>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, SENATOR DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON SAID TODAY THAT HE WAS INTRODUCING A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED LOTTERY AND GAMBLING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

IT'S LEGISLATION THAT MARSH HAS TALKED ABOUT FOR SOME TIME, BUT THAT HE WAS FINALLY READY TO DROP TODAY.

THE SENATOR RECENTLY SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL ABOUT IT.

>> THE COMPREHENSIVE BILL DEALING NOT ONLY WITH THE LOTTERY BUT GAMING IN GENERAL TO SOLVE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS AND CREATE CONTROL TO GAMING IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I THINK IT'S THE APPROACH TO GO.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION VERIFIED THAT.

>> DON: GOVERNOR KAY IVEY LAST YEAR PUT TOGETHER A COMMISSION TO STUDY THE GAMING ISSUE AND IT ISSUED A LENGTHY REPORT ON THE BENEFITS IN DECEMBER.

MARSH'S LEGISLATION WOULD EXPAND GAMBLING IN THE STATE WITH A LOTTERY, CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING.

HE SAYS IT WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE SENATE TOURISM COMMITTEE TOMORROW.

THE HOUSE TODAY PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW SOME NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS IN STATE PRISONS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR NEW, SHORTER SENTENCES.

IT'S PART OF A PACKAGE OF BILLS RECOMMENDED BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S FORMER CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDY GROUP THAT ARE AIMED AT HELPING EASE OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS IN OUR PRISONS.

THE LEGISLATION IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE JIM HILL OF MOODY.

>> WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO AND WHO WOULD BE COVERED ARE THOSE NON VIOLENT FERNANDEZ OR OFFENSES WHOSE PERSONALITIES WERE MODIFIED PER SENTENCING GUIDELINES.

TO BE ELIGIBLE, THE INDIVIDUAL OFFENSE MUST HAVE OCCURRED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 13.

AND THE MOTION FOR REDUCTION OF SENTENCE MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY EVIDENCE THAT THE DEFENDANT DEMONSTRATED BEHAVIOR DURING THE INCARCERATION INDICATING HIS FITNESS FOR RE-SENTENCING.

>> DON: HILL IS A RETIRED CIRCUIT JUDGE AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDY GROUP THAT RECOMMENDED THE BILL.

IT NOW MOVES TO THE SENATE.

THE HOUSE TODAY ALSO PASSED AMENDED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CREATE A WIRETAPPING PROGRAM FOR STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO SECRETLY MONITOR AND RECORD PEOPLE SUSPECTED OF FELONY DRUG CRIMES.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE SENATE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TODAY APPROVED A SIMILAR BILL WHICH WAS SUPPORTED BY HEATHER PYRLIK WITH THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

>> YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY DO AN APPLICATION.

YOU HAVE TO GO, SHOW UP WITH AN APPLICATION, ONE OF THESE WIRE TAPS.

IT CAN BE ONLY FOR FELONY DRUG OFFENSES.

AND THE ONLY TIME YOU USE THIS, BECAUSE OF HAVING CHECKED OFF ALL OF THE OTHER INVESTIGATIVE MATTER IS FOR FELONY DRUG TRAFFICKING.

LIKE YOU PUT INTO THAT APPLICATION PROCESS, ONCE YOU DO THAT, IT GOES TO THE A.G.'S OFF FOR COMPLETE REVIEW.

>> DON: THE LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE A NEW PROGRAM FOR STATE POLICE THAT, WITH A JUDGE'S APPROVAL, WOULD ALLOW THEM TO TAP SOMEONE'S CALLS AND ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS WITHOUT INVOLVING FEDERAL AUTHORITIES.

THE HOUSE TODAY ALSO PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIREFIGHTERS WHO NEED TREATMENT FOR POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

IT'S LEGISLATION SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON OF DAPHNE, AND IT PASSED THE LOWER CHAMBER UNANIMOUSLY.

>> WE MET EVERY OTHER MONTH AFTER LEGISLATION, SESSION, WHERE WE WORKED WITH THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION COMMISSION, AND THE ALABAMA LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES.

