>>> THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WANTS TO SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO GANG MEMBERS, IF YOU COME AFTER OUR CHILDREN AND ENDANGER OUR COMMUNITIES, WE ARE COMING AFTER YOU.

>>> THE GOVERNOR PROMISED TO COME DOWN HARD ON GANGS IN GEORGIA, AND THE SENATE APPROVED THE MEASURES TO STOP FROM RECRUITING MEMBERS.

>>> DID EVENING, WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS.

I AM DONNA LOWERY IN ATLANTA.

I AM NOT IN THE STUDIO, BECAUSE I TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 OVER THE WEEKEND, FOLLOWING AN OUT-OF-TOWN TRIP, SO I AM ISOLATED AT HOME.

I AM FEELING GOOD AND VERY HAPPY TO JOIN THE SHOW VIRTUALLY.

I AM ALSO GRATEFUL THAT THE TEAM AT GPB FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN.

ONE "LAWMAKERS" TODAY, WE WILL TALK OF THE GEORGIA ACT OF 2019, WHICH EFFECTIVELY BANNED ABORTIONS ONCE FETAL CARDIAC ACTIVITY IS DETECTED.

ALSO JOINING US, THE LEGISLATOR THAT WANTS TO HOLD THE STATE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR UNWANTED PRINT PREGNANCIES THAT CAN'T BE TERMINATED UNDER GEORGIA'S SIX WEEK ABORTION BAN.

AND ON THE SHOW, TWO LAWMAKERS THAT WANT TO END WHAT SOME CALL TRANSCRIPT RANSOM, WHEN COLLEGES WITHHOLD TRANSCRIPTS FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE OUTSTANDING BALANCES AT THE SCHOOL.

FIRST, LET'S GET A WRAP UP UNDER THE GOLD POST FROM CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT, RACHELLE RITCHIE.

>> Reporter: GUNS, GANGS, AND FAMILY BENEFITS WERE JUST SOME OF THE ISSUES DISCUSSED HERE TODAY AT THE CAPITAL.

IT WAS A FOOTLOOSE MORNING IN THE HOUSE AS THE WINNER OF A DANCE OFF BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE SHOWED OFF THE TROPHY.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

MEMBERS, IF YOU WERE NOT AT THE FIRST OUR HOUSE VERSUS CITY DANCE OFF, YOU MISSED A GOOD TIME.

OUR FRIEND IN THE HALLWAY, TERRY LYNN, SPONSORED THE EVENT THE GENTLEMAN AND SPOUSES JOINED US FOR A REALLY GOOD TIME.

WE HAD FUN AND SAW A LOT OF FUNNY THINGS.

>> Reporter: FOLLOWING THAT BRIEF BOUT OF BOOGIE FEVER, IT WAS BUSINESS AS USUAL.

HOUSE BILL 129 AND 139 ARE NOW ON THE WAY TO THE SENATE AFTER BEING INTRODUCED AND PASSED.

HOUSE BILL 129 WAS PASSED AND THE FIRST BILL PASSED BY A REPRESENTATIVE.

>> IT IS ONE OF THE GOVERNOR'S INITIATIVES, AND I'M HAPPY TO BE CARRYING IT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR.

WOOD THE BILL WILL EXPAND TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES, ALSO KNOWN AS 10 IF TO PREGNANT WOMEN AND WHILE THE BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, SOME SAY IT IS IMPERATIVE TO REVIEW AND REQUIRE TANF REQUIREMENTS TO MAKE SURE IT IS AN OPTION FOR PARENTS IN POVERTY.

>> THE PARENT MUST EARN LESS THAN $740 A MONTH AND HALF TANF ASSETS LESS THAN $1000.

THIS AMOUNTS TO AN ANNUAL SALARY OF LESS THAN $9408 PER YEAR.

THIS MEANS THAT 60% OF VERY IMPOVERISHED PARENTS, EARNING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL, EARN TOO MUCH MONEY TO QUALIFY FOR TANF ASSISTANCE.

30 YEARS AGO, A NOMINAL TANF GRANT FOR A FAMILY OF THREE WAS $280.

IN 2023, NOW A NOMINAL TANF GRANT FOR A FAMILY OF THREE IS STILL $280.

