>>> YOU ARE SENDING A STRONG MESSAGE, THAT IF YOU COME INTO OUR STATE, AND YOU ARE RECRUITING OUR CHILDREN, THAT WE WILL HAVE SEVERE PUNISHMENT FOR YOU.

>> THIS BILL IS TOO INFLEXIBLE.

IT IS TOO BROAD, AND IT DOES NOT DO WHAT WE ACTUALLY NEED TO BE DOING TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.

AND BY THE WAY, THAT MINIMUM SENTENCE, NOBODY HAS THE DISCRETION TO REDUCE, NOT THE PROSECUTOR, AND NOT THE JUDGE.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE PUSH BACK AGAINST THE BILL IN THE HOUSE BY SITTING MANDATORY SENTENCES.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "GPB LAWMAKERS".

YOU'RE HEARING ABOUT THE STREET BRANCH AND PREVENTION AND TOURISM ACT.

IN MY DEMOCRATS OPPOSE EDWARD IN THE STUDIO, TO LAWMAKERS WHO WILL TALK ABOUT ELECTION BILLS UNDER THE GOLD DOME FRED ONE OF THEM IS TO STOP LEGISLATION WHAT MANY REFERRED TO AS THE ZUCKER BOX.

IS MONEY FROM A NONPROFIT STARTED BY FACEBOOK FOUNDER MARK ZUCKERBERG.

AND ANOTHER WILL TALK ABOUT BILL THAT SHE THINKS WILL NEED TO LESSEN SUPPORT FOR IT WE WILL ALSO LOOK AT THE BOARD TO PROVIDE TUITION EQUALIZATION GRANTS AT PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY.

AND AS THE 2023 SESSION WINDS DOWN, WHY SOME LAWMAKERS ARE NOT GIVING UP HOPE THEIR BILLS WILL EVENTUALLY PASS.

THAT'S FIRST.

OUR CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT, ROCHELLE RITCHIE.

LOOKS AT THE DAY'S NEWS.

>> Reporter: DONNA, VERY PASSIONATE REMARKS BY BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND THE HOUSE REGARDING SENATE BILL 44, WHICH INCREASES PENALTIES FOR GANG RECRUITMENT IN GEORGIA.

AND IN THE SENATE, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES COULD GET SOME MUCH-NEEDED HELP WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH.

THE HOUSE PASSED A SLEW OF BILLS TODAY, BUT THE MOST DISCUSSED OVER AN HOUR AND A HALF IS SENATE BILL 44, THE STREET GANG AND TERRORISM PREVENTION ACT.

>> THIS BILL WILL ESTABLISH A MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCE OF FIVE YEARS IF YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE CRIMINAL STREET GAMES STATUTE.

IN ADDITION, IT IS GOING TO ENHANCE PENALTIES ON THOSE ADULT GANG MEMBERS WHO ARE RECRUITING OUR CHILDREN THAT ARE UNDER 17.

GANGS MUST RECRUIT IN ORDER TO SURVIVE.

AND WE ARE SENDING A STRONG MESSAGE WITH THIS BILL THAT IF YOU COME INTO OUR STATE, AND YOU ARE RECRUITING OUR CHILDREN, THEN WE WILL HAVE SEVERE >> CRIMINAL GANGS HAVE BECOME A SCOURGE ON OUR SOCIETY.

THEY HAVE MULTIPLIED LATELY.

THEY ARE NOT JUST IN URBAN AREAS, THEY ARE EVERYWHERE.

THEY ARE IN MY DISTRICT, >> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE TONYA MILLER GAVE A HEART FILLED OBJECTION TO THE BILL.

>> SO WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY, GIVE THIS BILL A CAPITOL F. ONE, BILL STRIPS FLEXIBILITY WENT FROM A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE US.

THIS BILL IS NOT SUPPORTED BY FACTS, AND WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY AS A RELATES TO THE RECRUITMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE INTO GANGS.

HERE IS A NEWSFLASH.

THERE'S NOT SOME BIG HOMEY FROM L.A. THAT'S TAKING A PLANE FROM L.A. TO GEORGIA, CREEPING AROUND PLAYGROUNDS, AND RECRUITING TEENAGERS TO BECOME MEMBERS OF A GANGSTER DISCIPLES.

