♪♪ >>> I WANT TO GO ON RECORD TO THIS BILL TO SAY THIS BILL IS NOT ABOUT BIG FARMING.

BUT ABOUT BEING ABLE TO KEEP OUR SMALL FAMILY FARM, RURAL FARMS AND EVEN URBAN FARMS OPERATING WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT A DEEMED NUISANCE.

>> IT MAY BE PERFECT LEGISLATION THAT YOU ARE DOING FOR THE FARMING.

I AM NOT AGAINST THAT.

BUT SOMETIMES THERE IS A BACK-DOOR CONSEQUENCE.

>> LAWMAKERS SQUARE OFF OVER WHETHER TO MAKE IT HARDER TO FILE SO-CALLED NUISANCE LAWSUITS AGAINST FARMERS OVER ISSUES SUCH AS BAD SMELLS, NOISE AND POLLUTION.

GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS DAY 23 OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M DONNA LOWERY.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE DEBATE OVER THE FREEDOM TO FARM ACT COMING UP.

AND LATER, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT A BILL TO START A PILOT PROGRAM TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE ON URBAN FARMING.

>>> ALSO TODAY, A LOOK AT ONE OF SEVERAL BILLS TO DETERMINE HOW ELECTRIC VEHICLE STATIONS WILL OPERATE IN GEORGIA.

CONVENIENCE STORE OWNERS HAVE CONCERNS, AND THEY'VE TURNED TO LAWMAKERS FOR HELP.

SOME OF THE UPROAR IN SCHOOLS DURING THE PANDEMIC HAS LED TO ACCREDITING AGENCIES CHECKING INTO A FEW DISTRICTS.

SOME LEGISLATORS WANT THOSE AGENCIES TO FACE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY.

ON THE HEALTH FRONT, THE GEORGIA LEGISLATURE CONTINUES LOOKING FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE MATERNAL MORTALITY.

ONE BILL WOULD REQUIRE A REVIEW OF PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATHS.

WE'LL GET TO ALL OF THAT AFTER WE GET A WRAP UP OF THE DAY'S NEWS FROM OUR "LAWMAKERS" CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS.

>> HI, DONNA.

TALKING MONEY IN THE SENATE TODAY.

THE SENATE PASSED A NEARLY $30 BILLION MID-YEAR BUDGET THAT INCLUDES RAISES AND BONUSES FOR ABOUT 300,000 STATE, UNIVERSITY AND K THROUGH 12 EMPLOYEES.

THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL HB-910 MADE ITS WAY TO THE SENATE TODAY.

WHILE MANY OF THE GOVERNOR'S AND HOUSE PROPOSALS REMAIN UNCHANGED, THE SENATE DID ADD SOME TWEAKS OF ITS OWN.

FIRST UP, PANDEMIC PROGRAMS.

>> SENATE POSITION SUPPORTS THE SILENCE THE SHAME PROGRAM WHICH SUPPORTS MENTAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY WELLNESS AND OUTREACH.

YOU'LL SEE WHERE THE SENATE POSITION SUPPORTS KATE'S CLUB WHICH IS A NONPROFIT THAT PROVIDES GRIEF SUPPORT TO BEREAVED CHILDREN FOR ISSUES THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY WERE NOT FACING BEFORE THIS PANDEMIC.

IN VARIOUS OTHER LINE ITEMS YOU'LL SEE $1.25 MILLION THAT WAS ADDED FOR RESPITE SERVICES ALONG WITH AN ADDITIONAL $250,000 FOR NONMEDICAL NONEMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION TO HELP WITH THOSE WHO ARE -- WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM SUCH PROGRAMS.

>> HEALTH CARE WAS ALSO A PRIORITY.

THE SENATE ADDED OVER $37 MILLION TO LOW-INCOME MEDICAID AND TEACH CARE.

AND $1.5 MILLION FOR PEACH CARE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

SCHOOL NURSES ALSO WILL SEE A PAY INCREASE.

>> AND THE SENATE PROPOSAL, BECAUSE OF SENATOR REQUESTS, VARIOUS AND NUMEROUS SENATOR REQUESTS, ADDS $4.1 MILLION AT LINE 149.8 TO PROVIDE SCHOOL NURSES WITH PARITY TO THE TEACHER INCREASE YOU'D SEE AS WELL.

