♪♪ >>> THE CRISIS ON A BORDER IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM.

IT DEMANDS A NATIONAL SOLUTION.

BUT IF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO FAIL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THEN WE HAVE NO CHOICE, NO CHOICE BUT TO STEP IN.

>> REPUBLICANS PUSH THROUGH RESOLUTIONS CONDEMNING PRESIDENT BIDEN'S BORDER CONTROL POLICIES.

THE GOVERNOR RESPONDS TODAY BY ANNOUNCING THAT MORE GEORGIA NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS ARE HEADED TO TEXAS.

GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

WE ARE AT THE HALFWAY POINT IN THE 2024 GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

MORE ON THE BORDER RESOLUTIONS IN A MOMENT.

>>> IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE GEORGIA PASSED A MENTAL HEALTH PARODY ACT.

IT WAS CONSIDERED A START TOWARDS IMPROVING THE MENTAL HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM.

WHERE DO THINGS STAND NOW?

WE WILL GET UPDATES FROM TWO OF THE LAWMAKERS.

>>> WE WILL TALK TO ANOTHER LAWMAKER THAT WANTS TO HELP STUDENTS WITH STRESS AND ANXIETY.

>>> WHAT LEGISLATION DOES THE STATE NEED TO HANDLE WHAT IS GOING ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE NOW AND WHAT'S COMING DOWN THE PIKE?

>>> FIRST, LET'S GET THE CAPITOL REPORT.

>> AS WE REACH THE HALFWAY POINT IN THE SESSION, IT WAS A TALE OF TWO CHAMBERS, LEADING UP TO A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR.

IT WAS A HARMONIOUS DAY IN THE SENATE WITH SEVEN BILLS PASSING ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY.

TODAY'S MOST NOTABLE, A BILL THAT PROMOTES GUN SAFETY.

>> ALL OF US WANT TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM ACCIDENTAL INJURIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF US WHO ARE LAWFUL GUN OWNERS.

THIS IS AN INCENTIVE FOR LAWFUL GUN OWNERS TO PURCHASE SAFE STORAGE BY EXEMPTING THEM FROM SALES TAX.

>> THE BILL PASSED 46-1.

THE OTHER BILLS THAT WERE PASSED INCLUDED THE CREATION OF A NEW CIRCUIT COURT IN WEST GEORGIA, INCREASING FINES FOR PEOPLE IN GROUPS MISREPRESENTING THEMSELVES AS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.

CHANGES TO HOW TRUCKING COMPANIES CAN ENSURE THEMSELVES IN THEIR LIABILITIES.

FINALLY, SB334 WHICH WILL LAW FIREFIGHTERS TO MOVE TO OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND KEEP THEIR CANCER INSURANCE COVERAGE.

>> MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE FIRE SERVICE HAVE AN INCREASED RISK AND RATE OF CANCER GREATER THAN THE PUBLIC.

SADLY, THE DEATH RATE IS ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER.

THE BILL THAT WE PASSED IN 2017 GREATLY HELPED THE PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY WHO RESPOND IN YOUR GREATEST TIME OF NEED.

THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE CLEANUP BILL.

WHEN WE ORIGINALLY CRAFTED THE LEGISLATION, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE WAS AT A FIRE DEPARTMENT ONE YEAR BEFORE THEY WOULD GET THE INSURANCE.

HOWEVER, WE DID NOT WANT TO HAVE THAT INSURANCE HAVE A GAP IF THEY MOVE FROM ONE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO THE NEXT FIRE DEPARTMENT.

>> ACTIVITY IN THE HOUSE WAS MORE CONTENTIOUS.

MEMBERS PASSED A RESOLUTION THAT SUPPORTED TEXAS' BORDER DEFENSE.

IT CONDEMNS BIDEN'S BORDER POLICY.

REPUBLICANS WHO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION SAY THAT EVERY STATE IS A BORDER STATE.

>> HOUSE RESOLUTION 1019 IS A SIMPLE BILL THAT MAKES CLEAR THAT GEORGIA IS LEADING WHERE OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS FAILING.

