>>> I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE STATE SENATE HAS JUST PASSED HOUSE BILL 1013.

[ APPLAUSE ] 54-0.

>> A STANDING OVATION AND A HUG FROM HIS WIFE FOR AN EMOTIONAL HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON AFTER HE ANNOUNCES THE UNANIMOUS VOTE IN THE SENATE OF HIS MASSIVE BILL HB 1013, THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY ACT.

GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS ON DAY 38 OF THE LEGISLATION.

MUCH MORE ON WHAT MANY ARE CALLING AN HISTORIC BILL COMING UP IN THE SHOW.

ANDY MILLER WITH GEORGIA HEALTH NEWS JOINS US TO HELP BREAK IT DOWN.

>>> ALSO A LOOK AT ONE LAWMAKER ELECTED IN 1974 TO THE GEORGIA HOUSE CAME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THE DEAN OF THE HOUSE.

HE GIVES HIS REASON FOR PUBLIC SERVICE, WHY IT IS IMPORTANT, AND THE LESSON HE LIVES BY THAT HE LEARNED FROM HIS DAD.

TWO DAYS LEFT IN THE SESSION, BUSY IN THE GOLD DOME BRENDA WATERS BRINGS US A WRAP UP ON EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED TODAY.

BRENDA.

>> HEY, DONNA, WHAT A BUSY DAY IT WAS AT THE CAPITAL.

AFTER AN EARLY MORNING SENATE RULES MEETING, HOUSE BILL 1013, THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY BILL WAS QUICKLY ADDED TO THE SENATE CALENDAR.

BUT IT WAS LATE AFTERNOON BEFORE THE BILL FINALLY GOT TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> THE BILL, WHICH IS A MAJOR PRIORITY FOR HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON, IT WOULD INCREASE ACCESS, STATE SPENDING, AND INSURANCE COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE TO THE SAME LEVEL AS MEDICAL CARE.

THE BILL ALSO FORGIVES LOANS FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS WHO CHOOSE TO WORK FOR UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> ON THE SENATE SIDE WE TIGHTENED UP THE HOUSE VERSION WHEN IT COMES TO OMIT MENTAL HEALTH DEPENDENCE OR ALCOHOL OR DRUG ABUSER.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE ABILITY OF AN OFFICER TO DETAIN SOMEONE COMMITTING A CRIME SUFFERING FROM ONE OF THESE CONDITIONS, PROVIDING AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS FOR AN OFFICER AFTER RECEIVING -- MAY TAKE AN INDIVIDUAL TO MEJ CITY FACILITY FOR BEING EVALUATED WITHOUT HAVING TO CHARGE THAT PERSON WITH THE CRIME.

HOUSE BILL 1013 DOESN'T SOLVE OUR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

MANY PARTS OF THE BRILL ARE LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS THAT WILL REQUIRE MUCH MORE WORK IN THE YEARS TO COME.

BUT TOGETHER WITH THE PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL 1013, WE'LL START THE PROCESS OF MAKING GEORGIA NOT ONLY THE BEST STATE IN THE COUNTRY FOR BUSINESS, BUT THE BEST STATE IN THE COUNTRY FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THE >> THE SENATE PASSED THE BILL UNANIMOUSLY 54-0.

ALSO IN THE SENATE, ANOTHER BILL DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH, HB 752, WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES TO CREATE AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE TO DICTATE WHAT COULD AND COULD NOT BE DONE DURING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

THE BILL WOULD ALSO ALLOW THAT PERSON TO APPOINT AN AGENT TO MAKE TREATMENT DECISIONS ON THEIR BEHALF.

>> THE PROPOSED TEMPLATE AFFORD THOSE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS AN ADVANCE OPPORTUNITY TO DECLINE OR CONSENT TO CERTAIN ASPECTS TO THEIR MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

THE PSYCHIATRIC ADVANCE DIRECTIVE IS INTENDED TO MAXIMIZE THE DECLARANT, THAT IS THE PERSON SIGNING THE DOCUMENT, THEIR ABILITY TO SELF-DIRECT THEIR CARE IN THE PSYCHIATRIC FIELD.

