Don: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, LAWMAKERS TODAY MOVED THREE BILLS THAT WERE CONSIDERED PRIORITIES IN THE OPENING DAYS OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A BILL SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT OF TRUSSVILLE THAT DEALS WITH THE PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY.

>> THE FIRST PART OF THE BILL ZERO WOULD EXEMPT AND EXCLUDE FROM ALL ALABAMA TAXATION, ANY MONEY, RELIEF, ANY LOAN FORGIVENESS, ANYTHING THAT WAS RECEIVED AS A RESULT OF THE CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND FORECLOSURES THE CARES ACT MONEY.

ALL OF THAT WOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM ALABAMA TAXES UNDER THIS BILL.

THE SECOND PART OF THE BILL DEALS WITH SOME REDUCTIONS IN BUSINESS TAXES AND EXCLUSIONS FROM FEDERAL LAW.

>> GARRETT'S BILL NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

IT'S LEGISLATION THE LAWMAKERS DIDN'T GET TO LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF THE SHORTENED PANDEMIC 2020 SESSION.

ANOTHER VIRUS-RELATED BILL IN THE LEGISLATION IS ALSO PRIORITY LEGISLATION AND IT PASSED SENATE TODAY.

THE PLAN IS SPONSORED BY SENATOR ARTHUR ORR OF DECATUR.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BRING SOME CERTAINTY TO THE WORKPLACE OUT THERE BUT NOT JUST THE WORKPLACE BUT CHURCHES AND PLACES OF BUSINESS, OF COURSE, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, PRETTY MUCH ANY ORGANIZATION THAT IS AN ENTITY HERE IN ALABAMA IS INCLUDED IN THE BILL BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR LIABILITY.

>> SENATOR ORR SAYS HIS LEGISLATION DOES NOT OFFER BLANKET IMMUNITY BUT RATHER A SAFE HARBOR FOR THOSE BUSINESSES AND OTHERS WHO ACTED IN GOOD FAITH TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

PANDEMIC LAWSUITS IN ALABAMA HAVE NOT BEEN A BIG ISSUE BUT SENATOR ORR SAYS WE WILL SEE SOME EVENTUALLY.

>> WE HAVE A TWO YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR NEGLIGENCE ACTIONS HERE IN ALABAMA SO THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BRING LAWSUITS TO BRING THOSE LAWSUITS AND WE FULLY EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE LAWSUITS COMING.

>> SENATOR ORR'S REAL LIABILITY LEGISLATION NOW MOVES TO THE HOUSE.

>> THE THIRD PRIORITY BILL IN THE EARLY GOING OF THIS NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS ONE THAT WOULD EXTEND AND UPDATE TWO ECONOMIC INCENTIVE PROGRAMS: THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT.

AND A SO-CALLED GROWING ALABAMA TAX CREDIT.

BOTH ARE SEEN AS CRITICAL TO THE STATE'S NEW BUSINESS RECRUITMENT.

AND THE HOUSE TODAY PASSED THE LEGISLATION.

REPRESENTATIVE BILL POOLE OF TUSCALOOSA IS THE SPONSOR AND HE SAYS THE BILL HAS SAFEGUARDS BUILD IN.

>> THESE ARE PERFORMANCE-BASED BENCHMARK-EARNED, CREDITS LATER IF YOU MEET THE REQUIRED BENCHMARKS.

IF YOU DON'T, NO CREDITS ARE ISSUED.

THAT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND.

IT DERISKS FOR THE STATE AND ALSO PROTECTS THE STATE'S INCENTIVES IN TERMS OF THE CONTEXT OF THESE STRUCTURES SO ONLY THE STATE INCENTIVE RECEIVE CITIZENS RECEIVE THE BENEFIT.

ONLY THEN DOES THE PROJECT AGREEMENT IE THE COMPANY RECEIVE THE BENEFITS.

STATE BENEFITS HAVE TO OCCUR FIRST.

>> WITH TODAY'S HOUSE APPROVAL, THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVES LEGISLATION NOW MOVES TO THE SENATE.

