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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE LEGISLATURE COMPLETED ITS THIRD OF 30 POSSIBLE LEGISLATIV DAYS AS THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THOUGH THE MOSTLY PASSED LOCAL LEGISLATION, THE SENATE TOOK UP ONE BILL THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED.

DUBBED THE “PARENTS RIGHT TO KNOW” ACT, SENATE BILL 48 WOULD MANDATE THAT THE CURRICULUM PLANNED FOR EVERY CLASSROOM IN EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT ACROSS ALABAMA TO BE PUBLISHED ON THE SCHOOL'S WEBSITE.

THAT WOULD HAPPEN EITHER AT THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR OR WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE ARE MADE.

THIS INFORMATION WILL BE CHECKE BY THE LOCAL SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION AND THE LOCAL BOARD O EDUCATION.

THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES THAT TEACHERS ALLOW PARENTS TO REVIE ALL THE MATERIALS AND BOOKS BEING USED IN THE CLASSROOM UPO REQUEST.

>> THE OPPORTUNITY IS TO SAY HOW CAN WE TAKE ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT'S GOING ON IN A CHILD'S EDUCATION, AS FAR AS THE SYLLABUS AND READING MATERIALS AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS AND PUT THOSE ON A WEBSITE AND IT BECOMES AVAILABLE TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS.

THAT WAS WILDLY POPULAR WITH EVERYBODY I TALKED TO AND FELT LIKE IT WAS GREAT INFORMATION TO HAVE.

I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH SCHOOL BOARDS AND SUPERINTENDENTS THAT SAID THE MORE INFORMATION WE PROVIDE TO PARENTS ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THEIR CHILDREN'S' EDUCATION THE MORE ENGAGED PARENTS BECOME.

WE HAVE GREAT TEACHERS IN ALABAMA AND THEIR GOAL IS TO TEACH KIDS.

SO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WE CAN GIVE THEM TO DO THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THE FACT THAT THEY'RE RESPONDING TO PARENT SEAS SOMETHING GREAT TEACHERS ARE ALREADY DOING.

THEY'RE DOING TEACHER-PARENT CONFERENCES ALL THE TIME HELPING PARENTS STAY ENGAGED WITH THEIR STUDENT, HAVING TEACHERS ENGAGED WITH THE PARENTS.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO CONTINUE TO FOSTER.

THE GOAL HERE IS TRANSPARENCY.

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

SENATE BILL 1, THE CONTROVERSIA ABSENTEE BALLOT HARVESTING BILL WAS NOT ON THE FLOOR TODAY AS SPONSOR SENATOR GARLAND BUDGET SAID HE WANTS TO ALLOW HIS COLLEAGUES TIME TO READ IT OVER THE WEEKEND.

IT HAS BEEN LOOKING LIKE THIS MIGHT BE AMONG THE BIGGEST FLOO FIGHTS OF THE SESSION, THE DEMOCRATS DEEPLY OPPOSED TO THE REPUBLICAN PLAN.

HOWEVER, SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON SAID HE IS WORKING WITH GUDGER TO MODIFY THE BILL INTO SOMETHING HE AND HIS FELLOW DEMOCRATS COULD POTENTIALLY LIVE WITH.

>> WITH THE SUBSTITUTE THAT IS COMING, I THINK IT STILL GIVES THE PERSON THE ABILITY TO GO OUT AND GIVE ASSISTANCE.

WE'RE OKAY WITH THAT, GIVE ASSISTANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT COULD STILL BE MAILED BY MAIL AND BY POST OFFICE AND THOSE THINGS THAT HAS THE PENALTIES ON IT WHERE YOU CAN'T PAY SOMEONE FOR THEIR BALANCE, THAT'S ILLEGAL ANYWAY.

WE'RE FINE WITH THAT WAY; WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT ANYWAY.

WE'RE OKAY WITH THAT.