THEY ARE FAILING TO SECURE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER.

THEY ARE FAILING TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES, ALL AROUND THIS STATE AND AROUND THIS NATION.

THEY ARE FAILING TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THE DRUG EPIDEMIC THAT HAS BEEN PLIGHTING OUR COMMUNITIES.

THE HOUSE RESOLUTION EMPOWERS OUR GOVERNOR TO PROVIDE RESOURCES NECESSARY IN THE STATE-LED COALITION TO SECURE THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

>> THEY ALLEGE STRICTER BORDER SECURITY WOULD REDUCE THE FLOW OF FENTANYL.

DEMOCRATIC OPPONENTS SAID WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO MITIGATE THE FENTANYL CRCRISIS.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO FIX THE CRISIS IF WE CONTINUE DOWN THIS PATH.

THE OTHER THING ABOUT THIS RESOLUTION SPECIFICALLY THAT CONCERNS ME -- IN ADDITION TO THE FACT IT TENDS TO RESTATE FACTS THAT ARE INCORRECT -- IS THE FACT THAT IT IS LEADING US DOWN A DANGEROUS ROAD AS IT RELATES TO OUR CONSTITUTION, THE SEPARATION OF POWERS, AS IT RELATES TO OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A STATE VERSUS AS A COUNTRY.

>> THE DEBATE GOT HEATED OVER LANGUAGE.

>> VERY IMPRESSIVE.

I KNOW SPANISH, TOO.

BUT I'M NOT GOING TO PANDER TO MY COMMUNITY.

I RESPECT THIS BODY.

I RESPECT THE STATE.

IN THIS COUNTRY, WE SPEAK ENGLISH.

>> THE RESOLUTION PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES.

98-71.

IT ALSO SUPPORTED GOVERNOR KEMP IN DOING WHAT HE FEELS IS NECESSARY TO SECURE THE BORDER, WHICH HE ADDRESSED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE LATER IN THE DAY.

>> THEREFORE, I'M ANNOUNCING TODAY THAT IN ADDITION TO THE GEORGIA GUARDSMEN STATIONED AT THE BORDER, WE WILL SEND REINFORCEMENTS TO TEXAS THIS SPRING WHO WILL ASSIST IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COMMAND POST ON THE BORDER WITH MEXICO.

THIS GROUP OF WELL-TRAINED SOLDIERS WILL INCLUDE THOSE WITH ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL AND GENERAL PURPOSE SKILLS.

>> HE WILL SEND THE GEORGIA NATIONAL GUARD TO TEXAS TO HELP GOVERNOR ABBOTT AT THE BORDER.

LAWMAKERS WILL RETURN TO THE CAPITOL THURSDAY FOR DAY 21 AND LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS.

THAT'S ALL FOR MY REPORT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT.

>>> IN 2022, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED MENTAL HEALTH LEGISLATION.

SINCE THEN, THE PACE IN THAT AREA HAS SLOWED DOWN.

JOINING US ARE TWO LAWMAKERS HOPING TO SPEED THINGS UP THROUGH THEIR BILLS.

MARY MARGARET OLIVER HELPED LEAD THE EFFORT TO PUSH THROUGH PREVIOUS LEGISLATION.

AND DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE OMARI CRAWFORD IS AN ATTORNEY.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE GOING TO TALK SEPARATELY ABOUT YOUR THINGS.

I'M GOING TO GET TO YOU IN A SECOND.

LAST WEEK, THE CARTER CENTER HOSTED A MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN OF AWARENESS AND IMPLEMENT THE LAW.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT KIND OF SPOTLIGHT?

>> IT'S TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT.

I'M GRATEFUL TO THE CARTER CENTER.

I'M GRATEFUL TO THE BLANK FOUNDATION THAT ALSO FUNDED AFTER THIS HUGE EFFORT STATEWIDE TO GIVE PEOPLE INFORMATION THEY NEED ON HOW TO ENFORCE THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THE GEORGIA PARODY ACT.

