♪♪ >>> NOT ONE MEMBER IN THIS CHAMBER WAS REQUIRED OR MANDATED TO RECEIVE A COVID-19 VACCINE, WE ARE TRUSTED THAT WE HAD THE WISDOM TO KNOW WHAT WAS RIGHT FOR US, WHAT WAS RIGHT FOR OUR FAMILY.

THIS BILL SUBMITS THAT SAME RIGHT, THAT SAME COURTESY TO CITIZENS OF THE STATE.

>> THE CONTROVERSY OVER VACCINE MANDATE CONTINUES.

THE GEORGIA HOUSE PASSED THE BILL TO BAN THE GOVERNMENT FROM REQUIRING COVID-19 VACCINE.

GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

ON THIS DATE, I AM DONNA LARRY FROM ATLANTA.

GEORGIA IS ONE OF THREE STATES THAT CHARGES 17 YEARS OLD AS ADULTS IN CRIMINAL CASES.

WE'LL HEAR FROM A LAWMAKER TRYING TO CHANGE THAT.

>>> PROTECTING CREDIT SCORES IN THE MIDST OF THE PANDEMIC.

ONE OF TODAY'S GUESTS THINKS SO.

WE'LL HEAR FROM ANOTHER LEGISLATURE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT GEORGIANS ARE LEARNING.

AND A BILL TO PROTECT OUR WHISTLE BLOWER.

LET'S HEAD TO THE CAPITOL.

HEY BRENDA.

>> HEY, DONNA.

SENATE BILL 345 REFERRED TO THE VACCINE PASSPORT BAN BILL MET WITH SOME HEAT, A HEATED DEBATE IN THE HOUSE TODAY.

>> SENATE BILL 345 WILL PROHIBIT ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY IN THE STATE FROM REQUIRING THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS IN THE BILL FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND SOME STATE UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES WHO COULD BE REQUIRED UNDER FEDERAL LAW TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE.

IT IS AN INTERFERENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF BODILY AND INTEGRITY WHICH IS PART OF THE RIGHT TO PRIVATE LIFE AND SHRINE ON OUR AMERICAN PRINCIPLES.

THE BILL GOT STRONG SUPPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVE MARK NEWTON.

>> I THINK YOU CAN BE PRO VACCINE LIKE I AM AND I KNOW THE CHAIR LADY IS AND PROCOVID-19 VACCINE AND STILL SUPPORT THIS BILL FOR THOSE CITIZENS WHO NEED TO ACCESS THOSE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

I HOPE YOU VOTE YES ON IT.

>> BILLY MITCHELL TOOK THE OPPOSING STAND ON THE BILL.

>> I URGE YOU TO JOIN ME AND HELP US SAVE LIVES BY OPPOSING THIS MEASURE.

SB 345 PASSED IN THE HOUSE, 99-67.

SEVERAL YOUNG PEOPLE SAY THEY WERE NOT PERMITTED TO SPEAK AT A YOUTH HEARING YESTERDAY BUT GOT THEIR CHANCE TODAY ON THE SOUTH STEPS OF THE CAPITOL.

>> YESTERDAY IN THE SENATE EDUCATION AND YOUTHS COMMUNITY.

HB 1084, ANOTHER BILL ATTEMPTING TO SENSOR EDUCATION WAS HEARD.

THE DOZEN PEOPLE WHO CAME TO SPEAK AGAINST THE BILL WERE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS THEIR VIEWS ON A MATTER DIRECTLY IMPACTING THEM.

>> HOUSE BILL 1084 PROHIBITS K THROUGH 12 SCHOOLS PROMOTING CERTAIN IDEOLOGY OF RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION.

THE GROUP OF YOUNGSTERS DRIVEN TO THE CAPITAL FROM SAVANNAH READ THEIR TESTIMONIES.

>> WHAT ARE YOU PROTECTING THEM FROM EXACTLY?

THE BILL TALKS ABOUT BANNING DEVICE CONCEPTS BEING TAUGHT IN THE CLASSROOMS WHEN IN ACTUALITY THESE CONCEPTS DO NOT EXIST.

>> YESTERDAY WAS HORRENDOUS.

WHAT HAPPENED BY CHAIRMAN CHUCK PAYNE WAS DISGRACEFUL.

