♪ ♪ >> LET'S GET IT DONE.

>> LET'S GET IT DONE.

LET'S GET IT DONE.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE WANDA TAYLOR JOINS THOSE WHO STOOD WITH BLACK VOTERS MATTER AT A RALLY AIMED AT ENERGIZING THE ELECTORATE LEADING UP TO THE ELECTIONS THIS YEAR.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON DAY 33 OF THE GEORGIA SESSION.

I'M DONNA LOWRIE.

WE'LL HEAR THE DEBATE OVER HOW MANY HOURS EMPLOYEES AT PRIVATE COMPANIES CAN WORK.

BOTH SIDES OF THE PROTECTING GEORGIA BUSINESSES AND WORKERS' ACT COMING UP.

TRIBUTES AND FAREWELLS CONTINUE FOR THOSE NOT RETURNING NEXT YEAR.

WE'LL HEAR FROM SOME OF THEM.

>>> IN THE STUDIO, COMING UP, AN LOOK AT EFFORTS TO OVERHAUL THE WAY THOSE WRONGLY CONVICTED ARE COMPENSATED FOR THE TIME THEY SERVE IN PRISON.

>>> AND THE LATEST ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION.

>>> FIRST OUR WRAP UP AT THE NEWS WITH OUR CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS.

HI, BRENDA!

>> HEY, DONNA.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE WERE UP TO SPEED TODAY WITH SEVERAL BILLS IN EACH CHAMBER.

BUT, FIRST, FROM THE SENATE A FAREWELL.

STARTING WITH A TRIBUTE AND RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE 21-YEAR-OLD TENURED SENATOR ANNOUNCED THAT HE WOULD NOT BE SEEKING RE-ELECTION EARLIER IN THE SESSION.

>> THE MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE RECOGNIZE JEFF MULLIS AND EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR THE FUTURE.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> SENATORS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE LINED UP TO PRAISE THE SENATE'S LONGEST ACTIVE REPUBLICAN MEMBER.

>> HE'S BEEN A GREAT FRIEND TO MANY IN THIS BUILDING.

MANY AROUND THIS CITY, AND MANY THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WE JUST THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE.

WE GIVE HIM THE RESOLUTION.

YOU HAVE LEFT A MARK THAT WILL LAST FOR A LONG TIME.

I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT.

FRIENDSHIP IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALWAYS HAVE.

JEFF HAS BEEN A FRIEND TO EVERYBODY.

HE'S BEEN FAIR TO EVERYONE IN THIS CHAMBER.

AND MR. CHAIRMAN, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HEART AND SENSE OF GIVING AND SENSE OF UNDERSTANDING.

EVERYBODY HERE AND EVERYBODY AGREES.

>> IT'S MY HONOR AS YOUR FRIEND TO SEE YOU IN THIS DAY AND SEE THOSE TEARS IN THE CAUCUS THIS MORNING AND SEE YOU NEED THAT BOX OF TISSUES, BECAUSE WE ALL DO.

>> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

I LOVE SERVING HERE.

I LOVE THIS CHAMBER.

I LOVE THE PEOPLE I'VE MET IN MY JOURNEY TO TODAY, AND I SIMPLY LOVE YOU ALL.

>> Reporter: THE TRIBUTE WENT ON FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR BEFORE THE SENATE GOT BACK TO WORK PASSING BILLS.

>> LIKE HB 275, THE GIVING THE GIFT OF LIFE BILL.

PROVIDING A TAX BREAK FOR EMPLOYERS WHO ALLOW ORGAN DONORS IT TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

THE BILL PROTECTS DONORS' LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE.

HB 385 WOULD ALLOW RETIRED TEACHERS TO COME BACK AND TEACH IN HIGH-NEED AREAS WHILE RECEIVING THEIR PENSION.

>>> AND HB 1086 WOULD LOWER THE ANYONE OF PATIENTS THAT HOSPITALS OFFER FLU VACCINES PRIOR TO BEING DISCHARGED.