IN THE SPRING OF 2022, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SPEAKER DAVID RAWLSTON, HIS LEADERSHIP BROUGHT PEOPLE TOGETHER TO RECOGNIZE THE CRISIS FAMILIES WERE FACING.

EQUAL TREATMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS AS FOR PHYSICAL ILLNESS IS AN ESSENTIAL FIRST PART.

>> NOW YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE.

>> WE ARE FOCUSING ON HOUSE BUILT 520 THAT FOLLOWED THE SECOND YEAR OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH REFORM.

520 CAME FROM THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMISSION.

WE HAD A VERY STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE HOUSE IN 2023.

THEN WE RAN INTO A LITTLE BIT OF A BLOCKAGE IN THE SENATE.

NOW IN 2024, WE ARE HAVING VERY GOOD, POSITIVE DISCUSSIONS THAT ALL THE SECOND YEAR'S PROVISIONS WILL HAPPEN.

>> LET'S BREAK DOWN SOME OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE LOOKED AT.

ONE OF THE BIG ONES HAS ALWAYS BEEN WORKFORCE.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

>> I'M CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKFORCE SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMISSION.

OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OUT OF THE COMMISSION REPORT IS -- RELATES TO STAFFING.

WE HAVE TO INCREASE THE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR PROVIDERS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM IS MOVING FORWARD.

WE PARTICULARLY HAVE TO MODERNIZE, MAKE THE LICENSING BOARDS FOR ALL OUR MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY.

WE ARE IN A NATIONAL DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW FOREIGN-BORN PROFESSIONALS, ONE IN EIGHT OF GEORGIANS ARE FOREIGN BORN TODAY.

HOW MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS COMING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES CAN OBTAIN THEIR GEORGIA LICENSE IN AN EFFICIENT WAY.

I REPRESENT THE EMORY COMMUNITY ON A REGULAR BASIS I'M WRITING LETTERS TO STATE DEPARTMENTS FOR VISA APPLICATIONS FOR HIGH LEVEL SCIENTISTS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES THAT ARE COMING TO EMORY FOR RESEARCH GRANTS.

WE'RE A BIG RESEARCH UNIVERSITY.

OUR LICENSE BOARDS ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE MODERN WORLD.

WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON DIFFERENT TRAINING, DIFFERENT FLEXIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT.

CHICK-FIL-A ALLOWS A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT WAYS FOR PEOPLE TO WORK.

SOME WORK VERY LONG 14-HOUR, 16-HOUR SESSIONS.

WE GIVE EMPLOYEES MORE OPTIONS, MORE OPPORTUNITIES, AND, OF COURSE, BETTER BENEFITS AND PAY.

>> I WANT TO TALK MORE ABOUT THAT.

I WANT TO GET TO YOU, REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD.

LET'S MOVE INTO SPECIFICS OF YOUR LEGISLATION DEALING WITH STUDENT ATHLETES.

I WANT TO GIVE BACKGROUND.

THE CDC REPORTS THAT 57% OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS.

THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE DID A STUDY OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND FOUND 91% OF THEM EXPERIENCE SOME KIND OF STRESS DUE TO PLAYING SPORTS.

OF THAT GROUP, 58% DESCRIBE MODERATE TO EXTREME STRESS.

AS WE LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS, SOME CLAIM STRESS POSITIVELY AFFECTED THEIR PERFORMANCE.

MOST STUDENTS LISTED FEAR OF FAILURE AND SELF-PRESSURE AS REASONS BEHIND THEIR STRESS.

18% BELIEVE THAT RECEIVING HELP FROM A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WOULD NOT BENEFIT THEM AT ALL.

YOUR BILL DEALS WITH STUDENT ATHLETES IN PARTICULAR.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> YES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND, I'M A FORMER STUDENT ATHLETE.

I PARTICIPATED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGIATE LEVEL.

>> IN TRACK?

>> IN TRACK AND FIELD, YES.

MY LATE COACH, MY TRACK COACH RECENTLY PASSED THIS PAST WEEK.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE WOULD SAY TO US IS THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO COMPETE AND THE WILL TO WIN IS SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON, BUT IMPORTANT, YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON THE WILL TO PREPARE TO WIN.

