[ MUSIC ] THE SPEAKER JUST TODAY SAID THAT'S WHAT ELECTIONS ARE FOR.

OH, GREAT, SO YOU HAVE TO LIVE UNDER A CORRUPT OR INCOMPETENT D.A.

UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION ROLLS AROUND, JUST CRIMES ARE NOT GOING TO BE PROSECUTED , OR THAT OFFICE WHICH IS AN INCREDIBLY POWERFUL OFFICE IS GOING TO BE USED FOR AN ILLEGAL MEANS UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION?

THAT IS NOT A SOLUTION, THAT IS OBSCURING THIS ISSUE, THAT IS PREVENTING THIS HOUSE FROM GETTING TO THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER HERE, WHICH IS THIS IS NECESSARY.

IF YOU HAVE ELECTED D.A.

'S OR SOLICITORS WHO ARE USING THEIR OFFICE FOR IMPROPER PURPOSES, THEY NEED TO BE OUT.

DEFENDS THE NEED FOR THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S QUALIFICATION COMMISSION.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS.

ON DAY 30 OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION, I AM DONNA LOWRY AND ATLANTA.

WE WILL HAVE LOTS MORE ON THE SHOW ON THE DEBATE.

WE WILL HEAR FROM REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED FOR AND AGAINST THE MEASURE.

>>> ALSO, IMAGINE SOMEONE SHOWING UP AT YOUR HOME AND TELLING YOU IT DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU.

THAT CAN HAPPEN IF THERE WAS FRAUD IN THE DEED PROCESS WHEN YOU BOUGHT YOUR HOME.

IN THE STUDIO, A LAWMAKER WILL TELL US MORE AND ABOUT HIS BILL TO STOP IT.

PLUS, JOINING US IS A LEGISLATOR WHO WAS A MILITARY VETERAN WHO WANTS TO MAKE SURE THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES GET THE CARE THEY NEED AS THEY GET OLDER.

LET'S GET TO THE OVERVIEW OF THIS DAY AT THE CAPITAL FIRST FROM OUR CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT.

>> HI, DONNA, LAWMAKERS HAVE A TODAY AS THEY REACHED THE THREE- QUARTER MARK OF THE SESSION.

EXIT THE HOUSE DEBATED AN OVERSIGHT BUILT DISTRICT AND OTHER PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.

SENATE BILL 332 WOULD REMOVE THE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE THE GEORGIA SUPREME COURT FRAMEWORK TO FOR THE BOARD AT THE COURTS REQUEST.

SAYING IT WAS BEYOND THEIR JURISDICTION.

THE COMMISSION HAS ALREADY BEEN CREATED BUT CAN'T GET TO WORK UNTIL THE BILL HAS BEEN SIGNED INTO LAW.

SUPPORTERS SAY: >> I AM PLEASED THAT THE COMMISSION AND PANEL MEMBERS ARE ALL IN PLACE, THE STANDARDS AND RULES ARE ESTABLISHED AND THE COMMISSION IS POISED FOR ACTION.

AT ONCE THIS BILL IS PASSED, THIS COMMISSION WILL BE ABLE TO BEGIN THEIR REAL WORK.

THAT IS BRINGING ACCOUNTABILITY TO THOSE PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS WHO ABUSE THEIR OFFICE , SEXUALLY HARASS THEIR EMPLOYEES, AND DO NOT SHOW UP FOR WORK.

THAT IS A REAFFIRMING THAT OUR STATES PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS WILL HAVE THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS TO ENSURE THAT THOSE IN POWER IN PROSECUTING CASES ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW, BUT RATHER IT WILL UPHOLD THE LAW IMPARTIALLY AND JUSTLY.

AND FOR YOU IN THIS BODY, THIS COMMISSION WILL GIVE YOU THE CONFIDENCE THAT EACH CRIMINAL CASE WILL BE REVIEWED ON ITS OWN MERIT RATHER THAN DISMISSED BY A WRITTEN MEMO THAT INFORMS THE PUBLIC OF SPECIFIC LAWS THAT WILL NOT BE ENFORCED IN AREAS OF THIS STATE.