BECAUSE THIS HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED IN MORE THAN THREE DECADES, THE MATH SIMPLY DOES NOT ADD UP.

>> Reporter: ALSO PASSING, HOUSE BILL 139, TO PREVENT THE DISCLOSURE OF THIRD-PARTY PERSONAL IDENTIFIABLY INFORMATION OF NONLAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY EMPLOYEES.

UNDER THE BILL, IF AGENCIES THAT AREN'T SWORN IN, WILL NOT BE COMPELLED TO DISCLOSE THEIR HOME ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER, BUT CAN FURNISH THEIR WORK LOCATION AND PHONE NUMBER INSTEAD.

THE SENATE TOOK UP THE ISSUE OF GANGS AND GANG MEMBER RECRUITMENT.

SENATE BILL 144 WOULD IMPLEMENT MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES FOR ANY GANG MEMBER WHO RECRUITS SOMEONE INTO A GANG >> WHILE ALL EFFORTS TO COMBAT CRIMINAL STREET ACTIVITY HAVE HAD A TREMENDOUS IMPACT THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF GEORGIA, MORE MUST BE DONE TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN AWAY FROM A LIFE OF CRIME AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

THROUGH THIS BILL, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WANTS TO SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO GANG MEMBERS IF YOU COME AFTER OUR CHILDREN AND ENDANGER OUR COMMUNITIES, WE ARE COMING AFTER YOU.

>> Reporter: THE NEW LAW WOULD MAKE THE OFFENSE A FELONY AND MANDATED FIVE YEAR MINIMUM SENTENCE AN INCREASE TO 10 YEARS FOR RECRUITING A MINOR.

>> YOU MIGHT BE EXPECTED, AS A CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING VICTIM, TO ATTEND TO 15 TO 20 MAIN FOR INDIVIDUAL ACTS PER DAY.

THAT IS DIRECTLY FROM THE ADVOCATES WHO WORK WITH THESE KIDS EVERY DAY AT A CLINIC.

IF YOU CAN RECRUIT A FRIEND, AND THIS IS AWFUL, BUT REAL, IF YOU CAN RECRUIT SOMEBODY YOUR AGE TO TAKE EVEN FIVE OF THOSE AWAY PER DAY, THAT IS AN ACT OF SURVIVAL.

>> THE SENATE BEGAN BY SAYING, CRACKING DOWN ON GANGS IS A PRIORITY OF THE GOVERNOR, WELL, PROTECTING THOSE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING IS A PRIORITY OF FIRST LADY KEMP.

WHILE I AM NOT THE FIRST LADY'S LEADER, I AM SOMEONE WHO HAPPENS TO BELIEVE THAT SHE IS RIGHT, THAT WOMEN, GIRLS, AND CHILDREN BEING TRAFFICKED NEED TO BE TREATED AS VICTIMS, NOT AS CRIMINALS.

WHAT THIS AMENDMENT DOES IS IT SAYS, IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 AND YOU ARE A VICTIM OF SEX TRAFFICKING, THEN YOU CANNOT BE PROSECUTED UNDER THIS LEGISLATION.

>> AND NOT PUNISH LOW LEVEL MEMBERS MORE THAN GANG LEADERS.

>> BY THIS LEGISLATION, THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ENABLING TO HAPPEN, THOSE AT THE TOP OF THE PYRAMIDS CAN GET THEIR TIMECARD BY TELLING SOMEONE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PYRAMID THAT MAY NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT, THOSE THAT DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE WOULD NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET IT, AND THE MOST CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS WITH THE MOST INFORMATION TO SHARE WILL RECEIVE A REDUCTION OF THEIR SENTENCE.

>> I OPPOSE BOTH AMENDMENTS.

RIGHT NOW, THE MANDATORY MINIMUMS DO NOT APPLY TO CHILDREN.

IF YOU ARE A CHILD RECRUITER, YOU WILL GO THROUGH THE JUVENILE SYSTEM AND BE VACATED THAT WAY.

IF THESE MANDATORY MINIMUMS DO NOT APPLY, UNLESS THE SEVEN DEADLY IS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM, FOR THAT, I ASKED THE CONSIDERATION OF THIS LEGISLATION AND OPPOSE ALL AMENDED.

FAILED AND THE BILL WAS PASSED IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM, 31-22.

IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD A CATALYTIC CONVERTER STOLEN FROM YOUR VEHICLE, SENATE BILL 60 WILL HOPEFULLY PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

THE BILL WOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO PURCHASE OR SELL CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WITHOUT BEING LICENSED, OR PROPERLY VETTED.

THE BILL ALSO APPLIES TO COPPER WIRING OR OTHER METALS.

THAT BILL PASSED 50-2.

>>> DEMOCRATS HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON, DETAILING THEIR PERSISTENT EFFORTS TO PUSH FOR MORE GUN CONTROL AND SAFETY, A MISSION THAT HAS BEEN MET WITH RESISTANCE FROM REPUBLICANS.

>> IT IS EXTREMELY DISHEARTENING TO ME THAT OF ALL THE ISSUES BEFORE THESE BODIES THIS YEAR, THE MOST PARTISAN ISSUE IS GUN SAFETY, SOMETHING THAT DENIES THE FACT OF WHAT MY CONSTITUENTS AND I BELIEVE THEIR CONSTITUENTS CARE ABOUT, IS THE SENSELESS, PREVENTABLE DEATH OF CHILDREN AND INNOCENT ADULTS ACROSS OUR STATE.

>> THAT IS MY CAPITAL REPORT.

DONNA BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, ROCHELLE.

>>> CURRENTLY, GEORGIA COLLEGES CAN WITHHOLD A STUDENT'S TRANSCRIPT WHEN A STUDENT OWES THE SCHOOL MONEY.

TODAY'S GUEST WANTS TO CHANGE THAT.

JOINING US ARE DEMOCRAT REPRESENTATIVE MARVIN LIM OF NORTH GWINNETT COUNTY, AND REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE FOR CONCOURSE IN PIKE COUNTY.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" THE BOTH OF YOU.

REPRESENTATIVE LIM, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

WHAT IS HB 39, AND WHAT LED YOU TO SPONSOR THIS LEGISLATION?

>> THANK YOU.

HB 39 ESSENTIALLY STATES THAT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN GEORGIA CAN'T WITHHOLD OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS FROM STUDENTS WHO WANT TO BE ABLE TO SEND THOSE TRANSCRIPTS TO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS OR EMPLOYERS.

IT REALLY TAKES A BITE OUT OF WHAT I HAVE BEEN CALLING A CHICKEN AND EGG PROBLEM IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PAY OFF YOUR STUDENT DEBT, YOU NEED A JOB, YOU NEED INCOME, AND YOU HAVE SO MANY FIELDS THESE DAYS, FROM CONSTRUCTION, HEALTHCARE, OTHER FIELDS THAT REQUIRE LICENSING ARE REQUIRING THESE TRANSCRIPTS IN ORDER FOR SOMEONE TO BE ABLE TO HOLD POSITIONS IN THOSE PROFESSIONS.

THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE WITHHOLDING THEM, YOU'RE PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM GETTING A JOB, NOT ENABLING THEM TO PAY STUDENT DEBT.

I WAS INSPIRED BY BOTH THE WORKFORCE CRISIS WE ARE FACING, AS WELL AS THE STUDENT DEBT CRISIS, AND THERE ARE MANY POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO EITHER.

BOTH OF THOSE, THIS REALLY TAKES SOMETHING THAT I THINK THREE OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES AND TWO DEMOCRATS BELIEVE IS A PROBLEM WE CAN FIX IN THIS PARTICULAR MANNER.

>> IT IS BIPARTISAN.

REPRESENTATIVE, WHY DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED AS A COSPONSOR?

>> SOMEONE WHO GRADUATED FROM THREE DIFFERENT HIGHER ED FACILITIES, INSTITUTIONS, I KNOW FIRSTHAND, IF SOMEONE TOLD ME I OWED $25 FROM A DEGREE I GOT 20 PLUS YEARS AGO, HOW WOULD I BE ABLE TO PROVE THAT I OWE $25?

IT IS A DUE PROCESS THING.

IF I NEVER RECEIVED A BILL, NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION I OWED THIS MONEY, HOW WOULD I KNOW FOR A FACT I ACTUALLY DID OWE IT?