WE THINK THE PERSONALITIES ARE A LITTLE STIFF BUT IF THAT'S THE COMPROMISE WE HAVE TO MAKE THAT'S THE COMPROMISE WE HAVE TO MAKE BUT FREE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT IS THERE AND PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO GIVE THE ASSISTANCE WHERE ASSISTANCE MAY BE NEEDED.

>> LIKE CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS COMING UP AND WE HAVE BILLS LIKE THE VOTING BALLOT HARVESTING BILL SO THOSE WE HAVE REAL CONCERNS WITH AND PROVIDE AMENDMENTS TO THOSE BILLS.

WE WANT TO SIT DOWN WITH THE SPONSORS AND WORK THESE OUT.

WE THINK WE CAN PROVIDE GUIDANCE IF THEY WILL JUST SIT DOWN, LIKE WE DID TODAY, AND HAVE COLLABORATION AND GET THINGS DONE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE DON'T HAVE THOSE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT HURT PEOPLE.

>> THE SENATE WILL GAVEL BACK INTO SESSION NEXT TUESDAY HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE.

THE HOUSE STUCK TO SIMPLY PASSING RESOLUTIONS TODAY AS THERE WAS NO LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO SPEAK OF.

AND ONE RESOLUTION BROUGHT A VERY SPECIAL GUEST TO THE HOUSE GUNNAR HENDERSON, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR VISITED THE LEGISLATURE TODAY.

HE'S A NATIVE OF SELMA AND ATTENDED AUBURN UNIVERSITY.

HE WAS HONORED WITH RESOLUTIONS IN BOTH CHAMBERS, BUT WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM IN THE HOUSE.

>> THIS IS REALLY SPECIAL, BEING BE ABLE TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE HOUSE AND BEING ABLE TO JUST BE RECOGNIZED FOR ALL OF THAT HARD WORK AND BEING ABLE TO SHOW KIDS THAT, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR DEEMS ARE, HARD WORK WILL GET YOU WHEREVER YOU WANT TO GO AND DO THAT EACH AND EVERY DAY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS.

>> WE LEARNED THE DETAILS OF TH COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PROPOSAL BEING PUSHED IN THE HOUSE TODAY THERE ARE TWO BILLS: HOUSE BIL 151, THE BASIC PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT, IF PASSED, WOULD GO TO A VOTE O THE PEOPLE, AND HOUSE BILL 152, ENABLING LEGISLATION THAT CONTAINS THE DETAILS OF THE FAR-REACHING GAMBLING PLAN.

HERE'S A QUICK BREAKDOWN OF WHA THE BILL WOULD DO.

THE BILL WOULD SCRAP ALL OF ALABAMA'S EXISTING GAMBLING LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING LOCAL BINGO AMENDMENTS.

THEN THE PLAN WOULD INSTITUTE A STATE LOTTERY, EXPAND AND REGULATE CASINO GAMBLING, AND LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING.

IT WOULD SET UP A COMMISSION WITH A STAFF STRUCTURE TO REGULATE THE INDUSTRY WITH COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED BUT THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

TEN CASINOS WOULD BE ALLOWED UNDER THE PLAN, INCLUDING THE CURRENT THREE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIAN SITES.

OPERATORS COULD BID FOR LICENSE IN MACON, GREENE, MOBILE, JEFFERSON, HOUSTON AND LOWNDES COUNTIES, WHERE OF COURSE THERE ARE EXISTING GAMBLING OPERATIONS.

THERE WOULD ALSO BE AN ADDITIONAL LICENSE AWARDED PENDING APPROVAL OF A COMPACT WITH THE POARCH CREEKS.

CASINOS WOULD BE TAXED AT 24%, WHILE SPORTS BETTING WOULD BE TAXED AT 17%.

PROPONENTS ESTIMATE REVENUE TO THE STATE WOULD BE BETWEEN $800 MILLION AND A BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY.

