♪♪ >>> A COLORFUL LION DANCED AT THE GEORGIA CAPITAL TODAY IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON.

IT NOT ONLY CELEBRATED THE NEW YEAR BUT DRIVES AWAY EVIL SPIRITS AND USHERS IN GOOD LUCK AND BLESSINGS, GOOD THING TO BRING TO THE GOLD DOME.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS 21st DAY OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

JOINING US IN THE STUDIO ARE TWO MEMBERS OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER CAUCUS.

THEY WILL TELL US ABOUT LEGISLATION THEY ARE SPONSORING.

THE BILL SOME REFER TO AS THE DON'T SAY GAY BILL IS ADVANCING TOWARD A VOTE IN THE SENATE.

THE BILL'S SPONSOR SAYS LABELING IT ANTI-GAY IS UNFAIR.

A LAWMAKER JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT A VARIETY OF EDUCATION ISSUES, INCLUDING THE SAFE SCHOOLS ACT.

ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF A RECENT SCHOOL SHOOTING IN HIS DISTRICT.

LET'S GET RIGHT TO THE NEWS OF THE DAY WITH OUR CORRESPONDENT SARAH CALLIS.

>> LAWMAKERS HAD A SPECIAL CELEBRATION AND BILLS AIMING TO HELP FAMILIES.

THEY CELEBRATED THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AND PRESENTED RESOLUTIONS HONORING COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

THE CELEBRATION INCLUDED TRADITIONAL DRESS AND FOOD AND A FRIENDLY RED LION SAID TO BRING GOOD LUCK.

>> I CAN THINK OF NO BETTER WEEK FOR US TO GATHER TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS TOGETHER AS A FAMILY.

AS SUCH, WE HAVE A SERIES OF FOUR RESOLUTIONS TO PRESENT COMMENDING THE WORK OF SOME OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT COMMUNITY LEADERS.

YOU HONOR US ALL WITH YOUR PRESENCE HERE TODAY.

I'M SO PROUD TO CELEBRATE WITH ALL OF YOU.

>> Reporter: BEFORE THE BILLS WERE DISCUSSED IN THE SENATE, THE SHOOTING IN KANSAS CITY AND THE CORRESPONDING RISE IN GUN VIOLENCE WAS NOTED ON THE FLOOR.

>> IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS LAWMAKERS, AS MEMBERS OF THESE COMMUNITIES, AND AS HUMANS TO WORK TOWARDS SOLUTIONS THAT ENSURE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF ALL INDIVIDUALS.

LET US HONOR THE MEMORY OF THOSE WE LOST TO GUN VIOLENCE BY COMMITTING OURSELVES TO TAKE ACTION, TO ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE, AND TO CREATE A FUTURE WHERE EVENTS LIKE THOSE AT THE CHIEF PARADE BECOME A THING OF THE PASS.

>> Reporter: THE INCREASE IN HOME VALUATIONS ACROSS THE STATE WAS ADDRESSED.

THE BILL WILL CAP THE YEARLY RATE THAT HOME VALUES CAN BE TAXED AT 3%,ED VALUE.

>> THEY GET A NOTICE OF INCREASED VALUE.

THEY WILL GET A NOTICE OF INCREASED VALUE BUT NO MATTER WHAT THE TAX ASSESSORS VALUE THE PROPERTY AT, IT CANNOT GO UP MORE THAN 3% IN A YEAR.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS CONCERN OVER TAKING AWAY CONTROL FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT OVER THE MILLAGE RATES.

>> WE HEARD OPPOSITION FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD.

THERE'S AN ARGUMENT THAT MAYBE THE SCHOOL BOARDS ARE INFLATING THEIR NUMBERS AND INFLATING THEIR LOSSES.

I THINK WE SHOULD CONSIDER THAT LEGISLATION LIKE THIS IS BEST HANDLED BY OUR LOCAL BOIES AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS.

THEY WILL BEST KNOW WHAT THEIR NUMBERS WERE AS FAR AS GUIDANCE AND THEIR LOSSES.

>> Reporter: DESPITE CONCERNS, THE BILL PASSED 42-7.