>> THE LOGIC IF A PHYSICIAN ASKS A PATIENT IN THE HOSPITAL, THEN THEY ARE 74% MORE LIKELY TO GET VACCINATED.

IF WE HAD DONE THAT IN 2017, WE WOULD HAVE REDUCED THE HOSPITALIZATIONS BY ABOUT 15,000.

>> Reporter: SENATE BILL 331 CAME UP FOR A VOTE IN THE HOUSE, AND IT CAME WITH SOME DEBATE FROM DEMOCRATS.

>> BASICALLY IT PROHIBITS LOCAL JURISDICTIONS FROM REGULATING THE HOURS OR SCHEDULE OF AN EMPLOYEE OF A PRIVATE EMPLOYER.

SO IT CONSTRAINS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM DICTATING THE HOURS TO A PRIVATE EMPLOYER THAT THEIR EMPLOYEES CAN WORK.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE'VE SEEN THE BILL.

I REMEMBER IN 2017, A VERY SIMILAR BILL CAME BEFORE THE HOUSE.

IT WAS THE FIRST TIME IT CAME DOWN TO THE WILL TO SPEAK AGAINST THE BILL.

I HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS I HAD IN 2017, WHICH IS THAT THIS BODY IS GOING OUT OF ITS WAY TO PUT ITS FOOT ON THE NECK OF WORKING GEORGIANS.

>> Reporter: THE BILL PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES 99-67.

>>> YES, ANOTHER LEGISLATOR JOINS THE GROWING LIST OF THOSE NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION.

EARLIER TODAY, REPRESENTATIVE TOM KIRBY BID FAREWELL BY CHALLENGING HIS COLLEAGUES.

>> YOU WERE NOT ELECTED BY MOST OF THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT.

YOU ARE ELECTED BY THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO WENT TO VOTE ON A PARTICULAR DAY.

NEXT TIME YOU'RE ALL THAT AND A BAG OF CHIP, THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT WHO DID NOT VOTE FOR YOU AND ASKING WHAT AM I DOING TO REPRESENT THEM TODAY?

>> Reporter: LATER THIS AFTERNOON, A MESSAGE FROM BLACK VOTERS.

FILLED WITH MEMBERS OF THE BLACK VOTERS MATTER ORGANIZATION AND LEGISLATORS.

THEIR MESSAGE WAS THIS.

>> WE CAME TO THE STATE CAPITOL TODAY TO LET FOLKS KNOW TO PUT ON NOTICE THAT BLACK VOTES MATTER.

WE MATTER EVERY DAY IN EVERYWHERE IN EVERY NOOK AND CRAN ANY ACROSS THE STATE.

>> THE FOUR MOST IMPORTANT WORDS OF THE DEMOCRACY ARE "THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN."

WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE, EVERYONE CAN SPEAK AND BE THE VANGUARDS OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

I WANT TO SAY, ONCE AGAIN, WELCOME, BLACK VOTERS MATTER, TO YOUR STATE CAPITOL.

>> Reporter: ONE MORE THING TONIGHT IN THE CAPITOL REPORT IS AGRICULTURAL DAY.

HERE UNDER THE GOLD DOME, AS PART OF AG WEEK.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING WE EAT OR WEAR IS FROM AGRICULTURE.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> SO TRUE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

>>> WE'LL PUT OUR FOCUS RIGHT NOW FOR THE NEXT FEW MINUTES ON SOME OF THE BILLS THAT PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE.

JOINING ME ARE DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT HOLCOMB OF ATLANTA.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" TO BOTH OF YOU.

>> GLAD TO BE BACK.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR BILL.

TO COMPENSATE WRONGLY CONVICTED PEOPLE.

LET'S START WITH A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HAPPENS RIGHT NOW, WHICH PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IS COMPLICATED WHEN SOMEBODY HAS BEEN WRONGLY CONVICTED, THEY GET OUT, AND TO BE COMPENSATED TAKES A BIT -- A LOT OF WORK, ACTUALLY, DOESN'T IT?

