LET'S GET TO THE NEWS FROM OUR CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT.

>> Reporter: A VERY PRODUCTIVE DAY IN THE HOUSE AS 10 BILLS PASSED , AND IN THE SENATE, A VERY UNUSUAL REQUEST.

TODAY HOUSE MEMBERS JOIN TO RECOGNIZE THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF 39 PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER, HIS FAMILY RECENTLY ANNOUNCED HE WAS ADMITTED TO HOSPICE CARE.

>> WE ARE ALL KEEPING HIM AND HIS FAMILY IN OUR PRAYERS.

PRESIDENT AND MRS. CARTER ARE WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE SPEAKER WAS ALSO HONORED WITH A TOKEN OF APPRECIATION , A NAMEPLATE FROM GEORGIA MARBLE, A COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE THE 1850S.

>> DO YOUR BEST TO GET IT IN MY OFFICE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW.

>> Reporter: SADLY REPRESENTATIVE TREMAINE REEVES RECOGNIZE THE FIVE LIVES LOST IN COLUMBUS FOLLOWING A VIOLENT WEEKEND.

>> 17 PEOPLE WERE SHOT, INCLUDING A FIVE-YEAR-OLD WHO WILL PERMANENTLY LOSE AN EYE.

FIVE PEOPLE DIED , INCLUDING A 15-YEAR-OLD AND A FATHER AND SON IN THE SAME LOCATION.

>> Reporter: AND MOMENT OF SILENCE TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO DIED.

IN LEGISLATIVE NEWS, HOUSE BILL OWNERS TO RECEIVE A DISCOUNT FOR BUILDING NEW PROPERTIES THAT ARE CONSTRUCTED TO WITHSTAND TORNADOES, HURRICANES, OR OTHER CATASTROPHIC WIND EVENTS, BUT SOME MEMBERS SHOWED CONCERN THAT PROPERTY OWNERS NOT RECEIVING DISCOUNTS WITH THE INCREASED COST IN THEIR PREMIUMS.

>> ARE THERE ANY PROTECTIONS FROM THEM BEARING THE BRUNT OF THE DISCOUNT OFFERED TO THOSE WHO DO?

>> I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE THAT I, NECESSARILY, AGREED THAT WHAT HAPPENED, BUT THAT IS NOT ADDRESSED IN THIS LEGISLATION.

>> Reporter: THE BILL PASSED 172-1.

HOUSE BUILT WILL NOW ALLOW FOR THOSE OVERSEAS TO PROVIDE WRITTEN STATEMENTS WITHOUT BEING NOTARIZED UNDER A PENALTY OF PERJURY.

>> THE DOCUMENT HAS TO BE IN A CERTAIN FORM WHERE THERE IS A SAYING THAT YOU WERE SIGNING IT UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY.

>> Reporter: FOLLOWING THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE, THE SPEAKER MADE A NEW ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH LEGISLATION, AN ISSUE NEAR AND DEAR TO FORMER SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON.

>> OUR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM WAS UNDERFUNDED AND NOT DESIGNED FOR THE NEEDS OF A GROWING, THRIVING STATE.

>> Reporter: THE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE EFFORT FOR EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND DATA AVAILABILITY.

>> THE INABILITY OF AGENCIES TO SHARE DATA WITH EACH OTHER IN TERMS OF THE CARE , NOT JUST FOR MINORS, BUT FOR ADULTS, IS ABSOLUTELY SOMETHING WE NEED TO FOCUS ON.

WE WILL DO THAT WITHIN THE FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTRUCT.

>> Reporter: AND A TRIBUTE TO JIMMY CARTER IN THE SENATE ALSO.

>> WE ARE DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE NEWS OF THE HOSPICE ANNOUNCEMENT .

HE IS A ROLE MODEL, A LEADER , A TRAILBLAZER, AND AN UNMISTAKABLE GENTLEMAN.

HE HAS LOADS OF STRENGTH.

>> Reporter: AS SENATOR RUSS GOODMAN SPOKE ABOUT THE INFLUENCE CARTER HAD ON HIMSELF, AND HIS SONS.

