I AM VERY HONORED AND PRIVILEGED TO STAND HERE ON THIS ROSTER.

I KNOW THAT ANY OF YOU WHO ARE MEMBERS HERE, WHEN I LOOK AROUND THIS ROOM, FORMER MEMBERS, FORMER COLLEAGUES, STAFF MEMBERS WHO WORK SO CLOSELY WITH SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON WOULD BE HONORED TO COME HERE, JUST AS I AM AND STAND HERE ON THIS DAY.

HERE IS A SPECIAL DAY FOR THIS HOUSE, THE MAN WHO LEFT HIS IMPRINT ON THIS HOUSE, WE WILL NEVER FORGET HIM.

>> THE GEORGIA HEALTH HOLDS A SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE OF CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE AND OF FORMER MEMBER DAVID RALSTON ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS 69th BIRTHDAY.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

I AM DONNA LOWERY IN ATLANTA.

>>> IS A LONGTIME SPEAKER, JOYFULLY CELEBRATED HOUSE MEMBERS.

TODAY, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED DAVID RALSTON'S BIRTHDAY AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

MORE ON THAT COMING UP LATER.

>>> ALSO, WE LOOK AT BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION AIMED AT ADDRESSING PROBLEMS WITH BAD LANDLORD AND BAD TENANTS WHEN IT COMES TO RENTAL PROPERTIES.

>>> TWO LEGISLATORS WILL DISCUSS THE DEBATE ON THE BILL TO BAN GENDER AFFIRMING SURGERIES FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18.

WE WILL HEAR SOME OF THE TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HOUSE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE THIS AFTERNOON.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE DEBATE ON THE ISSUE WITH TWO LAWMAKERS LATER IN THE SHOW AND ALSO, THURSDAY MARCH THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE SHOOTINGS, WE WILL LEARN THE LATEST ON LEGISLATION.

>>> FIRST, LET'S CHECK IN WITH OUR CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT, RICHELLE RITCHIE.

CELEBRATION FOR FORMER SPEAKER, DAVID RALSTON.

IN THE SENATE, TACTFULLY FOR SOME GEORGIANS.

>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPEAKER RALSTON BECAUSE WE REALLY MISS YOU >> A MONA MOMENT OF CELEBRATION IN THE HOUSE TODAY FOR FORMER SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON, WHO PASSED AWAY IN NOVEMBER 2022, AND WAS THE LONGEST SERVING SPEAKER OF ANY STATE HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> SPEAKER RALSTON HAD A WAY OF LETTING YOU KNOW THAT HE CARED ABOUT YOU.

AND TODAY, AS WE HONOR HIM, I COUNT IT AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF A MAN WHO LOVED THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> A DEDICATION VIDEO TO HIS LIFE AND LEGACY ILLUSTRATING IMPACT ON MEMBERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND GEORGIANS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> HE WAS LARGER THAN LIFE IN MANY WAYS, BUT HIS SERVICE TO OUR STATE, AND THE IMPACT HE MADE ON THE POLICIES THAT IMPACT PEOPLE'S EVERYDAY LIVES IN THE STATE, TO ME, IS WHAT EMBODIES WHAT DAVID RALSTON IS ABOUT.

>> HE CAN SAY MORE IN FIVE MINUTES THAN ANY OTHER PERSON I HAVE EVER SEEN IN POLITICS.

HE WAS A BIG MAN, WITH A BIG STRONG VOICE, HE COULD SWING THAT GAVEL AND DEMAND ATTENTION.

HE COULD LEAD THAT CHAMBER AND RUN THAT CHAMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITH AN IRON FIST, BUT ALSO COULD DO IT WITH A BIG, SOFT HEART.

>> HE ALWAYS REMEMBERED WHERE HE CAME FROM, BUT HE ALSO REALIZED THAT PEOPLE ARE COUNTING ON HIM AND US ALL OVER GEORGIA TO MAKE IT BETTER.

>> HIS WIFE, SHEREE, TEARFULLY SPEAKING TODAY THANKING THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO MEMBER HIS WORK HIS HEART, AND TO CARRY ON HIS MISSION.

