>>> THE NEEDS OF GEORGIANS HAVE NOT CHANGED IN THE LAST YEAR.

SO, NEITHER HAVE OUR PRIORITIES.

THE BUDGET IS HOW WE TELL THEM WE HEAR YOU.

WE REALLY AND TRULY HAVE ONE JOB IN THE STATE CAPITAL AND THAT IS TO BE THE APPROPRIATORS.

IF WE CANNOT DO THAT , THEN WHY ARE WE HERE?

>> GEORGIA HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS ARE , LAYS OUT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2025.

GOOD NEWS IN THE HEIRS OF STATE IMPLEMENT, EDUCATION, HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

DATE 31 OF THE GEORGIA ELECTIVE SESSION.

I AM DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

THE HOUSE PASSED THE BUDGET AND IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE SENATE.

IF YOU HAVE FOR THAT SOMEONE WANT TO BE A CASH APP OR VENMO.

YOU WILL WANT TO HEAR WHAT A LAWMAKER HAS TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

THERE ALSO MAKING SURE THE LAW IS CRACKING DOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN JAIL.

PLUS WE WILL HEAR FROM LAWMAKERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS THAT DON'T GET THE RESPECT THEY NEED.

THEY WANT TO CHANGE THAT.

LET US GET RIGHT DOWN TO THE CAPITAL.

>> LAWMAKERS AND THE HOUSE WITHOUT A REQUIREMENT FOR THE SESSION TODAY.

SEVERAL SPECIAL VISITORS CAME TO THE CAPITAL.

THE MORNING STARTED WITH SCOUT DAY UNDER THE GOLD DOME WERE HUNDREDS OF GIRL AND BOY SCOUTS VISITED THE CAPITAL .

IN THE HOUSE, LAWMAKERS APPROVED A $36 THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR.

MATT HATCHETT SAID THAT MANY OF THE PRIORITIES IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET ARE THE SAME AS LAST YEAR.

>> THE NEEDS OF GEORGIANS HAVE NOT CHANGED IN THE LAST YEAR.

SO, NEITHER HAVE OUR PRIORITIES.

THE BUDGET IS HOW WE TELL THEM , WE HEAR YOU.

>> HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE A 4% PAY RAISE UP FOR ALLSTATE EMPLOYEES.

AN EXTRA MONEY FOR TEACHERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE BUDGET INCREASES FUNDING FOR SCHOOL SECURITY AND SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAMS.

>> NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED SINCE LAST YEAR.

FOOD PRICES ARE STILL HIGH AND KILNS ARE STILL NOT ABLE TO LEARN IF THEY ARE HUNGRY.

>> HATCHET ANNOUNCED FUNDING FOR THE DAVID ROSTON CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOP MENTAL DISABILITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.

>> GEORGIA CANNOT RECEIVE THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES THEY NEED WITH OUT AN ADEQUATE NETWORK OF PROVIDERS.

THAT IS WHY THIS HOUSE BUDGET INCLUDES $1.5 MILLION TO ESTABLISH THE DAVID ROSTON CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.

THIS CENTER WILL OFFER DEGREES TO BOOST THE PIPELINE OF PROFESSIONALS NEEDED TO WORK IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SERVE AS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR RESEARCH AND BEST PRACTICES.

>> [ APPLAUSE ] >> THE BUDGET PASS WITH ONLY ONE NO VOTE.

IN SENATE, ANDRE DICKENS STOP BY TO TALK ABOUT THE SUPPORTIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE STATE.

HE ALSO SHARED SOME OF THE RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>> WE ENDED THE YEAR WITH CITYWIDE MAJOR CRIMES AGAINST PEOPLE DOWN MORE THAN 50% LAST YEAR.

THAT INCLUDED DOUBLE-DIGIT DROPS IN HOMICIDE, AGGRAVATED RAPE WAS DOWN 51% LAST YEAR IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA.

HOUSING STARTED AN OFFER FROM SHIPPING CONTAINERS WITH OUR PARTNERS THAT HAS LED TO THE MELANIE.

A NEARLY FOUR BEASLEY --40 UNSHELTERED PEOPLE HAVE A CLEAN PLACE TO LAY THEIR HEAD AT NIGHT BUT THAT NUMBER MAY SEEM SMALL BUT THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

>> GLORIA BUTLER FOR HER LONG SERVICE.

>> BUTLER, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF GEORGIANS , NOT JUST THE PEOPLE OF YOUR DISTRICT BUT ALL OF GEORGIA.