>> PRESIDENT CARTER'S LIFE, BOTH OF MY BOYS ARE FARM BOYS FROM SOUTH GEORGIA JUST LIKE JIMMY CARTER, AND HE'S LIFE PROVES THAT IN THIS COUNTRY, YOU COULD BE A FARM BOY FROM SOUTH GEORGIA TO BECOME THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD.

I AM SO THANKFUL TO HIM FOR HIS LEGACY AND HIS LIFE AND WHAT THAT MEANS TO KIDS LIKE MY SONS AND WHAT THEY CAN ACCOMPLISH.

>> Reporter: FOLLOWED BY A PRAYER FOR THE FORMER GEORGIA STATE REPRESENTATIVE, GOVERNOR, AND U.S. PRESIDENT.

>> LET'S TAKE A MOMENT AND STAND .

A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

MUST PUT OUR PRAYERS UP FOR THE CARTER FAMILY AND PRESIDENT CARTER, HIMSELF.

THEN ON TO THE RULES CALENDAR.

SENATE BILL 22 WILL REGULATE THE GROWING INDUSTRY OF EDIBLE HEMP PRODUCTS IN GEORGIA.

>> THE FDA HAS RECENTLY SET A NUMBER OF WARNING LETTERS DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES FOR THESE PRODUCTS, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE ATTRACTED TO PRODUCTS LIKE GUMMIES THAT ARE LABELED TO LOOK JUST LIKE PRODUCTS THAT THEY MAY BE VERY ATTRACTED TO , AND THEY OFTEN MIMIC POPULAR BRANDS.

>> Reporter: THE BILL WOULD ALSO RESTRICT THE AGE OF THOSE WHO COULD BUY THOSE PRODUCTS.

>> THIS BILL APPLIES TESTING AND LABELING STANDARDS AND AN AGE RESTRICTION FOR HEMP PRODUCTS WITH A THC CONTENT OF LESS THAN 0.3%, SUCH AS DELTA 8.

IT ALSO PROVIDES FOR LICENSING AND PERMITTING FEES, BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR GROWERS AND DISTRIBUTORS, AND PENALTIES FOR SALES TO INDIVIDUALS UNDER >> Reporter: AFTER FOUR AMENDMENTS WERE ADDED, THE BILL PASSED 29-26, BUT A RECONSIDERATION VOTE WAS ASKED FOR ONE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE BILL WOULD LEGALLY TREAT DELTA 8 CAME UP.

THE BILL WAS EVENTUALLY TABLED AND SENT BACK TO THE RULES COMMITTEE.

AND SENATE BILL 61, THAT BILL WOULD REMOVE THE SUNSET PROVISION ON A LAW ALLOWING SICK LEAVE FOR A FAMILY MEMBER CARE, SUCH AS KIDS, ELDERLY PARENTS, AND SPECIAL NEEDS RELATIVES.

THAT IS MY CAPITOL REPORT.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO SPEND TIME NOW FOCUSING ON A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT PUBLIC SAFETY BILLS.

JOINING ME OUR REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR LARRY WALKER OF PERRY .

IT IS CHAIR OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON INSURANCE AND LABOR.

AND DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE TONYA MILLER OF ATLANTA, A NEW REPRESENTATIVE NOW ON HER 21st DAY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF WATCHING YOUR DAD ON THE SHOW.

>> YES, MADAM.

ABOUT 50 YEARS OF WATCHING LAWMAKERS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON.

LET'S START WITH YOU.

TELL US ABOUT SENATE BILL 110, THE BACK THE BLUE BELL.

>> I'M GLAD TO TALK ABOUT IT.

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY A BILL LAST YEAR THAT THEN SENATOR BREWSTER JONES INTRODUCED >> PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE INSURANCE COMMITTEE AND DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE.

BUT I THOUGHT IT HAD MERIT.

OF COURSE, NOW SENATOR JONES IS NOW LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, AND HE IS FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

IT ATTEMPTS TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR OUR SHARE OF US.

--THE SHERIFF'S.

THEY ARE THE NUMBER ONE PERSON IN THE COUNTY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP OUR CITIZENS SAFE.

I HEAR FROM MY CONSTITUENTS, THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE I HEAR IS CONCERNED ABOUT CRIME.

THE SHERIFF'S AND THEIR DEPUTIES ARE ON THE FRONTLINES OF THIS.

