>> TORT REFORM WILL BE MY TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY FOR THIS UPCOMING SESSION.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING MORE ABOUT THESE PLANS IN THE COMING WEEKS.

I WILL TELL YOU, I NEED YOUR HELP.

EVERY LOCAL CHAMBER IN THIS ROOM HAS A CRITICAL ROLE TO MAKE SURE WE FINALLY GET THIS DONE.

> >> THE GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP MAKES HIS ANNUAL PROGRAM EDGE TO THE EGGS & ISSUES BREAKFAST AND ASKS CHAMBER LEADERS FOR HELP IN SERVING UP TORT REFORM.

GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US ON DAY TWO OF THE 2025 GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

TONIGHT, WE ARE DIVING INTO HOT TOPICS SURROUNDING PUBLIC SAFETY.

SCHOOL ZONE SPEEDING CAMERAS, ARE THEY ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK?

WE HEAR FROM A LAWMAKER WHO HAS STRONG OPINIONS ABOUT WHETHER THE CAMERAS SHOULD STAY OR GO AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MONEY COLLECTED FROM THE THE SPEEDING TICKETS.

WE WILL ALSO CATCH UP WITH A SENATE COMMITTEE CHAIR, WHO HAS SPENT THE SUMMER EXAMINING SAFER FIREARM STORAGE.

> >> SAFETY IN GEORGIA IS PRISONS IS ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN.

GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP IS LOOKING TO ADD $372 MILLION TO IMPROVE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

IN THE STUDIO, WE WILL DISCUSS THE FINDINGS WITH TWO MEMBERS OF A JOINT COMMITTEE THAT SPENT MONTHS TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT PRISONS.

> >> AS ALWAYS, WE START WITH OUR CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT, SARAH KALLIS, WHO JOINED LAWMAKERS AND BUSINESS LEADERS EARLY IN THE DAY, LONG BEFORE THINGS GOT UNDERWAY AT THE OLD DOME.

>> Reporter: THE DAY STARTED BRIGHT AND EARLY FOR LAWMAKERS AT THE GEORGIA CHAMBER'S ANNUAL EGGS & ISSUES BREAKFAST.

THE EVENT CONNECT TO LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS OVER BREAKFAST AS LAWMAKERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SHARE THEIR PRIORITIES FOR THE SESSION.

GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP MADE IT CLEAR WHAT HIS NUMBER ONE ISSUE IS THIS SESSION.

>> I WILL SOON BE UNVEILING A ROBUST LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE THAT WILL BRING BALANCE TO OUR PROCEEDINGS AND PARITY WITH OUR NEIGHBORS.

WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH AN OPEN MIND AND WORK WITH ALL OF YOU AS A TEAM, JUST LIKE WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY DONE ON SO MANY TOUGH ISSUES.

TORT REFORM WILL BE MY TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY FOR THIS UPCOMING SESSION.

>> Reporter: HE ALSO ANNOUNCED MORE MONEY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND THE STATE.

>> I AM PROPOSING THAT WE DOUBLED DOWN.

LAST YEAR, WITH THE HELP OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WE PROVIDED $250 MILLION TO DOUBLE OUR GREAT INVESTMENT IN LOCAL ROADS WITHOUT DOUBLING THE COST FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

AFTER HEARING HOW BENEFICIAL THIS ONCE FROM OUR LOCAL LEADERS, I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT AGAIN.

>> Reporter: KEMP ALSO SAID HIS BUDGET PROPOSAL WILL INCLUDE A $530 MILLION FOR FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS INFRASTRUCTURE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JONES ALSO SAID THE SENATE WILL TACKLE THE COST OF CHILDCARE FOR GEORGE'S WORKERS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE GOING TO PUSH FOR IS THE CHILD TAX CREDIT TO HELP GEORGIA FAMILIES AND WORKING MOTHERS.

I HAVE SEEN IT FIRSTHAND WHERE WE HAVE MISSED OUT ON A REALLY GOOD TALENT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T WORK OUT THE CHILDCARE IF YOU.

>> Reporter: SPEAKER JON BURNS SAYS THE HOUSE WILL PASS LEGISLATION RELATED TO SCHOOL SECURITY FOR GEORGE'S STUDENTS.

>> THE HOUSE WILL PUT FORTH MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN SCHOOL SECURITY, FACILITATED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND PROVIDE EVERY STUDENT IN GEORGIA PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS WITH ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

>> Reporter: LATER THIS MORNING, HOUSE MEMBERS HELD A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE SHOOTING AT APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA.