$2,000 FOR EVERY SCHOOL NURSE ON TOP OF -- IN ADDITION TO OUR -- AS WELL AS WHAT THEY ARE BEING PAID TO TEACHERS.

>> $20 MILLION ADDED FOR RURAL MAIN STREET DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.

AN ADDITIONAL $300,000 ADDED FOR YOUTH SUMMER NUTRITION MEALS AS WELL AS$100,000 TO HELP ADDRESS FOOD DESERT INFORMATION FOR LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES.

CORRECTIONAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE OFFICERS WILL SEE A LARGER PAY INCREASE THAN THE HOUSE PROPOSED.

>> THE SENATE PROPOSAL WILL INCLUDE ALMOST DOUBLE DOWN ON THE GOVERNOR'S $5,000 RAISE ADDING AN ADDITIONAL $4,000 IN -- ON TOP FOR THOSE TWO AGENCIES FOR SWORN FIELD POSITIONS AGAIN IN JUVENILE JUSTICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

>> THE SENATE BILL ALSO PUTS ASIDE ALMOST $190 MILLION TO MATCH FEDERAL FUNDS EXPECTED IN THE COMING YEAR.

>> EARLIER LAST YEAR, CONGRESS PASSED THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND JOB -- INVESTMENT JOBS ACT AND THAT DOES POTENTIALLY MAKE GEORGIA ELIGIBLE FOR SUBSTANTIALLY MORE FEDERAL FUNDS.

THERE'S A STATE MATCH OF ROUGHLY 20%.

THAT WOULD LEAVE A 1 TO 5 RETURN FOR GEORGIA ON STATE DOLLARS PAID FORWARD.

BUT THE DOLLAR IS LARGE.

WE WOULD POTENTIALLY HAVE TO PUT UP SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 150 AND $250 MILLION TO MAKE OUR STATE MATCH.

>> BUT SENATOR TILLERY ALSO SAID THEY WANTED TO BE PREPARED IN CASE THE CURRENT ECONOMY FALTERS.

>> RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN A POSITION WHERE CASH SEEMS TO BE ON HAND.

I'M NOT SURE WE'LL SEE THAT IN '23 AND AS WE MOVE INTO THE '23 AMENDED AND '24 NEXT JANUARY.

MANY OF THESE MOVES YOU'LL SEE NOW, WE DO HAVE TO TAKE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MAKING CONSCIOUS DECISION THAT WE'RE BEING PRUDENT WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND NOT INCURRING EXPENSES NOW WE CAN'T MOVE FORWARD LATER.

>> THE SENATE VOTED FOR THE BILL UNANIMOUSLY AND IT WAS SENT BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR THEIR REVIEW OF THE AMENDMENTS.

AND IN THE HOUSE TODAY, A BILL CROSSED UP TO PROTECT GEORGIA FARMERS FROM THEIR NEIGHBORS.

BUT OPPONENTS POINT OUT FARMING OPERATIONS ARE NO LONGER ISOLATED JUST TO RURAL AREAS.

HOUSE BILL 1150 PASSED IN THE HOUSE THIS AFTERNOON.

102-62.

IT'S CALLED THE FREEDOM TO FARM ACT.

>> THIS BILL SHOULD BE TITLED SAVE OUR FAMILY FARMS OR REALLY MAYBE THE GOOD NEIGHBOR BILL.

I'M A GOOD NEIGHBOR WHO HAS FAMILY FARMING.

I WORK FOR A LIVING TIRELESSLY TO PRESERVE OUR LANDS SO THAT MY SON AND GRANDDAUGHTER CAN CONTINUE TO WORK ON OUR FARM FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> THIS BILL IS AIMED AT DISCOURAGING NUISANCE LAWSUITS AGAINST FARMERS FILED BY THEIR NEIGHBORS.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT DICKEY SAYS HOUSE BILL 1150 IS NEEDED BECAUSE FARMERS AND NONFARMERS ARE NOW LIVING CLOSER TO EACH OTHER THAN EVER BEFORE.

AND THIS BILL WOULD PROTECT THE FARMERS.

>> BUT URBAN ENCROACHMENT IS HAPPENING ALL AROUND GEORGIA FARMS.

AND IT WILL CONTINUE AND GET WORSE.

