♪♪ >>> I DON'T WANT HISTORY TO SAY WE WERE A LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT JUST GOT PAYBACK.

>> DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE TODAY PUSH BACK ON A BILL TO GET THE BALL ROLLING FOR A COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE THE ACTIONS OF GEORGIA'S PROSECUTORS.

GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS DAY 11th OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M DONNA LOWERY IN ATLANTA.

ON THE SHOW WE'LL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT A COUPLE OF LOCAL ISSUES ON THE RADAR.

THE TRAINING CENTER AND CONDITIONS AT THE FULTON COUNTY JAIL.

LONGTIME LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND SENATE MAJORITY WHIP JOINS US, PLUS WE HAVE LEGISLATURES TO HAVE BILLS.

ONE WILL TELL US ABOUT A MOVE TO PUT THE ABORTION ISSUE ON THE BALLOT FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE ON A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

ANOTHER LAWMAKER WANTS TO DESIGNATE PUBLIC SCHOOL BATHROOMS AS EXCLUSIVELY MALE OR FEMALE.

LET'S FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED FIRST AT THE STATE CAPITAL ON THIS 11th LEGISLATIVE DAY FROM OUR CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT SARA KALAS.

>> HI, DONNA.

TODAY THERE WERE CONTROVERSIAL BILLS DEALING WITH OVERSIGHT.

IN THE HOUSE, MEMBERS REIGNITED A FIERY DEBATE OVER HOUSE BILL 881 WHICH DEALS WITH PROSECUTOR OVERSIGHT.

THE BILL REVISES REQUIREMENTS TO LAST YEAR'S BILL WHICH CREATED A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S OVERSIGHT COMMISSION.

THE COMMISSION WOULD BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE AND REMOVE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND PROSECUTORS FOR INCOMPETENCE.

THE NEW BILL REMOVES THE NEED FOR THE STATE SUPREME COURT'S APPROVAL AT THE COURT'S REQUEST.

SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL SAY IT'S NECESSARY FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> IT'S HB881 ALLOWS THE COMMISSION TO DO THE WORK THAT WE'VE LEGISLATED AND TOLD THEM THEY NEED TO DO.

IT GIVES OUR CONSTITUENTS A CONFIDENCE THAT THEIR DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND SOLICITORS GENERAL WILL UPHOLD THE LAW IMPARTIALLY AND JUSTLY.

LET'S COME TOGETHER AND PASS HB 881 AND NOT JUST AS A LEGISLATIVE ACT, BUT AS A TESTAMENT TO THE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> SPECIFICALLY, PROSECUTORS IN GEORGIA WILL NOT BE ABOVE THE LAW IF YOU VOTE YES ON HOUSE BILL 881.

>> OPPONENTS SAY THE COMMISSION IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED AND UNNECESSARY.

HB 881 IS NOT A SOLUTION.

IT IS, AT BEST, AN UNWIELDY, CONFUSING EXPERIMENT.

>> IT IS SO EASY TO TELL OTHER PEOPLE HOW TO DO THEIR JOBS AND THEN -- I MEAN, DON'T YOU FEEL LIKE THAT WHEN YOU GO HOME SOMETIMES.

SOMEONE'S TELLING YOU YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS, YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT, YOU DID THAT WRONG AND YOU DID THAT RIGHT AND IT'S REALLY EASY TO COMPLAIN FROM THE CHEAP SEATS.

>> THE BILL PASSED 95 TO 75 IN A PARTY LINE VOTE.

>> THE CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY IS THEREFORE PASSED.

>> THE SENATE STARTED THE MORNING RECOGNIZING THE CIRCLE OF LIFE.

THE SENATOR ASKED THE CHAMBER FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO REMEMBER A SOUTH GEORGIA NATIVE AND ARMY SPECIALIST KENNEDY LADON, AT AN OUTPOST NEAR THE SYRIAN BORDER WITH JORDAN.

>> SHE WAS DESCRIBED AS FUN-LOVING, ALWAYS SMILING AND A BIG KID AT HEART.

HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS REFERRED TO HER AS MUNCH KIN.

BORN IN 1999, KENNEDY SERVED IN THE ARMY RANGERS WITH THE -- I'M SORRY, WITH THE ARMY RESERVES WITH THE RANK OF SERGEANT AND EVENTUALLY WANTED TO THE GO FULL ACTIVE DUTY IN THE SERVICE TO HER COUNTRY AND PURSUE A CAREER IN RADIOLOGY TECHNOLOGY.

SHE WAS 24 YEARS OLD WHEN SHE GAVE HER LIFE FOR HER COUNTRY.

>> THE SENATOR BROUGHT HAPPIER NEWS TO THE FLOOR.

>> ME AND MY HUSBAND ARE EXPECTING A NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY.

>> ALL RIGHT!

[ APPLAUSE ] >> I AM PREGNANT, AND WE'LL BE DUE IN AUGUST.

SO I'M SUPER EXCITED.

I ALREADY HAVE TWO BEAUTIFUL BONUS DAUGHTERS AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO EXPAND OUR FAMILY, AND I WANTED MY OTHER FAMILY TO KNOW.

>> AFTER WARD, BEAUTY SERVICE LICENSING BECAME A SURPRISING BONE OF CONTENTION ON THE FLOOR.

>> ALL OF THIS BILL DOES IS SIMPLY IT'S VERY NARROWLY TAILORED.

IT'S NOT TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE THAT CUT HAIR OR COLOR HAIR OR ANY OF THAT, IT'S JUST STRICTLY, YOU'LL SEE ONLINE 32 THROUGH 38 THE DEFINITION OF BLOW DRY STYLING AND THEN APPLYING COSMETICS ALSO IN THE BILL, AND IT'S STRICTLY THOSE TWO AREAS THAT YOU WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A COSMETOLOGY LICENSE TO DO.

>> SB 354 WOULD NO LONGER REQUIRE LICENSING FOR PEOPLE WHO PERFORM CERTAIN JOBS NAMELY SHAMPOOING AND BLOW DRYING IN THE COSMETOLOGY AND HAIR DRYING PROFESSION, BUT NOT EVERYONE BELIEVES IT'S A GOOD IDEA.

>> MY CONVICTION IN UPHOLDING LICENSING REQUIREMENTS HAS BEEN OVERHEARD BY OVER 30 INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS IN MY DISTRICT.

SPECIFICALLY HAIRDRESSERS AND BARBERS WHO PREDOMINANTLY SERVE AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN CUSTOMER BASE.

THEIR FEEDBACK WAS STRIKINGLY CLEAR.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM STRESSED HOW VITAL SANITATION TRAINING IS AND THIS UNANIMOUS VIEW REALLY BRINGS TO LIGHT THE NEED FOR A MORE BALANCED APPROACH IN THIS INDUSTRY, ONE THAT VALUES HANDS-ON TRAINING WHILE ALSO EMIF SIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AND SANITATION, SOMETHING THAT IS A CORE PART OF THE LICENSING PROCESS.

>> AFTER MUCH DEBATE ON THE FLOOR, THE BILL WAS PASSED 38-15.

ALSO TODAY, SENATE REPUBLICANS GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE PRIORITIES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THEY SAID THEY WOULD FOCUS ON TORT REFORM, REDUCING TAXES, PUBLIC SAFETY AND SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> EVERY ONE OF THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT ARE GENERATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

BIG IDEAS, BIG WINS AND A BIG FINISH TO THIS 2023-2024 CONVENING OF THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> LAWMAKERS WILL RETURN TO THE CAPITOL TOMORROW FOR DAY 12 WHERE LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT, BACK TO YOU.

THANK YOU FOR WRAP-UP.

WITH ME IS REPUBLICAN SENATE MAJORITY WHIP RANDY ROBERT SORN OF KHATTALA.

HEY IS VICE CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMIT'S AND HAS WORKED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR MUCH OF HIS CAREER.

WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS AND I GOT KHATTALA.

I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF.

I WAS ABLE TO DO IT.

YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT LAST WEEK AND WE HAD ISSUES TO TALK ABOUT AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THEM TODAY AND I WANT TO START WITH WHAT SARAH DISCUSSED AND THAT WAS THE COSMETOLOGY BILL.

WOULD YOU EXPECT THAT TO BE AS HEATED AS BECAME?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE SURPRISE THAT COME UP WHEN WE THINK IT'S A SIMPLE BILL WHICH IS A PHRASE USED A LOT AT THE CAPITOL AND IT BECAME VERY COMPLICATED VERY QUICKLY.

LUCKILY, THE DEBATE WE WERE ABLE TO WORK OUT A LOT OF THE DETAILS AND IT PASSED AND NOW WE'LL MOVE OVER TO OUR FRIENDS OVER ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

>> INTERESTING BILL.

SO WE'LL GET TO PUBLIC SAFETY WITH YOU, AS ALWAYS.

YOU'VE BEEN VERY, VERY VOCAL ABOUT SUPPORT OF THE ATLANTA PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER.

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> WELL, I THINK STARTING BACK IN 2020, WAS THERE A LOT OF CONVERSATION.

THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE UPSET ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING, ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALISM AND THE CITY OF ATLANTA RIGHTLY LOOKED AT THE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE TRAINING CENTER THAT THEY HAD HERE IN THE CITY WHICH TO THE BEST OF MY REG ELECTION IS SOMETHING FROM BACK IN THE '60s.

IT IS A DEPLORABLE BUILDING THAT YOU WOULD ASK ANYBODY TO GO IN AND TRAIN AND I HAVE TRAINED THERE MYSELF DURING MY CAREER, AND THAT CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION AND A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS, I THINK, HAVE ALLOWED THEIR PERSONAL FEELINGS TOWARD LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TOWARD JUST UNIQUE CASES INVOLVING LAW ENFORCEMENT MISCONDUCT, COLOR THEIR OPINION ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER WHICH IS NOT JUST GOING TO BE THERE TO TRAIN POLICE OFFICERS.

IT'S THERE TO TRAIN FIREFIGHTERS, EMTs AND OTHERS WHO THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTA DEPEND ON WHEN THEY DIAL 911 AND NEED SOMEBODY TO COME TO THEIR AID.

>> I THINK PEOPLE WERE A LITTLE SURPRISED THAT THE STATE BECAME INVOLVED WITH AN OPINION ON THIS.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THE STATE -- IN OUR STATE CONSTITUTION THERE'S A LIST THAT CITIES ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE.

I THINK THERE'S A LIST OF ABOUT 11 THAT CITIES LOOK AT AND PICK AND CHOOSE, AND ONE THING WE HAVE TO REMEMBER IS CITY COUNSELORS REPRESENT THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTA.

THE MAYOR REPRESENTS THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTA, BUT THOSE OF US IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WE REPRESENT THE CITIZEN IN THE STATE AND EVERY DECISION WE MAKE UP THERE, IMPACTS EVERYBODY.

IT'S THE CONCERN ON EXACT LOOK WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> ANOTHER ISSUE THAT'S KIND OF ATLANTA, AS YOU SURE THE FULTON'S SENATE COUNTY JAIL AND IT WAS COMMITTED LAST YEAR AND AFTER TEN DEATHS WENT TOP JAIL, WE'VE HAD ANOTHER PERSON DIE, AND I WANT YOU TO TALK ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF THE EXITY, WHY WAS THE SUB EXITY.

BECAUSE OF A LOT OF RETONSA WE GOT FROM PEOPLE THAT WERE COMING OUT OF THE FULTON COUNTY JAIL.

I HAVE A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE WHERE MY CAREER STARTED OUT A LONG, LONG TIME AGO WORKING IN A LARGE JAIL, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, THEY DRIVE BY THEM EVERY DAY, BUT THE JAIL IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PART OF ANY COMMUNITY AND IT'S A BUILDING THAT OPERATES 365 DAYS A YEAR, 24 HOURS A DAY AND INSIDE THE BUILDING ARE THE CITIZENS THAT LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER THEY'RE THE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS OR DEPUTY SHERIFFS THAT WORK THERE OR THE CITIZENS WHO ARE DETAINED THERE WAITING TO EXPERIENCE DUE PROCESS BASED ON WHATEVER THE CHARGE MAY BE.