WHERE WOULD THAT MONEY GO?

UNLIKE PREVIOUS PLANS THAT EARMARKED MOST OF THE FUNDS, THIS PLAN IS MORE FLEXIBLE.

LOTTERY PROCEEDS WOULD ALL GO TOWARD A SPECIAL FUND SET ASIDE FOR EDUCATION NEEDS.

CASINO AND SPORTS BETTING REVENUE WOULD BE PLACED IN A TRUST FUND TO SHORE UP GENERAL FUND ACCOUNTS AND THEN USED FOR EXPENDITURES LIKE MENTAL HEALTH CARE, RURAL HEALTH CARE, STATE PARKS, STATE RETIREE BENEFITS, DRUG COURTS AND OTHER NON-RECCURING EXPENSES.

END SO THERE YOU HAVE IT.

WE ARE GOING TO BE HEARING A LO MORE ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION AS THE SESSION MOVES FORWARD.

TUNE IN TO OUR WEEK IN REVIEW SHOW TOMORROW WHEN I'LL INTERVIEW STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS BLACKSHEAR WHO IS SPONSORING THE LEGISLATION.

I'LL ALSO TALK WITH BRIAN HARDI OF THE ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION, ONE OF SEVERAL CONSERVATIVE GROUPS OPPOSING TH EXPANSION OF GAMBLING.

THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL TOMORROW AT 7:30.

THAT'S ONE OF A HANDFUL OF BILL WE ARE FOLLOWING GOING INTO NEX WEEK WHEN THE LEGISLATURE RETURNS.

ANOTHER IS THE ABSENTEED BALLOT HARVESTING BILL WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER IN THE SHOW AND ALSO A BILL REVISING THE ETHICS CODE.

I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO BE TALKIN WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON LATER IN THE SHOW.

HE'S THE ONE SPONSORING THESE ETHICS CODE CHANGES AND WE DISCUSSED HIS DRAFT BILL IN LENGTH.

TURNING FOR A MOMENT TO WASHINGTON, D.C., WHERE U.S.

SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE TODAY GOT A CHANCE TO QUESTION LEADER OF THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES ABOUT THE HIGH COSTS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

TUBERVILLE ASKED IF DUPLICATIVE REGULATIONS CAUSED PRODUCT DELAYS AND COST INCREASES.

THE ANSWER HE GOT FROM MERCK CE ROBERT DAVIS IS LONG, BUT WORTH LISTENING TO.

HE'S TAKING ABOUT DRUGS USED TO TREAT CANCER, ALZHEIMER'S AND OTHER CONDITIONS.

>> I'M A TRUE BELIEVER OF CAPITALISM.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE BEST HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN THE WORLD.

THE PROBLEM IS WE'VE GOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVOLVED IN IT, AND IT'S NOT IMPLEMENTED THE WAY PROBABLY IT SHOULD BE.

THAT BEING SAID, I JUST GOT A FEW QUESTIONS HERE ON A COUPLE OF THINGS.

MR. DAVIS, CAN YOU EXPLAIN ME SOMETHING.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS TWO HUGE PRIORITIES.

DICTATE THE PRICES OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SPECIFICALLY SMALL MOLECULE DRUGS AND CURE CANCER.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH HOW THOSE PRIORITIES MIGHT BE IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION OF EACH OTHER.

>> WELL, SENATOR, I THINK WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO IS WHAT IS CALLED THE PILL PENALTY UNDERNEATH THE IRA AND WHAT THAT DOES IS EFFECTIVELY SAYS THAT AT NINE YEARS POST YOUR FIRST APPROVAL YOUR PRICE OR YOUR DRUG WILL BE NEGOTIATED.

IF IT'S SMALL IT'S 13.

IF IT'S A LARGE -- THE ISSUE THAT THAT RAISES IS THAT IT DISFAVORS SMALL MOLECULE DEVELOPMENT.

