>> FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY, WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WELL, IT'S OFFICIAL.

AFTER WEEKS OF SPECULATION, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE TO FOCUS LAWMAKERS' ATTENTION ON ALLOCATING SOME $772 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS.

THE CALL COMES JUST A WEEK INTO THE REGULAR SESSION, WHICH WILL NOW BE PUT ON HOLD UNTIL FEBRUARY TO ALLOW TIME TO ADVANCE THE SPENDING LEGISLATION.

>> THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A 1:00 P.M. JOINT MEETING OF THE GENERAL FUND COMMITTEES IN ROOM 200 TOMORROW TO LOOK AT DETAILS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ARPA LEGISLATION.

PUBLIC HEARING.

ON THURSDAY, I ANTICIPATE US BEING BACK ON THE FLOOR AT 8:30:00 IN THE MORNING.

WE CAN ANSWER THE ROLL, ESTABLISH SOME OF THE THINKS THAT WE NEED TO.

THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE NOT ON THE GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE WOULD BE FREE TO GO IF YOU CHOSE TO.

MR. CHAIRMAN, I THINK YOUR MEETING IS GOING TO BE AT 9:00 A.M. >> THE BENEFIT OF A SPECIAL SESSION WITHIN A REGULAR SESSION IS THAT IT ALLOWS LAWMAKERS TO AVOID ENTANGLING OTHER ISSUES WHILE CONSIDERING THE MASSIVE SPENDING PLAN.

A SIMILAR APPROACH WAS TAKEN THREE YEARS AGO WITH THE GAS TAX AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.

THAT FOCUS CAN BE HELPFUL TOWARD GETTING THE ISSUE DISPENSED WITH IN SHORT ORDER, WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> ONE OF THE THINKS THINGS THAT WE DISCUSSED EARLY ON IS THAT WE DID NOT WANT THESE ITEMS TO BE CONFUSED WITH BUDGET LINE ITEMIZE AND HAVE TIPS FUNDING ISSUES TOO.

HE ARE ONE TIME EXPENDITURES WHEN WE USE WHATEVER FEDERAL FUNDS WE HAVE THEN IT'S GOING TO BE GONE.

SO WE DIDN'T NEED TO TIE IT TO LINE ITEMS IN THE BUDGET WOULD BE CONTINUOUS FUNDING YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> DETAILS ARE EMERGING OF HOW THE STATE INTENDS TO SPEND THIS ROUND OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT MONEY.

A DRAFT BILL SHOWS MOST OF THE FUNDING IS DIVIDED BETWEEN HEALTH CARE NEEDS, EXPANDING BROADBAND INTERNET, BUILDING WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SHORING UP THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND.

TAKE A LOOK.

SPECIFICALLY, THE DRAFT BILL WOULD ALLOCATE $80 MILLION TO THE STATE'S HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, $225 MILLION FOR WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMUNITIES WHERE SERVICE IS LACKING AND $243 MILLION WOULD BE SPENT ON EXPANDING ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED BROADBAND INTERNET.

THE BILL CALLS FOR $79 MILLION TO SHORE UP THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND IN ORDER TO AVOID AN AUTOMATIC TAX INCREASE ON BUSINESSES.

THAT SPECIAL SESSION STARTS TOMORROW.

THE ARPA ISSUE MAY HAVE PUT THE REGULAR SESSION ON HOLD, BUT LAWMAKERS STILL USED THE DAY TO ADVANCE THEIR UNRELATED BILLS THROUGH THE PROCESS.

THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE PASSED TWO TAX CUT BILLS FROM SEN. ARTHUR ORR OF DECATUR.

ONE WOULD CREATE A TAX EXEMPTION ON RETIREMENT INCOME OF UP TO TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THOSE 65 AND OLDER.

THE OTHER WOULD INCREASE THE OPTIONAL STANDARD DEDUCTION AND EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN WORKING FAMILIES.

ORR SAID RECENT HISTORIC REVENUES MAKE IT A GOOD TIME TO OFFER ALABAMIANS TAX RELIEF.

>> THE TWO BILLS THAT I BROUGHT BEFORE YOU FOR THE COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT OR CONSIDER, I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT ON US IN THESE VERY FRUITFUL YEARS TO TAKE UP THE CONCEPT OF TAX CUTS.