>> MY HUSBAND LOVED THIS STATE AND HE WANTED TO LEAVE IT A BETTER PLACE.

HE LOVED OUR COMMUNITY AND HE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO LEAVE IT A BETTER PLACE.

IF YOU WERE A STAFF MEMBER OF DAVID RALSTON, HE LOVED YOU, AND WANTED YOU TO BE BETTER, AND HE ALWAYS TRIED TO FACILITATE THAT.

WE THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU, DAVID RALSTON LOVED YOU.

HE CONSIDERED YOU FAMILY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.

>> SPEAKER RALSTON WOULD HAVE BEEN 69.

>>> SIX BILLS AND A RESOLUTION TODAY IN THE SENATE AS WHERE THE MAIN TALKING POINTS.

GOVERNOR KEMP'S CAMPAIGN PLEDGE TO RETURN SOME OF THE BUDGET SURPLUS IN INCOME TAX REBATES WAS ADDRESSED IN HB 162.

THE BILL WOULD REFUND 250, 375, OR $500, DEPENDING ON YOUR FILING STATUS.

>> THIS BILL IS ABOUT GETTING STATE DOLLARS BACK INTO THE POCKETS OF HARD-WORKING GEORGIANS, RATHER THAN LETTING THE MONEY STAY AT THE STATE LEVEL.

THIS'LL TOTAL ABOUT $1 BILLION.

IT COMES FROM OUR RECORD HIGH BUDGET SURPLUS.

THAT SURPLUS IS A RESULT OF BOTH GOVERNOR'S EFFORTS TO BE THE FIRST TO REOPEN OUR ECONOMY, AND ALL OF OUR EFFORTS HERE IN THIS HOUSE, AND IN THE OTHER HOUSE TO CONSERVATIVELY MANAGE OUR STATE BUDGET.

>> SOME DEMOCRATS SAID, THEY WOULD VOTE FOR THE BILL, BUT POINTED TO WHAT THEY SAY IS A DISCONNECT REGARDING THE BILL'S PRIORITY.

>> I AM VOTING FOR THIS BILL.

THE REASON I AM VOTING FOR THIS BILL IS BECAUSE, OUR EXPECT OUR SOAP LOSSES TO GET RETURNED TO THEM WHEN THEY REACHED THESE LEVELS.

THE REASON THEY EXPECT THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT CREATED A CULTURE OF FULLY SUSTAINING GOOD GOVERNMENT AT THE STATE LEVEL IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> I GUESS ALL I AM TRYING TO DO UP HERE TODAY BY COMING UP HERE TO SAY, LET'S DO THAT, LET'S GIVE TACTFULLY TO VOTERS THAT EXPECTED, BUT LET'S NOT FORGET OUR LONGER-TERM AND MORE SOLEMN OBLIGATION TO MAKE SURE THE GOVERNMENT WORKS AND WORKS AT THE MOST BASIC LEVEL.

>> BUT NOT EVERY DEMOCRAT.

>> VOTING YES OR NO ON THIS VOTE?

>> I HAVEN'T DECIDED.

I VOTED NO LAST YEAR.

I THINK, AS I SAID, TAX RELIEF CAN BE AN APPROPRIATE PRIORITY, ALONG WITH A BALANCE SET OF PRIORITIES, I DON'T, FROM WHERE I SIT, AND WHERE MY CONSTITUENTS SIT, ARE PRIORITIES ARE NOT APPROPRIATELY BALANCED, SO I AM A LITTLE BIT TORN, AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE.

WHERE THIS MORE COMPREHENSIVE I WOULD CERTAINLY BE A YES.

I AM THINKING INTERNALLY RIGHT NOW AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION.

I CAME IN TO VOTE FOR IT, ALTHOUGH I VOTED NO LAST YEAR, BUT AS I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES, I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT IT.

>> THE BILL WAS PASSED, 46-7.

HB 111 WITH TEMPORARY TAX RELIEF TO OWNERS THAT HAD PROPERTY DAMAGE IN A FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTER ZONE IN GEORGIA.