IT IS FAR MORE LIKELY THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RECRUITING CHILDREN INTO CRIMINAL STREET >> Reporter: REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER, CHUCK ASTRAY AND, PUSHING BACK THAT JUDGES LOSE DISCRETION.

>> IT DOES PROVIDE DISCRETION.

IN THE COURT'S DISCRETION, THE JUDGE LAID APART FROM THE MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCE.

NOT I REALLY HOPE THAT THIS LEGISLATION IS COVERED, THAT IS COVERED ACCORDING TO WHAT IS ACTUALLY IN THE BILL.

NOT WHAT FOLKS SAY AND MEMBERS SAY HERE, IN THE WELL.

>> Ed: MINORITY WHIP SAM HART QUICKLY REBUTTING.

>> AS WE JUST HEARD A FEW MOMENTS AGO, WE ARE NOT, WE ARE ALL ENTITLED TO OUR OPINION, BUT NOT THE FACTS.

I URGE YOU ALL TO LOOK AT LINES 75 TO 77, 80 TO 82, AND 83 TO 84.

IT MAKES CLEAR THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE MANDATORY SENTENCES IN THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, THAT SHALL NOT BE REDUCED, SUSPENDED OR OTHERWISE DEPARTED >> Reporter: DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO STAND AGAINST THE BILL, ARGUING THAT MANDATORY MINIMUMS ARE A FAILED SAFETY MEASURE.

>> THESE ENHANCEMENTS AND SB 44 DO NOT PREVENT CRIME.

MORE MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES IS NOT THE ANSWER.

GEORGIANS DESERVE MORE THAN RHETORIC.

THEY DESERVE MORE THAN PAGEANTRY.

WE NEED REAL, EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY SOLUTIONS THAT ARE PROVEN TO REDUCE CRIME.

>> Reporter: THE BILL PASSED 99- 74.

AND, SIX HOUSE BILLS IN THE SENATE TODAY, AND THERE WAS SOMETHING FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYONE, FROM CITRUS GROWERS, TO PLEASURE BOATERS, VETERANS, NURSES, AND PORT AUTHORITY OFFICERS.

HOUSE BILL 493 WILL ALLOW NURSES A NEW VENUE TO GIVE THEIR REQUIRED HOURS AND HELP FACILITIES.

>> THIS INCLUDES VA HOSPITALS AND A LIST OF ACCEPTED LICENSED FACILITIES.

>> Reporter: ALSO BETTERMENT RELATED, HB 414, THIS BILL ALLOWS THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES TO ACCEPT GRANTS THAT HELP VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

BUT, SENATOR COLTON MOORE OFFERED UP AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD MAKE ANY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION ACCEPTING LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL TAX SUPPORTED GRANTS SUBJECT TO THE OPEN RECORDS ACT.

>> AS A VETERAN, AND TO THE QUESTION THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN RAISED, IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR REASON WHY VETERANS' MENTAL HEALTH, YOU WOULD PREFER THAT IT BE SUBJECT TO THE OPEN RECORDS ACT?

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR GUNS ARE GOING TO THAT ISSUE, THAT ARE SUBJECT TO TRANSPARENCY, THAT WE ARE DOING THE BEST JOB WE CAN PARADE THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN IS TAXPAYER- FUNDED MONEY GOING TO SOMETHING THAT WASN'T BENEFITING HER LEGISLATIVE INTENTION WAS.

>> Reporter: HB 207 WILL REQUIRE NEW LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS FOR BOTH OPERATING IN GEORGIA'S COASTAL WATERS FOR IT AND IT COULD BE BAD NEWS FOR BOATERS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

>> CLEARLY, IN THE GEORGIA WATERS, FRESH WATERS, IF YOU HAVE A BOATING ACCIDENT, AND ALCOHOL AND DRUGS IS INVOLVED, YOU HAVE 48 HOURS TO REPORT IT.

THIS BILL CHANGES IT TO WHERE IT HAS TO BE REPORTED RIGHT THEN.