YOU HAVE WORKED HARD FOR ALL OF US AND WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL.

>> THEY STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET, THEY RECESS UNTIL AFTER LUNCH IN ANTICIPATION OF GETTING IT LATER IN THE DAY.

WHEN THEY DID, THEY ASSIGN OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND ADJOURNED.

ALSO, THREE LEGISLATORS HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE PROMOTING 464.

IT WILL HELP TEACHERS PURCHASE SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND RESOURCES.

BECAUSE OF AN AMENDMENT, CODIFY A STATEWIDE UNIVERSAL READING SCREENER.

>> WE FEEL LIKE IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO MEASURE CHATHAM COUNTY AGAINST GWINNETT COUNTY, AGAINST THE FULTON COUNTY , AGAINST FORSYTH COUNTY.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE ONE UNIVERSAL SCREENER BUT ALL IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA USE.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT EVERY SCHOOL GET MEASURED AGAINST EVERY SCHOOL.

>> THE HOUSE AND SENATE RETURN TOMORROW FOR DATE 32.

THE SENATE STILL HAS TO MAKE THEIR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR BUDGET.

THAT IS ALL FOR MY R BOARD.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SARAH.

THERE IS A GROUP OF WORKERS WHO OVERLOOK WHEN IT COMES TO HOW ESSENTIAL THEY ARE AS FIRST RESPONDERS FOR JOINING ME IS SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO CHANGE THAT.

RUWA ROMMAN OF DULUTH , HER COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDE INTERSTATE COOPERATION.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

IT IS YOUR FIRST TIME AND WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE.

YOU ARE FINISHING YOUR FIRST TERM.

OUR CROSSOVER DAY YOU PASSED YOUR FIRST BELPRE CONGRATULATIONS.

>> IT WAS VERY EXCITING.

>> BEFORE WE GET INTO THE SPECIFICS ABOUT EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONDERS, TALK ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL LOT IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA.

>> MY HUSBAND ACTUALLY DOES WORK PART-TIME AS A RESULT OF THAT I HAVE THE INCREDIBLE HONOR OF GETTING TO KNOW HIS COWORKERS WHO ARE NOW FRIENDS BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONVERSATION, THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL.

EMS, IN GENERAL, MIKE FERRIN LAW ENFORCEMENT, ARE NOT CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

I DID MY RESEARCH AND REALIZED IT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MUCH NEWER THAN THE SERVICES.

THERE HAS BEEN OTHER STATES THAT RECENTLY PASSED LEGISLATION TO FIX THAT.

I THOUGHT, I AM A LEGISLATOR.

I NEED TO FIGURE OUT THIS PROCESS EVENTUALLY BUT WHY NOT TRY WITH THIS ?

>> IT IS AMAZING TO THINK THAT CONSIDERING WHAT THEY DO BUT THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL.

WHAT WOULD HB 1314?

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING BUT THE BILL IS TAILORED BUT IT IS MEANT TO DESIGNATE EMS AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE TO REDUCE SOME OF THE RED TAPE HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHEN APPLYING FOR GRANTS , PARTICULARLY DURING TIMES OF DISASTER.

AND ALSO AN IMPORTANT SIGNAL FOR THEM AND TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE DEVALUE THEM FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO.

>> THE GOOD THING IS THE BILL HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

ONE OF THE SIGNERS IS REPUBLICAN BETH CAMP OF CONCORDE BUT I SPOKE TO HER BRIEFLY ABOUT WHY THE BELT MEAN SO MUCH TO HER.

>> I WAS AN EMT.

I BECAME AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN WHEN I WAS 19.

I WORK FULL-TIME AS AN EMT IN PUTNAM COUNTY, GEORGIA , LAKE COUNTRY.

THAT IS WHERE I MET MY HUSBAND.

HE WAS A PART-TIME PARAMEDIC.

HE AND I WORKED TOGETHER.

IT IS SPECIAL TO ME.

IT IS A VERY STRESSFUL JOB.

>> TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT DO YOU SEE THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON HAS NO IDEA THAT YOU GO THROUGH?

>> IT IS VERY TRAUMATIC.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS FATALITIES , SOMETIMES THEY ARE CHILDREN BUT OFTEN TIMES, THEY ARE VIOLENT.

IT IS A LOT.

