♪♪ >>> PARENTS ARE BEYOND FRUSTRATED, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE SHOULD TRUST THE PARENTS, THEIR MEDICAL PROVIDERS WITH THE HEALTH OF OUR CHILDREN AT THIS POINT IN THE PANDEMIC.

>> GOVERNOR KEMP ANNOUNCES THE UNMASK GEORGIA STUDENTS ACT THAT WOULD ALLOW PARENTS TO OPT OUT OF SCHOOL DISTRICT MASK MANDATES WITHOUT RETRIBUTION.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

MORE ON HOW THE GOVERNOR'S BILL WOULD AFFECT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN A MINUTE.

>>> ALSO DURING THE PANDEMIC GEORGIA FARMERS HAD PRODUCE BUT NEEDED TO GET IT OUT OF THEIR FIELDS.

MANY DID SO THROUGH CHURCHES, COMMUNITY GROUPS, FOOD BANKS AND MORE.

NOW THERE'S A BIPARTISAN BILL TO HELP BETTER CONNECT FARMERS WITH FOOD BANKS TO HELP REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY.

WE'LL HEAR FROM LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

WE ALSO WILL LEARN ABOUT A FEE THAT FAMILIES OF STUDENTS ATTENDING UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA COLLEGES HAVE PAID SINCE THE GREAT RECESSION IN 2009.

NOW THERE'S A MOVE TO GET RID OF IT.

WE'LL TALK TO ONE OF THE LAWMAKERS BEHIND THE EFFORT TO DO AWAY WITH THE GEORGIA SPECIAL INSTITUTIONAL FEE.

>>> FIRST, WE GO TO THE GOLD DOME WHERE BRENDA WATERS IS READY WITH AN UPDATE ON THE NEWS OF THE DAY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

BRENDA.

>> HEY, DONNA.

BUSY DAY UNDER THE GOLD DOME.

BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE HELD PRESS CONFERENCES THIS MORNING.

ONCE AGAIN, THE GOVERNOR IS URGING LEGISLATORS TO BAN MASK MANDATES IN SCHOOLS, ADDING IT IS TIME THAT PARENTS DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL WEARING A MASK.

>> THIS ISN'T SAYING THAT PARENTS CAN'T MAKE THE DECISION TO MASK THEIR KIDS.

IT IS JUST GIVING PARENTS AN OPT-OUT FOR THOSE CHILDREN THAT HAVE PARENTS OR THE KIDS THEMSELVES THAT ARE TIRED OF WEARING A MASK, THAT ARE TIRED OF, YOU KNOW, REALLY THE HYPOCRISY THAT WE'RE SEEING IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> COBB COUNTY MAPS PROMPTED MUCH DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

HOUSE BILL 1154 WOULD DRAW NEW DISTRICT LINES FOR THE COBB COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

COBB COUNTY MAPS PROMPTED MUCH DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY.

HOUSE BILL 1154 WOULD DRAW NEW DISTRICT LINES FOR THE COBB COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

IT WAS PRESENTED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHN CORESON.

>> THESE ARE FAIR AMOUNTS, THESE ARE AREAS DRAWN WITH COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST IN MIND, AND THEY REFLECT THE POLITICAL COMPOSITION OF COBB COUNTY.

>> THIS BILL HAD A THOROUGH VETTING IN OUR SUBCOMMITTEE AND IT WAS AGAIN HEARD AND TASKED IN THE FULL COMMITTEE.

I WILL TELL YOU OUR COMMITTEE FOLLOWS DECORUM.

>> BUT OTHERS URGED THEIR COUNTERPARTS TO VOTE NO.

>> I KNOW I WILL BE ACCUSED OF PLAYING THE RACE CARD, BUT LET ME BE CLEAR.

I AM ONLY PLAYING THE HAND I WAS DEALT.

I'M GOING TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, THIS [ BLEEP ] SUCKS AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.

>> HB-1154 PASSED 95-64 AND WAS IMMEDIATELY TRANSMITTED TO THE SENATE.

ANOTHER BILL IN THE HOUSE, HB-1028, PRESENTED BY REPRESENTATIVE JENNY EARHART.

IT WOULD DRAW NEW DISTRICT LINES FOR COBB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> THE MAP ACHIEVES THE GOALS OF THOSE WHO DREW AND SUPPORT IT, WHICH IS, NUMBER ONE, LOCAL CONTROL.

NUMBER TWO, LEGAL COMPLIANCE.

THREE, EQUAL REPRESENTATION.

AND, FOUR, THE STABILITY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AS A WHOLE AND THE SEVEN INDIVIDUAL POSTS THAT MAKE IT UP.

>> THIS BILL PASSED, 94-59, AND ALSO HEADS TO THE SENATE.

HOUSE BILL 841 FINISHED ITS FINAL PASSAGE TODAY.