>> THE SENATE TODAY GAVE QUICK PASSAGE TO A PACKAGE OF BILLS DESIGNED TO RETAIN, PROTECT, AND IMPROVE THE FEDERAL MILITARY PRESENCE AND INVESTMENT ACROSS ALABAMA.

THE LEGISLATION IS THE RESULT OF WORK BY THE ALABAMA MILITARY STABILITY COMMISSION, WHICH IS CHAIRED BY LT.

GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH.

HE PRAISED ITS SENATE PASSAGE TODAY AND PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF GREG REED OF JASPER PRAISED AINSWORTH FOR HIS LEADERSHIP.

>> I WANT TO OFFER MY WORD OF APPRECIATION TO YOU IN REGARDS TO WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED ON THE MILITARY AND THE VETERANS LEGISLATION THAT WE JUST HAVE GONE THROUGH HERE IN THE SENATE BODY.

I KNOW YOU HAD A LOT OF FOCUS ON THAT, SPENT A LOT OF TIME WORKING ON THAT, TASK FORCE ORGANIZATION, DID A LOT OF WORK TRYING TO MOVE THAT FORWARD AND I WANTED TO OFFER APPRECIATION TO YOU GOVERNOR AND YOUR EFFORTS ON THAT AND OBVIOUSLY THE SENATE WAS IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH YOU, SIR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AMONG THE BILLS IN THE PACKAGE ARE ONE THAT WOULD ALLOW MILITARY DEPENDS ATTENDING PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN ALABAMA TO PAY IN STATE TUITION RATES WHILE STATIONED HERE.

THE PACKAGE NOW MOVES TO THE HOUSE.

>> WE JUST WRAPPED UP THE FIRST WEEK OF THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, LEADERSHIP BELIEVES IT WENT PRETTY WELL.

ONE HOUSE MEMBER WAS SENT HOME AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID AND THERE WERE GLITCHES FOR STREAMING THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THE PUBLIC.

SPEAKER OF HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON SAID HIS CHAMBER NEW VOTING TABLETS SAW THEIR FIRST TEST THIS WEEK.

>> IT WORKED WELL, USING THE 6TH FLOOR.

THE VOTING IPADS THAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT WORKED VERY WELL AND THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING PROPERLY.

EVEN THE DEBATE WE HAD WITH MEMBERS COMING TO THE MICS UP THERE, WE HAD SOME GOOD DEBATE.

SO THAT WAS WORKING.

SO I MEAN -- I'M ENCOURAGED FOR NEXT WEEK WHEN WE COME BACK.

>> THE HOUSE, BEING THE LARGER LEGISLATIVE BODY, IS SPREAD OUT IN THE MAIN CHAMBER.

THE GALLERY AND AN OVERFLOW ROOM.

>> ALABAMA'S FRESHMAN U.S.

SENATOR HAS BEEN SPEAKING OUT ON THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING GEORGIA CONGRESSWOMAN MARJORY TAYLOR GREEN.

SHE HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR EMBRACING CONSPIRACY THEORIES ON THINGS LIKE 9/11 AND MASS SHOOTINGS IN FLORIDA AND CONNECTICUT.

SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE SAID TODAY IN BIRMINGHAM RADIO THAT, DESPITE THE CONTROVERSY, THE GOP NEEDS TO STAND UNITED AGAINST THE NOW MAJORITY IN WASHINGTON.

>> SHE MADE SOME STRANGE STATEMENTS.

I WOULD SAY THAT, THAT.

9/11 DIDN'T HAPPEN AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT WE VERSUS A GROUP OF REPUBLICANS HAVE TO COME MORE TOGETHER.

YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE THEIR PEOPLE OVER THERE LIKE AOC AND THE SQUAD AND THEY DON'T RALLY AROUND THEM MUCH.

THEY DO BEND THEIR WAY.