FINALLY, HOUSE RESOLUTION 66 WOULD RATIFY GOVERNOR KEMP'S SUSPENSION OF THE STATE'S GAS AND DIESEL TAXES LAST YEAR, CITING THAT AT THE TIME, AS A WAY TO FIGHT INFLATION AND HIGH YOU'LL COST, BOTH PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

AND DONNA, THAT IS MY CAPITAL REPORT, BACK TO YOU.

>>> WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS NOW ON A BILL WITH A LOT OF FIRST IN IT FOR GEORGIA.

WHEN IT COMES TO LANDLORD-TENANT ISSUES WITH RENTAL HOUSING, INCLUDING WOULD REQUIRE RENTAL PROPERTIES MUST BE QUOTE, FIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION.

JOINING THE SHOW ARE TWO LAWMAKERS COMMITTED TO MAKING THAT HAPPEN.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE OF DOLPHIN, ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE, AND DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE OMARI CRAWFORD OF DECATUR, A NEW LAWMAKER WHO IS JUST ON HIS 33rd DAY IN THE SESSION.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" TO BOTH OF YOU.

REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER, YOU MENTIONED IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY HEARING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO BEING A TENANT AND BEING A LANDLORD.

THIS WAS SOMETHING YOU FELT PASSIONATELY ABOUT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I GREW UP IN WHITFIELD COUNTY, BUT WE MOVED A LOT AS A KID.

I THINK IN 18 YEARS, WE MOVED 16 TIMES, SOMETIMES OWNERS, SOMETIMES RENTERS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT DYNAMIC.

I OWNED SOME PROPERTY, SO I UNDERSTAND THE LANDLORD AS WELL.

READING WHAT THE AJC PUT OUT, WE KNEW THE ISSUES GOING ON, NOT JUST MESSED METRO ISSUES, STATEWIDE ISSUES.

>> DANGEROUS DWELLING SERIES THEY HAVE BEEN DOING.

>> THE FACT THAT IN THE LAW, YOU DID NOT HAVE BEFORE, A PLACE HAS TO BE FIT FOR HABITATION.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

AND HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT.

THAT IS THE POINT, WHEN YOU LEASE THE PROPERTY, IT HAS TO BE LIVABLE.

IT HAS TO BE LIVABLE WHEN YOU RENT THE PLACE AND ALSO MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE LEASE.

THAT WAS A BIG PIECE.

IT ADDED, THE RIGHT TO CARE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

YOU HAVE THREE BUSINESS DAYS TO CATCH YOUR RENT UP SO YOU DON'T GET EVICTED.

>> I AM GOING TO PUT ON THE SCREEN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT ELSE HAS HAPPENED.

THAT IS A PART OF SOME OF THE SPECIFICS OF THE BILL, PUTS A CAP ON ACUITY DEPOSITS OF NO MORE THAN THREE MONTHS RENT.

IT REQUIRES LANDLORDS TO PROVIDE TENANTS WITH A THREE- DAY HERE AT PERIOD AFTER MISSED PAYMENT, IT PROVIDES AN EXPEDITED PROCESS FOR PEOPLE CHARGED WITH CERTAIN VIOLENT OFFENSES, AND PREVENTS THE LANDLORD FROM TURNING OFF THE AIR CONDITIONING TO FORCE AN EVICTION, WHICH SURPRISED ME.

I DID NOT KNOW THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD BEEN DONE.

I GUESS THERE NEEDED TO BE SOME CLARIFICATION ON NOTHING LIKE THAT.

YES, THANK YOU.

VERY HAPPY TO SIGN ON TO THIS BILL AS ONE OF THE COSPONSORS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STOOD OUT TO ME WAS THAT, IN 1991, IF WE GO BACK THIS ESTATE, GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE LAW THAT SAID, THEY WOULD SUPPORT DECENT, SAFE, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, I BELIEVE THIS BILL, WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, WILL DO JUST THAT.

IT WILL OPEN THE DOOR AND TRY TO FULFILL THE PROMISE OF THAT LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED MANY YEARS AGO.

I AM REALLY EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THIS BILL.

>> AND THINGS THAT WEREN'T IN LOBBY FOR NOW.