THE MEASURE NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR AND THEN ON TO A REFERENDUM FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT CITYHOOD FOR EAST COBB.

SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD RAFFENSPERGER SAID THE UPCOMING ELECTION WILL BE A HIGH-PROFILE, HARD-FOUGHT CAMPAIGN, AND WITH MORE THAN 2,000 POLLING PRECINCTS IN THE STATE HE BELIEVES MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NEEDED AT POLLING STATIONS TO PROTECT WORKERS, VOTERS AND POLL MONITORS.

HE IS ALSO PROPOSING FUNDING FOR TWO ELECTION INVESTIGATIVE POSITIONS AT GBI.

>> I AM CALLING ON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE GOVERNOR AND THE STATE ELECTION BOARD TO AUTHORIZE GEORGIA STATE PATROL TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR VOTERS, POLL WORKERS AND CREDENTIALED POLL WATCHERS AT EVERY VOTING LOCATION INCLUDING EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS, ELECTION-DAY POLLING PLACES AND COUNTY OFFICES WHERE ABSENTEE VOTERS VOTE AND BALLOTS ARE HANDLED.

>> TODAY IN THE SENATE, SENATE BILL 316, A CYBER BULLYING AND BULLYING MEASURE, PASSED AND IMMEDIATELY TRANSFERRED TO THE HOUSE.

ACCORDING TO SENATOR JASON ANAVARTONTE MORE THAN 59 PERCENT OF TEENS HAVE BEEN TALKED OR BULLIED.

HE WOULD MAKE SURE EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS A POLICY IN PLACE TO PREVENT THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR.

>> THIS BILL PROVIDES A PERSON 18 YEARS OR OLDER WHO COMMITS OFFENSE OF STALKING AGAINST A MINOR IS GUILTY OF A HIGH MISDEMEANOR, FINE OF LESS THAN 5,00 TO 1,000, AND NOTIFIES PARENTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

>> THIS BILL WILL GO FROM BEING A MISDEMEANOR, IT IS ALREADY ILLEGAL TO STALK SOMEBODY.

LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT IT.

IT IS ALREADY ILLEGAL.

SO THIS BILL WOULD TAKE AN 18-YEAR-OLD KID AND SAY, WE'RE GOING TO CHARGE YOU WITH A HIGH AND AGGRAVATED MISDEMEANOR, WHICH COMES WITH THESE HIGH FINES AND/OR IMPRISONMENT.

BUT IF YOU ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT MAKING SURE WE DON'T LOCK UP CHILDREN FOR MISBEHAVIOR THAT COULD BE CHARGED AS A MISDEMEANOR AND HANDLED MORE GENTLY AND MORE CORRECTLY, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS BILL.

>> THAT'S MY CAPITAL REPORT TONIGHT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO TALK NOW ABOUT A CHANGE TO GEORGIA SNAP, THE GEORGIA STATE NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE FEDERAL PROGRAM ALSO CALLED SNAP, THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM.

A SENATE LOOKED AT CHANGING THE NAME OF NOT ONLY GEORGIA SNAP BUT INCREASING PARTNERSHIP WITH GEORGIA FOOD BANKS.

I SPOKE TO GOODMAN, WHO SPONSORED THE BILL, WHO IS A BLUE BERRY FARMER TODAY ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION.

>> THIS BILL IS THE GEORGIA FARMER-TO-FEED BANK PROGRAM.

WHAT IT DOES, AND I SERVED ON A COMMITTEE WITH SENATOR HAROLD JONES, WITH SENATOR FREDDIE POWELL SIMS, SENATOR BILLY HICKMAN AND IT WAS THE FOOD INSECURITY STUDY COMMITTEE.

WE HAD MEETINGS IN AUGUSTA, VALDOSTA, ATLANTA, AND WE MET WITH FOLKS ALL OVER THE STATE DEALING WITH PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM FOOD INSECURITY, PEOPLE TRYING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, JUST ALL KIND OF CONCERNED PARTIES.

FOOD INSECURITY IS AN ISSUE ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BEING A FARMER I CAN'T HELP BUT HAVE A HEART FOR THAT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH WE GROW WE DON'T END UP SELLING, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP ON THIS, ON THIS BILL.

WHAT IT IS GOING TO DO, AND IT IS GOING TO BE ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND THEY'RE GOING TO WORK WITH OUR FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE STATE.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO TO FARMERS, IT IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR GEORGIA FARMERS, TO BUY EITHER SURPLUS OR PERHAPS TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE, SO I'M A BLUEBERRY FARMER, RIGHT.

LET'S SAY WE GET A BIT OF RAIN, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE JUST HOW PERFECT PRODUCE HAS TO BE SOMETIMES TO MAKE IT TO THE RETAIL LEVEL.