AND AFTER SIX OR SEVEN DRAFTS, WE WORKED AND CAME UP WITH THIS.

IT IS SUPPORTED BY THE CITIES AND COUNTIES.

THEY ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THE BILL.

>> DON: AN AMENDMENT WAS OFFERED TO ALSO COVER VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS UNDER THE PTSD LEGISLATION, BUT IT DID NOT PASS.

THE BILL NOW MOVES TO THE SENATE.

THE SENATE FINANCE AND TAXATION EDUCATION COMMITTEE TODAY KEPT A PRIORITY ECONOMIC INCENTIVES RENEWAL BILL ON THE FAST TRACK.

IT APPROVED THE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXTEND THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT AND THE GROWING ALABAMA TAX CREDITS, WHICH ARE SEEN AS VITAL TO BUSINESS RECRUITMENT IN THE STATE.

BOTH EXPIRED DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT GOVERNOR KAY IVEY EXTENDED THEM BY EXECUTIVE ORDER UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE RECONVENED.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED OF JASPER IS CARRYING THE BILL IN THE UPPER CHAMBER.

>> WE GOT A NEW SUNSET DAY ON THIS, JULY 2023 WHICH MOVES US JUST THROUGH TWO YEARS.

AND THEN, THE NEXT LEGISLATURE AND QUADRENNIUM AND THE NEXT GOVERNOR IN THE QUADRENNIUM HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REEVALUATE AND LOOK AT IT AGAIN.

>> DON: THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVES LEGISLATION NOW MOVES TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

A CLOSELY WATCHED BILL THAT WOULD AMEND THE STATE'S MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT IS SET TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TOMORROW.

IT'S LEGISLATION SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE JUANDALYNN GIVAN OF BIRMINGHAM, WHO SAYS HER INTENT IS NO LONGER TO REPEAL THE SO-CALLED MONUMENTS LAW, BUT TO AMEND IT.

GIVAN TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL SHE WANTS TO GIVE LOCAL CITIES AND TOWNS THE OPTION OF REMOVING MONUMENTS AND TURNING THEM OVER TO THE STATE, WITHOUT THE THREAT OF HEAVY FINES LIKE THOSE UNDER THE CURRENT LAW.

>> WE KNOW EVERYBODY IS NOT GOING TO SEND THEIR MONUMENTS OR ARTIFACTS OR HISTORIC MARKERS BACK.

BUT THEY WANT THE FLEXIBILITY TO SAY, IF WE SHOULD MAKE A DECISION, AS A BODY, AND WE DO IT IN THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION, WE HAVE A PLACE THAT WE CAN SEND THESE MONUMENTS TO BE PRESERVED >> DON: UNDER GIVAN'S PROPOSED BILL, MUNICIPALITIES COULD TURN MONUMENTS OVER TO EITHER THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY OR THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE DISPLAY.

THE REPRESENTATIVE WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

A STATE LAWMAKER TODAY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BLOCK STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES FROM ENFORCING ANY NEW GUN CONTROL LAWS PASSED BY CONGRESS OR ORDERED BY THE PRESIDENT.

IT'S CALLED THE ALABAMA FIREARMS PROTECTION ACT, AND IT'S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE SHANE STRINGER OF CITRONELLE.

>> ANYBODY THAT'S ATTACKING OR COMING AFTER THE SECOND AMENDMENT, OR ATTEMPTING TO TAX OR PLACE ANY KIND OF RESTRICTIONS ON GUNS, MAGAZINES, SIGHTS, SILENCERS, ANY ACCESSORIES THAT COME WITH IT, THIS BILL WILL PROTECT THE CITIZENS.

THIS BILL IS GOING TO PROHIBIT ANY STATE AGENCY FROM ENFORCING ANY OF THOSE FEDERAL LAWS OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT COME ABOUT AFTER JANUARY 2021.

