SENIORS DROPPING THEIR LIFE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIND $20.

THAT IS A LOT.

WE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME.

WE HAVE GOT TO PASS BILL 145, WE CAN DO IT.

ALABAMIANS CAN DO IT, GEORGIA CAN DO IT ALSO.

>>> ON THIS DAY AFTER PASSOVER AT THE CAPITAL, SOME PEOPLE WHO DID NOT SEE THE POSITIVE FANS CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR THEIR VOICES TO BE HEARD.

WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS ON THE STATE 29 OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SECTION.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM YESTERDAY'S LONG DAY ARE COMING UP.

>>> IN THE STUDIO, A LEGISLATOR COUNTIES ENFORCE BANS ON PUBLIC CAMPING FOR COSLEEPING BY HOMELESS PEOPLE.

ON ANOTHER ISSUE, YOU MAY NOT REALIZE THAT A GOOD CHUNK OF MONEY GOING INTO THE GEORGIA LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION FUNDS COMES FROM SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE MEGA MILLIONS, SCRATCH OFFS, OR OTHER TRADITIONAL LOTTERY GAMES.

THEY ARE CALLED NON-CASH REDEMPTION GIFT CARDS.

LAST YEAR THEY BROUGHT IN $147 MILLION.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE THEY?

AND WHAT MAY BE AHEAD?

WE HEAR FROM THE SPONSOR OF THE LEGISLATION THAT PASSED IN THE HOUSE LAST NIGHT.

WE ALSO HEAR FROM A LAWMAKER WHO WANTS THE STATE TO HELP GROW MINORITY AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

AND SHE WILL TALK ABOUT THE GEORGIA PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP OR WHAT SOME CALL THE BOUCHER BILL.

FIRST, LET'S HEAD TO CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT RACHELLE RITCHIE.

>> HI DONNA, A LATE NIGHT FOR MEMBERS IN BOTH CHAMBERS, THE HOUSE NOT ADJOURNING UNTIL AFTER MIDNIGHT.

NOW, SEVERAL BILLS DID MEET THE DEADLINE FOR CROSSOVER TODAY, AND SOME SURPRISING UPSETS IN THE SENATE.

ONE SURPRISE UPSET FOR THOSE BETTING ON SPORTS BETTING LEGISLATION, WITH NEITHER CHAMBER PASSING BILLS RELATED TO GAMBLING.

IN THE HOUSE, HB 181 PAST, AND WILL RESTRICT THE SALE OF PRODUCT MADE FROM A SOUTH ASIAN PLANT WHICH HAS PROVEN DEADLY.

>> WE HAD TWO CASES BACK HOME WHERE ONE GOT HOOKED ON IT AND EVENTUALLY EMITTED SUICIDE.

ANOTHER YOUNG MAN GOT ON IT AND THROUGH A HALFWAY HOUSE, ONCE HE GOT HOOKED UNFORTUNATELY, HE DEVELOPED PSYCHOTIC BEHAVIORS AND ENDED UP IN A MENTAL HEALTH SET -- SIMILAR TO OPIOIDS, FOUND IN PRODUCTS SOLD IN GEORGIA.

THE PREVIOUS FORM OF THE BILL BANDED IN THE ENTIRETY.

THIS BILL ALLOWS FOR GEORGIANS 21 AND UP TO PURCHASE PRODUCT THAT MUST BE KEPT BEHIND THE COUNTER.

INTRODUCED.

AND PASSED.

ALSO PASSING IN THE HOUSE, HB 189 WOULD ADDRESS THE MAXIMUM TRUCK WEIGHT ALLOWED IN GEORGIA.

COMPONENTS OF THE BILL SAYS IT'S SUPPORT IS VITAL FOR THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY TO MAINTAIN THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

>> WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE IS ACTUALLY REDUCING THE CURRENT WEIGHT LIMIT FROM 95,000 CURRENTLY TO A VARIANCE OF 89,000 POUNDS.

80,000 POUNDS WITH A 10% VARIANCE OF 88,000.