I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU, I COULD SHUT MY EYES AND TELL YOU ALL ABOUT THINGS THAT HAPPENED ALMOST 30 YEARS AGO BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL WITH ME.

THEY IMPACT INDIVIDUALS AND CHANGE PERCEPTIONS OF HUMANITY.

IN THE TIME OF CRISIS, ESPECIALLY ECONOMIC, EVERY DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC ABOUT A PERSON GOES OUT THE WINDOW.

THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGS.

THAT IS IMPACTING ME IN A LOT OF WAYS, FRESHLY AND AS A LEGISLATOR.

>> DESPITE ALL THAT AND WHAT YOU GO THROUGH, EMS IS NOT CONSIDERED ON THE SAME LEVEL AS FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS?

>> THERE WERE MANY TIMES I WAS IN DANGER.

FOR EXAMPLE, I WOULD BE ALONGSIDE THE ROAD.

I WOULD BE SOMETIMES IN THE ROAD WHEN SOMEONE HAD A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT.

THE DEPUTIES WOULD BE TRYING TO TURN TRAFFIC .

OF COURSE, ME AND THE PATIENT WOULD NOT BE INJURED.

HONESTLY, IT IS DANGEROUS.

PEOPLE GET HURT.

I ALWAYS JOKE ABOUT THESE STAIRS GET MY KNEES.

THE REALITY IS PEOPLE THAT WERE LIFTED THAT WERE MUCH EVERYTHING I GETTING THEM IN THE AMBULANCE AND OUT OF BUILDINGS.

THERE ARE LOT OF PHYSICAL THINGS THAT HAPPEN.

ALSO, I WAS ADOPTED WHEN I WAS AN EMT.

YOU ARE IN HARMS WAY .

AS AN EMT I WENT INTO JAIL TO GET PATIENTS OUT OF JAIL BUT NOTHING LIKE HEARING THAT CLICK, CLICK BEHIND YOU GOING IN.

THERE WERE OFTEN TIMES I WAS IN PHYSICAL DANGER.

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DO THAT JOB NOW ARE IN PHYSICAL DANGER.

I THINK , MOST ASSUREDLY, WE NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE PHYSICAL TOLL THE JOB TAKES ON THEIR BODY.

THE EMOTIONAL TOLL IT TAKES ON THEIR MIND.

IT , ULTIMATELY, THE SAFETY FACTOR.

THEY ARE IN DANGER AND IN HARMS WAY.

>> IT WOULD TAKE THE PROFESSION TO AN ESSENTIAL LEVEL, RIGHT?

>> YES.

I REALLY APPLAUD THE BILL BECAUSE IT IS --I THINK IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION EMS , FOR SOME REASON, HAS NOT RECEIVED THE SAME AS STANDING.

THIS BILL WILL CHANGE THAT.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS BELL , HOPEFULLY MAKING IT THROUGH CROSSOVER.

SO IT CAN BE ESTABLISHED AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE.

>> I WANT TO THAT HANK REPRESENTATIVE CAMP FOR THAT INTERVIEW.

REPRESENTATIVE ROMMAN , HER DESCRIPTION OF THINGS REALLY GETS TO THE PERSONAL PART OF IT.

YOU HEARD THAT TOO, I'M SURE FROM YOUR HUSBAND.

THINGS WE DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT .

IT >> HIM AND HIS COLLEAGUES TALK ABOUT ESPECIALLY PAYSON'S -- PATIENTS ARE EXPRESSING MENTAL HEALTH MIGHT LASH OUT.

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DE- ESCALATE SITUATIONS.

YOU GO INTO SITUATIONS WHERE YOU DO NOT HAVE FULL INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING BUT YOU HAVE TO RESPOND.

I GOT AN EMAIL ABOUT THIS FROM SOMEONE WHO SAID THAT EVEN WHEN TIMES ARE MORE HAZARDOUS OR TOO HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE, THEY WILL ALWAYS RESPOND.

HE KEPT SAYING, WE ALWAYS RESPOND NO MATTER WHAT.

I THOUGHT, IF YOU ALWAYS RESPOND, THEN YOU ARE ESSENTIAL.

>> PHYSICAL DANGER.

SHE TALKED ABOUT THAT AND SAID SHE WAS ASSAULTED WHEN SHE WAS IN THAT POSITION BUT THE OTHER PART IS PTSD.

REPRESENTATIVE DEVAN SEABAUGH PASSED A BILL THAT DEALS HELPING THOSE EMTs WHO DID NOT FALL UNDER THE SAME.