>> SEPTEMBER 4th, 2024, WAS A DAY OF IMMENSE TRAGEDY FOR APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL, FOR BARROW COUNTY, AND FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF GEORGIA.

AN EVIL ACT OF VIOLENCE TOOK CLAIMS OF FOUR CHERISHED GEORGIANS, WHO WERE DEEPLY LOVED BY THEIR FAMILIES, COLLEAGUES, AND THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE SHOOTING HAS BEEN TOP OF MIND FOR LAWMAKERS THIS SESSION.

KEMP HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED ALLOCATING MONEY TO SCHOOL SECURITY PROGRAMS.

PRESENTED IS ALSO ORDERED A NEW LEADER.

MINORITY LEADER CAROLYN HUGLEY BECAME THE SECOND WOMAN EVER TO LEAD THE MINORITY CAUCUS IN THE GEORGIA HOUSE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CAROLYN HUGLEY MADE HISTORY BY BECOMING THE SECOND WOMAN TO HOLD THE TITLE OF THE MINORITY CAUCUS LEADER AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF HER AND WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE HER.

WITH THESE ROSES.

WE ALSO HAVE A NICE PLAQUE FOR YOU THAT READS "HISTORY MAKER SECOND WOMAN LEADER OF THE GEORGIA HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS JANUARY 2025 THE 2027. "

>> Reporter: THE DAY STARTED IN THE SENATE WITH A TRIBUTE TO FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER BY TWO SENATORS DURING THEIR MOMENTS OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

>> AND CHARLEMAGNE PROUD OF: BOTH PRESIDENT AND MISSES CARTER MY MOST DISTINGUISHED CONSTITUENTS OF STATE SENATE DISTRICT 12, WHO NEVER CARED MUCH ABOUT THE ACCOLADES, ONLY COMPLETING THE WORK AT HAND.

THANK YOU PRESIDENT CARTER FOR COMPLETING MORE WORK AND LEAVING A LEGACY FILLED WITH LESSONS OF LOVE, OF PEACE, INTEGRITY, TRUTH, AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> Reporter: NEWLY ELECTED SENATOR RANDAL MANGHAM SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF MEETING THE THEN GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA ON A CAPITAL VISIT AS A STUDENT.

>> IT MEANT SO MUCH TO ME BECAUSE, WHERE I LIVE, AS THE GUY SAID YESTERDAY WHEN YOU ARE BLACK, GOT BACK, THAT BADGE OF INFERIORITY, IT TOOK A LOT FOR ME TO GET OVER IT.

BUT, FOR JIMMY CARTER AS GOVERNOR TO SHAKE MY HAND, IT MEANT SO MUCH AND HAD SUCH AN IMPACT ON ME THAT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU JIMMY CARTER FOR DOING WHAT YOU DID.

BUT, NOT ONLY THAT, YOU GUYS ARE SHAKING MY HAND AND IT MAY MEAN SO LITTLE TO YOU BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT ON THE STREET THAT IF YOU SHAKE THEIR HANDS, IT MEANS SUCH DIGNITY THAT YOU BESTOWED UPON PEOPLE WHO HAVE LESS DIGNITY.

>> Reporter: THE SENATE THEN ACCEPTED THE HOUSE RESOLUTION INVITATION TO JOIN CHAMBERS FOR GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP'S THURSDAY STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AND THE STATE OF THE JUDICIARY EVENT LATER THIS MONTH.

>> LEGISLATORS CAN BE IN TOMORROW FOR DAY THREE AND GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE HIS HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION PRIORITIES.

BACK TO YOU, DONNA.

>> THANKS, SARAH, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

> >> GEORGE'S PRISON SYSTEM IS STRUGGLING.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SAYS THE STATE IS, "DON'T BE INDIFFERENT TO THE UNSAFE CONDITIONS.

GEORGIA HAS THE FOURTH HIGHEST STATE PRISON POPULATION IN THE U.S. CLOSE TO 50,000 PEOPLE ARE INCARCERATED IN 34 STATE OPERATED PRISONS AND 4 PRIVATE PRISONS.

CORRECTIONAL OFFICER VACANCY RATES ARE AROUND 50% SYSTEMWIDE AND OVER 70% AT 10 OF THE LARGEST FACILITIES.

A LARGE GROUP OF LEGISLATORS HAVE LOOKED AT PRISON ISSUES.

THE JOINT APPROPRIATIONS HOUSE AND SENATE PUBLIC SAFETY SUBCOMMITTEE AND THEN HOUSE SPECIAL SUBCOMMITTEE OF APPROPRIATIONS.

TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WITH THAT LONG NAME AREN'T LAWYERS AND THEY ARE JOINING US ON THE SHOW TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE FINDINGS.

THE REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE IS BLAKE TILLERY OF PROVIDE ALIEN INTO THE DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES, SCOTT HOLCOMB OF ATLANTA, ALSO A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

A BIG ISSUE.

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR HAS ALREADY STARTED ON THIS.

LET'S START WITH THE PROBLEMS FIRST.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE GOING ON WITH THE PRISONS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY NOT REALIZE ARE HAPPENING.

>> THE ONLY THING I WOULD TAKE ISSUE UP FRONT IS THE CONSCIOUSLY INDIFFERENT.

I THINK THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR, REPRESENTATIVE AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THIS ISSUE FOR A WHILE AND IT DATES BACK TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

WHEN WE GOT TO THE POINT THE ONLY FOLKS WE WERE KEEPING HIM PRISONS WERE THE ONES THAT NOT THAT YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE ONES YOU WERE THEN SCARED OF, TO USE A COLLOQUIALISM WE USED TO USE, YOU HAVE A HARDER PRISON NOW IN OUR PRESENCE AND THAT BREEDS DIFFERENT ISSUES THAN WE PROBABLY HAD BEFORE.

>> LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT, WHAT YOU, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FACILITIES THEMSELVES, WHICH HAVE LED TO THE PROBLEMS.

>> THERE ARE A FEW FACTORS WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

ONE IS THE STAFFING LEVELS ARE A CHALLENGE, AS NOTED.

WE HAVE UNDERSTAFFING IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HIRED.

WE HAVE HIGH TURNOVER RATES, WHICH CREATES A CONSTANT DRAIN ON THE SYSTEM.

THEN, THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH THEY WORK OR NOT OPTIMAL.

THERE ARE INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES, WHICH INCLUDE ONE OF THE THINGS WE LEARNED IS OF THE EXTENT OF BROKEN LOCKS AND THOSE NEED TO WORK FOR THE SYSTEM OVERALL TO BE EFFICIENT AND SUCCESSFUL.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU DISCUSSED EARLIER, AND YOU SHARED WITH ME, IS THE LENGTH IT WILL TAKE, THE TIMELINE IT WILL EVEN TAKE TO FIX SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS.

>> IT WILL.

THE COMMISSIONERS STATED THAT TO FIX ALL THE LOCKS TO GET THEM IN THE CONDITION THE STATE NEEDS TO BE IN WILL TAKE 5 TO 6 YEARS, JUST TO GIVE THE PUBLIC SOME SENSE OF HOW SIGNIFICANT THE ISSUES ARE THAT WE HAVE TO WORK ON.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LOCKS.

APPARENTLY THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH CORRECTIONS OFFICERS FOR EVERYONE.

SO, WHEN THE LOCKS ARE BROKEN, SOME OF THE PRISONERS ARE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THEIR CELLS.

>> IT IS NEXT TO THE DIFFICULT JOB.

I DON'T KNOW THAT ANY OF US WOULD WANT THE JOB REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE PAY IS AND OUR PAY STARTED EXTREMELY LOW.

GOVERNOR KEMP INTO THE COMMISSION AND THE LEGISLATURE HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN TRAINING TO RAISE THE STARTING PAY.

THAT STARTING PAY IS AROUND $42,000, JUST TO GIVE, OUR AVERAGE PAY IS NOT TERRIBLY HIGHER THAN THAT.

AVERAGE TEACHER.

GEORGIA IS AROUND 67.

WE ARE NOT COMPARING TEACHERS TO CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS BUT SOME OF THE THINGS THE PRISON GUARDS ARE HAVING TO IMPORT, I'M NOT SURE ANY OF US WOULD DO FOR $43,000.

00.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING TRYING TO PUT MORE MONEY IN.

THE GOVERNOR STARTED TALKING ABOUT THAT ALREADY.

>> HE ROLLED OUT A 4% PAY INCREASE THAT WILL NOT BE TIED TO ANY OTHER STATE EMPLOYEES, THIS IS IN ADDITION TO ANYTHING ELSE WE WOULD TO DO.

FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, AND FOR OTHER FIELDS, MENTAL HEALTH AND NONESECURITY-RELATED POSITIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, TALKING ABOUT AND 8% RAISE.

THAT IS TO BRING THEM TO PARITY WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS WITH OUR DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, FOR EXAMPLE.

WE PROBABLY HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.