THIS IS INTENDED TO ASSURE THAT IF THE DECLARANT CAN'T MAKE THEIR OWN MENTAL HEALTH DECISION, THEN SOMEONE HE OR SHE TRUSTS TO MAKE DECISIONS CAN STEP IN AND GIVE NEEDED DIRECTION.

>> THE BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 55-0.

IN STEP WITH THE SENATE HB 1013 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN THE HOUSE.

AFTER THE VOTE, SPEAKER RALSTON WAS FILLED WITH EMOTION AND GRATITUDE WHEN HE SPOKE TO THE HOUSE.

>> COUNTLESS GEORGIANS WILL KNOW THAT WE HAVE HEARD THEIR DESPAIR AND FRUSTRATION.

WE HAVE SET GEORGIA ON A PATH TO LIFTING UP AND REFORMING A FAILED MENTAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

AND ONCE AGAIN, THIS HOUSE HAS LED.

WE ARE -- [ APPLAUSE ] >> ALSO IN THE HOUSE, SENATE BILL 319, THE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY ACT, SB 319 WOULD ELIMINATE THE PERMIT REQUIREMENT TO CARRY A CONCEALED FIREARM IN PUBLIC.

>> I COME BEFORE YOU AGAIN TO PRESENT SENATE BILL 319 WHICH WAS SPONSORED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR ANNA BARTATE.

AS THE SAYING GOES SAME AS THE FIRST.

THIS IS THE SAME EXACT BILL WE VOTED ON BEFORE, MY BILL, HOUSE BILL 1358.

ALL OF Y'ALL SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH THAT.

IT JUST REMOVES THE FEE CITIZENS IN THE STATE HAVE TO PAY TO EXERCISE THEIR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT.

>> THE MEASURE PROMPTED HEATED DEBATE FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> THE AHMAUD ARBERY KILLING, THE KILLERS HAD A GUN OUTSIDE THEIR HOME, IN THEIR TRUCK, DUE TO OPEN CARRY.

WHICH EMBOLDENED THEM TO STALK AND EXECUTE HIM.

THAT'S A GOOD GUY WITH A GUN.

>> AND I WANT TO CORRECT SOMETHING I THINK THE -- SOME OF THE PREVIOUS COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE HERE TODAY.

I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYBODY IN THIS CHAMBER THINKS THOSE TWO PEOPLE THAT MURDERED AHMAUD ARBERY ARE GOOD GUYS WITH A GUN.

MURDER IS ALREADY ILLEGAL IN OUR STATE LAST TIME I CHECKED, AND THAT WAS MURDER.

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY CASE.

THAT'S A VERY UNFORTUNATE AND I THINK AN UNFAIR ASSESSMENT TO THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION HERE TODAY.

>> IT PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES 100-67.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JEFF DUNCAN SENATE BILL 361 ALSO PASSED THE HOUSE.

THE BILL ALLOWS CHARITABLE DONATIONS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES STATEWIDE.

THE VOTE WAS 153-5.

AND ANOTHER SPEECH FROM A REPRESENTATIVE SAYING SHE WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION.

TODAY REPRESENTATIVE JAN TANKERSLY BIDS FAREWELL TO THE HOUSE.

>> IT IS REALLY BITTER/SWEET TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO TALK ABOUT MY RETIREMENT.

MY DECISION TO NOT SEEK REELECTION WAS NOT EASY AT ALL.

>> ONLY ONE THING LEFT TO SAY, LEGISLATORS ARE GETTING IT DONE.

THEY PASSED AROUND 35 BILLS TODAY.

THAT'S MY CAPITAL REPORT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> MANY MORE TO COME, BRENDA.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE LOOKING AT THE MATH OF MENTAL HEALTH BILL AND LEGISLATION TO HELP DISABLED VETERANS IN MEMORY OF SOMEONE SPECIAL.

JOINING ME ARE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR MICHAEL DOCK RHETT OF MARIETTA AND THE CEO AND EDITOR OF MENTAL HEALTH NEWS.

WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU.

ANDY, WE HAVE TO GET RIGHT INTO IT.

WE KNEW THIS BILL, MENTAL HEALTH PARITY ACT, WAS SOMETHING THE SPEAKER WANTED.