PEOPLE WHO NORMALLY HAVE NOT LIVED AROUND A FARM OR AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS ARE NOW LIVING RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

>> UNDER THE BILL, NEIGHBORS WHO OBJECT TO NOISE, SMELLS, DUST OR POLLUTED WATER COMING FROM FARM OPERATIONS COULD NOT SUE IF THE FARM HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR ONE YEAR OR MORE.

THE ONE YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS WOULD NOT APPLY TO ANY CONFINED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS LIKE A CHICKEN HOUSE OR A HOG FARM.

>> I COULD DOT ALL MY Is, CROSS ALL MY Ts AND STILL GET SUED FOR NUANCE SUIT.

IF WE WANT TO ENSURE A SAFE FOOD SUPPLY, GEORGIA-GROWN FOOD SUPPLY, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE OUR KIDS BE ABLE TO MOVE BACK TO THE FARM, BACK TO RURAL GEORGIA, AND BEGIN FARMING ON THEIR OWN, WE NEED TO PASS THIS BILL.

>> BUT NOT ALL LEGISLATORS GAVE THE BILL A NOD OF APPROVAL.

LIKE REPRESENTATIVE VIOLA DAVIS WHO SAYS ONE OF HER NEIGHBORS IS RUNNING A HOG FARM IN HER STONE MOUNTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> IT MAY BE PERFECT LEGISLATION THAT YOU ARE DOING FOR THE FARMERS.

I AM NOT AGAINST THAT.

BUT SOMETIMES THERE IS A BACK-DOOR CONSEQUENCE TO YOUR LEGISLATION.

THEY ARE GETTING READY TO DESTROY THE AMERICAN DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP IN GEORGIA.

>> DESPITE THE OPPOSITION, HOUSE BILL 1150 PASSED, 102-62.

AND FINALLY TONIGHT, A SPECIAL HONOR TO GEORGIA'S NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES.

SENATE RESOLUTION 504 WILL DEDICATE A RED CEDAR TREE TO BE PLANTED ON CAPITOL GROUNDS.

AND THAT IS MY CAPITOL REPORT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, BRENDA.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON A FEW PIECES OF LEGISLATION NOW, INCLUDING ONE TO GET A HANDLE ON THE VEHICLES THAT THE AGENCIES THAT ACCREDIT SCHOOLS.

WE WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ONE OF SEVERAL BILLS REGULATING THE GROWING ELECTRIC VEHICLE MARKET.

THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY REPORTS THAT, AS OF 2020, THE U.S. HAD REGISTRATIONS FOR 1.8 MILLION ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THREE TIMES MORE THAN IN 2016.

TODAY AT THE CAPITOL, LEGISLATORS, STAFF AND VISITORS HAD THE CHANCE TO VIEW SEVERAL ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

IN ADDITION TO A FORD AND AUDI AND VOLKSWAGEN MODEL, THE CLEAN ENERGY ORGANIZATION HAD A TESLA ON DISPLAY AND OFFERED TEST DRIVES.

A FEW RESEARCH CENTER STUDY SHOWS 7% OF ADULTS SAY THEY CURRENTLY HAVE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR HYBRID AND 39% SAY THEY ARE VERY OR SOMEWHAT LIKELY TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER BUYING ONE.

JOINING ME NOW TO TALK ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLE BILLS AND MORE ARE TWO SENATORS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE REGULATED INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE, REPUBLICAN SENATOR LINDSEY TIPPENS OF MARIETTA WHO IS AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE AND THE CHAIR OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

AND DEMOCRATIC SENATOR GLORIA BUTLER OF STONE MOUNTAIN, THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS," BOTH OF YOU.

SENATOR BUTLER, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

SENATE BILL 492, BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, AND IT IS -- YOU ARE ONE OF SENATOR MULLIS IS THE MAIN SPONSOR BUT YOU'RE THE SECOND SIGNER.

YEAH, THE BILL ESTABLISHES THE FRAMEWORK FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

I WANT TO START WITH, WHY DO YOU THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A BILL ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT?

>> WELL, BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING BRAND-NEW.

WELL, MAYBE NOT BRAND-NEW, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE A WAY TO DO IT ALL.

NOT JUST JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET AND NOT HAVE SOME GUIDELINES TO, YOU KNOW, GUIDE THE MARKET, GUIDE THE WAY ITS REGULATED AND THE WAY PEOPLE RESPOND TO IT.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES -- I DIDN'T GET TO -- >> YOU DIDN'T GET TO TEST DRIVE?