AND IF SO, AS MOST EVERYTHING IN LIFE, PEOPLE WILL BE OUT WITH WANTING A TAX CUT FOR THEIR PARTICULAR AREA OR NEED, AND THAT'S THE REASON I RESPECT THE OPINION OF THIS GROUP, OF THIS COMMITTEE, TO GIVE IT'S FEEDBACK.

I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT THESE TWO PARTICULAR BILLS ARE THE END ALL BE ALL.

I CAN EXPLAIN THE RATIONALE BEHIND BOTH OF THE BILLS.

AND WE CAN TAKE ACTION TODAY OR WE CAN WAIT AND LOOK AT OTHER TAX-CUT TYPE BILLS.

I'M OPEN TO THAT AND GLAD TO CONSIDER I.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE AS A LEGISLATURE DO TAKE SOME MEANINGFUL STEPS IN THESE VERY PROSPEROUS TIMES TO TRY TO SEND SOME OF THIS MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.

>> THE SENATE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PASSED A BILL FROM SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOT OF DAPHNE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS FROM RESTRICTING THE DISPLAY OF THE ALABAMA FLAG.

>> A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WE CELEBRATED OUR STATE'S BICENTENNIAL AND CONGRESSMEN SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING TO THAT AND WE PASSED OUT FLAGS TO THE CHILDREN WHO WENT HOME TO FRY TO FLY THEM AND FOUND OUT THEIR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION AND PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION WOULD NOT DISPLAY -- WOULD NOT LAW THE DISPLAY OF OUR STATE FLAG.

THIS BILL MODELS FEDERAL LAW THAT INHIBITS THE UNREASONABLE DISALLOWING OF THE FLYING OF THE UNITED STATES FLAG AND MIRRORS IT EXACTLY AND SIMPLY SAYS THAT HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS AND PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS CANNOT RESTRICT THE DISPLAY OF THE ALABAMA STATE FLAG.

>> OYE HAVE A QUESTION, SIR.

IT DOESN'T MENTION SIZE OR DIMENSIONS IN HERE.

>> IT DOESN'T, NO, MA'AM.

BUT IT DOES SAY THERE CAN BE REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS.

IT JUST SAYS YOU CANNOT PROHIBIT THE DISPLAY OF BUT YOU CAN STILL HAVE REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS SUCH AS IT MUST BE ATTACHED TO YOUR HOUSE, SUCH AS SIZE.

THINKS OF THAT NATURE.

SO STILL REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS BUT YOU CAN'T -- YOU CAN'T PROHIBIT THE DISPLAY OF THE FLAG.

>> THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY PASSED LEGISLATION FROM KYLE SOUTH OF FAYETTE THAT WOULD REPEAL LAST YEAR'S LAW ALLOWING COLLEGE ATHLETES TO PROFIT FROM THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

SOUTH SAYS THE LAW IS NOW OUT OF DATE AND PUTS ALABAMA ATHLETES AT A DISADVANTAGE SINCE THE NCAA SET A MORE PERMISSIVE POLICY.

>> WE ANTICIPATED THE NCAA MOVING IN ONE DIRECTION WHERE STATE LAW WOULD HAVE HELD PRECEDENT OVER THEIR RULES AND, INSTEAD, WENT DOWN A DIFFERENT PATH AND ADOPTED A SET OF STANDARDS OF THEIR OWN AND WHERE WE FOUND THE STATE IS THAT THE STATE LAW THAT WE PASSED IS A LITTLE BIT MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN WHAT THE RULES ARE AT THE NCAA LEVEL.

SO THE LAST THING THAT WE WANT IS OUR INSTITUTIONS TO BE AT A COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE WHEN IT COMES TO RECRUITING STUDENT ATHLETES.

>> AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED IN THE STATE HOUSE TODAY.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT ON THE PROGRAM, WE'RE JOINED BY STATE SENATOR ANDRUW JONES OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.

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

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WELL, TODAY HAS BEEN CALLED -- THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO COOL A SPECIAL SESSION WITHIN THE REGULAR SESSION.