IT SAILED THROUGH THE HOUSE BASICALLY, HARD STOP WHEN IT HIT THE SENATE.

TALK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENED.

>> WELL, I THINK THERE WAS A LOT OF GRASSROOTS, ACTIVISTS, CONSERVATIVE ACTIVISTS WHO TOOK PIECES OF THE LEGISLATION AND KIND OF EXTRAPOLATED TO SOMETHING THAT REALLY WASN'T IN THE BILL, BUT IT CREATED A LOT OF TURMOIL WITHIN THE SENATE AND THERE WERE A LOT OF EMAILS SENT TO SENATORS ABOUT THEY SHOULD OPPOSE THE BILL.

SO THE SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE COMMITTEE HELD FIVE HEARINGS, SEPARATE HEARINGS ON THIS BILL.

SO THAT REALLY WAS UNUSUAL.

AND THEY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION MONDAY THAT THEY MADE SOME CHANGES, BUT THEY ULTIMATELY PASSED UNANIMOUSLY THE BILL, AND THEN IT GOT FAST TRACKED AND LO AND BEHOLD TODAY GOT PASSED.

>> IT CAME OUT OF -- THE SPEAKER WANTED THE BILL, THE HOUSE DID WELL.

GOING INTO THE SENATE, YOU KNOW, THE COMMITTEES, EVERYBODY KIND OF THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO DO THE SAME THING.

AND SOME CALL IT -- SAY THERE WAS THIS MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN THAT CROPPED UP.

HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE WHAT HAPPENED?

>> WELL, I THINK SHARON COOPER, WHO IS THE CHAIR OF THE HEALTH COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE, PUT IT VERY WELL.

SHE SAID, LOOK, THERE ARE SOME THINGS, PIECES OF THE BILL THAT WERE TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT AND THERE WAS SOME MISINFORMATION TALKING ABOUT THIS WAS AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION, THAT IT WOULD TAKE AWAY PEOPLE'S RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND THINGS LIKE THAT, WHICH REALLY WASN'T IN THE BILL.

BUT I THINK THAT THE SENATORS STEPPED UP AT THE END OF THE DAY, MADE SOME REVISIONS, BUT FUNDAMENTALLY THE SPEAKER'S BILL IS THERE AND PASSED NOW.

>> SO THIS IS ONE OF THE EARLIER VERSIONS OF IT.

THERE WERE SOME THINGS TAKEN OUT.

SO ONE THING THAT THE SPEAKER TALKED ABOUT WAS THE WHOLE PROCESS WORKED IN TERMS OF BOTH SIDES HAVING THEIR ISSUES AND COMING TOGETHER AND MAKING SOME DECISIONS.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S A LANDMARK BILL FOR WHAT IT DOES, BUT IT'S ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS WAS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT IN A DAY WHEN WE SEE A LOT OF PARTISANSHIP.

THE LEGISLATORS STEPPED UP AND CAME TOGETHER, AND THE SPEAKER REALLY MADE A PERSONAL PITCH FOR THIS.

VERY UNUSUAL HOW HE STEPPED OUT AND SPOKE FROM THE WELL, TALKED TO THE HEALTH COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE PERSONALLY.

SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE CAME TOGETHER ON AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS EVERY FAMILY.

>> AND SO IN THE END, UNANIMOUS IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

SO, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT THE PRESS CONFERENCE AFTERWARDS WHERE THE SPEAKER WAS, HOW SOON WILL WE SEE SOME OF THIS ACTUALLY AFFECT GEORGIANS.

HE SAID AS EARLY AS JULY 1ST.

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK IN TERMS OF GETTING ALL OF THIS ROLLING?

THERE'S A LOT TO THIS BILL.

>> THERE IS, AND THERE'S MANY DIFFERENT -- THERE'S SEVERAL SECTIONS.

ONE IS GOING TO -- THE FUNDAMENTAL PART OF IT IS PARITY, WHERE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROBLEMS WILL BE TREATED JUST THE SAME AS PHYSICAL HEALTH PROBLEMS BY INSURANCE COMPANIES.

