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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE IS SET TO CONVENE TOMORROW FOR THE 30TH AND FINAL DAY OF THE THE 2023 REGULAR SESSION.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE WILL EACH GO IN AT 1:30 PM, WHICH IS ABOUT NORMAL FOR THE HOUSE BUT A BIT EARLY FOR THE SENATE.

AND FOR GOOD REASON.

EVEN WITH THE BUDGETS FINISHED, THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF OTHER HIGH PROFILE BILLS TO CONSIDER, INCLUDING SOME THAT COULD SEE LENGTHY DEBATE.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE LIST OF NOTABLE BILLS AWAITING FINAL PASSAGE ON THE LAST DAY.

HOUSE BILL 209 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE KEIL.

THIS ONE COULD BE THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL.

IT WOULD MAKE IT A CRIME TO HANDLE ANOTHER PERSON'S ELECTION BALLOT OR BALLOT APPLICATION.

IT HAS EXCEPTIONS FOR ASSISTING FAMILY MEMBERS OR THOSE WHO ARE DEAF OR BLIND.

REPUBLICANS SAY IT IS NEEDED TO PREVENT BALLOT HARVESTING BUT DEMOCRATS SAY IT WILL LEAD TO VOTER SUPPRESSION.

IT'S AWAITING A VOTE IN THE SENATE.

SENATE BILL 196 FROM STATE SENATOR ARTHUR ORR.

THIS BILL WOULD UPDATE THE STATE'S OPEN RECORDS LAW, OFTEN CITED AS THE WEAKEST IN THE COUNTRY, TO OFFER MORE TRANSPARENCY WITH GOVERNMENT RECORDS BY REQUIRING AGENCIES TO RESPOND MORE PROMPTLY TO REQUESTS.

IT'S AWAITING A VOTE IN THE HOUSE.

HOUSE BILL 43 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE PEBBLIN WARREN WOULD REQUIRE ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO EITHER ATTEND KINDERGARTEN OR DEMONSTRATE THE EQUIVALENT PROFICIENCY BEFORE ENTERING THE FIRST GRADE.

THIS BILL WAS MENTIONED BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY IN HER STATE OF THE STATE AS ONE OF HER PRIORITIES, BUT IT HAS SEEN A ROADBLOCK IN THE SENATE.

IT IS AWAITING A VOTE THERE TOMORROW.

SENATE BILL 130 FROM STATE SENATOR ARTHUR ORR WOULD REQUIRE THE ALABAMA ETHICS COMMISSION TO DISCLOSE ANY EVIDENCE THEY HAVE THAT MIGHT EXONERATE AN INDIVIDUAL FACING AN INVESTIGATION.

THE BILL HAS BEEN SENT TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO WORK OUT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND WOULD NEED A FINAL VOTE IN BOTH.

HOUSE BILL 334 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVES TERRI COLLINS AND DANNY GARRETT WOULD CREATE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS TO ALLOW K-12 STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS, THOSE FROM MILITARY FAMILIES OR THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS OR IN FOSTER CARE TO TAKE STATE MONEY TO PRIVATE SCHOOL AND NON-TRADITIONAL SCHOOL SETTINGS.

IT'S AWAITING A VOTE IN THE SENATE.

HOUSE BILL 192 HAS TO DO WITH THE REGULATION AND OCCUPATIONAL FEES OF THE MASSAGE THERAPY INDUSTRY.

THAT MAY SOUND LIKE A NON ISSUE, BUT IT BECAME CONTROVERSIAL THIS SESSION AFTER LAST YEAR FEES FOR THOSE SEEKING A MASSAGE THERAPY LICENSE MORE THAN DOUBLED.

IT'S IN THE SENATE.

SENATE BILL 301 FROM STATE SENATOR JABO WAGGONER WOULD IMPOSE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR DRIVERS WHO ARE OBSERVED PHYSICALLY HOLDING ANY WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE SUCH AS A PHONE OR TABLET.

IT IS AWAITING A HOUSE VOTE.

AND FINALLY HOUSE BILL 298 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS SELLS.

THIS WOLD REQUIRE CELL PHONE AND TABLET MANUFACTURERS TO ENABLE EXISTING FILTERS THAT KEEP CHILDREN FROM ACCESSING PORNOGRAPHY.

IT'S AWAITING A VOTE IN THE SENATE.