ACTUALLY, I THINK IT IS FOR ALL FIRST RESPONDERS.

NEWLY HE MENTIONED THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND GENERALLY.

THE THING THAT STRUCK ME IS HOW LONG HE'S BEEN WORKING ON THIS BILL VERTEBRAE LETTER FIRST RESPONDERS --IT IS TRUE, PTSD CAN TAKE THEM AWAY FROM SERVICE BUT IF WE DO NOT ADDRESS THIS, WE LOSE OUT ON GREAT TALENT.

>> LET MAC TALK ABOUT THE NEXT STEP.

YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS CARING THIS FOR IN THE SENATE AT THIS POINT?

>> IT IS BEEN ASSIGNED TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

SENATOR JACKSON HAS DONE IT FOR ME.

>> WE HAVE A HEARING ON THAT AND THAT IT GOES OVER TO THE SENATE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

YOU ARE ENDING YOUR FRESHMAN TERM.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

>> IT IS A LOT BUT I'M EXCITED.

>> THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>>> COMING UP SOME DIFFERENT TOPICS , CASH PAYMENT APP AND MOBILE BARBERSHOPS .

IN THE STUDIO, TWO MEMBERS OF THE GEORGIA HOUSE WILL TELL US HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THOSE ISSUES.

STAY WITH US.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I AM DONNA LOWRY.

WE WILL GET RIGHT TO A COUPLE OF ISSUES WITH OUR GUESTS AND JOINING US IN THE STUDIO IS REPRESENTATIVE JESSE PETRIE OF SAVANNAH.

HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RELATIONS AND AGING.

HE IS ALSO ON APPROPRIATIONS, HEALTH AND MORE.

LOTS OF COMMITTEES.

HERE IS REPRESENTATIVE AL WILLIAMS OF MIDWAY, JUST SOUTH OF SAVANNAH IN LIBERTY TOWN.

HE WAS FIRST ELECTED INTO --IN 2002.

WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS.

YOU ARE PART OF THE SAVANNA CAUCUS, REALLY.

>> WE ARE BOTH CLOSE TO BOWL.

>> A BILL YOU INTRODUCE, YOU ACTUALLY INTRODUCE THIS LAST SESSION.

WE WANT TO MAKE THIS CLEAR BUT YOU HAVE REALLY GAINED MOMENTUM SINCE THE TRAGIC DEATH OF NURSING STUDENT LAKE AND RILEY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.

THE MAN CHARGED IN THE MURDER IT WAS IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY TELL US WHAT LED YOU TO EVEN START THIS.

>> THAT BILL WAS DRAFTED A YEAR AGO.

IT WAS INTRODUCED IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR .

HAD A COUPLE OF HEARINGS BEFORE THE TRAGIC AND AVOIDABLE MURDER.

HERE IS WHAT THAT BILL DOES.

WE HAVE STATUTE IN GEORGIA TODAY BUT REQUIRES THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS JAILED THAT THE SHERIFF IN THIS STATE MUST REPORT THAT INDIVIDUAL, IF THEY ARE LEGAL IN THE COUNTRY AND COMMITTED A CRIME IN SOCIETY, THAT MUST BE REPORTED TO I.C.E.

THAT IS BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR YEARS.

IN MANY INSTANCES IT IS NOT OCCURRING BUT MY BILL BEGAN AS AN ATTEMPT TO ENSURE THAT IF SOMEONE HAS COMMITTED A CRIME AND THEN WE DISCOVER THAT THEY ARE ILLEGALLY IN THE COUNTRY, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WE REFER THAT TO THE AUTHORITY IN THOSE MATTERS, WHICH IS FEDERAL IMMIGRATION.

WHICH IS I.C.E.

THIS BILL REQUIRES THAT IF YOU HAVE A SHERIFF THAT REFUSES TO DO SO, BECAUSE YOU HAD SHERIFF IN THE STATE WHO HAVE ADAMANTLY TAKEN A STAND THAT THEY WILL NOT WORK WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES IT MAKES THAT A MISDEMEANOR AND A SECOND EFFECTS MISDEMEANOR .

THAT IS THE FIRST PROVISION BUT WE ALSO DO IS REALLY ENCOURAGE STRONGLY THAT EVERYTHING IN THIS BILL IS ABOUT JAILS.

EVERYTHING IN THIS BILL IS ONLY ABOUT INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED A CRIME AND ARE IN A GEORGIA JAIL.

