>>> IT IS NOT THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM THAT HE'S A CONSERVATIVE OR A REPUBLICAN.

WE THINK HE'S A HYPOCRITE AND A TRAITOR.

>> SENATOR CAN DISAGREE WITH OPINIONS.

I CERTAINLY GET THAT.

NUMBER NINE WAS SENATOR FROM THE NINTH WAS A WASTE OF TIME AND IT WAS NAME CALLING.

>> A BILL TO PLACE A STATUTE OF U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS ON THE GROUNDS OF THE GEORGIA CAPITOL SPARKED DEBATE IN THE SENATE.

GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS DAY 12 OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

MORE ON THE VOTE FOR A STATUE FOR JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS IN A MOMENT.

ALSO, THE BUSINESS OF FARMING.

AGRI BUSINESS IN GEORGIA CONTINUES TO ADJUST TO CHANGING CONDITIONS.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT A FEW BILLS LOOKING TO KEEP THE FARM ECONOMY CHURNING.

TWO LAWMAKERS ON THE AGRICULTURAL COMMITTEES IN EACH CHAMBER JOIN US.

AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IMMIGRATION ISSUES.

THERE'S BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION TO EXTEND IN-STATE TUITION RATES TO REFUGEE STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO RECENTLY CAME INTO THE U.S. FROM AFGHANISTAN.

BUT FIRST, LET'S HEAD TO THE GOLD DOME FOR A WRAP-UP OF THE DAY THERE WITH CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS.

BRENDA?

>> Reporter: HEY, DONNA.

GEORGIA NATIVE WHO SITS ON THE SUPREME COURT COULD SOON HAVE A STATUE AT THE GEORGIA STATE CAPITOL.

>> I HEARD YOU REFER TO JUSTICE THOMAS' SERVICE IS THAT HE HAD SERVED WITH GREAT DISTINCTION, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT IS MY OPINION, YES, SIR.

>> IS THAT AN OPINION THAT ALL THE COLLEAGUES IN THIS CHAMBER SHARE?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S FOR EACH AND EVERYONE TO DECIDE.

I CERTAINLY RESPECT YOUR OPINION.

AS I HOPED YOU WOULD RESPECT MINE.

>> Reporter: HE'S ONE OF THE MORE POLARIZING SUPREME COURT JUSTICES.

THAT WAS REFLECTED IN SENATE DEBATE TODAY AS THEY DISCUSSED A POTENTIAL STATUE FOR THE HONORABLE CLARENCE THOMAS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE STORY OF A GENTLEMAN THAT WE MAY NOT AGREE WITH EVERYTHING HE EVER DID, EVERY DECISION HE EVER WROTE OR EVERYTHING HE SAID OR HIS SPOUSE SAID.

BUT LET'S AGREE ON ONE THING, THIS IS A GEORGIA STORY THAT, FOR GENERATIONS, SHOULD BE TOLD IN OUR STATE.

>> CLARENCE THOMAS LEFT SEMINARY COLLEGE IN THE AFTER MATH OF THE ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., BECAUSE HE DID NOT BELIEVE THE CHURCH WAS DOING ENOUGH TO ADDRESS RACISM.

HIS OWN ACTIONS AS A YOUNG MAN, CLARENCE THOMAS HELPED FOUND THE BLACK STUDENT UNION AT HOLY CROSS AND ORGANIZED STUDENT WALKOUTS.

THOSE ARE FACTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

THOSE AREN'T MYTHS.

THAT'S REAL LIFE.

>> IT IS NOT THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM THAT HE'S A CONSERVATIVE OR A REPUBLICAN.

WE THINK IT'S HYPOCRITE AND A TRAITOR.

>> HE'S AN OPPONENT OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, HE'S MADE THAT VERY CLEAR.

AND THE THING, IS AS AN OPPONENT OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, HE'S ALSO BENEFITING AND IS STILL REAPING THE BENEFITS AND ENJOYS THE ADVANTAGES OF HIS CURRENT OFFICE BECAUSE OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION.

>> WE'RE NOT HERE TALKING ABOUT JUSTICE THOMAS AS THE MAN.

WE ALL HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF RESPECT AS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ALREADY SAID, OF HIS MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

WE DO.

IT'S HIS POLICIES, IT'S HIS RULINGS, IT'S HIS DECISIONS THAT WE FIND EXTREMELY OFFENSIVE.