HE WAS A PIONEER IN MAKING SURE ANY TIME WE COMPETED, WE WOULD DO MENTAL EXERCISES, BREATHING EXERCISES TO CLEAR OUR MIND.

HE WAS VERY BIG ON MAKING SURE THAT WE WERE STRESS FREE WHEN WE WOULD GO OUT AND COMPETE.

HE UNDERSTOOD, LIKE I UNDERSTAND, AS I COMPETED AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL, ESPECIALLY, IS THAT THERE'S A PARODY BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.

IF YOU ARE NOT MENTALLY PREPARED, THEN YOU WILL LIKELY BE INJURED PHYSICALLY.

THERE ARE SO MANY STUDENT ATHLETES THAT AS YOU STATED, THE DATA SHOWS THAT WE ARE UNDER IMMENSE PRESSURE.

A LOT OF TIMES THAT STRESS IS BECAUSE WE WANT TO COMPETE AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL.

THEN WE DON'T NECESSARILY RECEIVE THE MENTAL HELP WE NEED.

WHAT THIS BILL IS DOING, IT'S A VERY SIMPLE BILL.

WE HAVE THE DATA.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS USE ALL OF THE DATA WE HAVE TO FUSE IT TOGETHER TO BE USER FRIENDLY FOR OUR COACHES, FOR OUR STUDENT ATHLETES AND OUR PARENTS SO THAT THEY CAN KNOW THE STATISTICS.

WE HAVE -- OUR COACHES GO THROUGH TRAINING TO LOOK AT CONCUSSION PROTOCOL.

WHILE THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT, THAT'S REACTIVE.

WE WANT TO BE MORE PROACTIVE.

IF WE KNOW THESE STATISTICS AND THESE DANGERS EXIST, MAKE SURE OUR COACHES, PARENTS AND STUDENT ATHLETES KNOW WHAT TO DO ON THE FRONT END.

>> WE THINK OF MAYBE OLYMPIC ATHLETES, GYMNAST BILES AND HER AND OTHERS WHO HAVE TALKED ABOUT THEIR MENTAL ISSUES.

YOU ARE SAYING, WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT THIS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT THIS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL NOW MORE THAN EVER.

STATISTICS HAVE SHOWN OVER THE LAST 10 TO 15 YEARS, THE STRESS LEVELS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ATHLETES HAS INCREASED.

SOME OF THOSE STRESS FACTORS, OF COURSE, ARE EXACERBATED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE NEED TO START FOCUSING ON HOW WE CAN HELP OUR STUDENT ATHLETES FACE SOME OF THEIR STRESSES AND ANXIETY LEVELS.

>> WE SHOWED A PICTURE OF YOUR FORMER COACH.

WE HAVEN'T SAID HIS NAME.

NAPOLEON COBB.

>> HE WAS A HALL OF FAME COACH.

A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ABOUT HIM.

HE COACHED 11 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS, A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM AND MULTIPLE OLYMPIANS.

FOUR OLYMPIANS.

COLLECTIVELY, THEY WON APPROXIMATELY TEN MEDALS.

HE WAS A DYNAMIC COACH.

THEY NAMED THE STADIUM AFTER HIM.

>> A FEW DAYS AGO.

THAT'S WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU BEFORE WE LEAVE, DO YOU SEE ANY MENTAL HEALTH PARODY LEGISLATION, ANYTHING PASSING THIS SESSION?

>> YES.

WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE ELEMENTS -- THE PROVISIONS OF 520 THAT ADDRESS STAFFING AND ADDRESS ALTERNATIVE DISCIPLINARY AND ALSO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE LICENSING FOR FOREIGN-BORN PROFESSIONALS.

WE'RE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE SENATE.

I FEEL VERY HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL GET SUBSTANTIVE PROGRESS.

WE ARE KEEPING UP AND HAVING MULTIPLE MEETINGS WITH THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER ABOUT SPECIFIC IMPLEMENTATION OF PARODY PROVISIONS.