SO IF WE GET A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN AND IF THERE'S A PINT, A CLAM SHELL OF BLUEBERRIES, YOU WILL AVERAGE SOMEWHERE AROUND 300 BLUEBERRIES IN A PINT CLAM SHELL, RIGHT.

IF YOU HAVE A SPLIT BLUEBERRY WHICH THERE'S IS NOTHING WRONG, JUST A SPLIT BECAUSE YOU HAD A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN, IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A MAJOR DEEFFECT.

SO IF YOU HAVE TWO SPLITS IT WILL PASS.

IF YOU HAVE THREE SPLITS, THEN THAT'S CONSIDERED TO BE THREE MAJOR DEFECTS AND IT WON'T PASS.

SO THIS IS GOING TO ALLOW, ESPECIALLY FOR PRODUCE LIKE THAT, MY MOM LOVES IT.

SHE CARRIES IT ALL OVER SOUTH GEORGIA AND DELIVERS IT TO EVERYONE, YOU KNOW.

IT IS GOING TO CREATE A HOME FOR THAT.

IT IS GOING TO ENABLE THAT FOOD THAT THERE'S REALLY NOTHING WRONG WITH, YOU KNOW, IT IS JUST NOT PERFECT, IT IS BRUISED A LITTLE BIT BUT THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND EVERYTHING IS THE SAME, THE HEALTH BENEFITS AND EVERYTHING ARE THERE, IT IS GOING TO CREATE A HOME FOR SOME OF THAT FRUIT BUT ALSO FOR SURPLUS.

ANOTHER ADDED POINT OF THE BILL THAT MAKES IT GREAT IS THE MONEY THAT THE STATE IS PUTTING INTO THE BILL GOES INTO THE RATIO OF THE TFAT FUNDING FOR OUR FOOD BANKS.

IT IS ALSO GOING TO CREATE -- IT IS GOING TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY OUR FOOD BANKS GET FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO IT IS A GOOD BILL FOR RURAL GEORGIA.

IT IS A GOOD BILL FOR OUR FARMERS, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT IS A GOOD BILL FOR OUR FELLOW GEORGIANS ACROSS THE STATE THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, FACING FOOD INSECURITY.

I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

FARMERS ACROSS GEORGIA AND REALLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE HAD A TOUGH TIME AS OF LATE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FARMER SHARE OF THE RETAIL DOLLAR, YOU KNOW, WHAT IT WAS IN 1980 AND IT WAS IT IS TODAY, IN 1980 THE FARMER'S SHARE OF THE RETAIL DOLLAR WAS ABOUT 30 CENTS AND TODAY IT IS 14.5 CENTS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE AMERICAN RANCHER, IN 1980 THEIR SHARE OF THE CONSUMER DOLLAR THAT WAS SPENT ON BEEF IN THE UNITED STATES WAS ABOUT 50 CENTS, AND TODAY IT IS 24.5 CENTS.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE JUST HOW IMPORTANT FOOD SECURITY IS IN TERMS OF BEING AN ELEMENT IN NATIONAL SECURITY, RIGHT.

DO YOU REMEMBER DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN THEY WERE AIRLIFTING FOOD INTO GREAT BRITAIN?

I WOULD HATE FOR US TO EVER GET TO BE WHERE WE CAN'T FEED OURSELVES, AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT IS -- THIS BILL WILL BE GOOD LEGISLATION FOR RURAL GEORGIA.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THIS, BUT THERE'S ABOUT 1,100 POUNDS ON A PALLET OF BLUEBERRIES.

YOU HAVE 144 BOXES ON THAT PALLET WITH 12 CLAM SHELLS IN EVERY BOX.

>> AND THAT'S THE PLASTIC?

>> YES, MA'AM.

WHEN WE GO INTO QUALITY CONTROL, OUR GRADERS WILL PULL THREE CLAM SHELLS, ONE AT THE BOTTOM, ONE IN THE MIDDLE AND ONE AT THE TOP.

IF YOU HAPPEN TO GET THE WRONG SLAM SHELL YOU CAN GET REJECTED.

THIS WILL ENABLE FARMERS TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE HARVESTING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE COST OF THE PICKING, PACKING, ALL OF THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH GETTING IT INTO THAT CLAM SHELL AND IN THAT BOX ARE SO GREAT THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS PROGRAM WILL HELP THE FARMER OVERCOME SOME OF THAT AS WELL, YOU KNOW.

>> I'M GLAD YOU TALKED ABOUT WHAT IT COSTS FOR FARMERS, WHAT FARMERS GET OUT OF IT, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WITH INFLATION A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE JUST SHAKING THEIR HEADS WHEN THEY GO TO THE GROCERY STORE, WHEN THEY GO TO THE FARMERS' MARKET ABOUT THE COST.

>> IT IS.

INFLATION IS BAD.

I CAN TELL YOU ON THE FARM LEVEL, OUR INPUTS ARE UP 50% YEAR OVER YEAR.