AND THE REALTY IS, IF YOU LOOK ACROSS THE MAJORITY OF CANCER TREATMENT ESTHER STILL SMALL MOLECULES.

AND AS CHRIS POINTED OUT EARLIER, THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANCER DRUGS USUALLY STARTS IN THE PHASE STARTING AT THE VERY MOST SICKEST PATIENT, THE LAST STAGE OF DISEASE, AND THEN YOU WORK FORWARD INTO EARLIER PHASES OF THE DEGREE OF DISEASE WHERE YOU CAN START TO MAYBE TALK ABOUT A CURE.

TO DO THOSE STUDIES IN EARLY STAGE DISEASE, AND WE HAVE NINE APPROVALS IN THAT SPACE, THOSE STUDIES CAN TAKE SEVEN TO NINE YEARS TO DO.

OBVIOUSLY IF AT NINE YEARS I HAVE TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE PRICE OF THAT DRUGS TO A POINT THAT IT IS POTENTIALLY AT BASICALLY NO PROFIT, MY INCENTIVE TO DO THOSE FOLLOW ON STUDIES IS NOT THERE, AND THAT IS OUR WORRY, THAT IF YOU LOOK AT CANCER CARE, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE PATIENTS SUFFER BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET TO REALLY TALKING ABOUT A CURE WHICH IS AN EARLIER CASE OF DISEASE.

ALSO YOU DIDN'T ASK ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S AND NEUROSCIENCE DISEASES BUT MOST CNS DISEASES REQUIRE SMALL MOLECULE.

MOST LARGE MOLECULE CAN'T PENETRATE THE BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER SO WE ARE DIS ENSENT I HAVIZING SOME OF THE AREAS OF NEED IN OUR SOCIETY THROUGH THE PILL PENALTY THAT YOU REFERRED TO.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON OF DAPHNE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME BACK.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> IT'S BEEN QUITE A WEEK, THE FIRST WEEK OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

HOW IS IT GOING SO FAR.

>> IT'S BEEN HECTIC, A LOT GOING ON, STARTING WITH THE STATE OF THE STATE TUESDAY NIGHT AND THAT'S A LOCK NIGHT AS IT IS.

YOU KNOW AS WE GET TO THE START OF SESSION WE SEE SOME OF THESE BILLS DROP THAT GET EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION.

IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN ONE.

BUCKLE UP AND HOLD ON TIGHT.

>> IT ALWAYS IS.

THAT'S THE THING AND WHY I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY OF THESE BIG TICKET ITEMS, PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT GAMBLING, SCHOOL CHOICE, VOTING, ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE UP A LOT OF ATTENTION.

YOU'VE GOT A KEY ISSUE FLYING UNDER THE RADAR AND THAT IS ETHICS, RESLIDESSING THE ETHICS CODE.

I'M GOING TO 2010 WHEN THE LEGISLATURE, AFTER THAT TAKEOVER ELECTION REVISED THE CODE BUT IT'S REALLY BEEN PROBLEMATIC EVER SINCE, LITTLE THINGS HERE AND THERE ARE PROBLEMATIC AND I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A BILL, MAYBE READY TO INTRODUCE SOON.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND SORT OF WHAT LED UP TO THIS POINT.

>> SO YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO 2010 AND TALK ABOUT THIS, THE HANDSHAKE WITH ALABAMA.

THAT'S WHEN THE REPUBLICANS CAME INTO THE LEGISLATURE AND TOOK OVER AS CONTROLLING PARTY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY RAN AS PART OF OF THE HANDSHAKE WITH ALABAMA.

ONE OF THE FIVE FINGERS WAS ETHICS REFORM.

SO WHAT THEY DID, GOVERNOR RILEY WAS STILL IN OFFICE.

GOVERNOR BENTLEY HAD NOT BEEN SWORN N THE LEGISLATURE COMES IN OFFICE IN NOVEMBER, AFTER WE WIN THE ELECTION, THE LEGISLATURE COMES IN.