THE PROBLEM WE HAVE IS MAINSTREAM MEDIA ABSOLUTELY HAMMERS ANYTHING THAT GOES AWRY IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

BUT WE KNOW THAT.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

WE SHOULD EXPECT IT AND WE HAVE IT AS OUR FIGHT.

WE HAVE TO FIGHT LIKE HECK TO KEEP OUR PARTY TOGETHER.

WE DON'T NEED TO SEPARATE.

THIS IS A TIME WHEN YOU HAVE TO PLAY TEAM BALL.

WE HAVE TO PLAY KEEP-AWAY.

AND WORK THE NEXT TWO YEARS, WHERE THE COUNTRY IS NOT SO FAR GONE THAT WE CAN RECOVER IT ONCE WE GET THE HOUSE AND SENATE BACK.

>> ALABAMA CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS ALSO TODAY TWEETED HIS SUPPORT FOR MARJORY TAYLOR GREEN, PUSHING BACK AGAINST DEMOCRATIC OVERATURES TO STRIP HER OF HER COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS BECAUSE OF HER PAST CONTROVERSY.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN OF HOLLINGER ISLAND IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

>> THANK YOU, DON.

GREAT TO BE BACK.

>> THE SESSION KICKED OFF WITH SAFETY PROTOCOL.

HAVE YOU FELT COMFORTABLE SO FAR.

>> THE LEADERSHIP HAS DONE ON OUTSTANDING JOB PUTTING EVERYTHING TOGETHER.

IT'S A DIFFICULT SITUATION.

BUT I FEEL PERFECTLY SAFE.

>> I HAVE HEARD FROM A LOT OF LAWMAKERS THAT DESPITE THE RISKS THEY REALIZE THEY NEED TO BE HERE AND DO THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY AND PERFORM THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.

>> YOU KNOW, WE'RE PAID TO COME UP HERE AND LOOK OUT FOR THE PEOPLE.

I'M GLAD THAT THE LEADERSHIP WORKED OVERTIME TO BE ABLE TO ALLOW US TO MEET AND TO GET TOGETHER AND TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.

>> ONE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES IT WAS REPORTED THIS WEEK WAS SENT HOME AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID.

THAT WOULDN'T BE UNUSUAL GIVEN HOW COVID IS SPREADING RIGHT NOW.

BUT WAS THAT ALARMING TO YOU AT ALL?

>> NO.

YOU KNOW, IT'S -- BACK IN MARCH THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ALARMING TO ME.

BUT NOW IT'S PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE.

I FEEL MY FOR COLLEAGUE.

HE HAD NO SYMPTOMS.

AND HE DIDN'T KNOW THAT HE HAD IT.

AND HE WAS SENT HOME.

AND I HOPE AND PRAY THAT HE IS OK.

BUT THAT'S JUST PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE NOW.

WE HAVE TO GO ON.

WE CAN'T HIDE IN THE BASEMENT.

WE HAVE TO GO TO WORK AND LIVE OUR LIFE.

>> I WANT TO START OUR CONVERSATION TALKING ABOUT A COUPLE OF COVID-RELATED BILLS THAT YOU'RE SPONSORING IN THIS SESSION.

ONE OF THEM DEALS WITH THE COVID VACCINATIONS AND IT SAYS ESSENTIALLY THAT YOU CAN'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST SOMEONE IF THEY DECIDE NOT TO GET THE SHOT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT PHILOSOPHY HERE.

>> IT'S BASICALLY CIVIL LIBERTIES.

AS AMERICANS, I THINK THAT WE ENJOY CERTAIN CIVIL LIBERTIES AND ONE OF THOSE IS TO MAKE OUR OWN CHOICES.

AND MY BILL -- IT'S BASED UPON THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANT TO GO TO WORK AND YOU WORK FOR A COMPANY AND YOU HAVE OBJECTIONS TO TAKING A SHOT AND YOU HAVE RELIGIOUS EXCEPTION THAT YOU DON'T AGREE WITH TAKING A SHOT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE PROTECTED.