SENATE BILL 110 IS AN OPTIONAL DONATION ON YOUR AUTO INSURANCE BILL OF THREE DOLLARS TO GO TO SUPPORT THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES AND JAIL IS.

>> YOU ARE HOPING A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL GET INVOLVED.

>> YES, MADAM.

IT IS TOTALLY VOLUNTARY.

IT WILL INCREASE YOUR PREMIUM, IT IS JUST AN OPTIONAL DONATION.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL MAKE SURE IT GOES WHERE EXACTLY?

>> SENATE BILL 110, IF IT PASSES, IT REQUIRES THE STATE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO SET UP A BACK OF THE BLUE FUND AND TO PRESCRIBE THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS CHECK OFF, WHAT I LIKE TO CALL IT, WILL BE ON EVERYONE'S AUTO INSURANCE BILL TO VOLUNTARILY DONATE THE THREE DOLLARS.

THE INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL COLLECT THE MONEY, AND ANNUALLY THEY WILL REMITTED TO THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, AND HE WILL DISPERSE IT TO THE COUNTY SHERIFF.

THE BILL CALL FOR THIS NOT TO SUPPLANT ANY FUNDING THAT THE COUNTY HAS GIVEN TO THE SHERIFF'S .

IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN ADDITION TO, AND SPECIFICALLY FOR, COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS , WHETHER JAIL OFFICERS OR SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES , AND BENEFITS.

>> I WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT IN A MOMENT.

WERE GOING TO TALK ABOUT A TOTALLY DIFFERENT BILL WITH REPRESENTATIVE MILLER.

YOUR BILL HB 325, THE TRANSPARENCY IN POLICING ACT, WHICH DEALS WITH ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES FOR POLICE BODY CAMERAS.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, DONNA.

THANKS FOR ASKING ABOUT THE SPELL.

IT IS A BILL COSPONSORED BY MYSELF, A FORMER PROSECUTOR, REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT HOLCOMB, AND REPRESENTATIVE YASMIN NEIL, A FORMER POLICE OFFICER.

IT WOULD REQUIRE UNIFORMED OFFICERS TO WORRY BODY CAMERA EVERY TIME THEY INTERACT WITH THE PUBLIC.

IT IS A UNIVERSAL BODY CAMERA BILL .

THE BILL WOULD ALSO REQUIRE THAT OFFICERS WHO INTENTIONALLY TAMPER WITH, DESTROY, OR INTERFERE WITH THE POTENTIALLY CHARGED WITH A CRIME.

IT DOES ALSO REQUIRE THAT CERTAIN NOTIFICATIONS PROVISIONS BE ENFORCED WHEN A CITIZEN , WHEN THEIR LOVED ONE IS KILLED.

AND IS DEPICTED ON VIDEO, THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE SHOWN TO THE FAMILY WITHIN 24 HOURS.

OF COURSE, THIS BILL IS NOT THE FIRST AND THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TRANSPARENCY IN POLICING FOR SOME YEARS NOW.

I THINK IT BECOMES MORE EVIDENT TO US WHEN WE SEE INSTANCES IN THE PUBLIC SPACE WHERE, UNFORTUNATELY, USE OF FORCE INCIDENT HAPPEN AND THERE IS NO BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE.

THAT CREATE A LOT OF MISTRUST BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY, AND WE HOPE THIS BILL, IF PAST, WILL HELP US TO AMEND THAT.

WE KNOW THAT, WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES NOT HAVE THE BADGE OF LEGITIMACY WITH THE PUBLIC, WHEN THE PUBLIC DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT LAW TREATING THOSE COMMUNITIES WITH DIGNITY, AND MAKES US ALL LESS SAFE.

IT MAKES THE OFFICERS LESS SAFE AND THE COMMUNITIES LESS SAFE.

>> I AM CURIOUS, HAS THERE BEEN REGULATION OF HER BODY CAMERAS UP UNTIL NOW?

IS THERE A LAW DEALING WITH THIS?

AS WE HEAR ABOUT LOCAL JURISDICTIONS, BUT STATEWIDE?

>> THERE IS NOT.

SHORT ANSWER.

ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES RIGHT NOW ARE FREE TO USE BODY CAMERAS OR NOT .