>> OKAY.

SO YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TAKE A TOUR OF IT.

LAST WEEK LIKE A 7:00 A.M. PUBLIC HEARING, YOU HAD AND YOU TALKED -- AMONG THOSE WHO SPOKE WERE SHERIFF PAT LABONTE AND HERE'S WHAT HE TOLD YOU ABOUT THE JAIL.

>> 3600 DETAINEES AND 600 PEOPLE SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR.

YESTERDAY IT WAS 2707 -- ON.

>> REMIND US YOUR BAD COUNT IS TP.

>> BAD COUNT IS -- ORIGINALLY THE FACILITY WAS BUILT FOR 1100.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THEY DOUBLE THE POPULATION OF THE SQUARE FOOT FOOTAGE CRACK.

>> DOUBLE BUNKED WHICH A TERRIBLE YETTED.

WHAT YOUR CAPACITY?

>> BELOW 1600.

>> EVEN THOUGH THE CAPACITY WAS 1100 AT ONE POINT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PROGRESS?

HE TALKED ABOUT PROGRESS.

>> IT'S AMAZING, WE'VE SEEN PROGRESS ON ALL LEVELS AND THERE ARE FOUR PRIMARY GROUPS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OF A COUNTY JAIL.

NUMBER ONE IS THE COUNTY COMMISSION WHO PROVIDES THE FUNDING AND NUMBER TWO IS THE SHERIFF WHO PROVIDES THE MANAGEMENT.

NUMBER THREE IS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT MOVES THE CASES IN AND OUT OF THE JAIL AND THEN THE FOURTH IS THE JUDICIARY THAT ENSURES EVERYTHING'S DONE CONSTITUTIONALLY AND THAT DUE PROCESS IS APPLIED THE WAY IT SHOULD BE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WERE BEING HELD IN THE COUNTY JAIL AND IT'S AMAZING THAT EACH THOSE FOUR SECTORS SINCE WE STARTED MEETINGS HAVE ENGAGED BETTER WITH EACH OTHER AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE MOVEMENT THAT'S EXTREMELY POSITIVE.

>> YEAH.

IT WAS A GOOD ENDING TO THAT MEETING, AND I KNOW YOU HAVE MORE TO ON THAT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER AREA AND YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE GRACE COMMISSION AND THE CRACKDOWN ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

YOU HAD A BILL LAST YEAR, SB-36.

YOU FIRST INTRODUCED IT ON PIMPING AND PANDERING.

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THAT?

>> IT'S SITTING IN THE CAPITOL WITH OUR FRIENDS OVER IN THE HOUSE AND THE REASON IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO ME IS AGAIN, MY LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER THERE WAS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE BEING TRAFFICKED ON THE STREET AND WHAT WE HAD TO DO, I THINK, AND FIRST LADY, MARTY KEMP HAS DONE A GREAT JOB, BUT I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS WE HAVE TO ATTACK THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

SO MY LEGISLATION, WHAT IT WOULD DO IS MAKE PIMPING WHICH IS NOW A MISDEMEANOR WHEN YOU GET ARRESTED FOR PIMPING THE FIRST TIME AND IT WOULD MAKE IT A FELONY AND FOR THE MEN THAT GO OUT AND PURCHASE THESE INDIVIDUALS RIGHT NOW IT'S A MISDEMEANOR AND I ALSO WANT TO MAKE THAT A FELONY BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY SOCIETY THAT LASTS WHEN SELLING HUMAN FLESH, SELLING INDIVIDUALS WITH SOULS TO BE ABUSED AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED.

I JUST DON'T SEE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE MORAL FIBER THAT'S REQUIRED.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO THOSE MEN WHO FEEL IT'S OKAY TO SELL AND BUY WOMEN AND CHILDREN FOR THEIR SEXUAL PLEASURE.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT IT'S IN THE HOUSE RIGHT NOW.