WE'RE SEEING THAT -- COMPANIES, LIKE TICKET MASTER FOR ONE, SAID THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE TICKETS TO INDIVIDUAL THAT CAN'T PROVE THEY HAVE THE COVID VACCINATION AND YOU SHOULDN'T BE PUNISHED FOR YOUR PERSONAL BELIEFS.

WHAT MY BILL DOES IS PROTECTS THOSE IS SAYS YOU CAN'T DISCRIMINATE IN BILLS OR IN SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT.

AND IT PROTECTS THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

>> WELL, JUST BEGINNING NOW THE VACCINATION PROCESS BUT IT COULD BECOME MORE OF AN ISSUE AS WE MOVE ALONG.

I DO AND I SEE IN EUROPE, AND I KNOW THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS TALKED ABOUT THIS, OF CREATING COVID PASSPORTS FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A PASSPORT TO TRAVEL SHOWING YOU HAVE A COVID STAMP THAT YOU HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

WE'RE SEEING THAT ACROSS YEAR MUCH EUROPE AND ALSO SEEING DISCUSSIONS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

I KNOW THE EEOC CAME OUT WITH A RULING SAYING THAT BASICALLY PEOPLE COULD DISCRIMINATE IN THE JOB -- YOU KNOW, IN THE WORKFORCE TO TAKE PEOPLE THAT HASN'T GOTTEN THE VACCINATION AND TAKE THEIR JOBS AWAY.

SO WE NEED -- I THINK WE NEED TO PROTECT INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> WAS YOUR BILL INSPIRED BY PEOPLE COMING TO YOU ABOUT THIS OR WAS IT YOUR OWN PERSONAL CONCERNING OR BOTH.

>> BOTH REALLY.

YOU KNOW, I STUDY HISTORY.

I STUDY THE CONSTITUTION.

AND I'M ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT SEEING INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES ERODED.

BUT THEN DID I HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE CALL ME AND EMAIL ME AND TEXT ME, AND THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, AND I HEAR THOSE CALLS AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND WE LIVE IN A STRANGE WORLD.

I MEAN, THE WORLD WE'RE LIVING IN TODAY IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN THE WORLD THAT I GREW UP IN AND YOU GREW UP IN.

IT'S CHANGING BY THE MINUTE.

AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK WE SAW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SCIENCE FICTION YEARS AGO ARE COMING TRUE.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.

>> YOU'RE NOT DISCOURAGING PEOPLE FROM GETTING THE SHOT.

YOU'RE JUST SAYING IF THEY MAKE THE PERSONAL DECISION NOT TO GET IT THEY SHOULDN'T BE DISCRIMINATED.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IF ANYONE WANTS TO GET THE SHOT, FEEL FREE, GO AHEAD AND DO IT.

THAT'S YOUR CHOICE, YOUR RIGHT.

AND I JUST JUST BELIEVE THAT IF YOU DON'T CHOOSE TO GET THE SHOT THEN YOU SHOULDN'T BE PUNISHED OR DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

BUT I THINK THAT, GETTING THE SHOT IS FINE IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT GET THE SHOT FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS.

YOU ALSO HAVE ANOTHER COVID RELATED BILL IN THE SESSION THAT DEALS WITH STATES OF EMERGENCY THAT WOULD BE DECLARED IN THE PANDEMIC.

SAY FOR INSTANCE WHERE THERE WOULD BE EXCEPTIONS FOR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> WELL, IT DEALS SPECIFICALLY WITH CHURCHES AND OTHER RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS: WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN ALABAMA AND OTHER THAN STATES IS IS THAT THEY DECLARED HAD A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND THEY DEEMED THINGS ESSENTIAL, YOU WERE ABLE TO KEEP WALMART OPEN AND TO KEEP GAS STATIONS OPEN, AND HARDWARE STORES AND THAT SORT OF THING.

WHAT ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE?

WE HAVE RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS IN THIS COUNTRY.

THAT WAS THE WHOLE BASIS UPON WHICH THIS NATION WAS FOUNDED.

SO WE NEED TO REALLY WORK TO PROTECT THOSE.