AND PROVIDERS WILL MAKE DETERMINATIONS, WHAT IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY, MORE SO THAN MAYBE AN INSURANCE COMPANY WILL DO.

AND SO THAT'S THE FUNDAMENTAL, THAT'S THE MEAT OF THE BILL RIGHT THERE.

BUT THERE'S ALSO -- THERE'S ALSO CANCELLABLE SERVICE LOANS FOR SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO GET INTO PSYCHIATRY OR PSYCHOLOGY IF THEY'RE GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL.

IF THEY GO TO UNDER SERVED AREAS, THEY'LL HAVE THEIR, YOU KNOW, THEY'LL HAVE LOAN -- MAYBE NOT TOTALLY FORGIVEN, BUT YOU KNOW IN RURAL AREAS WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROVIDERS, ESPECIALLY MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

>> THERE'S ABSOLUTES DESERTS IN GEORGIA WHERE YOU CAN'T GET ANY HELP IF YOU NEED IT.

SO THAT WORK FORCE PIECE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

ALSO THE MONEY THAT CAME INTO THE BUDGET THAT WILL HELP WITH STATE EMPLOYEES GETTING RAISES, ALL OF THAT -- ALL OF THOSE THINGS, THAT WORK FORCE ISSUE WAS A MAJOR PIECE OF THIS, WASN'T IT?

>> YEAH, THE HEALTH CARE WORK FORCE, REAL CRISIS IN OUR STATE, BUT IT'S EVERYWHERE.

IT'S NOT JUST IN GEORGIA.

AND I THINK ANYWAY THAT WE CAN HELP KIND OF INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO GO INTO THESE FIELDS IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT.

I ALSO HAVE TO SAY THAT THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES MEDICAID INSURERS TO SPEND 85% OF THE PREMIUM DOLLAR ON MEDICAL CARE.

WE WERE THE ONLY STATE TO REQUIRE THEM TO COVER MEDICATION.

THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE CONCERNS FOR SOME PEOPLE WILL BE COME JULY 1ST WHETHER OR NOT THEIR INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THE PARITY ISSUE.

THERE IS A BIG LIFT ON THE PART OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES WITH THIS, ISN'T THERE?

>> RIGHT.

AND IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR OUR REGULATORS, THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE SPECIFICALLY, TO BE TRACKING COMPLAINTS TO THIS AND TO BE ADDRESSING ANY KIND OF COMPLAINTS THAT PEOPLE HAVE.

IF THEY'RE NOT GETTING THE COVERAGE THAT THIS LAW WOULD REQUIRE.

>> YEAH, THE OTHER THING IS I ASKED YOU EARLIER ABOUT THIS, WHETHER OR NOT -- HOW THIS COMPARES TO OTHER STATES.

HOW DO WE COMPARE WITH THIS BILL HAVING PASSED NOW, AWAITING THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE, HOW DO WE COMPARE?

>> WELL, THERE ARE A FEW OTHER STATES THAT HAVE DONE SIMILARLY.

THERE'S BEEN PARITY ON THE BOOKS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS FOR A DOZEN YEARS OR SO.

AND NOW GEORGIA IS SAYING, LOOK, WE'RE GOING TO ENFORCE THIS.

IT'S NOT JUST GOING TO BE A PROVISION FROM CONGRESS THAT DOESN'T GET ACTED ON.

WE'RE GOING TO ACT ON THIS.

>> OKAY.

I DON'T WANT -- I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK I'VE IGNORED YOU, SENATOR RHETT.

YOU HAVE A BILL AND IT'S A SWEET ONE.

IT DEALS WITH -- IT'S DEDICATED TO SOMEONE WHO IS VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO EVERYBODY IN THE NOT AND THAT'S SENATOR JACK HILL WE LOST IN 2020 TO A HEART ATTACK.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THE BILL IS ABOUT.

>> BASICALLY WHAT THE BILL DOES IS ON YOUR STATE INCOME TAX REFUND, YOU CAN DONATE A DOLLAR TO SUPPORT DISABLED VETERANS WHO ARE ATTENDING THE GEORGIA TECHNICAL COLLEGES.