I AM TAKING THE WORD OF THE UNIVERSITY TELLING ME, AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE A JOB AND ARE APPLYING FOR A JOB, $25 MAY SEEM NOMINAL IF YOU ARE MAKING GOOD MONEY, BUT $25 MAY BE THE SAME AS $2500.

IT IS DUE PROCESS, AND THE FACT THAT YOU CAN'T GRADUATE FROM A UNIVERSITY SYSTEM GEORGIA SCHOOL WITHOUT PAYING TUITION.

IT IS NOT TUITION, AND NOT ANYTHING RELATED TO GETTING THE DEGREE, BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT GIVE YOU A DEGREE OTHERWISE.

IT IS SIMPLY A SITUATION WHERE THERE IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN ADDED TO YOUR DOCKET AND THE UNIVERSITY IS TRYING TO COLLECT.

>> 180,000 PEOPLE MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THIS, REPRESENTATIVE LIM.

YOU ARE GETTING THE SUPPORT YOU THINK YOU NEED TO PASS THIS?

>> I AM CERTAINLY GETTING SUPPORT.

YOU MENTIONED THAT 180,000 NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE POTENTIALLY IMPACTED BY THIS PRACTICE.

TO BE CLEAR, THIS BILL IS NARROWLY TAILORED TO THOSE THAT WANT TO BE ABLE TO SEND THEIR TRANSCRIPTS TO THEIR POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS, IT DOES NOT TALK ABOUT OTHER SCENARIOS THAT CRAFTED IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT SUPPORT, TO TARGET THAT, WHAT I CALLED THE CHICKEN AND EGG PROBLEM.

EVEN WITH THAT PARTICULAR KIND OF NARROWING, THERE IS A LOT OF SUPPORT BECAUSE THERE IS SO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS POSITION THROUGHOUT GEORGIA.

>> WE WILL LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW IT DOES.

YOU BOTH HAVE BILLS IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

YOU HAVE HB 283, IT IS FILLED WITH CHANGING HOW TAXES ARE IMPOSED AND COLLECTED ON NEWLY MANUFACTURED FAMILY STRUCTURES.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> IS PRETTY SIMPLE.

RIGHT NOW, MANUFACTURED HOMES, WHEN YOU PURCHASE, YOU ARE PAYING ACTUAL TAX WHEN MATERIAL AND LABOR, WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN A STICK BUILT HOME.

A STICK BUILT HOME, YOU ONLY PAY TAXES ON MATERIALS, NOT ON THE LABOR.

BY MAKING MORE PARITY BETWEEN THOSE TWO, IT WOULD ACTUALLY REDUCE THE PRICE OF A MANUFACTURED HOME, WHICH HOPEFULLY WOULD ALLOW FOR MORE INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO GET IN THEIR HOMES.

WE HAVE A HUGE WORKFORCE HOUSING ISSUE RIGHT NOW.

THE AVERAGE STICK BUILT HOME IS COSTING AROUND $200 PER SQUARE FOOT.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT A 1200 SQUARE FOOT HOME COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE $240,000.

THAT IS NOT AN ENTRY-LEVEL HOME TO MANY, NOT AN ATTAINABLE HOME FOR MANY.

EVEN THE CITY OF ATLANTA, I HAVE FOUND OUT, MODULE HOMES OR MOBILE HOMES ARE ANOTHER OPTION FOR HOUSING.

PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE WHERE THEY WANT TO LIVE IN A SAFE HOME AND NOT PAY MORE, SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS MANUFACTURED.

>> HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT THAT BILL AT THIS POINT?

>> I AM FEELING FAIRLY GOOD ABOUT IT.

WE WILL FIND OUT WHAT IT WILL COST THE STATE.

THERE WILL BE SOME DIFFERENCES IN TAXATION.

WE WILL FIND OUT THAT AND HOPEFULLY HAVE SOMETHING SOON SO WE CAN GET ALL THE BUGS OUT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LIM, YOU HAVE A BIPARTISAN BILL, HB 40, THAT BILL WOULD PUT TAX ON HOTELS AND OTHER LODGING, WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

>> THIS BILL ADDRESSES KIND OF A DIFFERENT END OF THE CONTINUUM OF HOUSING THAT REPRESENTATIVE KEMP'S BILL.

SHE IS TACKLING THAT IMPORTANT PROBLEM OF MANY FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS BEING PRICED OUT BECAUSE OF THE MARKET.