SO I DON'T THINK IT'S THE JOB OF THE STATE TO TELL PEOPLE YOU CAN'T GO TO CHURCH.

I MEAN, IF YOU CAN GO TO WALMART WHY CAN'T YOU EXERCISE YOUR FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND GO TO CHURCH AND GO TO SERVICE AND TO A MASS AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR RELIGIOUS NEEDS.

SO IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO GO TO CHURCH, THAT'S FINE.

THAT DOESN'T MATTER.

THAT'S UP TO YOU.

IT'S AN INDIVIDUAL DECISION.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S THE JOB OF THE STATE TO TAKE THAT AWAY.

SO WHAT MY BILL DOES IS IT INCLUDES CHURCHES IN ESSENTIAL SERVICES ALONG WITH GROCERY STORES, GAS STATIONS AND THIS SORT OF THING.

>> AS WE WENT ALONG IN 2020 DURING THE PANDEMIC, IT WAS PRETTY QUICKLY DETERMINED, YOU KNOW, THAT CHURCHES ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED.

SO I THINK THERE WAS REALLY A REALIZATION, WAS THERE NOT, THEY COULDN'T BE ORDERED NOT TO HOLD SERVICES BUT THAT IT WAS SUGGESTED THEY NOT HOLD SERVICES AND IT WAS LEFT UP TO INDIVIDUAL CHURCHES, AND SOME DID HOLD SERVICES AND SOME DIDN'T AND SOME CONTINUE NOT TO HOLD SERVICES IN PERSON.

>> AND I'M PERFECTLY OKAY WITH THAT.

I THINK THAT IT'S ONE THING FOR THE STATE TO SAY WE SUGGEST THAT YOU HAVE WEAR A MASK.

WE SUGGEST THAT YOU DON'T GET IN LARGE GATHERINGS.

WE SUGGEST THAT YOU DON'T GO TO CHURCH OR SPORTS OR WHATEVER.

BUT I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN IT'S MANDATED AND IT COMES DOWN THAT IT'S TREAT TREATED NOT LIKE A PROTECTED CLASS.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT IN OTHER AREAS THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S -- LIKE YOU SAID, THERE'S STILL CHURCHES THAT AREN'T MEETING.

THAT'S FINE IF THAT'S WHAT THE PARISHIONERS WANT TO DO AND THE CHURCH THEMSELVES WANT: I'M FINE WITH THAT.

>> YOU ARE BACK WITH ANIAH'S LAW.

IT WAS IN COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

REFRESH OUR VIEWERS' MEMORIES ON THE LAW.

>> ANIAH'S LAW IS COMPREHENSIVE CRIMINAL BOND REFORM WHICH.

MEANS IN ALABAMA THE ONLY TIME YOU CAN CAN BE HELD WITHOUT BOND IS IF YOU'RE CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDERS.

SO THIS GIVES DISTRICT ATTORNEYS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST THAT AN INDIVIDUAL BE HELD WITHOUT BOND IF THEY'RE CHARGED WITH A VIOLENT CLASS A FELONY, SAY KIDNAPPING, VIOLENT DOMESTIC ASSAULT, YOU KNOW, THOSE TYPES OF CRIMES AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL, VIOLENT CRIMES, A CLASS A FELONY.

AND THEY CAN GO TO A JUDGE AND REQUEST AN EVIDENTIARY HEARING WHY AN INDIVIDUAL SHOULD BE HELD WITHOUT BOND AND THEY HAVE TO PROVE THE INDIVIDUAL IS AN IMMINENT THREAT TO THEMSELVES OR THE COMMUNITY OR A FLIGHT RISK.

THE JUDGE CAN DENY THE REQUEST AND GRANT BOND.

OR HE CAN GRANT THE REQUEST, HAVE THE HEARING AND THEN MAKE A DECISION.

HE CAN HOLD THE INDIVIDUAL WITHOUT BOND PENDING TRIAL.