I THINK YOU WILL HEAR FROM THE LEGISLATORS THEMSELVES WHO HAVE A LOT MORE INTEREST IN POSSIBLY ADDING TO THAT.

>> I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF ISSUES AND PRISONS HAVE, IN THE PAST, BEEN KIND OF NOT SOMETHING WE ALL TALK ABOUT.

I GUESS WE DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT THEM IN MANY WAYS BUT WE NEED TO >> THAT ARE NOT GLAMOROUS BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE OWE OUR CITIZENS OF OUR STATE FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS.

ONE, WE OWE OUR EMPLOYEES TO DO SOMETHING RIGHT BY THEIR SAFETY.

WE OWE A DUTY OF SAFETY TO OUR INMATES AND WE OWE A DUTY OF SAFETY TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT HOLCOMB WE TALKED ABOUT THE FACILITIES PIECE BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS.

CONTRABAND COMING INTO THE PRISONS.

THAT INCLUDES CELL PHONES AND DRUGS AND WEAPONS AND DRONES.

WE HAD THE CASE WHERE LAST YEAR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SINCE A GUN DELIVERED BY A DRONE WAS INVOLVED IN WHAT THEY BELIEVE WAS A MURDER SUICIDE.

>> THERE ARE VERY REAL CHALLENGES THAT DIDN'T EXIST A DECADE AGO IN TERMS OF THE DRONES AND ENFORCING THAT.

IT IS TIED TO STAFFING LEVELS.

THE MORE PEOPLE YOU HAVE STUFF IN THE PRISON, THE MORE THEY CAN BE MAKING ROUNDS, THE MORE THEY CAN BE MAKING CHECKS FOR CONTRABAND AND ADDRESSING THAT.

WHEN YOU HAVE PRISONS THAT ARE UNDERSTAFFED, THAT LIMITS THE ABILITY FOR THEM TO COMBAT THESE ISSUES.

THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL THINGS WE CAN DO IN TERMS OF TECHNOLOGY TO ADDRESS THESE VERY REAL CHALLENGES.

BUT, IT GETS TO WE HAVE TO GET THE BASELINE RATE.

I THINK THERE'S GENERAL ACCEPTANCE THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE BASELINE RIGHT AT PRESENT, MEANING STAFFING, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THE OVERALL SYSTEM WORKING.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING MONEY IN, THE GOVERNOR IS NO, NOT WAITING UNTIL NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> THE GOVERNOR ROLLED OUT SOME NUMBERS.

IT IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR THE GOVERNOR TO ANNOUNCE ANY OF HIS SPENDING DOLLARS BEFORE NEXT FRIDAY OR THIS COMING FRIDAY.

HE ROLLED HIS NUMBERS OUT EARLY BECAUSE HE UNDERSTANDS HOW IMPORTANT THIS ISSUE IS FOR OUR STATE AS A WHOLE, HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO OUR EMPLOYEES.

THE FAMILIES OF INMATES AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.

$600 MILLION OF SPENDING IN THE AMENDED BUDGET AND AN ADDITIONAL 150 MILLION.

PEOPLE PUT THIS TOGETHER AND SAY WE SEE THE TOTAL DOLLARS OF SPEND.

BUT, IT IS EVEN MORE THAN THAT.

WHEN YOU START TO ANNUALIZE SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS, YOU ARE TALKING PARTS OF ANOTHER 150, 175 MILLION, TALKING ABOUT AN EXTRA BILLION DOLLARS.

THAT IS NOT EVEN GOING INTO SOME OF THE THINGS I EXPECT WE WILL HAVE TO ADD ADDITIONAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT IN COMPARISON TO THE CURRENT APARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS BUDGET, IT IS ABOUT 1.

5 BILLION.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ADDING 30% ON TOP OF A BUDGET THAT IS ALREADY A VERY LARGE BUDGET TO BEGIN WITH.

>> DO YOU THINK THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST IN MAKING SURE THIS MONEY GOES INTO THE PRESENT?

>> I DO.

I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF INTEREST BY THE LEGISLATURE IN THAT IT IS SPENT WISELY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH BIG DOLLARS AND A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT, SOMETIMES THE DETAILS GET LOST.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE AN EXTRA FOCUS OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THESE DOLLARS SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE SO LARGE AND BECAUSE THE ISSUE IS SO IMPORTANT, WHETHER YOU ARE A FAMILY OF AN INMATE, FAMILY OF A VICTIM YOU ARE AN EMPLOYEE WHO WORKS FOR US ON A DAILY BASIS, IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ALL OF THOSE GROUPS AND MORE.