I CAME UP WITH THE IDEA BECAUSE I MYSELF HAD TWO KNEES REPLACED BACK IN 2017 AND 2018, AND I SAID, YOU KNOW, I'M PRETTY BLESSED I'M ABLE TO WALK AROUND.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE WHO AREN'T AS FORTUNATE BUT HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF POTENTIAL TO SUCCEED?

THAT'S WHEN SENATOR JACK HILL AND I CAME TOGETHER AND WORKED ON THE BILL TOGETHER.

>> WE JUST SHOWED HIS PICTURE.

YOU GOT EMOTIONAL ON THE FLOOR TODAY WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT HIM.

TALK ABOUT WHAT HE MEANT TO EVERYONE.

HE WAS, HE WAS IN THE MILITARY, RIGHT?

>> YES, MA'AM.

HE'S RETIRED ARMY, HE WAS A COLONEL AND I'M A RETIRED MASTER SERGEANT IN THE AIR FORCE.

BUT AFTER EACH SESSION, WHEN I TOLD HIM ABOUT WHAT I WANTED TO DO, WE WOULD SIT DOWN AND WE WOULD TALK ABOUT IT AND HE WOULD GIVE ME GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION ON HOW TO PUT THE BILL TOGETHER.

AND THEN I SAID, WELL, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW TOO MANY PEOPLE OVER IN THE HOUSE.

YOU'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO GO OVER THERE AND MAKE SOME FRIENDS.

AND WE WOULD GO GET SOMETHING TO EAT, MAYBE PLAY A FEW HANDS OF CARDS, YOU KNOW.

WE'RE BOTH MILITARY PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S HOW WE CAME UP WITH IT.

>> I HAD A DAD IN THE MILITARY.

THEY DO PLAY CARDS A LOT.

YOU HAD -- NOT DISABLED VETERANS.

YOU HAD VETERANS IN THE SENATE COME ON UP.

THAT MEANT A LOT, TOO, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THIS.

>> YES, IT DOES.

THE MAIN THING I WANT TO CONVEY THROUGH THIS BILL IS THERE IS AN OLD SAYING IN THE MILITARY THAT OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE NOR DO THEY FADE AWAY.

BUT IN JACK'S SENSE, THEY CONTINUE TO FIND A WAY TO SERVE.

SO EVERY TIME WE HELP A DISABLED VETERAN GO TO A TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA AND PUT UP A SUPPORT AMERICA MECHANISM, JACK HILL CONTINUES TO LIVE ON.

>> HE CERTAINLY DOES.

I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WORKS YOU CAN GET THE MONEY TO THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA.

>> THEY DEDUCT IT FROM THE STATE INCOME TAX REFUND.

IT'S VOLUNTARY.

THEY HAVE A 501 C SET UP SO IT MAKES AN EASIER TRANSFER AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> WE SHOULD SEE THIS THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, TAX TIME NEXT YEAR BE ABLE TO HELP.

>> YES.

>> THE JACK HILL ACT FOR DISABLED VETERANS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THAT FOR HIM.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> PRETTY HISTORIC.

WE HAVE A FEW MINUTES, A FEW SECONDS ACTUALLY.

PRETTY HISTORIC IN TERMS OF SO FAR IN HEALTH NEWS FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> I WOULD SAY FOR AN ELECTION YEAR, IT'S SURPRISINGLY ACTIVE IN TERMS OF BIG STUFF.

I MEAN, MEDICAID COVERAGE EXTENDED FOR LOW-INCOME WOMEN WHO HAVE GIVEN BIRTH.

THERE'S A BILL OUT THERE TO HELP UNINSURED HIV PATIENTS.

A BILL TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTION FOR KIDS FROM CHILDHOOD LEAD EXPOSURE IN THEIR HOMES.

VAPING BILL, ANTI-VAPING BILL.

A LOT OF HEALTH STUFF.

>> YOU'VE BEEN BUSY AND WE CAN READ A LOT ABOUT IT IN GEORGIA HEALTH NEWS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

>>> COMING UP, THE NEXT PART OF MY INTERVIEW WITH REPRESENTATIVE KALVIN SMIERY.

YOU ARE WATCHING LAWMAKERS ON GPB.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS.