WHAT HE DID TO US AS CONSTITUENTS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT ALL.

WE SHOULD SPEAK TO THE COMMITTEE ABOUT OUR FUTURE AND WHAT WE'LL LEARN IN THESE CLASSROOMS.

>> OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BATES, SENATOR CHUCK PAYNE SAID TIME HAS RUN OUT AND NO ONE WAS PERMITTED TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE.

>> TODAY AS WE SAFELY MOVE OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE ARE TAKING ANOTHER IMPORTANT STEP TO MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS ARE NOT VICTIMS OF THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO PLAGUE PANDEMIC POLITICS.

>> WITH A STROKE OF A PEN.

SENATE BILL 514, THE UNMASKED GEORGIA STUDENTS ACT BECAME A LAW THIS AFTERNOON.

THE LAW ALLOWED PARENTS TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO WEAR MASKS IN CLASS OR NOT.

TONIGHT, ONE MORE REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS NOT SEEKING REELECTION HAS EMERGED.

AFTER EIGHT YEARS, REPRESENTATIVE ERIKA THOMAS DECIDED TO BEGIN A NEW CHAPTER.

>> I AM GOING TO BE DOING PRODUCING DIFFERENT TV SHOWS ACROSS AMERICA AND REALLY SHEDDING A LIGHT ON UNTOLD STORIES OF POWERFUL PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> THE LAST THING REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS SAID TO ME WAS, QUOTE, "LOOK OUT OPHRA."

THAT'S MY CAPITOL REPORT, BACK TO YOU.

WE HAVE LAWMAKERS IN THE STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT THE BILLS AS THE LEGISLATION WHINES DOWN.

JOINING ME FIRST IS DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE OF WILLIAM BODI.

WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU.

YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION YOU WANT TO SEE PASS.

EXPERIENCE TRANS UNION AND EQUIFAX.

>> THANK YOU, WHEN THE PANDEMIC HITS, PEOPLE WERE GETTING DINGED ON THEIR BENEFITS BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THEIR CREDIT.

I AM TALKING ABOUT THE NEGATIVE EFFECT OF COVID.

THIS BILL WOULD ACTUALLY -- WHEN WE LOOK AT CREDIT, WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THE WAY CREDIT IS DETERMINED.

WITH THE BANKING DESERT AND THE FOOD DESERT GREATLY AND NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY ACROSS GEORGIA.

THIS BILL WAS LOOKING TO HELP THOSE THAT ARE TRYING TO GET THEIR CREDIT RESTORED AND FROZEN SO THAT THEY'RE NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.

WE TALK ABOUT CREDIT AS A SOURCE OF JOBS, HOUSING AND EVERYTHING EVOLVES AROUND CREDIT.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND THE DATA OF HOW CREDIT IS DETERMINED.

AND SO WE HAVE WORKED EXCLUSIVELY AND EXTENSIVELY LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS OF WHERE THESE BANKS ARE LOCATED.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE BANKING INSTITUTIONS IN MY DISTRICT IN PARTICULAR, WE HAVE GAPS.

WE KNOW THAT THOSE GAPS ARE REALLY DRIVEN TOWARDS HOW PEOPLE'S CREDITS ARE IMPACTED.

THIS BILL WOULD NOT PENALIZE THOSE THAT DID NOT HAVE A CHOICE IN THIS BUT TO GIVE SOME REPRIEVE ON THOSE EXPERIENCING LOSS BECAUSE OF CREDIT.

>> A MATH THAT WE ARE GOING TO PUT ON THE SCREEN THAT SHOWS WHERE PEOPLE ARE IN TERMS OF CREDIT IN YOUR AREA.

HERE IT IS.

YOU CAN LOOK AT IT OVER HERE.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU?

THE LIGHT AREAS ARE PEOPLE WITH LOW CREDIT SCORES?

>> YES.

>> THEY RANGE FROM LIGHT TO DARK.

THE LIGHTEST IS THE LOWEST CREDIT SCORES.

IF YOU LOOK AT MY DISTRICT IN PARTICULAR, THESE CREDIT SCORES ARE BASED ON ZIP CODES.