>> SPEAKING OF THE FAMILIES OF INMATES, ANOTHER ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH HEALTH CARE FOR THE PRISONERS, THOSE INCARCERATED.

ROUGHLY 410 MEDICAL BEDS RIGHT NOW INSIDE OF THE STATE PRISON FOR ALMOST 50,000 INMATES.

AND, SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO RELY ON OUTSIDE SERVICES.

THAT IS COSTLY TOO.

>> IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND I AGREE WITH CHAIRMAN BLAKE TILLERY'S POINT IN TERMS OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

I HOPE LONG-TERM WE SET IN PLACE STRONG ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS TO MONITOR HOW WE ARE DOING IN TERMS OF VIOLENCE, HOW ARE WE DOING IN TERMS OF HEALTH AND HEALTH OUTCOMES.

ONE QUESTION THAT I RAISED IN OUR COMMITTEE WAS THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHOSE PHYSICAL CONDITION IS SUCH THAT THE LIKELIHOOD OF THEM BEING A THREAT TO THE PUBLIC IS QUITE LOW.

DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO KEEP INDIVIDUALS LIKE THAT IN THE PRISON SYSTEM OR DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO PURSUE SOME OTHER ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE LESS COSTLY TO THE STATE AND MAYBE OVERALL.

>> DID THE COMMITTEE LOOK INTO THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT IT MOSTLY FOCUSING ON THE MONEY ISSUES?

>> IT WAS EVERYTHING BECAUSE WE HAVE TO, THE MONEY IS DIRECTLY TIED TO WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?

IT IS NOT JUST THROWING MONEY AT THE PROBLEM BUT WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO ALLOCATE RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ACHIEVE THE OUTCOMES THAT WE WANT?

>> DO YOU THINK THERE'S PRESSURE BECAUSE OF THIS DOJ REPORT THAT TO GET SOMETHING DONE RIGHT AWAY OR TO AT LEAST SHOW THAT GEORGIA IS DOING SOMETHING?

>> I'M SURE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE STEPPED IN AT RANDOM TIMES BUT I WILL TELL YOU THE FOCUS TO STICK WAS FOCUSED BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BEGAN FOCUSED ON THIS ISSUE.

THE SENATE WAS APPROPRIATING MONEY FOR THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS, GERMAN RANDY ROBERTSON MADE THIS A PRIORITY AS IT RELATED TO CELL PHONES AND CONTRABAND, AS IT RELATED TO DRONES.

THIS IS AN ISSUE WE WERE GLAD TO LOCK ARMS WITH OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE AND TACKLE TOGETHER.

>> THE FACT THAT YOU CAME UP WITH A COMMITTEE TO WORK ON IT SAYS A LOT.

IT WAS, I IMAGINE YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING IN TO TALK.

OF COURSE, THE HEAD OF THE COLLECTION SYSTEMS BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ON VERY DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ALL OF THIS.

>> THERE IS WIDESPREAD INTEREST IN GETTING IT RIGHT AND I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PUBLIC COVERAGE, BOTH THROUGH THE MEDIA AND THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT'S REPORT WITH THE DOJ IN TERMS OF WHAT THE ISSUES ARE.

I THINK IT IS WIDELY KNOWN WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AND NOW WE HAVE TO WORK TO CORRECT THEM.

>> WE WILL KEEP UP WITH IT AND YOU WILL TELL US ABOUT IT.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUDGET LATER ON IN THE SESSION.

I'D APPRECIATE IT.

I APPRECIATE YOU BOTH COMING ON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

> >> COMING UP, TWO MORE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES.

LEGISLATORS WILL DISCUSS POSSIBLE LEGISLATION DEALING WITH SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY CAMERAS.

THE > >> AND, THE SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMS.

YOU ARE WATCHING LAWMAKERS ON GPB.

>> GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PRESERVING GEORGIA AGRICULTURE.

FARM BUREAU ADVOCATES FOR ALL GEORGIA FARMERS AT THE STATE CAPITAL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR-ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>> IT IS GOOD TO HAVE EVERYONE BACK TOGETHER.

>> GOOD NEWS INDEED.

>> PUT YOUR FEET UP A MINUTE.

>> IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

>> IT'S WHAT I LOVE DOING.

>> CUP OF TEA?

>> FRESHLY BAKED BISCUITS.

>> ALWAYS.

>> THIS IS PROVING RATHER COZY, ISN'T IT?

>> UNDERSTANDING THE PAST GIVES A SENSE OF THE FUTURE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT ANYONE HAS SEEN THIS IN 2000 YEARS.

>> THIS IS AMAZING.