>> Reporter: HB 35 WILL GIVE THE GEORGIA REPORTS OF DOHERTY POLICE FORCE GREATER ABILITY TO HANDLE ISSUES IN THEIR AREA OF JURISDICTION, AND CHATHAM IN GLEN COUNTIES.

ALL OF THOSE BILLS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

AND FINALLY, WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT A BILL CREATING THE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY COMMISSION FOR CITRUS FRUITS WOULD BE THE ONLY BILL TODAY GETTING ANY NO VOTES.

>> THIS IS HB 545 IT'S CREATING THE AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION FOR CITRUS FRUITS.

THIS IS A FAIRLY NEW INDUSTRY IN OUR STATE.

IN 2013, WE HAD ABOUT 4500 TREES IN OUR STATE AND TODAY WE HAVE IN EXCESS OF 500,000 CITRUS TREES IN OUR STATE.

THIS IS A VOLUNTARY COMMISSION, WE HAVE 13 OF THESE ALREADY IN EXISTENCE IN THE STATE, SO WE WERE JUST ADDING TO THAT.

THEY ARE PRODUCER FUND AND THEY PROVIDE RESEARCH, MARKETING, AND PROMOTION FUNDS FOR THE CITRUS INDUSTRY >> Reporter: THAT BILL PASSED 47-3, AND DONNA, WE ARE OFFICIALLY JUST FOUR DAYS AWAY FROM SIGNING THAT.

AND DONNA, THAT IS MY CAPITOL REPORT.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> IN THE MONTHS OR THE SESSION STARTED WE HAD FEW TRIPS TO THE VOTING POLLS INSTEAD OF IN INCLUDING RUNOFF PULLS AND A FEW BILLS ARE STILL ACTIVE AND OUR GUESTS WILL TALK ABOUT THEM FOR JOINING ME A REPUBLICAN SENATOR MAX BURNS, HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE, AND DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE SAIRA WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS TO BOTH OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> CHAIRMAN BURNS, ONE OF THE SELECTION BILL THAT IS MOVED AS YOUR BILL, BILL 222, WOULD BAN NONPROFITS FROM DONATING TO ELECTION ORGANIZATIONS.

SO IT HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF PLAY.

WE HAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT IT AND ACTUALLY IN OTHER STATES, TOO.

>> IT IS A CLARIFICATION BILL.

IT IS A CLARIFICATION OF WHAT WAS IN THE ORIGINAL SB 202, FROM THE 2021 SESSION.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY COUNTY IS TREATED THE SAME WAY.

AND WHAT HAPPENED IS, WE HAD SOME OUTSIDE INFLUENCE THAT WOULD COME IN AND SUGGEST THAT THEY COULD SELECTIVELY FUND CERTAIN COMMUNITIES ELECTION OPERATIONS, BUT NOT OTHERS.

BUT SB 222 IS A CLARIFICATION OF SB 202, AND IT'S DESIGNED TO MAKE ENSURE THAT EVERY COUNTY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY RECEIVED SUPPORT IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE, THROUGH THE STATE OF GEORGIA WHERE THE ELECTIONS OPERATIONS.

SO ALL ELECTION FUNDING SHOULD COME FROM PUBLICLY APPROPRIATED SOURCES.

>> I DID THINK THIS WAS COVERED IN 202.

>> IT WAS.

AND I THINK THE CHALLENGE WE HAD, AND I SAID THIS TWO YEARS AGO WHEN WE GOT INVOLVED IN THIS, EVERY LEGAL VOTE COUNTS, THAT'S MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

NUMBER TWO, EVERY COUNTY FOLLOWS GEORGIA LAW.

WE HAVE 159 COUNTIES IN EVERY COUNTY NEEDS TO FOLLOW GEORGIA LAW FOR THE THIRD THING I WANT TO MAKE SURE IS THAT YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT YOUR BOAT COUNTS AND I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT MINE DOES.

WE JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THE REALITY SAYS LOCAL SOURCES, LOCAL, PUBLIC SOURCES SHOULD SUPPORT THE ELECTION PROCESS, NOT BE INFLUENCED BY OUTSIDE THIRD PARTIES.