WHERE DOES IT STAND AND HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT IT?

>> WE WORKED ON IT A LOT, AND THE JUDICIAL NON-CIVIL COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN HONG HAD THE BILL AND WE DID A LOT OF WORK WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE WE DIDN'T INADVERTENTLY CATCH AN INON SENSE IN THE NET WHILE DOING THIS.

I'M POSITIVE WE'LL GET IT PASSED OUT AND GET IT TO GOVERNOR KEMP FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

>> AND BECAUSE FIRST LADY KEMP IS A PART OF THAT I'M SURE THAT'S SOMETHING HE'S INTERESTED IN.

WE'LL SWITCH GEARS A LITTLE BIT FROM PUBLIC SAFETY BECAUSE ANOTHER AREA THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, YOU SPOKE BEFORE THE SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE AND YOU TOLD THEM THAT YOU OPPOSE RANK CHOICE VOTING.

TELL US ABOUT THAT AND WHY?

>> RANK CHOICE VOTING HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 1900s AND IT WAS USED IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT START OUT PRIMARILY BEING USED IN OTHER PLACES AROUND THE WORLD AND IT EVENTUALLY FADED AWAY.

IT WAS SEEN AS A CONFUSING AND DYSFUNCTIONAL WAY TO ELECT COMMUNITY LEADERS.

IN THE LATE 1990s AND 2000s, MUNICIPALITIES BROUGHT IT BACK AND WHAT IT BASICALLY DOES IS FIVE INDIVIDUALS ARE RUNNING FOR A SEAT AND YOU VOTE FOR THE ONE YOU WANT AND YOU RANKED THE OTHER FOURTH SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH OR FIFTH AND THEY COUNT THE BALTDS THE FIRST TIME AND THEN ONE PERSON'S ELIMINATED AND THEN THEY COUNT THEM A SECOND TIME.

ANOTHER PERSON'S ELIMINATED AND THEY CONTINUE COUNTING THEM UNTIL THEY COME OUT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS 50 PLUS 1% SO YOU CAN DETERMINE WHO YOUR LEADER IS.

IT'S A VERY CONFUSING PROCESS.

IT WAS DONE IN THE TWIN CITIES OF MINNESOTA IN 2013 WHERE THEY HAD A HUGE MAYOR'S RACE AND THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 40,000 COMBINATIONS ON THIS ONE CONFUSING BALLOT.

>> KNOW THEY'VE USED IT IN THE MILITARY, AND I KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON.

SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE HOW THAT GOES.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW TODAY AND I HOPE YOU'LL COME BACK.

I HOPE YOUR DAUGHTER IS WATCHING, TOO.

YOUR LITTLE ONE.

>> COMING UP, A LOOK AT LEGISLATION ON ABORTION ACCESS AND PUBLIC SCHOOL BATHROOMS DESIGNATED FOR ONE SEX OR ANOTHER.

♪♪ ♪♪ >>> QWEST LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

WITH OVER YEARS OF HELPING US PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE AGRICULTURE IN THE STATE, AG IS NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS 74 BILLION IN OUTPUT IN GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY, IT WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITOL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>> PEOPLE PUT THEIR FAITH IN.

BS BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT WAS CONSTANTLY DELIVERING QUALITY.

IT COVERS THE WHOLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S A FREE AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA.

>> WE GO WHERE THE VIEWERS ARE.

>> WHAT ARE THE CONVERSATIONS AND AND PEOPLE, WE GIVE TIME SO YOU CAN HEAR VOICES ON ALL SIDES OF AN ISSUE.

THIS IS THE PLACE THAT PEOPLE TURN TO FOR STORIES THAT MATTER AND THEY KNOW THAT WHEN THEY WALK AWAY THEY WILL HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

>> THAT'S WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR DAILY LIFE AND AROUND THE WORLD.

♪♪ >> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> COMMUNITY, LEARNING, WORKING, PLAYING, CELEBRATING.

DOING LIFE IS ALWAYS BETTER TOGETHER AT GPB WE AIM TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO DO LIFE TOGETHER WELL.