WE WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ONE OF THE KEY THINGS FOR ME IN THIS BILL WAS, IT GIVES TENANTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CURE BEFORE THERE IS AN EVICTION.

A LOT OF, WHAT I WOULD DEEM, TO BE COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES FOR PEOPLE EVICTED.

IF YOU ARE EVICTED, YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE RIPPLING EFFECT IT COULD HAVE ON THAT PERSON, HOMELESSNESS OF COURSE BEING THE NUMBER ONE THING, AN IMPACT ON YOUR JOB, HEALTH DISPARITIES.

I THINK THIS BILL WOULD HELP TO CURE SOME OF THOSE COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES.

>> I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU CHAIRMAN COMPETENCE A LITTLE ABOUT THE PART DEALING WITH CONVICTIONS.

I'M SORRY, YOU SAID ARREST AND CHARGES, BUT NOT CONVICTIONS.

WHY NOT WAIT UNTIL A PERSON IS CONVICTED?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAD TO TAKE THAT PIECE OUT.

HE DID NOT MAKE IT TO COMMITTEE.

BOTH SIDES ON THE ISSUE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE CRIMINALS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NOT A WAY TO DO IT AND PROVIDE CRIMINALS WITH DUE PROCESS, WHICH IS IMPORTANT I THINK FOR EVERYBODY.

WE ARE STILL IN AMERICA, AND TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO EXPEDITE THAT, SOMETHING THAT LANDLORDS WANTED, ALSO SOMETHING THE NEIGHBORS WANTED.

YOU DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN THAT ENVIRONMENT, BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM AND MAINTAINED THAT DUE PROCESS.

WE HAD TO TAKE THAT PART OUT.

YOU GET TWO SIDES THAT DON'T HARDLY AGREE ON ANYTHING, AND THEY BOTH AGREED ON THAT, BUT THERE WAS NO WAY AROUND IT.

>> MAYBE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE DOWN THE ROAD.

THERE ARE PEOPLE UPSET ABOUT CRIME IN THEIR AREA AND PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING THINGS IN THESE RENTAL PROPERTIES THAT ARE CRIMINAL.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS ON THE NUMBER FROM THE COMMITTEE HEARING IS THAT, WE DID HAVE DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE TO ANSWER THAT SPECIFIC QUESTION.

THE GEORGIA CRIMINAL CODE IS PRETTY EXTENSIVE.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED IS THAT, THERE ARE SOME REALLY HARSH CRIMES, THAT OF COURSE WE WANT TO DEBATE WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON SHOULD BE EVICTED BECAUSE OF THOSE CRIMES, BUT THEN, THERE ARE ALSO SOME CRIMES, SUCH A SIMPLE ASSAULT, WHILE SOMETHING WE DON'T ADVOCATE FOR, IS NOT THE MURDERER TYPE CHARGES.

WE HAD A DISCUSSION ON WHAT WE COULD DO TO TRY TO NEGOTIATE, IF YOU WILL, WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT BEING KICKED OUT FOR SOME OF THE MORE PETTY CRIMES AND WE ARE LOOKING AT THE HARSH CRIMINALS.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS SAYING ABOUT A BILL LIKE THAT?

THIS IS SOMETHING YOU HEARD FROM THEM AHEAD OF TIME ABOUT, RIGHT?

>> OF COURSE.

EVICTION IN DE KALB COUNTY WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $10,000 OR MORE.

THIS IS NOT ONLY ECONOMICALLY FRIENDLY FOR DE KALB COUNTY, BUT ALSO THE EVICTION RATE IN GEORGIA DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS MINORITIES.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN DE KALB COUNTY ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY, BECAUSE NOW THEY HAVE MORE TENANT RIGHTS THAN THEY HAVE EVER HAD BEFORE.

>> SO IT IS PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE, WHERE IS IT NOW?

>> SENATE JUDICIARY.

I ACTUALLY TALKED TO THE HOPEFULLY GET MOVING IF NOT THE END OF THE WEEK, FIRST OF NEXT WEEK.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR BILLS BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

YOU HAVE A BILL, HB 131, THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACT.

YOU HAVE BEEN PUSHING THIS FOR A WHILE.