WE DON'T HAVE A CLEAR SENSE OF HOW MANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES DO NOT HAVE BODY CAMERA POLICIES.

WE KNOW THAT IN MOST OF THE METRO DEPARTMENTS, THERE IS SOME FORM OF BODY CAMERA POLICY.

WE WOULD HOPE THIS BILL WOULD REQUIRE ALL LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO HAVE BODY CAMERA POLICIES IN PLACE AND USAGE IN PLACE, AND THE HOPE WOULD BE THAT WE WOULD FIND A WAY TO FUND THIS PURCHASE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THESE BODY CAMERAS PROTECT POLICE OFFICERS JUST AS MUCH AS THEY PROTECT CITIZENS.

THAT CAN BE LEVERAGED IN THE COMMUNITY.

MOST OF THE BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE, TO BE QUITE FRANK, IS UTILIZED BY PROSECUTORS AGAINST SUSPECTS, BECAUSE IT OFTEN DEPICTS WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE ARREST.

IT REALLY IS NO GOOD REASON NOT TO DO IT.

I THINK IF OUR COMMUNITIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REESTABLISH TRUST AND COMMUNITIES WHERE TRUST HAS BEEN BROKEN AND BUILD TRUST AND COMMUNITIES WHERE TRUST HAS NEVER BEEN, WE HAVE GOT TO START SHOWING PEOPLE THAT WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

THAT IS WHAT THIS WOULD DO.

>> YOU BROUGHT UP THE IDEA OF MONEY, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SMALLER JURISDICTIONS, BEING ABLE TO AFFORD THIS KIND OF THING.

IT CAN BE EXPENSIVE.

>> IT CAN BE, BUT THIS IS WHAT I SAY TO THAT.

WE HAVE A $6 BILLION SURPLUS IN THE BUDGET.

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY WE OF WAY, WANT TO USE SOME OF THAT MONEY TO ASSIST SMALLER JURISDICTIONS WHO WILL NEED HELP FUNDING A BODY CAMERA IMPLEMENTATION.

ALSO, THE FEDS OFFER SIGNIFICANT GRANTS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

IN FACT, THAT APPLICATION PROCESS WILL START RELEASING.

THEY WILL GIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WHO DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCES TO IMPLEMENT THESE POLICIES BECAUSE IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO POLICING, NOT ONLY IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, BUT NATIONWIDE.

>> THE OTHER THING I WANT TO ASK ABOUT HIS STATE TROOPERS.

WE JUST RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THE BODY CAMERAS.

THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO FINANCE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

WE LEARNED THAT .

SOME OF US KNOW THAT WHO HAVE WORKED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SPACE.

THE STATE TROOPERS OFTEN INTERACT WITH CITIZENS IN FRONT OF THEIR VEHICLES.

THEY HAVE UTILIZED AND RELIED ON THE DASH CAM FOOTAGE, BUT AS WE SAW IN THE TOP CITY, I HATE TO USE THAT EXPRESSION, WE HAVE TROOPERS NOT FITTED WITH BODY CAMERAS, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO FOOTAGE OF THE SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED.

IT HAS LEFT SOME QUESTIONS IN CERTAIN SEGMENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT COULD EASILY BE ANSWERED IF EVERY POLICE OFFICER INTERACTING WITH THE CITIZEN HAS A BODY CAMERA.

>> WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES.

I WANT TO GET BACK TO YOU ON YOUR BILL.

HAS ANY OTHER STATE DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS WHERE THE UNIT --WHERE INSURANCE IS PROVIDING MONEY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT?

>> I AM NOT AWARE OF THAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WE ARE LEADING ON THIS .

I AM SAD TO TELL YOU, HOWEVER, WERE NOT LEADING ON LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPENSATION IN GEORGIA.

I THINK YOUR VIEWERS WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT THE AVERAGE , BASED ON A 2021 SURVEY, COMPENSATION SURVEY BY THE GEORGIA SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION, -- I MEAN, THE AVERAGE SALARY FOR A SHARES DEPUTY AND 2021 WAS $38,421.

THE AVERAGE SALARY FOR A JAIL OFFICER WAS $32,280.

WE HAVE SOME SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES MAKING AS LITTLE AS $13 PER HOUR.

SOME JAILERS ARE MAKING AS LITTLE AS $10 PER HOUR.