TONIGHT MORE OF MY INTERVIEW WITH THE LONGEST-SERVING MEMBER OF THE GEORGIA HOUSE KNOWN AS THE DEAN OF THE HOUSE, REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SMYRE.

VOTERS IN THE COLUMBUS AREA ELECTED HIM IN 1974.

HE WAS SWORN IN IN 1975, AND HE HAS COME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR.

HE'S NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION BECAUSE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS TAPPED HIM AS AMBASSADOR TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, AND HE'S AWAITING SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS.

DEAN SMYRE HAS SERVED ON JUST ABOUT EVERY COMMITTEE AND IS ADMIRED BY THOSE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE FOR HIS ABILITY TO REACH COMPROMISES ON DIFFICULT ISSUES.

I TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE LESSONS HE PASSED ALONG TO OTHER LAWMAKERS, HIS RISE IN THE POLITICAL FIGURE -- AS A POLITICAL FIGURE NATIONALLY, AND COMING INTO HIS FIRST ELECTED OFFICE AT 26 YEARS OLD UNDER HOUSE SPEAKER TOM MURPHY.

>> TOM MURPHY, OF COURSE, IS ON MY -- HE'S ONE OF THE GUYS THAT TOOK ME IN.

AND OUR FIRST CONVERSATION WAS DECEMBER 1974.

HE ASKED ME WHAT COMMITTEES DID I WANT TO BE ON, AND I SAID APPROPRIATIONS.

AND HE SMILED AND HE SAID, YOUNG MAN, NOT ONLY WILL YOU NOT BE ON THE COMMITTEE, YOU WON'T BE IN THE ROOM WHEN WE'RE TALKING.

AND THEN HE SAID, WHAT'S YOUR NEXT ONE?

WAYS AND MEANS.

AND HE LAUGHED.

HE SAID, WHO HAVE YOU BEEN TALKING TO?

A FRESHMAN DOESN'T GO ON WAYS AND MEANS.

I ASKED BANKS AND BANKING.

HE SAID, OH, MY GOSH, WHO HAVE YOU BEEN TALKING TO?

I'LL CONSIDER ONE OF THOSE.

ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER HE SAW ME AND PUT HIS ARMS AROUND ME.

HE SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GONNA BE ALL RIGHT.

HE SAID, I LIKE WHAT YOU DID.

I SAID, WHAT DID I DO, MR. SPEAKER?

HE SAID, YOUR FIRST CHOICE WAS BANKING AND ECOLOGY.

BUT YOU GAVE IT TO ME AS YOUR THIRD CHOICE AND YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED.

HE SAID, THAT'S PRETTY CLEVER.

HE SAID, YOU STICK CLOSE TO ME.

IN FOUR YEARS HE PUT ME ON WAYS AND MEANS, WHICH WAS UNHEARD OF IN THOSE DAYS WHEN IT COMES TO SENIORITY.

AND IN EIGHT YEARS HE PUT ME ON APPROPRIATIONS, AND THAT WAS UNHEARD OF AT THAT TIME.

JOE FRANK HARRIS JUST HAPPENED TO BE CHAIR OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND I BECAME FRIENDS WITH JOE FRANK HARRIS.

JOE FRANK HARRIS BECAME GOVERNOR, THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN BECAME GOVERNOR.

SO YOU CAN SEE THE CHAIN OF EVENTS.

>> WE SEE IN YOUR OFFICE HERE PICTURES WITH PRESIDENTS AND THAT KIND OF THING.

WHERE DID THAT AGAIN AND WHAT DO YOU THINK IT BRINGS BACK TO GEORGIA THROUGH YOU?

>> WELL, I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A TOTAL CONNECTION AND CORRELATION BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

THERE IS A NATURAL RELIANCE ON ONE ANOTHER.

AND, AND STATE GOVERNMENT, BUDGET IS MADE UP OF A MAJOR PORTION OF IT, COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO THERE IS A PARTNERSHIP WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING.

TO ME FUNDING IS A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE.

WHEN IT COMES TO ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS WE HAVE TO DELIVER TO THE PUBLIC.