>> LIKE A BROKEN RECORD.

I'VE BEEN ON THIS THING ABOUT THREE TIMES TALKING ABOUT IT.

LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO PUSH IT THROUGHOUT THE STATION.

OBVIOUSLY, SOME PITY PEOPLE IN MY COMMITTEE HAVE HEARTBURN WITH IT, BUT IT IS A SOLUTION IN A WAY TO GROW OUR PARTY AND SHOW WE ARE COMPASSIONATE REPUBLICANS.

>> WE NEED TO EXPLAIN IT.

IT DEALS WITH DACA.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

IT IS THE DACA BILL, WOULD PROVIDE AN AFFORDABLE RATE OF TUITION, WHAT I CALL A TAX PAY RATE OF TUITION FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN DACA RECIPIENTS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, THAT HAVE BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME, WE HAVE EDUCATED THROUGH OUR K- 12 SYSTEM, THEY ARE PAYING TAXES, THEY CAN'T PAY THREE TIMES IN STATE TO GO TO A WE HAVE EMPTY SEATS, IT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO GO TO SCHOOLS WITH EMPTY SEATS.

IT IS A NO-BRAINER.

IF YOU CAN LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND SAY, HONESTLY THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE THESE INDIVIDUALS AND TAKE THEM BACK TO A COUNTRY THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW, YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MIND.

AT THIS POINT, IF YOU KNOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE HERE, WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE THEM EDUCATED SO THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES, TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN, WHO ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS?

IT IS A SOLUTION.

I'VE GOT PEOPLE IN MY PARTY BEATING ME UP ON IT.

IT CRACKS ME UP HERE THERE IS A GENTLEMAN ON THE GEORGIA GANG WITH NICE, PUFFY HAIR, CALLING ME A PUPPET OF THE OPEN BORDER LOBBY.

THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

THIS IS ABOUT A SOLUTION AND SAYING, LOOK, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME ISSUES WHETHER OR NOT YOU SHOULD BE HERE, BUT YOU ARE HERE AND NOT GOING ANYWHERE, LET'S, WITH A SOLUTION.

I THINK IT IS A GREAT WAY TO GROW OUR PARTY.

I AM ALL ABOUT SHOWING REPUBLICANS CAN BE COOL TO HANG OUT WITH AND REPUBLICANS CARE MONEY, HAVE A JOB, BUT I AM CONCERNED WITH YOUR WELL-BEING.

>> IT DID MAKE IT OUT OF THE HOUSE?

>> DAY 40 STILL NOT HERE.

WE CAN GO ANOTHER ROUND, IF WE NEED TO.

>> HOW HAS IT BEEN FOR YOU THESE 33 DAYS SO FAR?

>> I HAVE ENJOYED IT.

ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE AND MAKE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON PEOPLE, NOT ONLY IN MY DISTRICT, BUT PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

ENJOYED LEARNING THE PROCESS, PROCEDURES, AND THE PEOPLE.

>> WE WILL SEE HOW THOSE BILLS GO.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THEM.

WE WILL KEEP UP WITH IT.

>>> COMING UP, A BILL TO BAN GENDER AFFIRMING SURGERIES AND CLARIFIED THAT ROLE.

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

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

AFTER ALL, AGATE IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY, PROVEN BY THE REPRESENTS OVER 75 BUT BILLION IN STRONG OUTPUT ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT ACROSS THE STATE CAPITAL, DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR-ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF JARRED GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> HERE IS WHAT IS NEW THIS MONTH.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I AM DONNA LOWERY.

>>> EARLIER TODAY, THE BILL TO BAN GENDER AFFIRMING SURGERIES FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18 NARROWLY PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE.

WE WILL SPEND TIME TALKING ABOUT THAT BILL AND HEAR FROM BOTH SIDES.

WE HAVE HAD THE BILL'S LEAD SPONSOR ON LAWMAKERS LAST WEEK.

JOINING ME TODAY, DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE PART, AND DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE MARK CANHA OF ATLANTA.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

PARK FIRST NAME, PART LAST NAME.

I GOT IT STRAIGHT.