>> OKAY.

WE WILL KEEP AN UPDATE AND A WATCH ON YOUR BILL, TOO.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> COMING UP, WE TAKE YOU ON A RIDE ON THE HOPPER.

THE A.I.

OPERATED BUS.

WE HEAR FROM PASSENGERS.

>>> TWO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE ON THE LEGISLATION NEEDED TO KEEP UP THE PACE WHEN IT COMES TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

STAY WITH US.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

DEEPFAKES, AUTONOMOUS, SOME OF THE WORDS THAT ARE NOW PART OF OUR VOCABULARY BECAUSE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

LAST SUMMER WE WANTED TO TALK TO GEORGIANS ABOUT A.I.

WE WENT TO A PLACE WHERE IT'S IN USE.

WE GOT ON THE HOPPER, AN AUTONOMOUS BUS THAT TAKES FANS ACROSS THE INTERSTATE TO THE PARK.

WE ASKED GEORGIANS ON THEIR WAY TO A BRAVES GAME WHAT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT A.I.

>> IT'S SCARY.

YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY NOT BEING IN CONTROL OF IT.

SOME PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO BE IN CONTROL OF THEIR OWN VEHICLE.

WE WILL SEE.

I THINK IT'S A WAY THAT IT'S COMING.

>> I THINK IT WILL BE HELPFUL IN REDUCING CONGESTION.

I THINK AS WE AGE, FOR INSTANCE, THERE ARE PARTS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY THAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO.

I REALLY DO FEEL THAT IT WILL HELP ME AS I AGE BECOME MORE -- BE ABLE TO BE MORE INDEPENDENT.

I WILL BE ABLE TO GET TO THE DOCTOR, GET TO THE GROCERY STORE.

UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE.

THERE ARE MANY PIECES OF A.I.

THAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO ACTUALLY AS AN AGING PERSON.

>> I'M IN REAL ESTATE.

I USE IT FOR CHATGPT.

IT WRITES FOR ME AND DOES ALL KINDS OF STUFF FOR ME THAT USED TO MAKE ME FOREVER, BECAUSE I'M NOT A WRITER.

I GIVE IT MY IDEAS.

IT SPEWS OUT THIS BEAUTIFUL, ORGANIZES -- WHATEVER I WAS DOING, DESCRIPTION OF A HOUSE OR WHATEVER.

>> I'M NOT THE BIGGEST FAN OF A.I.

RIGHT NOW.

>> WHY?

>> FOR THAT REASON.

IT'S GOING TO PUT US IN AN AWKWARD SITUATION, I THINK, WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE FINDING JOBS AND BEING ABLE TO WORK.

WHAT IS A.I.

GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO WHEN IT COMES TO CONSTRUCTION OR PHYSICAL LABOR JOBS?

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE HURTING.

IN THE U.S., THE LABOR FORCE IN GENERAL.

I DO CONSTRUCTION FOR A LIVING.

THE BIGGEST THING I HAVE GOT RIGHT NOW IS TRYING TO FIND EMPLOYEES.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THAT WITH A.I.?

>> WHAT DOES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MEAN TO YOU?

>> ROBOTS.

>> IT'S ROBOTS TAKING DATA AND USING IT TO DO NEW THINGS ALMOST.

>> GOOD THINGS?

>> SOMETIMES.

YOU HAVE SEEN A.I.

ART AND MUSIC AND STUFF LIKE THAT, WHICH IS COOL.

ALSO SOME OF IT IS A LITTLE -- WE DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT IT.

>> WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S THE FUTURE.

WE SHOULD BE READY TO SEE WHAT IT ENTAILS.

>> JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT A.I.

LEGISLATION ARE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE TODD JONES.

HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION COMMITTEE.

AND REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE BRAD THOMAS IS VICE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND INNOVATION.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

YOU HEARD WHAT PEOPLE HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT.