OUR MISSION TO EDUCATE, INFORM AND ENTERTAIN INSPIRES EVERYTHING FROM OUR WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMMING TO OUR STIMULATING RADIO CONVERSATIONS, GO TO GPB.ORG/COMMUNITY TO OUR UPCOMING EVENTS.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWERY.

LET'S DIG INTO A COUPLE OF AREAS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY WITH OUR GUESTS.

JOINING ME ARE DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE TIM SKOFIELD OF ATLANTA AND URBAN AFFAIRS AND JOSH BONNER OF FAYETTEVILLE.

HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE DEFENSE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WHICH IS PROBABLY A BUSY ONE.

SO BOTH OF YOU, WELCOME.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

CHAIRMAN BONNER, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

YOU ARE CO-SPONSOR OF A BILL TO DESIGNATE PUBLIC SCHOOL BATHROOMS FOR EXCLUSIVE TO BE USED BY EITHER MALES OR FEMALES.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> THANK YOU, DONNA.

HOUSE BILL 936 IS SIMPLY A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO PROTECTING GEORGIA'S CHILDREN IN THE K THROUGH 12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND IT WILL DEFAULT TO THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE TO DETERMINE WHICH FACILITIES TO USE, WHETHER THAT'S A RESTROOM, A LOCKER ROOM AND IT APPLIES TO OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIPS.

IT JUST SAYS THAT -- IT SAYS MALE ON YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE YOU USE THE BOYS ROOM IN THE LOCKER ROOM AND IF IT SAYS FE MALYOU USE FEMALE FACILITIES AND IF THERE IS A CHILD WITH WITH IDENTITY, SO THAT THAT CHILD IS ABLE TO USE FACILITIES THAT ARE SEPARATE.

>> SO THAT'S A SEPARATE BATHROOM FROM EITHER ONE OF THE FAIL OR FEMALE?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> YOU'D LIKE THE BATHROOMS TO SAY EXCLUSIVE HE MALE OR EXCLUSIVELY FEMALE, RIGHT?

>> THEY'RE SYSTEMLY LAME ARE.

THE GIRL JUST STIPULATES AND THERE ARE STRUGGLING IDE NOTITY, THEYED EITHER CHANGE, USE THE RESTROOM OR ON AN OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIP.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FIELD TRIP AND TALK ABOUT HOW THAT MIGHT WORK.

>> CERTAINLY, THAT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION STILL APPLIES SO THAT RATHER THAN HAVE BOYS AND GIRLS ROOMSES AND VICE VERSA, IF THERE WAS A CHILD STRUGGLING WITH ISSUES OF IDENTITY THAT THEY BE PROVIDED A SEPARATE ROOM.

>> YEAH, AND THEN THE -- THERE IS A PENALTY INVOLVED, RIGHT?

THROUGH THE PUBLIC -- I'M SORRY, THE -- >> THE PUBLIC STANDARD.

THERE IS DUE PROCESS IN THE SENSE THAT IF THIS LAW IS VIOLATED THERE IS A COURSE OF ACTION THROUGH THE COMMISSION THAT COULD RESULT IN A FINE FOR THAT TEACHER, FOR THAT PRINCIPAL OR THAT ADMINISTRATOR.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR TELLING USES ABOUT THAT BILL.

WE WILL SWITCH GEARS A LITTLE BIT HERE.

REPRESENTATIVE SKOFIELD, YOU'RE A SIGN OR THE BILL TO CODIFY ABORTION ACCESS IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

IT WAS INTRODUCED LAST YEAR AND YOU'RE HOPING THAT IT MOVES ALONG THIS YEAR.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DONNA.

>> ACROSS THIS WORLD AND NATION WE ARE HEARING THE CLARION CRY OF WOMEN ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS.

WE KNOW THAT OHIO HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND IT IS TIME FOR THE PEOPLE TO HAVE A SHOIS AS TO WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE ON THE BALLOT.

