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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL".

THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS IN THE BOOKS.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE ADJOURNED SINE DIE EARLIER THIS EVENING AFTER MEETING FOR ONE FINAL DAY TO FINISH LAST MINUTE BUSINESS.

THE BIGGEST NEWS OF THE DAY CAME ON THE OVERTIME INCOME TAX BILL.

WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

HOUSE BILL 217 FROM HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS WOULD REMOVE THE STATE'S 5 PERCENT INCOME TAX FROM OVERTIME WAGES EARNED.

IT WENT THROUGH A FEW REVISIONS, ULTIMATELY PASSING THE LEGISLATURE WITH A $25 MILLION DOLLAR AGGREGATE CAP ON HOW MUCH THE STATE COULD ALLOW TO BE KEPT BY WORKERS.

HOWEVER, TODAY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SENT THE BILL BACK WITH AN EXECUTIVE AMENDMENT REMOVING THAT CAP, MEANING WORKERS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE FULL TAX CUT WITHOUT LIMITS.

THE AMENDMENT ALSO PUT A SUNSET, OR EXPIRATION DATE, SO THAT LAWMAKERS CAN STUDY ITS EFFECTS BEFORE COMMITTING TO MAKE IT PERMANENT.

THAT SUNSET IS JUNE OF 2025.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE CONCURRED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S CHANGES AND DANIELS WAS A HAPPY CAMPER.

>> RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE NOW HIRING SIGNS FROM THE SOUTHERN TIP OF OUR STATE TO THE NORTHERN TIP, EASTERN AND WESTERN.

AND WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IS THEY CANNOT FIND THE PERSONNEL TOE WORK.

BUT ALLOWING WORKING ALABAMIANS THAT WANT TO WORK OVERTIME AND MAKE IT WORTH THEIR WHILE FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES IS WORTH DOING AND SO A PERSON WORKING OVERTIME STARTING IN JANUARY WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE 5 PERCENT BACK THAT THEIR PRE-TAXED FROM THEIR EMPLOYEES TO SEND TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

NOW THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET THAT -- IT'S LIKE A 5 PERCENT PER OVER ON OVERTIME PAY INCREASE.

SO WHAT THEY BRING HOME.

SO THIS IS A RAISE WITHOUT THE BUSINESS HAVING TO GIVE A RAISE.

IT'S THE STATE OF ALABAMA GIVING THAT RAISE TO THE WORKING WOULD -- HARD WORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF THE STATE.

WHAT THAT AMENDMENT MEANS TO ME, I APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR.

THE GOVERNOR SAW THE NEED TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE CAP IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKING CLASSES PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A DECENT LIVING.

>> ALSO RECEIVING FINAL PASSAGE TODAY WAS SENATE BILL 301 FROM SENATOR JABO WAGGONER, WHICH WOULD HOLDING A PHONE OR TABLET WHILE DRIVING ILLEGAL.

DRIVERS COULD STILL USE PHONES THROUGH HANDS FREE DEVICES AND DO ONE TIME MOVEMENTS LIKE MAKE AND CALL AND HANG UP.

AN AMENDMENT WAS ADDED LATE THAT PROVIDES THAT THE DISTRACTED DRIVING CHARGE COULDN'T BE THE PRIMARY OFFENSE, MEANING PEOPLE COULDN'T BE PULLED OVER FOR USING A PHONE ALONE.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE WORKED ON THIS AMENDMENT AND WHAT THIS AMENDMENT WILL DO WILL CHANGE THIS TO BE A SECONDARY VIOLATION FOR EVERY STOP THAT GOES THROUGH.

AS THE BILL CAME THROUGH THE SENATE IT IS ONLY A SECONDARY STOP FOR IF YOU HOLD THE PHONE.

BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER PROJECTS IN YOU ARE YES, I DO HAND THAT WOULD BE A PRIMARY STOP.

THIS AMENDMENT WOULD SHIFT THAT LANGUAGE TO WHERE IT BECOMES A SECONDARY STOP FOR ALL ISSUES THAT YOU WOULD HAVE REGARDING ELECTRONIC DEVICES.