I WANT TO SHOW A LITTLE OF THE VISITATION OF THE BILL'S CHIEF SPONSOR MADE TO THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THIS AFTERNOON.

>> WE DESIGNED THIS BILL TO MAKE A PAUSE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

I CALL IT PROTECTS THE CHILDREN ACT, WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO HAVE GENDER SURGERIES UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS OLD.

WE WANT THEM TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS, AFTER 18 YEARS OLD, WHATEVER THEY DECIDE TO DO WITH THEIR BUSINESS.

UNTIL THEY REACHED 18 YEARS OLD, NO SURGERIES, GENDER SURGERIES.

THIS BILL ALLOWS FOR PUBERTY BLOCKERS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE PART, YOUR REACTION?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE NICE NAME OF PROJECT THE CHILDREN ACT, IT WOULD DO THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

THIS BILL WOULD NOT PROTECT CHILDREN, IN FACT, IT WOULD ATTACK CHILDREN.

THERE IS TESTIMONY A COMMITTEE THAT IF THIS BILL PASSES, TRANSGENDER KIDS WILL DIE.

THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER.

CERTAINLY, A BILL ABOUT LIFE OR DEATH FOR SO MANY OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS IN THE STATE.

IT IS INCREDIBLY CONCERNING THAT THEY ARE CONTINUING TO PUSH THIS DISCRIMINATORY BILL THAT IS GOVERNMENT OVERREACH.

THE OTHER POINT I WILL MENTION IS, THERE IS A LOT OF PEER-REVIEWED STUDIES AND EVIDENCE ON GENDER AFFIRMING TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES.

THIS FILM BILL IS NOT BASED ON ANY OF THOSE PEER REVIEW STUDIES OR EVIDENCE.

IT IS BASED ON OPINION AND ANECDOTES, WHICH IS ALL THE MORE CONCERNING.

>> I WANT TO GET YOUR REACTION TOO.

>> IT IS VERY DAMAGING FOR THE YOUTH TO SEE THAT THERE LAWMAKERS DON'T UNDERSTAND THEM AND INSTEAD, JUST GOING IN WITH ANECDOTES.

BECAUSE THE KIDS ARE AT SCHOOL WHILE WE ARE AT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THEIR PARENTS COME.

WE HAD PARENTS TESTIFIED TODAY A VERY SPECIFIC STORY ABOUT A YOUNG GIRL, SHE IS 11 AT THIS POINT, SHE IS ON THOSE PUBERTY BLOCKERS AT THIS POINT, BUT SHE CANNOT STAY ON THAT UNTIL SHE IS 16, IT IS NOT GOING TO ALLOW FOR HER TO CONTINUE TO JUST DEVELOP, EVEN IN A VERY GENERAL WAY WITH HER PEERS.

THIS BILL WOULD MAKE IT SO THAT SHE COULD NOT TAKE THE NEXT STEP THEREFORE, HURTING HER.

THIS BILL, FOR THAT FAMILY MEMBER, LED THE MOTHER TO CRY AFTER THE BILL PASSED.

>> I WANT TO PUT UP ON THE SCREEN, A LETTER SIGNED BY 500 GEORGIA HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WHO ARE AGAINST SB 140.

POLITICIANS, IT SAYS, IN PART, POLITICIANS SHOULD NOT BE IN THE ROOM FOR THE PRIVATE FAMILY CONVERSATIONS LIKE THIS.

SB 140 IS A CLEAR FORM OF GOVERNMENT OVERREACH THAT VIOLATES PARENTS AND PROVIDERS' RIGHTS BY TAKING AWAY THEIR ABILITY TO FREELY DISCUSS HEALTHCARE OPTIONS AND MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF TRANSGENDER YOUTH.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT LETTER?

YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM THE HEALTH COMMUNITY, HAVEN'T YOU, AND WE HAD PEOPLE TESTIFIED TODAY.

>> WE CERTAINLY HAVE.

WE RECEIVED A LETTER AND IT WAS A STACK OF INFORMATION.

I WENT THROUGH AND LOOKED AT THE LETTER FROM EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE PROVIDERS.