>> I DIDN'T GET TO TRY IT OUT.

I WISH I COULD, BUT I WAS BUSY ALL DAY, BUT I THINK IT'S AN EXCITING MARKET FOR US TO GET INTO.

IT WILL BRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO GEORGIA.

IT WILL ALLOW, AS YOU STATED, CONVENIENCE STORES, REST STOPS, TRUCK STOPS, TO HAVE THE CHARGERS FOR THE VEHICLES.

SO I THINK THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THINGS WILL FALL IN PLACE.

>> SO ONE OF THE AREAS OF THE BILLS DEALS WITH THE CHARGING STATIONS IN PARTICULAR, RIGHT?

AND IT DEALS WITH THE RETAILERS LIKE THE CONVENIENCE STORES, WHO FEEL THAT THEY ARE COMPETING WITH THE POWER COMPANIES LIKE GEORGIA POWER.

SO TELL ME WHAT THE BILL WOULD DO WHEN IT COMES TO THAT PART OF IT.

>> WELL, THE ELECTRIC COMPANIES WILL MAKE, DISTRIBUTE AND SELL THE POWER TO THE RETAILERS.

AND THEN THEY, IN TURN, RESELL THE ELECTRICITY TO CONSUMERS FOR FUELING THEIR CARS.

AND THE BILL WOULD ALLOW SUCH RESALE TO NOT VIOLATE THE TERRITORIAL ACT.

SECOND, IT CREATES A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR EV CHARGING PROVIDERS.

TODAY AN ELECTRIC SERVICE PROVIDER CAN PASS ALONG THE COAST OF EVs CHARGING TO ALL OF THE RATE PAYERS, WHETHER THEY HAVE A ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR NOT.

AND THAT'S ONE THING WE DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN.

>> THE CONCERN IS THAT GEORGIA POWER WILL HAVE ITS OWN CHARGING STATIONS AND BE ABLE TO HAVE A MONOPOLY.

>> YEAH.

AND THAT IS -- I THINK THAT'S THE BIGGEST FEAR OF WHY, YOU KNOW, IT'S WORKING OUT THE WAY IT IS BECAUSE GEORGIA POWER HAS ALWAYS HAD A MONOPOLY OF ELECTRICITY.

>> BUT THIS BILL MAKES THEM COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF SUBSIDIARY THAT WILL BE ON THE SAME LEVEL AS THE CONVENIENCE STORES OR ANYBODY WHO ELSE HAS THE CHARGING STATION.

>> SO THEY WOULD BE ON THE SAME LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AND EVERYBODY WILL BE CHARGED THE SAME RATE.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE TWO TIERS, SMALLER CHARGING STATION AND A LARGER CHARGING STATION WHICH WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT PRICES.

SO ALL OF THAT HAS TO BE WORKED OUT, TOO.

>> I JUST LEARNED TODAY THAT THERE IS MONEY COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT GEORGIA WOULD GET $135 MILLION THAT CAN BE USED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE CHARGING STATIONS, AND WE HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 1st TO GET THAT MONEY DISTRIBUTED AND TO GOING TO USE THAT P. SO IT SOUND LIKE WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE IT ALL OUT BEFORE EVERYTHING GETS GOING.

OKAY.

WELL, I'M SURE WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THIS COMING UP.

I WANT TO SWITCH TO YOU, CHAIRMAN TIPPENS.

YOU ARE SPONSORING SB-498.

AND THAT LOOKS AT ACCREDITING AGENCIES.

AND THAT HAS BEEN A CONCERN FOR YOU BECAUSE OF THE ACCOUNTABILITY WHEN IT COMES TO THE AGENCIES.

WHAT BOTHERS YOU ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH SOME OF THESE ACCREDITING AGENCIES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS?

>> WELL, I REALLY FEEL LIKE IF YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF IT AND THE EXPOSURE I'VE HAD WHEN I SERVED ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, I WAS THERE FOR 12 YEARS.

I THINK WE HAD THREE ACCREDITATIONS.

MAY HAVE JUST BEEN TWO.

WE WERE AWARE, AS BOARD MEMBERS, THAT THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS WAS GOING ON, BUT NEVER REALLY GOT INTO THE WEEDS.

MAYBE I WAS INTERVIEWED ONE TIME, ONE OF THE YEARS I HAPPENED TO BE CHAIR.