THE BOXES AND THE CLAM SHELLS THAT WE PUT OUR BLUEBERRIES IN, THE COST IS UP 29 PERCENT YEAR OVER YEAR.

REALLY THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I TALK A LOT ABOUT EVERYWHERE I GO.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE AMERICAN FARMER.

THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE ALL OF OUR LIVES.

OF COURSE, I CAME OF AGE IN THE 1980s.

FROM 1980 UNTIL 1990, ONE-THIRD OF THE FAMILY FARMS IN THIS COUNTRY WERE FORECLOSED ON AND I LIVED THROUGH THOSE TIMES.

I JOKE WITH PEOPLE A LOT OF TIMES, DURING THOSE DAYS ALL OF THE KIDS LIVING ON FARMS DROVE 20-YEAR-OLD PICKUP TRUCKS AND THE KIDS IN TOWN HAD IROC Zs.

IT IS TOUGH WITH WHAT IS GOING ON WITH AGRICULTURE RIGHT NOW.

PART OF IT IS THAT EVERY INDUSTRY THAT THE FARMER BUYS FROM AND EVERY INDUSTRY THE FARMER SELLS TO IS CONSOLIDATED.

SO THAT BECOMES AN ISSUE OF COMPETITION IN THE MARKETPLACE.

ALSO, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WE HAVE TO COMPETE WITH COUNTRIES THAT AREN'T UNDER THE SAME SET OF STANDARDS THAT WE ARE.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS PROBABLY -- GIVES ME THE GREATEST FRUSTRATION REALLY, IS, YOU KNOW, IF WE AS AMERICANS, WE AS THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, IF WE WANT OUR FARMER -- WE EXPECT OUR FARMERS TO GROW THINGS UNDER CERTAIN LABOR REGULATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS, EMISSION STANDARDS, BUT YET WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THE FARMERS COMPETE WITH COUNTRIES THAT DON'T GROW UNDER THE SAME SET OF STANDARDS, IT IS NOT FAIR, FOR ONE.

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE GOOD LONG TERM FOR OUR FOOD SECURITY.

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE GOOD FOR THE AMERICAN FARMER OR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND ALL OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS RURAL AMERICA THAT ARE DEPENDENT UPON THOSE FAMILY FARMS.

>> SENATOR RUSS GOODMAN, WHO IS A SEVENTH GENERATION FARMER.

JOINING ME NOW IS ONE OF THE 50 SPONSORS OF THE BILL HE TALKED ABOUT, SENATOR HAROLD JONES II OF AUGUSTA.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

YOU WERE ON THE COMMITTEE THAT LOOKED INTO ALL OF THIS.

>> CORRECT.

>> TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT WAS ABOUT AND WHAT YOU LEARNED WHILE YOU WERE IN THAT COMMITTEE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO DO WAS MAKE SURE WE INCREASED ACCESS FOR FARMERS TO BE ABLE TO SELL THEIR PRODUCTS.

ONE OF THE THINGS OUR SENATOR GOODMAN WAS TALKING ABOUT IS YOU CAN HAVE MISLABELED PRODUCTS OR MAYBE SOMETHING DEFECTIVE AND IT CAN'T BE SOLD.

WHAT WE TRIED TO DO IS ACTUALLY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR IT TO BE SOLD TO FOOD BANKS, AND IT WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT AS FAR AS FOOD INSECURITY IS CONCERNED.

>> YOU CAN HAVE MISSHAPED BLUEBERRY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND THEY JUST CAN'T SELL IT AT ALL.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

OF COURSE, WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS GO TO FOOD BANKS, PERSONS ACTUALLY IN NEED.

WE HAD TWO THINGS WE WERE LOOKING AT.

NUMBER ONE WAS HOW TO INCREASE GEORGIA FARMERS BUT ALSO HOW TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF FOOD INSECURITY.

WE WERE ABLE TO DO IT WITH THIS PARTICULAR BILL.

IT IS ONE OF THE TRUE BIPARTISAN-TYPE BILLS.

>> YEAH.

SO FOOD INSECURITY IN THIS STATE IS CERTAINLY, SINCE THE PANDEMIC, HAS BEEN WORSE THAN WE HAVE SEEN IT BEFORE IN OUR LIFETIME.

SO THIS HAS BEEN -- THIS IS A WAY OF TAKING CARE OF THAT.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

SO THERE WILL BE -- YOU EXPLAIN IT.

>> RIGHT.

ACTUALLY, IT IS KIND OF LIKE WE HAVE THIS IN PLACE.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS A COUPLE OF THINGS.

WE ALREADY HAD IN PLACE WHERE WE HAD WHAT WAS CALLED, WE WANT IT TO BE BASED ON GEORGIA PRODUCTS.