>> ALSO GOING TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK IS A BILL AIMED AT PROTECTING FIRST RESPONDERS BY MAKING IT A FELONY TO KNOWINGLY EXPOSE POLICE, PARAMEDICS OR OTHER EMERGENCY PERSONNEL TO A DEADLY NARCOTIC, RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.

HOUSE BILL 230 WAS AMENDED TO NARROW THE SCOPE TO ONLY THE EXPOSURE OF FENTANYL AND NOT OTHER NARCOTICS.

>> FENTANYL IS EVERYWHERE, IN MY COMMUNITY AND YOUR COMMUNITY.

WE JUST NEED MAKE SURE WHEN OUR 1ST RESPONDERS ARRIVE TO A SCENE THAT THEY WERE PROTECTED.

SO RIGHT NOW IN OUR CURRENT LAW WE DON'T HAVE ANY WAY TO CREATE PROTECTION FOR THEM.

SO WE -- REPRESENTATIVE SIMPSON IN THIS BILL IS CREATING A WAY FOR THERE TO BE PENALTIES FOR CHEMICAL IN DANGEROUS THE OF 1ST RESPONDERS AND FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS BILL IT OCCURS WHEN A PERSON KNOWINGLY, RECKLESSLY OR INTENTIONALLY CAUSES OR PREVENTS A 1ST RESPONDER, CORONER OR DEPUTY CORONER TO BE EXPOSED TO OR HAVE CHARACTER WITH A SCHEDULE ONE EXPOSED SUBSTANCE OR CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE OR MIXTURE THEREOF WHILE PERFORMING HIS OR HER DUTIES.

>> HERE'S A LIST OF OTHER NOTABLE BILLS THAT RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE ON THE LAST DAY.

SENATE BILL 157 FROM STATE SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT WOULD ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO ARREST PAROLEES IF THEY OBSERVE VIOLATIONS.

SENATE BILL 103 FROM STATE SENATOR ARTHUR ORR WOULD REQUIRE THE ETHICS COMMISSION TO HAND OVER ANY EVIDENCE THAT MIGHT EXONERATE SOMEONE UNDER INVESTIGATION.

AND HOUSE BILL 272 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE GINNY SHAVER WOULD INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR BEING CONVICTED OF FLEEING LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SPECIFICALLY THE PENALTY WOULD INCREASE FROM A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR TO A CLASS C FELONY.

THERE WERE ALSO BILLS THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE ON THE LAST DAY.

ONE WAS A CONTROVERSIAL VAPING BILL THAT SOUGHT TO RESTRICT STORES FROM SELLING THOSE PRODUCTS TO ANYONE UNDER 21.

HOUSE BILL 319 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND PASSED THE HOUSE EASILY, BUT RAN INTO TROUBLE IN THE SENATE WHEN VAPE STORE OWNERS SAID THE BILL PUT UNFAIR REGULATIONS ON THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES.

AND HOUSE BILL 389, KNOWN AS THE 988 BILL, WOULD ADD A 98 CENT PHONE USER FEE TO HELP FUND CRISIS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, WHICH RESPOND TO 988 CALLS.

BOTH BILLS WERE CARRIED IN THE SENATE BY STATE SENATOR GARLAND GUDGER.

>> WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION IN CAUCUS BACK AND FORTH ON THAT AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE CORRECT BILL THAT MINIMIZES YOUTH BEING ABLE TO GET THEY SAY PRODUCTS IN THEIR HANDS HAS BEEN A DECISION NOT TO PASS THE WILL IN HASTE ON THE LAST DAY BECAUSE WE'RE WANTING TO PASS THAT BUT MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE CORRECT BILL SO WE WILL BE BRINGING IT WITH BARBARA DRUMMOND TO MAKE SURE IT HAPPENS NEXT YEAR.

THE BILL WITH THE 988 IS CRUCIAL TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THE MENTAL HEALTH THAT WE HAVE THAT WE'RE ALL DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC OF MENTAL HEALTH.