IT WOULD ALLOW CITY AUTHORITIES TO HOLD UNSANCTIONED EVENT ORGANIZERS LIABLE FOR COST A MUNICIPALITY WOULD OCCUR.

>> THERE $187,000 WORTH OF EXPENSES.

THEY KNOW WHO THE PROMOTERS ARE.

THIS WILL ALLOW THEM TO RECOUP EXPENSES FOR PROVIDING SECURITY, EMERGENCY SERVICES, PORT-A-POTTY AND CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, LIABILITY INSURANCE FROM THAT STANDPOINT.

>> Reporter: THE BILL WAS WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY TO ADDRESS THE ORANGE CRUSH EVENT THAT HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR TWO DECADES, IT WOULD APPLY TO ALL OF THE CITIES AND TOWNS.

>> THIS BILL IN NO WAY IMPACTS THE RIGHT FOR ANY GROUP TO HAVE A PEACEFUL PROTEST.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> Reporter: THAT BILL PASSED 47-1.

THE HOUSE APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD DOUBLE PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

FULL-TIME STATE EMPLOYEES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THREE WEEKS OF PAID PARENTAL LEAVE.

HOUSE BILL 1010 WOULD EXTEND THAT PERIOD TO SIX WEEKS.

>> THIS WILL PROVIDE A LOW COST, HIGH VALUE BENEFIT TO OUR STATE EMPLOYEES.

AS I MENTIONED FROM THE WELL, WE ARE THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE STATE.

SO IT REALLY WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR A LOT OF MEN AND WOMEN AND, FRANKLY, WOMEN IN PARTICULAR.

TWO-THIRDS OF STATE EMPLOYEES ARE FEMALE.

>> Reporter: SUPPORTERS SAY IT GIVES NEW PARENTS TIME TO RECOVER AND BOND WITH THEIR CHILD.

>> THIS IS A TIME FOR LEARNING HOW TO ADJUST TO A NEW ROUTINE.

CHANGING DIAPERS, ESTABLISHING A FEEDING SCHEDULE, AND FINDING THAT TIME TO SLEEP WHENEVER YOU CAN, AND WE CAN'T LEAVE OUT THE INVALUABLE BONDING TIME WITH THE NEWEST MEMBER OR MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY.

ALSO, AS WAS STATED, MOST CHILDCARE CENTERS DO NOT ACCEPT INFANTS YOUNGER THAN SIX WEEKS.

SO THIS BILL ALSO ADDRESSES CHILDCARE ISSUES AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE BILL PASSED 153-11.

ALSO IN THE HOUSE, MEMBERS HONORED THE NIGERIAN CONSULATE GENERAL.

TOMORROW, LAWMAKERS WILL RETURN.

THEY WILL DISCUSS SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY.

THAT'S ALL FOR MY REPORT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT.

MONTH, SIX PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED INJURIES BECAUSE OF SHOOTINGS AT GEORGIA SCHOOLS.

A 15-YEAR-OLD HAS DIED.

THE FIRST ONE OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 1st WHERE TWO PEOPLE WERE SHOT.

LAST FRIDAY, A 15-YEAR-OLD WAS SHOT AND KILLED AT A FULTON COUNTY TRI-CITIES HIGH.

LAST NIGHT, FOUR PEOPLE WERE SHOT BUT DIDN'T HAVE LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.

IN LIGHT OF THE SHOOTINGS, ONE REPRESENTATIVE WANTS TO REOPEN A BIPARTISAN SCHOOL SAFETY LAW.

JOINING US NOW IS DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE DAVID WILKERSON.

HE IS ON THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND BUDGET AND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

LET'S GET STARTED.

IT'S IN YOUR DISTRICT.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT'S TAKING PLACE.

>> YES.

FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY PRAYERS TO THE FAMILIES OF ALL THE VICTIMS.

I CAN'T IMAGINE SENDING YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL AND THEN SEEING SOMETHING ON THE NEWS AND THEN I HEARD FROM PARENTS WHERE THEY ARE SHOCKED ONCE THEY REALIZE THEIR CHILD WAS INVOLVED.

MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY THAT LOST THEIR CHILD AS WELL AS THOSE GOING THROUGH EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW.

GREAT BIPARTISAN WORK AS FAR AS SCHOOL SAFETY, ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS AND IMPROVE UPON LESSONS LEARNED.

EVERY CHILD SHOULD FEEL SAFE AT SCHOOL.

THAT'S ONE OF THE PRIORITIES WE HAVE.

>> IT WOULD INVOLVE JUST GOING BACK OVER SOME THINGS.

RIGHT NOW, THE GOVERNOR HAS IN THE BUDGET MONEY TO GO TOWARD SCHOOL SYSTEMS COMING UP WITH SAFETY MEASURES.

MAYBE THERE'S MORE?

>> YES.

RIGHT NOW, THE WAY THE MONEY GOES TO THE DISTRICTS IS WE GIVE THEM AN ALLOTMENT OF MONEY.

THEY HAVE IT PER SCHOOL.

IT'S UP TO THEM HOW THEY DECIDE TO USE IT.

FOR THE CASE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL, THEY MAY SAY, IT COULD BE CAMERAS OR THEY MAY WANT TO ALLOCATE RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE THE GROUNDS ARE PROTECTED AND HAVING POLICE OFFICERS ON THE GROUNDS.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S WORTH A CONVERSATION.

RIGHT NOW, IT ALL GOES TO THE DISTRICT.

>> THERE'S A TOWN HALL MEETING TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW ON THIS ISSUE.

I APPRECIATE YOU TALKING ABOUT THAT.

WE WILL KEEP UP WITH WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO WITH THAT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT MORE EDUCATION ISSUES.

I KNOW YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS GOING INTO THE BUDGET, INCLUDING THINGS TO HELP EDUCATE COLLEGE KIDS, TO KEEP KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I HAD A BILL THAT WOULD LOOK AT HOW WE -- A PARENT COULD ALLOCATE MONEY AND THE STATE WOULD MATCH IT.

IT DID NOT END UP PASSING.

WE HAVE DONE THINGS SINCE THEN.

WE GOT RID OF THE FEES THAT WE ADDED SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

THAT'S BEEN A SAVINGS FROM $200 TO $500 PER SEMESTER.

THOSE ARE BIPARTISAN REQUESTS.

THE BOARD OF REGENTS DID IT.

COMPLETION GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE.

WE ARE ALLOCATING RESOURCES WE NEED.

BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WHETHER IT'S TECHNICAL SCHOOL, WHETHER IT'S COLLEGES, WE EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET MONEY IN THE BUDGET.

LITERACY IS A BIG ONE.

IT'S MAJOR AS FAR AS MAKING SURE WE CAN FUND PROGRAMS WE SAY WE CARE ABOUT.

LAST YEAR, SOME OF THE THINGS WERE DISREGARDED.

HOPEFULLY, WE WILL GET THOSE THROUGH AS FAR AS WE HAVE A YOUNG MEN'S PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA THAT WE BRING THIS STUDENTS THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN BEING TEACHERS, AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES.

THAT'S BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL.

WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE STATE MONEY PUT IN FOR THAT.

>> WE WILL KEEP UP WITH THAT.

STAY HERE.

WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU IN A MOMENT.

WE ARE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT ANOTHER EDUCATION BILL SPONSOREDLY REPUBLICAN SENATOR CARTON SUMMERS.

THE PARENTS AND CHILDREN PROTECTION ACT OF 2023.

I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT IT AND HIS BILL TO LEGALIZE GAMBLING.

>> WE HAVE NARROWED THE BILL DOWN.

WE WORKED WITH EVERY GROUP ABOUT GETTING WHAT WE NEED IN THE BILL AND GETTING WHAT THEIR CONCERNS WITH IN OR OUT OF THE BILL.

IT'S A VERY TRANSPARENT BILL.

IT SAYS THAT IF YOU ARE GOING TO TALK GENDER TO A CHILD UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, WHETHER THEY HAVE TO GET PERMISSION OR NOTIFICATION TO A PARENT OR GUARDIAN TO TALK GENDER TO THEM.