BEFORE WE GET INTO IT, CHAIRMAN JONES, I KNOW THAT YOU AND THE FORMER PERSON WE HAD ON, REPRESENTATIVE MARY MARGARET OLIVER, WORKED ON THE MENTAL HEALTH PARODY ACT TWO YEARS AGO.

I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I THINK REPRESENTATIVE OLIVER LAID OUT WHERE WE ARE AT TODAY REALLY WELL.

THE ONLY THING THAT I WOULD ADD IS 988.

WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO LET EVERYONE KNOW -- EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT 911 IS ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE EMERGENCY YOU MAY BE HAVING.

WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT 988.

IF YOU HAVING A CHALLENGE WITH MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, PICK UP THE PHONE, DIAL 988.

SOMEONE IS ON THE LINE TO HELP YOU OUT.

>> VERY GOOD REMINDER.

LET'S GET INTO A.I.

A LITTLE BIT HERE.

GIVE US AN IDEA, REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS, WHAT'S TAKING PLACE IN GEORGIA THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT A.I.?

WE HEARD SOME PEOPLE TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> I THINK IT'S BEEN A NATIONALIZED ISSUE.

REALLY, I THINK WHAT WE HAVE DONE HERE IN GEORGIA IS, FIRST, WE DEFINED WHAT A.I.

IS IN A WAY NO OTHER STATE HAS DONE.

WE ARE A LEADER IN THE COUNTRY.

UNTIL WE CAN GATHER AROUND WHAT A.I.

IS, HOW DO YOU SET GOOD POLICY IN PLACE?

>> CAN YOU TELL US HOW YOU DEFINE IT?

IS IT COMPLICATED?

>> IT'S SO SPECIFIC.

MANY TIMES YOU HEAR PEOPLE SAY, THIS IS A SIMPLE BILL.

THIS IS NOT A SIMPLE BILL AND NOT A SIMPLE TOPIC.

IT TAKES SIGNIFICANT EFFORT AND MULTIPLE PEOPLE.

IT'S A MULTI-LINE DEFINITION.

I WILL TELL YOU, THE KEY TO DEFINING A.I.

IS TO MAKE IT GENERAL ENOUGH TO WHERE IT CAN LAST THE TEST OF TIME BUT SPECIFIC ENOUGH WHERE IT'S GOING AFTER THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO SET POLICY FOR.

>> I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT YOU.

YOU THINK WE ARE JUST GETTING A HANDLE ON EVERYTHING?

THE DEFINITION HELPS.

THEN MOVING FROM THERE TO SOMETHING MORE.

>> WE ARE.

CHAIRMAN JONES SET OUT AN A.I.

SUBCOMMITTEE OVER THE SUMMER.

WE HAD MEETINGS.

WE HAD JOINT MEETINGS WITH THE SENATE.

PART OF WHAT THEY CAME OUT WAS DIFFERENT ISSUES AND HOW GENERATIVE A.I.

SPECIFICALLY, WITH ALL OF ITS BENEFITS, HOW IT HAS SOME NEFARIOUS USES AS WELL, WHICH IS WHAT WE TRIED TO TACKLE.

>> I WANT TO GET IN A COUPLE OF THINGS PEOPLE MENTIONED.

ONE GUY WAS TALKING ABOUT CONSTRUCTION AND JOBS.

THAT'S A BIG FEAR FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THE FEAR -- WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THAT.

WHEN I HEARD THAT GENTLEMAN TALK PEOPLE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IS GOING TO INCLUDE NOT JUST A.I.

BUT A.V.

LIKE YOU SAW ON THE SHUTTLE AND A CREATIVE MANUFACTURER AND 3D PRINTING.

WE WILL SEE THE DAY IN THIS STATE WHERE HOUSES ARE GOING TO BE PRINTED.

LITERALLY BUILDINGS WILL BE PRESENTED.

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT HOUSING IN TERMS OF LOW INCOME, BEING ABLE TO BUILD HOUSES FASTER, CHEAPER.

THESE ARE THE AREAS WHERE PEOPLE, I HOPE, ONCE THEY GET MORE EDUCATED, NOT JUST ON A.I.