AND ARE IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY.

WE WANT FULL COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.

SO IT COMPELS LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE JAILS TO HONOR I.C.E.

DETAINERS.

IT IS WHEN FEDERAL AUTHORITIES THROUGH I.C.E.

SENDS A MESSAGE , UNNOTICED TO A LOCAL JAIL BUT SAYS THIS INDIVIDUAL IS A PUBLIC SAFETY RISK.

WE WANT YOU TO HOLD THEM AND THAT IS ALWAYS FOR 48 HOURS.

WE ARE COMPELLING A LOT OF JURISDICTIONS , DO NOT HONOR I.C.E.

CONTAINERS.

WE ARE COMPELLING THEM TO DO SO PARTICLES ARE THE LARGEST PROVISIONS.

>> LAST YEAR WHEN YOU FIRST INTRODUCE THIS, YOU PUMP THERE WAS A PROBLEM THAT EXISTED.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

I HAVE KNOWN THERE IS A PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME.

THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE.

TODAY IT IS NOT A NEW ISSUE.

THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY WITH LAKEN RILEY, ASIDE, THERE IS 180 26 DETAINERS WHO HAVE MURDERED PEOPLE IN GEORGIA PRESENTS TODAY.

THERE IS AT LEAST 180 GEORGIANS WHO HAVE BEEN MURDERED BY WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED.

THERE IS ABOUT 240 CHILD MOLESTERS.

THERE IS A MULTITUDE OF RAPIST.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WE HAVE HAD.

NO ONE IS SUGGESTING THAT THIS IS WHERE THE MAJORITY OF OUR CRIME COMES FROM.

I WILL TELL YOU THIS, EVERY CRIME THAT IS COMMITTED BY SOMEONE WHO IS ILLEGALLY ENTERING THE COUNTRY WAS AN AVOIDABLE CRIME.

IT WAS AN AVOIDABLE CRIME BUT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

AS I MENTIONED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR , TODAY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE EXAMPLE IN ATHENS, THAT INDIVIDUAL WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN THE COUNTRY, FRANKLY, UNDER THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION OR THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

GENERALLY, THEY DID A GOOD JOB OF SECURING OUR BORDER.

AS I MENTIONED ON THE FLOOR THE OTHER DAY, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ISSUED MORE I.C.E.

RETAINERS IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DID.

WHEN WE ARE NOT SECURING THE BORDERS, WE WILL HAVE SOME UNFORTUNATE CRIMES AND ALL AVOIDABLE BECAUSE IF WE ARE FOLLOWING FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS , THEY WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> THIS PAST ON CROSSOVER DAY BUT IT WAS CLOSE.

YOU WERE ONE OF THE ONES WHO VOTED AGAINST IT?

>> I WAS.

>> TALK ABOUT WHY HE VOTED AGAINST IT?

>> I KNOW THAT WE CERTAINLY NEED TO SECURE OUR BORDERS.

I JUST FELT LIKE , ON A LOCAL BASIS , WHETHER OR NOT WE AGREE , THE VOTERS HAVE CHOSEN WHO THEY WANT FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND WHO THEY WANT FOR SHERIFF WHILE I MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE WITH THE DECISIONS THAT THEY MADE, I THINK THAT THE VOTERS NEED TO DECIDE WHO PROTECTS THEM, WHO SERVES IN THOSE POSITIONS AND I THINK IT WAS A SLIGHT OVERREACH TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.

I GREW UP IN AN ERA WHERE, MY '50s AND '60s.

I NEVER SAW ANY REAL OVERSIGHT.

ANY TIMES YOU CAN FIND LAW- ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTORS AND EVERYONE INVOLVED.

THEY WERE COMING FROM THE NORTHEAST AND GOING SOUTH TO MIAMI.

NOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ALIEN FOR THE IMMIGRATION PIECE .

AND I AM VERY --I FEEL LIKE A CRIME IS A CRIME, WHOEVER COMMITS IT.

I THINK THAT SOMETIMES , IT REALLY GETS BLOWN UP WHEN AN IMMIGRANT DOES IT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF MURDERS IN GEORGIA.

WE HAVE ABOUT 164 WHICH IS 164 TOO MANY COMMITTED BY IMMIGRANTS OR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

I JUST FELT LIKE THAT WAS A LITTLE OVERREACH.

>> I TALKED ABOUT IT BEING CLOSE.