BEFORE WE GET TO ANYTHING ELSE, I WANT ASK YOU, WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BE SPENT AS PART OF THIS FUND.

YOUR CAUCUS IS TALKING, CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

WHERE ARE WE WITH THE LATE IT ON A PLAN?

>> THE BUDGET CHAIRS HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK.

I'M VERY CONFIDENT IN THE PLAN THAT THEY HAVE PUT FORWARD.

I KNOW THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE TWEAKS AND ADJUSTMENTS PERHAPS AS SOME OF THE MEMBERS CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THE DETAILS.

BUT I DO THINK THE GOVERNOR WAS VERY WISE TO PUT THIS IN A SPECIAL SESSION WHERE WE CAN DEAL WITH THIS MONEY IN AN SLATED MANNER SEPARATE FROM THE OTHER ISSUES BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU KNOW WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO DO SOME ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME GENERATIONAL INVESTMENT FOR OUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS, SEE DIVIDENDS PAYED DOWN THE ROAD SO I THINK THIS WAS A WISE CALL BY THE GOVERNOR, GOOD WORK BY THE BUDGET CHAIRS AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN OUR STATE.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT BROADBAND.

AND YOU REPRESENT A DISTRICT THAT HAS PLENTY OF RURAL COUNTRY.

DO YOU HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THE NEED FOR EXPANDING HIGH SPEED BROADBAND INTO THOSE RURAL PLACES?

>> BROADBAND -- OTHER THAN ROADS AND BRIDGES BROADBAND IS PROBABLY THE SING SINGLE BIGGEST ISSUE I HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS ON.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO THE THINGS -- WORK, SCHOOL, TELEMEDICINE -- THOSE KINDS OF THINKS IN THEIR HOME BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY OF THE FUTURE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR AREAS FROM THE SMALLEST POPULATION TO THE LARGEST ARE FULLY SERVED.

BROADBAND HAS BEEN CALLED THE RURAL ELECTRICITY IF YOU WILL OF THE 21 CENTURY AND WE NEED MAKE SURE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS THERE.

>> THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE AS THE SPECIAL SESSION GOES FORWARD STARTING TOMORROW.

YOU'VE ACTUALLY GOT ONE OF THE ONLY NONARPA BILLS THAT'S MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

IT'S THIS PROPOSAL TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE ADOPTIVE PARENTS THE SAME MATERNITY BENEFITS AS BIOLOGICAL PARENTS.

WHAT DOES THIS BILL DO?

WELL, THE BILL DOES THREE THINKS: ONE, IT COPIES EXISTING FEDERAL LAW ON UNPAID LEAVE.

SO ADOPTIVE PARENTS GET THE SAME UNPAID LEAVE BENEFITS AS A BIRTH MOTHER, FOR EXAMPLE.

THE SECOND THING IT DOES IT ALLOWS AT A TIME EMPLOYEES TO DONATE THEIR LEAVE TO ANOTHER EMPLOYEE FOR AN ADOPTION JUST AS THEY CAN ALREADY DO FOR A BIRTH.

SO IT MAKES THOSE BENEFITS EQUAL IN TERMS OF DONATED LEAVE.

AND THE THIRD THING IT DOES IS IT DISCUSSES PAID LEAVE.

SO IT STIPULATES THAT AN EMPLOYER CAN PROVIDE OR SHOULD PROVIDE TWO WEEKS OR THE EQUIVALENT PAID LEAVE THAT THEY GIVE FOR A BIRTH, WHICHEVER IS LESSER.

SO AT THE MOST IT WOULD BE TWO WEEKS.

AND YOU KNOW, THIS APPLIES FOR THOSE ADOPTIVE KIDS THAT ARE UNDER A YEAR OLD.

YOU KNOW WE HAVE MANY ADOPTIONS AND BONDING WITH THE MOTHER OR FATHER IS IMPORTANT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TO TRAVEL SPEND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME GOING OVERSEAS TO MAKE ABOUT ADOPTION HAPPEN.

SO I FEEL LIKE IT'S NEEDED TO BRING THOSE BENEFITS MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT WE DO FOR A BIRTH BECAUSE WE WANT TO INCENTIVE EYES AND ENCOURAGE ADOPTION IN THIS STATE.