BUT ON AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES AND 3D PRINTING, YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE SHOULD EMBRACE IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY.

>> AND FOR JOBS.

THE BIG FEAR IS THAT THERE WON'T BE JOBS.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE AWAY JOBS.

>> WE SHOULD LEAN INTO IT.

LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

I REMEMBER WHEN EXCEL CAME OUT.

I'M THAT OLD.

I REMEMBER THE ACCOUNTANT WAS GOING TO BE GONE.

NO MORE ACCOUNTANTS, NO MORE FINANCIAL PLANNERS.

RATHER, WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS AN EXPLOSION IN FINANCIAL SERVICES.

WE LEANED INTO EXCEL.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE UNDERSTANDING, A.I.

IS A GREAT TOOL FOR EFFICIENCY.

AS MUCH AS IT'S KNOWLEDGEABLE AROUND EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS, WE STILL NEED HUMAN BEINGS TO IMPLEMENT, DEVELOP AND SERVICE.

>> OKAY.

REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS, I KNOW THERE'S LEGISLATION YOU ARE WORKING ON.

ONE IS 986.

TELL US WHAT THAT'S ABOUT.

>> THE ELECTION DEEPFAKE BILL.

IT INCLUDES OTHER GENERATIVE A.I.

ISSUES SUCH AS DEFRAUDING SENIORS.

IT STARTED OFF AS ELECTIONS.

THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE ARE IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

IT'S AN ISSUE WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT.

UNLIKE HISTORICALLY WHERE YOU CAN GO AND YOU CAN CREATE FLYERS, THESE GENERATIVE A.I.

IF THEY LOOK REALISTIC, A POLITICIAN OR WHOEVER IT CAN BE DAMAGING.

WE WANT TO GET AT THAT.

WE WANT TO SUPPORT 1st AMENDMENT RIGHTS THAT ENSURES THAT DECEPTIVE INFORMATION THAT CAN BE BELIEVABLE -- WE ARE SPECIFIC IN SAYING IT HAS TO LOOK TO A REASONABLE PERSON TO BE BELIEVABLE.

THAT WAS REALLY WHAT WE WERE GOING AFTER.

>> WE HAVE SEEN THE DEEPFAKE VIDEOS DURING AN ELECTION YEAR.

WE HAVE SEEN DIFFERENT THINGS.

THIS IS TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON THAT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

I THINK WE WENT ABOUT IT THE RIGHT WAY.

WE'RE NOT TRYING GO AFTER SATIRE, PARODY, THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PART OF THE POLITICAL PROCESS FROM THE BEGINNING.

WHAT THIS IS, IT'S TARGETED AT INDIVIDUAL -- I SAY PERSONS, WHICH ARE CAMPAIGNS, PACS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO CREATE A REALISTIC, BELIEVABLE GENERATIVE A.I.

OF ANY INDIVIDUAL DOING ANYTHING ANYWHERE.

THIS HAS OPENED UP A NEW WORLD.

IT HAS TO DO WITH WHERE ARE YOU IN THE VIRTUAL ARENA VERSUS IN THE REALITY WHERE WE ALL OPERATE RIGHT NOW?

IN THE VIRTUAL ARENA, IT'S VISUAL, WHAT YOU CAN SEE AND WHAT YOU HEAR ARE THE ONLY THINGS YOU CAN BELIEVE VIRTUALLY.

WHEN YOU TAKE THOSE TWO THINGS AND YOU CREATE PEOPLE DOING THINGS THAT THEY DIDN'T DO, ARE YOU DEFRAUDING PEOPLE?

THAT'S NOT PROTECTED FREE SPEECH.

>> YOU ARE TIEING A FELONY -- IT WILL BE A FELONY IF YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY OF THIS AND A PENALTY INVOLVED?

>> YES.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT POTENTIAL JAIL TIME AND POTENTIAL FINE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, I THINK REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS HAD A GREAT ADD TO THE BILL IN TERMS OF WE'RE GOING TO REQUIRE DISCLAIMERS.