FROM THAT, MY GOAL IS TO BE ABLE TO REPLY AT THAT TIME BACK UP, PUSH THAT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND MAKING SURE IT'S THE RIGHT TIMING TO DO THAT.

IT LOOKED LIKE THIS YEAR WE HAD MOW MEN AT SOME TIME AND IT GOT STOPPED AND OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COME TOGETHER IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE WE CAN FOR THE PATIENTS STATEWIDE.

>> HERE ARE SOME OTHER NOTABLE BILLS THAT DIED IN THE FINAL DAYS OF SESSION.

SENATE BILL 196 FROM STATE SENATOR ARTHUR ORR.

THIS WOULD HAVE UPDATED 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.

HOUSE BILL 209 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE KEIL KNOWN AS THE BALLOT HARVESTING BILL.

IT WOULD HAVE MADE IT A CRIME TO HANDLE ANOTHER PERSON'S ABSENTEE BALLOT OR BALLOT APPLICATION.

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

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

AND FINALLY HOUSE BILL 298 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS SELLS.

THIS WOLD REQUIRE CELL PHONE AND TABLET MANUFACTURERS TO ENABLE FILTERS THAT KEEP CHILDREN FROM ACCESSING MATERIAL HARMFUL TO MINORS.

I NEED TO NOTE ON THIS BILL THAT THE TELECOM INDUSTRY SAYS THE BILL'S LANGUAGE IS MUCH BROADER THAN PORNOGRAPHY AND COULD LEAD TO EVEN PG MOVIES BEING BLOCKED.

IN ANY CASE, THAT BILL IS DEAD.

AFTER ADJOURNMENT TONIGHT, HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER REFLECTED ON A LONG AND ACTION PACKED SESSION.

>> I THINK IT'S HISTORIC.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE THINGS THAT WE ACCOMPLISHED, TWO PRIORITY BILLS, FENTANYL AND ADOPTION.

WE CHANGED ADOPTION FOR THE 1ST TIME IN 30 YEARS.

WE HAVE FENTANYL AND THE BILL HAS BEEN SIGNED A INTO LAW.

IF YOU BRING ANYTIME ALABAMA YOU WILL SEND A LONG TIME IN JAIL.

YOU LOOK AT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH THE TAX CUTS, LARGEST TAX CUT IN ALABAMA HISTORY.

REBATES, TO PEOPLE OF ALABAMA ALONG WITH ARPA FUNDS, PUT MORE WATER AND SEWER IN PEOPLE'S CITIES AND WITH HEALTH CARE, IT'S BEEN ABOUT HISTORIC SESSION AND IT'S THE WORK OF THE BODY THAT MADE THAT POSSIBLE.

>> AND THE SPEAKER HAD A SPECIAL TREAT TODAY.

HE INVITED HIS PERSONAL FRIEND AND ALABAMA LEAD SINGER RANDY OWEN TO VISIT THE HOUSE FLOOR.

HE TOOK TO THE MIC TO OFFER ENCOURAGEMENT TO LAWMAKERS AND EVEN HAD SOME TUNES TO OFFER.

>> I COULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THEY SAY KIDS THAT GOT IN A LOT OF TROUBLE BECAUSE IT WAS OUT INTEREST WAITING FOR ME.

BUT GOD WAS VERY GOOD TO ME AND LET ME HAVE A GREAT MOM AND DAD, BELIEVE IN MOM AND DAD, GREAT GRANDPARENTS, AND SO I WAS ABLE TO GO ON WITH MY CAREER.

BUT THE ONE THING I HAVE NOTED TO TAKE FOR SURE WAS THAT I GOT THAT DIPLOMA.

THAT DIPLOMA IS SOMETHING THAT CAN NEVER BE TAKEN AWAY FROM ME, AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE Y'ALL ONCE AGAIN, DON'T LET THESE KIDS, LIKE MYSELF, THAT ARE POOR, THAT DON'T HAVE MUCH, DON'T HAVE REALLY ANY SUPPORT AT HOME, SO TO SPEAK, DON'T LET THEM SLIDE THROUGH THE CRACKS.