>> SOME OF THOSE ELECTION BOARDS, THEY ARE STRUGGLING, BECAUSE WE HAD QUITE A FEW TIMES THAT WE HAD TO GO TO THE POLLS LAST YEAR.

>> WE DID AND WE HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF RUNOFF AS YOU KNOW.

SO WE SEEM TO BE IN A VERY CLOSELY DIVIDED STATE, THAT WILL BE CONTESTED ELECTIONS FOR AND THAT'S A GOOD THING, AND I'M JUST GLAD THAT IN OUR LAST ELECTION CYCLE IN 2022, WE SAW A RECORD TURNOUT, WE SAW A RECORD ENGAGEMENT.

WE SAW THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF VOTER CONFIDENCE WE HAVE EVER SEEN.

SO I THINK WE DID SOME GOOD THINGS.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE A VERY CLOSELY CONTESTED STATE, WHICH FORCES RUNOFF, WHICH ADDS TO THE COST OF THE EXPENSE OF OUR ELECTIONS.

AND RIGHT NOW, WE ARE FOCUSED ON A REQUIREMENT THAT SAYS YOU HAVE TO GAIN 50% PLUS ONE BOAT TO BE CLEAR WINNER.

SO WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE SMALLER AREAS THAT DON'T REALLY HAVE THE MONEY FOR ALL OF THE ELECTIONS?

>> I THINK THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO SUPPORT THEIR WORK.

BUT THE REALITY IS IT IS THERE ELECTIONS FOR THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND I WOULD SAY THAT MOST OF THEM HAVE REALLY STEPPED UP AND DONE A GREAT JOB.

WE APPRECIATE THE SECRETARY OF STATE, AND THE ELECTIONS DIVISION OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, THEY DONE A SUPER JOB OF WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES AND COUNTIES IN LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS.

AND THEY ARE ENSURING THAT OUR ELECTIONS RUN VERY EFFECTIVELY, EFFICIENTLY AND FAIRLY.

>> OKAY, REPRESENTATIVE DRAPER YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

>> YEAH, I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO TREAT EVERY COUNTER COUNTY, BUT THE FACT IS WE HAVE VERY DIFFERENT COUNTIES IN GEORGIA AND VERY SIZES AND VERY DIFFERENT NEEDS.

WE ARE SEEING A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF ELECTION CHALLENGES IN GEORGIA SINCE THE 2020 ELECTION.

AND IT'S NOT EVERY COUNTY IN GEORGIA THAT HAS BEEN HIT WITH THESE CHALLENGES, IT IS JUST CERTAIN CHALLENGES, HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND OF ELECTION CHALLENGES.

AND THE BURDEN THAT PUTS AND COUNTIES IS MASSIVE.

SO DO THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE WE ARE NOT GETTING ANY OPPORTUNITY TO FUND THOSE GAPS THAT ARE CAUSED BY THESE CHALLENGES BROUGHT AGAINST THEM.

>> IN A RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> WE CERTAINLY HAVE CHALLENGES AND MANY OF THEM ARE UNFOUNDED.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE WANT TO DO WITH SB 202 AND 222 AND OTHER TWEAKS TO OUR ELECTION LAW IS TO INSTILL A CONFIDENCE LEVEL WITH THE VOTER THAT DOESN'T LEAD TO A CHALLENGE.

BY THE WAY, A VAST MAJORITY OF ALL CHALLENGES WE FACE ARE NOT FROM GEORGIANS.

YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

A MAJORITY THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACED ON A LOCAL ELECTION BOARD COME FROM OUTSIDE.

GEORGIA VOTERS HAVE CONFIDENCE AND WE ARE PLEASED WITH THAT.

>> OKAY WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE , SOMETHING YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FOR YOUR INTEREST IN BILLS THIS SESSION THAT DEAL WITH LOCAL BOARDS OF ELECTION, FOR INSTANCE.

ONE OF THEM, HB 642, CHEROKEE COUNTY DEALT WITH THEIR ELECTION, PAST THE VOTE CHAMBER AND UNANIMOUSLY IN THE SENATE.

