANT AND WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO FIX OUR BROKEN SYSTEM.

BUT WE HAVE TO DO I THE RIGHT WAY.

SO THE PACKAGE BILL I'M SUPPORTING TO PASS THE HOUSE AND GOING TO THE SENATE WILL ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE SENATORS HAS WE DID THE HOUSE MEMBERS AND I FULLY SUPPORT THE PACKAGE THAT PASSED THE HOUSE AND I HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY.

>> THE CAPITAL CITY WAS MET WIT BIG JUDICIAL NEWS AS THE LEGISLATURE RETURNED TODAY.

THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT ON FRIDAY RULED THAT FROZEN EMBRYO CREATED DURING FERTILITY TREATMENTS CAN BE CONSIDERED TH SAME AS CHILDREN UNDER STATE LAW.

THE DECISION WAS ISSUED IN A PAIR OF WRONGFUL DEATH CASES BROUGHT BY COUPLES WHO HAD FROZEN EMBRYOS DESTROYED IN AN ACCIDENT AT A FERTILITY CLINIC.

IT BROUGHT A RUSH OF WARNINGS FROM ADVOCATES WHO SAID IT WOUL HAVE SWEEPING IMPLICATIONS FOR IN-VETRO FERTILITY TREATMENTS.

ASKED ABOUT THE RUING'S IMPACT, GOVERNOR IVEY SAID SHE SUPPORTE THE COURT'S FINDINGS.

>> WELL, AS I HAVE SAID.

TIMES WE HAVE FOSTERED THE CULTURE OF LIFE AND PROTECTIVE SANCTITY OF LIFE, AND WE ALSO RESPECT THE WORK OF OUR COURTS.

AND ALTHOUGH I HAVEN'T READ ALL 150 PAGES OF THEIR RULING, WE RESPECT THEIR WORK AND I'M SURE THERE WILL BE MORE DISCUSSIONS ON THIS TOPIC AND I WILL FOLLOW THAT ISSUE VERY, VERY CLOSELY.

>> FINALLY, ARBOR DAY WAS CELEBRATED AT THE STATE CAPITOL TODAY.

GOVERNOR IVEY WAS JOINED BY STUDENTS IN AN ANNUAL TRADITION THE CEREMONIAL PLANTING OF A TREE ON THE CAPITOL GROUNDS.

>> THERE IS AN UTILITY CELEBRATION OF ARBOR DAY TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR FORESTS IN OUR GREAT STATE AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ENTERING THE POSTER CONTEST, 23 HUNDRED SUBMISSIONS SO ALABAMA IS IN GOOD HANDS WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING OUR TREES AND WE'RE PROUD TO PLANT A TREE HERE ON THE CAPITOL GROUNDS.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY FROM BIRMINGHAM.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU WERE ACTIVE ON THE FLOOR TODAY.

YOU HAD A BILL ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY HAVING TO DO WITH REALLY KIND OF A SHOCKING SUBJECT MATTER.

THIS WAS HAVING TO DO WITH PARDONS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF CRIMES, SEX CRIMES, AGAINST CHILDREN.

YOU HAD AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE ON THIS.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH THE GENESIS OF THIS BILL?

>> RIGHT THE.

IT DOESN'T TAKE A LOT TO SHOCK ME, BEING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR 31 YEARS.

BUT I HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE WAS AN AREA IN OUR LEGISLATION THAT NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED.

I HAD A YOUNG MAN AT THAT TIME LIVES IN MY DISTRICT THAT GOES TO A CHURN CHURCH THAT MY CHILDREN WENT TO THAT THE INDIVIDUAL THAT VIOLATED HIM WAS FOUND GUILTY, SERVED HIS TIME AND THEN BROUGHT THIS MAN BACK TO PAROLE BOARD TO GET A PARDON AND CAN DO THIS EVERY TWO YEARS.

THIS YOUNG MAN WAS VIOLATED IN THE WORST WAY OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND THE VIOLATOR WAS FOUND GUILTY.

TO BRING THIS KID -- THIS YOUNG MAN -- HE'S A YOUNG MAN NOW -- TO BRING HIM BEFORE THE PAROLE BOARD TO TRY TO GET A PARDON, WHICH I FOUND OUT COULD POSSIBLY REMOVE HIM OFF THE SEX REGISTER LIST WAS SOMEWHAT SHOCKING TO ME AND I FELT SOMETHING NEEDED TO BE DONE.