>> IS ONE PROBLEM -- MAYBE THE REASON IT ISN'T ALREADY EXISTING IN STATE LAW IS THAT PEOPLE EQUATE MATERNITY LEAVE WITH RECOVERING IN THE PHYSICAL BIRTH RATHER THAN, AS YOU SAID, SPENDING TIME WITH THE NEWBORN, ALL OF THE THINKS THAT COME WITH PARENTHOOD THAT ALSO APPLIES TO ADOPTIVE PARENTS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED BY SEVERAL FOLKS.

BUT I WOULD SAY HERE IN ALABAMA WE ARE A PRO-LIFE STATE I BELIEVE.

I'M A PRO-LIFE LEGISLATOR AND THAT NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE KIDS THAT NEED TO BE ADOPTED IN FOSTER CARE OR ELIGIBLE FOR ADOPTION.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING WHATEVER WE CAN TO EXTEND THOSE BENEFITS AND ENCOURAGE AND INCENTIVIZE ADOPTION SO WE CAN MAKE A WAY FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO NEED A GOOD HOME.

SO THIS, I BELIEVE, KIND OF NARROWS THAT GAP AND MAKES IT A LITTLE EASIER PERHAPS FOR A FAMILY WHO IS CONSIDERING AN ADOPTION.

A LOT OF SOMETIME SPENT BY THESE PARENTS WHO ARE TRYING TO FACILITATE AN ADOPTION AND OF COURSE THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME ADJUSTMENT IN THE HOME.

OF COURSE I WOULD LOVE TO DO MORE THAN TWO WEEKS OR SO BUT THIS IS A START AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO, JUST GET A START.

>> NOW, THIS BILL CAME CLOSE IN THE LAST REGULAR SESSION IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN AND ALMOST GOT TO THE FINISH LINE.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS BILL HAS BEEN OUT OF COMMITTEE TWICE.

WENT OUT OF THE SENATE LAST YEAR.

AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FINAL DAY, AND WE PLANNED ON HAVING IT BROUGHT UP ON THE FINAL DAY OF THE SESSION.

BUT OF COURSE AS YOU WILL REMEMBER, TODD, AND MANY OF YOUR VIEWERS WILL REMEMBER, THE GAMING SURE KIND OF SUCKED ALL OF THE ENERGY OUT OF THE SESSION IN THE HOUSE AT THE LAST MINUTE.

WE WERE UNABLE TO GET THE BILL UP FOR A VOTE.

SO THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM HOPEFULLY.

WE'RE GOING TO BRING IT BACK AND SEE IF WE CAN GET IT THROUGH THE SESSION.

>> YOU MENTIONED PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

THAT IS A HUGE ISSUE OF DISCUSSION NATIONALLY.

IT HAS BEEN FOR YEARS.

BUT ESPECIALLY NOW IN THIS ECONOMY WHERE SO MANY BUSINESSES ARE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING EMPLOYEES TO FILL AVAILABLE JOBS.

AND YOU KNOW, POLL AFTER POLL AND STUDY AFTER STUDY SHOW THAT HAVING ACCESS TO CHILDCARE, AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE IS A HUGE HINDERANCE FOR PEOPLE REENTERING THE WORKFORCE.

SHOULD ALABAMA GET AHEAD OF THE GAME ON PAID FAMILY LEAVE CONSIDERING THIS CHANGING ECONOMY?

>> I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WILL NEED TO LOOK AT.

AND OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, AS WE'RE LOOKING AT INVESTING IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND HELPING OUR FAMILIES, YOU KNOW, I HAPPEN TO SIT ON THE PRE-K COMMISSION AND CHAIRMAN CHASTAIN AND CHAIRMAN KITCHENS FROM THE HOUSE HAVE DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB.

YOU KNOW, ALABAMA IS THE NUMBER ONE RANKED PRE-K IN THE NATION, I BELIEVE IT'S 13 YEARS RUNNING.