ONE THING THAT WE HEARD FROM FEED MEALS AND MADISON TO A LOGGER IN MIDDLE GEORGIA IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH ADDITIONAL WEIGHT LIMIT BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO CARRY ADDITIONAL FEED TOO FARM TO WHERE IT MAY BE A DELIVERY EVERY SEVEN DAYS VERSUS EVERY NINE DAYS.

WE HAVE HEARD TESTIMONY FROM LOGGERS THAT HE WAS ACTUALLY ABLE, WITH AN INCREASE IN WEIGHT TO SAVE $72 PER TRIP AND, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WITH THE TIGHT MARGINS IN PRODUCTION ALL ACROSS THE BOARD TODAY, $72 IS SIGNIFICANT WHENEVER YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT MOVING FREIGHT AROUND.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS WHO OPPOSE THE BILL.

ROADS AND BRIDGES WILL BE DAMAGED BY THE HEAVIER LOADS.

>> THE BRIDGES, GUESS, THERE ARE MANY BRIDGES, THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO GO AROUND RIGHT NOW, BUT THEY WILL IN THE FUTURE WHEN THEY ARE DAMAGED.

THAT MEANS AT SCHOOL BUSES WILL BE REROUTED, OTHER TRAFFIC WILL HAVE TO GO ANOTHER WAY.

AND RUBBLE GEORGIA IT MIGHT BE 20 MILES TO THE NEXT BRIDGE.

THIS LEGISLATURE IS ACTIVELY SEEKING TO INCREASE THE FUNDING ON ROADS.

THAT IS NICE, WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY DON'T WE?

YES, WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY THAT IS NEEDED ALL OVER THE STATE.

WHY WOULD WE HAVE TO SUPPLEMENT AN INDUSTRY?

WE ARE FAMOUS FOR PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS THE CONTROVERSIAL BILL SB 140 WHICH WOULD RESTRICT GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH, AND PROHIBIT DOCTORS FROM PRESCRIBING HORMONE THERAPY OR PERFORM GENDER AFFIRMING SURGERY ON TRANSGENDER PEOPLE UNDER 18.

>> THIS BILL PROTECTS CHILDREN WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH GENDER IDENTITY >> THOSE ARE IRREVERSIBLE CHANGES.

THEY WILL AFFECT AND LIVE WITH A PERSON FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

THOSE ARE SIGNIFICANT THINGS THAT WE CANNOT DISCOUNT BY ANY MEANS.

LET ME JUST SAY WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS STRIKE A GOOD BALANCE.

WE DID LEAVING THE PUBERTY BLOCKING AGENTS, WHICH WILL GIVE WHAT IS TERMED AS A MENTAL PAUSE, AND ALLOWING THEM TO CONTINUE WITH MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY THAT DOES NOT DO A REVIEW CIVIL CHANGES.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, WHEN HE STOPPED THE PUBERTY BLOCKERS IN ABOUT 18 MONTHS, YOU GO THROUGH PUBERTY.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS ARGUE TREATMENT AND OFFERS NOTHING IN RETURN FOR SEN. SALLY HARRELL, THE MOTHER OF A TRANSGENDER SON, THE BILL IS PERSONAL.

>> THOSE YEARS WHEN I RAISED MY CHILDREN WERE REALLY HAPPY YEARS.

I REALLY LOVE HAVING A BOY AND A GIRL.

AND I WATCH MY DAUGHTER GROW UP INTO A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN.

THEN, AT AGE 15, SHE TOLD ME SHE THOUGHT SHE MIGHT BE A BOY.

AND, NOTHING IN MY LIFE PREPARED ME FOR THAT MOMENT.

THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS BILL IS THAT IT ONLY ADDRESSES WHAT WE WANT TO DO FOR OUR CHILDREN.

INSTEAD, I REALLY FEEL LIKE WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON IS WHAT WE CAN DO.

>> Reporter: DESPITE OBJECTIONS, SB 140 PAST 33-22.

AND, TODAY, AFTER THE LONG NIGHT, THE HOUSE TOOK UP FIRST READERS AND CALLED IT A DAY.

BUT, THE SENATE, WHO HAD AN EARLIER EVENING, TACKLED TWO BILLS.