ONE OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ITEMS DOWN THE STRETCH IS A BILL PURPORTEDLY SEEKING TO CURB VAPING BY YOUNG PEOPLE BY BANNING THE SALE OF SUCH PRODUCTS TO ANYONE UNDER 21.

THE BILL DREW CONSIDERABLE OPPOSITION FROM SOME WHO ARGUED IT WOULD HURT SMALL BUSINESSES BUT ALSO, TO THE SURPRISE OF MANY, LEADING ANTI-SMOKING ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION AND THE CANCER SOCIETY.

THEY CLAIMED THE BILL WAS ACTUALLY A PRODUCT OF BIG TOBACCO COMPANIES TRYING TO CORNER THE MARKET.

THE VAPING MARKET.

THAT LED TO SOME HEATED DEBATE ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

AFTER THE BILL WAS CARRIED OVER, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED TOLD MEMBERS TO GO HOME AND STUDY THE FACTS OVER THE WEEKEND.

>> I THINK IT WAS AN INTERESTING PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WE MOVED INTO THE CHAMBER HAVING THAT LEGISLATION COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY, OR CLOSE TO IT.

AND THEN WE WOUND UP WITH IT ON THE FLOOR WITH PUSHBACK FROM MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT WOULD NOT PUSHBACK ON VAPING LIKE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY OR THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION.

AND MANY MEMBERS JUST WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING, GETTING ON THE DISTRICTS.

SO HE YOU GET ON THE FLOOR AND YOU THINK WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE CELL PHONES AND TEXT MESSAGES YOU WIND UP WITH COMPETING INTERESTS THAT HAPPEN QUICKLY WHEN WE FIND THAT IN THE LEGISLATION PROCESS, I HAVE FOUND, STOP FOR A MOMENT.

REASSESS.

FIGURE OUT WHERE WE ARE.

GET EVERYBODY ON THE TRUE ISSUES.

AND THEN MOVE FORWARD.

AND THINK GENERALLY THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF ANTI-VAPING AND THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER TOPICS ADDED TO, TAKEN AWAY FROM, AS WE WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS.

AND I THINK THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPEN THAT DID HAPPEN, WASN'T LOST.

JUST CARRIED IT OVER AND THE ONES FOR AND AGAINST, ALLOWING THEM TIME TO TALK ABOUT IT, AND BRING IT BACK ON TUESDAY AND WORK ON IT.

>> SENATOR REED ALSO SAID HE WANTED TO SEE A MILITARY RELATED BILLS PASS ON THE LAST DAY.

LAWMAKERS HAVE USED THE LAST FEW SESSIONS TO TRY TO MAKE ALABAMA MORE HOSPITABLE FOR MILITARY FAMILIES.

.

>> I THINK THAT TOPIC IS ONE THAT THE SPONSOR HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS STILL RELATED TO THE BILL ON FUNDING FOR ADDITIONAL KIDS COMING TO SCHOOL THAT WOULD NORMALLY NOT BE IN SCHOOL IS A QUESTION BROUGHT UP.

THE ISSUE OF MOM AND DAD HAVING THEIR OWN ABILITY TO KEEP THEIR SON OR DAUGHTER AT HOME AND RATHER THAN HAVING THEM GO TO KINDERGARTEN, THEIR PREROGATIVE, CAN THEY CHOOSE TO DO THAT.

SO, THINK THE CHILDREN, THE ARGUMENT CAME, AREN'T READY FOR FIRST GRADE BECAUSE OF NO TRAINING FOR PRE K OR KINDERGARTEN IS ONE OF THE REASONS THE LEGISLATION CAME UP.

IT'S STILL BEING DEBATED.

AND THERE ARE SEVERAL PROS AND CONS BEING BROUGHT UP FROM THE MEMBERS WITHIN THE LEGISLATIVE BODY.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW, THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAS BEEN WELL ABOVE AVERAGE IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF HIGH PROFILE BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED AND PASSED.

HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER REFLECTED ON THE SESSION, HIS FIRST HOLING THE GAVEL.

.

>> IT'S KIND OF HARD TO BELIEVE.

SEEMS LIKE THE ARPA FUNDS THAT WE PASSED WAS YEARS AGO NOW.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN ACCOMPLISHED AT THIS SESSION, WHAT'S HAPPENED, IF I COULD HAVE SCRIPTED IT, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE SCRIPTED IT THIS WELL.