MY BILL IS CONCERNING HOMELESSNESS.

THERE HAS BEEN AN UPTICK OR IF YOU JUST OPEN YOUR EYES IN CERTAIN PLACES THROUGHOUT ATLANTA OR GEORGIA, WHAT THIS BILL DOES COME ESSENTIALLY ALLOWS THOSE NONPROFITS THAT ARE REHOUSING PEOPLE FOR HOMELESS INTO HOTELS AND MOTELS, USING HUD VOUCHERS, TO BE ABLE TO EXEMPT THEMSELVES AS NONPROFITS FROM LOCAL HOTEL, MOTEL TAXES.

IT IS TAKING A CRACK AT THE HOMELESSNESS PART OF THAT HOUSING CRISIS THAT I THINK ALL OF US, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT BELIEVE WE ARE FACING HERE IN GEORGIA.

>> DO YOU HAVE A PHYSICAL NOTE ON THAT?

>> I DON'T.

THAT IS ACTUALLY ONLY IMPACTING LOCAL TAXES AND GEORGIA MEDICINAL ASSOCIATION HAVE TOLD ME, THEY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

I AM HOPING THAT BILL WILL MOVE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR OTHER LAND DUTIES REGARDING RENTAL PROPERTIES.

WHAT WOULD THAT BILL DO?

>> THIS BILL WOULD ESSENTIALLY REQUIRE, OR BETTER ENABLE US TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE LANDLORDS THAT ARE NOT ENSURING THAT TENANTS HAVE LIVABLE PROPERTIES.

WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOUSING, THERE IS SO MUCH SAID ABOUT AFFORDABILITY.

I HAVE REALLY BEEN FOCUSING ON LIVABILITY.

ARE YOU ABLE TO LIVE IN A SAFE APARTMENT COMPLEX?

DO YOU HAVE RUNNING WATER?

DO YOU HAVE NO MOLD AND ADEQUATE AIR QUALITY?

WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS ESSENTIALLY ALLOWS US TO IMPOSE STATUTORILY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS ON ALL OF THOSE AND OTHER FRONTS IN ORDER TO HAVE THE LANDLORDS MEET THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT I THINK COMMON SENSE WOULD AGREE, OR WOULD SAY, WHAT CONSTITUTES LIVABLE HOUSING.

>> KEMP, YOU ARE IN CONCORDE AND PIKE COUNTY, I THINK THERE IS THIS THING WHERE HOUSING ISSUES IS NOT A PROBLEM IN SMALL AREAS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

PROBABLY WORSE IN MORE RURAL AREAS.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS, A LOT OF TIMES, IS DEPENDENT UPON THEIR WORKFORCE BEING ABLE TO HAVE HOUSING.

WE HAVE A GREAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND WE PITCH IT, BUT IF THERE IS NOWHERE FOR ANYONE TO LIVE, WE HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM.

IN RURAL AREAS, YOU GET OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER, APARTMENT COMPLEXES ARE NOT AS LIVABLE.

THE HOME VALUES HAVE SKYROCKETED AS PEOPLE HAVE MOVED OUT.

WE SEE 1 MILLION PEOPLE MOVING TO GEORGIA WELL, A LOT OF PEOPLE SOLD THEIR HOMES IN THE METRO AREA AND MOVED A LITTLE FURTHER OUT.

THEY CAN GET A LITTLE MORE FOR THEIR MONEY.

IT HAS IMPACTED THEIR LOCAL HOUSING MARKETS AS WELL.

I AGREE.

GOING BACK TO REPRESENTATIVE LIM'S LAST BILL WE JUST DISCUSSED, NO MATTER WHERE SOMEONE LIVES, IT IS A SAFE HOME.

I LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING THAT COMMITTEE AS WELL.

>> WE WILL KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THESE BILLS AND LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW THEY GO.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW, EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT IN THE STUDIO WITH YOU, I APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS.

>>> COMING UP, WE WILL HEAR FROM LAWMAKERS ON EACH SIDE OF THE ABORTION ISSUE.

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

OVER 80 YEARS OF HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE.