BASICALLY, IT LAYS OUT THE ELECTION BOARDS, HOW MUCH POWER AND WHAT THEIR DUTIES ARE, WHAT BOTHERS YOU ABOUT A BILL LIKE THAT?

>> THE CHEROKEE COUNTY BILL IS PART OF A LARGER TREND THAT WE ARE SEEING IN THE GEORGIA STATE LEGISLATURE THAT IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME.

SINCE THE 2020 ELECTION, WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS A SLATE OF BILLS REPUBLICAN SPONSORED BILLS, 21 OF THEM HAVE BEEN FILED SINCE 2020, THAT SEEK TO CHANGE THE COMPOSITION OF BOARDS OF ELECTIONS.

THEY WANT TO CHANGE HOW MEMBERS ARE ELECTED TO BOARDS OF ELECTIONS.

AND IN 15 OF THOSE BILLS THAT HAVE COME OUT SINCE 2020, THE EFFECT OF THAT IS THAT WE COULD HAVE BOARDS OF ELECTIONS THAT CONSIST OF MEMBERS THAT BELONG TO ENTIRELY ONE COUNTY.

SO, STEPPING BACK A BIT, JUST TO PUT SOME CONTEXT ON THE ISSUE, BOARDS OF ELECTION, WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT, WHO IS ON THE FOURTH OF ELECTION?

THE BOARDS OF ELECTION ARE THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTIES THAT MAKE CRITICAL DECISIONS ABOUT ELECTION ADMINISTRATION.

ANYTHING FROM HOW MANY DAYS YOU HAVE TO VOTE, TO SIMILAR CHALLENGES TO WHETHER AT VOTE IS CERTIFIED.

AND HISTORICALLY IN GEORGIA WE HAVE HAD BIPARTISAN BOARDS OF ELECTION.

WE HAVE ALLOWED OUR POLITICAL PARTIES TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THESE BOARDS OF ELECTION IN MY COUNTY, DeKALB COUNTY WHICH IS A VERY DEMOCRATIC COUNTY, WE HAVE TWO MEMBERS ON OUR BOARD OF ELECTIONS WHO ARE APPOINTED BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, TO MEMBERS WHO ARE APPOINTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THEN A FIFTH NONPARTISAN MEMBER.

AND YOU MIGHT BE ASKING, WHY DO YOU WANT THESE PARTISANS SITTING ON BOARDS OF ELECTIONS?

I THINK THE ANSWER IS PRETTY SIMPLE.

THESE POLITICAL PARTIES ARE DIRECT STAKEHOLDERS IN OUR ELECTIONS, WE HAVE DEMOCRATICS AND REPUBLICS AND EVERYONE ARE COUNTED WE HAD CANDIDATES IN EVERY COUNTY FROM THE REPUBLICAN IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR SO HAVING THIS PARITY ON THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, THIS BALANCE TO THE ONE PARTY KNOWING WHAT THE OTHER PARTIES DOING, INCREASES TRANSPARENCY AND INCREASES CONFIDENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM WITH THESE BILLS.

>> YOU'RE SAYING THESE BILLS, YOU WILL END UP WITH BOARDS OF ELECTION THAT ARE TOTALLY EITHER ONE SIDE OR ONE PARTY ANOTHER?

>> THAT IS WHAT POTENTIALLY COULD HAPPEN.

WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS THEY ARE HAVING BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS APPOINT THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARDS OF ELECTION, RATHER THAN HAVE PARTIES APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE BOARDS OF ELECTION.

AND IN MOST OF THESE COUNTIES, WHERE THEY ARE BRINGING THESE BILLS, THE BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS ARE MADE UP EITHER LEANING REPUBLICAN BOARDS, OR THEY ARE ENTIRELY REPUBLICANS.

SO YES, YOU COULD SEE A BOARDS OF COMMISSION THAT CONSIST OF ONE PARTY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS COMMUTE MENTIONED THE CHEROKEE BILL.

ARE THERE QUITE A FEW OF THESE?

>> YES.

I'VE SEEN 21 SINCE THE 2020 ELECTION, 15 THAT ARE VERY CONCERNING TO ME.