ONE DEALING WITH NEW TAX CODES AND ONE WHAT THAT HELPED SUPPORT WOMEN DURING RESIDENCY.

HOSPITAL 129 EXPANDS -- MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS WELFARE FOR EXPECT THAT MOTHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> SPENDING ELIGIBILITY TO PREGNANT WOMEN WOULD CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE STEPS GEORGIA HAS TAKEN TO IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH FOR LOW INCOME POPULATIONS SUCH AS EXTENDING MEDICAID POSTPARTUM COVERAGE TO 12 MONTHS.

>> Reporter: BOTH BILLS WERE PASSED.

>> Reporter: THE HOUSE DID NOT EVADE ANY SPORTS BETTING LEGISLATIONS.

SPEAKER JOHN BURNS IS SAYING THIS JUST WAS NOT THE YEAR FOR IT.

HOWEVER, -- TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING COULD BE AMENDED INTO ANOTHER BILL THAT DID CROSSOVER.

THAT IS MY CAPITAL REPORT, DONNA BACK TO YOU.

>>> WE ARE GOING TO TALK NOW ABOUT BANNING HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS, MINORITY BUSINESSES, AND MORE.

JOINING ME ARE GARDY'S NUMBERS IT WAS CHAIRMAN ON THE COMMITTEE OF BANKING AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, AND DEMOCRATIC CENTER.

MENTAL WHO IS NOW ON THE SENATE AFTER A TERM IN THE HAMAS.

WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS TO BOTH OF YOU.

I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU.

CHAIRMAN SUMMERS, YOUR BILL DEALING WITH HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS PASSED IN THE SENATE.

TELL US WHAT THE BILL DOES.

>> WILL, AS YOU KNOW, WE HEARD IT THE BILL ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.

WE WERE FROM A REAM OF PAPER TO ABOUT THREE SHEETS.

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS CREATE A PATHWAY TO HELP WITH HOMELESSNESS.

WE TOOK OUT ONE SECTION OF THE BILL AT THE VERY END OF THE BILL REGARDING LAWSUITS, ET CETERA, THAT A PERSON COULD FILE BACK TO THE CITY, BUT HOMELESSNESS AFFECTS ALL THE COUNTIES, IT'S NOT INDIGENOUS TO ATLANTA.

GIVING SOME PARAMETERS OF HOW COUNTIES HAVE TO DEAL WITH LAWS ALREADY IN PLACE.

WE DO NOT CREATE ANY NEW LAWS.

RECENTLY SAID YOU MUST ENFORCE YOUR STREET CAMPING BAN.

THESE LAWS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.

NO NEW LAWS WERE CREATED.

THE BIG TRUCKS OF THE BILL WAS THE FACT THAT WE CREATED IT WAS SEN. DAVENPORT, ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO SAID WE NEEDED TO HAVE AN AUDIT FOR THESE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT COME INTO THE STATE IN REGARDS TO -- THE 501(C)(3) PROGRAMS OUT THERE, SO PEOPLE WILL KNOW, OR AT LEAST CAN FIND OUT IF THEY ARE SPENDING MONEY FOR THE HOMELESS.

THAT IS THE BILL, VERY SIMPLE.

>> YEAH, A LOT OF SUPPORT, INCLUDING YOU, YOU SUPPORTED IT.

WHY DID YOU SUPPORT IT?

>> I SUPPORTED THE BILL AFTER WE REMOVED THE PIECE OF THE BILL THAT ALLOWED FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BRING SUITS AGAINST CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES, BECAUSE I FELT THAT WOULD BACKLOGGED THE ALREADY BURDENED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WITH FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS.

THE MAIN THING WE AGREE ON IS WE WANT TO FIND OUT WHERE THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT.

AS A LAWMAKER I WANT TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR ALL THE PUBLIC DOLLARS AND I SUPPORT THE BILL BECAUSE WE WILL FIND OUT IF PEOPLE USING THE MONEY AS THEY SAY THEY ARE USING IT AND WE WILL GET A REPORT TO LET US KNOW IF THERE ARE FRAUD AND WASTE.

>> OKAY, LET'S SWITCH GEARS TO SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT.