>> IT DOES.

IT'S EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT.

FIRST, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND PROVE INNOCENCE, WHICH IS A VERY DIFFICULT CHALLENGE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF HURDLES TO THAT.

THE COMPENSATION PROCESS, ONE HAS TO FILE A CLAIM WITH THE CLAIMS ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH IS UNDER THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, AND THEN THEY HAVE TO FIND THE LEGISLATOR TO SPONSOR THAT.

THE LEGISLATOR HAS TO FILE A RESOLUTION AND THEN TRY TO GET A RESOLUTION FOR COMPENSATION FOR A SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

THROUGH ALL THE COMMITTEE PROCESS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT.

>> YEAH.

EACH PERSON SEPARATELY HAS TO HAVE A BILL DONE FOR THEM.

IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF BILLS AND A BIG PART OF THE PROCESS.

TELL US WHAT YOUR BILL WOULD DO.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

FIRST, I AM CARRYING AN INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTION.

I WANT TO THANK THE CHAIRMAN FOR COSPONSORING THAT.

IT ADDRESSES A INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS WRONGLY CONVICTED AND SPENT 18 YEARS IN PRISON.

I HAVE A HOUSE BILL 1354, THE WRONGFUL CONVICTION COMPENSATION ACT, WHICH WILL SET CLEAR POLICIES WHERE THIS WILL HELP INNOCENT PEOPLE, ONLY INNOCENT PEOPLE, AND IT WILL PROVIDE STRUCTURE AND GUIDANCE SO THAT WAY THE INDIVIDUAL CAN RECEIVE COMPENSATION.

THE AVERAGE AROUND THE COUNTRY IS ABOUT $70,000 PER YEAR SPENT IN JAIL.

38 STATES HAVE SUCH RESOLUTIONS, SO GEORGIA IS A LITTLE BIT OF A LAGGARD HERE.

I'M HOPEFUL AND OPTIMISTIC THE BILL WILL MOVE THROUGH THE SENATE.

IT PASSED WITH STRONG SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT CONTINUES.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR PROCESS.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE GENTLEMAN -- GENTLEMAN OR FEMALE, I'M NOT SURE, WHO SPENT 18 YEARS.

>> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO.

I'M A FORMER PROSECUTOR.

WHEN I WAS APPROACHED ABOUT IT, I WAS ADMITTEDLY A LITTLE BIT HESITANT.

I USED TO BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PROCESS.

I DID MY DUE DILIGENCE AND IT WAS CLEAR HE WAS INNOCENT.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS THERE WAS AN INCENTIVIZED INFORMANT.

A PERSON WHO HAD AN INCENTIVE TO TESTIFY AND IDENTIFY SOMEBODY.

AND THE GBI, WHICH I HAVE TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR, MADE A MISTAKE.

THE TESTIMONY IN THE CASE, THE GBI EXPERT TESTIFIED IT WAS A VERY, VERY LOW PROBABILITY THAT ANYBODY OTHER THAN MR. ROBINSON COMMITTED THIS OFFENSE.

THE TRUTH IS, WHEN THE ANALYSIS WAS DONE CORRECTLY ON THE DNA EVIDENCE, IT'S 1800 TIMES MORE PROBABLE THAT A RANDOM PERSON ON THE STREET COMMITTED THE CRIME THAN HIM.

HE WAS NEVER IDENTIFIED BY THE VICTIM.

IN FACT, I MET WITH HIS FAMILY AND HIS FAMILY TOLD THE ABOUT DOTE WHERE THEY MET THE VICTIM, MR. ROBINSON WAS WITH THEM.

THE VICTIM DIDN'T KNOW WHO MR. ROBINSON WAS AND HE DIDN'T KNOW WHO SHE WAS.

HE GOT CAUGHT IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND JUST IT'S A HEARTBREAKING STORY.

HE MISSED 8 YEARS OF TIME WITH FAMILY AND LOVED ONES.