MAKE SURE THAT THEY GO AHEAD AND GET THAT DEGREE.

BECAUSE ONCE THEY GET THAT DEGREE NOBODY CAN EVER TAKE IT AWAY FROM THEM.

IT'S THEIRS.

IT'S THEIRS FOREVER.

SO I ENCOURAGE Y'ALL -- I DON'T KNOW -- I JUST THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I SAY THAT BECAUSE I AM ONE OF THOSE KIDS.

BUT LOOK AT ME NOW.

LOOK AT ME NOW.

(APPLAUSE) THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH.

(APPLAUSE) >> AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED ON THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR SAM GAVIN FROM HUNTSVILLE.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> IT'S BEEN MY OH, IN THIS SESSION YOU HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY WORKING ON MULTIPLE BILLS BUT I REALLY WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW BECAUSE YOU DON'T DO A WHOLE LOT OF PRESS CONFERENCES OR THINGS LIKE THAT WHERE YOU'RE SEEKING MEDIA ATTENTION.

BUT OFTEN THE FLOOR YOU SEEM TO BE AT THE PODIUM A LOT.

I WANT TO START WITH THE JUDGE BILL THAT YOU CAME WITH THIS SESSION WORKING ON ALLOCATING MORE JUDGESHIPS WITH THE CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT WHERE POPULATION GROWTH IS IN ALABAMA.

WALK ME THROUGH YOUR THINKING BEHIND THIS BILL.

>> SO FOR MY EXPERIENCE IN MADISON COUNTY WHICH IS A QUICKLY GROWING COUNTY, I KNEW THAT WE NEEDED MORE HELP LOCALLY.

AND OF COURSE I WAS HEAR FROM OTHER PEOPLE IN PARTS OF THE STATE AND IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE COURTS HAD DECIDED OR DETERMINED THAT THE BIG NEEDS WERE IN MADISON COUNTY.

THEY WERE IN AUTAUGA, ELMORE, CHILTON COUNTY CIRCUIT AND ALSO IN BALDWIN COUNTY.

WELL, THAT WAS WHAT I CALL MY BAND-AID BILL.

THAT WAS IT'S THAT'S WHAT I WAS PROFESSION.

LET'S GET THE THREE HOTTEST FIRES PUT OUT IN THAT REGARD.

WHAT I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR FIVE YEARS, AND I SO APPRECIATE BE EVERYBODY WORKING WITH ME THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, YOU KNOW, SIGNING OFF ON IT AND NOW BEING LAW, BUT WHAT I HAD BEEN FIGHTING IS JEFFERSON COUNTY HAS, ACCORDING TO THE COURT SYSTEM HAS TOO MANY JUDGES.

WELL, THEY DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANY.

THEY'RE PROTECTIVE.

IT WAS ALWAYS A FILIBUSTER.

IT'S NOT A THREATENED FILIBUSTER, IT'S A REAL FILIBUSTER.

HE AND SENATOR SINGLETON ARE TALENTED AND KNOW HOW HAD TO DO THAT AND THEY'RE INVEST GIFTED IN THAT REGARD.

SO I HAD THAT PROBLEM.

THEN OF COURSE I HAD, YOU KNOW, SENATOR ALBRITTON AND I TEASE EACH OTHER A LOT BUT HIS JOB IS TO CLAMP DOWN ON THE MONEY.

HE CAN'T JUST GO AND SAY, YEAH, SURE, HERE IS A FEW MILLION HERE AND THERE.

>> THIS IS ALL GENERAL FUND.

>> GENERAL FUND, RIGHT.

NEXT THING YOU KNOW YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT REAL MONEY.

SO YOU KNOW, HE WAS ALWAYS SORT OF CLAMPING DOWN.

SO THIS YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO REACH A SITUATION -- I DON'T KNOW.