SO THE AGRICULTURE COMMODITIES COMMISSION SAID YEARS AGO WHAT WE WANT FOOD BANKS TO DO IS BUY PRODUCTS BASED ON GEORGIA PRODUCTS.

BUT WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN?

SO WHAT WE DID WAS, YOU KNOW WHAT?

LET'S SAY IT HAS TO BE GROWN IN GEORGIA.

WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT WHETHER IT IS PACKAGED, WHETHER IT IS STORAGE, WHETHER IT IS PURCHASED, IT IS GETTING THE GRANT MONEY FOR SOMETHING GROWN IN GEORGIA AND THAT'S IMPORTANT.

YES, AS HE IS TALKING ABOUT, IF YOU HAVE DAMAGED BLUEBERRIES FOR INSTANCE OR SOMETHING MISLABELED, SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT SALE DATES, A LOT OF TIMES IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SAFETY OF THE FOOD.

PERSONS DON'T REALIZE THAT EITHER.

SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF FOOD WASTE THAT TAKES PLACE.

WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS ELIMINATE THE FOOD WASTE PROBLEM AND ACTUALLY TRY TO IMPACT FOOD INSECURITY.

>> IT SOUNDED LIKE YOU LEARNED A LOT WHILE YOU WERE DOING THIS.

>> I ABSOLUTELY DID WITHOUT A DOUBT.

YOU FOUND A PERSON FROM AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, AND ALSO A BLUEBERRY FARMER ABLE TO COME TOGETHER ON AN ISSUE SO IMPORTANT TO GEORGIANS.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD INSECURITY, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THAT HAS GROWN, TOO, HASN'T IT?

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE FOUND IS THAT IT CONTRIBUTES TO DISEASES AND IT AFFECTS EVERYONE.

WE HAD PERSONS THAT CAME TO TESTIFY FROM THE ATLANTA AREA, WE HAD PERSONS FROM VALDOSTA AND AUGUSTA.

IT CROSSES PARTY LINES, RACIAL LINES AND CLASS LINES.

IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM NOT ONLY IN GEORGIA BUT NATIONWIDE, AND NOW GEORGIA IS ATTACKING THE PROBLEM AND HELPING FARMERS.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT A BLUEBERRY FARMER AND THEN YOU FROM AUGUSTA, BUT INSIDE THE CITIES WE HAVE FOOD DESERTS WHERE IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO GET FRESH PRODUCE, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO DO IS START TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO ACTUALLY INCREASE THE ABILITY TO GET PRODUCE.

THIS IS ONE STEP.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE OTHER LEGISLATION THAT WILL COME ABOUT BECAUSE WE WANT TO ATTACK THE FOOD INSECURITY PROBLEM AND MAKE A PERSON'S FOOD SECURE.

>> CALLING IT GEORGIA GROWN YOU THINK MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS -- RATHER THAN CALLING IT THE STATE NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM?

>> RIGHT, IT TELLS EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AND KIND OF PUTS A FACE ON THAT THIS IS FOR GEORGIANS AND WE'RE ATTACKING THE PROBLEM IN A POSITIVE WAY.

LET'S DON'T LOOK AT IT FROM FOOD DESERTS OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE, LET'S TALK ABOUT HAVING FOOD SECURITY.

>> I'M CURIOUS WHETHER YOU WENT TO FARMS WHILE YOU WERE ON THE COMMITTEE?

>> I DIDN'T.

>> YOU DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO DO THAT.

>> WE HEARD FROM PLENTY OF FARMERS AND PERSONS SAYING THEY HAD ISSUES HERE.

>> THIS OTHER PART IS THAT IT WILL HELP THE FARMERS.

WHEN THEIR FOOD IS REJECTED, IT DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE, RIGHT?

IT IS A LOSS TO EVERYBODY.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING I DID NOT KNOW AND OTHERS DIDN'T KNOW EITHER.

YES, NOT ONLY WILL IT BENEFIT THEM BUT BENEFIT THE PERSONS WITH FOOD INSECURITY PROBLEMS.

>> IT IS A PROBLEM THAT YOU GUYS ARE SOLVING AND IT IS BIPARTISAN.

HE HAS 50 SPONSORS ON THAT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> 50 SIGNERS AND YOU ARE ONE OF THEM.

>> YES.

>> IT IS KIND OF INTERESTING FOR YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE USUALLY TALK TO YOU ABOUT JUDICIAL ISSUES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO STICK AROUND AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT OTHER ISSUES, TOO.

>> YES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> THANK YOU.

>> IF YOU ARE A PARENT OF A STUDENT IN GEORGIA PUBLIC COLLEGE, YOU LIKELY WONDERED ABOUT ALL OF THE FEES YOU HAVE TO PAY ON TOP OF TUITION.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT EFFORTS TO GET RID OF ONE OF THOSE FEES COMING UP.

YOU ARE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPD.

♪♪ >>> CIGNA IS A PROUD PARTNER OF GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING AND GEORGIA LAWMAKERS.