>> I'M EXCITED NOW.

>> POMPEII IS A BATTLE AGAINST TIME.

>> YOU THINK I'M JOKING BUT LOOK AT THIS.

IT REALLY HAPPENED.

>> DON'T LET ANYBODY TELL YOU WHO YOU ARE.

>> HISTORY TEACHES US TO HONOR THE PAST.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK BACK, THEY ARE LIKE HOW IT IS PRETTY SPECIAL.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS ALTERING THE COURSE OF HISTORY.

>> YOU ARE CHARGED WITH KEEPING THESE STORIES ALIVE.

> >> WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS.

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

PROTECTING CHILDREN IS ALWAYS TOP OF MIND DURING ANY GENERALISSIMO.

JOINING ME ARE LAWMAKERS LOOKING AT LEGISLATION ON TWO VERY DIFFERENT ISSUES.

DEMOCRATIC SENATOR EMANUEL JONES OF DECATUR IS CHAIR OF THE SENATE SAFE FIREARM STORAGE STUDY COMMITTEE.

AND, REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE DALE WASHBURN OF MACON IS LOOKING INTO POSSIBLE LEGISLATION ON SCHOOL ZONE SPEEDING CAMERAS.

WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS TO BOTH OF YOU.

THESE ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT TOPICS.

WE WILL GO BACK AND FORTH A LITTLE BIT.

BEFORE I GET TO YOU, SENATOR JONES, I WANT TO GO OVER SOME INFORMATION PRESENTED TO YOUR COMMITTEE LAST YEAR.

A STUDY FROM AUTHORITIES RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUND 58% OF OWNERS STORE ONE FIREARM UNLOCKED AND HID IN THE.

NEARLY 18% STORE ONE FIREARM UNLOCKED AND ON HIDDEN.

AND, THAT IS FROM RUTGERS.

BUT, THE GROUP "BE SMART" PRESENTED THESE NUMBERS, 205 CHILDREN AND TEENS DIE BY GUN EVERY YEAR.

20% OF CHILDREN ACTING DESPERATE SUICIDES, 66% OF CHILDREN AND TEEN DEATHS ARE HOMICIDES.

SO, YOU HAD BE BIPARTISAN MIDI.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT WAS TOPLESS, FIRST OF ALL, YOU MADE THIS CLEAR, THIS WASN'T ABOUT THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

SO, TALK ABOUT WHAT IT WAS ABOUT, THIS STUDY COMMITTEE.

>> THE STUDY COMMITTEE WAS ABOUT PROTECTING KIDS AND FINDING A WAY TO MAKE HIGH SCHOOLS SAFER IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

WE HAVE HAD A HORRIFIC INCIDENT RECENTLY THAT WAS THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE OF.

AND, THOSE KIND OF THINGS HAPPEN TOO OFTEN IN OUR GREAT STATE.

WE CAN DO BETTER AND THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDY COMMITTEE AND THE WORK WE DID TO PRESENT SOME PROPOSALS TO THE GENERAL SIMPLY SO WE CAN REDUCE THOSE INCIDENTS.

>> WHILE YOU WERE HAVING YOUR STUDY COMMITTEE MEETINGS, THE TRAGIC INCIDENT AT APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL HAPPENED.

WE WILL TALK TO YOU MORE IN JUST A SECOND.

I WANT TO GET INTO SPEEDING ZONE CAMERAS A LITTLE BIT HERE.

REPRESENTATIVE WASHBURN, YOU ARE LOOKING INTO THOSE CAMERAS.

HOUSE SPEAKER BURNS TALKED ABOUT IT AS ONE OF HIS PRIORITIES.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AS FAR AS YOU ARE CONCERNED WITH THE SPEED ZONE CAMERAS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DONNA.

I AM DELIGHTED TO BE WITH YOU AND I'M DELIGHTED TO SEE THE SPEAKER'S COMMENTS ON THE SPEED ZONE CAMERAS.

LET ME GIVE YOU A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT THAT.

FIRST OF ALL, I SHOULD SAY I AM A GRANDFATHER, I HAVE SIX GRANDCHILDREN AND CERTAINLY CHILDREN SAFETY AROUND THE SCHOOLS IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

BUT, I NEED TO TELL YOU I BEGAN TO GET COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SCHOOL ZONE CAMERAS OVER A YEAR AGO FROM CONSTITUENTS.

THEN, I WANT TO GET SOME CREDIT TO A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER IN MONROE COUNTY CALLED THE MUNRO MACON REPORTER.