WHAT HAPPENED THEN WAS THEY CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION IN THAT INTERIM PERIOD WHERE GOVERNOR RILEY WAS STILL THE GOVERNOR AND GOVERNOR BENTLEY WILL NOT OFFICIALLY TAKEN OFFICE AND THEY PASSED A ETHICS REVISION.

I THINK THE INTENT WAS CORRECT.

I THINK SO THE MIND-SET OF WE REALLY NEED TO BE STRONG ON ETHICS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE TIGHTENED OUR LAWS.

THE PROBLEM IS IT WAS KIND OF RUSHED.

IT WASN'T VETTED THROUGH THE PROCESS.

SO WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF ISSUES THAT HAVE ARISEN BECAUSE THE FAVORITE PHRASE OF EVERYBODY, UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE.

THAT'S KIND OF REALLY WHERE WE START OF, THERE'S PROBLEMS.

YOU HAVE SEEN REPORTS FROM ADMISSIONS AND TASK NORRISS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH ETHICS LAWS IN ALABAMA.

WE HAVE A DECISIONS AND OPINIONS FROM THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, FROM THE SUPREME COURT, ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION COMING TO US AND SAYING THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH YOUR ETHICS LAWS.

IT'S KIND OF THE THIRD RAIL IN ALABAMA POLITICS BUT WE CAN'T JUST DUCK OUR HEAD IN THE SAND AND SAY I'M NOT GOING TO GO TAKE UP THIS ISSUE.

THERE ARE 3 HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE ETHICS LAWS IN ALABAMA AND THAT EXTENDS TO A MILLION BY THE TIME YOU COUNT THE EXTENDED FAMILIES WHICH STILL FULLS FALLS UNDER THE ETHICS LAWS.

>> TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHETHER IT'S GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS AND ALSO LOCAL PUSHING OFFICIALS.

>> LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND NOT JUST LOCAL ELECTED, WHAT YOU WOULD THINK OF A PUBLIC OFFICIAL.

THESE ARE YOUR TEACHERS, YOUR FIREFIGHTERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, CITY MAINTENANCE WORKERS, ALL CITY EMPLOYEES, ALL OF YOUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

I DON'T THINK THAT THE LEGISLATURE FULLY INTENDED TO COVER NEARLY A QUART OF OUR POPULATION IN 2010.

SO INSTEAD OF TAKING THIS SHOTGUN APPROACH GOING AT EVERYTHING WE WANTED TO USE MORE OF A SNIPER ISSUE AND FOCUS ON THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WE'RE TRYING TO COLLECT.

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WE'RE TRYING TO ENFORCE AND LET'S MAKE SURE THAT THE RUN-OF-THE-MILL EVERYDAY EMPLOYEE DOESN'T HAVE THEIR HANDS TIED OF TIED BEHIND THEIR BACK.

WE WANT TO RECRUIT THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST TO RUN OR OFFICE OR SERVE IN THE CITY OR COUNTY.

WE DON'T WASN'T TEAM SAY I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE I SEE HOW IT GOES.

WE WANT THE BRIGHT AND THE FACT BEST WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

>> YOU HAVEN'T DROPPED THE BILL YET BUT AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW WHAT IS THE PLAN TO DO?

>> SO RIGHT NOW, THE PLAN -- WE HAVE DRAFT.

WE RELEASED A DRAFT YESTERDAY.

WHAT -- THE QUICK THICK IT WILL DO IS TAKE CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS AND PUT THEM UNDER THE INJURED OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND ATTORNEY GENERAL.

IF YOU CAN GO TO PRISON OR JAIL THE PROSECUTORS WILL BE THE PROSECUTORS ON EVERY OTHER CASE.

RIGHT NOW THE ETHICS COMMISSION HAS SOME JURISDICTION OVER OVER CRIMINAL LAWS AND THAT DIDN'T SEEM; RIGHT.