IN THE CHEROKEE COUNTY CASE I THINK IS QUITE NOTABLE, BECAUSE THE CHEROKEE COUNTY ELECTION SUPERVISOR, THE PERSON WHO ADMINISTERED THESE ELECTIONS, SHE SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE BILL AND REACHED OUT TO HER DELEGATION.

EVERYTHING, EVERYONE ON THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO SAY DON'T DO THIS.

WE DEAL WITH SO MUCH PRESSURE AS ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS, WE HAVE REX TO OUR LIFE'S COMING AND IF YOU MAKE THESE BOARDS NONPARTISAN WE ARE GOING TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THAT.

>> DID YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T DISAGREE.

WE NEED BIPARTISAN BOARDS OF ELECTIONS.

AND WE NEED ALL PARTIES AT THE TABLE.

NOW HOW DO YOU GET THERE IS A CHALLENGE.

WE'VE GOT A BILL RIGHT NOW IN THE SENATE, SB 226 WHICH IS SOME LEGISLATION I AM KAREN, WE HAD A COMMITTEE HEARING ON THAT THIS PAST WEEK.

WE'VE GOT INPUT FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND GMA AND ACTUALLY, WITH THE PROBATE JUDGES.

AND WE ARE LOOKING AT THE BEST MODEL.

WE HAVE GOT, AS A REPRESENTATIVE DRAPER KNOWS, THE WAY ELECTION BOARDS ARE CREATED IN GEORGIA RUNS THE GAMUT.

WE HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF LET LOTS OF VARIABILITY AND WHAT WE WANT TO GET TO IS SOME REASONABLE STANDARD, NOT A REQUIREMENT, BUT A STANDARD THAT SAYS, THIS IS HOW THE BEST RUN BOARDS OF ELECTION SHOULD BE ORGANIZED.

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT USING BOARDS OF ELECTION BE NONPARTISAN, BUT THE REALITY IS MOST OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE NOT NONPARTISAN, THEY TEND TO HAVE A PARTISAN ORIENTATION.

BILLS?

>> THERE'S SOME POSSIBILITIES WE WILL SEE SOME CHANGES.

>> I CAN'T THANK YOU BOTH ENOUGH OR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>>> COMING UP A CLOSER LOOK AT MEDICAID WE ARE UNWINDING.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS, DONNA LOWRY.

WE ARE GOING TO SPEND A FEW MINUTES TALKING TO A LAWMAKER WHO HAS BEEN 10 YEARS IN THE GEORGIA HOUSE.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE PATTY BUTLER WITHIN TAYLOR COUNTER, WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS BUT AS USUAL WE LOVE HAVING YOU ON THE SHOW.

ONE THING YOU CARE ABOUT IS CHANGES IN MEDICAID SO TALK ABOUT THIS MEDICAID UNWINDING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME THIS IS MY 11th YEAR IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

YES, TIME IS GOING BY.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE VIEWERS ARE AWARE OF WHAT IS COMING DOWN THE PIKE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, MEDICAID UNWIND IS WHAT WE CALL IT.

WHERE THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS THE ABILITY TO DETER ELIGIBILITY OF OVER 2.7 MILLION GEORGIANS WHO ARE RECEIVING MEDICARE.

IT'S COMING UP APRIL 1st AND WE JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THEY UPDATE THEIR INFORMATION IN GATEWAY.

THEY CAN GO TO THE STATE COVERAGE.GA.GOP WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT'S COMING UP WITH THIS MEDICAID UNWIND SO WE DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY GEORGIANS GET LEFT BEHIND AND BE WITHOUT COVERAGE.

>> IS IN THE DATE SOMETIME IN JUNE, IT'S COMING UP?

>> I NOTES APRIL 1st?

AND TODAY IS MARCH.

SO WE JUST WANT MAKE SURE CERTAIN THAT EVERYONE WATCHING WHAT IS COMING, GET AHEAD OF IT, DO NOT WAIT THE LAST MINUTE, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE BE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY NEED MEDICAL CARE, AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE COVERAGE BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO UPDATE THEIR INFORMATION, AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY PAY ATTENTION TO ALL OF THEIR MAIL THEY GET FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

WHATEVER CORRESPONDENCE, MAKE SURE YOU'RE CHECKING ALL PIECES OF MAIL, EVEN IF IT LOOKS LIKE IT COULD BE JUNK MAIL, PLEASE READ IT.