SHARES DEPUTY IN GEORGIA, SADLY, MANY OF THE DEPUTIES QUALIFY FOR SNAP, WHICH IS WHAT WE USED TO CALL FOOD STAMPS.

WE HAVE GOT TO DO BETTER.

THIS IS JUST A SMALL STEP TO, HOPEFULLY, PROVIDE SOME RESOURCES THAT BETTER COMPENSATE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES.

THEY HAVE TO RUN THE JAILS, PROTECT THE COURT, SERVE ALL THE COURT PAPERS, DO MENTAL HEALTH TRANSPORTS , FIGHT GANG ACTIVITY, DO TRAFFIC STOPS .

THEY ARE ON THE FRONTLINES.

WE HAVE GOT TO DO BETTER >> THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MUCH MONEY MIGHT COME IN AT THREE DOLLARS A POP.

>> I WILL FIND OUT HOW MANY AUTO INSURANCES , JUST AUTO INSURANCE, HOW MANY POLICIES WE HAVE IN GEORGIA.

I SUSPECT IT IS UP TO 2 MILLION.

IF EVERYBODY DID IT, OF COURSE, YOU WILL BE LOOKING AT $6 MILLION.

>> WE WILL SEE.

WE WILL GET THE WORD OUT ON BOTH OF YOUR BILLS.

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> COMING UP, WE WILL TALK ABOUT A BILL AIMED AT BREAKING UP WITH SOME CALL A MONOPOLY.

WHY THE COMPANIES THAT SELL TICKETS ONLINE TO YOUR FAVORITE CONCERTS.

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

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

REPRESENTS OVER $74 BILLION OF THE STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAMWORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITOL , DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR- ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> HERE IS WHAT IS NEW THIS MONTH.

>> HE FOUGHT FOR BLACK CULTURE.

>> THEY COULD'VE KILLED ME.

>> MY GOD.

>> THESE, AND ALL OF YOUR FAVORITE SHOWS, AVAILABLE WITH PASSPORT.

SUPPORT THE PBS STATION.

>>> WE CARE ABOUT THINGS THAT PROTECT THE LIVES OF EVERY AMERICAN.

>> WE'RE AT THE FRONTLINES TO GET TO THE HEART OF WHAT REALLY MATTERS .

>> THIS COUNTRY HAS NOT SEEN THIS IN 80 YEARS.

>> THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY >> MAKING SUCH A HUGE IMPACT.

>> THIS IS AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO.

>>> ONE OF THE EASIEST WAYS TO SUPPORT GPB IS TO BECOME A MONTHLY SUSTAINER.

HER MONTHLY SUPPORT CONTINUES AUTOMATICALLY MONTH AFTER MONTH AND SUPPORTS, NOT ONLY THE GREAT PROGRAMMING YOU LOVE, BUT ALSO OUR EFFORTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDE A TRUSTED SPACE FOR LIFELONG LEARNING ON THE AIR, DIGITALLY AND IN PERSON, ALL ACROSS GEORGIA.

ALL THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH YOUR MONTHLY SUPPORT.

WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU.

PLEASE DONATE RIGHT NOW ON GPB.ORG/GIVE.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS.

YOU HAVE HEARD THE NAMES, STUB HUB, TICKET MASTER, TICKETS MURDER.

THEIR SITES FOR YOU MIGHT BUY CONCERT TICKETS.

LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING AT LEGISLATION SUCH AS THE BOSS ASKED TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY AND REGULATION IN THE ONLINE TICKETING INDUSTRY.

GEORGIA IS ALSO LOOKING AT WAYS TO HELP CONSUMERS.

JOINING ME AS A SPONSOR OF ONE OF THE BILLS, DEMOCRATIC SENATOR JOSH McLAURIN OF SANDY SPRINGS.

YOUR COSPONSOR ON A BIPARTISAN BILL, SP 183, WHICH LOOKS AT TICKET BROKERS AND RESTRICTIONS TO SELLING TICKETS.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT APPEALED TO YOU WITH THIS LEGISLATION.

>> SURE.

I THINK OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS YOU HAVE SEEN CONSUMERS, CONCERTGOERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, UP IN ARMS OVER THE WAY THAT TICKET MASTER HAS HANDLED THE TICKETING PROCESS FOR SEVERAL CONCERTS.