NEXT OPPONENTS OF THE BILL AND OF THE COUNCIL SAY IT INHIBITS JUSTICE.

>> WE HAVE THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF GEORGIANS, NOT FINDING NEW AND CREATIVE WAYS TO PROTECT TWICE IMPEACHED DONALD TRUMP FROM CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, WHICH IS WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO.

AGAIN, VOTING FOR THIS BILL IS TO ALLOW UNELECTED PARTISAN AGENTS TO OVERSEE AND OBSTRUCT DECISIONS HANDED DOWN BY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS THAT WERE DULY ELECTED BY GEORGIA VOTERS.

>> BOTH DEMOCRATS AND SIDE OF POLITICIZING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> THE WAY THIS NARRATIVE HAS TAKEN SUCH AN UNBELIEVABLE TURN IS UNFORTUNATE, BECAUSE THIS HOUSE HAS A HISTORY OF COMING TOGETHER TO STAND UP TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND WE SHOWED THAT WITH HATE CRIMES, WE SHOWED THAT WITH THE REPEAL OF CITIZENS ARRESTS, AND THEN SUDDENLY THIS ISSUE APPEARS AND IT HAS BECOME BLATANTLY POLITICAL BY DEMOCRATS.

>> AND RIGHT NOW, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS THAT YOU MAY WANT TO BRING IN FRONT OF THE COMMISSION BECAUSE YOU DON'T AGREE WITH THEIR PRIORITIES, TOMORROW, THEY WILL BE DIFFERENT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS PRINT AND THERE WILL BE A DIFFERENT GROUP OF FOLKS IN CHARGE IN HERE WHO MIGHT DISAGREE WITH THOSE PRIORITIES AND MIGHT WANT TO BRING THOSE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS BEFORE AN OVERSIGHT COMMISSION.

SO, I JUST ASK YOU, ARE YOU SURE?

BECAUSE THE LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT THAT I READ TO YOU, GOD BRINGING ME COURAGE IS RIGHT EVEN THOUGH I THINK IT IS HOPELESS, WILL NOT ALWAYS BE TRUE FOR THOSE WITH A DEITY BESIDE THEIR NAME.

>> IT PASSED THE HOUSE IN A PARTYLINE VOTE.

IT NOW MOVES TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE JOHN BURNS PRAISED LEGISLATURE FOR PASSING THE MEASURE.

>> THIS IS NOT A KNEE-JERK REACTION TO ANYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR ESTATE IN THE LAST MONTH, SIX MONTHS, OR ANYTIME, THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING WE HAVE WORKED ON AND PROTECTED FROM NUMBER OF YEARS, AND I APPRECIATE HIM STICKING WITH IT AND GETTING ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AGAIN.

I ALSO WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT ANY ONE DISTRICT ATTORNEY , ANY ACTION OR LACK OF ACTION OF ANY ONE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN OUR STATEMENT >> THE HOUSE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED ONE OTHER BILL, SB 375.

THAT BIPARTISAN BILL AS A SERVICES TO THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COORDINATING COUNCIL.

THE SENATE HOLDING TRUE TO THEIR THREAT YESTERDAY OF NOT LOOKING AT ANY HOUSE BILLS UNTIL THEY GET THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET ADJOURNED WITHOUT CONDUCTING ANY BUSINESS.

THE HAS SCHEDULED A BUDGET BILL FOR A VOTE ON THURSDAY.

A COALITION OF MULTISTATE LEADERS CALLED LISTEN TO GEORGIA HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING AT THE CAPITOL, URGING GEORGIANS TO LEAVE THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT BLANK THIS MARCH.

>> WE ARE CALLING ON ALL GEORGIA VOTERS TO OPPOSE WHAT IS HAPPENING OVERSEAS WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS.