THAT'S IT.

COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT.

AFTER 16 YEARS OLD, THE CHILD, THEY ARE ON THEIR OWN.

>> THERE'S BEEN DIFFERENT ITERATIONS.

WHAT HAS CHANGED?

>> A BUNCH HAS CHANGED.

WORKING WITH THE GROUPS, LGBTW FAMILIES, EQUALITY GROUPS, TRYING TO GET THEIR LANGUAGE IN THE BILL THAT MADE THE BILL MUCH MORE PALATABLE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PARENT OR GUARD WRITTEN PERMISSION OR NOTIFICATION TO THE PARENT.

IF THAT TEACHER OR THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE CHILD IS CONCERNED ABOUT THAT CHILD'S SAFETY AT HOME, THAT TEACHER OR THAT PERSON IN CHARGE CAN NOTIFY A COUNSELOR OR SOMEBODY THAT KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND THEY CAN TALK TO THAT CHILD.

>> HOW DOES THIS DIFFER FROM FLORIDA'S BILL?

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW TO ANSWER THAT.

I DON'T KNOW.

OURS IS -- FLORIDA IS AGAINST LABEL.

DON'T SAY GAY.

WE HAD A ROOM FULL OF GAY PEOPLE THAT ARE TESTIFYING IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.

>> WHAT ABOUT YOUR BILL THAT DEALS WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CHANGE?

>> WE HAVE A BILL -- I THINK I HAVE AUTHORED THE CLEANEST CA THAT WILL COME BEFORE THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

THE QUESTION IS IF WE CAN GET IT OUT IN TIME.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

THURSDAY IS OUR DEADLINE.

MY CA IS A BUILD THAT ALLOWS YOU THE PEOPLE TO DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION OF GAMING OFF THE GEORGIA CONSTITUTION.

RIGHT NOW, WHAT WE HAVE IS -- WE HAVE A LOTTERY.

THAT'S NOT A GAMBLING.

THAT'S A LOTTERY.

YOU CAN CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT.

WHEN YOU GO TO TALK ABOUT CASINOS OR SPORTS BETTING, ALL OF THE ABOVE, THAT'S CLEARLY IN OUR CONSTITUTION IS NOT ALLOWED.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE LEGISLATURES, SENATE AND HOUSE, SHOULD BE MAKING THAT DECISION FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA WHEN IT'S THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

IT SHOULD BE THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA MAKE IT.

I WANT TO LET PEOPLE DECIDE.

IF THEY VOTE FOR IT, WE CAN HAVE SPORTS BETTING AND CASINOS.

IF THEY VOTE AGAIN IT, IT'S PUT TO BED.

>> PEOPLE WANT AN AMENDMENT TO ALLOW GAMBLING.

YOU ARE SAYING THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT PROHIBITS?

>> YES, MA'AM.

THE CONSTITUTION PROHIBITS GAMBLING, OUR CONSTITUTION.

THIS AMENDMENT IF PASSED, WOULD DO AWAY WITH THAT, WHICH WOULD ALLOW GAMBLING IN GEORGIA.

>> HOW ARE YOU THINKING THAT'S GOING TO DO?

>> I THINK IT WILL PASS.

PEOPLE WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THAT.

NOBODY HAS TO GO IN A CASINO IF THEY DON'T WANT TO.

NOBODY MAKES ANYBODY BUY A LOTTERY TICKET.

LOOK WHAT THE LOTTERY HAS DONE FOR EDUCATION IN GEORGIA.

WE ARE $5 BILLION IN OUR LOTTERY, MAYBE $6 BILLION TO THE GOOD.

WE COULD HELP YOUNG PEOPLE BIG TIME.

THE MONEY THAT WOULD COME OUT OF A FULL GAMBLING BILL WOULD BE UNBELIEVABLE WHAT IT COULD DO FOR EDUCATION IN GEORGIA.

IF IT WERE TO PASS, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE IT WOULD NOT BE -- IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

TWO-THIRDS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE TO AGREE.