AFTER ALL, AGRICULTURE IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER REPRESENTS OVER 70 BILLION IN OUTPUT IN THE GEORGIA ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO MAKE CHANGES ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITAL, DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR-ROUND PEER GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I AM DONNA LOWERY.

>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT ABORTION WITH LAWMAKERS WANT EACH SIDE OF THE ISSUE.

GEORGIA LAW BANS ABORTION AFTER A FETAL HEARTBEAT IS DETECTED, AROUND SIX WEEKS, BUT THE ACLU'S HAS CHALLENGED THE LAW'S CONSTITUTIONALITY.

JOINING US FOR THE DISCUSSION ARE THE LEAD SPONSOR OF GEORGIA LAW, REPUBLICAN SENATOR ED SESSLER, AND DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES, SEAN KENDRICK WHO HAS A BILL CALLED THE GEORGIA REVERSE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "LAWMAKERS."

THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED YOUR BILL, HB 41, BY THE WAY, TO REMIND EVERYONE, YOU WERE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AT THAT TIME.

THEY PASSED IT IN 2019.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IT INTO LAW BUT A JUDGE STRUCK DOWN THAT RULING LAST SUMMER, NOW WE ARE WAITING ON THE GEORGIA SUPREME COURT.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE LAW STAYS IN EFFECT.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE 2019 AND HOW DO YOU THINK THE COURT WILL RULE?

>> THE FAIRNESS AND EQUALITY ACT REALLY STRUCK THIS BALANCE.

IT RECOGNIZED A VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCE WOMEN FIND THEMSELVES IN AND BALANCE THAT WITH A BASIC RIGHT TO LIFE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE LIVES OF SMALL CHILDREN YOU CAN LITERALLY HOLD IN YOUR HAND, THE LIFE ACT STRUCK A BALANCE IT RECOGNIZED THAT LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION.

RECOGNIZES, I THINK THEY BROUGHT CONCEPTION, THE CHILD HAS A BEATING HEART, ABOUT SIX WEEKS AFTER BEING CONCEIVED, SHOULD BE PROTECTED AFTER ABORTION.

IT PASSED THE HOUSE, NOT ONLY DEALT WITH THE ISSUE OF ABORTION, RECOGNIZED THE HUMANITY OF A CHILD.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN GEORGIA, GAVE MOM'S ACCESS TO CHILD SUPPORT WHEN PREGNANT, AND PARENTS ACCESS TO TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR THE CHILD THAT WAS BEING CARRIED INSIDE MOM.

RECOGNIZE THE HUMANITY OF A CHILD, RECOGNIZED THE SCIENCE AND COMMON SENSE OF LIFE IN UTERO.

IT WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE COURTS A COUPLE OF ROLLBACKS ALONG THE WAY.

I THINK THE COMMON SENSE AND BALANCE OF THAT JIVES WITH THE COMMON SENSE OF EVERYDAY GEORGIANS WE WILL SEE IN THE COMING MONTHS.

>> YOU ARE FEELING PRETTY CONFIDENT ABOUT EVERYTHING?

>> I AM.

IT IS REALLY ONE OF THOSE THINGS AS YOU TALK TO FOLKS ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, ORDINARY PEOPLE, THE COMMON SENSE OF PROTECTING A CHILD THAT HAS A BEATING HEART IS SOMETHING ALL GEORGIANS WILL BE PROUD OF OVERTIME.

>> REPRESENTATIVE KENDRICK, YOU FILED A BILL, EVEN BEFORE THE SESSION STARTED, YOU BELIEVE ARE OUTGROWING THE BILL.

TELL US ABOUT HB NUMBER ONE.

>> THANKS, DONNA.

HB 1 IS MY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.

OFFICIALLY, WHAT IT DOES, IT REQUIRES THE STATE OF GEORGIA TO PAY WOMEN BOTH HEALTHCARE EXPENSES AS WELL AS LOST WAGES, AND CHILDCARE UP TO THE AGE OF 18.

WE KNOW THAT HB 481 INCLUDED A MANDATE.

I BELIEVE THAT MANDATE OF FORCING WOMEN TO GIVE BIRTH WAS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.

REALLY, HB 1 WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA TO PUT MONEY BEHIND THEIR BELIEF THAT MOST GEORGIANS ARE PRO-LIFE, AND REQUIRED THE STATE TO PAY FOR THOSE EXPENSES FOR BOTH THE MOTHER AND CHILD.