THINK THAT THINGS WERE DONE THAT WERE BENEFICIAL TO OUR STATE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS TODAY, COMING OFF THE FLOOR, AND WE PASSED THE GROCERY TAX WHICH I THINK IS HUGE ON ALABAMA FAMILIES, PASSING THE REBATES WHERE EVERYBODY GETS A CHECK BACK.

AND THINK IT'S ONE OF THOSE SESSIONS THAT WE CAN LOOK BACK ON FOR YEARS TO COME.

SOMEBODY TOLD ME JUST YESTERDAY SAID THIS HAS BEEN AN HISTORIC SESSION AND FOR ALL MEANS, I WOULD SAY THAT'S PROBABLY A GOOD WAY TO PUT IT.

>> THE SPEAKER IS NOT THE ONLY ONE TOUTING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SESSION.

SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN MADISON TOOK TO THE FLOOR TO DISCUSS THE BIPARTISAN COOPERATION THAT HAS OCCURRED.

.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY HOW PROUD I AM OF EVERYBODY, IN PARTICULAR, THE LEADERSHIP.

WE'VE HAD CONTROVERSIAL BILLS THAT EVERYBODY KIND OF TENSED UP ON AND WE DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO SEE.

BUT IT WAS THE PROFESSIONALISM AND THE SENSITIVITY AND WORKING TOGETHER, THE CAMARADERIE THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THIS BODY.

MINORITY, MAJORITY LEADERS, AND SPONSORS OF THE BILL THE BARFOOT, AND LEE VAN WORKED ON AND COME BACK AND WORKED AND HAD SOME ISSUES AND REALLY WORKED AND LISTENED.

I'M SO HAPPY THAT WE'VE GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT WE'VE STOPPED TALKING AT EACH OTHER AND STARTED TALKING TO EACH OTHER.

WE'VE WORKED IT OUT.

WE ALREADY TALKED AND WE UNDERSTAND, YOU VOTE YES BECAUSE WE GOT OUR CONCERNS ADDRESSED.

IT'S A BETTER BILL AND WE CAN GO HOME AND EXPLAIN TO OUR CONSTITUENCY WHAT THIS BILL DOES AND DOES NOT DO AND HOW IT IS FAIR.

AND THIS IS WHY WE SUPPORTED IT.

SO, I WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

THANK THE LEADERSHIP OF THE BODY >> ADDRESSING CRIME HAS BEEN A KEY THEME THIS SESSION.

ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL HAS PERSONALLY INVOLVED HIMSELF IN BILLS TARGETING RETAIL THEFT AND MORE RECENTLY GANG CRIME.

.

>> THE BILL IS VERY SPECIFIC.

FIRST OF ALL, IT DEFINES THE GROUPS THAT WE'RE TARGETING WHICH ARE COMING TOGETHER FOR A COMMON PURPOSE.

BUT THEN THEY ARE TAKING THOSE GROUPS AND ENGAGING AND ORGANIZING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

AGAIN, NOT TARGETING THE GROUP ITSELF BUT THOSE THAT COME TOGETHER AS A GROUP FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMITTING CRIMES.

PARTICULARLY WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN VIOLENT CRIMES ACROSS THE STATE.

WE BELIEVE IT'S AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT AND BEEN EFFECTIVE IN OTHER STATES.

THIS IS SIMPLY GIVING ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OFFICERS A TOOL THAT WE'VE NOT USED BEFORE.

AND IN PARTICULAR, FLORIDA IS ONE OF THE STATES WE LOOKED WHEN WE PATTERNED THE BILLS AND WE'VE HEARD POSITIVE RESULTS FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT THERE.

AND LOOK, THIS IS SOMETHING ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS ASKED US FOR AND WE NEED TO GIVE THEM THIS TOOL.

>> ONE ISSUE THAT HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED THIS SESSION IS GAMBLING.

BUT THAT WAS BY DESIGN.

HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER SAID HE ASKED A COMMITTEE OF LAWMAKERS TO MEET BEHIND THE SCENES TO DISCUSS WHAT PROPOSALS COULD BE TAKEN UP IN THE FUTURE BUT DIDN'T WANT TO ISSUE TO DOMINATE AN ALREADY BUSY SESSION.

STATE SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON URGED HIS COLLEAGUES TO ACT TO BRING AN UNREGULATED INDUSTRY TO HEEL.

.

>> SO, CAN I TAKE THE TIME AT THIS POINT TO SAY, I TOLD US SO.