AND THAT YOU ARE PUSHING TO GROW MINORITY BUSINESS, TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LAST YEAR THE STATE DID LESS THAN 1% OF ALL CONTRACTS THAT CAME OUT FROM THE STATE TO MINORITY BUSINESSES IN THE STATE.

AND I OFTEN HEAR THAT GEORGIA IS THE NUMBER ONE STATE TO DO BUSINESS.

WE HAVE DONE A GREAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THIS STATE SHOWING UP AND DOWN I-16 THAT IS IMPORTANT.

BUT WHAT GOOD IS IT IF YOU'RE GOING TO BRING THIS DEVELOPMENT WITH BIG CORPORATIONS OUTSIDE OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA TO COME INTO ALL THE WORK?

WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON SMALL BUSINESSES GROW.

ONE CONTRACT COULD CHANGE THE LIFE OF ONE BUSINESS.

THE PROBLEM IS THE SMALL BUSINESSES CANNOT GET BONDED ON THE BIG PROJECTS.

THEY CANNOT GET BONDED ON A $10 MILLION PROJECT BECAUSE THEY ARE SMALL.

THEY NEED CONTRACT BROKEN UP TO GIVE THEM A START.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON.

WE DON'T NEED TO BE WORRYING ABOUT RECRUITING, WE NEED TO HELP RECRUITING IN THE STATE PICKS NOBEL ON THAT?

MAYBE FOR NEXT YEAR?

>> THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DID SOMETHING ON HOW CONTRACT ARE AWARDED, SOME OF THAT COMES OUT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE STATE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES.

IT IS REALLY MORE OF A PUSH THAT WE NEED TO BE INQUIRING AND ASKING THESE QUESTIONS OF OUR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES.

ARE THEY DOING THIS?

WE NEED TO ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO BE SUPPORTIVE AND HE HAVING THESE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.

IF WE DON'T ASK, NOBODY WILL DO IT.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING YOU MIGHT DISAGREE A LITTLE BIT ON.

THAT IS THE PROMISE OF SCHOLARSHIP THAT SOME, I THINK YOU CALL IT A VOUCHER, THE PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP, YOUR FEELINGS ON IT?

$6000 THAT PARENTS CAN USE TO PUT THEIR CHILDREN IN HOMESCHOOL, PRIVATE SCHOOL, VIRTUAL SCHOOL, OR FOR TUTORING >> WILL, QUICKLY, I SUPPORT A BILL YOU KNOW, GEORGIA USED TO CALL IT DNF SCHOOLS.

NOW THEY CALL IT THE LOWER 25% SCHOOLS.

I SCORE THE BILL WHEN WE PUT THAT INTO THE BILL, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IF YOU FEEL THAT YOUR CHILD IS IN A SCHOOL THAT IT IS A FAILING SCHOOL AND YOU SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEND YOUR CHILD SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THOSE PEOPLE STILL PAY TAXES IN THAT COUNTY.

SO, IT IS NOT LIKE WE ARE TAKING ALL OF THE MONEY AWAY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT IS 6000, THE SLOWER THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WILL GO INTO IT.

>> OKAY, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY, THE $6000, IF YOU LOOK AT THE WEIGHT AND THE FORMULA, THE 6000 DOLLARS IS WAY ABOVE WHAT WE PAID FOR KINDERGARTEN AND GRADES ONE THROUGH THREE, THE DOLLAR AMOUNT COMES FROM THE AMOUNT WE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE WEIGHT.

IN REALITY, WE ARE TAKING AWAY MORE MONEY FROM LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ALREADY GET APPROPRIATED, NOT TO MENTION WE HAVE TRANSPORTATION IN THIS STATE, WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT SINCE THE DEMOCRATS WERE IN CONTROL.

WE HAVE NOT MADE KINDERGARTEN MANDATORY, WE HAVE NOT TAKEN PRE-K OFF THE LOTTERY PROGRAM.

WE HAVE PROBLEMS, BUT WE HAVE NOT DONE THE BASIC STEPS TO FIX EDUCATION.