IT WOULD BE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.

>> WHEN WAS IT PUT IN THE CONSTITUTION?

>> WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN.

WAY BACK.

BACK IN THE '50s AND '60s THEY MADE IT STRONGER.

>> THAT WAS SENATOR CARTON SUMMERS.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE GAMBLING, NOT JUST HIS BILL BUT OVERALL IN GEORGIA.

>> ON THE GAMBLING OR THE GAY BILL?

>> THE GAMBLING.

>> THE GAMBLING, YOU SEE TWO TRAINS OF THOUGHT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY BE OKAY WITH SPORTS BETTING BUT CASINOS MAY NOT BE THERE.

WE LIKE THE FACT THAT IT GOES TOWARD EDUCATION.

THAT'S A POSITIVE.

YOU HAVE TWO THINGS.

YOU CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION AND YOU HAVE ENABLING LEGISLATION WHICH DETERMINES HOW IT'S ACTUALLY BEING USED.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WITH THIS LEGISLATION IS IT SAYS THAT A LOCAL COUNTY CAN -- IF A LOCAL COUNTY SAYS THEY DON'T WANT IT, YOU WON'T PUT IT THERE.

IF YOU WATCH THE LEGISLATURE, WE DECIDED LOCAL COUNTIES DON'T MATTER AS MUCH AS THEY USED TO.

WE MAY PASS IT AND THINK THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE IN YOUR COUNTY.

IF YOU GET 91 VOTES IN THE HOUSE AND THE CORRESPONDING IN THE SENATE, YOU CAN PUT IT IN YOUR COUNTY AND DISREGARD WHAT THE LOCAL DELEGATION SAYS.

WHILE I'M IN FAVOR OF ALLOWING PEOPLE TO VOTE, WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS THAT WHAT WE SAY, UNLESS IT'S IN WRITING OR THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, MAY NOT HAPPEN THE WAY WE SAY.

>> WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT IS CHANGING WHAT'S THERE.

IT PROHIBITS IT.

>> HE WANTS TO TAKE IT OUT.

WITH THAT SAID, IT SAYS THAT IF YOU DON'T WANT IT IN YOUR COUNTY, WE WON'T PUT IT THERE.

THERE'S NO GUARANTEE OF THAT.

IF YOU LEGALIZE CASINOS, IT COULD BE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR YOU.

THAT MAY NOT BE A CHOICE YOU HAVE.

>> WE WILL HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> COMING UP, A LOOK INTO THE LEGISLATION OF INTEREST TO THOSE PARTICIPATING IN ASIAN AMERICAN ADVOCACY DAY.

TWO LAWMAKERS WILL TALK ABOUT THE ASIAN AMERICAN ADVOCACY FUND AND ASIAN AMERICAN ADVANING JUSTICE.

STAY WITH US.

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

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

AG IS GEORGE'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER $74 BILLION IN OUTPUT OF GEORGIA ECONOMY.

IT WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITAL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

A LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVITY.

TWO OF THE LAWMAKERS BEHIND THE ASIAN AMERICAN ADVOCACY DAY JOIN US NOW.

MICHELLE AU JOINS US.

AND HERE ALSO IS DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE LONG TRAN.

HE IS ON CREATIVE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT AND TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT WAS A FUN DAY.

LOVED WATCHING THE LION IN ACTION.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT, WHAT THE CEREMONY WAS AND ALL OF THAT?

WHO WANTS TO START?

>> I WILL GET STARTED.

TODAY WAS LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY AT THE CAPITAL.

THERE WAS A CHANCE FOR GEORGIA'S INAUGURAL CAUCUS TO WELCOME MEMBERS OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO THE CAPITAL.

SHOW THEM THEY HAD A PLACE THERE.

SHOW THEM THAT THIS WAS THEIR HOUSE.

TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING FOR MANY DECADES, TO ADVOCATE FOR ISSUES IMPORTANT TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> YOU DID IT IN A BIG WAY.