I THINK WE HAVE ALL GOTTEN STORES OR SALES OR HAVE FRIENDS WHO HAVE STORIES ABOUT HOW FRUSTRATING THE PROCESS IS.

NOT ONLY DO NOT KNOW IF YOU WILL GET A TICKET, BUT WHAT YOU SEE ONE AVAILABLE AND THERE IS DYNAMIC PRICING, THE PRICING CAN GO UP BEFORE YOUR EYES.

WITH THIS BILL DOES IS , WHAT WE CAN DO ESTATE LOCKERS TO TAKE A BITE OUT OF THE TICKET MASTER MONOPOLY.

AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, FOR CONTACTS, THE FIGHT FOR ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT, TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT LIVE NATION AND TICKET MASTER, WHO EMERGED YEARS AGO, DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH OF THE MARKET, THAT FIGHT IS FOR CONGRESS.

THAT IS A BIG MONOPOLY SITE THAT VOTERS AND CONSUMERS ARE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT.

AT THE STATE LEVEL, THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE CAN DO.

TICKET MASTER TYPICALLY HAS BETWEEN TWO OR THREE RANKS, SECOND OR THIRD, IN TERMS OF TICKET RESALE SHARE OF THE MARKET NATIONALLY.

THAT MEANS, NOT ONLY ARE THEY HAVING THE MONOPOLY FOR VENUES AND PRIMARY TICKETING, BUT THEN IN TERMS OF RESALE, THERE REALLY HIGH UP ON THE LIST AS WELL.

WITH THIS BILL DOES IS RETURNS POWER TO THE CONSUMER TO MAKE CHOICES ABOUT THEIR TICKETS.

BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE TICKET MASTER, THE PROPRIETARY PLATFORM TO PAY FEES.

MEANS YOU WANT TO TRANSFER THE TICKET UNDER THIS BILL.

NOW, IT IS A TRICKY BALANCE.

THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS NOT, JUST LIKE ANY SELLING WIDGETS, ON AN OPEN MARKETPLACE.

THEIR ARTISTS THAT WANT THE FAN EXPERIENCE TO BE PROTECTED.

THEY WANT TO MAINTAIN GOODWILL AND A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH FANS.

SO PART OF WHAT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT AS WE NEGOTIATE THE FINAL STAGES OF THE BILL IS, AND RETURNING POWER TO THE CONSUMER, HOW DO WE BALANCE THAT WITH THE ABILITY OF THE ARTIST TO KEEP PRICES LOW ?

THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING AT AS WELL.

>> LET'S GET INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM, AND I BELIEVE YOU'RE ON THAT COMMITTEE, THEY HAD A HEARING RECENTLY.

AMONG THOSE OPPOSED TO THE LEGISLATION ARE CONCERT PROMOTERS LIKE LIVE NATION, WHICH OWNS TICKET MASTER.

LIVE NATION ATLANTA SPOKE AGAINST THE BILL ON BEHALF OF ARTISTS.

>> THESE PEOPLE SURREPTITIOUSLY WHICH ARE ILLEGAL FEDERALLY.

THEY ARE THE REASON A LOT OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS CAN'T GET TICKETS, BECAUSE THEY CLOG THE SYSTEM.

THERE WAS A SALE FOR 12,000 TICKETS, 4000 WENT TO BOTS.

THEY THEN RESELL THESE FOR HIGH PRICES.

WE DON'T SET THE TICKET PRICE, THE ARTIST DOES.

THE ARTIST WANTS TO MAKE THEIR TICKETS AVAILABLE TO ALL THEIR FANS AT A REASONABLE PRICE.

THEY KNOW THEY COULD GET THE SAME EXORBITANT PRICES IF THEY WANTED TO, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO GOUGE THEIR FANS.

>> YOUR REACTION TO WHAT HE SAID, ESPECIALLY WITH THE BOTS , SOMETHING OUT THERE THAT IS ACTUALLY GRABBING THESE TICKETS BEFORE FANS COULD GET TO THEM.

>> THIS GOES BACK TO THE BALANCE BETWEEN STATE ISSUES AND FEDERAL ISSUES AND PLAYING IN MULTIPLE ARENAS AT THE SAME TIME.