>> THE BILL PASSED IN THE SENATE, WE WILL SEE HOW IT DOES IN THE HOUSE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ONE, THE BILL THAT ROCHELLE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.

THAT IS SENATE BILL 140 RESTRICTING SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR JEN OR DYSPHORIA.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> THERE IS NO PERFECT BILL OUT THERE.

I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE.

BUT SENATE BILL 140 IS NOT THE MONSTER THAT PEOPLE DESCRIBE IT AS.

WE ARE TRYING TO TAKE CHILDREN THAT ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS OLD AND GIVE THEM A PAUSE THEY TRULY WANT TO BE.

BECAUSE, IF YOU HAVE THESE GENDER SURGERIES, IT IS IRREVERSIBLE.

THAT IS IT, IT'S DONE.

AND CHILDREN MAKING DECISIONS AT 15 OR 16 YEARS OLD, IN MY OPINION, IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE THEY MAKE A DECISION.

AFTER 18 YOU ARE AN ADULT, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BECOME YOU CAN BECOME.

THAT IS WHAT SENATE BILL 140 DOES, AS YOU HEARD EARLIER, WE ARE ALLOWING THE PUBERTY BLOCKERS.

AND THOSE ARE FINE, WE ARE NOT ALLOWING THE HORMONE TREATMENT THAT IS IRREVERSIBLE.

PUBERTY BLOCKERS, YOUR BODY GOES BACK TO WHAT IT NORMALLY WAS.

AND THAT IS WHERE IT IS AT.

WE ARE NOT AGAINST ANY TRANSGENDER OR ANY ACRONYMS OR ANYTHING.

IT WAS JUST TO GIVE PAUSE FOR A MAKE THAT DECISION AS THEY GET OLDER AND MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR BODY.

>> OKAY, YOU VOTED AGAINST IT.

>> WELL, IT IS VERY SIMPLE FOR ME.

THE DOCTORS OFFICE IS TOO SMALL FOR IT TO BE A PARENT, THE CHILD IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

IT IS A SIMPLE.

IT IS TOO SMALL OF A ROOM FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA TO BE IN THAT ROOM.

WE SHOULD GIVE FOLKS THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND LET THEM MAKE THEIR OWN MEDICAL DECISIONS AND GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF TRYING TO LEGISLATE EVERYTHING.

WE TRY TO LEGISLATE A HECK OF A LOT IN GEORGIA.

THOSE DECISIONS ARE PERSONAL AND PRIVATE AND IT SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE FAMILY.

>> OKAY.

IF IT PASSED IN THE SENATE, HOW DO YOU FEEL IN THE HOUSE?

>> I CERTAINLY HOPE IT MAKES IT THROUGH THE HOUSE.

I AM SURE, AS ALL BILLS DO, THERE WILL BE THINGS ATTACHED TO IT AND THINGS TAKEN OUT OF IT.

BUT IN GENERAL WE CAN JUST PROTECT CHILDREN.

>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW IT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>>> COMING UP, A LOOK AT WHY SPORTS BETTING AND ALL OTHER GAMBLING BILLS DID NOT PASS EITHER CHAMBER, AND WHAT IS THE LATEST ON MEDICAL CANNABIS?

THAT IS COMING UP.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS.

ESTATE IS STILL STRUGGLING TO SHORE UP THE MEDICAL CANNABIS BUSINESS, AND FIX SOME OF THE PROBLEMS.

EARLIER TODAY I SPOKE TO REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THE BILL TO IMPROVE THINGS.

FIRST, WE TALK ABOUT HIS LEGISLATION PASSED IN THE HOUSE THAT FOCUSES ON COIN OPERATED GAMES TO USE ELSEWHERE.

THE BILL WOULD ALLOW YOU TO GET A NON-CASH GIFT CARD.

>> THE LOTTERY COMMISSION THAT OVERSEES THE COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY HAS A PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.