EVERYBODY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED BUT THEY AT THE BOTTOM MORE ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHAT BECAME APPARENT IS ALL OF THE CIRCUIT COURTS DON'T REPORT THEIR CASES THE SAME WAY.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SENATOR SMITHERMAN HAD BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR YEARS IS THE DIFFERENCE IN HOW JEFFERSON COUNTY DID IT IN THEIR CIRCUIT AND OTHER CIRCUITS SO WE PUT ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES IN THERE FOR INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED TO THE LEGISLATURE.

AND I THINK THAT WILL PUT US WHERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT APPLES AND ASPS IN THE FUTURE.

THIS THING IS NOT OVER.

WE PUT OUT ALL OF THE FIRES OUT THERE NOW.

I SAY THE FIRES.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE NEEDS DOCUMENTED BY THE COURT SYSTEM.

WE HAVE HANDLED ALL OF THOSE.

BUT IT'S GOING TO COME BACK UP.

WE DID A COMPROMISE.

FOR THE VIEWERS DON'T KNOW.

PREVIOUSLY LAW HAD A REALLOCATION COMMISSION THAT WOULD LOOK AT THE CIRCUITS AND SAY Y'ALL HAVE TOO.

JUDGES, THESE CIRCUITS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH, WE ARE MOVE IN.

THEY NEVER DID IT AND ONLY TALKED ABOUT IT AND FINALLY DID MOVE ONE THIS YEAR FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY TO MADISON COUNTY AND THAT'S BEEN HELD UP BY THE SUPREME COURT.

SENATOR SMITHERMAN IS CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER JUDGES BEING REALLOCATE SOD WE PUT A MORATORIUM ON THAT TO 2027.

I THINK WITH WHAT WE HAVE DONE THAT IS FINE.

BECAUSE WE HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THOSE NEEDS.

AND I WOULD PREDICT THE NEXT NEED WILL BE MADISON COUNTY WHEN JUDGE SMITH WHO IS A RETIRED JUDGE WHO IS BASICALLY STILL WORKING AS A FULL ADVERTISEMENT JOB JUDGE FOR FREE, I THINK EVENTUALLY HE IS GOING TO SAY LOVE IT BUT I HAVE HAD ENOUGH AND I'M GOING HOME.

AND AT THAT POINT IN TIME WE WILL NEED ANOTHER JUDGE IN MADISON COUNTY.

>> WELL, IT'S SIGNIFICANT COMPROMISE AND ACCOMPLISHMENT CONCERNING, LIKE HE SAID, FIVE YEARS WORKING ON IT.

SWITCHING GEARS TO THE OVERTIME INCOME TAX.

THIS WAS INTERESTING TODAY BECAUSE LOOK IT HAD PASSED THE LEGISLATURE BUT IT HAD A CAP ON IT.

AT $25 MILLION, MEANING IF THAT -- STATEWIDE, EVERYBODY'S TAX CUT HAD 25 MILLION IT WOULD STOP.

THAT WAS THE CAP.

WHICH I DIDN'T EVER UNDERSTAND BUT THE GOVERNOR SENDS BACK AN AMENDMENT TAKING THAT CAP AWAY.

ALSO SHORTENING THE SUNSET, AND Y'ALL PASS THAT.

I KNOW THAT YOU WORKED WITH REPRESENTATIVE DAMS ON THIS BILL.

THIS SEEMS LIKE A REALLY BIG DEAL.

>> IT IS A BIG DEAL.

AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED IT'S A BIG WIN.

WHY?

BECAUSE IF FOR ONE 1/2 YEARS, YEAH, THE FISCAL NOTE DIDN'T CHANGE BUT FOR ONE 1/2 YEARS ALL OF THE WORKERS OF THIS STATE WHO WORK OVERTIME ARE NOT GOING TO PAY STATE INCOME TAX ON THEIR REVENUE, THEIR EARNINGS.

AND SO I THINK THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

WHAT I'M HOPING IS THIS WILL CATCH, YOU KNOW, REALLY A LOAD OF STEAM BEHIND IT AND THAT WE WILL SEE EVEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DO THIS WHERE IT'S RELIEF NATIONWIDE.