WE KNOW IF WE CAN CHANGE THE INDICATORS, WE CHAN CHANGE LIVES.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE THE BANKS ACTUALLY LOCATED.

THIS SERVES AS BARRIER FOR PEOPLE WHEN YOU TRY TO ADDRESS YOUR CREDIT.

WORKING WITH THE CREDIT BUREAUS WHAT WE HAVE DETERMINED IS THAT THERE ARE GAPS AND BARRIERS AND THERE ARE INEQUITIES.

THIS IS JUST MY DISTRICT BUT SPAN ACROSS GEORGIA.

I WILL BE WORKING ON THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO IDENTIFY THE CREDIT DESERTS.

YOU CAN'T HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER.

THIS IS THE TIME WE HAVE TO PROTECT GEORGIANS THAT HAVE A LOSS DUE TO NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE, IT IS AN ISSUE THAT IMPACTS ALL GEORGIANS.

>> I WONDER IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SEE IN OTHER STATES, TELL US ABOUT IT?

>> YES, THIS IS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH ON A FEDERAL LEVEL AS WELL.

STATES LIKE TENNESSEE HAVE EXPERIENCED HIGH VOLUME OF CREDIT BARRIERS.

THIS AGAIN HAS TO BE ADDRESSED DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND BEYOND.

AS WE CONTINUE TO BUILD OUT GEORGIA, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CHANGING THE INDICATORS TO CHANGE LIVES.

>> OKAY, WE'LL SEE HOW THAT GOES WITH YOU.

>> I WANT TO SWITCH GEARS A LITTLE BIT AND GET TO YOU REPRESENTATIVE BODI.

YOUR BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY OUT OF THE HOUSE.

IT PROTECTS THE WHISTLE BLOWERS KIND OF THING.

LET'S START WITH WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO MAKE IT A LAW AND WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT.

>> WHEN REPRESENTATIVE REACHED OUT TO ME, SHE HAD THIS AMAZING PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

THIS IS WHAT WE NEED.

THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION IS GOING TO PROTECT WORKERS IN THE WORKPLACE WHO WORKS FOR MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES AND GOVERNMENT.

IT GIVES THESE EMPLOYEES THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A CIVIL CALL OF ACTION AGAINST THEIR COUNTY, MUNICIPAL EMPLOYERS.

THE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION IF INDIVIDUAL WHO FILES A SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINT LOSE THEIR JOB AS A RESULT OF BASICALLY SPEAKING OUT AND THEM BEING RETALIATED AGAINST, THEY CAN GET THEIR JOB BACK.

I THINK THAT'S A GREAT PART OF LEGISLATION AND ALSO ATTORNEY FEES COULD BE AWARDED.

ALSO, ANY BENEFITS THEY MAY HAVE LOST AS A RESULT OF LOSING THEIR JOB BECAUSE THEY SPOKE OUT.

I THINK IT IS AN AMAZING PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT'S GOING TO PROTECT OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND ALSO OUR CITY EMPLOYEES AS WELL.

>> YOU HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR IT.

ARE WE JUST TALKING ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE?

>> YES.

>> IN PARTICULAR THOSE PEOPLE WHO FILE THOSE CHARGES CAN HAVE SOME RECOURSE AND NOT FEEL IF THEY SPEAK OUT THAT THEY'LL LOSE THEIR JOBS.

>> EXACTLY.

>> A LOT OF SUPPORT.

>> A LOT OF SUPPORT.

RIGHT NOW THE BILL HAS PASSED OUT OF SENATE JUDICIARY, IT IS IN SENATE RULES AS WE SPEAK.

PASSED THE HOUSE BY 172 VOTES TO ZERO NAYS.

WE FEEL REALLY GOOD IF WE CAN GET THE BILL TO THE SENATE FLOOR AND IT WILL PROBABLY PASS BIPARTISANSHIP AS WELL AS IT DID IN THE HOUSE.

THREE DEMOCRATS AND THREE REPUBLICANS ON THE LEGISLATION.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE SENATOR PARENT.

>> YES, YOU ARE FEELING REAL GOOD.

I AM SURPRISED THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN TERMS OF THAT PARTICULAR LEGISLATION.

SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING TO SEE.

WHILE I STILL HAVE YOU HERE, WE ARE HEARING A LOT ABOUT INSULIN PRICES AND THAT KIND OF THING.