>> THE BILL PASSED 30-21.

IT GOES ON TO THE HOUSE.

IN THE HOUSE, TWO OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE FOLLOWING THE LEAD OF EAST COBB, INCLUDING CITIHOOD ON THE REFERENDUM IN MAY.

>> I PRESENT FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION HOUSE BILL 826, WHICH WOULD AUTHORIZE THE LOCAL REFERENDUM TO CREATE THE CITY OF LOST MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA, IN WESTERN COBB COUNTY.

ESSENTIALLY THIS BILL WOULD, WHEN PASSED, ALLOW THE VOTERS WHO LIVE WITHIN THE PROPOSED CITY LIMITS TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHETHER OR NOT THEY WISH TO INCORPORATE.

>> Reporter: THE BILL PASSED 94-58.

MAKING THE VININGS COMMUNITY A CITY ALSO CAME UP FOR VOTE, BUT NOT WITHOUT SOME OPPOSITION.

>> THIS BILL WOULD PROVIDE FOR A PUBLIC REFERENDUM ON VINING'S CITIHOOD WITH A MAY 24th PRIMARY, AND LOOKING TO HAVE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS LATER THIS FALL.

THE ENTIRE AREA IS CURRENTLY COMPLETELY WITHIN UNINCORPORATED COBB COUNTY, AND HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 7,000 RESIDENTS.

>> AS THE ONLY MEMBER OF THIS HOUSE WHO REPRESENTS VININGS, AND THE COMMUNITY, IT WAS BROUGHT UP IN COMMITTEE THAT I INITIALLY DID SIGN ONTO THIS BILL, BECAUSE I FELT THEY NEEDED THE PROCESS TO MOVE FORWARD.

BUT AFTER MULTIPLE TOWN HALLS, CONFIDENCES WITH THE PRO-MOVEMENT, THE PEOPLE THAT WERE AGAINST, I'M NOT SURE WHETHER 71% POLL CAME FROM, BUT IT WAS CLEAR TO ME THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THE RESIDENTS OF VININGS WANTED.

MOSTLY THEY CALLED IT A FORCED CITY.

>> Reporter: THE BILL PASSED 99-56.

BOTH CITY REFERENDUM BILLS WERE IMMEDIATELY TRANSMITTED TO THE SENATE.

IN OTHER NEWS, UNDER THE GOAL ZONE, THE ATLANTA NAACP AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS WHAT THEY ARE CALLING EFFORTS BY REPUBLICANS TO REDUCE VOTING STRENGTHS BY GEORGIA'S NON-WHITE VOTERS.

THEY ARE REFERRING TO HOUSE BILL 873 THAT PASSED IN THE HOUSE LAST WEEK, WHICH WOULD REVISE THE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES FOR GWINNETT COUNTY'S BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

THE NAACP FEARS THIS IDEA COULD SPREAD TO OTHER COUNTIES.

>> THE NAACP OF COURSE IS NONPARTISAN.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT DEMOCRAT VERSUS REPUBLICANS FOR US, BUT IT IS RIGHT VERSUS WRONG.

ALL OF THOSE COUNTIES THAT ARE MAJORITY NON-WHITE, WHERE THERE'S NON-WHITE LEADERSHIP ARE UNDER ATTACK.

>> Reporter: ACROSS THE HALL, THERE WAS OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR A BILL THAT WOULD EXPAND MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR POST PARTEM WOMEN FROM SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR AFTER GIVING BIRTH.

IT PASSED IN THE SENATE 54-0.

AND BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE LATE PETE ROBINSON, WHO PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR AFTER A SHORT BOUT WITH CANCER.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT THINGS THROUGHOUT MY DISTRICT BECAUSE OF PETE ROBINSON.

AND PETE ROBINSON NEVER CARED IF HE WAS EVER RECOGNIZED FOR IT OR NOT.

BECAUSE PETE DID IT FOR THE RIGHT REASON.

AND THE WORLD TODAY IS NOT AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD BE, BECAUSE PETE'S NOT HERE.

>> Reporter: THE COLUMBUS NATIVE WAS FIRST A LAWMAKER IN THE SENATE, AND THEN AN INFLUENTIAL LOBBYIST.

GOVERNOR KIM CALLED HIM A GREAT GEORGIAN.

ROBINSON WAS 66 WHEN HE DIED.