THE COMPENSATION WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE HE WASN'T BUILDING THE HIS CAREER DURING THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME.

WASN'T CONTRIBUTING TO SOCIAL SECURITY OR PENSION.

I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO COMPENSATE THESE INDIVIDUALS.

>> NOW HE HAS TO TRY TO GET A JOB AND PAY BILLS AND THAT KIND OF THING.

HE LOST 18 YEARS OF HIS LIFE.

I KNOW GEORGIA INNOCENCE PROJECT WORKED ON THIS, TOO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THEY DID.

>> OKAY.

I THINK YOU FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT IT SINCE IT PASSED IN THE HOUSE.

>> I'M HOPEFUL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>>> LET'S CHANGE A LITTLE BIT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT A BILL THAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON AND IN THE HOUSE HAD TO HAVE SOME REWORK.

THAT'S DEALING WITH MEDICAL CANNABIS.

EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED.

I BELIEVE SOME OF IT HAPPENED ON CROSS OVER DAY.

>> YEAH.

UNFORTUNATELY WE'VE HAD 23,000 PEOPLE NOW WHO CURRENTLY HAVE A MEDICAL CANNABIS CARD, AND YET THEY HAVE NO WAY TO LEGALLY HAVE THE MEDICINE.

AND WE'VE GONE WAY TOO FAR IN THE LEGISLATURE ON THIS.

WE HAVE TO TO SOMETHING.

WE'RE IN A TOUGH SPOT.

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO SIT STILL AND WATCH THE PROCESS LINGER ON.

SO I'VE GOT A BILL THAT STARTS THE PROCESS OVER.

EVEN SINCE CROSS OVER, WE MADE A WEEK.

THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE RNT AND NOTHING WRONG -- THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITH THE SCORING.

SO THE HOUSE VERSION SAID, WELL, WE'LL GIVE THE 69 APPLICATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND REQUIRE THEY HIRE A THIRD PARTY SCORING CONSULTING FIRMS.

IT'S DONE IT IN OTHER STATES.

LET'S GET THE LICENSES ORDERED.

UNFORTUNATELY THE BILL GOT STRIPPED IN THE SENATE TODAY.

IT'S THAT TIME OF THE SEASON.

AND SO LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THERE.

WE'LL GET BACK TO WORK.

YOU KNOW, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE HAS BEEN VERY FIRM ON WANTING TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION.

SO THE OTHER PARTIES WILL ENGAGE AND TELL US WHAT THEY WANT IN THE BILL.

>> FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS, THE BILL PASSED YEARS AGO.

THE LAW IN EFFECT NOW, IT ENDED UP WITH ONLY SIX COMPANIES, I GUESS, RECEIVING THE I GUESS THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO PRODUCE IT.

THE OTHERS WHO DIDN'T MAKE IT FILED THE SUIT GOT CAUGHT UP IN LEGAL STUFF.

IT'S BEEN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THE LAW EASIER FOR OR MORE FAIR, I GUESS, THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO PUT IT.

>> I AGREE.

THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS HOW THE SYSTEM IS SCORED AND HOW THE PROTESTS WERE HANDLED.

LET'S GET THE CONSULTANT VIRM INVOLVED AND GET IT GOING.

WE HAVE -- IT'S PRETTY COMPLICATED ALL THE WAY AROUND.

>> YEAH.

IN THE MEANTIME, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE LIST, READY TO GET THIS PRODUCT.

READY -- WHO ARE SUFFERING.

>> YES.

>> AND DESERVE THIS.

>> YEAH.

PRETTY DEBILITATING DISEASES.

WE KNOW, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN WITH SEIZURES, THEY HAVE VERY LITTLE OR -- THC DOES WONDERS FOR THEM.

WE HAVE TO KEEP THE FOCUS THERE.

WE HAVE TO GET THE MEDICINE IN THE HANDS OF THE PATIENTS AS QUICK AS WE CAN.