BUT WHEN I WENT TO THE SENATE, STARTING SERVED ON SENATE EDUCATION AND YOUTH COMMITTEE THAT OVERSEES K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION, I LOOKED -- ACTUALLY LOOKED INTO ONE OF THE ACCREDITATION REPORTS AND ASKED THE QUESTION, WELL, WHERE'S THE PIECE ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND ACADEMICS.

AND I WAS TOLD, WELL, WE DON'T DO THAT.

WE BASICALLY DO AN EVALUATION OF THE BOARD AND HOW WELL THEY GET ALONG, THE POLICIES THAT THEY HAVE AND IT WAS STRANGE TO ME THAT THE CORE BUSINESS OF THE EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENT WAS NOT PART OF THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS, AND I FELT LIKE IT SHOULD BE.

>> AND WE'VE HAD SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THIS STATE GET INTO TROUBLE WHEN IT COMES TO ACCREDITATION AND IT HURTS THE STUDENTS SOMETIMES GETTING SCHOLARSHIPS AND THAT KIND OF THING.

WHAT WOULD YOUR BILL DO?

>> WELL, IF YOU LOOK AT STATE LAW, WE DO NOT ACCREDITATION.

BUT TO ACCESS THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP YOU HAVE TO COME FROM AN ACCREDITED HIGH SCHOOL.

BUT FOR PEOPLE TO SAY YOU DO NOT NEED ACCREDITED HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE STUDENTS GOING TO SCHOOL, GOING TO COLLEGE OUT OF STATE, THEY NEED THAT FROM A RECOGNIZED ACCREDITATION AGENCY.

WHAT MY BILL DOES IS PUT THE FOCUS WHERE THE FOCUS SHOULD BE, WHICH IS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EFFICIENCIES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF BOTH TEACHING AND LEARNING.

AND IT STRUCTURES THE BILL WHERE 80% OF IT WOULD HAVE TO DO WITH AN EVALUATION OF THE BROAD SPECTRUM OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND STUDENT SUCCESS.

THE EXACT PARAMETERS OF THAT, THE BILL DEFINES THAT THE -- GEORGIA'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WOULD LAY OUT BASICALLY THE METRICS THAT WOULD BE APPLIED IN THE AREAS THAT WOULD BE EVALUATED, BUT IT WOULD ALL FEED BACK INTO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

80% OF THE EVALUATION WOULD BE AROUND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

20% WOULD BE ON FINANCIAL EFFICIENCIES.

IT WOULD ALSO ONLY MANDATE THAT HIGH SCHOOLS BE ACCREDITED.

THE STATE D.O.E., AT INVITATION OF THE LOCAL BOARD, COULD OFFER AN ACCREDITATION OF ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS, WHICH THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE OF THE VAST AMOUNT OF DATA THAT WE ALREADY COLLECT.

THE BOARD WOULD -- I MEAN, THE BILL WOULD ALSO MAKE SUBJECT TO OPEN RECORDS ANY COMPLAINTS THAT MAY LEAD TO AN INVESTIGATION.

AND THAT WOULD BE CRITICAL OF HAVING OPEN RECORDS PROTECTION.

ANOTHER ASPECT OF THE BILL IS THAT THE ACCREDITATION AGENCY COULD NOT PROVIDE REMEDIAL SERVICES FOR ANY DEFICIENCIES THAT ARE POINTED OUT.

>> AND THAT'S BEEN PART OF IT HASN'T IT?

THEY SWEEP IN -- THEY SAY THERE'S A PROBLEM, BUT WE CAN HELP YOU AND THEN THEY CHARGE MONEY.

>> I THINK IT'S -- I THINK IT'S BASICALLY A QUESTIONABLE PRACTICE WHEN THE OVERSEER HAS NO OVERSIGHT.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT THE BILL REALLY ATTEMPTED TO DO.

>> WE'RE GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR BILL.

I DON'T WANT TO CUT YOU OFF, BUT BEFORE YOU LEAVE, WE'VE GOT TO TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU ANNOUNCED YOU'RE NOT GOING TO RUN AGAIN.

AND YOUR COLLEAGUES REALLY -- THERE WAS AN OUTPOURING OF AFFECTION ABOUT THAT.

THEY GAVE YOU A PROCLAMATION.

WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?