TO SELECT A DEMOCRATIC BALLOT, TO SUBMIT THAT BALLOT BLANK, THEN WE WILL KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE IN GEORGIA ARE READY TO SAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN, YOU HAVE GOT TO CHANGE COURSE OR YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING THE ELECTION THIS FALL.

>> WHEN ASKED ABOUT SUPPORT FOR THE PRESIDENT IN THE FALL: >> WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

WE ARE NOT AT THE POINT OF DECIDING BETWEEN PRESIDENT BIDEN AND DONALD TRUMP YET.

BIDEN HE IS AT RISK OF LOSING WAY MORE THAN 11,000 VOTES IF HE DOES NOT CHANGE COURSE.

>> THE HOUSE AND SENATE WILL RETURN ON THURSDAY FOR A DAY 31.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATION WILL HEAR FROM ITS FIRST SUBPOENAED WITNESS TOMORROW, A LAWYER LAUNCHED THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST FANI WILLIS AND ETHAN WADE.

THAT IS ALL FOR MY REPORT, DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> SARAH, THANK YOU FOR THAT WRAP UP.

AS SARAH MENTIONED, THE EFFORT THAT BEGAN LAST YEAR TO CRACK DOWN ON LOCAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS CONTINUES THIS SESSION.

TODAY, REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE PASSED A MEASURE ALONG PARTY LINES AND IT NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE.

AFTER THE VOTE, I TAUGHT TO REPUBLICAN SENATOR OF ATHENS, HE EXPLAINS WHY THEY NEEDED TO PASS ANOTHER BILL THIS YEAR.

>> WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE HAVE HAD DISTRICT ATTORNEYS IN PARTICULAR WHO HAS BEEN ELECTED WHO ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOBS.

YOU HAVE ROGUE PROSECUTORS WERE NOT ENFORCING THE LAW, NOT DOING THE JOB THEY WERE ELECTED TO DO, SO THAT IS THE KEY ISSUE HERE.

LAST YEAR, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 92 TO CREATE THE COMMISSION.

VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE FOR JUDGES.

THE JUDGES FOR 50 YEARS , IF YOU ARE NOT DOING YOUR JOB, YOU CAN BE REMOVED OR SUSPENDED FROM OFFICE.

I'LL BE DEAD AS WE PASSED A VERY SIMILAR MEASURE LAST YEAR TO CREATE HUNTING FOR PROSECUTORS, SOLICITORS AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYS WHO WERE NOT UPHOLDING THEIR OATH, NOT DOING THEIR JOB.

THAT HAS BEEN MY INTEREST IN THIS BILL FOR MANY YEARS BUT WE PASSED THAT LAST YEAR, THE SUPREME COURT ISSUED A NARROW ORDER SAYING THEY WERE UNABLE TO REVIEW THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

SO, THAT NARROW ORDER , BECAUSE OF THAT NARROW ORDER, WE HAD TO COME BACK AND BASICALLY TAKE ONE LINE OUT OF THE BILL WE PASSED LAST YEAR TO KEEP IT UP AND RUNNING.

NOW THAT HAS BEEN DONE, THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE AGREED TO IT.

IT IS AT THE GOVERNOR'S DESK, AS SOON AS HE SIGNS IT, IT TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY, THE COMMISSION WILL BE UP AND RUNNING.

I AM EXCITED THAT THIS IS NOW THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND THE COMMISSION CAN BE UP AND RUNNING.

WE HAVE THE APPOINTEES, THEY MONEY IS IN THE BUDGET FOR THIS COMMISSION TO BE UP AND RUNNING.

THE RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE COMPLETED COMMITTEE PASSED THE COMMISSION, SO THIS THING IS READY TO GO.

AS SOON AS THE GOVERNOR SIGNS, IT WILL BE LIVE AND ACTIVE.

>> AT THIS POINT, UP AND RUNNING, AND HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, AS SOON AS THIS IS SIGNED INTO LAW, THEY WILL BE UP AND RUNNING.

AGAIN, WE ARE BASED ON A ONE YARD LINE.