>> CAN YOU BE MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT THOSE EXPENSES?

>> THEY CAN INCLUDE CHILDCARE EXPENSES, WHICH WE KNOW ARE HIGH, IT ALSO INCLUDES SETTING UP A TRUST FUND FOR THAT CHILD TO GO TO COLLEGE.

AFTERWARDS, IT INCLUDES ANY LOST WAGES FROM THAT MOTHER, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WOMEN THAT ARE FORCED TO GIVE BIRTH ARE USUALLY ANALYZED ECONOMICALLY, NOT ABLE TO GET THE JOB THAT REALLY HIGHLIGHT THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

IT IS A LIST OF ITEMS THAT I THINK THE STATE OF GEORGIA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY IF THEY ARE GOING TO FORCE WOMEN TO GIVE BIRTH.

>> SENATOR, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON REPRESENTATIVE KINDLER'S BILL?

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO WOMEN THAT HAVE UNWANTED PREGNANCIES THAT CAN'T BE TERMINATED UNDER THE SIX WEEK ABORTION BAND?

>> AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, GEORGIA AND THE LIFE ACT RECOGNIZE THE HUMANITY OF THE CHILD.

WE ARE THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT MAKES DAD PAY CHILD SUPPORT FOR THE MOM PAYING THE FULL TAX EXEMPTION.

WE HAVE AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT IN MEDICAID.

IF MOM IS PREGNANT, SHE IS PRESUMPTIVELY ENROLLED TO BE ABLE TO GET BENEFITS WHILE CARRYING THE CHILD.

WE HAVE ONE YOUR POSTPARTUM BENEFITS FOR MOM.

WE HAVE 18 YEARS OF THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM THAT IS VERY GENEROUS $10,000 PER YEAR FOR KIDS IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WE HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP FOR KIDS TO BE ABLE TO GET A FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION.

GEORGIA DOES A VERY GOOD JOB OF CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF KIDS, APPRECIATING INTEREST.

I THINK THERE IS DEBATES ABOUT WHAT THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF SPENDING IS.

I THINK CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF THE CHILD IN UTERO IS WHAT WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON AS A STATE.

I AM HOPING REPRESENTATIVE KENDRICK CAN CELEBRATE WITH ME THESE LIVES.

THE PRICELESS VALUE OF A CHILD YOU CAN HOLDING YOUR HAND THAT IS IN UTERO, AND I THINK THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PROPER WAY TO CELEBRATE THAT, COME ALONGSIDE MOMS, SOMETHING THE CAMP ADMINISTRATION IS LED ON, SOMETHING GEORGIANS CAN BE PROUD OF.

WE CAN HAVE THIS CONVERSATION MOVING FORWARD IN A PRODUCTIVE AND SERIOUS MINDED WAY, NOT IN A WAY THAT IS TRYING TO MAKE A POINT, BUT A SERIOUS MINDED WAY THAT CELEBRATES THE LIFE OF THESE PRECIOUS CHILDREN.

>> REPRESENTATIVE KENDRICK, YOUR RESPONSE?

>> THIS IS A SERIOUS FIELD.

I THOROUGHLY EXPECT EVERY PERSON THAT IS PRO-LIFE AND CONSERVATIVE TO RUN TO SIGN HB 1, BECAUSE IT IS A SERIOUS BILL.

THE OTHER SIDE TALKS ALL THE TIME ABOUT UNFUNDED MANDATES BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, FORCING A WOMAN TO CARRY A CHILD OR CHILDREN IS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.

EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THOSE TYPES OF SERVICES, THERE IS SO MUCH COST THAT GOES INTO MAKING SURE THAT A CHILD GROWS UP TO BE A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN.

GEORGIA IS ONLY DOING A SMALL PART OF THAT.

THIS IS A SERIOUS FIELD.

I THOROUGHLY EXPECT A HEARING AND EXPECT EVERY CONSERVATIVE TO RUN OUT AND SIGN THIS BILL.

A PRO-LIFE BILL, IT IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR, WHICH IS TO TREAT EVERY LIFE AS A PRO- LIFE SUPPORTER.

I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS BILL.