AND I WAS READING AN ARTICLE EARLIER TODAY FROM A PAPER IN BOSTON THAT WAS PRAISING THE PRE-K IN ALABAMA AND I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY POIGNANT ARTICLE, BUT WE HAVE TO DO A LOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE INVEST IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND OUR YOUNG CHILDREN, WHETHER IT'S BENEFITS FOR THINKS LIKE ADOPTION OR MAKING SURE THESE FAMILIES HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO RAISE A SUCCESSFUL CHILD HERE IN THE 2ND CENTURY.

>> WELL, WHAT OTHER ISSUES ARE ON YOUR PLATE?

I KNOW IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR SO YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF ISSUES COMING UP AFTER THE SPECIAL SESSION IS COME.

WHAT OTHER ISSUES ARE YOU SPECIFICALLY TARGETING?

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST BILLS I'M CARRYING DEALS WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL TAX.

YOU KNOW, TODD, THERE ARE ONLY 22 OR SO CITIES IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA THAT CONTINUE TO HAVE AN OCCUPATIONAL TAX.

AND IT IS A TAX ON BEING EMPLOYED.

IT'S A TAX ON WORKING.

AND I HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL PHILOSOPHICAL DISAGREEMENT WITH TAXING SOMEONE TO WORK.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BRING A BILL TO PHASE THOSE OCCUPATIONAL TAXES OUT OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS.

I BROUGHT A SIMILAR BILL HALF LOCAL NATURE IN THE PAST, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BRING THIS NOW STATEWIDE AND I'M VERY CONFIDENT IN ITS CHANCES OF PASSAGE BECAUSE PEOPLE -- NOT ONLY MY PARTY BUT PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE AGREE THAT IT'S JUST FUNDAMENTALLY UNFAIR TO TAX SOMEONE TO WORK.

>> NO QUESTION THAT WILL GET A LOT OF CONVERSATION GOING.

WE TALK ABOUT IT MORE.

>> STATE SENATOR ANDRUW JONES.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU, TO DO.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT ON THE PROGRAM WE'RE JOINED BY LEAH NELSON, RESEARCH DIRECTOR FOR ALABAMA APPLE SEED.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANKS FOR COMING ON.

>> I KNOW YOU HAVE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA BUT ONE OF THE TOP HIGH-PROFILE BILLS FOR APPLE SEED IS KNOWN AS THE DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSION BILL.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

>> SO THE REFORM BILL WOULD END DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO FAIL TO PAY TRAFFIC TICKETS AND PEOPLE WHO FAIL TO APPEAR AT COMPLIANCE HEARINGS ABOUT WHY THEY FAILED TO APPEAR -- OR WHY THEY FAILED TO PAY THEIR TRAFFIC TICKETS.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS AS A REAL HINDRANCE TO FOLKS BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY, GET JOBS.

YOUR SLOGAN SAYS DRIVERS -- >> WORKERS DRIVE ALABAMA.

>> WORKERS DRIVE ALABAMA.

WHY IS THIS SUCH A PREVAILING ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD?

>> THANKS FOR ASKING.

SO I CAME INTO THIS RESEARCH BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING AT THE IMPACT OF FINES AND FEES ON THE PEOPLE WHO OWE THEM OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

RIGHT.

BECAUSE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IF YOU GOT A TRAFFIC TICKET, IT'S UNPLEASANT, ANNOYING IT'S SCARY -- BUT ULTIMATELY, YOU PAY IT AND MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE AND HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN ANY TIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

BUT FOR A SIGNIFICANT SUBSET OF ALABAMIANS, WHEN THEY GET A TRAFFIC TICKET IT KIND OF CHANGES THEIR LIVES FOR A PRETTY LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY IT ALL AT ONCE.

AND THOSE FOLKS END UP ON PAYMENT PLANS WHICH THEY USUALLY ENTER INTO BY GOING TO COURT, APPEARING BEFORE A JUDGE.

JUDGES USUALLY DON'T GIVE PEOPLE A VERY HARD TIME ABOUT GETTING ON A PAYMENT PLAN BUT THEY CAN BE PRETTY HARD TO STICK WITH FOR PEOPLE.

IF YOU LOSE YOUR JOB IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR PAYMENT PLAN -- AND I HAVE TALKED WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO THIS HAS HAPPENED TO.

THEY'RE ON A PAYMENT PLAN OF $25 A MONTH.