I'M REALLY GRATEFUL THEY ARE STEPPING OUT OF BEING VERY CLEAR ABOUT THEIR POSITION ON THIS BILL.

THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS HAS MADE IT VERY CLEAR WHAT THE STANDARD CARE LOOKS LIKE, AND HAS MADE US VERY AWARE, EVERYONE, THAT THIS IS NOT A DECISION MADE IN HASTE THIS IS A DECISION THAT INVOLVES A TEAM OF PROVIDERS, MONTHS OF COUNSELING AND THERAPY, AND A STAIRSTEP PROCESS.

NOW, THEY ARE ULTIMATELY SAYING, WE ARE STOPPING THAT STAIRSTEP AND IT IS NOT RIGHT.

>> PRESENTED IN PART TODAY, THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT ADDED TO IT.

IT PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE, BUT THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ADDED SOMETHING TODAY.

>> MORE CONCERNED IN TERMS OF THE DIRECTION THIS BILL IS MOVING IN.

THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT ADDED TO THE BILL THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY CRIMINALIZE RADICAL PROVIDERS FOR PRACTICING THE MEDICALLY ACCEPTED STANDARD OF CARE WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSGENDER CHILDREN AND MINORS.

AGAIN, THIS BILL IS BAD FOR GEORGIA.

IT MAY BE GOOD FOR REPUBLICAN POLITICS I HEARD THIS POLLS VERY WELL IN THEIR DISTRICT, ALSO CONCERNING IN OF ITSELF, BUT THIS IS BAD POLICY AND WOULD CAUSE HARM TO SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS IN THE STATE.

>> THE AMENDMENT IS BASICALLY SAYING, YEARS LATER, THE PERSON WANT THAT SURGERY CAN SUE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS?

CRIMINALLY LIABLE?

OKAY.

I WANT TO PLAY MORE WITH THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL.

THIS EXCHANGE BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE MICHELLE AND SUMMERS.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK THE JUDGMENT OF THE GEORGIA STATE LEGISLATOR, 99% PLUS WHICH HAVE NO TRAINING IN PEDIATRICS WHATSOEVER, SHOULD SUPERSEDE WHAT THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS HAS DETERMINED TO BE BEST PRACTICES IN CARING FOR GENDER DIVERSE CHILDREN?

>> I DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 18.

I DON'T THINK ANY CHILD AT 10 YEARS OLD SHOULD HAVE IRREVERSIBLE SURGERY THAT MAY AFFECT THEM.

IF THIS HEARING HAD BEEN TOMORROW, THERE IS A LADY FLYING IN THAT GOT GENDER SURGERY AT 14 YEARS OLD, AND SHE IS COMING IN SPECIAL TO SPEAK WITH OUR CAUCUS IN THE MORNING TO SAY, IT IS THE WORST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED IN MY LIFE.

I REGRET IT.

IF I HAD WAITED, I COULD HAVE MADE A MORE MATURE DECISION.

>> YOUR REACTION TO THAT?

>> I WAS SITTING RIGHT THERE, ALSO SITTING NEXT TO A TRANCE GENDER YOUTH WHO WAS CRYING, WAS SHAKING, AND WE FEEL FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, AND ATTACKED WITH THIS BILL.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO SHOW UP TO THE RULES COMMITTEE, TO THE FLOOR.

WE WILL WORK TO TABLE THIS BILL OR MAKE IT STOP BEFORE SESSION ENDS.

>> THERE WAS A MOVEMENT TO TRY TO TABLE IT TODAY, IT DID NOT GO ANYWHERE.

IT FEELS LIKE IT IS MOVING ALONG.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, IT SEEMS TO ME THEY ARE CONTINUING TO MOVE THIS VERY STRANGE PIECE OF LEGISLATION FORWARD, WHICH I THINK WOULD REALLY DAMAGE AND UNDERMINE A LOT OF THE GOOD BIPARTISAN, GOODWILL WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE.

>> BEFORE WE GO, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE, THERE'S THAT WILL MARK TWO ASIA SPOT AT ATLANTA.