>> YOU CAN.

>> GENTLEMEN, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AS LONG AS ALABAMA DOES NOT TAKE CONTROL OF THIS INDUSTRY.

WE HAVE LOST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND WILL CONTINUE TO LOSE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND THE INDUSTRY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND CHANGE WITHOUT ANY REGULATION AND WITHOUT ANY BENEFIT COMING IN.

WE HAVE IT IN THE STATE NOW.

WE'RE SUFFERING FROM THE EFFECTS OF IT.

AND WE HAVE NO MEANS WITH WHICH TO DEAL WITH IT.

WE'VE TRIED THIS SEVERAL, SEVERAL TIMES.

THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE THE WAY IT'S GOING.

I'M GOING TO SUPPORT MY COLLEAGUE'S BILL AND WE'VE HAD OUR ARGUMENTS ON THIS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

BUT IT'S OUR FAULT, OUR MEANING THE STATE AND THIS LEGISLATURE, FOR NOT TAKING CONTROL OF THE INDUSTRY WHEN WE SHOULD.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE US, IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING, LET GREEN COUNTY DO WHATEVER THEY ARE GOING TO DO.

BUT WE HAVE A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ON THE TABLE THAT WE AREN'T GOING TO COLLECT.

AND WE GOT $800 MILLION OUT THERE, AT LEAST, LEFT OUT THERE.

AND WE HAVE GAMING OCCURRING EVERY SINGLE DAY, EVERY SINGLE MINUTE, RIGHT ON YOUR PHONES.

PULL IT UP AND PLAY.

IT GOES COMPLETELY UNCHECKED, COMPLETELY UNREGULATED.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH PATRICK LINDSAY OF THE ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS ASSOCIATION.

♪ >> TERMS OF IMPORTANCE AND INFLUENCE, FEW PERFORMERS IN THE HISTORY OF COUNTRY MUSIC CAN COMPARE TO HANK WILLIAMS HAVE.

REVERED BY THE FANS DRAWN TO THE SINCERITY OF HIS SONGS, HIS BRIEF 29 YEARS WAS INSTRUMENTAL TURNING HILL BILLY MUSIC INTO COUNTRY MUSIC.

HE PLAYED HARMONICA AND ORGAN AND ACQUIRING A QI TAR AT 8-YEARS-OLD.

AND BY THE AGE OF 24, 24 TOP SINGLES AND A KEY FIGURE IN THE TOP COUNTRY RUSIC AND MADE THE SHIFT TO NATIONWIDE ACCEPTANCE.

HIS LEGACY REMAINS TODAY REMAINING THE BENCHMARK BY WHICH COUNTRY MUSIC PERFORMERS.

AND THEY AWARDED WILLIAMS WITH A SPECIAL POSTHUMOUS CITATION AWARD.

JOINING ME NEXT, PATRICK LINDSAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS ASSOCIATION.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> WELL, I WANTED TO GET YOU TO WALK THROUGH SORT OF WHAT THE ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS ASSOCIATION IS, WHAT THE PURPOSE IS.

THIS IS DIFFERENT.

WE'VE HAD COMMISSIONER MCMILLAN ON A FEW TIMES TALKING ABOUT THE INDUSTRY.

THIS IS DIFFERENT, THIS IS NOT THE COMMISSIONER, THE REGULATORY BODY.

THIS IS THE ASSOCIATION.

>> WELL, AS ASSOCIATION, WE'RE A NON GOVERNMENTAL GROUP THAT ADVOCATES FOR THE ENTIRE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

WE HAVE MEMBERS GOING FOR THE LICENSE, AND MEMBERS JUST INVOLVED IN THE INDUSTRY.

AND WE HAVE THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.

>> ASSOCIATION RIGHT NOW, IN THIS PERIOD, WHEN THESE LICENSES OR APPLICATIONS HAVE GONE BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THEY ARE PROBABLY SERIOUSLY FINALIZING IN EVERYTHING.

NOTHING IS HAPPENING SOON.

BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF THOSE IN THE MEDICAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY, EVERYTHING FROM GROWERS, SELLERS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

AND SOME COMPANIES TRY TO DO IT ALL.

IS THAT ARC RATE -- ACCURATE?

>> YEAH, THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES INTEGRATED THAT DOES THE ENTIRE SEED TO SELL, AND THEY ARE CULTIVATOR, THAT PRODUCE TO SELL, AND PRODUCERS FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS.