SO WITH THAT IN MIND, I DIDN'T START IT AUTOMATICALLY MYSELF WITH THE FEDERAL RELATIONSHIP.

I GOT A BREAK -- ONE OF MY DEAR FRIENDS WAS BEN BROWN, THE LATE BEN BROWN, AND HE WAS AT ONE TIME THE CHAIR OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS.

AND THEY TALKED TO ME, I BECAME CHAIR, I WAS ELECTED IN '75.

BUT I BECAME CHAIR OF THE BLACK CAUCUS IN 1980.

VERY QUICKLY, THEY CAME -- THEY KIND OF TOOK ME IN THEIR ARMS HERE, AND BOBBY HILL, AND BROWN WERE THE TWO LEADERS IN THE HOUSE AT THAT TIME, JOINED THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS.

ALTHOUGH I KNEW JIMMY CARTER, I DIDN'T HAVE THE RELATIONSHIP.

THEN WHEN HE WAS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, I HAD JUST GOTTEN ELECTED, I WAS RUNNING ALMOST RUNNING THE SAME TIME.

I WAS -- GEORGE WAS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, JIMMY CARTER WAS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, I WAS RUNNING FOR STATE LEGISLATURE.

WE WERE ALL IN THE FAMILY OF BEING ELECTED.

ONE DAY WE WERE TALKING IN THE ANTEROOM OF THE HOUSE.

HE SAID, YOU OUGHT TO GET INVOLVED IN JIMMY CARTER'S CAMPAIGN.

I SAID, WHAT CAN I DO?

HE SAID, CAN YOU TAKE SOME TIME TO TRAVEL?

I SAID SURE.

I WENT TO MISSISSIPPI.

I WENT TO ALABAMA AND CAMPAIGNED FOR JIMMY CARTER, AND HE WON.

AND, AND SO THAT'S HOW -- THAT WAS MY ENTREE TO PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS.

AND WHEN CARTER CAME TO THE CAPITOL, THEY ASKED ME TO BE ON THE ESCORT COMMITTEE.

THAT WAS MY FIRST ESCORT COMMITTEE WAS FOR PRESIDENT CARTER.

AND I WAS PART OF THE SMALL GROUP THAT MET WITH HIM AND ESCORTED HIM TO THE GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE CHIEF METEOROLOGIST CHAMBER.

THAT STARTED MY RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, HAMILTON JORDAN, HIS CHIEF OF STAFF, AND ALL OF THOSE THAT RAN.

THAT WAS MY FIRST -- I WENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE SEVERAL TIMES.

SO THAT WAS MY FIRST FORAY.

I UNDERSTOOD THEN THE POWER, THE INFLUENTIAL ASPECT.

THAT CAN BE HELPFUL TO YOU WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC POLICY AND FUNDING.

IT WAS NOT BASED ON THE POLITICAL -- THE IRONY OF IT, THE DEMOCRATIC THING WASN'T PREVALENT IN CARTER'S CAMPAIGN.

IT WAS THE FACT I KNEW HIM, HE WAS OUR FORMER GOVERNOR.

THAT WAS MY HEART FELT SUPPORT FOR HIM WAS THAT HE WAS A GOOD, DECENT MAN, AND I ADMIRED HIM.

I ADMIRED HIS WIFE AND I GOT TO KNOW HIS FAMILY.

TO ME THAT GAVE BIRTH TO MY NATIONAL POLITICS, NATIONAL POLITICAL TENDENCIES, AND THAT INSPIRED ME TO WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN, AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

AND SO I'VE ESTABLISHED A NATIONAL FRIENDSHIP AND NETWORK OF PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY PRACTICALLY IN ALMOST EVERY STATE I HAVE SOMEBODY I CAN CALL.

>> AND YOU WOULD GIVE THAT AS ADVICE TO OTHERS?

>> OH, YES.

I WOULD SAY -- >> AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY I SAY I'VE BEEN TRULY BLESSED.

WHO HAS THIS AT 20 SOME YEARS OF AGE?

IT'S JUST NOT OFFERED TO YOU.

MOST OF THE TIME IT TAKES SOME TIME FOR YOU TO GET INTO THAT ARENA, AND IT JUST -- IT'S JUST NOT SOMETHING YOU PLAN AND SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN TAKE CREDIT FOR.