THERE IS ALREADY A FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITING ANYBODY FROM USING BOTS TO BUY UP TICKETS IN THAT FASHION.

ONE OF THE ISSUES IS REALLY ENFORCEMENT.

MAKING SURE THAT , IF SOMEBODY IS USING BOTS, THEY GET SHUT DOWN.

THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY SOMETHING THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS IN A GOOD POSITION TO FIX, BUT IT PROVIDES CONTEXT FOR THE POLICY DISCUSSION.

EXPLAINS WHY WE ARE IN THIS FRUSTRATING SITUATION TO BEGIN WITH.

>> I KNOW ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, TICKET MASTER APOLOGIZED TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND HER FANS.

THIS WHOLE IDEA THAT SOMEBODY ELSE COULD SELL THEM AGAIN .

HOW IS THAT DIFFERENT FROM HOW THESE BOTS WORK WITH THIS LEGISLATION?

>> THE POINT THAT LIVE NATION AND TICKET MASTER TRYING TO MAKE.

THEY KNOW THEY'RE NOT VERY POPULAR RIGHT NOW, THERE REACHING FOR THE ARGUMENTS THEY CAN.

IT IS ESSENTIALLY THAT WE HAVE THIS PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY WE CAN USE TO RESTRICT RESALE TRANSFER WRIT LARGE.

WE PROMISE YOU WE WILL USE THAT POWER TO PROTECT ARTISTS, TO PROTECT AGAINST COUNTY.

THAT, RIGHT NOW UNDER GEORGIA LAW, TICKET MASTER HAS UNFETTERED RESTRICTIONS.

IN SOME WAYS, SOME OF THE ARTISTS ARE HELD CAPTIVE.

THEY ARE FORCED TO USE THE TICKET MASTER PLATFORM BECAUSE OF THE OVERALL MONOPOLY.

SO WOULD TICKET MASTER AND LIVE NATION ARE DOING RIGHT NOW IS HIDING BEHIND ARTISTS TO TRY TO, BASICALLY, USE THE DESIRE OF THE ARTISTS TO MAINTAIN GOODWILL OF FANS TO SAY YOU NEED US TO DO THAT.

THE REASON YOU SEE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IS THAT WE DON'T BELIEVE YOU HAVE TO USE TICKET MASTER TO MAINTAIN THAT RELATIONSHIP.

WE THINK THERE OTHER WAYS THE MARKET CAN SUPPORT ARTISTS INTERACTING WITH FANS OTHER THAN BEING STUCK IN THAT ONE PROPRIETARY PLATFORM >> I'M SURE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WILL BE PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS.

BECAUSE IT IS BIPARTISAN, YOU FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT A GOING SOMEWHERE.

>> IT DEFINITELY MAKES THE MOONLIGHTING COMMITTEE.

YOU FIND A GOOD BIPARTISAN ISSUE WHERE BOTH PARTIES CAN WORK TOGETHER, YOU SEE COLLABORATION BETWEEN LEGISLATORS, WHICH IS SO UNLIKE WHAT WE SEE ON TV WITH THE CONTENTIOUS CULTURE WAR ISSUES.

IT IS QUITE NICE.

SEEING THOSE LEGISLATORS EVERY DAY, GET AN APPRECIATION FOR WHAT IT MEANS TO REALLY WORK WITH THEM AND BE ON THE SAME TEAM SOMETIMES.

>> THE TEAM OF THE PEOPLE.

WE HAVE A FEW MINUTES.

LET'S TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF YOUR OTHER BILLS.

BOTH DEAL WITH ELECTIONS.

TELL US ABOUT SP1 79, WHICH WOULD PERMIT THE REREGISTRATION OF PEOPLE PURGED FROM VOTING LISTS AND MORE.

>> THIS HAS TO DO WITH PEOPLE CONVICTED OF FELONIES.

A LOT OF TIMES WE HAVE THESE LAWS ON THE BOOKS OF THE BEEN AROUND FOREVER.

WE DON'T QUESTION WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

WE JUST ADOPT SOME SORT OF COMMON PERSPECTIVE THAT THAT IS JUST THE WAY THINGS ARE.