WHAT THAT DOES, IT ALLOWS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND THE JUDGES -- I HAVE HEARD FROM A LOT OF JUDGES THAT ARE IN FAVOR OF THIS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEIR HANDS ARE TIED.

IF AN INDIVIDUAL THEY KNOW IS GOING TO GO BACK ON THE STREET AND COMMIT A CRIME BECAUSE OF THE PAST HISTORY THERE'S NOTHING RIGHT NOW THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT.

SO THEY HAVE TO GRANT BOND AND THEY GET BACK ON THE STREETS AND IT'S A REVOLVING DOOR CRIME.

THIS BILL IS NAMED AFTER ANIAH BLANCHARD WHO WAS A YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENT GOING TO SOUTHERN COLLEGE AND LIVING IN AUBURN.

THE DAY THAT SHE WAS ATTACKED SHE HAD GONE TO A FAMILY FUNERAL IN BIRMINGHAM.

SHE CAME BACK HOME, STOPPED, WENT IN A CONVENIENCE STORE AND WAS SPOTTED IN THE STORE BY AN INDIVIDUAL AND HE TOOK HER OFF, SEXUALLY ASSAULT AND KILLED HER.

IT'S TRAGIC.

BUT THAT INDIVIDUAL WAS OUT ON BOND FROM A CRIME THAT HE HAD ALLEGED TO HAVE COMMITTED AGAINST A 77-YEAR-OLD MAN AND ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OF A KIDNAPPING, ATTEMPTED MURDER AND A ROBBERY THAT HE WAS OUT AND I BELIEVE IT WAS $255,000 BOND.

HE HIT THE STREETS AND COMMITTED ANOTHER VIOLENT CRIME.

SO THIS BILL REALLY, IN MY OPINION, ACCORDING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND JUDGES THIS REALLY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE A LOT OF LIVES IN ALABAMA BECAUSE IT WILL KEEP DANGEROUS PREDATORS OFF THE STREET.

>> LAST YEAR WHEN YOU WERE PUSHING THIS BILL, WE WERE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU AND ANIAH'S BLANCHARD'S MOTHER ON THE SHOW.

SHE HAS BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE IN THIS ENDEAVOR.

>> I HAVE GROWN VERY CLOSE TO THE FAMILY, ELIJAH BLANCHARD AND ANGELA HARRIS AND THERE'S -- IT'S A SAD SITUATION WHAT THEY'RE HAVING TO GO THROUGH, TO WITNESS THAT.

BUT YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS WILL HELP BRING SOME TYPE OF CLOSURE TO THEM, THEIR OWN OMISSION.

AND I THINK THAT, WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO HONOR ANIAH BLANCHE.

BY NAMING THIS LAW AFTER IT, I'M HUMBLED BY IT AND I THINK WE COULD DO SOME GOOD COMING OUT OF A BAD SITUATION.

>> IT DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE FINAL PASSAGE LAST YEAR BUT ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THIS YEAR?

>> I AM.

LAST YEAR IT HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY OUT OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND WAS SCHEDULED TO BE ON THE FLOOR THAT THURSDAY AND WE DIDN'T COME BACK BECAUSE OF COVID.

SO THIS YEAR, I FULLY EXPECT IT TO PASS THROUGH THE HOUSE AND ULTIMATELY THROUGH THE SENATE AND BE SIGNED INTO LAW.

>> SPEAKING OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, LET'S TOUCH ON ANOTHER BILL YOU'RE PUSHING.

IT'S A SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS' BILL OF RIGHTS.

>> YEAH, THAT BILL, IT IS A SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS BILL OF RIGHTS.

IT'S AIMED AT PROTECTING THOSE -- HOPEFULLY IT WILL BRING SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS OUT FROM THE SHADOWS.

WHAT IT SAYS IS THAT YOU WOULD NEVER TO HAVE PAY FOR A RAPE KIT OR AN EXAMINATION IN ALABAMA, AND THAT THE EVIDENCE THAT'S PRESENTED, THE EVIDENCE WOULD BE KEPT FOR TWENTY YEARS.