>> YEAH.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER BILL WITH YOU.

IT WAS SOMETHING MENTIONED IN BRENDA'S SEGMENT.

IT DEALT WITH THE DEBATE OF HOW MANY HOURS EMPLOYEES OF PRIVATE COMPANIES CAN WORK.

THEIR EMPLOYEES, I GUESS.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN IT OF WHAT IT'S ABOUT?

>> YEAH.

YOU MENTIONED THE BILL IN 2017.

THAT WAS MY BILL.

SOME CITIES AND COUNTIES ARE SAYING THEY WANTED A MANDATE THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF HOURS, WHETHER THEY WORKED IT OR NOT, IF YOU HAD THEM TO, QUOTE, ON HOLD.

THEY COULDN'T WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE.

WHAT MY BILL THEN DID -- THIS WAS A LITTLE BIT BROADER SCOPE THIS YEAR.

IT SAID THAT WE'LL HAVE A UNIFORM STATUTE THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND MAYBE SIMPLER EXAMPLE THAT WOULD BE MINIMUM WAGE.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU'VE GOT A CHICK-FIL-A THAT HAS GOT, YOU KNOW, FRANCHISES AND, YOU KNOW, LITERALLY RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER IN DIFFERENT COUNTIES, IF YOU TOOK THAT SAME THEORY OF MINIMUM WAGE, YOU COULD HAVE DIFFERENT WAGES, YOU KNOW, THREE MILES AWAY IN A DIFFERENT COUNTY.

WITH HAVE TO HAVE UNIFORM LABOR LAWS.

>> WOULD YOU SAY IT BENEFITS THE EMPLOYER OR THE EMPLOYEE?

>> WELL, IT WAS A REPUBLICAN BILL.

IT WOULD BENEFIT THE EMPLOYER MORE.

>> OKAY.

WHAT IT MEANS IS PEOPLE CAN'T GO FROM ONE AREA TO ANOTHER IN THE HOURS CHANGE, THAT'S BASICALLY IT?

>> YEAH.

THEY CAN'T -- THEY CAN'T -- UMM, MANDATE THAT A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF HOURS BE PAID WHETHER THEY WORKED OR NOT.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S TRYING TO PREVENT.

>> YEAH.

TELL US WHERE IT IS NOW.

>> JUST PASSED THE HOUSE TODAY.

>> OKAY.

>> IT'S ON TO THE SENATE NOW.

>> YEAH.

I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, YOU BOTH TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW YOU'VE GOT BILLS IN THE SENATE AND YOU MENTIONED IT A LITTLE BIT.

THE WHOLE PROCESS.

IS YOU FEEL GOOD ON CROSS OVER DAY WHEN IT MOVES.

YOU KNOW, YOU GET IT PASSED.

THIS IS THE PINS AND NEEDLES TIME OF THE PROCESS?

>> IT IS.

I LEARNED TODAY, IN FACT, FOR HOUSE BILL 1354 IT HAS TO PASS OUT OF COMMITTEE BY TUESDAY OR ELSE IT WILL NOT MOVE THIS YEAR, WHICH IS NOT MUCH TIME.

>> DOESN'T GIVE YOU THAT MANY DAYS.

ALL RIGHT.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ON BOTH OF THEM.

I APPRECIATE YOUR COMING IN AND TALK ABOUT THEM.

AND I KNOW YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

THERE WILL BE A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS BY SIGNING DAY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> COMING UP, A LOOK AT BILLS DEALING WITH ELECTION LAWS AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.

YOU'RE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>>> A PROUD PARTNER OF GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

THE MISSION TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH, WELL BEING, AND PEACE OF MIND OF THOSE WE SERVE.

HELP SUPPORT YOUR EMPLOYEES' PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING.

"LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY -- >>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

WE'LL TALK ABOUT ELECTIONS ISSUES AND MORE WITH OUR GUEST REPUBLICAN SENATOR BRANDON BEECH AND DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE DEREK MALO OF IS VRANA.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

I WANT TO START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE.