>> LET'S SAY IT HAD GONE FORWARD AS A RESULT OF THAT PARDON FROM THE BOARD, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE -- THAT'S KIND OF THE REGULAR FLAG, RIGHT, REMOVED FROM THE SEX CAN THERE LIST.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE WORST OF THE WORST CRIMES AGAINST OUR CHILDREN.

AND SO WITH THAT, I STARTED WORKING ON A PIECE OF LEGISLATION, SIMPLE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL BAR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF THESE TYPE OF CRIMES, OF SODOMY, RAPE OF A CHILD, NEVER TO RECEIVE A PARDON.

>> AND YOUR HOUSE COLLEAGUES RESPONDED AND THEY PASSED IT TODAY.

NOW IT GOES TO THE SENATE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY CONVERSATIONS UPSTAIRS ABOUT WHERE IT GOES FROM HERE.

>> I HAVEN'T.

I EXPECT TO SEE THE SAME RESULTS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE HOUSE WITH UNANIMOUS OUT OF JUDICIARY SUBCOMMITTEE AND IT WAS UNANIMOUS IN US WITH ONE ABSTENTION OUT OF THE HOUSE.

SO I EXPECT THE SAME.

I REALLY WASN'T PREPARED FOR THE BILL TO MOVE THAT FAST, SO I THAT THE LEADERSHIP FOR PUTTING THISONNED CALENDAR AS EARLY AS THEY DID BECAUSE I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE ON THE BOOKS AS EARLY AS THEY CAN.

THESE INDIVIDUALS SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO BRING THEIR VICKSS BEFORE A BOARD IN TRYING TO GET A PARDON TO WIPE THEIR SLATE CLEAN ON A CRIME LIKE THIS.

>> THE SAME FOR PAROLE.

YOU'RE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE IF YOU'RE CONVICT OF THE MUCH A SEX CRIME.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

CURRENTLY ON THE BOOK ONE OF THESE TYPES OF CRIMES YOU'RE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR EARLY PAROLE.

YOU HAVE TO SERVE YOUR TIME OUT I JUST DID NOT ADDRESS THE SIDE OF IT THAT COULD REMOVE YOU FROM A SEX REGISTRY.

IT IS MY OPINION INDIVIDUALS THAT COMMIT THESE CRIMES SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO BE REMOVED FROM THAT REGISTER.

>> IT SEEMS TO ME THE LEGISLATURE, IN THE LISTIST BILLS GOING THROUGH THE JUDICIAL EAR THE OTHER DAY, THESE ARE UPDATES TO OR LAWS RARELY IS THERE A NEW LAW YOU'RE WORKING ON WHERE, HEY, WE FOUND A LOOPHOLE AND SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T WORK SO YOU'RE CONSTANTLILY HAVING TO CORRECT THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO CRIMINAL LAW.

>> CORRECT.

MY VIEW DOWN HERE, IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR A PASS-ALONG TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC BUT REALIZE THERE WERE AREAS HERE AND THERE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

SO IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO COME BACK IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS AND TWEAK THE LAW TO MAKE IT BETTER.

>> WHILE I HAVE GOT YOU I WANTED TO GET AN UPDATE ON ONE ISSUE THAT YOU HAVE HAD THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

YOU HAVE BROUGHT LEGISLATION HAVING TO DO WITH RIOTS, DEMONSTRATIONS.

THIS IS IS SORT OF IN THE WAKE OF ALL OF THE RIOTS BACK IN 2020.

SOME PEACEFUL, SOME NOT.

BUT IT'S PASSED THE HOUSE A COUPLE OF TIMES ARE OR AT LEAST LAST YEAR, KIND OF GOT BOGGED DOWN IN THE SENATE?

LAST TIME YOU CALLED IT THE ANTI RIOT BILL.

>> IT WAS REFERRED TO AS AN ANTI RIOT BILL AND IT WAS A NEED I BELIEVE THEN AND MORE SO NOW BECAUSE OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW, IN THE COUNTRY, A BILL GOT OUT OF THE HOUSE, TWO YEARS AGO, AND I THINK THERE'S A NEED TO BRING IT BACK BECAUSE WE'RE STARTING TO RECEIVE THE PROTESTS IN COLLEGES AND PARADES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL TOOL TO HELP THEM KEEP THE PUBLIC AND THEMSELVES SAFE.

SO YOU CAN EXPECT I'M LOOKING AT IT AND TRYING ADDRESS SOME THINGS IN THE BILL THAT WERE CONCERNS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT A TOOL SO YOU CAN PROBABLY EXPECT IT LAYER THIS SESSION.