EXPLAIN WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

>> THE LION DANCE IS ACROSS SO MANY DIFFERENT CULTURES, WHETHER KOREAN, CHINESE, VIETNAMESE.

IT'S MEANT TO WARD OFF THE BAD SPIRITS AND BRING IN THE GOOD SPIRITS OF THE NEW YEAR.

START THE NEW YEAR WITH POSITIVE ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT.

IT'S FANTASTIC.

YOU WILL SEE US WAVE RED POCKETS WE GIVE TO KIDS AND TO THE LION.

>> I LOVE THAT.

I LOVE YOU WORE -- YOU CAME FESTIVE FOR US.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE THERE.

>> IN VIETNAMESE CULTURE, YOU WILL SEE SIMILARITIES WITH MICHELLE'S OUTFIT, WHICH IS CHINESE.

FOR THE MEN -- THIS IS SMALL FOR OUR HEAD.

THE FULL FORMAL WEAR -- >> I LOVE THAT.

DOES IT MEAN ANYTHING?

>> NOT REALLY.

IT'S OUR FORMAL WEAR FROM THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO.

PEOPLE STILL WEAR IT TODAY.

THE MODERN DAY ONES ARE A LITTLE MORE STYLISH.

>> ANYTHING YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT?

>> THIS IS A CHINESE TRADITIONAL OUTFIT.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF CHINESE WOMEN WILL WEAR DURING MORE FORMAL AFFAIRS.

WE DID MAKE A POINT TO DRESS IN CULTURAL CLOTHES TODAY WAS TO DO TWO THINGS.

ONE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT ASIAN CULTURE WAS VISIBLE, WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SEE.

THE SECOND WAS TO SHOW PEOPLE THE DIVERSITY EVEN WITHIN THE AAPI CAUCUS.

I THINK SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK OF ASIAN COMMUNITIES AS ALL ONE TYPE OF PEOPLE.

IN TRUTH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE 11 MEMBERS OF OUR CAUCUS, WE REPRESENT A LARGE NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CULTURES.

>> NAME A FEW OF THE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES THAT ARE REPRESENTED OR CULTURES, I SHOULD SAY.

>> WE LOVE TO CONTINUE TO GROW.

WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE TO NAME.

LONG IS VIETNAMESE.

I'M CHINESE.

FILIPINO.

TWO KOREAN MEMBERS.

WE HAVE A PALESTINIAN.

WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM PAKISTAN.

WE HAVE SOME BANGLADESHI AMERICANS.

IT'S DIVERSE.

>> SO FUN TODAY TO SEE EVERYTHING.

YOU HAD ANOTHER PURPOSE.

THAT IS TO TALK ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT YOU ARE ADVOCATING FOR.

TALK ABOUT A FEW OF THOSE THINGS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE REASON THAT WE FORMED AN AAPI CAUCUS WAS TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS REPRESENTATIVE OF AAPI VOICES.

I THINK THAT CERTAIN COMMUNITIES DEPENDING ON OUR BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE, WE CAN SEE AND PERCEIVE BILLS IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

WE CAN SEE DIFFERENTIAL IMPACT TO OUR COMMUNITIES IN PARTICULAR.

ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS NOT A BILL WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR BUT AGAINST.

A SERIES OF ALIEN LAND LAW BILLS PUSHED THROUGH BY OUR REPUBLICAN MAJORITY THAT TEND TO DO SOMETHING QUITE HARMFUL TO THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY.

WHAT IT DOES IS THAT IN THE GUISE OF NATIONAL SECURITY, IT RESTRICTS THE RIGHTS OF CERTAIN IMMIGRANT GROUPS AND PEOPLE FROM CERTAIN NATIONAL ORIGINS FROM BUYING LAND.

>> TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

A LOT HAS DEALT WITH FARMLAND IN PARTICULAR.

WE ARE TALKING ANY LAND.

THERE ARE SOME -- THERE'S SOME BARRIERS THAT THE BILLS ARE TRYING TO SET UP.

>> WE HAVE SEEN VERSIONS OF THIS BILL PASS IN MANY OTHER STATES WITH CONSERVATIVE LEGISLATORS.