TO ME, IT STARTED OUT AS A WAY THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT A LOT OF LOCATIONS WHERE THESE MACHINES ARE DON'T PAY OUT CASH SINCE THEY ARE TETHERED NOW TO GOING ON, AND THIS, WHAT THE GIFT CARD DOES IS A NON-CASH ENABLED GIFT CARD FOR THE PEOPLE THAT PLAY THESE MACHINES THAT WILL GO BACK ONTO THE CARD AND THEY CAN USE THESE CARDS TO PURCHASE ANYTHING AND ANYTHING AS LAWFUL, QUITE FRANKLY.

YOU CAN GO ANYWHERE AND YOU CANNOT BE REDEEMED FOR CASH.

>> THE MAIN THING IS THAT PEOPLE ALWAYS HAVE TO GO AND SHOP WITHIN THE PARTICULAR COMPANY.

IT TAKES AWAY THAT, RIGHT?

>> THEY CAN GO ANYWHERE.

IT SOMEBODY PLAYS THOSE GAMES AND THEY WIN POINTS OR WHATEVER, THEY CAN TAKE IT TO THE LONGHORNS OR HOME DEPOT OR WHEREVER THEY WANT TO GO.

>> AND THIS IS, APPARENTLY THEY ARE EVERYWHERE, RIGHT?

YOU SAY THAT THEY ARE IN BARS AND RESTAURANTS?

>> THESE MACHINES ARE RECREATIONAL.

AND IT AMAZES ME.

I DON'T PLAY THEM.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF THE FOOD TABLES IN THE CALL MACHINES OR THE RECREATIONAL MACHINES THESE ARE THE GAMING MACHINES THAT YOU WIN POINTS WITH.

PEOPLE LIKE THEM, WHICH I HAD SAID LAST NIGHT IF PEOPLE LIKE IT IN LIEU OF THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANOTHER WAY OF GAMBLING, IT GIVES ME PAUSE TO WONDER THAT IN ALL HONESTY, WE WONDER WHY THE POLLS COME BACK AT 70% OF GEORGIANS WANT TO THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON GAMBLING.

WELL, THIS IS WHAT THEY DO IN LIEU OF THAT.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE GOOD THING IS THAT THE LOTTERY IS A BENEFICIARY.

THESE MACHINES ARE THE CLOSEST DERIVATIVES TO COME OFF OF THESE MACHINES, THE HIGHEST TODAY OR THE HIGHEST PART OF THE INCREASE IN PROFITS TO WIN THE LOTTERY PICKS HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> LAST YEAR IT WAS LIKE 147 MILLION THAT GOES TO THE LOTTERY AND THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT, BRIEFLY, SPORTS BETTING.

WE DID NOT SEE IT IN THE HOUSE.

WHAT TO DO YOU THINK HAPPENED THIS YEAR?

>> I HAVE TOLD MY CONSTITUENTS, AND SOME OF MY NEWSLETTERS THAT THERE IS A PLAGUE THAT INHABITS THIS PLACE TAKING SHORTCUTS AT TIMES, THE BILLS THAT WE HAD IN THE HOUSE THEY NEVER GO ANYWHERE BECAUSE IT TAKES A CONSTITUTION, IT IS THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT, NOT THE LEGISLATURE.

>> YEAH, THE TWO THIRDS IS TOUGH.

LET'S CHANGE GEARS A LITTLE BIT AND TALK ABOUT MEDICAL CANNABIS.

WHERE ARE YOU WITH THAT BILL?

>> I HAVE BEEN OUTSPOKEN FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS ABOUT WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE CANNABIS COMMISSION.

THE CANNABIS COMMISSION, IN MY OPINION WE COULD NEVER SEE THE DETAILED INFORMATION.

THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A CLAUSE IN THE LAW THAT SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE TO SHARE INFORMATION.

BUT, WE HAD ENOUGH OF THE APPLICANTS THAT CAME TO US WITH APPLICATIONS, AND IF YOU LOOK AT IT THEY DID IT ON A UNIQUE GRADING SYSTEM.

IT WAS ODD AND STRANGE TO ME THAT WHAT WE SAW IN THE COMMITTEE WAS THAT THESE FOLKS, THE APPLICANTS, THEY COULD HAVE HAD THE SAME ANSWER TO THE QUESTION ON THE APPLICATION AS ONE OF THE WINNERS DID, AND ONE WOULD GET FIVE POINTS, ONE WOULD GET ZERO POINTS.