WILL DAVIS IS THE PUBLISHER AND HE BEGAN TO DO INVESTIGATIVE WORK ON THIS AND HE HAS DISCOVERED SOME THINGS ABOUT THE VOLUMES OF MONEY THAT HAVE BEEN COLLECTED AND ABOUT THE NUMBER OF CITATIONS THAT ARE BEING ISSUED IN PARTICULAR.

WHEN I BEGAN TO LET IT BE KNOWN THAT I WAS PLANNING TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO BAN THESE CAMERAS, I HEARD FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER THE STATE BECAUSE IT IS CLEAR THAT SOMETHING THAT WAS WELL-INTENTIONED WHEN IT WAS PASSED IS NOW BEING ABUSED AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS RAKING IN LARGE SUMS OF MONEY AND ALSO OUT OF STATE PROVIDERS OF THESE CAMERAS ARE RAKING IN SUMS OF MONEY AND I BELIEVE THAT IS WRONG.

IT IS DEMISING OUR PEOPLE.

>> YOU WANT TO GET RID OF THE CAMERAS ALTOGETHER?

>> LEGISLATION I FILED HAS 28 COSIGNERS AND I THINK I WILL HAVE MORE TOMORROW.

IT DOES CALL FOR BANNING THEM CAMERAS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT IS BEING ABUSED AND THAT IT DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE EFFECTIVELY TO CHILDREN SAFETY AND IT IS RAKING IN LARGE SUMS OF MONEY.

I CAN GIVE YOU SOME SPECIFICS WHEN YOU ARE READY FOR THEM.

>> WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU IN JUST A SECOND.

I WANT TO GET BACK TO SAFE FIREARM STORAGE ABLE TO GET.

YOUR COMMITTEE TOOK HIM A LOT OF INFORMATION AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE SAID, IT IS A BIPARTISAN COMMITTEE.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS YOU CAME UP WITH?

>> THERE ARE TWO CRITICAL RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE MADE.

ONE OF THE RECOGNITIONS DEALT WITH CREATING A STATEWIDE DATABASE AND COULD BE DIRECT DOE.

I WAS DELIGHTED TO HEAR THE SPEAKER WAS SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PARTICULAR IDEA.

AND, OF COURSE, THE SECOND RECOMMENDATION REVOLVED AROUND THE ISSUE OF FILE AND SAY STORAGE AND TRYING TO INCENTIVIZE HOMEOWNERS TO STORE THEIR FIREARMS SAFELY.

>> TALK ABOUT HOW WOULD THAT WORK?

IS THERE, WHAT IS THE INCENTIVE?

WHAT WOULD BE THE INCENTIVE?

>> LAST YEAR, WE NARROWLY PASSED, NEARLY DID NOT PASS A TAX BREAK FOR THOSE THAT PURCHASED WEAPONS AND THE INCENTIVE WOULD BE TAX BREAKS FOR THOSE THAT PURCHASED WEAPONS AND THOSE THAT ARE MANUFACTURING THE WEAPONS AS WELL.

WE ARE LOOKING AT IT FROM POST, BOTH PERSPECTIVES.

>> HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT AT THIS POINT IN TERMS OF WHETHER OR NOT, GETTING ANYTHING PAST WHEN IT COMES TO GUNS IN GEORGIA HAS BEEN HARD AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> IT HAS.

GEORGIA, WELL, WE KNOW IN OUR GREAT STATE THAT PEDIATRIC DEATHS, GUNS WAS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR KIDS.

WE CAN DO BETTER.

MORE THAN ONE OF THE PRESENT THEMSELVES AT THE ARTS ACROSS OUR GREAT STATE.

WHY IS THAT?

GUNS ARE NOT BEING STORED SAFELY.

AND, TOO MANY CHILDREN, YOUNG KIDS ARE GAINING ACCESS TO THOSE WEAPONS.

THAT IS THE PROBLEM WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS WITH THE FIREARM AND SAY STORAGE STUDY COMMITTEE.

>> OKAY.

BACK WITH YOU IN JUST A SECOND.

> >> LET'S TALK ABOUT IF YOU GET RID OF THE CAMERAS, WHAT WOULD REPLACE THEM?

>> IN THE PAST, OF COURSE, FOR ONE THING, IN MANY SCHOOL SITUATIONS, THERE ARE NOT MANY KIDS THAT WALK TO SCHOOL ANYMORE.

THEY ARE DROPPED OFF AT THE DOOR.

BUT, THERE ARE KITS THAT ARE WALKING TO SCHOOL.