YOU SPOKE STRONGLY ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE RECENTLY ABOUT THE LATEST VOTING BILL.

I WAS WONDERING YOUR ISSUES WITH THE BILL.

>> A COUPLE.

IT GIVES THE GBI SWEEPING BROAD POWERS OVER ELECTION.

THE STATE ELECTION BOARD ALREADY HAS THOSE AUTHORITIES AND POWERS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT 12 WHICH WAS A FEW YEARS AGO, WE SEE NOW THE HEAVY HAND OF GOVERNMENT TO USE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HELP PUSH POLITICAL PROPAGANDA.

AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ELECTIONS AND ELECTION LAW AND INTEGRITY FOR MANY VOTERS OF COLOR, LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN USED AS A BARRIER TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM COMING TO THE POLLS AND TO VOTE AND THREAT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFTENTIMES KEEPS PEOPLE FROM COMING OUT TO VOTE.

SO LONG WITH THAT AND MAKING SURE THAT THE STATE ELECTION BOARD APPROVES ALL GRANTS.

IT WOULD COME BACK TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO ME, IT'S AGAIN, TAKING AWAY LOCAL CONTROL.

NOW A PRIVATE GRANT COMES THROUGH MY LOCAL COUNTY TO HELP THEM FUND ELECTIONS OR HELP THEM PROVIDE A SERVICE THAT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE STATE ELECTION BOARD WHO GETS TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY LIKE THAT COMPANY OR NOT.

MEANING MY LOCAL COMMUNITY WILL SUFFER AND NOW SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN LOCAL GOES BACK TO STATEWIDE CONTROL.

WHICH I DON'T ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH.

>> YEAH.

YOU MENTIONED EQUIPMENT 12.

IT WAS THE SCHOOL BOARD WHICH WAS AFFECTED.

EXPLAIN BRIEFLY WHAT HAPPENED WITH THAT.

>> THE BALANCE OF POWER WOULD CHANGE AND SO THERE WOULD BE A NEW MAJORITY ELECTED TO THE SCHOOL BOARD THERE.

SO MANY IN THAT COMMUNITY DIDN'T LIKE THAT.

IT WOULD NOW BECOME A MAJORITY AFRICAN AMERICAN SCHOOL BOARD.

THREE INDIVIDUALS WERE ELECTED.

AND SO OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT, YOU KNOW, 10 YEARS, THEY HAD THIS DARK CLOUD FELONY ELECTION FRAUD HANGING OVER THEIR HEAD BECAUSE THEY USED THE LETTER OF THE LAW AND GOT PEOPLE REGISTERED TO VOTE.

THEY GOT PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND VOTE.

THAT'S WHAT THEY DID.

THEN UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE BRIAN KEMP USED THE HEAVY HAND TO GIVE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO BRING CHARGES AGAINST THE INDIVIDUALS AND ACTUALLY ONE OF THEM DIED BEFORE THEY WERE EXONERATED.

ALL CHARGES WERE DROPPED AGAINST THEM.

THERE WAS NO VOTER FRAUD OR CONSPIRACY TO OVERTHROW AN ELECTION.

THEY FOLLOWED THE LETTER OF THE LAW.

THEY GOT PEOPLE ENGAGED AND REGISTERED TO VOTE.

THERE WERE CONSEQUENCES IN ELECTIONS WHEN PEOPLE DON'T VOTE AND THESE FOLKS WERE CRIMINALIZED AND HAD A DARK CLOUD HANGING OVER THEIR HEAD.

LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS USED TO PERRER.

-- PERPETUATE THAT.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY BROUGHT CHARGES.

YOU HAD THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE ENGAGED IN THAT.

AND NO ONE GOES TO PRISON.

>> IS THAT THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE WITH THE GBI INVESTIGATING THE ELECTIONS?

WHAT WOULD BE WRONG WITH THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY COMING IN AND LOOKING IN?