THAT'S MY CAPITOL REPORT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT GEORGIA'S LEADING INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE.

IT HAS AN ECONOMIC IMPACT IN GEORGIA OF MORE THAN $73 BILLION A YEAR.

ONE IN SEVEN GEORGIANS WORKS IN AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY OR RELATED FIELDS.

GEORGIA IS THE NUMBER ONE STATE IN THE PRODUCTION OF BROILERS, WHICH ARE CHICKENS, PEANUTS, PEA CONS, BLUEBERRIES AND SPRINGENING YAWNS.

JOINING ME ARE REPUBLICAN ROBERT DICKY OF NEUZELLEA IN CRAWFORD COUNTY.

HE'S CHAIR OF THE HOUSE AGRICULTURAL AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

AND DEMOCRATIC SENATOR KIM JACKSON OF STONE MOUNTAIN.

HE'S ON THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH TO "LAWMAKERS."

CHAIRMAN, YOU'RE SPONSOR HOUSE BILL 1150 WHICH SAYS FARMS AND AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS SUCH AS SLAUGHTERHOUSES NEED MORE PROTECTION AGAINST LAWSUITS FOR EMITTING SMELLS, NOISES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

TELL US MORE.

>> I JUST WANT TO KEEP GEORGIA THE NUMBER ONE STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND AGRI BUSINESS IN THE STATE.

AND OUR FARMS NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE LEGAL PROTECTION IN THIS STATE.

UMM, YOU KNOW, WE WORRY ABOUT WEATHER AND MARKETS AND I DON'T WANT OUR FARMERS HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT BEING SUED ALL THE TIME.

SO THIS BILL ACTUALLY, DONNA, WOULD NOT REALLY AFFECT SLAUGHTERHOUSES OR THOSE TYPE THINGS.

IT JUST WANTS TO GIVE SOME CERTAINLY TO WHAT FARMERS HAVE BEEN DOING FOREVER, AND GOING FORWARD, BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> THEY'RE CALLED NUISANCE BILLS.

TELL US WHAT TO EXPECT.

WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> WELL, I THINK, YOU KNOW, FARMS -- WE DO DIFFERENT THINGS, DIFFERENT SEASONS OF THE YEAR, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF ENCROACHMENT COMING INTO GEORGIA, INTO OUR URBAN AREA, FROM OUR URBAN AREAS.

A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT GOES ON.

SOMETIMES THERE'S LITTLE SMELLS AND NOISE AND SOUND AND DUST.

FARMERS JUST DON'T WANT TO BE WORRIED ABOUT BEING RUN AWAY FROM THEIR FARMS WITH NUISANCE LAWSUITS.

THIS BILL, WE HAVE A GOOD LAW NOW, BUT WE JUST WANT TO TIGHTEN IT UP JUST A LITTLE BIT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT LAW.

THAT WAS FOR PEOPLE WHO MOVED IN, RIGHT?

THIS IS FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN NEXT TO FARMS FOR A LONG TIME.

>> WELL, YEAH, AND WE GOT A GOOD PROCESS HERE IN GEORGIA.

BUT IT'S SOME AMBIGUITY IN THE LAW, ESPECIALLY SOME OTHER STATES.

WE JUST DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN HERE.

WE'RE NOT TRYING TO MAKE A BIG MOVE WITH THIS, BUT TO GET A LITTLE MORE CERTAINTY IN THE LAW, SO BOTH SIDES, THE NEIGHBORS AS WELL AS THE FARMER, KNOW WHERE IS THEY STAND WITH THINGS THAT GO ON, ON THE FARM.

>> OKAY.

SENATOR JACKSON, WE'LL TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

YOU HAVE A BILL -- >> I WOULD LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THAT BILL.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THAT BILL.

WE ALREADY HAVE A FREEDOM TO FARM BILL THAT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1989.

THERE'S REALLY NO RECORD OF FARMERS GETTING NUISANCE COMPLAINTS OR RANDOM LAWSUITS.

EXISTING FARMERS ARE SAFE RIGHT NOW, AND I'M CONCERNED THAT IF WE BRING THIS NEW BILL IN, IT'S REALLY A BAD NEIGHBOR BILL, WHERE IT WILL ALLOW BIG FARMS TO COME IN THAT ARE HOLDING LOTS OF DAIRY AND POULTRY AND SPECIFICALLY PORK, AND THEN THEY'LL CREATE LAGOONS WHERE WASTE WILL BE AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

IF YOU ARRIVE NEXT DOOR AND THERE'S A HUGE LAGOON OF PIG WASTE, THIS BILL WON'T ALLOW YOU TO FILE A COMPLAINT.