>> SO THERE WERE TONS OF QUESTIONS.

LOOK, EMOTIONS RUN HIGH.

PEE HAVE A LOT OF PASSIONATE VIEWEDS ABOUT THE REMIND BEHIND PROTEST AND CERTAINLY PROTECTING THAT FUNDAMENTAL AMERICAN RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

CAN YOU DO BOTH?

CAN YOU PROTECT THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLY AND ALSO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE TOOLS TO, YOU KNOW, TAKE AWAY OR STOP THINGS THAT ARE TRULY PROBLEMATIC AND CRIMINAL?

>> YEAH.

I THINK YOU CAN ACHIEVE BOTH.

OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT TO PROTECT EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEACEFUL PROTESTS.

YOU GO BACK AND LITTLE AT THE BILL, AND THERE WERE CHANGES THAT WE MADE IN IT TO GET IT TO THE POINT WHERE IT'S AT.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE BILL IT ONLY KICKS IN WHEN YOU START LOOTING STORES, SETTING THEM ON FIRE OR START AFFECTING PUBLIC SAFETY OR PEOPLE ON THE SCENE.

THAT'S THE ONLY TIME IT KICK IN NO PART OF THAT IS PEACEFUL.

BUT EMOTIONS RUN HIGH, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TRY TO BRING THE BILL BEGIN AND THEN ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AND DEFINE THEM.

WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO DO HERE IS PROTECT THE CITIZENS AND PUBLIC SAFETY HERE.

AND IF YOU READ THE BILL COMPLETELY, AND I TELL FOLKS THAT THAT HAVE BEEN OPPOSED TO IT BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY HEAR, BUT WHEN YOU READ IT, WHEN THEY COME BACK TO ME THEY DON'T FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BILL.

SO WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT PEACEFUL PROTESTERS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE THAT VIOLATE THE LAW AND BRING A SENSE OF OF DANGER BEFORE THE BILL KICKS IN.

>> WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW?

>> THANK YOU SIR.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING US ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP ENDSLER FROM HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

GOOD TO BE BACK ON.

>> I THINK YOU CAME ON BEFORE THE SESSION TO PREVIEW SOME OF YOUR LEGISLATION, BUT TWO OF THESE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ON YOUR LIST YET -- THE ONE THAT PASSED ON THE FLOOR TODAY.

ONE OF TWO THAT PASSED TODAY, HOUSE BILL 78.

IT HAS TO DO WITH WHAT IS CALLED SWATTING.

A LOT OF OUR VIEWERS MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THE TERM SWATTING.

CAN CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THAT IS.

>> IT'S ONE OF THOSE TERMS WHERE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS IT HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS SO MUCH WHERE MOST OF US PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS BEFOREHAND BUT IT REFERS TO WHEN ESSENTIAL APPLY A SWAT TEAMS OR LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONDS TO A SITUATION WHERE, IF THEY GET A CALL THERE'S A BOMB THREAT, THERE'S AN ACTIVE SHOOTER BUT IT TURNS OUT IT'S NOT TRUE BUT THEY RESPONDED.

SO IF IT IS TRUE, BECAUSE THEN THE HAD TO SECURE AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE OKAY BUT WHEN THE CALL COMES IN IT LEADS TO A LONG LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE BUT THE ISSUE IS THAT IT'S SUCH A STRAIN ON THEIR RESOURCES BECAUSE THEY'RE HAVING TO SHOW UP AND INVESTIGATE AND OFTEN IT'S SOMEONE CALLING IT IN NOT ONLY AS A FUNNY PRANK BUT TO ILLICIT THAT KIND OF RESPONSE.

>> A DISTURBANCE, RIGHT?

AND THIS HAPPENS TO POLITICIANS, PUBLIC OFFICIALS OR JUST KIND OF CELEBRITIES OR WHATEVER THAT, YOU KNOW, 450 LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOWING UP IN ONE PLACE CAUSE'S BIG DISRUPTION AND BIG NEWS STORIES REALLY.

>> AND IT ALSO INSTILL'S LAT OF FEAR AND TRAUMA AND IF PEOPLE PANIC THEY RUN SO IT CREATES A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.

IT HAPPENED, AND I SHARED THIS MANY TIMES.

IT HAPPENED IN MY OWN SYNAGOGUE WHERE ALONE THE SABBATH WE WERE IN THERE FOR SERVICES AND WE CAME ACROSS AN EMAIL THAT HAPPENED THERE WAS A BOMB INSIDE.