THEY WILL BE ON THAT PLAN FOR A YEAR.

THEY GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT, THEY CAN'T GET TO WORK.

THEY LOSE THEIR JOB.

NOW THEY DON'T HAVE MCTO PAY THEIR TICKET.

THEY MISS A COUPLE OF PAYMENTS AND SUDDENLY THEIR LICENSE IS SUSPENDED.

AND THAT IMPACTS THEIR ABILITY TO DO ANY NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WE ALL NEED TO DO TO LIVE OUR LIVES.

THEY'RE BASICALLY NOT TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN MOST OF ALABAMA.

CENTRAL BIRMINGHAM YOU CAN PROBABLY GET AROUND BY BUS BUT PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE ELSE, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL COUNTIES.

BUT EVEN HERE IN THE STATE CAPITOL, WE REALLY NEED A VEHICLE 0 GET AROUND.

YOU NEED YOUR LICENSE TO GET A JOB.

AND A LOT OF JOBS REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE A LICENSE, EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE DRIVING AND EVEN IF YOU COULD GET A RIDE.

I TALKED WITH A WOMAN HERE IN MONTGOMERY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHO HAD GOTTEN A JOB FOR A MOVING COMPANY, PACKING UP OTHER PEOPLE'S STUFF.

HER JOB IS TO COME INTO YOUR HOUSE, PACK YOUR BOOKS AND CHINA AND ALL OF THAT STUFF AND SHE'S GOING TO HELP THEM LOAD IT ON TO A VAN AND SOMEBODY ELSE WILL DRIVE THE VAN.

SHE REALLY NEEDED THAT JOB.

AND SHE WAS FIRED FROM IT ON HER FIRST DAY BECAUSE THEY FOUND THAT HER LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED AND ONE OF THEIR REQUIREMENTS WAS THAT YOU HOLD A LICENSE.

SO HAVING A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE HELPS YOU GET AROUND.

YOU CAN GET TO WORK.

YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF YOUR KIDS.

YOU CAN TAKE YOUR PARENTS TO THEIR DIALYSIS APPOINTMENTS.

IT'S SOMETIMES SOMETHING YOU NEED EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CAR, EVEN IF YOU DON'T DRIVE LIKE THIS WOMAN I SPOKE WITH HERE WHO NEEDED THE LICENSE TO HOLD A JOB EVEN THOUGH THE JOB DIDN'T REQUIRE DRIVING.

SO IT'S A PRETTY CRUCIAL WORKFORCE ISSUE.

AND RIGHT NOW WHAT DO WE HAVE.

WE HAVE TWO JOBS FOR EVERY WORKER IN ALABAMA RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THAT WAS THE LAST STATISTIC I SAW OUT OF STATE LINE.

>> AVAILABLE, YEAH.

>> YEAH, SO WEANED TO BE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR FOCUS TO GET TO WORK.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IS NOT SUSPEND THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSES BASICALLY FOR POVERTY.

>> WHAT HAPPENS WHEN, YOU KNOW, I GET MY DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENDED AND YET I DRIVE ANYWAY, AND THEN I GET STOPPED SOMEHOW AND DON'T HAVE A LICENSE.

OBVIOUSLY THAT'S AGAINST THE LAW.

DOES THAT SORT OF PERPETUATE THAT DOWNWARD SPIRAL?

>> IT DOES.

YOU WILL GET ANOTHER TICKET.

AND THAT'S GOING TO SORT OF SNOWBALL INTO EVEN MORE DEBT, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THIS BILL WOULD HOPEFULLY PUT A STOP TO.

IF FEWER PEOPLE DRIVE WITH SUSPENDED LICENSES BECAUSE THEY HAVE -- BECAUSE FEWER PEOPLE'S LICENSES ARE SUSPENDED THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THAT SNOWBALLING DEBT AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN GET BACK ON TRACK WITH PAYING THEIR TICKETS.

BECAUSE I WANT TO BE REALLY CLEAR.

YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY YOUR TICKETS; RIGHT?

WE HAVE ROAD RULES FOR A REASON, EVEN MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS LIKE -- WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE DRIVING AROUND WITH THEIR HEADLIGHTS OFF WHEN IT'S DARK.