I THINK THAT'S A CONCERN.

WHAT IS DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> I THINK YOU'LL SEE SOME NEW LANGUAGE IN THIS BILL LATER THIS WEEK THAT WILL SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDE THAT, AND YOU KNOW, PRESENTLY NOW, ANY KIND OF REGULATION, RULES, OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, THIS WON'T AFFECT.

FARMERS ALWAYS HAVE TOED A MERE TO THOSE TYPE STANDARDS AND WILL CONTINUE.

SO I'M CERTAINLY FOR THAT.

WE'RE WORKING ALL SIDES ON THIS ISSUE, AND CERTAINLY WANT SOME SUPPORT WHEN IT GETS TO THE SENATE.

SO WE'LL BE TALKING AND TRY TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS.

I'M CERTAINLY OPEN TO DOING THAT.

>> SO LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR BILL, A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

YOU'RE LOOKING INTO AN AMENDMENT TO THE GEORGIA HEMP FARMING ACT.

AND THAT WOULD ALLOW THOSE WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN CONVICTED FOR MISNENE NOR CRIMES TO APPLY TO GROW INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO CURRENTLY OUR LAWS IN GEORGIA SAY THAT IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A DRUG MISDEMEANOR, SIMPLE POSSESSION, THINGS COLLEGE KIDS CAN'T CAUGHT WITH, THAT YOU CAN'T AMY FOR A LICENSE TO GROW HEMP.

HEMP IS A GROWING INDUSTRY THAT WILL PROVIDE LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR GEORGIAN FARMERS.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE ACCESS TO FOLKS WHO GOT CAUGHT UP EARLY ON.

AND IT WILL MAKE A PATHWAY FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD FELONY CONVICTIONS THAT WERE RELATED TO DRUGS, THEY HAVE TO WAIT A FULL TEN YEARS BEFORE THEY COULD EVER APPLY FOR A LICENSE.

SO THERE'S A WAITING PERIOD HERE.

AND SO I LIKE TO REFER THIS TO AS A SECOND CHANCE.

THIS GIVES YOU A SECOND CHANCE TO FARM, TO ENTER INTO THIS REALLY GREAT INDUSTRY THAT IS PRETTY NEW TO GEORGIA AND TO EXPAND THAT SO WE'RE NOT BLOCKING OUT EVERYBODY BECAUSE OF MISTAKES IN THEIR PAST.

>> SO DOES THIS COME UP THROUGH A CONSTITUENT WHO CAME TO YOU ABOUT THIS?

>> WHEN WE WERE REVIEWING THE HEMP LAWS LAST YEAR AND MAKING CHANGES, I BROUGHT IT UP IN COMMITTEE.

AND TYLER HARPER, A REPUBLICAN, HE'S THE SECOND SIGNER ON THIS BILL.

AND IS BRINGING US INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL LAW.

THAT'S WHAT THE FEDERAL LAW STATES, NO EXCLUSION FOR PEOPLE WITH MISDEMEANORS.

SO IT'S JUST BRINGING US INTO COMPLIANCE.

I'M PROUD OF THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT I HAVE FOR THIS BILL.

>> I KNOW YOU PUSHED THROUGH THE HEMP LAW IN GEORGIA.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I THINK IT'S GREAT.

WE NEED TO DO THAT AND SOME OTHER THINGS TO TRY TO PROMOTE OUR HEMP INDUSTRY IN THIS STATE.

IT'S REALLY TAKING OFF SLOW.

WE'RE A LITTLE BIT BEHIND SOME OTHER STATES IN BEING ABLE TO GROW HEMP.

WE HAD SOME BARRIERS IN THE LAW.

SO I'M ALL FOR SOME THINGS TO GET THAT DIVERSIFICATION AG BILL THROUGH.

>> I'VE GOT TO ASK YOU, SO YOU'RE A FARMER.

>> YES.

>> AND YOU GROW PEACHES AND PECANS, RIGHT?

>> AND SOME STRAWBERRIES, AS WELL.