SO I LISTEN TO WOMEN AND MEN ACROSS THE STATE THAT ARE SAYING SIMPLY, WE WANT TO MAKE THE CHOICE FOR OURSELVES.

WE DO NOT WANT GOVERNMENT COMING IN AND INFRINGING ON THE RIGHTS OF OUR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

SO IT IS ONLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO CONTINUE TO GIVE PEOPLE ACCESS AND ENGAGE THEM IN THEIR OWN DECISION MAKING BECAUSE LET'S FACE IT.

IT IS ABOUT OUR BODY AND THE DECISIONS AND CHOICES WE MAKE WITHOUT THE GOVERN THE.

I'VE NEVER MADE A DOCTOR'S APPOINT AND HAD TO CALL MY LEGISLATURE BEFORE MAKING THAT APPOINTMENT TO GET WHAT HE THOUGHT.

>> E PLAIN TO PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.

>> IT MEANS WE'VE TAKEN AWAY THE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN TO MAKE DHOISES WHETHER THEY WANT TO HAVE AN ABORTION OR HAVE A PREGNANCY.

AND SO THIS SIMPLY SAYS THAT WE WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT AS A REFERENDUM TO VOTE.

SIMPLY.

YES OR NO?

>> DO YOU THINK YOU'LL GET IT TO A COMMITTEE?

>> YOU KNOW, I'M HOPING THAT GEORGIA WILL DO THE RIGHT THING BY GIVING THE PEOPLE THEIR VOICE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE DO GET HEARINGS AND THAT WE HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE WHERE THIS MATTERS MOST.

NOT THE LEGISLATORS.

>> THIS IS PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC PRIORITIES, TOO, ISN'T IT?

>> YES.

DEMOCRATS FIGHT HARD WHEN IT COMES TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON HOW THAT BILL DOES, TOO.

SWITCHING BACK OVER TO YOU, CHAIRMAN BONNER.

YOU FILED A BILL LAST WEEK HB-995 THAT WOULD ALLOW 11th AND 12th GRADERS IN HIGH SCHOOL ACCESS TO DIFFERENT APTITUDE TESTS AND THIS COULD BE FROM ACADEMICS, OCCUPATIONAL GOALS AND THE MILITARY WHERE YOU MIGHT IF IN.

TALK US, THIS WAS THERE WAS BROUGHT AND THE ARM SERVICES VO KAEGZAL ASK WHAT JOHNNA OF IN THE MILITARY THAT WERE NOT PROVIDING OK ACCESS TO THE TEST IS IFIO HAVE AN 11th OR 12th GRADER THAT WANTS TO TAKE HAD ASSESSMENT, YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE.

MILITARY COVERS THE COST OF THE TEST AND THE COST OF OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND THEY COVER EVERYTHING.

IT'S MEANT TO EXPOSE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE MILITARY AND THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.

AS YOU WELL KNOW OUR RECRUITING NUMBERS ARE DOWN AND AS EVIDENCED BY AN EARLIER STORY WITH THE SERVICE MEMBERS THAT GAVE THEIR LIFE, WE NEED GOOD QUALITY FOLKS TO FILL THOSE RANKS MOVING FORWARD TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY.

>> AND YOU HAVE A MILITARY BACKGROUND?

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> I DO.

26 YEARS IN THE ARMY AND STILL CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE ARMY RESERVES JUST LIKE THE FOLKS WE MENTIONED EARLIER.

I'VE HAD AN INCREDIBLE CAREER AND THANKFUL FOR THE SERVICE AND PROUD TO BE A PART OF THAT.

>> WHAT WOULD THE APTITUDE TEST HAVE SAID ABOUT YOU?

>> IT WOULD HAVE HAD ME DIGGING LATRINES AND I DID BETTER THAN THAT.

>> THE APTITUDE TEST IN HIGH SCHOOL SAID PLUMBING FOR ME, BUT I'M HERE.