>> REPRESENTATIVE STRINGER IS A FORMER SOUTH ALABAMA POLICE CHIEF WHO SAYS HE'S WORRIED ABOUT WHAT HE CALLS AN ERODING OF FUNDAMENTAL GUN RIGHTS.

OTHER STATES HAVE PASSED SIMILAR LEGISLATION, BUT SOME OF THOSE EFFORTS ARE FACING COURT CHALLENGES.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE PARKER MOORE IS BACK IN THE STUDIO.

SEEMS LIKE IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC, EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING TO BE DONE, CAN BE DONE IS BEING DONE.

>> RIGHT.

OUR LEADERSHIP HAS DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB TO KEEP US SOCIALLY DISTANCED AND TRANSFORMED US MORE INTO A MODERN DAY CENTURY, IF YOU WILL, ON BEING ABLE TO VOTE BY TABLET AND BEING UP IN THE GALLERY AND OVERFLOW ROOMS TO BE SURE WE STAY SAFE, MASKS ON AND STAY IN OUR OFFICE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> Don: DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE?

>> I DO.

IT'S CHANGED SINCE OUR LAST TWO YEARS.

BUT I FEEL LIKE IT'S A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

>> WE HEARD FROM THE SPEAKER LAST WEEK, THE VOTING BY TABLET WENT PRETTY WELL?

IS THAT YOUR EXPERIENCE.

>> RIGHT, I'M ONE OF THE ONES IS VOTING BY TABLET.

I'M NOT DOWN ON THE FLOOR.

THERE WAS NO LAG OR ANYTHING, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH US CASTING OUR VOTES.

ITS BEEN A GREAT THING.

>> AND YOU WERE IN THE GALLERY OR THE OVERFLOW ROOM?

>> I WAS IN THE OVERFLOW ROOM.

AND YOU CAN WATCH IT ON TV.

>> SO, IS IT WORKING?

>> IT IS.

AND THINGS ARE WORKING SMOOTHLY.

NEXT WEEK WE'LL TAKE EVERYTHING OFF AND REEVALUATE AND SEE WHERE THINGS STAND.

WE'RE IN A GOOD POSITION TO GO FORWARD.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF BILLS YOU HAVE IN THE NEW SESSION.

I WANT TO DEAL WITH THE ONE WITH THE RETIRED TEACHERS.

YOUR PROPOSED LEGISLATION SAYS TEACHERS CAN GO BACK TO WORK FOR ONE FULL ACADEMIC YEAR AND NOT BE LIMITED IN RETIREMENT OR COMPENSATION.

BUT I THINK YOU WERE WORKING ON PRE PANDEMIC AND THE PANDEMIC HAS PUT A WHOLE NEW EDGE ON IT.

>> RIGHT.

FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN I DECIDED TO RUN, I REACHED OUT IN MY DIRECTOR AND IN MY COMMUNITIES, I DECIDED WHAT WAS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST, WHAT THEY WERE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND EDUCATION WAS ONE OF THE PIECES.

IT BECAME THE CORNERSTONE OF MY CAMPAIGN WORKING FOR THE EDUCATORS, CURRENTLY WORKING AND RETIRED, WHICH HAS BEEN IMPORTANT TO ME.

AND THE PANDEMIC BROUGHT THAT VERY MUCH TO LIGHT, WITH THE STRESSES AND EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON WITHIN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM FOR OUR EDUCATORS.

>> WE HAVE A PROBLEM, DO WE NOT IN FINDING CERTIFIED TEACHERS, A; AND THEN B, WITH THE STRESS OF THE PANDEMIC, OUR CURRENT TEACHERS NEED HELP AND THIS BILL WOULD ASSIST IN BOTH OF THOSE AREAS?

>> IT WOULD.

WE HAVE GONE BACK, AND SPEAK TO GO MY EDUCATORS, WHAT THE ISSUES ARE THEY ARE FACING UNDER THE PANDEMIC.

ONE OF THE THEM IS WORKING ALL DAY IN THE CLASSROOM WITH THE STUDENTS AND THEN GO HOME AND DO VIRTUAL WITH THE STUDENTS WHO WERE NOT ABLE TO COME INTO THE CLASSROOMS.