>> SO WE ALL NEED TO GO ON DOWN THERE.

SO ARE YOU STILL FACING -- LAST YEAR WE TALKED ABOUT THE CHALLENGES TO GETTING THE WORKFORCE, GETTING THE SUPPLIES AND GETTING THINGS OUT TO CUSTOMERS.

WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW?

>> I'LL TELL YOU, WE HAVE HAD SOME CHALLENGES DURING THIS COVID TIME, GETTING SUPPLIES, CONTAINERS.

WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE, AND IT'S REALLY A LOT OF THE CONSUMERS WANT TO COME STRAIGHT TO THE FARM.

A FARM-TO-TABLE TYPE THING AND KNOW WHERE THEIR FOOD IS COMING FROM.

SO I'M TRYING TO PROMOTE THAT, AND ENCOURAGE THAT ON OUR FARMS IN GEORGIA.

AND WE'VE GOT GREAT POTENTIAL TO DO THAT.

>> I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IMMIGRATION IN THE NEXT SEGMENT, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER YOU WERE HAVING ISSUES TRYING TO GET YOUR CROPS DUSTED.

>> WE USE A FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT WE BRING FOREIGN WORKERS IN TEMPORAILY AND THEY GO BACK.

IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM.

IT WORKS WELL FOR THEM AND OUR FARMERS.

WE COULDN'T HAVE THE WORKFORCE TO PICK AND HARVEST FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WITHOUT THAT PROGRAM.

SO I'M THANKFUL FOR HOW WELL OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS WORKED THAT PROGRAM.

>> YEAH.

I KNOW YOU LIKE FARM-TO-TABLE TOO WHEN IT COMES TO GOING STRAIGHT TO THESE FARMS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO MY WIFE AND I OWN A FIVE-ACRE HOBBY FARM IN THE STONE MOUNTAIN AREA.

WHAT IS KIND OF HOBBY?

>> I MEAN, SHE HATES THAT WORD, BUT IT'S NOT OUR LIVELIHOOD.

WE'RE NOT DEPENDANT ON IT.

BUT WE'RE ABLE TO SELL EGGS, BOTH DUCK AND CHICKEN EGGS DIRECTLY TO OUR NEIGHBORS, AS WELL AS BLUEBERRIES, WHICH HAS JUST BEEN A REAL GIFT I THINK FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN.

A LOT OF CHILDREN WHO GREW UP IN URBAN AND SUBURBAN AREAS HAVE NO IDEA WHERE A BLUEBERRY COMES FROM, AND THEY DON'T KNOW HOW A CHICKEN EGG APPEARS.

SO WE'VE HAD A LOT OF GREAT JOY BEING ABLE TO BRING KIDS ON THE PROPERTY AND SHOW THEM THIS IS WHERE THE CHICKEN COMES FROM, THIS IS WHERE THE EGG COMES FROM, AND HERE'S SOME CHICKS YOU CAN HOLD, TOO.

THIS?

>> WE SELL OUR EGGS TO OUR NEIGHBORS AND WE TRY TO KEEP IT LOCAL.

THEY CAN COME AND SEE THE CHICKENS RUNNING AROUND.

IT'S FUN AND GOOD FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> SO IT'S REALLY GOOD.

YOU'RE DOING IT ON A LARGE SCALE, YOU'RE DOING IT ON A SMALLER SCALE.

AND YOU'RE BOTH DOING WELL RIGHT NOW?

>> WE ARE.

>> THAT $73 BILLION IN YOUR INDUSTRY.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN.

HOPE YOU'LL COME BACK.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>>> AFTER THE BREAK, SOME IMMIGRATION BILLS, INCLUDING ONE TO HELP UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE WHO ARE FACING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO BE ABLE TO CALL THE POLICE WITHOUT FEAR OF ARREST.

YOU'RE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON BILLS THAT DEAL WITH IMMIGRATION ISSUES.

JOINING ME ARE DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE SHELLY HUDSON AND REPUBLICAN CASEY CARPENTER.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

LET'S GET SOME FIGURES OUT THERE.

ONE IN TEN GEORGIA RESIDENTS IS AN IMMIGRANT.

7% OF RESIDENTS ARE NATIVE BORN AND U.S. CITIZENS WITH AT LEAST ONE IMMIGRANT PARENT.