THE NUMBERS WERE HIGH.

I DO NOT HAVE THEM IN FRONT OF ME.

>> 97-74.

IT WAS GENERALLY A PARTISAN BILL.

BE CLEAR, SOMETIMES PEOPLE MISUSE LANGUAGE.

THIS BILL IS NOT ABOUT IMMIGRANTS BUT THE MAJORITY OF IMMIGRANTS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE HERE LEGALLY.

THEY ARE CITIZENS AND NONCITIZENS IN A MULTITUDE OF OTHER WAYS THAT THEY ARE HERE WITH PROPER DOCUMENTATION, LEGALLY.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS MEASURE ONLY RELATES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ILLEGALLY ENTERED THE COUNTRY WITH NO DOCUMENTATION AND THEN HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY COMMITTED A CRIME AGAINST SOCIETY.

NOW THEY ARE IN A JAIL.

THAT IS WHERE THIS BILL BEGINS AND ENDS.

IT IS THAT SUBSET THERE HAS BEEN ATTEMPTS BY OTHERS TO TRY PER TRADE AS BROADER THAN THAT.

THAT IS INACCURATE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE.

MUCH OF THE BILL'S CURRENT STATUTORY LAW.

>> WHERE DOES IT STAND RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF THE HEARING ?

>> THERE IS NOT A HEARING YET.

WE SHOULD KNOW MORE TOMORROW BUT IT IS IN THE SENATE BUT IT IT IS IN LIKE SAFETY IN THE SENATE.

>> WE WILL KEEP UP ON MATT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I WANT TO TURN YOU YOU YOU HAD A BILL PASSED ON CROSSOVER DATE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A WHILE.

>> 12 YEARS.

>> MOBILE BARBERSHOPS.

WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

>> THIS BILL IS SIMPLY, MOVING US INTO THE 21st CENTURY.

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING IN GEORGIA UP UNTIL THIS GETS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, HOPEFULLY.

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING EXCEPT GET A HAIRCUT MOBERLY YOU CAN GIVE BLOOD YOU CAN GET AN X-RAY, YOU CAN GET A TOOTH PULLED.

YOU CAN ONLY DO GROOMING FOR PETS.

YOU CAN DO IT ALL AND YOU HAVE FOOD TRUCKS EVERYWHERE.

BUT YOU CANNOT GET A HAIRCUT.

DON'T ASK ME WHY IT TOOK SO LONG BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A NO- BRAINER.

IT WAS ALMOST UNANIMOUS.

I THINK MY BIG PROBLEM WAS THE BALDHEAD CAUCUS.

THAT IS ABOUT IT.

>> [ LAUGHTER ] >> THEY WENT FOR IT IN THE END.

>> THEY BROKE DOWN.

REALIZE THERE NEEDED TO BE A LOT TO ALLOW IT.

>> WELL, IT IS GOOD THAT THERE IS A LAW.

THERE ARE HEALTH CONCERNS.

IF YOU HAVE A MOBILE BARBERSHOP, YOU WILL HAVE TO LIVE UNDER THE SAME ROOMS THAT ANY BARBERSHOP THAT IS LICENSED IN GEORGIA LIVES UNDER.

THERE WILL BE NO SHORTCUTS.

NO PUN INTENDED.

WE CERTAINLY HOPE THAT NO UNNECESSARY SHORTCUTS.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER BILL.

THIS WILL INTEREST A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL RELATE TO THIS.

THIS INVOLVES ANOTHER MOBILE THING, MOBILE PAYMENT APPS, LIKE CASH APP AND VENMO.

I WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE A LITTLE IDEA OF WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

CONSUMER REPORT SURVEY THAT MORE THAN 64% OF AMERICANS USE PEER TO PEER PAYMENT APPS.

THE SURVEY FOUND OUT THAT FOUR OUT OF FIVE OR 81% OF 18 TO 29- YEAR-OLD --NOT A SURPRISE THERE --TWO OUT OF FIVE USE THEM AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH AND ONE IN FIVE OR 80% USE THEM AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.

I THINK A LOT OF US CAN TALK ABOUT THAT BUT WHAT BOTHERS YOU ABOUT THESE APPS?

>> IT IS MUCH BIGGER THAN I THOUGHT IT WAS , AND SO I STARTED GETTING INTO IT.

WHAT BOTHERS ME IS THAT MOST OF THE MONEY IS IN THE BANK, MAYBE A CREDIT UNION.