>> AND IT'S -- I THINK THE GBI DOES GREAT WORK, HOWEVER, THE GBI DOES SERVE, IN MY OPINION, ALMOST AT THE PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR.

THE STATE TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY CAN SOMETIMES BE SUBJECT TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH SHOULD NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO INFLUENCE A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO INVESTIGATE ELECTIONS.

AND THE REASON I SAY THAT IS THE FORMER PRESIDENT CALLED AND ASKED THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO FINE HIM A FEW MORE THOUSAND VOTES.

WE KNOW THAT.

FOR THAT INFERENCE TO EVEN EXIST SHOWS THERE'S SOME FORM OF IMPROPRIETY.

IT SHOULD NOT BE ELECTIONS.

PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR VOTE.

THEY SHOULD TRUST THEIR VOTE AND BALLOT IS NOT ONLY SECURE BUT SECRET.

NOT EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THAT.

WHEN I RAN FOR OFFICE, I WAS THE FIRST RECOUNT IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA ON THE MACHINES.

I WATCHED THE WHOLE PROCESS.

I COULDN'T FIND OUT WHO VOTED FOR ME AND WHO DIDN'T.

THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO SKIPPED.

SOME PEOPLE FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE BUT THAT'S THE ELECTORATE.

THEY SHOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE THE VOTE IS SAFE AND SECURE AND NOT PRIVVY TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY VOTED.

>> YEAH.

IT PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE, THOUGH, IT'S NOW IN THE SENATE.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ARE A BILL THAT YOU HAVE THAT DEALS WITH ELECTIONS.

>> SB 71 TO COMBINE ABSENTEE ELECTOR AND TALK ABOUT WHY THEY WANT TO VOTE ABSENTEE.

>> WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST VOTING LAWS IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE 19 DAYS OF EARLY VOTING.

WE HAVE SATURDAY VOTING, SUNDAY VOTING, ABSENTEE BALLOT VOTING.

WE HAVE DROP BOXES.

IN SENATE BILL 202 WE CLEANED UP.

SO THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE OUT ON THE STREET AND SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE MORE PEOPLE WATCHING THAT ON THOSE DROP BOXES.

YOU CAN GET AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE AN EXCUSE.

YOU CAN VOTE BY ABSENTEE.

WE HAVE GREAT VOTING BOXES.

WE ADDRESSED IT IN SENATE BILL 202.

>> WHY HAVEN'T IT DEFINED WHO >> THE PERSON SHOULD REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

THEY SHOULD BE SENT A BALLOT, AND SHOULD MAIL IT IN OR TAKE IT TO THE FACILITY WHERE THEY CAN PUT IN A DROP BOX.

>> YOU'RE NOT ASKING WHO THE PEOPLE ARE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

BUT JUST DEFINE IT A LITTLE BIT.

DOES IT ASK FOR REASONS FOR VOTING?

>> NO.

>> THAT PART WON'T CHANGE.

>> THAT WAS IN SENATE BILL 202.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER BILL THAT YOU HAVE.

IT HAS RECEIVED A LOT.

YOU'VE SUPPORT.

IT HAD WOULD PROTECT PARENTS WHO SPEAK OUT AT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

588.

>> YEAH.

PASSED THE SENATE.

I WILL TELL YOU THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN TRANSPARENCY AND SUNSHINE AND PARENTS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO GO TO A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

LET ME BE CLEAR, WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT PROBLEM IN GEORGIA.

WE SAW STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA NOT LETTING PARENTS GO TO SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.

WE WANT TO BE PRO ACTIVE AND SAY THE PARENT HAS A RIGHT TO GO TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AND SEE A WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR KIDS' CURRICULUM, WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD.

THEY CAN'T BE DISRUPTIVE.

EACH SHOULD HAVE SECURITY TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE DON'T GET OUT OF HAND.

THEY SHOULD BE THERE TO VIEW A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

WE LET PEOPLE COME TO OUR CHAMBER TO SIT IN THE GALLERY OR THEY CAN COME TO THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND EVERYTHING IS FILMED.