YOU DID HAVE A BILL TO TRY TO HELP PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO THE COST OF INSULINS?

>> WE ARE TRYING TO CAP IT.

WE KNOW IT HELPS AND HURT COMMUNITIES AND AS WELL THE PEOPLE.

IT WON'T MAKE THIS SESSION BUT I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING HEALTH AT.

THIS COMMITTEE IS GOING TO LOOK AT IT.

WE REALIZE THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE WITH THE EXPENSES, WITH A PERSON LIVING WITH CHRONIC DISEASE, I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO HAVE TO CHOOSE MEDICINE AND YOUR DAILY LIFE BILLS.

THIS IS GOING TO HELP COMMUNITY OF COLORS ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

ANYONE THAT NEEDS INSULINS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FALL SUBJECT TO THESE HIGH PRICES.

WE'LL WORK ON THE BILL ALL SUMMER AND TRYING TO MOVE IT FORWARD.

>> PEOPLE DON'T KNOW YOU WEAR YOUR CAPE PROUDLY RECENTLY FOR LUPUS.

>> I AM A PERSON THAT LIVES WITH LUPUS FOR 22 YEARS AND PROUDLY TO SAY BEYOND THIS THERE IS LIFE AFTER LUPUS.

>> THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO.

>> YOU WORK VERY HARD AT THE CAPITOL.

HOW DO YOU THINK THIS SESSION HAD BEEN GOING?

WHAT'S YOUR ASSESSMENT AT THIS POINT WITH ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT?

>> IT IS BEEN ACTION-PACKED TO SAY THE LEAST.

MAYBE SOMETIMES WE HAD THREE MAJOR PIECES OF LEGISLATIONS THAT WE DEBATED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE THIS WAY UNTIL WE FINALLY DINE ON MONDAY, THE 4TH AND BACK AT IT ON FRIDAY.

THE SENATE COMMITTEE DAY AS WELL, A LOT CAN HAPPEN, DONNA, IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

A LOT OF LEGISLATION MAY NOT HAVE MADE IT OUT OF THE COMMITTEE CAN CATCH THE VEHICLE AND WHAT WE CALL CATCH A LEGISLATIVE RIDE TO THE WELL OF THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE AND MAKE IT TO A POINT TO GET TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK TO SIGN INTO LAW.

WE ARE TRACKING EVERYTHING GOOD, BAD AND DIFFERENT.

>> I KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY DON'T GAVEL IN, THEY DON'T REALIZE YOU GUYS ARE WORKING.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A RARE WEEKEND WHERE YOU GUYS ARE WORKING THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

>> TELL US WHAT IT IS LIKE?

>> LIKE WE SAID EARLIER OFF-AIR, THE LAST TIME WE GAVELLED IN ON A SATURDAY WAS DURING THE PANDEMIC LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHERE WE RECONVENE THOSE DAYS IN JUNE, WE WERE ACTUALLY, WE GAVELLED INTO WORK ON THE HATE CRIME BILL.

IT WAS AN AMAZING TIME.

IT WAS DIFFERENT BEING THERE ON A SATURDAY.

IT WAS ABLE TO GET THE WORK AND PEOPLE DONE QUICKLY THAT DAY AND WE GOT BACK TO IT THAT MONDAY.

IT IS INTERESTING BEING THERE BUT I KNOW HAVING SAID HAVING THOSE COMMUNITY HEARS MAKE SURE WE LINE UP THE LEGISLATIVE FAREWELLS.

>> WHEN IT IS INTERESTING IT IS ALWAYS FUN.

IT IS FUN TO COVER IT HERE ON "LAWMAKERS."

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

BOTH OF YOU, I APPRECIATE IT.

GOOD LUCK ON THESE LAST FEW DAYS.

>>> SHOULD WE RAISE THE AGE OF CRIMINAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST JUVENILE, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT AND MORE, YOU ARE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

"LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA'S FARMERS.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

BECAUSE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS ON MONDAY.

THERE IS A LOT OF ACTIONS TAKEN PLACE THESE LAST DAYS.

THAT MEANS LONG DAYS OF BUSINESS.