AND SECURE TRANSPORT.

EVERYBODY HAS TO BE LICENSED TO HANDLE THE TRANSPORT OF IT.

STATE TESTING LABS AND DISPENSARIES AND THIS IS THE RETAIL WHERE ANYBODY WHO HAS A MEDICAL CANNABIS MEDICAL CARD GOES TO DAYS PENS EAR TO BUY IT.

>> ALMOST LIKE THE SUPPLY CHAIN LIKE YOU SAID, SEED TO SALE.

I'M CURIOUS IS IT LIKE THAT IN THE OTHER STATES, SURELY WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS JUST INTERACTING WITH THOSE IN THE MARIJUANA MEDICAL INDUSTRY, SHOW KNOW -- THEY KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OTHER STATES.

IS OUR SYSTEM SIMILAR TO OTHER STATES?

I KNOW IT RUNS THE GAM IT.

>> WELL, IT'S SIMILAR.

THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT, SOME DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT.

BUT THE MAIN STEPS IN THERE, THEY ARE SIMILAR IN THE MAJORITY OF THEM.

IT'S'^ ALL FROM THE GROWER TO GET IT TO THE PATIENT AT THE END OF IT.

>> BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S STILL A NARCOTIC AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

LIKE, COLORADO, THEY HAVE DECRIMINALIZED IT AND IT'S RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

BUT THE PRODUCT ITSELF IS STILL CAREFULLY MONITORED.

>> RIGHT, STILL SCHEDULE 1 AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

BUT THE STATES, LIKE ALABAMA, JUST MEDICAL CANNABIS WHAT'S HAPPENING BETWEEN A DOCTOR AND A PATIENT.

THAT'S IT.

THAT'S THE ONLY PART OF IT THAT WE USE.

THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS OUT THERE THAT WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SYMPTOMS ILLNESSES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT IS MEANT TO TREAT.

AND THEY WERE GOING THROUGH THE LICENSURE PROCESS.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN WE CAN -- CAN WE EXPECT THE STORES TO BE OPEN, WRITING PRESCRIPTIONS AND SALE OF THAT.

WELL, LOTS OF VARIABLE IN THERE.

IT'S ON THE COMMISSION, WHAT THEY ARE DOING, THEY AWARD THE LICENSES ON JUNE 12.

THERE WILL BE AN APPEAL PERIOD AFTER THAT, AND LOTS OF VARIABLES TO HAPPEN.

IF THEY ARE AWARDED ON JUNE 10, POSSIBLY BY THE END.

YEAR THEY MAY BE READY BUT MORE LIKELY FEBRUARY OR MARCH NEXT YEAR IF THINGS GO SMOOTHLY, PROBABLY THIS SPRING.

>> AND YOU COULD SEE LAWSUITS.

IF I APPLIED FOR MY LICENSE, AND DIDN'T GET IT, I COULD SUE THE BOARD.

YOU KNOW HOW THAT DRAGS THINGS OUT.

WE'VE SEEN A LITTLE THREAT TO THAT SO FAR.

AND HAVE YOU TO, I GUESS, BUILD THAT INTO THE TIME LINE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, FOR SOME OF THE COMPANIES, THIS IS A BIG BUSINESS.

A LOT IS ON THE LINE FOR THEM AND THEIR COMPANIES WHEN THEY ARE GOING FOR THE LICENSES.

>> YES, THEY HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT.

AND THE LONGER IT'S PUT OFF, THE MORE IT COSTS THEM.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, MOST HAVE LAWSUITS AND WHO GETS LICENSES AND WHAT KIND.

THERE ARE ALL DIFFERENT KINDS.

AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AS FAR AS THAT GOES.

AND WE SAY EVERY, BUT I MEAN, OTHER STATES HAVE HAD LAWSUITS FOR THE AWARDING LICENSES AND BEFORE THEY GET INTO BUSINESS AND WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS.

SO WE JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE HOW IT PANS OUT.

>> AND TOMORROW, YOU HAVE THE SYMPOSIUM COMING OUT AND TELL US HOW MORE PEOPLE CAN FIND OUT ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO PUT IT ON, AND WE DIDN'T KNOW THE TIMING, BEFORE THE LICENSE OR WHEN THE ASSOCIATION GETS SET UP.

BUT LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION ARE THE ONES APPLYING FOR THE LICENSES.