OF COURSE WE CALLED 911 AND IT LEADS TO THEM HAVING TO EVACUATE AND LEADS TO PEOPLE HAVING TO REALLY TAKE IT SERIOUSLY BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED ALL OVER THE STATE, FROM PLACES OF WORSHIP, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, SHOPPING PLACES.

THE MOST RECENT WAS THE WALMART IN PELL CITY.

IT'S REALLY TOUCHING A LOT OF ASPECTS OF LIGHT RIGHT NOW.

>> ESPECIALLY TALKING ABOUT YOUR SYNAGOGUE.

THESE DAYS THAT'S NO LAUGHING MATTER.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES IN YOUR BILL.

>> SO THE WAY IT LAYS IT OUT IS THAT, EXCEPTING ON WHAT THE THREAT IS CORRESPONDS TO WHAT THE PENALTY IS.

SO IF THE THREAT -- OR IF SOMEONE CALLS IN SOMETHING THAT IS A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR, THEY WILL BE CHARGED WITH A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR.

IF THEY CALL IN SOMETHING THAT IS A CLASS A FELONY.

AND THE IDEA BEHIND THAT IS THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE THIS REALLY SERIOUSLY AND DETER THE PUBLIC FROM DOING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE SO HAVING THOSE STIFF PENALTIES AS A WAY OF SAYING, LOOKS, DON'T DO THIS, YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> SO SOME REALLY TEETH IN THE LAW TO DEFER.

IT CAN'T JUST BE A SLAP ON THE RISK FOR SOMETHING THATTERIOUS.

>> THIS IS THE A SITUATION THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE ENDED UP LOCKED UP LEFT AND RIGHT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING NUMEROUS TIMES EVERY WEEK.

THE COUNT I GOT WAS THERE WERE SEVERAL DOZEN OF THESE LAST YEAR SO IT'S SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLAIM ABOUT YOU THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE AN IN INCARCERATION ISSUE WHERE WE'RE LETTING PEOPLE OFF RIGHT LEFT FROM IT.

>> I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR OTHER BILL, HOUSE BILL 75, HAVING TO DO WITH ASSAULTS ON POSTAL WORKERS.

MAIL CARRIERS I GUESS IS THE WORK OF ART.

TELL ME HOW THIS CAME ABOUT.

>> I HEARD FROM -- SO IT'S MOSTLY WORKERS AND THEY HAVE BEEN THE LETTER CARRIERS OR WHAT WE REFER TO OFTEN AS OUR MAILMAN OR MAIL WOMAN WHO IS OUT THERE DELIVERING OUR MALE WHO HOUSES AND APARTMENTS AND I HAVE HEARD FROM THEM NOT ONLY IN MOMENT BUT STATEWIDE AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY THEY'RE VEHICLELY FACING ASSAULT OUT ON THE JOB.

WHETHER IT'S PEOPLE ARE ANGRY THAT A CERTAIN PIECE OF MAIN DIDN'T COME THAT THEY WERE EXPECTING.

MAYBE THEY WERE HOPE THAT DAY AND SEE THE POSTAL WORKERS SO THEY TAKE OUT THE ACRE.

IT'S ALL SORTS OF ISSUES.

SO I HAVE HAD THEY'RE BEEN TRACKING AND THESE ARE -- THE LAST STATISTICS I GOT WERE IN 2020, ONLY HALF OF THE ASSAULTS ON POSTAL WORKERS WERE PROSECUTED.

SO HAVING A STATE LAW, ALONG WITH OTHER GROUPS THAT SPECIFICALLY DEAL WITH THE PUBLIC ALOT; AGAIN, IT SENDS A MESSAGE OF DETERRENCE, DON'T DO IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND AS MUCH AS WE USE THE INTERNET AND HEMATOMA, WE RELY ON THE MAIL AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THEIR ARE JOB AND DON'T MESS IT.

>> EXACTLY.

ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS FEEL THE SAME WAY.

BOTH PASSED THE HOUSE TODAY AND THEN ONTO THE SENATE AND WE WILL BE TRACKING THEM.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND EXPLAINING THESE THINGS.

WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION YOU BACK?

>> I'M GLAD IT GOT COMMON SUPPORT AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS ABOUT, TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO ISSUES.

>> WHY I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT.

NOW YOU HAVE TO GO BIRD DOG THEM IN THE SENATE?

>> EXACTLY.

>> THAT I THINK AGAIN.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE SAME TIME WITH MORE CONVERSATION FROM THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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