WE WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT.

SO THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS BILL ALLOWING PEOPLE TO BE IN A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

THEY CAN'T BE DISRUPTIVE.

THEY CAN'T CAUSE PROBLEMS.

THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD AND HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.

THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL DOES.

IT MAKES SURE THERE'S PUBLIC COMMENT.

AND EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS ON WHERE THEY THINK THE SCHOOL BOARD SHOULD GO.

>> ISN'T IT COVERED UNDER OPEN MEETINGS ALREADY?

>> IT IS.

BUT IN OTHER STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA, THEY WERE TELLING PEOPLE THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED IN SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.

AND, REALLY, IT CAME TO LIGHT IN THE VIRGINIA GOVERNOR'S ELECTION WHEN GLEN YOUNGKIN WANTED THE RIGHT TO GO TO SCHOOL WORD MEETINGS AND HIS OPPONENT SAID THE PARENTS DON'T NEED TO HAVE ANY RIGHTS IN THEIR KIDS' EDUCATION.

THAT'S WRONG.

PARENTS WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THEIR KIDS' EDUCATION AND SHOULD BE.

THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOICE THEIR OPINION AND WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THEIR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS.

AND IT'S LOCAL CONTROL.

THEY SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO TO GO AND EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS.

>> I KNOW THE BILL WASN'T EASY.

IT'S AN REPUBLICAN BILL.

WHEN YOU GUYS DISCUSSED IT, THERE WAS SOME OPPOSITION BY SOME REPUBLICANS.

>> YEAH.

IT PRETTY WENT WENT DOWN PARTY LINES.

( I'M FOR TRANSPARENCY.

AGAIN, AS LONG AS THEY'RE NOT DISRUPT i.

THEY TOLD HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE THERE AND RIGHT TO FILM, TOO.

IT WAS PART OF THE BILL THEY COULD FILM ON THEIR iPHONES OR WHATNOT.

ALL OF OUR MEETINGS ARE FILMED.

IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO FILM US IN A COMMITTEE MEETING, THEY CAN.

>> YOU'RE FEELING PRETTY GOOD ABOUT THE BILL IN THE HOUSE?

>> WE'LL SEE.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

AS THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID, UNTIL TUESDAY IT HAS TO GET OUT OF COMMITTEE.

I'M SURE THE SAME THING.

I FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT.

I THINK PARENTS WANTED TO BE INVOLVED IN THEIR KIDS' EDUCATION.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT IDEA.

I THINK EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IT GOING ON IN THEIR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

MAKE SURE THEIR KIDS, YOU KNOW, HAVE THE PROPER EDUCATION.

>> YEAH.

WE'VE HAD A FEW BILLS LIKE THAT.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

YOU KNOW, IT'S PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE.

WOE HEARD FROM THE RALLY EARLIER TODAY THERE WILL BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE ADDING MORE LAWS TO WHAT IT GOING ON WITH THE ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA.

>> I THINK THAT SPEAKS TO EACH CONSTITUENT GROUP YOU REPRESENT.

THE CONSTITUENTS I REPRESENT, I REPRESENT THE HEART OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH.

PEOPLE WHO LIVED THROUGH THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES LEAD DEMONSTRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

FOR THAT GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IT, THEY'VE SEEN THIS.

AND THIS IS LIKE HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF.

WE STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO THE PLACE WHERE WE CAN STAND UP TO THE FRAY OF EACH SIDE OF ANY POLITICAL PARTY AND SAY WE HAVE TO DO WHAT IS MORALLY RIGHT AND WHAT IS JUST FOR EVERYBODY.

BUT WE'RE CATERING TO ALL GET RE-ELECTED.

AND UNFORTUNATELY IT'S WHERE WE STAND.

ABOUT RE-ELECTION.

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT ON LAW "LAWMAKERS" JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER USING #GPBLAWMAKERS.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY 34.

GOOD NIGHT!