SO LAST YEAR, A BIPARTISAN HOUSE STUDY COMMITTEE EXAMINED THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AMONG FOREIGN-BORN GEORGIANS.

AMONG THE ISSUES, HOW TO HELP WITH EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.

REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER, YOU WERE ON THAT COMMITTEE.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> YEAH, IT WAS A GREAT COMMITTEE.

THEY CAME UP TO DALTON.

THERE WAS A COUPLE OTHER MEETINGS AT THE CAPITOL, AND I MISSED THE FIRST ONE.

BUT IT WAS JUST SAYING LOOK, WE HAVE THIS UNTAPPED MARKET OF LABOR THAT'S REALLY HIGHLY EDUCATED AND WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET THEM EDUCATED IN A FASTER MANNER SO THAT THEY CAN BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

SO IT WAS JUST NEAT TO HEAR THE STORIES AND THE INNOVATION GOING GET THESE FOLKS EMPLOYED.

>> SO YOU HAD A BILL LAST YEAR SIMILAR, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> TELL US THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.

>> MY BILL IS STILL ALIVE, DON'T COUNT IT OUT JUST YET.

>> TELL US THE DIFFERENCE.

>> MY HOUSE BILL 120 IS ABOUT THE DACA RECIPIENTS, BEING ABLE TO PAY IN-STATE RATES AT COLLEGES WITH -- THAT HAVE SPACE.

SO THESE ARE KIDS THAT WERE EDUCATED AT OUR HIGH SCHOOL AND OUR K-12 PROGRAM AND GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO PAY A REDUCED TAXPAYER RATE SO THEY CAN AFFORD COLLEGE.

BECAUSE I'M A BIG FAN OF FINDING SOLUTIONS, AND I THINK IT'S A SOLUTION TO GET FOLKS EDUCATED AND BE MORE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

THIS PARTICULAR BILL YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS FOR REFUGEES AND FOLKS FROM AFGHANISTAN COMING OVER AND BEING AIBLE TO GO AHEAD AND INSTANTLY BE AVAILABLE FOR IN-STATE TUITION.

SO REFUGEES ARE VETTED FOR LIKE A YEAR AND A HALF AND THEN THEY COME TO THE STATE OF GEORGIA VIA THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO THIS WOULD ALLOW THEM TO, SINCE THEY'VE BEEN VETTED FOR A YEAR AND A HALF AND PLACED IN GEORGIA, TO GO AHEAD AND SKIP THAT YEAR OF WAIT BEFORE THEY CAN GET IN-STATE TUITION.

WE HAVE UNIMPLEMENT AT 2.8%, AND WE NEED MORE EDUCATED WORKERS.

SO THIS TO ME IS A GREAT SOLUTION.

>> SO GEORGIA COLLEGES AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS -- >> THAT'S CORRECT.

IT'S JUST SAYING LOOK, THESE FOLKS ARE HERE, THEY'VE BEEN VETTED AND THEY WERE IN AFGHANISTAN AND HELPED THE U.S. MILITARY.

LET'S GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET INTO THE PIPELINE OF EDUCATION SO THEY CAN COME OUT MORE PRODUCTIVE.

A LOT OF THESE FOLKS ARE OVERQUALIFIED.

YOU GET THEM IN HERE AND THEY'RE EITHER WORKING IN RESTAURANTS OR STUFF LIKE THAT.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO BRIDGE THAT GAP TO GET THESE FOLKS MOVING.

>> OKAY.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE MORE POLICIES TO GET PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMIGRANTS AND PARTICULARLY NEWLY -- NEW IMMIGRANTS TO GEORGIA INTO THE WORKFORCE.

BECAUSE AS WE ALL KNOW, WE'RE HAVING A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE GLOBALLY, REALLY.

>> OKAY.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A BILL YOU HAVE FOR UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS.

YOU CALLED IT THE UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS FAMILY VIOLENCE PROTECTION ACT.

TELL US WHAT THAT IS.

>> SO WE -- I WORK WITH UNDOCUMENTED POPULATION, SPANISH SPEAKING POPULATION IN THE ATHENS AREA.

AND MY TEAM WHO WORKS THERE WAS TELLING ME THAT THEY HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM WORKING WITH FAMILIES WHO ARE THE VICTIM IS AFRAID TO CALL THE POLICE BECAUSE EITHER THEY'RE AFRAID TO -- ABOUT THEIR STATUS OR SOMEONE IN THE HOUSEHOLD STATUS.