LET'S MAKE IT EASY FOR EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND AND MAKE IT BLACK AND WHITE WHERE PEOPLE CAN KNOW IF YOU DID THIS, IF YOU VIOLATE THE LAW, THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE FACING.

LET'S LET THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PROSECUTING IT HAVE THIS JURISDICTION.

WE'RE GIVING ETHICS COMMISSION COMPLETE CONTROL OVER CIVIL PENALTIES AND VIOLATIONS.

SO IF IT'S A FINE, IF IT'S -- YOU HAVE TO PAY RESTITUTION OR HAVE ANXIOUSTION THAT WILL BE THE JURISDICTION OF THE ETHICS COMMISSION.

BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO PRISON, THE REAL BAD PEOPLE, THAT'S THE JURISDICTION OF THE PROSECUTORS.

>> THAT MAKE SENSE BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN A GRAY AREA.

AND HONESTLY SOME FRICTION BETWEEN THE ETHICS COMMISSION AND THE ATTORNEY'S GENERAL OFFICE OR PROSECUTORS IN GENERAL SO THAT DOES MAKE SENSE.

LET ME ASK YOU, YOU SAID YOU HAVE A DRAFT AND YOU'RE LOOKING AND SHOPPING IT AROUND TO YOUR COLLEAGUES.

WHAT'S THE FEEDBACK BEEN SO FAR THIS AN ISSUE THAT EFFECTS YOU DIRECTLY AS LAWMAKERS.

>> IT DOES.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE -- WE'RE NOT TRYING TO HIDE THIS UNDER THE RADAR OR SNEAK IT THROUGH WITH GAMING.

IT'S JUST GAMING IS TAKING ALL OF THE OXYGEN IN THE AIR RIGHT NOW AND I DON'T THINK PEOPLE HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT AND THAT'S WHY I'M TALKING THIS SPECIFICATION APPROACH WE'RE TAKING.

NEXT WEEK WE WILL HAVE A MEETING AND WE WILL HAVE LSA GIVE US A RUNDOWN, THIS IS WHAT THIS BILL DOES, THIS IS WHAT IT HAS, THIS THIS IS WHAT WE CHANGED AND WHY.

WE HAD SEVERAL MEETING THIS SUMMER OF, FOUR OR FIVE AND INFORMATIVE MEETING ABOUT HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE.

THIS MEETING WILL TALK ABOUT THE DRAFT ON WEDNESDAY 14.

THEN THE NEXT WEEK WE WILL TAKE INPUT FROM MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE OR ANYBODY IN THE PUBLIC THAT HAS ANY INPUT AND SAID I DON'T LIKE THIS, HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT CHANGING THIS AND THAT WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 21 AND WE WILL TAKE ALL OF THAT INPUT AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO DRAFT THE BILL AND DROP THE BILL BY THE LAST WEEK OF FEBRUARY TO KIND OF GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF -- WITH ETHICS IT'S VERY WEIRD.

WE DON'T WANT TO DROP A BILL AND THEN HAVE 15 SUB CONSTITUTIONS WHERE SOMEBODY SAYS, LOOK, THIS BILL -- CURRENTLY THE DRAFT IS 63 PAGES.

I DON'T WANT TO DRAW UP A SUBSTITUTION AND HAVE THE COMMITTEE FIND SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE OF 63 PAGES AND NOT KNOW, WELL, YOU KNOW, WE CHANGE ONE LINE.

WE WANT TO HAVE A FULL DRAFT, A FULL READY BILL TO BE ABLE TO DROP IT IN THE END OF FEBRUARY.

>> FIX IT ON THE FRONT END.

IN THAT CASE SMART.

BECAUSE SOMETHING THIS COMPLICATED I COULD SEE HAVING A LOT OF REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS ALONG THE WAY BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS AN OPINION.