ONCE IT IS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, WE WILL BE IN THE END ZONE, THIS THING WILL BE DONE, READY TO GO, AND HOLD D.A.

WHO AREN'T DOING THEIR JOBS ACCOUNTABLE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION BILL.

>> LAST WEEK, WE PASSED A BILL, 1105.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN ATHENS.

IT IS AWFUL WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN OUR COMMUNITY TO A YOUNG WOMAN, LAKIN RILEY, HAD AN INCREDIBLY BRIGHT FUTURE, A NURSING STUDENT.

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE RILEY FAMILY, IT IS AWFUL WHAT THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS GAPS IN GEORGIA'S IMMIGRATION LAW.

LAST WEEK, WE PASSED A BILL, 1105, IT ENSURES THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE COMBINED WITH IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.

IF THEY HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS IN THEIR JAILS IS IN THIS COUNTRY ILLEGALLY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THAT INDIVIDUAL AND THERE IS A DETAINER REQUEST.

IT NEEDS TO BE ADHERED TO.

SO, THE LEGISLATION WE PASSED LAST WEEK WAS VERY, VERY STIFF PENALTIES, ENSURES THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE COMPLYING WITH OUR FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR SHERIFFS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING, BUT YOU'VE GOT A COUPLE FOLKS WHO SAID I AM NOT GOING TO COMPLY WITH EYES, I AM NOT GOING TO DO MY JOB, SO THIS LEGISLATION MAKES SURE WITH STIFF PENALTIES, IF THEY DON'T DO IT, THEY WILL BE HELD TO ACCOUNT.

I'M EXCITED THAT 1105 IS HEADED TO THE SENATE, BECAUSE THERE WERE GAPS IN THE IMMIGRATION LAW THAT WE HAD TO ADDRESS.

WE KNOW THE SOUTHERN BORDER IS WE HAVE HAD MILLIONS OF PEOPLE CROSS INTO THE COUNTRY AND WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO THEY ARE.

IN ATHENS, FRANKLY, WE'VE HAD A LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT HASN'T DONE ITS JOB.

SO, I BELIEVE THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESSES AT THE STATE LEVEL, WHEN YOU HAVE A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT HAS FAILED AND SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT HAVE NOT DONE THEIR JOB, I BELIEVE 1105 IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE, HAVE YOU HAD A COMMITTEE HEARING?

>> IS NOT YET.

WE EXPECT THIS TO MOVE THROUGH THE SENATE QUICKLY.

I BELIEVE BOTH CHAMBERS SHOULD COME TOGETHER ON THIS ISSUE.

THIS IS SOMETHING I SAID ON THE FLOOR LAST WEEK, FIXING POLICY IN THE FACE OF AN UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY, DOING SOMETHING TO MAKE SURE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN, I EXPECT BOTH CHAMBERS TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON 1105, TO GET SOMETHING TO THE GOVERNOR.

WE WERE WITH THE GOVERNOR LAST WEEK IN ATHENS, HE HAS BEEN VERY FIRM ON THIS ISSUE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS GAPS IN GEORGIA'S LAW AND WE DO ALL WE CAN IN THE FACE OF THE FAILING HETERO GOVERNMENT THAT HADN'T GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE FAILING TO DO THEIR JOB SO THE STATE AUTHORITY IS GOING TO STEP IN AND MAKE SURE WE KEEP OUR CITIZENS STATED.

>> I WANT TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE GAME FOR THE INTERVIEW.

[ INDISCERNIBLE ] DEMOCRATS MOSTLY VOTING IT DOWN, ALONG WITH ONE REPUBLICAN.

AFTERWARDS, I ASKED REPRESENTATIVE CHARLIE WHY SHE VOTED NO AND WHY SHE OFTEN GOES AGAINST HER PARTY ON VOTES.

>> I DID VOTE AGAINST THAT BILL AND I HAVE VOTED AGAINST ALL OF THE COMMISSION PART, BECAUSE I DO NOT BELIEVE UNELECTED OFFICIALS, BUREAUCRATS, SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO REMOVE SOMEONE THAT HAS BEEN DULY ELECTED BY THEIR DISTRICT OR REGION.