I KNOW YOUR LEGISLATION YOU HOPE WILL PREVENT MASS SHOOTINGS LIKE THIS ONE.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> SPEAKING OF PROTECTING THE CHILDREN, THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF CHILDREN RIGHT NOW IS GUN VIOLENCE.

UNFORTUNATELY, REPUBLICANS, REPUBLICAN DOMINATED LEGISLATOR, HAS NOT MOVED ON PASSING COMMON SENSE GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION.

THANKFULLY, DUE TO THE PERSEVERANCE AND GOOD WORK OF REPRESENTATIVE I'LL, WE WILL GET A HEARING ON A VERY COMMONSENSE BILL I BELIEVE IT IS CALLED THE PEDIATRICS SAFE STORAGE ACT, WHICH SIMPLY REQUIRES THAT CAN'T BE SAFELY STORED.

MULTIPLE STUDIES HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE AMONGST CHILDREN.

THERE ARE VERY CLEAR POLICIES THAT WE CAN PASS WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO ACTUALLY PROTECT CHILDREN, AS OPPOSED TO PLAYING POLITICS WITH THEIR LIVES.

>> I KNOW THERE WERE OTHER GUN BILLS THAT DID NOT MAKE IT AS FAR AS THIS ONE IS GOING TO MAKE IT.

YOU FEEL HOPEFUL ABOUT THIS ONE?

>> WE WILL KEEP IN MIND THIS IS THE HEARING BUILT, THIS WOULD NOT BE A LEGISLATION THAT GOES INTO EFFECT, BUT WILL CONTINUE TO EDUCATE MEMBERS OF, OUR FELLOW COLLEAGUES, ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND CONTINUE TO ORGANIZE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ELECTING LEGISLATORS WHO DO WHAT IS RIGHT TO PROTECT THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> THERE ARE OTHER ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THURSDAY TOO AT THE CAPITAL.

TALK ABOUT THEM.

>> WE WILL HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE, A LOT OF MEMORIALS OF THE VICTIMS AND FAMILIES TO ENSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO PREVENT THESE SORTS OF TRAGEDIES FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

DISCRIMINATION ANYWHERE IS A THREAT.

AS DR. KING WOULD SAY, INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE.

WHETHER IT IS DISCRIMINATING AGAINST MEMBERS OF THE ASIAN COMMUNITY, WE HAVE TO STAND UNITED, IN SOLIDARITY, AND USE WHAT POWER WE DO HAVE TO MAKE PROGRESS IN ASSURING WE ARE >> REPRESENTATIVE KENNETH, I KNOW YOU SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THESE ISSUES BESIDE OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND WE HAVE INTO THE EVENTS, WE HAVE BEEN HELPING THEIR FAMILIES GET THROUGH THESE TIMES.

I REALLY HOPE THAT LEGISLATION WILL GET ON THE BOOKS.

>> WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS THURSDAY.

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS.

IN THAT TIME, IT HAS BEEN A JOURNEY IN TERMS OF EDUCATING PEOPLE ON THIS ISSUE, HASN'T IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THEY HAVE COME A LONG WAY.

ASIAN AMERICANS ARE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.

HOPEFULLY, WILL UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU CAN JUST KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN, WORK HARD ON ME AND EXPECT TO BE OKAY.

WE HAVE TO ORGANIZE, SPEAK OUT, AND CALL OUT INJUSTICE WHEREVER WE SEE IT.

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, THE ONLY WAY WE CAN TRULY PROTECT OURSELVES IS IF WE ARE BUILDING THOSE MULTIRACIAL COALITIONS, AND INJUSTICES OF ANY KIND.

>> I KNOW INITIALLY, THERE WAS MORE LEGISLATION.

YOU GUYS HAVE HAD A HARD TIME GETTING SOME OF THAT THROUGH.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MARLON LAMB INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO ENSURE CULTURAL COMPETENCY IN LANGUAGE EQUITY WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I THINK HE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN WORKING WITH THE GEORGIA POST TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A POST AVAILABLE FOR GEORGIA COMPETENCY.

SLOW PROGRESS, BUT WE ARE HOPING TO MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>>> THAT IS ALL FOR "LAWMAKERS" TODAY, WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY 34.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.