AND I REMEMBER HOW COMPLICATED BACK IN 2010, I REMEMBER HOW COMPLICATED THE ISSUE OF PRINCIPLE WAS; RIGHT?

WHO DOES IT APPLY TO DO.

OBVIOUSLY IF YOU'RE A CEO OR A LOBBYIST, BUT IF YOU'RE A BOARD MEMBER, A FAMILY OF A BOARD MEMBER, ARE YOUR INTERACTIONS WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS, YOU KNOW, GOVERNED BY THE ETHICS -- IT WAS A REALISTICALLY ISSUE SO HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH THAT TURN THE PRINCIPLE ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN LING RICK AROUND THERE.

WE HAVE A DEFINITION OF PRINCIPLE AND TRY TO INCLUDE SOMEONE THAT HIRES, FIRES OR DIRECTS A LOBBYIST ACTIVITIES.

SO IF YOU'RE A BOARD MEMBER BUT YOU'RE NOT INVOLVED IN WHAT THE LOBBYIST DOES OR WHAT IS GOING ON YOU'RE NOT REALLY A PRINCIPLE IN THAT.

YOU MAY BE A PROHIBITED SOURCE AND THAT'S WHAT WE CHANGED THE LANGUAGE IT HAD TO BE.

WE HAVE THE DEFINITION OF PRINCIPLE.

WE HAVE ALSO INCLUDED PROHIBITED SOURCES, MEANING IF YOU'RE TRYING TO INFLUENCE AN ACTION OF THE LEGISLATURE YOU WOULD FALL UNDER THAT PROHIBITED SOURCE TO COME THROUGH.

SO IF YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING WITH THE INTENT OF INFLUENCING, THEN YOU WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE GIFT BAN.

IF YOUR ACTIONS -- AND WE CAN CAN TELL BASED ON WHAT YOU DO AND WHAT YOUR A ACTIONS ARE, YOUR PROHIBITED SOURCE IS WHERE THEY WOULD FALL INTO THAT.

>> THEY CAN'T GO OUT AND BUY YOU A SET OF GOLF CLUBS.

>> NO.

WE PUT A LIMIT ON THE GULF BAN SO IT'S ANYTHING LESS THAN A HUNDRED DOLLARS WOULD BE NOT CONSIDERED A GIFT.

IT'S DE MINIMUS.

ANYTHING MORE THAN A HUNDRED DOLLARS HAS TO FALL UNDER THE EXCEPTIONS THAT ARE ALREADY CURRENTLY IN THE STATUTE AND THOSE HAVE TO BE REPORTED TO THE ETHICS COMMISSION.

SO IF SOMEONE HAS A CONFERENCE, AN EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE, IF THEY HAVE A WIDELY ATTENDED EVENT OR DINNER, IF THEY'RE SPENDING MORE THAN A HUNDRED DOLLARS PER PERSON THEY HAVE TO REPORT THAT.

MORE THAN A HUNDRED DOLLARS ON THE LEGISLATURE OR ELECTED OFFICIAL THEY HAVE TO REPORT THAT AND THAT PATRIOT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE.

IT WILL BE ON THE ETHICS COMMISSION WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RELEASING THAT SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN KNOW THIS IS WHERE THE MONEY WENT.

>> AND LIKE YOU SAID, IT WAS WIDELY ATTENDED EVENTS THOSE HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S SOMETHING NEFARIOUS OR WRONG BUT SOME TRANSPARENCY WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE BCA, WHATEVER IT IS.

I DO THINK THAT TRANSPARENCY HAS BEEN LACKING IN THE PAST.

WHILE I HAVE YOU, YOU MENTIONED JUST THE FACT THIS THIRD RAIL OF YOU TOUCH IT, YOU DIE.

BECAUSE ANY REVISION TO THE ETHICS CODE REALLY FOR THE LAST 10 OR 15 YEARS HAS BEEN SEEN AS OH, YOU'RE TRYING TO WEAKEN IT.