SO, IT WAS A FLAW AND IN ALL APPEARANCES IT WAS A FLAWED SYSTEM.

SO THE COMMISSION WENT AHEAD AND GRANTED A LICENSE TO THE TWO CLASS ONES, BUT NOT THE CLASS FOUR.

SO RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE A UNIQUE SITUATION THAT YOU HAVE ESTATE HAVE AN APPROVED MONOPOLY OF TWO OF THESE COMPANIES.

IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT CANNABIS OIL CAN BE OF HELP.

WHAT GOT ME INVOLVED WAS BECAUSE SOME CHILDREN THAT HAD BEEN BORN WITH CONDITIONS OF SEIZURES.

AND I SAW THIS.

AND WHEN THE DOCTOR SAID THAT CANNABIS WAS THE ANSWER LOW THC OIL WAS THE ANSWER, MY THAT GOD LET'S GO NATURALLY HAS TO BE SOMETHING BETTER THAN MADE IN A LABORATORY.

I HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO GETTING THIS THING CLEANED UP AND MOVED.

THE BILL THAT WE HAVE PROPOSED PUTS THE CANNABIS COMMISSION UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES ACT, AND OPENS THE RECORDS ACT.

SO, THEY WILL HAVE TO SHOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND MOVE FORWARD.

>> SO, NOW WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING REPRESENTATIVE POWELL AND I DISCUSSED WITH MY GUEST AND STONE MOUNTAIN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN A LONG-TIME PROPONENT OF GAMBLING, AND SOME THOUGHT, AND I THINK HE MAY HAVE THOUGHT, THAT THIS WAS THE YEAR THAT AT LEAST SPORTS BETTING WOULD PASS.

WE SAW SEVERAL BILLS FAIL IN THE SENATE, THE HOUSE NEVER EVEN TOOK UP THE ISSUE.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT HAPPENED?

>> WHILE YOU ARE RIGHT.

I THOUGHT THIS, INDEED WOULD BE THE YEAR THAT, AT THE VERY LEAST ONLINE SPORTS BETTING WOULD PASS.

IT IS THE LEAST INTRUSIVE OF ALL GAMBLING EVEN WHEN YOU INCLUDE THE LOTTERY, WHICH, BY THE WAY, LET ME EMPHASIZE, IS GAMBLING.

AND AS MUCH AS IT IS DONE ONLINE, AND MANY PEOPLE ARE DOING IT HAS WE SIT HERE THE ONLINE GAMING FOR THE SUPER BOWL, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS TO THE TUNE OF OVER 2 1/2 BILLION SO, I THOUGHT THAT THIS WOULD BE THE YEAR.

AND QUITE FRANKLY I AM SURPRISED IT DID NOT MAKE ITS WAY OUT OF THE SENATE.

>> WHAT HAPPENED?

>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME MEMBERS OF THE SENATE CLEARLY A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTED ON THIS ISSUE AND BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE BEST FOOT FORWARD FOR THE VOTERS TO DECIDE.

THEY WANTED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TAKES MORE VOTES AND THEY COULD NOT MUSTER THE VOTES TO DO THAT.

I THINK ONCE THE HOUSE SAW WHAT THERE IS NO NEED FOR US TO PUT FORWARD THIS IDEA, THIS CONCEPT AND THIS RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT IS NOT GOING TO PREVAIL IN THE SENATE.

>> EVEN THOUGH THE BILL THAT WAS STILL OUT THERE FOR SPORTS BETTING WOULD NOT HAVE A SIMPLE MAJORITY, NOT THE TWO THIRDS AMENDMENT.

AND THE TACTICS THIS YEAR INCLUDING GETTING FORMER SUPREME COURT JUSTICES TO WEIGH IN, HIS LEGAL VIEW WAS THAT SPORTS BETTING DID NOT NEED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, AND THE PUSH FOR SPORTS BETTING SEEM TO TWO-GAME STEEN RIGHT AFTER THAT.