BUT I ALSO THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT PERMANENTLY IN ALABAMA.

THIS GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO AND FIND OUT HOW MUCH MONEY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

YOU KNOW, THE PHYSICAL OFFICE COMES UP WITH AN ESTIMATE.

NOW WE WILL KNOW HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST.

>> ALMOST LIKE A PILOT TAX CUT.

>> EXACTLY.

WE WILL HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE WORKFORCE TO EMBRACE IT, TO GET BUSINESS TO EMBRACE IT, TO GET THE FORMS TOGETHER THAT ARE NEEDED BY ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO DOCUMENT THIS.

I THINK EVERYBODY WILL BE GETTING BEHIND THIS BIG TIME.

AND THIS -- BECAUSE I GET ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS BY THE MEDIA ABOUT HOW IS THIS IS GOING TO BE HANDLED.

AND WE WILL WORK IT OUT YOU KNOW.

I'M CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL AND I FIGURE THAT WOULD BE MY 1ST BIG TASK IS FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO WORK THIS OUT.

>> I WAS TALKING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THEY WERE SAYING LOOK THE DEPARTMENT OF REF 92 YOU IS LOOKING AT THIS REGULATION SAYING HOW IN THE WORLD ARE WE HAVE GOING TO ADMINISTER A CAP ON AN EXISTING TAX CUT SO I THINK THAT WAS PART OF IT.

SO YEAH, AND YOU WILL GET TO SEE -- I JUST THINK ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF ALL OF THE TAXES LEGISLATION THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS SESSION.

YOU CAN START WITH THE REBATES YOU KNOW, THAT GOT CHANGED AROUND A LITTLE BIT.

YOU CAN POINT TO THE GROCERY TAX.

I THINK THIS ONE MIGHT BE MAYBE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FACTS CUT CONSIDERING IT REALLY AFFECTS WORKING PEOPLE.

>> I THINK IT'S VERY TARGETED.

I THINK IT'S A PERFECT TIME.

WE HAVE -- WE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT SO MANY THINGS ABOUT THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE HAVE HAD SO MUCH INFLATION IS BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES WITH THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

THIS GIVES ANOTHER INCENTIVE.

YOU REACH A POINT WHERE YOU'RE JUST TIRED.

I DON'T WORK -- WELL, I GUESS AS A ARE YOU AWARE I DO WORK BY THE HOUR BUT IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

BUT AS, YOU KNOW, REMEMBERING THE DAYS OF BACK WHEN I WAS A BLUE COLLAR HOURLY WORKER YOU TO NEED THOSE INCENTIVES WHEN YOU ALREADY PUT IN A LONG DAY AND WEEK, HOW MUCH, YOU KNOW, MORE DOES IT GET YOU TO MOTIVATED TO WORK.

AND SO YOU KNOW I THINK THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE SOME RELIEF AND HAVE THAT EXTRA MONEY TO DEAL WITH INFLATION THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.

>> WELL, YOU MENTIONED LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL.

AND FOCUS WHO WASH THE SHOW REGULARLY REFERENCES -- EVERY NOW AND AGAIN IT'S A JOINT BODY THAT ADMINISTERS POLICIES THAT EFFECT THE LEGISLATURE IN THE STATE HOUSES.

YOU PASSED A SIGNIFICANT BILL THIS YEAR.

MAKING SOME CHANGES TO HOW THINGS WORK AROUND HERE, INCLUDING THE OPPORTUNITY TO STARTING A CONVERSATION WITH RSA ABOUT BUILDING A NEW STATEHOUSE, THAT'S PRETTY EXCITING.

BUT ALSO CHANGING THE DATES OF WHEN THE SESSION STARTS.

WE WILL GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE.

BUT TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR A NEW STATE HOUSE.

I KNOW SOMETIMES IT'S NOT POLITICALLY POPULAR BUT I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD FIND ANYBODY IN THIS BUILDING THAT DOESN'T SAY THERE IS A NEED.