>> AND YOU VOTE AGAINST A LOT OF BILLS, WHY?

>> I GO BY A FOUR PILLARS OF MY GEORGIA FREEDOM CAUCUS.

NUMBER ONE IS DOES IT GROW GOVERNMENT?

DOES IT RAISE TAXES?

DOES IT INCREASE REGULATION AND DOES IT GO AGAINST PERSONAL LIBERTIES?

I ALSO THROW IN THERE FOR MYSELF, IS IT THE PROPER ROLE OF GOVERNMENT?

THE PROPER ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IS SO BEYOND WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY MEANT TO BE, AND THROUGH OUR CONSTITUTION, IT WAS TO PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND DEFEND, AND NOW WE FIND A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS THAT WE REALLY SHOULD NOT BE FUNDING.

>> HOW TOUGH IS IT TO GO AGAINST EVERYBODY?

>> IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

YOU KNOW, YOU LOSE A LOT OF FRIENDS, AND THAT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE.

I HAVE MADE A LOT OF OTHER FRIENDS THAT APPRECIATE AND RESPECT WHAT I DO AND THEY OFTEN SAY, I WISH I COULD DO EXACTLY THE SAME THAT YOU DO.

AND I ALWAYS TELL THEM, THERE IS NOT ONE PERSON ON THAT FLOOR THAT VOTES FOR YOU.

IT IS YOUR DISTRICT THAT VOTES FOR YOU, AND YOU SHOULD BE VOTING YOUR DISTRICT.

>> LET'S TALK MORE ABOUT THE FREEDOM CAUCUS FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS ABOUT.

>> CERTAINLY.

THE FREEDOM CAUCUS WAS STARTED OUT IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND IT WAS A GROUP OF VERY CONSERVATIVE CONGRESSMEN THAT BELLS AND THEY WENT, THAT'S KIND OF WEIRD, LET'S GET TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT THEM TOGETHER.

REASONS WHY WE SHOULD DISCUSS THE BILL AND POSSIBLY EITHER VOTE AGAINST IT OR FOR IT.

SO, WHAT HAPPENED, IT IS CALLED THE FREEDOM CAUCUS FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THEN THEY MADE A DECISION TO MAKE IT --START GROWING IN THE STATES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

IT WOULD BE GREAT TO DO IT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, LET'S TAKE IT TO THE STATE LEVEL.

SO, LAST YEAR, ACTUALLY IT WAS 2021 THAT PHILIP SINGLETON AND FOUR OF US STARTED A CHARTER FOR THE VERY FIRST GEORGIA FREEDOM CAUCUS WITH OUR FOUR PILLARS , SO THAT WE WOULD HAVE MORE ABILITY OF HOW WE WOULD READ THE BILL AND HOW WE WOULD VOTE ON THAT PARTICULAR BILL.

NOW, NO ONE TELLS US HOW TO VOTE FOR THE BILL.

WE DISCUSSED IT.

WE WRITE UP A LITTLE, SHORT SUMMARY, AND IT IS FOR US TO DECIDE WHETHER WE WANT TO VOTE FOR THAT BILL OR NOT, BUT I GO BY MY FOUR PILLARS AND IS IT THE PROPER ROLE OF GOVERNMENT?

>> SO, LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW MANY MEMBERS YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> WE ARE SMALL.

WE HAVE THREE MEMBERS THAT ARE ACTUALLY COMMITTED TO THE FREEDOM CAUCUS.

THERE ARE 11 ACROSS THE UNITED STATES RIGHT NOW.

AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT WE ARE GIVING THEM A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY IN THE LEGISLATURES , WHEN YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR OUT OF 180 PEOPLE, IT MAKES IT A LITTLE DIFFICULT, BUT IT DOES MEAN THAT I CAN GO AROUND AND EXPLAIN WHY I AM VOTING AGAINST A BILL AND ASK THEM THE SAME QUESTIONS I HAVE JUST ASKED YOU.