IT IS BETTER FOR PEOPLE TO FOLLOW ROAD RULES AND THERE SHOULD BE CONSEQUENCES FOR BREAKING THOSE RULES.

IT'S JUST THAT SUSPENDING PEOPLE'S LICENSES WHEN THEY CAN'T PAY TICKETS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT.

BECAUSE LOOK, SUSPENDING SOMEONE'S LICENSE, THAT'S A CONSEQUENCE.

THAT'S A PUNISHMENT, AN ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM FOR A CITY OR A COUNTY TO ENFORCE THE RULES.

SO WHAT ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO DO IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE THREAT OF A SUSPENDED LICENSE TO ACTUALLY MAKE SURE PEOPLE FOLLOW THE RULES AND PAY THEIR FINES AND OBEY THE LAW?

>> THAT'S A REALLY FAIR QUESTION.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT JUDGES ACTUALLY CAN STILL INCARCERATE PEOPLE IF THEY FIND THAT THEY WILFULLY FAILED TO PAY.

>> UNDER THIS BILL.

>> UNDER THIS BILL, UNDERCURRENT LAW.

THEY CAN'T PUT PEOPLE IN PRISON OR IN JAIL JUST FOR NOT PAYING.

BUT IF THEY FIND THAT YOU HAVE THE MONEY AND YOU JUST ARE A SCOFFLAW, YOU CAN BE INCARCERATED.

I THINK THAT'S A TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCE AND IT SHOULD BE USED VERY, VERY, VERY SPARINGLY BUT IT'S STILL AVAILABLE UNDER THIS BILL.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AGAIN TO RECOGNIZE THAT AT LEAST BASED ON MY RESEARCH, YOU KNOW, WHICH WAS A SURVEY OF NEARLY A THOUSAND ALABAMAS WHO OWE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, PEOPLE WHO ARE LOSING THEIR LICENSES ARE MAKING PRETTY DESPERATE CHOICES.

I MEAN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THEM GIVING UP SOME KIND OF BASIC NECESSITY LIKE PAYING THEIR UTILITY BILLS OR PAYING RENT OR PAYING THEIR CAR NOTE OR PAYING FOR MEDICINE IN ORDER TO SERVICE THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE DEBT, YOU KNOW, THEIR TRAFFIC TICKETS.

PEOPLE ARE TAKING OUT PAYDAY LOANS WHICH CARRY AN APR OF 456 PERCENT IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA IN ORDER TO PAY OFF THEIR TRAFFIC DEBT.

SOME PEOPLE EVEN COMMIT MINOR CRIMES TO GET THE MONEY THEY NEED TO PAY THEIR TRAFFIC TICKETS.

THROWS TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES.

THROWS NOT THINGS WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE.

AND THIS BILL WOULD JUST REDUCE THE NEED TO MAKE THOSE DESPERATE CHOICES WHILE STILL HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE BY REQUIRING THEM TO PAY.

IT JUST REMOVES THIS ONE PUNISHMENT WHICH IS A REALLY COUNTER PRODUCTIVE PUNISHMENT, IF 50 PERCENT OF PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LICENSES LOSE THEIR JOBS AND CAN'T FIND ANOTHER ONE.

AND I DIDN'T PULL THAT NUMBER OUT OF THE AIR.

THERE'S RESEARCH OUT OF ARIZONA THAT SAYS THAT.

THEN WE'RE REALLY KIND OF SHOOTING OURSELVES IN THE-FOOT.

WE WANT THEM TO PAY BUT WE'RE MAKING IT HARD FOR THEM TO GET OR KEEP A JOB.

>> YOU MENTIONED THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

WHO ARE YOU WORKING WITH SPECIFICALLY ON THIS LEGISLATION?

>> RIGHT.

SO IN THE SENATE, SENATOR BAR-FOOT IS OUR SPONSOR, IN THE JUDICIARY.

IN THE HOUSE WE HAVE DEMOCRAT M. COLEMAN.

>> WE WILL BE WATCHING THIS ISSUE AS IT MOVES FORWARD.

THE SESSION IS STILL VERY YOUNG.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW WITH MORE COVERAGE FROM THE STATE HOUSE.

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

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

♪