THEY ARE DOUBLE DIPPING AND GETTING BURNT OUT AND STRUGGLING.

SO, WE'RE STRUGGLING TO FIND THESE QUALIFIED TEACHERS TO HELP OUT.

I'M PUSHING THIS BILL TO TRY TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO RETIRED TEACHERS, THE INCENTIVE AND COME BACK, HELP OUT, WHETHER IT'S VIRTUAL OR IN CLASS, TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE BURDEN ON OUR CURRENT EDUCATORS.

>> HAVE YOU HEARD FROM ANY RETIRED TEACHERS, IF THEY ARE WILLING AND READY, IF NEED BE?

>> IT'S BEEN SPLIT.

THEY ARE ALL FAVORABLE OF THE OPTION, YOU KNOW, TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

BUT SOME OF THEM ARE A LITTLE LEERY ABOUT COMING BACK INTO A CLASSROOM.

WHEN THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THEY CAN DO THE VIRTUAL AS WELL, THEY PERK UP A LITTLE BIT AND PIQUES THEIR INTEREST.

>> FOLLOWING THAT, COULD THEY COME BACK FOR ONE FULL ACADEMIC YEAR WITHOUT LOSING BENEFITS?

>> WELL, IT'S CAPPED AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO SEE THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

SO, THIS CHANGES IT, ONE TIME FULL YEAR, EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCE, LIKE A PANDEMIC, SAY, OR IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY KIND OF CERTIFIED TEACHER.

THEY HAVE TO POST THE JOB LISTING FOR A POSITION, FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DAYS UNDER A STANDARD HIRING PROCESS.

BUT THIS WOULD ALLOW THEM, AFTER THE PROCESS IS OVER, IF THEY CAN'T FIND A CERTIFIED TEACHER, THEN THEY CAN GO THAT ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO HIRING AN EDUCATED TEACHER IN THESE SITUATIONS.

>> WELL, I KNOW ON THESE SITUATIONS, WE'RE SHORT OR CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND COULD ADDRESS THAT, IN THE SHORT TERM UNTIL WE ATTRACT MORE CERTIFIED TEACHERS.

NOW, I KNOW YOUR BILL MAY BE TWEAKED BEFORE IT HEADS TO COMMITTEE, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YEAH, WE WANT TO CROSS OUR T'S AND DOT OUR I'S BEFORE WE GET A BILL FILED.

I THINK I HAD DONE THAT.

AND THEN YOU GET IT IN, SOMEBODY ELSE READS IT DOWN THE ROAD AND THEY WANT TO LOOK INTO IT FURTHER.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO BECAUSE IT EFFECTS EVERYBODY INVOLVED WITH IT.

>> BUT YOU ARE FAIRLY OPTIMISTIC THAT YOU CAN GET THIS OUT THIS YEAR?

>> I DO.

EVEN THE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE SPOKEN WITH WHO HAVE A QUESTION COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON IT, FAVOR IN IT, THEY ARE ABOUT TWEAKING IT AND STRENGTHENING THE LANGUAGE.

REPRESENTATIVE PARKER MOORE, PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU HERE IN THE STUDIO AND WELCOME BACK TO THE STATE HOUSE THIS YEAR.

>> AND YOU TOO, DON.

>> THANK YOU.

AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, JUANDALYNN GIVAN BACK IN THE STUDIO.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU, DON.

>> YOU HAVE A BILL THAT'S GOING TO BE UP IN THE HOUSE TOMORROW, HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

DEALING WITH THE PRESERVATION MEMORIAL ACT.

WE HAD YOU ON THE SUMMER FOR THIS, AND IT'S COMING TO HEAD AND HERALDED AS ONE OF THE ISSUES TO WATCH IN THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND OFTEN PORTRAYED AS BEING A REPEAL EFFORT.

AND IT'S MORPHING NOT, NECESSARILY TO A REPEAL?

>> EXACTLY.