TONIGHT IS ONE OF THEM OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS START LATE IN THE AFTERNOON AND MAY GO LATE.

ONE OF OUR GUESTS IS STILL AT THE CAPITOL BECAUSE SHE JUST PRESENTED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.

JOINING US IS THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMITTEE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE MANDY BALLENGER.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WHILE WE ARE HERE, INTRODUCE OUR MEMBERS IN STUDIO.

JODI LAW.

WELCOME TO YOU TOO.

>> LET'S START WITH YOU.

YOU PRESENTED TWO BILLS THIS AFTERNOON, TELL US ABOUT THEM.

HB 72 WHICH IS RAISE THE AGE ACT.

THIS APPLIES TO JUVENILE COURTS.

TELL US WHAT IT IS ABOUT.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN GOING ABOUT THIS FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS.

>> YES, IT IS AN ISSUE I AND MANY OTHERS ADVOCATING FOR MANY YEARS NOW.

JUST WANTING TO ADJUDICATE 17 YEAR OLDS OF OUR JUVENILE COURTS, THEY'RE KIDS AND THEY'RE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

THE BILL THAT PASSED TODAY, HOUSE BILL 272 WAS THE IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE OF THAT EFFORT.

SO MYSELF AND THE CHAIR SENATE JUDICIARY, CHAIR COMMITTEE THAT WILL PUT IN PLACE ALL THE FRAMEWORK THAT WE NEED TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT THE PROCESS OF RAISING THE AGE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> TALK ABOUT WHY THIS WAS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU.

GEORGIA IS ONE OF AND AS I UNDERSTAND THREE STATES THAT DOES NO ALLOW JUVENILES TO BE PUT IN THE POSITION THAT YOU WANT, THEY RAISED THE AGE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

IT IS ONE OF THE THREE STATES, ALABAMA RAISED THE AGE 43 YEARS AGO.

GEORGIA HAS JUST LAGGED BEHIND.

EVERYONE ELSE IS ON THIS ISSUE.

I JUST HOPE WE ARE NOT THE LAST THAT'S REALLY WHAT I AM WORKING FOR AND WHAT I AM GUTTING TOWARDS IS TRYING TO ADJUDICATE 17 YEAR OLDS WHERE THEY NEED TO BE IN JUVENILE COURT.

>> WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU PUT THEM IN JUVENILE COURT?

>> IT IS WHERE THEY BELONG.

THE FRONTAL LOBE IS NOT FULLY DEVELOPED.

KIDS ARE UNDUALLY INFLUENCED BY THEIR PEERS AT THAT AGE.

KIDS HAVE POOR IMPULSE CONTROL AT THAT AGE.

AND ALL OF THESE FACTORS KIND OF COALESCE IN MAKING THEM REHABILITATED EFFORT RATHER THAN A PUNITIVE EFFORT WE SEE IN ADULT COURT.

TODAY YOU TALK ABOUT THE NEXT STEP.

PART OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE MONEY THAT'S INVOLVED.

EXPLAIN -- THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF HAVING THE LAW IF YOU GET THERE.

THERE ARE OTHER STEPS INVOLVED.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT?

>> THERE IS AS POPULATION WE ARE WORKING WITH ROUGHLY ABOUT THE LAST COUNT WAS ABOUT 6700 A YEAR THAT WERE BASICALLY GOING TO BE MOVING FROM OUR STATE'S COURTS TO JUVENILE COURT.

WE'LL HAVE TO RELOCATE RESOURCES TO HANDLE THAT INFLUX OFFENDERS INTO THEIR COURTS.

>> WE ARE TALKING HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION AND THERE HAS TO BE THE REHABILITATION ASPECT I WOULD IMAGINE, TOO.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

COMMUNITY DEBATE SERVICES ARE MORE EFFECTIVE AT THIS AGE SO THEY CAN REMAIN WITH THEIR PEERS AND WITH THEIR FRIENDS.

THEY CAN STILL GET THAT REHABILITATIVE SERVICE THEY NEED.

>> THE HEARING TODAY AS YOU EXPECTED?

>> IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY OUT OF THE SENATE CHAIR COMMITTEE AND WE'LL ON SENATE RULES AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET IT OUT AND IT WILL BE ON THE FLOOR AND COME ACROSS THE HOUSE.