AT THE END OF THOSE 20 YEARS THEY HAVE TO NOTIFY YOU TO KEEP IT FOR ANOTHER 20 YEARS.

IF YOU'RE A MINOR IT'S KEPT UNTIL YOU'RE AGE 40 AND IT CAN BE KEPT FOR ANOTHER 20 YEARS.

THEY HAVE TO NOTIFY YOU OF ANY DNA MATCHES OR PROGRESS IN THE CASE.

AND IT ALSO SETS UP OR CREATES A BOARD TO STUDY SEXUAL ASSAULT LAWS AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.

AND I THINK THAT WHAT THAT DOES, IT SERVES TWO PURPOSES.

ONE, IT HOPEFULLY WILL BRING SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS OUT AND HAVE THEM NOT AFRAID TO COME FORWARD.

ALSO IT COULD HELP SOLVE SOME COLD CASES THAT THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE A DNA MATCH TODAY.

BUT IF THEY'RE MANDATED TO KEEP THAT EVIDENCE THEY MIGHT HAVE A MATCH 10 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

I MEAN JUSTICE BEING SERVED REALLY THERE'S NO TIME LIMIT ON IT.

SO I THINK THIS BILL IS IMPORTANT, THAT IT WILL HOPEFULLY SOLVE SOME CASES THAT MIGHT GO COLD.

>> LET'S SPEND THE LAST COUPLE OF MINUTES, REPRESENTATIVE, TALKING ABOUT A BILL THAT YOU INTRODUCED JUST THIS WEEK.

IT DEALS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES CENSORING FREE SPEECH OF THEIR USERS.

WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING IS THAT ALABAMA WITHHOLD STATE TAX ABATEMENT AND OTHER ECONOMIC INCENTIVES FROM THE COMPANIES.

>> IT'S THE ANTI CENSORSHIP ACT.

IT'S AIMED AT -- I DON'T BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE SPENDING TAX DOLLARS ON RECRUITING COMPANIES THAT DON'T PROTECT FREE SPEECH.

WE'RE SEEING IT ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK AND OTHER PLATFORMS.

AND I JUST THINK IT'S WRONG TO CENSORSHIP FREE SPEECH WHERE WHETHER IT BE FROM THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT.

AS AMERICANS THERE'S A REASON THAT THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

BECAUSE WE ALL SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO EXPRESS OURSELVES AND SAY WHAT WE WANT TO SAY.

THERE'S A LIMIT TO THAT.

IF YOU'RE PROMOTING VIOLENCE OR INCITING VIOLENCE, THEN I UNDERSTAND THAT.

THAT SHOULD BE -- THAT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.

BUT JUST BECAUSE YOU DISAGREE WITH ME POLITICALLY OR YOU DON'T CARE FOR WHAT I'M SAYING, THAT SHOULDN'T GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO CENSOR WHAT I'M SAYING, TO SENSOR FREE SPEECH.

I THINK AS ALABAMIANS WE SHOULDN'T ALLOW OUR TAX DOLLARS TO GO TO PLATFORMS THAT ARE CENSORING FREE SPEECH.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE THAT ARGUE THESE ARE PRIVATE COMPANIES AND CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT?

>> THAT'S TRUE.

BUT SHOULD MY TAX DOLLARS GO TO SUPPORT COMPANIES THAT ARE SUPPRESSING FREE SPEECH?

I PERSONALLY DON'T THINK SO.

>> YOU MENTION THE EXCEPTION FOR INCITING VIOLENCE.

THERE ARE OTHER NOTABLE CASES RECENTLY OF WHICH PEOPLE WERE BANNED FROM TWITTER, SAY, OR FACEBOOK FOR POSTING WHAT WERE CONSIDERED FALSEHOODS OR CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND THAT SORT OF THING.

WHERE DO YOU FALL ON THAT ASPECT OF IT?

>> I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

IN THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE SEEN -- I HAVE SEEN THINGS ON FACEBOOK IN PARTICULAR THAT HAVE HAD WARNING LABELS SLAPPED ON THEM OR THERE'S DISCREPANCY IN THIS AND YOU READ WHAT IT IS AND THERE'S REALLY NO DISCREPANCY.