IN THE PAST, WE HAVE HAD CROSSING GUARDS OR A PATROL CAR PARKED THERE TO ATTRACT ATTENTION THAT IT WAS, THAT YOU ARE ENTERING A SCHOOL ZONE.

CERTAINLY, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH FLASHING LIGHTS NOTIFYING PEOPLE THAT A SCHOOL ZONE IS COMING UP.

BUT, THESE CAMERAS ARE THEY ARE, IN MY VIEW, THEY ARE USING SCHOOL SAFETY, THEY ARE USING THE REASON OF SCHOOL SAFETY AND RAKING IN LARGE SUMS OF MONEY.

>> I WANT TO GET TO THAT WAS A QUICK FOR WE RUN OUT OF TIME.

WHAT WE ARE HEARING IS THERE ARE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS RECEIVING THAT MONEY.

THE MONEY THAT IS COMING IN FROM SPEEDING IS GOING TO INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, NOT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, NOT, WHO IS GETTING THE MONEY?

>> SOME GOES TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?

>> I CAN GIVE YOU, THIS IS ONE OF THE COMPANIES, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15th IN MACON COUNTY, THE TOTAL COLLECTIONS IS $6,573,454.

00 SINCE THE CAMERAS WERE PUT IN.

$6,573,404.

00.

OF THAT, THE SHARE OF REVENUE TO THE CAMERA COMPANY WAS $190,050.

00.

THIS IS NOT A STATE COMPANY.

IN THAT TIME, THE REPORTER DISCOVERED, AND HAS DOCUMENTED, OVER 50,000 CITATIONS WERE ISSUED.

50,000 CITATIONS.

I THINK IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THERE ARE THAT MANY, THAT THERE ARE OVER 50,000 DRIVERS IN MACON WHO ARE SPEEDING THROUGH SCHOOL ZONES.

THIS IS A SCHEMA TO RISK IN MONEY AND IT IS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE STATE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE SAY IS THEY HAVE RECEIVED TICKETS WHEN THE SCHOOLS WEREN'T IN SESSION.

>> YOU ARE CORRECT.

WE HEAR ALL THE TIME THAT TICKETS ARE GIVEN WITHOUT THE LIGHTS FLASHING OUTSIDE OF THE HOURS WHERE THE KIDS WERE COMING TO SCHOOL OR GOING HOME FROM SCHOOL.

THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION SOMETIMES ABOUT WHAT THE SPEED LIMITS ARE.

MANY OF THESE CAMERAS ARE BASED ON A ROAD WHERE THE SCHOOL IS ACTUALLY 1000 OR 1500 FEET DOWN ONTO THE PUBLIC ROAD FROM WHERE PEOPLE ARE BEING TICKETED COMING THROUGH.

IN MY MIND, IT IS DESIGNED TO ENTRAP AND TO RAKE IN HUGE SUMS OF MONEY AND GEORGIA CITIZENS DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT.

OUR POOR PEOPLE ARE BEING HIT BY THESE THINGS.

I HAD AN EMAIL FROM A LADY SENDING THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS, I HAVE HEARD FROM SOME FOLKS OF LOWER INCOME LEVELS WHO HAVE GOTTEN THESE TICKETS AND ONE WHO COULDN'T GET HER TAG RENEWED BECAUSE OF AN UNPAID TICKET.

THIS IS WRONG.

OUR CITIZENS DESERVE BETTER.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY.

IT IS ABOUT RAKING IN LARGE SUMS OF MONEY.

THAT IS WHY I WANT TO FIGHT IT SO HARD.

>> IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALL OVER GEORGIA.

DO MOST SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE THEM?

>> WELL, I WOULD NOT SAY MOST.

BUT, THEY ARE ALL OVER GEORGIA.

WHEN I MADE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND I WAS STARTING TO DO THIS AND FOX 5 ATLANTA COVERED THIS, I HAVE HAD EMAILS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE.

THEY ARE IN A NUMBER OF AREAS IN THE STATE, NOT IN EVERY AREA BUT A NUMBER OF AREAS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE GET MORE THAN ONE TICKET.

GOT SOME SUPPORT FROM THE HOUSE SPEAKER.

WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES.

YOU FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT THE LEGISLATION YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE?

>> I DO, ABSOLUTELY.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU BOTH BEING HERE AND WE WILL STAY UP TO DATE ON WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BUT THAT'S IT FOR LAWMAKERS TODAY.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW AND WE WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS ON HEALTH CARE ISSUES AND ALSO DISASTER RELIEF, FROM HURRICANE HELENE, FOR THOSE WHO SUFFERED WHEN IT SWEPT THROUGH GEORGIA.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.