CIGNA'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AND PEACE OF MIND FOR THOSE WOO SERVE.

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

WITH OVER 80 YEARS OF HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE, AFTER ALL AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER 75 BILLION IN OUTPUT IN GEORGIA STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITAL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR AROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> GEORGIA HUMANITIES, CONNECTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS GEORGIA TO ENCOURAGE CONVERSATION, EDUCATION AND UNDERSTANDING.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.GEORGIAHUMANITIES.ORG.

♪♪ >>> WE ARE THE SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER.

AT SELC WE NOT ONLY TAKE ON THE TOUGHEST ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES, WE WIN, FORCING THE REMOVAL OF MORE THAN 250 MILLION TONS OF TOXIC COAL ASH, DEFEATING REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO BRING OFFSHORE DRILLING TO OUR COAST, AND SECURING CLEAN AIR AND WATER PROTECTION FOR COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR REGION.

YOUR MOST POWERFUL ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDER IS ROOTED RIGHT HERE IN THE SOUTH.

♪♪ >>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

JOINING US ONCE AGAIN IS SENATOR HAROLD JONES II OF AUGUSTA.

THANK YOU FOR STAYING.

WE REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL LAWMAKERS TO COME ON THE SHOW TONIGHT, BUT MANY HAD VALENTINE'S DAY PLAN.

IMAGINE THAT.

ONE PERSON FIRST AGREED TO COME ON AND A FEW SECONDS LATER REMEMBERED HE HAD DINNER PLANS WITH HIS WIFE AND SAID, NO, I CAN'T DO THAT.

ONE LAWMAKER WHO GRACIOUSLY AGREED TO COME ON DESPITE VALENTINE'S DAY PLANS IS SENATOR SALLY HAROLD OF ATLANTA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON.

YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE PLANS AFTERWARDS, RIGHT?

>> YES.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SENATOR HAROLD, WE WILL START BY TALKING WITH YOU ABOUT A BILL A LOT OF PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA COLLEGES WILL UNDERSTAND, AND THAT'S THOSE FEES.

I'M ONE OF THOSE PARENTS.

IN PARTICULAR, THE GEORGIA SPECIAL INSTITUTIONAL FEE, LET'S EXPLAIN IT A LITTLE BIT.

IT IS A FEE CREATED IN 2009 AND ESTABLISHED TO COVER THE $1.4 MILLION IN STATE BUDGET CUTS.

IT WAS INSTITUTED TO COVER THE LOSS OF FACULTY AND STAFF POSITIONS, THE CESSATION OF SOME OF THE COURSE OFFERINGS AND INCREASE IN CLASS SIZES AND DEFERRAL OF MAINTENANCE AND BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ALL ON THE CAMPUSES.

SENATOR HAROLD, THAT'S A BIT OF THE BACKGROUND.

TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BACK THERE IN 2009 THAT WE GOT THIS FEE.

>> RIGHT.

WELL, MY INITIATIVE ON THIS AREA -- IN THIS AREA ACTUALLY STARTED WITH A CONCERN FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS.

BECAUSE I ATTENDED A PRESENTATION OF GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE IN MY DISTRICT AND FOUND OUT THOSE STUDENTS OFTEN TAKE EIGHT YEARS TO GET A DEGREE, BUT IF THEY TAKE TWO CLASSES THEY PAY 100% OF THE AMOUNT.

THEY ARE PROBABLY PAYING $10,000 MORE THAN SOMEONE WHO CAN AFFORD TO GO FULL TIME.

THESE ARE KIDS WORKING THEIR WAY TO SCHOOL.

I WROTE A BILL ADDRESSING THAT AND BROUGHT IT TO THE SENATE HIGHER COMMISSION MEETING AND WE HAD A LENGTHY DISCUSSION ABOUT IT AND THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA WERE CONCERNED THEY WOULD LOSE A LOT OF MONEY.

THEY'VE HAD SIGNIFICANT BUDGET CUTS THROUGH THE YEARS.

WE USED TO PAY ABOUT -- SUBSIDIZE PUBLIC EDUCATION AT ABOUT 75% OF THE COST, AND THAT HAS DROPPED DOWN TO ABOUT 40%.

SO THAT EXTRA MONEY IS COMING OUT OF STUDENTS' POCKETS.

SO WE REALIZED THAT THE ISSUE WAS QUITE COMPLEX AND THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF FEES, AS YOU HAVE NOTED, ON THE BILLS.

THERE'S FEES FOR EVERYTHING, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

ACADEMICS, FOR LAB FEES.

THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU DIG THROUGH IT YOU ARE LIKE, WHY DO I HAVE ALL OF THESE FEES.

>> RIGHT.

>> FOR SPORTS.