IT'S JUST DOESN'T AGREE POLITICALLY WITH THEIR POINT OF VIEW.

THERE'S A PROBLEM WHEN, SAY, TWITTER CONTINUES TO POST THE IRANIAN REGIME AND -- WHO IS THE LARGEST PROMOTOR OF TERRORISM IN THE WORLD -- AND THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM POSTING TWEETS FROM THEM BUT FROM A RADIO HOST OR AN INDIVIDUAL THAT SUPPORTS THE REPUBLICAN POINT OF VIEW, LET'S SAY, THEY WILL SENSOR THAT AND I HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THAT BECAUSE THEY'RE PICKING AND CHOOSING.

IT'S NOT A SOLID POLICY.

IT'S WHATEVER AGREES WITH THEIR POLITICAL POINT OF VIEW.

SO LOOK, SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BECOME THE DOMINANT FORCE OF SHAPING PUBLIC OPINION.

IT IS.

THAT'S THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY.

AND SO WHEN PEOPLE ARE ONLY GETTING ONE SIDE OF THE STORY.

THEN WE'RE HEADED DOWN A VERY SERIOUS SLIPPERY SLOPE OF SOMETHING -- A PLACE WE DON'T WANT TO GO.

HISTORY TEACHES US THAT.

>> BRIEFLY, WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT YOU BROUGHT UP INCITING VIOLENCE.

YOU ALSO HAVE ANOTHER BILL DEALING WITH INCITING RIOTS OR INCITING PEOPLE TO COMMIT VIOLENCE DURING A RIOT.

TELL US BRIEFLY WHAT IS ON THE TABLE.

>> BASICALLY THAT'S AIMED AT PROVIDING EXTRA PROTECTION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

DURING A TIME OF CIVIL UNREST OR RIOTS.

WE SAW RIOTS THIS SUMMER.

WE HAVE SEEN THEM THIS FALL.

THEY'RE STILL GOING ON IN OTHER PARTS OF THE U.S.

THEY'RE NOT GETTING MUCH COVERAGE.

BUT THIS PROVIDES AN EXTRA LAYER OF LIABILITY PROTECTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND THEN ALSO IT CREATES A -- RIGHT NOW RIOTING AND CIVIL UNREST ARE CONSIDERED MISDEMEANORS AND THIS TAKES THAT AND CREATES THE CRIME OF RIOTING AND MAKES IT A FELONY.

SO IT PUTS MORE TEETH IN OUR CURRENT LAW SO IT'S A BENEFIT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND REALLY A BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY.

WE DON'T NEED CIVIL UNREST IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE HAVE SEEN BUILDINGS BURNED, GLASS BROKEN, THAT SORT OF THING.

EVEN IN ALABAMA WE HAVE SEEN BUILDINGS IN BIRMINGHAM AND OTHER THAN CITIES WHERE GLASS IS BROKEN AND A LOT OF VANDALISM, AND THIS WOULD TAKE A BIG STEP, IN MY OPINION, TOWARDS PUTTING A LITTLE TEETH IN OUR CURRENT LAWS TO PREVENT THAT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN OF HOLLINGER'S ISLAND.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> THANK YOU.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:30 ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL: WEEK IN REVIEW."

WE'LL WRAP UP THE LEGISLATURES FIRST WEEK BACK IN SESSION WITH NEW SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED OF JASPER WHO WILL ALSO WEIGH IN ON THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S NEWLY SIGNED PRISON CONSTRUCTION LEASES.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY NEW SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CLAY SCHOEFIELD OF GUNTERSVILLE, WHO WILL DISCUSS THE LOTTERY ISSUE AND HIS PERSONAL PRIORITY, BROADBAND EXPANSION.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT ONGOING COVID VACCINATION ISSUES AND EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY AND STARTING NEXT WEEK.

FOR ALL OF US AS AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL," THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.