STATECOVERAGE.GA.GOV THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I LOVE IT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE, YOU ARE A FUNERAL HOME DIRECTOR.

>> I OWNED A FUNERAL HOME, MY HUSBAND, MY LATE HUSBAND WAS A LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR, BUT I OWN IT AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.

>> AND YOU ARE PART WHAT WE LAUGHINGLY CALL THE FUNERAL HOME CAUCUS.

>> THAT'S IT.

>> I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT A BILL REPRESENTED, THAT BECKY EVANS INTRODUCED.

IT DEALS WITH CEMETERIES, HB 46, ABOUT AND WHAT YOU THINK.

>> I AM A COSPONSOR OF THAT BILL, HOUSE BILL 486, AND ONE BASICALLY IT IS TRYING TO SOLVE, THERE WAS AN ISSUE WHERE A FAMILY AND REPRESENTATIVE BECKY EVANS DISTRICT PREPAID FOR BURIAL PRODUCT PLOT FOR A HUSBAND AND WIFE.

THEY GET THERE AND LEARNED THAT SOMEONE HAS ALREADY BEEN BURIED IN THAT SPOT.

AND THE HUSBAND IS STILL LIVING, THIS WAS FOR THE WIFE.

THE HUSBAND AND WIFE PURCHASED SPOTS RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND NOW SOMEONE IS ALREADY BURIED IN THE WIFE'S SPOT.

WELL, THE FAMILY DECIDED TO SUE.

THEY STATED THAT THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS HAD RUN OUT.

AND THE STATUTE OF LIMITATION FOR PURSUING LEGAL ACTION IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT WAS TWO YEARS.

AND SO, THAT BILL WAS HEARD IN HER AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.

AND THERE WAS A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT THE TWO YEARS.

SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS, IT IS NOT STATING THAT YOU HAVE TO USE YOUR BURIAL PLOT TWO YEARS AFTER PURCHASE.

>> YOU WOULD KNOW TO DO THAT.

>> IT IS NOT SAYING YOU HAVE TO USE IT TWO YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, IT IS STATING IF YOU FIND SOME DISCREPANCY, AND YOU NEED TO, AND YOU ARE WANTING TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION OR A CIVIL CASE AGAINST THE SELLER, IN WHICH THIS CASE THIS WAS A CEMETERY.

THEN IT IS TWO YEARS OF STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN THAT SPIRIT.

>> THIS BILL WOULD CHANGE THAT?

>> WOULD IT BE UNLIMITED?

>> IT CERTAINLY WOULD CHANGE THAT TWO-YEAR TIMEFRAME.

THE POINT THAT I WANT TO MAKE TO EVERYONE THAT IS WATCHING, BECAUSE AGAIN IT WAS IN THE HEARING ONLY IN THE AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

PLEASE, JUST KEEP A CHECK ON YOUR THINGS.

I'M SO SORRY THAT HAPPENED TO THAT FAMILY AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN TO ANYBODY ELSE ACROSS THE STATE.

SO IF YOU PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM A FUNERAL HOME OR CEMETERY, PLEASE CHECK ON IT, BECAUSE CEMETERIES CHANGE OWNERSHIP AND A LOT OF TIMES THINGS JUST DON'T GET RECORDED PROPERLY.

SO, IF YOU HAVE YOUR DEED, CHECK ON THINGS SO YOU WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOUR BURIAL SPACES LOCATED WHEN IT COMES THAT TIME.

>> SO CHECK ON IT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE?

>> YES, PLEASE CHECK ON IT.

>> BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE GRIEVING ON TOP OF THAT.

>> I FELT SO BAD FOR THAT FAMILY.

>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING PASSED IN THE HOUSE ONTO THE SENATE ON THAT?

NO, DID NOT.

WE ONLY HAD A COMMITTEE THAT'S HEARING, WE GOT A LITTLE TIME AND WE ARE GOING TO KEEP WORKING ON IT.

SO THAT'S WHY WANTED TO BRING ATTENTION TO IT.