OF COURSE, ATHLETICS AND ALL OF THIS, BUT THIS INSTITUTIONAL FEE I KNOW PEOPLE WERE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT.

>> RIGHT.

>> WHAT EXACTLY IS THAT?

>> WHAT WE DID IS WE INITIATED A STUDY COMMITTEE TO WORK ON THE INITIATIVE IN THE INTERIM BECAUSE IT IS PRETTY COMPLEX.

DURING THE COURSE OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE WE DISCOVERED A FEE CALLED A SPECIAL INSTITUTIONAL FEE.

WE ASKED THE SAME QUESTION, WHAT IS THIS, BECAUSE IT WAS SO BIG.

I MEAN IT WAS MAKING UP ON AVERAGE ABOUT 40% OF THE TOTAL FEES.

IT WAS THE BIGGEST FEE IN THE FAT.

WE WERE LIKE, WHAT IS THIS?

THAT'S WHEN WE FOUND OUT IT WAS A FEE INSTITUTED RIGHT AFTER THE RECESSION TO MAKE UP FOR LOST STATE REVENUE, BUT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TEMPORARY.

HERE WE ARE IN 2022 AND IT WAS STILL THERE.

SO WE STARTED ASKING THE HARD QUESTIONS, AND IN THE FINAL RECOMMENDATION OF OUR COMMITTEE WE MADE THE RECOMMENDATION THAT IT BE REMOVED, BUT THE BOARD OF REGENTS SAID, WELL, THAT'S GOING TO CUT $230 MILLION FROM OUR BUDGETS, AND SO IF WE REMOVED THE FEE AND YOU HAD TO INCREASE TUITION TO COVER IT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT FOR ALL OF THE KIDS WHO HAVE HOPE.

BUT FOR THE KIDS WHO DON'T HAVE THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP, THAT MONEY WOULD BE, AGAIN, COMING OUT OF THEIR POCKETS AGAIN.

SO WE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT WE MAKE UP THE LOST REVENUE BY FUNDING THAT FUNDING FORMULA.

>> AND THE GOVERNOR HAS AGREED TO THIS?

>> WE WERE QUITE SHOCKED AND QUITE SURPRISED WHEN THE GOVERNOR REVEALED HIS BUDGET, THAT HE RECOMMENDED GETTING RID OF THE -- NOT ONLY GETTING RID OF THE SPECIAL INSTITUTIONAL FEE, BUT ALSO FUNDING THE FORMULA FOR AN ADDITIONAL $230 MILLION TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE.

>> IT IS CALLED THE TEACHER'S FORMULA?

>> IT IS CALLED THE TEACHER'S FORMULA.

IT WORKS KIND OF LIKE THE QBE FORMULA FOR Q-12 BUT IT IS NOT AS PRESCRIPTIVE BUT IT IS THE WAY THE STATES PUT MONEY INTO THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM SO THEY CAN MAKE IT COST LESS FOR FAMILIES, AND WHY PUBLIC EDUCATION COSTS LESS THAN PRIVATE EDUCATION.

>> ONE LAST THING YOU SAID FOR SOME COLLEGES LIKE GEORGIA TECH IT CAN BE 500 SOMETHING DOLLARS FOR -- >> I HAVE A KID AT GEORGIA TECH SO I KNOW HOW MUCH IT IS.

IT IS $544, AND IT IS NOT FOR THE YEAR BUT PER SEMESTER.

IT IS TWICE THAT FOR THE YEAR.

>> THANKS TO IN WORK IT COULD GO AWAY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE IN A MOMENT, BUT I WANT TO GET TO SENATOR JONES FOR A LITTLE BIT.

YOU HAVE GONE TO THE FLOOR QUITE A BIT TALKING ABOUT THE NEW MAPS, TO WHICH YOU FEEL THERE WASN'T ENOUGH VETTING ON THE MAPS.

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE HEARD THE GOOD ABOUT FARMERS AND ABOUT THE INSTITUTIONAL FEE, WE ARE GOING TO THE BAD AND UGLY RIDE NOW AND THAT'S THE LOCAL MAPS.

THEY'RE NOT GOING THROUGH THE PROPER VETTING PROCESS.

WHAT HAPPENED IS IN A LOT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES, IN SOME LOCAL COMMUNITIES THEY'VE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS, THEY'VE GONE TO COMMITTEES, PASSED BY COMMISSIONS AND BY BOARD OF EDUCATION, BUT WHEN THEY COME TO THE CAPITAL SENATORS OR HOUSE MEMBERS ARE UNILATERALLY CHANGING THE MAPS.

IT IS NOT PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND WE SHOULDN'T BEHAVE IN THIS WAY.

WE ARE GOING FAST FORWARD DOING THAT AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE.

>> YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT IT IS KIND OF MOVING ALONG.

IT IS LIKE ONE OF THE TRAINS THAT YOU CAN'T STOP, RIGHT?