>> OKAY, IT IS A REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED STATE HOUSE AND SENATE, AND IS AN UPHILL BATTLE, WOULDN'T YOU AGREE, THOUGH?

>> IT IS ONLY IF WE ARE NOT TRULY A PRO-LIFE STATE.

AGAIN, THIS IS A PRO-LIFE BILL.

IF IT IS AN UPHILL BATTLE, IT IS BECAUSE PRO-LIFERS ARE MAKING IT AN UPHILL BATTLE BECAUSE IT IS A PRO-LIFE BILL.

>> I'VE GOT TO ASK, SENATOR, DO YOU PLAN TO SPONSOR ANY BILLS DEALING WITH THIS THIS LEGISLATION?

>> DONNA, THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT IT.

WHEN YOU SEE THE ACTS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS SEEKING TO TURN EVERYBODY'S NEIGHBORHOOD PHARMACY INTO AN ABORTION CLINIC, TO BE ABLE TO DOLE OUT ABORTION PILLS, IT DOES SHOCK A CONSCIENCE.

THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSION ABOUT ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE.

I THINK THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED IN GEORGIA.

THERE IS CASE PENDING BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT IN MARCH.

I THINK AS WE STEP BACK AND ASK THE QUESTION OF OURSELVES, WHEN WE SEE A CHILD IN AN ULTRASOUND TAKE A CHILD EIGHT OR 10 WEEKS ALONG IN AN ULTRASOUND MACHINE, SO THAT TO A GROUP OF KINDERGARTEN KIDS AND SAY, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT HERE?

A GROUP OF KINDERGARTENS WOULD SAY, THAT IS A BABY.

SCIENCE TELLS US THAT.

I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN CELEBRATE WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH THE LIVING, SPIRIT AND EQUALITY ACT.

MOMS CAN COME OUT, PREGNANT, DRIVE IN H-E-B LANES IN THEIR CARS, THERE IS A RECOGNITION THAT LIFE IN THE WON'T IS VALUABLE.

WE AS A NATION LOST 63 MILLION HUMAN BEINGS.

IN THE LAST 50 YEARS, EVERY FOUR PEOPLE CONCEIVED, ONE IS LOST TO ABORTION.

THAT IS A HECK OF A LEGACY TO OVERCOME.

WE ARE TAKING THE STEPS TO SAY RESPONSIVENESS.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S CYNICAL EFFORT TO TURN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ABORTION CLINIC -- PHARMACY INTO AN ABORTION CLINIC CERTAINLY THE NEXT SESSION.

>> REALLY HAVE A LITTLE TIME.

REPRESENTATIVE KENDRICK, I PROMISE TO GIVE YOU SOME TIME TO TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT THIS.

YOU HAVE THREE TECHNOLOGY BILLS.

ONE, YOU WILL BE INVOLVED IN THIS TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE COMING UP.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT BRIEFLY?

>> I WILL TALK ABOUT TWO OF THEM.

HB 14 IS A BILL THAT WOULD GIVE A TAX CREDIT TO SMALL BUSINESSES TO TRAIN AND RETAIN IN THE TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY.

WE KNOW THERE IS A SEVERE GAP IN GEORGIA BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY JOBS AND THOSE ABLE TO FULFILL THOSE JOBS.

HB 15 WOULD CREATE A SPECIFIC BROADBAND TASK FORCE TO REALLY FOCUS ON HOW IT AFFECTS COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND UNDERPRIVILEGED COMMUNITIES.

WE KNOW BECAUSE OF COVID-19, THERE ARE CERTAIN COMMUNITIES WITHIN OUR STATE THAT DON'T HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO BROADBAND AS OTHER PLACES DO.

WE WILL PRESENT THOSE IDEAS THIS THURSDAY AT MY TECHNOLOGY TECH FOR ALL TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE I HAVE POSTED WITH THE MAYOR FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

WE WILL HAVE NONPROFITS WORKING IN THE DEVELOPMENT WORK FOR SPACE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE YOU BACK ON TO TALK ABOUT IT.

RIGHT NOW, I APPRECIATE YOU BEING ON THE SHOW, BOTH OF YOU.

THANKS FOR BEING ON.

THAT DOES IT FOR "LAWMAKERS" TODAY.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW, VALENTINE'S DAY FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY 14.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.