DID YOU EXPECT IT TO BE THAT WAY?

>> WELL, I KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO DO A RESOLUTION, BUT THEY HAD INVITED MY FAMILY DOWN.

IT WAS VERY SPECIAL.

THEY WERE VERY GRACIOUS IN THEIR REMARKS.

AND I VALUE THE FRIENDSHIPS I'VE MADE IN THE SENATE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO MISS YOU.

I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON BEFORE YOU WRAP THINGS UP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, LEADER BUTLER, FOR COMING ON ALSO.

GOOD BILLS.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP UP WITH.

>>> COMING UP, WE'LL DIG INTO WHAT'S BEHIND LEGISLATION FOR A MEDICAL EXAMINER TO MAKE INQUIRIES WHEN A WOMAN DIES DURING OR SHORTLY AFTER GIVING BIRTH.

>>> WE'LL ALSO LOOK AT GETTING KIDS INVOLVED IN URBAN FARMING.

YOU'RE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>>> CIGNA IS A PROUD PARTNER OF GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING "LAWMAKERS."

THE MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE PEACE OF MIND OF THOSE WE SERVE.

MORE AT CIGNA.COM TO LEARN HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR EMPLOYEES WELL-BEING.

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

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER $74 BILLION OF OUTPUT OF GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY.

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

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> GEORGIA HUMANITIES, CONNECTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS GEORGIA TO ENCOURAGE CONVERSATION, EDUCATION AND UNDERSTANDING.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.GEORGIAHUMANITIES.ORG.

>>> WE ARE THE SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER.

AT SELC, WE NOT ONLY TAKE ON THE TOUGHEST ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES, WE WIN.

FORCING THE REMOVAL OF MORE THAN 250 MILLION TONS OF TOXIC COAL ASH.

DEFEATING REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO BRING OFFSHORE DRILLING TO OUR COASTS.

AND SECURING CLEAN AIR AND WATER PROTECTIONS FOR COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR REGION.

YOUR MOST POWERFUL ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDER IS ROOTED RIGHT HERE IN THE SOUTH.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT ONE WAY GEORGIA IS TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON ITS HIGH MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE AND LOOK AT A PROPOSED PILOT PROGRAM FOR GETTING KIDS INVOLVED IN URBAN FARMING.

JOINING ME ARE DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE MANDISA THOMAS OF SOUTH FULTON AND REPUBLICAN SENATOR BEN LAWSON, CHAIR OF THE SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

CHAIRMAN WATSON, WE KNOW THE ISSUE OF HIGH MATERNAL MORTALITY IS SOMETHING GEORGIA LEGISLATORS HAVE REALLY TACKLED, REALLY BEEN WORKING WITH.

THE PROBLEM IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT A LITTLE BIT?

>> TERRIBLY UNFORTUNATE THAT GEORGIA RANKS 49th OR 50th, AS IN THE WORST, RELATING TO MATERNAL MORTALITY.

AND THAT'S HAVING TO DO WITH POST-PARTUM AFTER YOU'RE DELIVERED.

SO AFTER A DELIVER THE BABY, UP UNTIL A YEAR OR SO, THAT'S THE MEASURE.

SO IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE ACTUALLY CREATED A COMMISSION ABOUT.

AND THEY HAD RECOMMENDATIONS FOR US.

>> SO YOU HAVE BILLS, SENATE BILL 496.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING TO DO.

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED.

TWO MAJOR THINGS WERE, NUMBER ONE, TO EXTEND THE BENEFITS, MEDICAID BENEFITS FOR ONE YEAR POST-PARTUM.

WE KNOW YEAR BEFORE LAST, OR LAST YEAR WE DID IT SIX MONTHS.

BEFORE THAT TWO OR THREE MONTHS.

SO WE EXTENDED IT.

THAT WAS THE NUMBER ONE THING WE DID.

WHAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT IS THE MONEY THAT GOES WITH THAT.

GOVERNOR KEMP PUT THAT IN THE BUDGET AND WE PUT IT IN CODE RECENTLY HERE IN THE SENATE.

OF COURSE, IT WILL GO OVER TO THE HOUSE.

>> YEAH, SO THAT WAS A BIG ONE.

YOU GOT THAT ONE PASSED.

NOW ANOTHER ONE THAT EARLIER THIS WEEK CAME OUT OF THE SENATE.