>> IT IS ONE OF THOSE TRAINS, BUT WE ARE HOPING POSSIBLY WE CAN STOP IT IN COURT.

>> AND YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT, SO WE'LL KEEP TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT IT.

>> EXACTLY.

THANK YOU.

>> SENATOR HAROLD, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER BILL YOU HAVE.

IT DEALS WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES OR RELATED DIAGNOSES.

FIRST, HERE IS SOME BACKGROUND ON WHO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

IN 2017 THE RESIDENTIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM PROJECT REPORTED 2.3% OF THE OVERALL STATE POPULATION OR MORE THAN 241,000 GEORGIANS ARE LIVING WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY-RELATED DIAGNOSIS.

OF THAT GROUP, ONLY 7.2% OR MORE THAN 17,000 ARE NOT SERVED BY A STATE AGENCY.

TELL US HOW MEDICAID FITS INTO -- INTO THE STATE HELP THEY MIGHT GET.

>> RIGHT.

THERE WAS A COURT CASE IN 1999 AND IT SAID IF A PERSON HAD TO LIVE IN AN INSTITUTION WE WERE IN VIOLATION OF THE ADA, THE AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT.

AT THAT POINT WE STARTED MOVING PEOPLE OUT OF INSTITUTIONS, BUT YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM -- IF YOU ARE GOING TO MOVE THEM OUT, YOU NEED TO GIVE THEM SOME SORT OF SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY.

THOSE ARE MEDICAID WAIVERS.

THEY'RE CALLED N.O.W., STAND FOR NEW OPTION WAIVER, AND COMP, WHICH STANDS FOR COMPREHENSIVE.

THIS IS SUPPORT MONEY FOR THESE PEOPLE TO HELP THEM LIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES WHERE, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN BE HAPPY AND MUCH HAPPIER THAN THEY ARE IN AN INSTITUTION.

>> AND THEY'RE AT A CERTAIN AGE, THEY'VE AGED OUT OF -- >> THEY'VE AGED OUT OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SO YOU WANT THEM TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN.

RIGHT NOW YOU TALK -- YOU MENTIONED THERE ARE SO MANY ON A WAITING LIST.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO THIS WAITING LIST HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1999.

WHEN I SERVED IN THE HOUSE THE WAITING LIST WAS NEW, AND I HELPED ADVOCATE TO -- FOR THESE PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES TO GET THESE SERVICES.

I LEFT POLITICS FOR 15 YEARS, AND WHEN I CAME BACK I FOUND OUT THE WAITING LIST WAS STILL THERE, WHICH WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING.

SO I DECIDED TO TAKE UP THE FIGHT AGAIN, AND I AUTHORED A BILL, SENATE BILL 208, WHICH PROPOSES THAT WE FUND THESE SLOTS, AND OVER THE COURSE OF FIVE YEARS WE ELIMINATE THAT WAITING LIST, WHICH MEANS WE WILL HAVE TO FUND A LOT MORE SLOTS THAN WE HAVE BEEN FUNDING.

>> YEAH.

SO YOU SAID YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE MEDICAID PROCESS.

IN GEORGIA, MEDICAID IS NOT FULLY FUNDED AND THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM.

IF WE WERE FULLY FUNDED, THAT WOULD -- MAY BE FUNDED, NO.

>> THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN LIKE HEALTH INSURANCE MEDICAID WAIVER, BUT IT DOES -- FOR EVERY MEDICAID -- FOR EVERY N.O.W.

OR COMP WAIVER THAT WE PUT STATE MONEY INTO, IT DOES DRAW DOWN FEDERAL DOLLARS TO THE TUNE OF 60% OR 70% OF THE COST.

>> SO SENATE BILL 208 REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OR DISABILITIES TO FULLY FUND IT OVER THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD.

>> YES, WE'RE CALLING IT FULLY FUND IN FIVE.

>> HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT IT AT THIS POINT?

>> WELL, WHAT WE HAVE DISCOVERED, YOU KNOW, ISSUES ARE ALWAYS MORE COMPLEX THAN YOU THINK THEY ARE IN THE BEGINNING.

WHAT WE'VE DISCOVERED IS WE NEED TO BUILD SOME INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE NEED TO PAY THE PROVIDERS WHO HELP TAKE CARE OF THESE PEOPLE, WE NEED TO PAY THEM MORE SO THEY'LL WANT TO DO THOSE JOBS INSTEAD OF GOING TO HIGHER PAYING JOBS EVEN AT WALMART, AND WE NEED TO BUILD THE HOMES AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> OKAY.

>> SO WE HAVE A LOT MORE TO DO.

>> WE WILL HAVE YOU BACK ON.

WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING, BOTH OF YOU.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT FOR "LAWMAKERS."

WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY 15 -- I'M SORRY, 17.

BYE-BYE.

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