>> WE ARE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW THERE IS MORE TIME FOR THE SESSION ENDS NEXT WEDNESDAY.

THAT MEANS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF BILLS THAT WON'T BECOME LAW THIS YEAR.

BUT THERE IS HOPE, BECAUSE THE BILL INTRODUCED THIS YEAR HAS TWO YEARS TO PASS BECAUSE THE GEORGIA ASSEMBLY, ONE OF THOSE BILLS IS HB 161, THE PEDIATRIC SAFE STORAGE ACT.

AND IS SPONSORED BY DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE OF JOHNS CREEK.

>> WE STILL NEED TO ADDRESS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN WHICH IS GUN VIOLENCE.

I KNOW IT'S A SIMPLE BILL, BUT ALL IT DOES IS IT REQUIRES PEOPLE WHO FIREARMS WHO COULD HAVE ACCESS TO MINORS TO STORE THEM SECURELY.

THIS WAS A HEARING ONLY, CHAIRMAN COLLINS MADE THAT CLEAR AND YOU CAN SEE FROM IT HAS CROSSOVER, RIGHT?

SO IF YOU WALK INTO THAT ROOM, IT'S A PRELIMINARY GAMBIT.

HOWEVER THIS IS MUCH FURTHER THAN REALLY, IT HAS EVER GOTTEN.

AND I THINK IT IS A TESTAMENT TO THE LEADERSHIP IN THE COLLABORATION OF CHAIRMAN JAY COLLINS AND CHAIRMAN KANE, WHO IS THE SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR.

TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION, I DON'T THINK YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN AND TEENS AND NOT RESPOND.

WE LOOK AT SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS THEY ARE OFFERING.

SO I'M HOPING THAT NOW THAT WE HAVE HAD THE SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, THAT IT WILL PROGRESS ALONG.

MANY OTHER BILLS ARE TAKEN WHEN IT COMES TO COMMITTEE VOTE, COME TO FULL COMMITTEE VOTE AND IT WILL GET TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

AND WE STILL HAVE A FULL YEAR TO DO THIS BECAUSE AS WE KNOW, ANY BILL THAT IS NOT KILLED IN THE IMMEDIATE FIRST YEAR, SURVIVES FOR SECOND YEAR.

>> THAT WAS REPRESENTED MICHELLE AU.

BUT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS IS A BIENNIUM, SO PEOPLE DON'T LOSE HOPE ON THEIR BILL.

THERE IS ANOTHER FUNERAL HOME BILL THAT IS OUT THERE.

AND WE MAY SEE IT NEXT YEAR.

>> YES.

THIS BILL, I'M SORRY CAN'T RECALL THE BILL NUMBER BUT IT IS RELATING TO THE STATE OF GEORGIA ACCEPTING AN ASSIGNMENT FROM A FUNERAL HOME.

AND LIKE TRADITIONAL INSURANCE COMPANIES DO, WHEN SOMEONE PASSES AWAY THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL ACCEPT AN ASSIGNMENT FROM THE FUNERAL HOME AND A CLAIM FORM FROM THE BENEFICIARY.

SO WHEN THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS RAISED TO PAY OUT THE BENEFIT, THEY WILL PAY THE FUNERAL COSTS TO THE FUNERAL HOME, BASED ON THE INFORMATION ON THE ASSIGNMENT.

AND THEN, THEY WILL PAY THE BENEFICIARY WHAT IS REMAINING, BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT IS ON THE CLAIM FORM.

BUT NOT FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA, IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYEE OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND SOMETHING HAPPENS, THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT AN ASSIGNMENT FROM THE FUNERAL HOME.

ALL OF THE BENEFITS GO TO THE BENEFICIARY IN THE FUNERAL HOME WE HAVE TO PRAY THAT THE BENEFICIARY IS GOING TO DO THE RIGHT AND TO PAY FOR THEIR FUNERAL BILL.

>> OH, WOW SO I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP WATCHING ON THAT.

>> YES, I'M A COFOUNDER AND THAT BILL.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW, THAT DOES IT FOR LAWMAKERS TODAY.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW FOR DATE 37.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.