>> RIGHT, SENATOR BURKE CARRIED THAT.

THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE CAUSE OF THE DEATH.

SO WHEN THEY DID THE REVIEWS OF THE DEATHS RELATING TO POST-PARTUM DEATHS, SO THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE DEATH WAS IN ABOUT 50% OF THE CASES.

SO THAT'S THE REAL QUESTION IS WHY?

SO WE NEEDED THE DATA SO WE CAN KNOW WHY IS THAT?

THAT'S WHY WE BROUGHT THIS LEGISLATION FORWARD SO THAT THAT ADDS ONE OF THE REASONS THE MEDICAL EXAMINER WILL NEED TO DO AN AUTOPSY SO THAT WE'LL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.

>> WHO WILL DETERMINE WHETHER AN INVESTIGATION IS WARRANTED?

>> CERTAINLY LOCALLY, WE ALWAYS PUSH THINGS LOCALLY, RIGHT?

SO WE TRY TO GET THEM INVOLVED SO IT'S GOING TO BE THE CORONER.

THEY KNOW THAT.

ARE THEY ATTENDED BY THE PHYSICIAN?

DO WE KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE IS?

SO IF IT REMAINS UNKNOWN OR UNATTENDED, THEN THAT WILL BE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE AN AUTOPSY.

>> EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE.

ATTENDED IS SOMEBODY HELPS YOU WITH THE BIRTH, RIGHT, OR -- EXPLAIN THAT.

MAYBE I DON'T HAVE IT RIGHT.

>> YOU'RE THE DOCTOR, SIR.

>> ATTENDED MEANS AS IN UNDER THE CARE OF A PHYSICIAN.

>> OKAY.

>> SO ATTENDING PHYSICIAN.

>> OKAY.

AND SO WHETHER IT'S ATTENDED OR NOT MAY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THINGS?

>> CERTAINLY IF THERE'S NOT BEEN ANY TOUCHES RELATING TO HEALTH CARE AND SOMEONE SUDDENLY DIES, THEN YOU WOULDN'T KNOW THE CAUSE OF THAT DEATH.

>> A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THAT BILL.

WE'LL CHANGE GEARS A LITTLE BIT NOW AND TALK ABOUT SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

URBAN FARMING.

REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS, YOU ARE ON THE AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

SO TELL US ABOUT YOUR INTEREST, FIRST OF ALL, IN AGRICULTURE.

WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

>> THE INTEREST CAME OUT OF A NEED FOR DISTRICT 65.

SUBURBAN, RURAL AND URBAN ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

AGRICULTURE IS NEEDED IN MY DISTRICT IN THE URBAN AREAS.

SO I'M ONE THAT'S BEING A CONDUIT FOR THE URBAN FARMERS TO STAND UP.

>> YOU HAVE PARTS OF YOUR AREA THAT ARE FOOD DESERTS, RIGHT?

>> OH, DEFINITELY.

PART OF THE AREA IS FOOD DESERTS.

THIS IS MAINLY WHERE THIS BILL CAME OUT OF.

SO ALL SUMMER I'VE BEEN WORKING ON HOUSE BILL 1309, AND IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE REPRESENTATIVE PAULA HICKS FROM OHIO CONTACTED ME AFTER SHE SAW THE WORK THAT I HAD BEEN DOING, REPORTED IN BLACK ENTERPRISE.

AND SHE ASKED ME ABOUT DOING A BILL.

I SAID I'M WORKING ON THIS BILL.

SO WE ACTUALLY BECAME THE AG CO 3.

ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE OUT OF KENTUCKY, WE ARE ALL DROPPING THE SAME PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> TELL US ABOUT THE LEGISLATION.

>> SO IT'S A PILOT PROGRAM.

AND IT'S FOR AGES 11 TO 18.

INITIALLY I DID HAVE IT AT 6 TO 18 AND WE THOUGHT WE NEED TO CURTAIL THAT MORE.

AND SO BASICALLY, IT'S FOUR PILOTS TO COME ON THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF GEORGIA.

>> THE UGA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE.

AND HOW WOULD THEY BE INVOLVED?

>> WELL, THEY LIKED THE BILL SO MUCH THEY CREATED A PROGRAM TO IT.

SO WE STARTED OFF WITH THREE ACTUALLY PILOT AGENCIES.

SO WE LOOKED AT COWETA, DOUGLASS AND FULTON.