FLORIDA MANAGED TO PASS A BILL LIKE THIS.

THAT'S BEEN ENJOINED IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR BEING UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

IT'S COUCHED AS AN ARICULTUAL LAND BILL, WHAT IT DOES IN EFFECT IS THAT IT RESTRICTS THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE FROM CERTAIN NATIONAL BACKGROUNDS FROM BUYING OR LEASING A NUMBER OF TYPES OF PROPERTY, WHICH WOULD BE IN VIOLATION OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT.

ONE THING THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO SAY IS, WHEN LEGISLATORS WHO LOOK LIKE US SPEAK ABOUT THIS ISSUE, I THINK SOMETIMES PEOPLE TEND TO FRAME IT IN A WAY THAT IS US BEING WEAK ON NATIONAL SECURITY OR PEOPLE ARE SUSPICIOUS OF OUR INTENT IN TERMS OF OUR LOYALTY TOWARDS THE UNITED STATES.

THAT TYPE OF SENTIMENT IS WHY THESE BILLS ARE SO HARMFUL.

WHAT IT TENDS TO DO IS IT CONFLATES INDIVIDUALS WITH THEIR NATIONAL ORIGIN.

IT TENDS TO CAST DOUBT AND LOYALTY ASPERSIONS ON PEOPLE WHO COME FROM CERTAIN COUNTRIES, FOR EXAMPLE, CHINA, FOR EXAMPLE, OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES, FOR EXAMPLE, RUSSIA.

WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TO PRIORITIZE NATIONAL SECURITY BUT ALSO DO IT IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T HAVE DISCRIMINATORY AFFECT, PARTICULARLY ON THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY.

>> I WANT TO GET INTO SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT MIGHT BE UNIQUE TO THE AAPI COMMUNITY THAT YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE GOING TO -- YOU WANT TO FOCUS ON IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> FOR ME, FOR KIND OF A CELEBRATORY BUT TO SHOW THE GROWTH OF GEORGIA, I INTRODUCED A BILL WHICH WILL MAKE LUNAR NEW YEAR A STATE HOLIDAY.

I'M VERY EXCITED FOR THAT.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO MEAN WE GET TIME OFF OR PAID TIME OFF.

I THINK IT BRINGS MORE AWARENESS.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN IS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IS WE SEE COUNTIES AND CITIES STARTING TO CELEBRATE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

LUNAR NEW YEAR ISN'T ONE DAY.

IT'S ACROSS TEN DAYS.

THAT GIVES MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR CITIES TO DO EVENTS ON DIFFERENT DAYS.

IT CREATES A LITTLE BIT OF CONFUSION.

WITH THIS BILL, PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT LUNAR NEW YEAR IS ABOUT.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS LAST WEEKEND.

TEN DAYS?

>> TEN DAYS.

>> ARE YOU GETTING TRACTION ON THAT BILL?

>> NOT YET.

THE CAUCUS SUPPORTS IT.

IF NOT THIS YEAR, MAYBE NEXT YEAR.

>> THERE'S SOME OTHER BILLS.

I KNOW THERE'S SOMETHING -- IN TERMS OF JUSTICE ISSUES THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT.

TALK ABOUT THOSE.

>> IN TERMS OF JUSTICE ISSUES -- >> ONE OF THE BILLS WAS CALLED THE ASIAN AMERICAN JUSTICE -- I DON'T KNOW -- A FUND OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> RIGHT.

I THINK YOU ARE REFERRING TO ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE SPONSORING ASIAN AMERICAN ADVOCACY DAY AT THE CAPITAL.

THEY PLANNED THIS DAY SPECIFICALLY TO ENGAGE THE MOST RAPIDLY GROWING VOTER BASE IN GEORGIA, THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, TO BECOME MORE ACTIVELY ENGAGED AT THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL.

THAT IS WHY WE HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST AAPI CAUCUSES IN THE COUNTRY.

THAT TYPE OF ENGAGEMENT IS WHY ASIAN AMERICANS ARE THE FASTEST GROWING VOTING GROUP IN THE STATE.