REALLY TO MAKE MOD MODIFICATIONS TO THE 2017 HISTORICAL PRESERVATION MONUMENTS BILL WE'VE PASSED.

WHAT WE FOUND OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW YEARS -- AND LET ME STATE FOR THE RECORD, I FILED A FULL REPEAL OF THE BILL IN A YEAR LATER.

AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THE 2017, I RECEIVED NUMEROUS CALLS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, NOT JUST THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

PEOPLE WERE, LIKE, WE REALLY WISH THAT THERE HAD BEEN SOME AMENDMENTS ALLOWED, CERTAIN AMENDMENTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

AND ONE OF THAT GROUP OR THAT SUCH GROUP WAS MUNICIPALITIES BECAUSE THEY WANT A LEVEL OF SOCIAL THINGS, YOU KNOW, WITH THE CIVIL UNREST, JUSTICE AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SOCIAL JUSTICE TAKING PLACE, AND ACROSS THE WORLD, THESE MUNICIPALITIES HAVE COME UNDER ATTACK.

THEY WANT TO HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO SAY, SAY HEY, IF WE VOTE AS LEGISLATIVE BODY FOR RESPECTIVE MUNICIPALITIES, WE WANT THE FLEXIBILITY TO SAY TO THE STATE OR SAY TO THE WORLD ANY ENTITY TO GOVERN OVER THEM TO SAY WE WANT A PROCESS IN PLACE THAT WE WILL NOT BE PENALIZED, NOT BE FINED $25,000 IF WE COVER UP, IF WE REMOVE, IF IT'S DESTROYED IN ANY KIND OF WAY, ANY TYPE OF MANNER, WE AS A GOVERNING BODY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIMPLY SEND THE MONUMENTS BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES OR THE HISTORIC COMMISSION HERE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF THE PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

AND WE KNOW THAT EVERYBODY IS NOT GOING TO SEND THEIR MONUMENTS BASKET BACK, OR MARKERS, HISTORIC MARKERS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

BUT THEY WANT THE FLEXIBILITY TO SAY, IF WE SHOULD MAKE A DECISION, AS A BODY, AND WE DO IT IN THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION, WE HAVE A PLACE THAT WE CAN SEND THESE MONUMENTS TO BE PRESERVED AND IT STILL SERVES THE SAME INTENT AND COVERS THE BILL ITSELF.

SIMPLY, THAT'S IT.

>> AND THE CORE OF THE PUSH BACK SEEMS TO CENTER ON REMOVING THESE THINGS, CONTROVERSIAL MONUMENTS, STAT TUESDAY FROM THE PUBLIC SQUARE AND PUTTING THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE, WHETHER IT'S A MUSEUM OR EVEN GO TO CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL PARK.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE ACTUALLY WORKING ON.

AND YOU ARE GOING TO SEE AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BILL.

WE'RE WORKING TO MAKE MINOR AMENDMENTS TO SAY, IF THEY ACTUALLY, I SPOKE TO MR. MURRAY, THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT, SECRETARY OF THE ARCHIVES.

HE RUNS THE DEPARTMENT AND DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB, VERY GREAT JOB.

HE SAID, 100% WE SUPPORT THE BILL.

HOWEVER, ONE THING THAT WE WANT AT THAT LOOK AT, BECAUSE SPACE COULD BECOME AN ISSUE.

AND AGAIN, WE KNOW THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT BASICALLY WHAT HE SAID, DON, WHY DON'T WE EXPAND THE BILL TO SAY IF THEY WANT TO SEND TO IT A MUSEUM, OR A MUNICIPALITY WITHIN THEIR OWN JURISDICTION, WORKING OUT SOME TYPE OF AGREEMENT, ALSO, ALLOWING THEM TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS TO BE A PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, YOU NEVER KNOW, YOU HAVE A MUNICIPALITY WITH NO MONUMENTS AND IT COULD BE ONE THAT ACTUALLY WANTS TO HAVE, TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TAKING ON A PLACARD, MONUMENT OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

SO, I THOUGHT WOW, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

SO, IT'S JUST THOSE LITTLE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING TO TWEAK THE BILL.