EACH WOULD GET TEN PARTICIPANTS PER AGENCY OFFICE.

>> I HAVE TO SAY THAT YOU HAVE THE YOUNGEST FARMER -- CERTIFIED FARMER IN THE STATE IN YOUR DISTRICT, RIGHT?

>> YES, I DO.

>> SO I GUESS THAT SHOWS YOU THERE IS INTEREST BY YOUNG PEOPLE IN THIS.

>> DEFINITELY.

AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR OUR STATE BECAUSE WE ARE THE NUMBER ONE AS FAR AS THE INDUSTRY BUT WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS THAT GEORGIA IS NOT THE NUMBER ONE STATE FOR AGRICULTURE.

BUT WE CAN BE, IF WE INCLUDE THAT POPULATION OF URBAN FARMERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I'M GLAD I GAVE KENDALL RAY JOHNSON A SHOUT-OUT.

WE'LL TURN BACK TO YOU, SENATOR WATSON.

YOU HAVE SB-403 TODAY.

IT'S THE CO-RESPONDER ACT.

TELL US WHAT THAT WAS ALL ABOUT BECAUSE IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN TERMS OF POLICING NOW.

>> WELL, IT IS.

THIS SESSION, LIKE MANY SESSIONS WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST AND I'M SURE WE'LL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH.

BUT THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES, I THINK, IN THE STATE WHERE I -- WE ALREADY HAVE SIX PLACES IN GEORGIA THAT HAVE THIS GOING ON.

WE HOPE TO SPREAD THIS TO THE REST OF THE STATE.

WHAT THE CO-RESPONDER BILL DOES, IT TAKES PLACE OF -- INSTEAD OF WHEN A PERSON IS IN A CRISIS, INSTEAD OF BEING POLICE GOING TO THAT SCENE, WE MAY HAVE CO-RESPONDERS GOING TO THAT SCENE WHERE A POLICEMAN DRESSED IN CASUAL CLOTHES, NOT IN A EUROPEAN FORM GOES IN AN UNMARKED CAR.

HE HAS EXTRA BEHAVIORAL TRAINING AND GOES WITH MAYBE A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER WHO HAS TRAUNING FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

WE'D LIKE TO DE-ESCALATE THAT.

SIX PLACES HAVE DONE THAT.

I'M FROM SAVANNAH.

CHATHAM COUNTY WAS THE FIRST ONE TO DO IT.

ATHENS CLARK HAS DONE IT.

FORSYTH, ROCKDALE AND GWINNETT HAS DONE IT.

AND A COUPLE OTHERS.

THE POLICE CITED WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO SCENES WHERE THERE WAS A BEHAVIOR CRISIS, IT WAS A 90% ARREST RATE.

THAT MEANS GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE MENTAL HEALTH REALLY IS NOT A GOOD PLACE TO BE AND GOING TO JAIL WHERE MENTAL HEALTH IS A TERRIBLE PLACE TO BE.

THEY DROPPED IT FROM 90% TO 10%.

>> IN THESE AREAS -- >> IN THESE PLACES THAT ARE LRTD DOING IT, IT WAS A 90% ARREST RATE DOWN TO A 10% ARREST RATE.

THE ONLY CONFLICT I'VE HAD WITH THIS PARTICULAR LEGISLATION IS THAT ONE OF THE OTHER PLACES DOING IT ALREADY SAID THEY WERE AT 80% AND DIDN'T BELIEVE THE 90%.

SO, LISTEN IF THAT'S THE WORST THING WE COME AGAINST, I THINK WE'VE DONE PRETTY GOOD.

>> YOU'VE HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT.

IS THERE -- WHAT'S THE FINANCIAL PIECE ON THIS?

>> INTERESTING, MY AREA HAD A FEDERAL GRANT, $300,000 FEDERAL GRANT.

CHATHAM COUNTY ACTUALLY LATCHED ONTO THIS IDEA BECAUSE IT WAS NOT PUTTING PEOPLE IN JAIL WHERE THEY HAD SUPPORT.

SO IT REDUCED THEIR OVERHEAD AND THEY'RE SUPPORTING IT ALSO.

IT ISN'T TAKE ANYTHING STATE MONEY YET BUT THAT'S TO BE DETERMINED.

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "LAWMAKERS."

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT TUESDAY.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

♪♪