AS A CAUCUS, WE ARE BIPARTISAN.

HOWEVER, SOMETHING THAT WE ALL AGREE ON IS THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING SURE THAT OUR ASIAN COMMUNITIES IN PARTICULAR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR ABILITY TO VOTE AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT PROCESS.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE SUPPORT.

>> DID YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT?

>> WE INTRODUCED A FEW RESOLUTIONS.

THE REASON WHY IT'S IMPORTANT IS WE SEE CHANGES ACROSS THE INDUSTRY.

WE LOOK FROM GAINESVILLE AT THE CHICKEN FARMERS ARE VIETNAMESE.

GETTING INTO THAT INDUSTRY.

THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADVOCATE.

THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO BE THERE WHEN IT'S AGRICULTURE DAY AND HOW TO ENGAGE WITH OTHER STATE REPRESENTATIVES.

HAVING MICHELLE OR I AT THE STATE CAPITAL TO HELP THEM TRANSITION TO THAT HAS BEEN IMPORTANT.

>> I WANT TO GET INTO SOMETHING ELSE I KNOW YOU ARE INTERESTED IN.

WE SPOKE EARLIER ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY.

YOU ARE A SPONSOR OF SEVERAL GUN BILLS.

THE MAIN ONE IS THE PEDIATRIC HEALTH SAFE STORAGE ACT.

TALK ABOUT THAT, IN LIGHT OF WHAT HE TALKED ABOUT, SOME OF THE SHOOTINGS WE HAVE SEEN.

>> OBVIOUSLY, WHEN WE SEE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, IT'S THE MOST VISIBLE AND TRAGIC AFFECT OF GUN VIOLENCE IN THE COUNTRY.

THAT IS ONE SMALL PIECE OF AN EXTREMELY LARGE EPIDEMIC THAT TAKES PLACE IN THIS COUNTRY.

THERE'S DIFFERENT TYPES OF GUN VIOLENCE.

ONE THING IS CLEAR IS THAT GUN VIOLENCE IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH OF CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS IN THE COUNTRY.

NOT ALL THOSE DEATHS ARE AS A RESULT OF SCHOOL SHOOTINGS.

THAT'S THE VAST MINORITY.

BUT HAVING A SOCIETY WHERE GUNS ARE EASILY ACCESSED BY MINORS IS A RECIPE FOR MORE CHILDREN BEING SHOT AND KILLED.

THE PEDIATRIC SAFE STORAGE ACT -- I'M GRATEFUL TO OUR ADVOCATES FOR HELPING US WITH THIS BILL -- IT STATES THAT ANY GUN THAT CAN BE ACCESSED BY A MINOR BE STORED SECURELY.

IT'S VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD.

IT'S THE DEFINITION OF COMMON SENSE GUN SAFETY REFORM.

I'M HOPEFUL WE CONTINUE TO GET GOOD MOVEMENT ON THIS, INCLUDING ON OTHER SORT OF BILLS THAT PRIORITIZE SAFE STORAGE.

>> ANY OTHER BILLS THAT YOU ARE PUSHING FOR?

>> I'M STILL WORKING ON GETTING IN-STATE TUITION FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS.

NOT JUST STUDENTS WHO CROSS THE BORDER WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

WE HAVE ADOPTED KIDS FROM CHINA, KOREA AND PARENTS FORGET TO FILL OUT U.S.

CITIZENSHIP FORMS.

THEN NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THEY ARE 18 GRADUAING FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND THEY ARE STUCK WITHOUT A STATE TUITION.

>> IT'S SOMETHING WE DON'T THINK OF.

PROBABLY MORE OFTEN THAN WE THINK ABOUT.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON.

YOU LOOK GREAT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> IT WAS SO MUCH FUN AT THE CAPITAL TODAY.

EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE.

>> GLAD YOU COULD JOIN US.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT DOES IT FOR "LAWMAKERS" TODAY.

WE WILL BE BACK TUESDAY.

LOOK FOR OUR REPORT ON TOMORROW'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION AT THE END OF PBS "NEWS HOUR."

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.