WHEN I WAS ELECTED IN 1975, THERE WERE 90 BLACK LEGISLATORS IN AMERICA.

NOW THERE ARE ALMOST 800.

THEY WERE ONLY IN 20 SOME STATES, NOW 40 SOME STATES.

I ALWAYS THINK ABOUT THAT.

I ALSO LISTED SO MANY.

I'M NOT THE BRIGHTEST BULB.

I'M NOT THE SMARTEST GUY IN THE ROOM, BUT MY WORK ETHIC IS WHAT HAS SUSTAINED ME.

THE FACT THAT I BELIEVE IN BUILDING THE BLOCKS TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

AND THAT'S BEEN INSTILLED IN ME A LONG TIME AS A KID FROM MY MOTHER AND FATHER.

MY MOTHER WAS A HOUSEWIFE.

MY FATHER WAS A MILITARY OFFICER, A PILOT, AND I GOT IT FROM HIM THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT A SIN TO FAIL.

IT'S A SIN NOT TO GET UP.

AND HE TAUGHT ME THAT AS A YOUNG MAN.

AND THAT HAS SUSTAINED ME OVER THE YEARS.

SO POLITICS IS A WAY OF PROVIDING -- I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE, THE ONLY PEOPLE IN AMERICA WHO ACTUALLY SET PUBLIC POLICY ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND PUBLIC POLICY DETERMINES HOW YOU AND I AND OUR FAMILIES LIVE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

AND SO WHY WOULDN'T YOU BE INVOLVED?

WHY WOULDN'T YOU BE AN ADVOCATE FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE?

WE HAVE OUR DIFFERENCES HERE.

>> RIGHT.

>> YOU REPORT THE NEWS.

YOU'RE AROUND A LOT.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MAJOR DIFFERENCES HERE, THERE STILL IS SOME CIVILITY.

THERE STILL IS SOME RELATIONSHIPS.

WHEN THE DIFFERENCES OCCUR, THEY OCCUR, BUT IF YOU WATCH THINGS CLOSELY, THEY DON'T LAST.

THEY JUST DON'T LAST, YOU KNOW.

I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE THIS, AND I TELL THE YOUNG LEGISLATORS THIS.

NEVER GET ANGRY.

I MEAN, LEAVE YOUR EMOTIONS AT HOME.

I MEAN, MAKE SURE, PRESENT YOUR SELFIE MOTIONALLY WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE AND GIVEN IN THAT FASHION.

BUT NEVER GET SO ANGRY -- BECAUSE YOU MAY NOT NEED IT ON MONDAY, BUT YOU NEED IT ON THURSDAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE A DELIBERATIVE PROCESS.

YOU'RE THE DELIBERATIVE BODY.

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE 90 FRIENDS ON ANY GIVEN DAY, 90 PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR A BILL.

AND WHEN IT'S 103-77, I MEAN, WE CAN'T PASS ANY BILL WITHOUT, WHAT, SOME SUPPORT.

AND SO THERE ARE THINGS I'M ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO PRESENTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE TO MEASURE, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AND STAND BY YOUR PRINCIPLES AND GO FROM THERE.

BUT I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, YOU KNOW, FIGHT WITH VIGOR, BE IN OPPOSITION WITH VIGOR AND KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT YOU'RE SPEAKING ABOUT.

DON'T LET THE ANGER OVERTAKE YOU BECAUSE THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO PASS GOOD LEGISLATION, GOOD PUBLIC POLICY OR BE IN OPPOSITION TO BAD PUBLIC POLICY.

>> THE DEAN OF THE GEORGIA HOUSE, CALVIN SMYRE.

WE'LL PUT THE INTERVIEW WITH MY FIRST INTERVIEW WITH HIM ON GPB.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR LAWMAKERS.

LOOK FOR LAWMAKERS CAPITAL REPORT ON FRIDAY AT THE END OF THE PBS NEWS HOUR.

WE WANT TO RETURN MONDAY FOR THE ONE-HOUR SHOW WITH THE LAST-MINUTE MANEUVERING VOTES AND WRAP UP WITH EVERYTHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.