BUT ALSO, IT SHOWS THE BIPARTISAN EFFORT AND THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT SORT OF STEPPING AWAY FROM THE REPEAL LANGUAGE AND MAYBE LOOKING AT IT FROM AN AMENDING OF THE CURRENT LAW MAY HELP YOU IN THE ENDEAVOR?

>> YEAH, A LOT OF THE ISSUES, DEALING WITH THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT THAT WAS PASSED.

IT HURT A LOT OF PEOPLE, HURT A LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES AS WE DEBATED THE BILL.

I THINK WE WENT SEVERAL DAYS DEBATING THE BILL AND OFFERED THESE SAME OR SIMILAR TYPE AMENDMENTS AND LOTS OF THEM WERE STRUCK DOWN BECAUSE YOU ARE PUSHING YOUR AGENDA.

IT WAS PART OF AN AGENDA PACKAGE FOR THAT YEAR.

BUT SINCE THEN, A LOT OF US AS LEGISLATORS, AND LEADERS IN OUR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS, HEARING THE VOICES FROM THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES, THEY PRODUCED A LETTER WRITING IT IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.

THEY TOOK A POSITION TO SUPPORT IT.

I'VE SEEN SEVERAL INTERVIEWS THAT THEY HAVE DONE.

THEIR LEADER HAS DONE AND PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZATION HAS DONE JUST IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

AND BECAUSE IT IS A BURDEN.

IT'S A BURDEN TO NOT BE IN A POSITION MAKING THOSE TYPE OF DECISIONS AND IT'S ALLOWING THE LEVEL OF FLEXIBILITY.

ALSO, IT'S IN KEEPING WITH THE INTENT OR SOME OF THE INTENT OF THE BILL TO PRESERVE.

IT'S ABOUT PRESERVING.

I MAY NOT AGREE WITH SOMETHING AND I THINK I SAID SOMETHING TO YOU EARLIER ON.

I MA I NOT AGREE WITH SOMETHING, GOING BACK TO GEORGE FLOYD, FOR INSTANCE, MANY MARKERS IN KELLY PARK AREA, I REPRESENT THAT, IT SITS RIGHT ACROSS THE 16TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH AND SOME OF THOSE MARKERS, IN AND AROUND THE CIVIL RIGHTS AREA WERE DESTROYED.

IT WAS FOR ME AN OPPORTUNITY, MAYBE FOR MUNICIPALITIES, TALK ABOUT THEIR HISTORY.

SAYING, UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU ARE PROTESTING, YOU CAN PROTEST BUT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PROTESTING AND WHAT YOU ARE PROTESTING ABOUT.

DO NOT DESTROY EVERYTHING THAT'S IN SITE.

>> AND THE LEAD UP TO TOMORROW'S COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH IS GOING TO TAKE UP YOUR LEGISLATION, WHAT ARE YOU TAKING UP IN THE HALLS THERE?

>> ACTUALLY, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE CHAIR HAD PUT MY BILL ON THE AGENDA.

I WAS CALLING HIM BECAUSE I KNOW RIGHT NOW WITH SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY WITH THE SESSION THIS YEAR.

I ACTUALLY CALLED HIM AND I WAS, LIKE, REPRESENTATIVE HILL, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU AND HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH YOU ABOUT GETTING MY BILL UP ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN WE COME BACK WEEK AFTER NEXT.

ARE YOU GOING TO GET IT UP AS SOON AS WE COME BACK.

AND HE WAS, LIKE, REPRESENTATIVE GIVAN, HE HAS THIS STERN VOICE AND HE SAYS, MY DEAR, YOUR BILL IS ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT WEDNESDAY.

AND I WAS, LIKE, OH MY GOSH.

AND HE SAID, I LOVE THAT BILL IT'S ONE OF THE BEST BILLS WE HAVE OUT THIS YEAR, IN THE ENTIRE SESSION.

AND IT FLOORED ME.