SO THEY WERE NOT CALLING FOR HELP.

SO YOU KNOW, WE HAVE WOMEN WHO DIE EVERY DAY FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WE HAVE MEN WHO DIE FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THIS BILL IS TO HELP EASE A VICTIM'S MIND WHEN THEY HAVE TO CALL 911 THAT THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS WON'T BE QUESTIONED.

>> YEAH.

SO WHAT PROBLEMS DOES I.C.E.

CREATE FOR THAT HOUSEHOLD?

ANY STORIES YOU CAN TELL US?

>> WELL, WE'VE HAD -- OUR AGENCY WORKS WITH CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS HAVE BEEN DEPORTED.

AND THAT IS -- IT'S SO DISRUPTIVE.

IT TAKES AWAY A FAMILY'S INCOME, HALF SOMETIMES, MAYBE ALL.

THE TRAUMA OF LOSING A PARENT THAT WAY IS SOMETHING THAT NEVER LEAVES A CHILD OR A FAMILY.

SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WILL HAVE TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES, BASICALLY.

UNTIL THEY HAVE THE COPING SKILLS TO HANDLE WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN, WITH THEIR PARENTS BEING DEPORTED.

I WOULD LIKE TO EASE THAT A LITTLE MORE.

I DON'T THINK DEPORTING EVERYBODY IS THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING.

SO IF WE NURTURE FAMILIES INTO BEING PRODUCTIVE WORKERS, THEN HUMAN BEINGS, WE'RE ALL BETTER OFF FOR IT.

>> SO YOUR BILL IS HELPING THE MAKE SURE THAT FAMILIES STAY TOGETHER A LITTLE MORE, BUT ALSO THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT ISN'T -- DOESN'T GIVE THEM FEAR THAT THEY HAVE -- >> YES.

>> HAVE YOU TALKED TO PEOPLE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT THIS BILL?

>> I HAVE.

AND PARTICULARLY I REPRESENT GWINNETT COUNTY.

LAW ENFORCEMENT THERE, WE WORK REALLY WELL WITH THEM.

AS YOU KNOW, WE GOT RID OF 287-G, SO THEY ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF ASKING FOR EVERYONE'S STATUS ANY WAY.

>> EXPLAIN THAT.

>> 287-G WAS THE RELATIONSHIP THAT ANY COUNTY COULD HAVE WITH I.C.E.

GWINNETT COUNTY WAS NOT SUPER HAPPY WITH OUR 287-G AND HOW IT WAS WORKING.

IT -- IT BUSTED UP FAMILIES MORE THAN IT DID ADDRESS ANY PROBLEM.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO GET RID OF THAT, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IS VERY COOPERATIVE WITH THIS.

THEY DON'T WANT FAMILIES TO BE SEPARATED.

THEY WANT EVERYONE TO KEEP THEIR INCOME.

THEY WANT EVERYONE TO BE SAFE AND HAPPY AND THRIVING.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'M AIMING TO DO.

>> YEAH.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT AT ALL?

>> THAT'S A REAL ISSUE.

I REPRESENT A 51% HISPANIC DISTRICT, AND I WILL TELL YOU, THAT'S AN ISSUE WHAT SHELLY IS TALKING ABOUT, WHAT THE REPRESENTATIVE IS TALKING ABOUT.

YOU HAVE WOMEN THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE CALLING THE POLICE, BUT THEY'RE SCARED TO DEATH BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES.

YOU CAN PUSH ASIDE PARTISAN POLITICS, BUT SHE'S RIGHT, THAT'S AN ISSUE, AND IT DOES US NO GOOD AS A STATE IF THE KIDS ARE LEGAL AND THEY'RE HERE, BUT YOU DEPORT THE MOM OR THE DAD, THE INCOME'S GONE AND NOW WHAT IS LEFT?

THE TAXPAYERS ARE LEFT FOOTING THE BILL.

SO, AGAIN, THIS IS A SOLUTION.

IT MAY NOT BE THE SOLUTION PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR, BUT IT'S A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM THAT I THINK IN THE END, THE NET GAIN IS WORTH MORE THAN OTHERWISE FOR THE STATE.