SOME PEOPLE DEPOSIT DIRECTLY TO SITES LIKE CASH APP.

MOST OF IT IS HELD BY BANKS.

WHAT IS BOTHERING ME IS THAT IN TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY, IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE AND SEND CASH TO SOMEONE , IT IS GONE INSTANTLY.

THE BANKS CLAIM NO RESPONSIBILITY.

I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE BANK HAVE RESPONSIBILITY.

WHAT I AM ASKING IS THAT FOR 30 MINUTES, GIVE IT A COOLING OFF MOST PEOPLE REALIZE ALMOST INSTANTLY THAT THEY MADE A MISTAKE.

UNFORTUNATELY, MOST PEOPLE MADE A MISTAKE ARE NOT HONEST AND THEY WILL NOT SEND THE MONEY BACK.

MOST CREDIT CARDS WILL GIVE YOU A WARNING IF YOU USE THEM TO SEND MONEY BY CASH APP.

AND IT SHOULD NOT BE A BIG THING.

I COULD NOT GET A REAL GOOD AUDIENCE WITH THE BANKING SYSTEM IN GEORGIA WITH A LOBBYIST.

I COULDN'T.

THE CREDIT UNION PEOPLE WERE VERY NICE BUT WERE NO HELP AT ALL.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LOSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND I PROMISE YOU THIS BILL IS TALKED ABOUT AND YOUR NUMBERS PROVE THAT THERE IS A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE THAT USE IT.

IF YOU TAP THAT BUTTON, LIKE THERE MIGHT BE 100 AND YOU JUST GOT THE WRONG GABE.

YOU CAN CALL THEM THAT I HAD A FRIEND OF MINE DOWN IN LIBERTY COUNTY, $300 SENT.

SHE GOT IN TOUCH WITH THE PERSON AND THE PERSON SAYS, I'M GOING TO COUNT THIS AS MY BLESSING.

AND KEPT THE MONEY.

>> THAT IS SOME BLESSING BUT IT WILL COST A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN THAT.

WE ARE NOT ASKING THE BANKS TO HAVE ANY LIABILITY , THE CREDIT USED TO HAVE ANY LIABILITY.

MOST OF THESE THINGS HAPPEN .

YOU USUALLY REALIZE , I SENT IT TO THE WRONG PERSON.

30 MINUTES, YOU CAN RECOVER IT AND REDO IT, JUST 30 MINUTES.

WERE NOT ASKING BANKS TO DO ANYTHING.

JUST HOLD MY MONEY FOR 30 MINUTES UNTIL I FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT A MADE A MISTAKE.

>> THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF BUTTON.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE TECHNOLOGY.

>> IT IS A TECHNOLOGY THING BUT THAT IS WAY OVER MY PAY GRADE.

I DO KNOW AND HOLLER BUT I WANT TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT WILL RUB MY HEAD.

I NEED SOME SYMPATHY.

>> RIGHT NOW, THE MONEY IN THE BANK IS COVERED BY THE INSURANCE, FDIC.

I HEARD THAT SOME THINGS, LIKE ZELL IS NOT COVERED BY FDIC.

>> THAT IS NOT WHAT I UNDERSTAND BUT I WAS TOLD, THEY REFERRED TO A THIRD-PARTY.

THEY ACCEPT NO LIABILITY.

IT IS AN INSTANTANEOUS MOVE.

ONCE IT IS GONE , IT IS AMAZING WHAT IS IN THE CLOUD UP THERE.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY FLOATING UP THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO THIS BILL FOR 12 YEARS BUT I CAN SEE YOU GOING A LONG WAY ON THIS.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE 12 YEARS ON THIS ONE.

>> [ LAUGHTER ] >> I WOULD IMAGINE YOU AGREE.

WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO USE PAYPAL.

I LIKE WHAT MY GOOD FRIEND IS SAYING.

>> YOU WILL KEEP UP ON WHERE IT ALL GOES BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW BUT WE WILL KEEP UP WITH YOUR BILLS.

EIGHT DAYS AFTER TODAY LEFT WITHIN US.

WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES.

THAT DOES IT FOR "LAWMAKERS" TODAY.

TOMORROW, LOOK FOR OUR REPORT AT THE END OF THE PBS NEWS HOUR BUT ON MONDAY, JOIN US FOR OUR SPECIAL SHOW, HIGHLIGHTING THE FISCAL 2025 BUDGET.

UNTIL THEN, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.