CAN YOU KIND OF GO OVER YOUR CONVERSATIONS IN GETTING THAT BILL WRITTEN IN A WAY THAT YOU THINK IT WILL WORK.

>> SURE.

SO THIS BUILDING WAS NOT DESIGNED TO BE THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

THIS WAS A TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT BUILDING.

THE WAY IT'S LAID OUT, THE AGE, THE CONDITION -- I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GETTING SICK FROM WORKING IN THIS BUILDING.

THERE'S BEEN -- I HAVE SEEN MOLD IN MY OWN EYES.

IT'S FLOODED SEVERAL TIMES.

THERE ARE COMPONENTS OF THIS BUILDING THAT THEY DO NOT MAKE PARTS FOR ANYMORE.

AND YOU KNOW, WE SAW IT EXACERBATED AND I HOPE WE DON'T DEAL WITH ANOTHER SITUATION LIKE -- WITH THE PANDEMIC.

BUT WE SAW WHERE IT WAS REALLY PROBLEMATIC FOR THE PUBLIC HAVING ACCESS.

AND THE IDEA OF ACCESS WAS BASICALLY LET THE LOBBYISTS HAVE ACCESS.

WELL THE LOBBYISTS MOST ARE CITIZENS, TOO, BUT JOE PUBLIC WASN'T ALLOWED.

AND ALSO WHEN WE GET INTO COMMITTEE MEETINGS THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN IN THE GOVERNMENT AND THEY DON'T GET PAY.

THEY COME IN HERE AND JUST VOLUNTEER OR THEY HAVE A PERSONAL INTEREST IN IT BECAUSE IT EFFECTS THEM AND THEIR OBJECTION OXE IS GETTING GORED OR SOMETHING AND THEY WANT TO TALK TO THEIR HOUSE MEMBERS AND GO TO COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND BE HEARD IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.

AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE ROOMS AND YOU JUST CAN'T GET ANYBODY ELSE IN THERE.

IT'S BEYOND STANDING ROOM ONLY AND IT LIMITS WHO CAN COME INTO THE BUILDING.

SO I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH ACCESS OF THE PUBLIC WITH THIS.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT DISABILITIES, WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF SENATORS THAT HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY OR AT LEAST ONE PERMANENTLY IN WHEELCHAIRS AND THEY HAVE A VERY HARD ADVERTISEMENT NAVIGATING THIS PLACE.

IT WAS NOT DESIGNED WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT BECAUSE IT WAS PRECEDED BY DECADES.

WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT THE MONEY WE'RE GOING TO PUT IN THE BUILDING TO PACE WHICH IS STILL NOT GOING TO BE MUCH, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THROWING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD.

>> SO IS IT THE SLOT BEHIND HERE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, THE POTENTIAL THE STATEHOUSE WOULD GO OR IS THAT JUST HAD A POSSIBILITY?

>> WE HAVE A LITTLE FLEXIBILITY THERE BECAUSE AN AMENDMENT WAS MADE IN THE HOUSE, REPRESENTATIVE LIPSCOMB HAD DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT HOW WE COULD DO THINGS AND TO KEEP THAT FLEXIBILITY WE WENT WITH IT ON THE AMENDMENT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE PROBLEMATIC ON THE LOT THAT'S ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING STATE STATEHOUSE AND BEHIND THE CAPITOL BUILDING.

THAT'S A POSSIBILITY.

BUT I THINK IT'S MORE LIKELY IT WOULD BE ACROSS RIPLEY FROM THE STATEHOUSE NOW.

AND WE HAVE A SEPARATE PRESENCE.

BECAUSE THE LOT NEXT TO -- THAT WOULD BE ADJACENT TO THE CAPITOL BUILDING IS NOT A BIG FOOTPRINT SO THAT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE TO GO HIGHER.

AND I SIT HERE AND THINK ABOUT IT AS AN AESTHETIC STANDPOINT AND RIDING UP RIPLEY AND YOU SEE THE ICONIC CAPITOL BUILDING AND THEN YOU HAVE THIS LOUISIANA STATE CAPITAL BEHIND IT -- >> FLORIDA HAS THE SAME THING.

IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD.

>> I DON'T SEE THAT BEING WHAT THE STATE OF ALABAMA SHOULD HAVE.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING VERY PRACTICAL BUT THAT DOES NOT DETRACT FROM THE CURRENT CAPITOL BUILDING.

>> WELL, WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE.

AND I.

AGREE WITH YOU THAT ACCESS IN THIS BUILDING IS HORRIBLE.

WE HEAR ABOUT IT FROM PEOPLE ALL THE TIME THAT LOVE TO COME AND VISIT BUT JUST CAN'T OR THEY GET DOWN HERE AND THEY'RE HORRIFIED BY THE FACT THEY CAN'T FIND THEIR SENATORS AND ALL OF THAT.

ANOTHER PART OF THAT BILL, AND THINK IT'S APROPOS THAT THE LAST SESSION OF TODAY, IT'S HOT AS THE DEVIL OUTSIDE BUT YOU HAVE MOVED UP IN THE CALENDAR WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL BEGIN, BACK TO FEBRUARY INSTEAD OF MARCH, BECAUSE IF YOU GO ALL 105 DAYS YOU GET INTO JUNE AND IT'S -- WE HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY WITH WEATHER THIS YEAR BUT USUALLY THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF SESSION ARE REALLY HOT, PROBABLY TOUGH ON THE AIR CONDITIONERS AND EVERYTHING HERE.

TALK ABOUT Y'ALL'S CONVERSATIONS AND THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> SO WHAT I WANTED TO DO WAS GO 1ST TUESDAY IN FEBRUARY OF EVERY YEAR BUT I GOT SHOT DOWN ON THAT QUICKLY.

EMPIRICALLY THIS IS HOW I FIGURED IT.

THE 1ST YEAR OF THE QUADRENNIUM WE START IN MARCH.

WE HAVE NEW SENATORS AND NEW REPS COMING IN, PERHAPS HAVE A NEW GOVERNOR, GIVE THEM MORE TIME TO GET THE BUDGET TOGETHER AND ACCLIMATED BUT WE START GETTING HIT UP ON THINGS REALLY EARLY BEFORE THE SESSION BEGINNING BEGINS.

SO I THINK GIVEN THAT WE'RE NOT -- WE'RE NOT 18 OR 19 ANYMORE, AND IT'S NOT 1919 SO THE BUDGETS CAN BE PUT TOGETHER MORE QUICKLY.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT TRANSPORTATION TO GET DOWN HERE AND YOU KNOW, SO START THINGS OFF SO THE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES I HAVE TALKED TO HAVE ALL BEEN REALLY PLEASED WITH THE IDEA THAT WE WILL START ON THE 1ST YEAR OF THE QUADRENNIUM IN FEBRUARY AS WE DO ON THE 2ND AND 3RD YEAR.

I WOULD JUST AS SOON KEEP IT THAT WAY ALL THE ALONG.

IT'S CLEAR WHY WE HAVE THIS HERE NOW IS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF HERE AND CAMPAIGN FOR RE-ELECTION.

>> SO IN ELECTION YEAR IT STARTS THE SECOND WEEK -- >> STARTS BASICALLY RIGHT AFTER THE -- THE TUESDAY AFTER THE NATIONAL CHIP GAME WHICH ALABAMA FANS STAY ATTUNED TO.

>> SO THEY WANT TO BE DONE.

THAT'S WHEN YOU CAN START RAISING MONEY AND CAMPAIGNING.

LOOK I THINK IT'S A WELCOME CHANGE TO THE CALENDAR.

AND MY COLLEAGUE MARY SELLS SAYS LEGISLATION IS NOT A SPRING OR SUMMER OF SPORT.

IT'S A WINTER SPORT.

THAT WILL BE GOOD.

>> SENATOR WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND CONGRATULATIONS ON A SUCCESSFUL SESSION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ENJOYED IT.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK FRIDAY AT 7:30 FOR OUR "WEEK IN REVIEW" EPISODE RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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