>> SO YOU'RE A BUSINESS OWNER, AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU -- ONE REASON THIS ISSUE OF JUST IMMIGRATION, BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CAN WORK FOR YOU, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

IT'S NOT JUST THAT, BUT MY COMMUNITY.

I'VE SEEN THE SUCCESS THE DACA PROGRAM HAS BEEN FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND WHERE WE WOULD BE WITHOUT THESE KIDS.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT REMOING 5,000 PEOPLE FROM OUR WORKFORCE IF THAT PROGRAM ENDED.

SO IT'S NOT A SOLUTION FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

SO WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE TO, YOU KNOW, WE CAN LET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DO WHAT THEY WANT TO WITH IMMIGRATION.

BUT IN GEORGIA, WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS.

I THINK THESE ARE SOLUTIONS.

>> YOU'RE FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOUR BILL AT THIS POINT GETTING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT?

>> I THINK THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IS THERE.

I'M NOT SURE IT WILL MAKE IT PAST THE FINISH LINE.

I THINK IN THEORY, EVERYONE IS SUPPORTTIVE OF THIS.

>> YOUR HEART IS IN IT, AND YOU SEE IT EVERY DAY, DON'T YOU?

>> EVERY DAY.

>> I WANT TO END ON SOMETHING ON A LITTLE LIGHTER NOTE.

CHAIRMAN CARPENTER, WE WANT TO SHOW A LITTLE VIDEO FROM THE HOUSE CREATIVE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE THAT YOU CHAIR FROM LAST WEEK.

>> MAN, THAT'S GOOD LOOKING HAIR.

>> IT'S OBVIOUS YOU TAKE YOUR POSITION AS CHAIR OF THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE SERIOUSLY.

>> YES.

IT WAS JUST -- YOU KNOW, THAT WAS OUR FIRST MEETING AS ME AS CHAIRMAN, AND I WAS JUST TRYING TO KEEP IT LIGHT.

I DID A LOT OF JOKES WITH WIGS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WAS WELL RECEIVED BY EVERYBODY.

BUT SINCE IT WAS CREATIVE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT, I FIGURED IT WAS OKAY TO DO.

>> IS IT A WIG?

>> IT IS.

IT'S KIND OF A ROD STEWART/MOTLEY CREW LOOK.

THAT'S THE FIRST TIME I WORE THAT.

THAT'S WHAT MY EMPLOYEES GOT ME FOR CHRISTMAS, A BAG OF WIGS.

IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T TAKE THE JOB SERIOUS, BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME WHILE WE'RE DOING THE STATE'S BUSINESS.

TO ME IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> I WATCHED THE COMMITTEE MEETING, AND YOU WERE SERIOUS THE WHOLE TIME.

LIKE THE HAIR DIDN'T GET IN YOUR FACE, IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM?

>> NO.

I GOT A BIG HAIRCUT TO COME ON HERE TONIGHT.

BUT YEAH, I JOKE AROUND A LOT.

THEY'LL TELL YOU.

I JOKE AROUND A LOT.

BUT I AM SERIOUS ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING.

I LIKE TO CUT UP IN THE MEANTIME.

>> WE DON'T HAVE A PICTURE, BUT DURING THE GEORGIA GAME UP IN INDIANAPOLIS, YOU WORE A BLONDE WIG.

>> YEAH, I WORE A MULLET.

IT WORKED OUT.

VICTORY, BABY.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.

>> YOU THINK THAT'S THE REASON?

>> YOU KNOW, I YELLED A LOT.

I WAS REALLY LOUD, TOO.

SO BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM, I HAD A HAND TO PLAY IN IT.

>> SOMETIMES IT HELPS TO HAVE A LITTLE LIGHTNESS.

THE CREATIVE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE LIKED IT?

>> YEAH, I DON'T THINK EVERYBODY ENJOYED IT, SO I PROBABLY WON'T HAVE A WIG THE NEXT TIME.

BUT I DO THINK IT WAS A GOOD START.

>> YOU REALLY HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GO FOR ON THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN.

ALWAYS A DELIGHT TO HAVE YOU BOTH ON AND WORKING ON SOME GOOD ISSUES.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT ON "LAWMAKERS."

YOU CAN JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER AT GPDNEWS USING THE #GPBLAWMAKERS.

TUNE IN TOMORROW AT 9:00 A.M. ON YOUR GPB STATION FOR "POLITICAL REWIND."

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY 13.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.