THEY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE BANKING, REGULATORY ISSUES, AND ONCE THE LICENSE IS ANNOUNCED, REGULATIONS SAY THEY NEED TO BE OPERATIONAL IN 60 DAYS.

SO, WE NEED TO SET UP A SYMPOSIUM WHAT THAT MEANS, WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT MEAN.

AND WE HAVE INFORMATION REVENUE FROM BANKING, INSURANCE FROM MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND PEOPLE COMING TO SPEAK AND PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT MEMBERS COMING TO SPEAK GIVING THEM AN IDEA WHAT THEY CAN EXPECT TO HAPPEN OVER THE NEXT 60 DAYS AFTER THE LICENSES ARE ISSUED.

AREN'T THEIR BENCHMARKS TO MEET?

OPERATIONAL 60 DAYS FOR PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS, THAT'S A CHALLENGE.

>> YEAH, IT IS FOR SOME OF THAT SIZE.

AND WITH IT BEING A BUSINESS, LOTS OF THINGS WITH THE COMMISSION, THEY ARE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THAT AND FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS.

THERE'S NO INDUSTRY ALREADY RUNNING OUT THERE THAT DOES THIS IN THE STATE.

IT'S ALL NEW.

SO, I DON'T KNOW.

THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT IT TOGETHER, WITH THE NEW INDUSTRY AND GETTING IT GOING AS SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> AND I'M SURE YOUR MEMBERSHIPS ARE DIFFERENT TYPES, FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OTHER STATES AND MAYBE THEY HAVE A TEMPLATE AND OTHERS COMING IN.

OTHERS NEWER TO THE GAME AND ARE THERE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE IN TERMS OF MEMBERS THAT ARE JOINED?

>> THERE ARE.

AND LOTS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS.

WE TRIED TO LOOK AT THE OTHER STATES AND DO SIMILAR THINGS.

MAKING OUR ASSOCIATION A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN OTHER STATES, ONE THAT STANDS UP STRONG AND LASTS FOR A LONG TIME AND SUPPORTS THE INDUSTRY.

SO WE LOOKED AT THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIPS, DIFFERENT MEMBERSHIP LEVELS.

AND MEMBERS WANT THE BANKS, LAW FIRMS AND LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE INDUSTRY WANT TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE MEMBERSHIP AND EACH OTHER, WHETHER IT'S TO BE IN BUSINESS FOR THEM, AGAINST THEM, OR HOWEVER IT WORKS OUT.

THEY WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS KIND OF INDUSTRY THAT'S NEW AND PROBABLY GOING TO BE AS LARGE AS THIS ONE IS GOING TO BE.

REMIND US WHERE THE SYMPOSIUM IS GOING TO BE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN SIGN UP.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ROOM LEFT?

>> WE SOLD A LOT.

WE WERE OVER A HUNDRED TICKETS SOLD.

CAPITAL CITY CLUB TOMORROW, 2:00 TO 4:00 AND THEN AFTER 4:00, COCKTAIL HOUR AND PEOPLE FROM THE INDUSTRY CAN INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER.

AND WE STILL HAVE TICKETS AVAILABLE.

YOU CAN GO ON THE WEB SITE.

>> OKAY.

WE'LL PUT THE WEB SITE UP BECAUSE YOU MAY HAVE GOOD INFORMATION THERE.

>> RIGHT.

WE HAVE LUNCH WITH EVERYBODY AND A LINEUP OF SPEAKERS AND GOOD INFORMATION.

>> LOOK.

WE'LL HAVE YOU ON AGAIN.

THIS IS AN ISSUE BRAND NEW TO THE STATE.

WE'RE LEARNING AS WE GO I EXPOSE.

BUT APPRECIATE HAVING THE INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE AS OPPOSED TO THE LICENSING BOARD.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE'LL HAVE YOU ON AGAIN.

>> THANKS, TODD FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> LILA WARREN WAS BORN IN CLAYTON BARBOUR COUNTY DURING YEARS THAT SPANNED MORE THAN HALF CENTURY.

AND SHE WROTE BIOGRAPHIES, STORIES AND HER INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION WAS BASED ON THE BOOK, FOUNDATION STONE."

AND IT WAS A FAMILY THAT SETTLED IN THE FRONTIER, 1820'S ERA.

IT WAS AN IMMEDIATE SUCCESS.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT, 10:00, NOT NORMAL 10:30 BUT AT 10:00 RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

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