>> MY THANKS TO REPRESENTATIVE BURKE FOR THAT INTERVIEW.

COMING UP, WE WILL HEAR FROM TWO HOUSE DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO HELP HOMEOWNERS AND MILITARY VETERANS.

STAY WITH US.

>> [ MUSIC ] >> LAWMAKERS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

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

AFTER ALL, AGRICULTURE IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

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

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

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>> [ MUSIC ] >>> WILL COME BACK TO LAWMAKERS, I AM DONNA LOWRY.

WE WILL SPEND TIME NOW ON ISSUES INVOLVING FRAUD WHEN IT COMES TO HOMEOWNERSHIP AND MAKING SURE THOSE WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY GET THE SERVICES THEY NEED AS THEY AGE.

JOINING ME ARE DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES DAVE OF LAWRENCEVILLE, HE IS FINISHING HIS FIRST TERM IN THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT THE CAPITOL, HE IS A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY.

AND SO IS DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GLADNEY OF AUGUSTA, HER FIRST TERM.

SHE IS AN ARMY VETERAN WHO BEGAN HER MILITARY CAREER AT FORT STEWART.

SHE IS SERVING AS A FRESHMAN IN LEADERSHIP WITH THE 12 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

SO, THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME YOU HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE, BUT WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SO, REPRESENTATIVE, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BILL.

YOU LEARNED ABOUT FRAUD WHEN IT COMES TO HOMEOWNERSHIP INDEED.

WHERE DID THAT COME FROM BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THAT BILL?

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> WHAT HAPPENED WAS A CONSTITUENT OF MINE CALLED ME AND ASKED ME IF I HEARD ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON WITH FRAUD, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SENIOR CITIZENS.

I SAID NO.

HE SENT ME A CLIP THAT COINCIDENTALLY, THE SAME DAY, I SAW A NEWS PIECE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE.

AND WHAT I UNDERSTOOD FROM THAT CLIP WAS THERE WAS AN INCREASE , RIGHT?

SO, I DECIDED TO TAKE ACTION, BECAUSE HOMEOWNERSHIP IS THE REALIZATION OF THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR MOST PEOPLE.

AND IT MAKES NO SENSE AND CANNOT BE TOLERATED THAT YOU BUY YOUR HOUSE AND SOMEBODY ELSE COMES AND TELLS YOU YOU DON'T OWN IT ANYMORE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS, IT HAS TO DO WITH THE DEED, RIGHT?

I REMEMBER WHEN WE BOUGHT OUR HOME, WE HAD TO HAVE SOME DEED SEARCH OR WHATEVER, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CAN MAKE IT SO THAT YOU ARE NOT ACTUALLY GETTING THE DEED YOU THINK YOU ARE GETTING, RIGHT?

>> YES.

[ INDISCERNIBLE ] YOU GO INTO THE OFFICE AND FILE A DEED OR REAL ESTATE DOCUMENTS, AND YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO SHARE ANY I.D.

TO PROVE WHO YOU ARE.

SO, THAT IS THE LOOPHOLE THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

WHEN THEY GO IN THERE AND RECORD DEEDS IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S NAME AND [ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> SO, WHAT WOULD YOUR BILL DO?

>> MY BILL WOULD MAKE IT AN ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT THAT [ INDISCERNIBLE ] AND THEN WHEN YOU SHOW IDENTIFICATION TO THE OFFICE TO FILE A DEED AND RELATED DOCUMENTS.

>> SO, THEY WOULD HAVE TO SHOW IT.

SO, THERE IS NOBODY COMING IN AHEAD OF TIME TRYING --SAYING THAT THERE SOMEBODY ELSE?

>> NO.

OF COURSE, YOU MAY FORGE A DRIVER'S LICENSE OF SOMEBODY, BUT THAT MAKES IT A LOT EASIER TO NOW TRACE AND SAY, OKAY, THIS WAS DONE AND YOU GET YOUR HOUSE BACK.