>> I WOULD ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR OTHER BILL IN JUST A MOMENT.

NOW, I WANT TO TOSS BACK TO OUR FLOOR LEADER JODI, I WANT YOU TO TALK ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS.

>> GREAT, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.

I GREATLY APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY AND LOVE WATCHING THIS.

IT HELPS US KEEP UP OF WHAT'S GOING ON SOMETIMES.

>> YEAH.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIG DISCUSSIONS THAT KEEP ONCOMING UP IS THERE IS TALK OF GEORGIA AND MEDICAID EXPANSION IS ALWAYS A CONVERSATION.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF MISCOMMUNICATIONS AND MISINFORMATION ON THE FACT THAT TWO YEARS AGO IN 2020, WE DID PASS THE MEDICAID WAIVER BILL, THE PATIENT'S FIRST WAIVE ACT.

IT WAS APPROVED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, WE STARTED THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF PROVIDING HEALTHCARE COVERAGE TO GEORGIANS, MOST NEEDED IN A POPULATION THAT DOES NOT NEED IN THE PAST.

THIS ADMINISTRATION WHEN THEY CAME IN, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAD HALTED THAT.

WE REALLY NEED TO HAVE THE HONEST CONVERSATION THAT WE NEED TO ASK OUR U.S.

SENATORS TO HELP US OUT AND CURRENTLY GEORGIA IS NOW SUING THE SENATORS FOR MEDICAID SERVICES AND CMS SO WE CAN GET THEM TO REINSTATE AND LET US GET BACK TO DOING WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO WHICH IS HELPING OUR MOST IMMEDIATE.

THOSE UNINSURED.

>> IT STOPPED THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AND THE MISINFORMATION IS A PROBLEM.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK IS OUT THERE THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING RIGHT.

>> IN GEORGIA THERE IS A CONVERSATION OF FEDERAL POVERTY LEVELS AND WHO CAN BE INJURED FROM 100% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE IF YOU MAKE THAT MUCH MONEY THAT PUTS YOU INTO THAT LINE.

YOU ARE ON THE INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE MARKET AND YOUR PREMIUM RATE IS FREE.

IT IS ZERO PAYMENT ON YOUR PART BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL SUBSIDIES.

SADLY BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS CONVERSATION FOR SO LONG THAT GEORGIA DID NOT EXPAND MEDICAID, PEOPLE ARE NOT SEEKING THAT INSURANCE OPTION.

THERE ARE HOSPITAL PERSONNEL THAT ARE ALSO TAING CARE AND PROVIDING CARE FOR PATIENTS.

IT IS OUT THERE BUT PEOPLE ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH IT.

BELOW 100% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE, GEORGIA HAS A PASS WAY PROGRAM AND THAT'S WHAT WE WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS TO GET PROVIDED FOR THESE THAT ARE UNINSURED BELOW THE 100% FEDERAL POVERTY LINE.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS STOPPED THAT.

WE ARE HALTED IN OUR TRACKS IN DOING WHAT WE WERE INTENDING TO DO.

WE WERE ON THE WAY AND DOING REALLY GREAT THINGS.

THE APPROVAL CAME AND WE WERE CLOSE TO IMPLEMENTATION WHEN WE WERE HALTED.

WE NEED THAT BACK.

>> YOU FEEL PEOPLE ARE IN LIMBO RIGHT NOW, IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE THINKING?

>> I THINK GEORGIA HAS DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB OF CARING ABOUT HEALTHCARE AND HEALTHCARE ACCESS, IT IS SOMETHING WE DEAL WITH EVERYTHING IN THE GEORGIA ASSEMBLY WHICH IS FANTASTIC.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO US.

WE MAKE LITTLE MOVES ALONG THE WAY.

LAST YEAR WE INCREASED OUR MEDICAID OPTIONS FOR POST-PARTUM MOMS.

WE FOCUS ALL THE TIME ON MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS AND THAT THEY HAVE INSURANCE AVAILABILITY AND WE HAVE DONE THAT HERE IN GEORGIA BUT WE HAVE THIS ONE HURDLE AND IT IS JUST BEING STOPPED HERE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT WE ARE JUST BEGGING FOR THEM TO ALLOW US TO DO WHAT WE WERE ATTEMPTING TO DO SO WE CAN INSURE OUR FOLKS.

>> WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT COMES UP WITH THAT.

WE'LL FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS.

I DO WANT TO GO BACK OUT TO CHAIR BALLENGER.

I KNOW YOU WORK REALLY HARD, YOU HAVE A LOT OF BILLS.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT, ANY BILLS THAT YOU WANT TO HAPPEN THIS SESSION OR HOPING TO COME THROUGH EVEN IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS?

>> WELL, I DID HAVE ANOTHER BILL THAT WAS ON THE AGENDA FOR SENATE JUDICIARY THIS AFTERNOON THAT ACTUALLY GOT TAKEN OFF THE AGENDA.

THAT WAS VERY UNFORTUNATE AND WOULD PROVIDED A BOOST TO OUR JUVENILE COURT JUDGES AS WE HAVE WRITTEN THE JUVENILE CODE AND WE PUT MORE ON THE BACKS OF OUR JUDGES.

THE FINANCIAL CONVERSATIONS FOR THEM HAVE BEEN STAGNANT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THERE WAS A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR THOSE JUVENILE COURT JUDGES THAT WERE DOING ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING COURTS TO RECEIVE LITTLE BUMP IN PAY AND MUCH LIKE OUR SPIRIT COURT THEY AGAIN AN ADDENDUM OR GET AN EXTRA BUMP IN PAY.

I WANT TO MIMIC THAT IN THE JUVENILE COURT.

THAT WAS REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA KIND OF THIS AFTERNOON.

ALMOST THE LAST MINUTE.

THAT WAS A BIT OF A SURPRISE.

I AM SAD THAT IT DID NOT GO ANYWHERE.

I FILED IT LAST YEAR.

WE'LL KEEP ON WORKING ON IT.

>> WELL, I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR AT LEAST TAKING THE TIME TO COME TO TALK TO US, GOOD LUCK WITH THE OTHER BILL.

WHO KNOWS WHAT CAN HAPPEN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BE WITH US.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

SO I ASK REPRESENTATIVE BODI OF THESE LAST FEW DAYS, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING AS WE KEEP -- MONDAY IS IT.

>> WE HAVE JUST THIS WEEK TO GO AND AS YOU SAID ON THE SHOW EARLIER, WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

WE'LL MAKE SURE TO GET SOME COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND EXTRA BILLS TO BE HEARD.

THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT THINGS GOING ON IN GEORGIA.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHAT WE DO IN THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS BIPARTISAN.

WE DON'T HAVE THE ISLE, WE SIT SIDE BY SIDE AND WE WORK TOGETHER IN COMMITTEES.

WE PERFECT LEGISLATION AS BEST WE CAN AS A TEAM.

I EXPECT THESE NEXT FEW DAYS WE'LL HAVE A FEW CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.

THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES ARE LED BY NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS.

WHEN WE GET INTO SOMETHING THEME THAT'S GOING ON STATE TO STATE.

WE DON'T REALLY BICKER WITH EACH OTHER AS MUCH AS WE SORT OF HAVE THIS PARTY DIVISION THAT HAPPENS.

I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE GREAT.

WE'LL DO OUR JOBS.

I REALLY HOPE THAT GEORGIANS KNOW.

WE CARE ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EDUCATORS ARE GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION THIS YEAR.

HEALTHCARE GETS A LOT OF ATTENTION EVERY YEAR AND HAS.

MENTAL HEALTH IS OUR BIG BILL, YOU MENTIONED THAT EARLIER.

>> YES.

>> WE ARE STEPPING UP IN GEORGIA TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CITIZENS AND WE ARE DOING IT TOGETHER.

>> I HEARD LATE TOMORROW THERE IS SOMETHING ON THE MENTAL HEALTH BILL THERE MAY BE AN AGREEMENT.

WE'LL WAIT TO SEE ABOUT THAT.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> ABSOLUTELY, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT FOR "LAWMAKERS."

YOU CAN JOIN CONVERSATION ON GPB NEWS USING THE #GPBLAWMAKERS.

DON'T FORGET TO JOIN IN TONIGHT FOR "LAWMAKERS" HOSTED BY BILL NIGUT.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.