YOU'RE GOING TO TRY TO ROLL BACK THESE MONUMENTAL ETHICS REFORMS AND FOR THAT REASON THE LEGISLATURE HAS REALLY SAID, WE DON'T WANT TO BE BLAMED FOR THAT.

SO THAT BEING THE CASE, HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT ACTUALLY GETTING THIS DONE.

IS IT GOING TO BE EDUCATION PROCESS WITH CONSTITUENTS, WITH LAWMAKERS THEMSELVES?

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TACTICSES ABOUT HOW YOU PLAN TO ACTUALLY GET THIS DONE.

>> FIRST THING I WANT DO DO IS COMMEND THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WHO SPEND SO MUCH TIME THIS WINTER GETTING READY FOR THIS.

SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS INFORM THEM WHAT IS GOING ON.

THEY WERE THE FIRST PEOPLE WHO GOT A COPY OF THE DRAFT.

NOBODY GOT IT OUTSIDE OF THE COMMITTEE FIRST.

SO I WANT THEM TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND THAT'S WHY WE COME IN NEXT WE BELONG WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THEM A FULL PRESENTATION, IT WILL BE STREAMED.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED.

IT WILL BE STREAMED ON THE INTERNET SAME AS ALL OF OUR MEETINGS IN THE PAST AND WE WANT TO INFORM PEOPLE THIS IS KIND OF WHAT WE'RE THINKING AND WHERE WE'RE GOING.

I'M NOT THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT.

I'M GENERALLY NOT THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM BUT I FIND OUT WHO IS AND ASK THEM OPINIONS.

WE HAVE EXPERTS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA ON THIS LAW, EXPERTS OUTSIDE OF THE STATE, NATIONWIDE, THE AMERICAN LAW INSTITUTE.

WE HAVE REALLY GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO TRY TO FIND WHAT IS GOING ON NATIONALLY, WHAT IS GOING ON THROUGH HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES.

I WANT THE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE DOING, THIS IS WHY, AND THESE ARE THE CONSEQUENCES FROM IT.

I DON'T WANT TO WAKE UP AND COME BACK AND SOMEBODY IS LIKE YOU MISSED THIS PART UP.

THAT'S ANOTHER REASON WHY WE HAVE THE BILL GOING TO EFFECT IN JUNE OF 2025, AFTER SINE DIE OF 2025.

IF WE PASS THIS BILL THIS SESSION WE STILL HAVE THE OFF-SEASON SO COME IN AND SAY Y'ALL DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THIS PART, YOU MISSED THIS PART SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO BE -- >> IT GIVES YOU A RUNWAY.

>> IT DOES.

MY GOAL IS NOT TO GET IT RIGHT NOW; MY GOAL IS SO GET IT RIGHT.

IT'S TOO IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO MESS THIS UP AGAIN.

MY GOAL IS MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT BILL.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE MY OPINION OR I SAID THIS BECAUSE I THOUGHT -- NO, IT'S GOING TO BE PLEASE, GIVE US INPUT, TELL US WHERE THE LANDMINES IN THE BILL ARE.

IF YOU PRACTICE LAW AND PRACTICE ETHICS OR YOU'RE AN EXPERT, REACH OUT.

I HAVE REACHED OUT TO FORMER MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.

HAVE REACHED OUT TO FORMER DIRECTORS AND I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY AT ETHICS.

IF THEY DID ANYTHING WITH ETHICS WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS ON THIS.

>> WELL, IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY INTERESTING ISSUE TO WATCH.

AGAIN, WITH SO MUCH ATTENTION ON THESE OTHER BIG TICKET ITEMS I'M REALLY GLAD WE GOT A CONVERSATION ON THIS BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT A LOT OF PEOPLE SO THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SHARING THIS AND WE WILL BE FOLLOWING AS IT MOVES FORWARD.

>> I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S HOUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

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

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