AS IT IS RIGHT NOW, MOST OF THE PEOPLE I LOOKED UP WHOSE HOUSES WERE TAKEN AWAY PERMANENTLY, NO ONE HAS [ INDISCERNIBLE ] BECAUSE YOU FIND YOURSELF TRYING TO PROVE THAT THIS IS REALLY YOU.

AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO DO AND THERE IS NO PROOF TO PACK IT UP.

SO, YOU HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR YOUR BILL.

>> A LOT OF IT.

I THINK THAT IT PASSED 168 YEAS AND TWO NAYS.

>> AND IT WAS YOUR FIRST BILL TO PASS.

YOU GOT A LITTLE HAZING, WHICH IS JUST FUN, THEY SAY FUN THINGS WHEN YOU ARE ON THE FLOOR.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> YES, THEY WENT CRAZY ON ME.

>> THEY DID, IT WAS VERY CUTE.

BUT YOU TOOK IT WELL.

SO, CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

WHO WAS CARRYING YOUR BILL OVER IN THE SENATE?

>> YES STILL DECIDING THAT.

>> OKAY.

>> NEXT WEEK.

[ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> THANK YOU FOR TELLING US ABOUT THAT, WE WILL TALK TO YOU SOME MORE IN JUST A MOMENT.

WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR BILL, REPRESENTATIVE GLADNEY.

TELL US --THIS BILL IS VERY ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO ARE VETERANS AND YOU ARE A MILITARY VETERAN, TALK ABOUT WHAT EVEN LEAD YOU TO THIS RESOLUTION ACTUALLY.

SO, IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, THERE ARE ONLY TWO NURSING HOMES THAT SUPPORT VETERANS IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

SO, IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, THERE ARE ALMOST 700 -- ACTUALLY, THE NUMBER IS X HUNDRED 78,000 VETERANS THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE THAT ARE QUALIFIED, REGISTERED AS VETERANS, RECEIVING VETERANS BENEFITS IN THIS STATE.

57% OF THEM ARE OVER THE AGE OF 55.

AND THOSE TWO VETERANS NURSING HOMES, ONE IS IN AUGUSTA, ONE IS IN MILLEDGEVILLE.

THEY CAN ONLY ACCOMMODATE JUST SLIGHTLY OVER 400 VETERANS.

>> SO, THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE -- >> CORRECT.

SO, NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT AN ISSUE WHERE WE POTENTIALLY HAVE A CRISIS WHERE WE WON'T HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OVER THE AGE OF 55 OR APPROACHING AN AGE WHERE THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR ELDER OR NURSING HOME CARE.

SO, WHAT ACTUALLY STARTED THE LOOK INTO THIS WAS IN 2022, WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE PATENT ACT.

SO, A LOT OF YOU HAVE HEARD THOSE COMMERCIALS THAT COME ON TELEVISION WHERE THEY SAY IF YOU WERE AFFECTED BY THE PATENT ACT, IF YOU WERE AFFECTED BY A BURN PITS OR CAMP LEJEUNE, SOME OTHER TYPE OF TOXIC CHEMICAL EXPOSURE, YOU CAN CONTACT THIS ATTORNEY OR CONTACT THIS TYPE OF AGENCY AND THEY WILL HELP YOU.

WHAT ACTUALLY STARTED TO HAPPEN IN THIS STATE -- COMMISSIONER ROSS, SHE IS THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES HER TEAM OF 55 SERVICE OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THEY STARTED TO SUPPORT VETERANS AND HELP THEM FILE FOR SOME OF THOSE BENEFITS.

THAT CONGRESS MADE AVAILABLE.

SO, WHEN THAT STARTED TO HAPPEN, WE SAW A SURGE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA WHERE VETERANS BECAME ELIGIBLE , SO AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE ALMOST $6 MILLION THAT HAS STARTED TO COME OUT, TO BE AVAILABLE TO VETERANS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, SO THEY HAVE COMPENSATION.

SO, THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS IN TERMS OF DOLLARS , BENEFITS IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE .

NOW, WHEN THE PACT ACT PASSED, THERE WAS NO FUNDING AND THAT RESOURCE THAT NEED ADDITIONAL ALLOCATIONS FOR ELDER CARE RESOURCES.

SO, EVEN WITH THAT MEDICAL THERE WAS NO ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE FOR NURSING CARE.

WE STILL HAVE THOSE SAME TWO NURSING HOMES IN THAT STATE.

IN THIS STATE.

>> SO, TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUR BILL WOULD DO.

THE RESOLUTION IS BASICALLY ACKNOWLEDGING --TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> CORRECT.

IN MY RESOLUTION, IT BASICALLY IS PLACING SOME URGENCY TO CONGRESS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS , ASKING THEM TO ADDRESS ELDER CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE AND EXPAND DISABLED RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IN THIS STATE, THERE ARE 13 FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTALLATIONS, WHETHER THEY BE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE UNITS.

SO, WE HAVE A TON OF VETERANS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT SUPPORT THIS COMMUNITY IN THIS STATE AND OUR NATION ABROAD.

AND WE SHOULD HAVE AS A BODY -- WE ARE THE VOICE TO REPRESENT THEM.

SO, THIS RESOLUTION LET'S CONGRESS NO THAT YOU TOOK THE STEPS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE HEALTHCARE, BUT AS A BODY, WE ARE THE VOICE LETTING YOU KNOW THAT WE NEED TO GO A STEP FURTHER TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE ELDERLY AND THOSE AGING VETERANS AT THE POINT WHERE THEY NEED IT MOST.

AND TO ANOTHER POINT, THERE WAS A RESEARCH COMMITTEE THAT WAS FORMED BY THE SENATE DOWN AT KENNESAW UNIVERSITY, THEY ACTUALLY DID THE RESEARCH TO SUBSTANTIATE THAT 20% OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR , THAT WE WILL SURPASS THAT CARE AND WHAT IS ALREADY AVAILABLE IN JUST FIVE YEARS.

>> SO, YOU GOT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, THERE IS NO NEED FOR NOTE OR ANYTHING IT COMES TO GEORGIA, THIS IS BASICALLY JUST TELLING THE FEDERAL -- >> TELLING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND THAT IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN BONNER , THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE GAMBLE, REPRESENTATIVE MADE THE ACT, AND CHAIRMAN PRINCE FROM THE AUGUSTA DELEGATION.

SO, IT IS BIPARTISAN.

IT IS VERY MUCH VETERAN SUPPORTED AND WE NEED EVERYBODY AT THE TABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT VETERANS KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE FOR THEM AND WE ARE HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED WHEN THEY NEED IT.

>> OKAY, WE WISH YOU LUCK WITH THAT.

ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?

YOU'RE FINISHING UP YOUR FIRST TERM, WE ONLY HAVE A FEW MINUTES.

HOW HAS IT GONE SO FAR, YOU GOING TO DO IT AGAIN, YOU GOING TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION?

>> I HAVE NO CHOICE.

>> [ LAUGHTER ] OKAY.

YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO DO IT THEN?

>> YES.

RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT >> AND YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> HAS BEEN GOOD?

>> YES.

WE HAVE SERVICEMEMBERS THAT ARE STILL ABROAD, SERVING ACTIVELY RIGHT NOW.

ACTUALLY, WE HAVE THREE SERVICEMEMBERS THAT WERE KILLED , OUT SERVING IN JORDAN.

ON THE SYRIAN BORDER.

AND SO, ADVOCATING FOR THEM IS MY PASSION X ALL RIGHT, WELL THANK YOU, THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING HERE.

AND THEN UP WITH YOUR BILLS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR LAWMAKERS TODAY.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND HEARINGS ARE ON THE CALENDAR.

ACTIVITY IN BOTH CHAMBERS RETURNS ON THURSDAY WHEN THE HOUSE VOTES ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET.

WE WILL BE BACK THEN.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> [ MUSIC ]