>> IT DID NOT, UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD A NUMBER OF AT LEAST SENATE MEMBERS WHO DISAGREED WITH THE FORMER SUPREME COURT JUSTICE AND HIS OPINION.

AND FRANKLY WE JUST HAD THOSE WHO BELIEVED THAT THIS PROPOSITION WAS BEST FOOT FORWARD ON THE BALLOT SO THAT THE VOTERS COULD DECIDE.

I AGREE WITH THE JUDGE, I DON'T BELIEVE WE NEED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR ONLINE SPORTS BETTING, BUT THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY VOTED ON THIS COUNTRY DID MY BELIEF.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE OTHER PART OF THE TACTIC, GOING THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION.

AND BECAUSE THE MONEY WOULD GO TO THE GEORGIA LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION PICKS THAT IS CORRECT.

AS MUCH AS IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE GEORGIA LOTTERY.

AND THEREFORE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP AND TO DEAL WITH WHAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTLY EXIST.

>> THERE WAS MORE TALK ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP THIS YEAR IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, MORE TALK ABOUT PRE-K GETTING THAT MONEY SO, IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS MOVING >> AND IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN THIS POSTURE AT THIS TIME.

YOU KNOW, HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL.

THAT WE CAN COME UP WITH A SOLUTION, BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD THAT CAN BE DONE WITH THE RESOURCES AT ONLINE SPORTS BETTING AND OTHER FORMS OF GAMBLING CAN CREATE PICKS TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WITH THOSE WHO GAMBLE ANYWAY THERE IS NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES, WHEN YOU GAMBLE OUT OF STATE AND THOSE RESOURCES GO OUT OF STATE, OR IN SOME CASES OUT OF THIS COUNTRY.

THERE ARE RESOURCES THAT COULD GO TO PRE-K, AND CERTAINLY FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO GO TO SCHOOL, NEEDS-BASED FUNDING, FOR INSTANCE.

BUT, THERE IS ALSO FUNDING THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ADDICTIONS, AND THE LIKE, IF YOU ARE GAMBLING OUT OF STATE, THOSE WHO CANNOT SERVICE THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE IN GEORGIA.

I ALWAYS SAY IF WE ARE GOING TO DO IT, I WOULD RATHER IT BE ADMINISTERED BY GEORGIANS IN GEORGIA FOR THE BENEFIT OF GEORGIANS.

>> AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

THE GAMBLING ADDICTION THAT WOULD COME UP.

I KNOW IN OTHER STATES YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN THAT THERE IS MONEY THAT IS SET ASIDE FOR THAT, RIGHT?

>> THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF IT.

IF YOU GO OUT TO ANOTHER STATE AND GAMBLE AND YOU HAVE AN ADDICTION, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DEDICATE THEIR RESOURCES TO YOU AS A RESIDENT OF ANOTHER STATE.

WE WOULD HAVE ASSURED THAT THERE WOULD BE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THAT PURPOSE.

>> THE OTHER BIG ISSUE TO DO WITH CRIME, AND BRINGING IN THINGS THAT PEOPLE DON'T FEEL WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE STATE >> WELL, YOU KNOW, I HAVE SEEN REPORTS THAT CONTRADICT THE FACT THAT GAMBLING, NECESSARILY, BRINGS CRIME AND AND UNSEATING ELEMENT.

I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT OTHER AREAS WHERE THEY HAVE, IN FACT, IMPLEMENTED CASINO GAMBLING, AND WHAT IT HAS DONE IS JUST THE OPPOSITE, IN MOST CASES.

CRIME IS NOT HAVING A LOT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, JOBS AND BUSINESSES, AND WHAT THIS INDUSTRY DOES IS BRING A LOT OF JOBS AND A LOT OF ECONOMIC UP UNITIES.

>> OKAY.

ANYTHING YOU THINK IS GOING TO BE TACKED ON?

>> WELL, THIS ISSUE IS A TOUGH ONE.

AND LIKE I SAID, HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL.

I LOVE TO SEE US GET THIS THROUGH THE FINISH LINE.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> HER TO BE HERE WITH YOU.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR LAWMAKERS TODAY, WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW FOR DAY 30.

GOOD NIGHT.