IN THIS CASE, THESE ARE PEOPLE CONVICTED OF FELONIES NOT BEING ABLE TO VOTE.

IN MY VIEW, AND THE VIEW OF A LOT OF MY PEERS, JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE CONVICTED OF A FELONY, IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE NOT A CITIZEN ANYMORE.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF CITIZENSHIP IS THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT SAY THAT IS PART OF THE PUNISHMENT, BUT THAT IS RATIONALIZATION OF A POLICY THAT HAS RACIST ROOTS.

IN THE LATE 1800S, AFTER THE CIVIL WAR, STATES WERE FACED WITH BLACK VOTERS NEWLY HAVING THE FRANCHISE, STARTED DISENFRANCHISING DELIBERATELY USING FELONY CONVICTIONS AS A WAY TO DO IT.

NOT JUST SLAVE STATES.

YOU HAD NEW YORK THAT DID SOMETHING SIMILAR.

THIS IS AN UNFORTUNATE THREAD IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

DECENT DISENFRANCHISEMENT LAWS PERSISTED FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

TO THIS DAY, THEY CATCH WHAT A BUNCH OF PEOPLE IN THE NET.

I THINK WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO REMEMBER WHERE THE LAWS CAME FROM AND TO CONSIDER WHETHER THEY SERVE AS ANYMORE.

IN THIS CASE, YOU WILL FIND THAT IT IS NOT ABOUT MORAL BLAME, IT IS ABOUT PRACTICALITY.

IF YOU ARE THERE INSIDE A GEORGIA STATE PRISON, WHICH HAS SUFFERED ONE OF THE MOST SEVERE HUMANITARIAN CRISES THE STATE HAS SEEN, PEOPLE WHO ARE FACING RISK OF MURDER AND ASSAULT AND ALL KINDS OF EVILS, INADEQUATE NUTRITION, MOLD, DISEASE , THESE SORTS OF CONDITIONS DON'T GET FIXED IF NOBODY IS LISTENING.

THE WAY THE POLITICIANS LISTEN AND CARE, UNFORTUNATELY, SOMETIMES IF THEY ARE REQUIRED TO BY THE FACT THAT THOSE ARE VOTERS WHO CAN VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT WILL PAY THE MOST ATTENTION.

I THINK SOMETIMES PEOPLE HAVE THIS CARTOONISH OBJECTION TO RE- ENFRANCHISEMENT THAT THEY WILL VOTE AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY A VOTE FOR MORE CRIME.

THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

PEOPLE MADE MISTAKES ARE STILL PEOPLE.

THEIR SUFFERING FROM REALLY INHUMANE CONDITIONS IN THE PRESENCE.

I KNOW THE NEW COMMISSIONER IS WORKING ON THAT, BUT WHAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO DO IS A, LET'S RECOGNIZE THEIR CITIZENSHIP AND THAT YOU ARE A MEMBER OF SOCIETY, EVEN THOUGH YOU MADE A MISTAKE, AND LET'S GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO PETITION YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR CHANGES IN YOUR CONDITIONS.

>> WHO WOULD THIS AFFECT, IF NOT EVERYBODY WHO COMES OUT OF PRISON?

>> IT IS ANYBODY CONVICTED OF A FELONY.

THERE ALREADY TO STATES THAT DO THIS, VERMONT AND MAINE.

WHEN YOU GET A FELONY FRANCHISE AT ALL.

IF ANYBODY IS QUEASY ABOUT THAT, I UNDERSTAND WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM, BUT I REALLY INVITE PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THIS.

THAT IS WHY I RAISED IT.

ASKED THE QUESTION, WHO DOES THIS REALLY SERVE, AND WOULD IT BE WE BETTER OFF OF THOSE PEOPLE HAD A REAL VOICE?

>> I WILL MENTION REAL QUICKLY SENATE RESOLUTION 148 , A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

>> THAT IS ONE CRITICAL POPULAR CHECK ON THIS.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE OPINIONS AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT WE HAVE TO KICK IT BACK TO THE PEOPLE AND SAY, WE HAVE AN IDEA ABOUT THIS, BUT YOU GUYS CONFIRM IT.

>> WE WILL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THAT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON LAWMAKERS.

THAT IS ALL WE HAVE TIME FOR TODAY.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY 22.

GOODNIGHT.