IF YOU ARE USING GENERATIVE A.I., TO HIS POINT, WE WANT YOU TO DISCLAIM AND SAY, I DID USE GENERATIVE A.I.

TO CREATE THIS BELIEVABLE IMAGE THAT YOU ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

IF YOU DON'T USE IT, THEN THAT PARTICULAR CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WILL HAVE A PENALTY OR FINE ATTACHED TO IT NO LESS THAN $10,000.

WE REALLY WANT TO PUT A LOT OF WEIGHT BEHIND THIS AND MAKE SURE THAT THE VOTERS, ELECTORATE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S REAL AND, FRANKLY, WHAT'S IMAGINARY.

>> THAT'S 986.

THERE'S 988, TOO.

>> IN ORDER TO SET POLICY, WE HAVE -- I TELL PEOPLE, TO GET TO WHERE YOU WANT TO GOOD, YOU HAVE NO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE AND SET WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.

CHAIRMAN JONES AND I ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT OUR GOAL IN LIFE IN THE POLICY THAT WE ARE CREATING IS REALLY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT STIFLING INNOVATION.

WE'RE PUTTING UP GUARDRAILS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED.

WHAT 988 DOES IS IT AUTHORIZES THE GEORGIA TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY TO AUDIT AND SET POLICY TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NOT DISCRIMINATION IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE A.I.

IT CAME OUT VERY WELL SUPPORTED.

WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE REPORT WE GET BACK AND IF WE NEED TO DO MORE POLICY MAKING.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE YOU WILL.

THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN'T ANTICIPATE THAT ARE OUT THERE OR COMING.

RIGHT?

>> 100%.

REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS MENTIONED IT EARLIER IN THE SEGMENT IN TERMS OF THE DEFINITION OF A.I.

WE ARE PROUD OF IT.

WE THINK WE HAVE BEATEN THE OTHER 49 STATES.

IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE PASSE IN SIX MONTHS, MAYBE SIX WEEKS.

WE NEED TO HAVE A LIVING, BREATHING DOCUMENT, BUT WE HAVE TO RE-VISIT THIS EVERY YEAR.

FOLKS WILL TALK ABOUT THIS A LOT.

ALSO, KEEPING THE GUARDRAILS UP.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE A STATE THAT PUTS TOO MUCH REGULATION ON IT, STIFLING INNOVATION.

WE WANT TO LIFT OUR COMPANIES UP AND HAVE AS MUCH INNOVATION AS POSSIBLE.

WE NEED TO PUT THAT PROPER GUARDRAIL UP, NOT JUST FOR THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES BUT ALSO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

>> THIS IS JUST A START.

THERE'S SO MUCH MORE LEFT TO DO.

RIGHT?

>> A LOT.

>> YOUR COMMITTEE ON A.I., IS THAT OVER OR IS THAT CONTINUING?

>> CONTINUING.

THIS WILL CONTINUE ON.

>> IT'S A WHOLE NEW WORLD OUT THERE.

I KNOW.

YOU CAME ON LAST YEAR AND TALKED ABOUT IT.

WE'RE STILL SEEING A LOT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND TELLING US MORE ABOUT IT.

WE WILL KEEP UP WITH BOTH OF THOSE BILLS.

I THINK YOU HAVE GOT SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, DON'T YOU?

>> WE DO.

>> YOU HAVE HAD PEOPLE SIGN ON.

IT'S SOMETHING EVERYBODY WANTS.

>> WE HAVE HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WASN'T TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT, JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL AND CIVIL, THEY HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING.

THREE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES ARE TAKING NOT JUST A LOOK AT THIS BUT MAKING SURE WE ARE GETTING IT RIGHT.

I THINK WE ARE ON THE 22nd DRAFT.

WE ARE TRYING TO REALLY PERFECT THIS.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL LEAVE IT THERE.

THAT DOES IT FOR "LAWMAKERS" TODAY.

THE GENERAL ISASSEMBLY IS TAKING TOMORROW AFTER.

WE WILL BE BACK THURSDAY.

FROM THE ENTIRE TEAM, BYE-BYE.