I TEXTED THE SPEAKER AND I SAID, I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT REPRESENTATIVE HILL SAID THAT.

I'M EXCITED.

SO, HERE, WE'RE FACING A, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, WITH THE SESSION.

WE DON'T KNOW THE UNCERTAINTY WITH COVID.

WE COME BACK IN TWO WEEKS AFTER THIS WEEK.

WE HAVE TO RETEST AGAIN OR GET TESTED.

AND NOT KNOWING WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE, IT'S LIKE SPRING BREAK, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING WHEN YOU COME BACK.

HOPEFULLY, WE'LL WORK IT OUT.

>> AND WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THERE'S ANOTHER BILL FILED DOING THE OPPOSITE, STRENGTHENING THE CURRENT LAW.

DOES THAT DETER YOU AT ALL?

>> NO.

ACTUALLY NOT AT ALL, I'VE RECEIVED SO MANY CALLS FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSION, AND DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES.

THEY WERE VERY UPSET ABOUT WHAT WAS FILED AND THAT BILL ALLOWS FOR A $10,000 DAY FINE AGAINST ANY GOVERNING BODY OR, FOR INSTANCE, A COUNTY COMMISSION, OR A MAYOR, OR A COUNTY MANAGER OR A CITY COUNCIL LORE, IF THEY VOTE IN FAVOR TO HAVE A MONUMENT REMOVED, BLOCKED, COVERED, OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO, ALTER IN ANY WAY, THEY WOULD BE FINED $10,000 ON TOP OF THE $20,000 FINE THEY ARE ALREADY FACING.

SO, I RECEIVED, AS WELL AS LEADERSHIP SAID THEY HAD RECEIVED SO MANY CALLS IN OUTRAGE OVER THE PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

IN THIS DAY AND TIME, WE DON'T NEED THAT.

I WAS SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED AND DISHEARTENED AND WHERE WE ARE IN THIS CULTURE, AGAIN NOT JUST IN ALABAMA, BUT RACIAL RELATIONS AND I'M TRYING TO KEEP RACE OUT OF THIS AND CIVIL UNREST.

I JUST DON'T THINK WE NEED THAT.

IT'S NOT A GOOD REFLECTION ON ALABAMA.

AGAIN, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO DO TOTALLY AWAY WITH THE 2017 ACT.

WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE AND GIVE IN OUR LIFE FOR MORE FLEXIBILITY AND MUNICIPALITIES OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATURE TO NOT BE PENALIZED $25,000 FOR TAKING OR MAKING A DECISION THAT'S BEST FOR THEIR REPRESENTATIVE AREAS OF THE GOVERNANCE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE JUANDALYNN GIVAN ON THE SHOW.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> YOU BET.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL," WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> BORN IN FAIRFIELD, ALABAMA WILLIE MAYES IS ONE OF THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYERS TO EVER PLAY THE GAME.

IN 22 MAJOR LEAGUE SEASONS, HE HAD A 302 LIFETIME BATTING AVERAGE AND AMASSED 382 HITS, UNTOUCHABLE TOTAL OF 397 OUTPUTS FOR THE OUTFIELD.

HE PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE WORLD SERIES IN 1954.

THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT IN HAYES' CAREER, WHEN HE MADE A RUNNING, OVER-THE-SHOULDER CATCH, POPULARLY KNOWN AS "THE CATCH."

AND HE WAS AWARDED 12 GOLD GLOVES, 24 ALL-STAR APPEARANCES, AND THE FIRST VALID HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE IN 1979.

HE WAS AWARDED THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM BY PRESIDENT BARACK O'BAMA.

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

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDED EXPECTED SENATE COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION OF A NEW BILL TO EXPAND GAMBLING IN THE STATE TO INCLUDE A LOTTERY, CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY SENATOR TOM WHATLEY OF AUBURN, WHO'LL DISCUSS HIS BILL THAT WOULD CURTAIL THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

AND WE'LL BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE BECKY NORDGREN OF GADSDEN, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT HER PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO CALL ITSELF INTO SPECIAL SESSION.

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