WE'LL KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON THAT ONE AND SEE WHERE THAT BILL GOES.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL SWITCH BACK TO YOU AND I UPON A LOT OF THE FACT FAKES YOU R, YOU VERY AMONG -- YOU HAVE OPINION REAL REALLY FOCUSED ON PERIOD PARTICULARS FOR PEOPLE WHO IN PARTICULAR ON WOMEN GETTING MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS, BUT ALSO PEOPLE WHO ARE IN POVERTY AND CHILDREN WHO GET THOSE PRODUCTS AND ARE PAYING EXTRA FOR IT.

TALK ABOUT A LOT OF THAT.

THAT'S A BIG ISSUE FOR YOU IN.

>> IT IS A BIG ISSUE FOR ME BECAUSE WHEN I GOT STARTED I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW BROAD THIS PROJECT WAS.

THERE WERE STUDENTS THAT WERE MISSING SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE ACCESS OR COULD NOT AFFORD PERIOD PRODUCTS, AND SO WORKING TO WANT ONLY GET THE TAX REMOVED OFF THE PRODUCTS, IT IS ALSO LOOKING AT ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY AND AS I WENT DEEPER DOWN THIS ROAD I STARTED LOOKING AT THE PRODUCTS IN AND OF THEMSELVES WHERE THE MATERIALS USE IN THE PRODUCTS ARE MATERIALS THAT CAN BE MAZ DOUSE AND TOXIC TO US.

SO LOOKING ATLY EIGHTING MORE TRANSPARENCY WITH MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS SO THAT WE ARE NOT CONTRIBUTING TO STDs AND OTHER DISEASIS, AND THIS IS NOT WHAT WE TALK ABOUT, THE CHEMICALS THAT ARE USED AND WE HAVE THE RIGHT ACCESS TO THE RIGHT PRODUCTS WHEN IT COMES TO THE MEPS TRUAL CYCLE.

>> CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY OVERALL, YOU ALSO HAVE A BILL THAT FOCUSES ON THAT.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> DONNA, IT'S SAD.

WHEN WE KNOW THAT WE ARE A STATE THAT PRIDES ITSELF AND THE LOVE AND PROTECTIONS OF PEOPLE THAT CHILDREN ARE SLEEPING IN THEIR CARS, THAT THEY ARE LIVING IN NOT JUST FOOD DESERTS, BUT IT'S REALLY HEALTHY FOOD DESERTS.

THERE'S A LOT OF FAST FOODS WITH NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND THE WRAPAROUND SERVICES THAT DON'T COME ALONG AND THAT ARE INSUFFICIENT IN OUR UNDERRESOURCED COMMUNITY SAYS AWE LOT ABOUT WHERE WE VALUE.

THERE'S A BIBLE VERSE THAT SAYS WHERE THE HEART IS YOUR PRESSURES FOLLOW AND WE NEED TO DO MORE TO MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS ARE NOT LIVE POP POWERFUL, THEY HAVE FRESH, AND HE'S ARE DERM DEMOCRATIC VALUES WE UPHOLD THEY SHOULD BE VALUES FOR ALL ALL?

>> ON CAN TAKE THAT, AND START PUTTING IT TO RESOURCES.

THERE ARE BILLING FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF SERVICES AND THERE ARE OTHER RESOURCES, AND WRAP AROUND SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH.

IMAGINE THE TRAUMA THAT CHILDREN FACE WHEN THEY'RE LIVING IN POVERTY.

LET'S GET THE PARENTS WORKING AND LET'S GET THE FAMILY BACK TOGETHER.

WE AS A STATE HAVE TO DO BETTER.

>> YEAH.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT BILL AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE PERIOD TAX BILL?

GETTING RID OF THE 4% TAX ON MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS?

>>.

>> GETTING RID OF THE TAX IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND IT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRAGGEDED ON THIS LONG A TIME AND IT IS TIME THAT WE HAVE A PATHWAY TO DO SOME TAX INCENTIVES TO GET THAT BILL REMOVED.

WE HAVE A PATHWAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PRODUCTS AND THE MONEY THAT YOU ARE TAXING THAT GOES FOR PERIOD PRODUCTS CAN BE USED FOR SOMETHING ELSE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

THAT DOES IT FOR "LAWMAKERS" AND WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE 12.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪♪