>>> THE ACTION UNDER THE GOLD DOME IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE WELL INTO THE NIGHT ON THIS, THE LAST WORKING DAY BEFORE SINE DIE AND THE END OF THE 2024 GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS ON DAY 39 OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M DONNA LOWERY IN ATLANTA.

EXCEPT FOR LUNCH AND DINNER BREAKS THEY'RE RACING TO PASS AS MANY BILLS AS THEY CAN TODAY.

WHATEVER THEY DON'T FINISH THIS EVENING THEY WILL TAKE UP ON THURSDAY, THAT FINAL LEGISLATIVE DAY DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO END AT MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY.

IT ENDS WHEN THEY WRAP THINGS UP AND CELEBRATE BY THROWING A SNOW FLURRY OF SHREDDED PAPER INTO THE AIR.

TONIGHT ON THE SHOW WE'LL HEAR FROM LEADERS IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

ALSO JOINING US, TWO LAWMAKERS WITH DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON THE SESSION.

THE OTHER IS WRAPPING UP HER FIRST TERM AND ONE IS A LONGTIME LAWMAKER.

SHE WILL TELL US ABOUT HER BILLS DEALING WITH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS AND RENT CONTROL, BUT FIRST, LET'S GO TO THE BUSY GOLD DOME WHERE CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT SARAH KALAS IS LIVE WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING SO FAR.

>> HI, DONNA.

DOZENS OF BILLS PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS AND LAW MAKERS AREN'T SLOWING DOWN ON THE SECOND TO LAST DAY OF THE SESSION.

ON THE NEXT TO LAST DAY OF THE SESSION, SENATOR VALENCIA SEIZED A MOMENT BEFORE THE MAD DASH BEGAN TO SAY FAREWELL AS SHE RETIRES FROM THE SENATE.

>> 22 YEARS IN THIS CHAMBER.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT LITTLE GIRL FROM HERNDON HOMES WOULD BE ONE OF 56 IN THIS GREAT STATE SHE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN.

>> THE SENATE THEN TOOK UP THE BUSINESS OF PASSING BILLS.

HAVING 82 PIECES OF LEGISLATION ON THEIR RULES CALENDAR.

MOST NOTABLE FROM THE MORNING SESSION WAS HB-916.

THE SENATE'S VERSION OF THE FISCAL 2025 BUDGET WHICH GOES INTO EFFECT JULY 1st.

>> 36.08 BILLION DOLLARS AND IT'S ABOUT 4.3% UNDER OUR FY-2023 COLLECTIONS.

WITH TAX RECEIPTS PROJECTED TO BE 3.9% UNDER THOSE, AS WELL.

>> BESIDES THE PUBLICIZED RACES FOR TEACHERS AND STATE EMPLOYEE, THE SENATE TARGETED OTHER AGENCIES.

>> ABOVE THOSE PAY INCREASES THE SENATE ALSO TARGETED SPECIFIC AREAS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT, $3,000 INCREASE ON TOP OF THE 4% FOR $46.7 MILLION.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, $3,000 INCREASE ON TOP OF THE 4% FOR AN ADDITIONAL $4.6 MILLION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION, 1.2 MILLION FOR $2,000 ON TOP OF THE 3%.

FOR OUR FOOD PROTECTION AND SECTORS.

>> AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR SCHOOL SAFETY.

>> THE SENATE PROPOSAL MEETS THE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL BY ADDING $103.9 MILLION TO ESTABLISH SCHOOL SAFETY SECURITY GRANTS AND ADDS AN ADDITIONAL $5 MILLION AT THE REQUEST OF OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO MAKE SURE THAT SCHOOL SAFETY IS A PRIORITY.

THE BILL WAS PASSED 53 TO 1.

MORE CONTROVERSIAL WAS HB-1101.

IT WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN TO HELP ATHLETES DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE, BUT THE SENATE CHANGED THE BILL COMBINING FOUR OTHER CONTENTIOUS BILLS.

>> PROHIBITING SEX EDUCATION BEFORE THE SIXTH GRADE AND IT ALSO ALLOWS A PROCESS FOR PARENTS TO REVIEW THE MATERIALS TWO WEEKS BEFORE EACH SEMESTER STARTS AND IT'S AN OPT IN NOT AN OPT OUT DEALING WITH GENDER IDENTITY AND NO MATTER WHAT THE MALE WOULD CLAIM HIS GENDER IDENTITY WOULD BE OFF HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY IN GIRLS' SPORTS.

>> IT WOULD WARN PARENTS ABOUT THE CONTENT OF ANY MATERIALS THEIR CHILD CHECKS OUT, BUT DEMOCRATS PUSHED BACK.

>> THIS BILL CREATES THING ABOUTEST SAFE SPACE OF THEM ALL AND THAT IS A SAFE SPACE FOR A FRACTION OF THE PUBLIC THAT DOESN'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE REALITY OF TRANS PEOPLE AND LGBTQ PEOPLE GENERAL AND THOSE THE EXISTENCE OF THOSE PEOPLE AND WHAT IT MEANS.

INSTEAD THEY CAN HIDE BEHIND GEORGIA STATE LAW AND THAT, MY FRIENDS IS WEAK.

>> THE BILL PASSED 33-21 ALONG PARTY LINES.

IN THE HOUSE, THE DAY STARTED WITH HONORING SOME LOCAL HEROES.

REPRESENTATIVE HOUSTON GAINS SPONSORED A RESOLUTION HONORING FIVE UDA STUDENTS SAVING PARENTS FROM A SUBMERGED VEHICLE.

>> THEY TURN THEIR CAR AROUND AND DOVE INTO THE WATER AND HELPED THE MOM GET AN 8-YEAR-OLD OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A 4-YEAR-OLD IN THE VEHICLE THEY COULDN'T EVEN SEE.

THE 4-YEAR-OLD WAS STUCK IN THE VEHICLE.

THEY WEREN'T WITH THE MOM.

THEY GOT THE 4-YEAR-OLD OUT OF THE VEHICLE, IT TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES AND ULTIMATELY GOT THE 4-YEAR-OLD OUT AND PERFORMED CPR AND SAVED THE YOUNG PERSON'S LIFE.

THAT'S AMAZING.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THEN IT WAS STRAIGHT TO BUSINESS.

THE HOUSE OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED SB-132, A MORATORIUM ON NEW MINING PROJECTS.

DEMOCRATS SUPPORTED THE BILL, BUT SOME SAID THEY WISHED THE LEGISLATURE WAS DOING MORE TO PROTECT THE OAK FEN OEGY SWAMP.

>> MANY OF US FEEL LIKE PUTTING IT ANYWHERE WITHIN RANGE OF THAT SWAMP IS THE WRONG THING TO DO.

WE ARE AFRAID OF WHAT IT WILL DO TO THE GROUNDWATER.

WE ARE AFRAID OF WHAT IT WILL DO TO THE MANY VERY SPECIAL AND UNIQUE FLOWERS AND WILDLIFE AND EVEN THINGS I DON'T LIKE LIKE SNAKES AND REPTILES AND ALLIGATORS.

>> THAT BILL HAS TO GO BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR TIME APPROVAL SINCE THE HOUSE NEEDS TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES AND IT NEEDS FINAL APPROVAL FOR HB-404 AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE IT KEEP HABITABLE CONDITIONS FOR TENANTS AND IT PASSED 168 TO 1.

SB-417 WHICH CREATES A NEW CRIMINAL CHARGE FOR DETONATING A FIREWORK NEAR AN EMERGENCY RESPONDER PASSED 157 TO 2 AND HOUSE MINORITY LEAD ARE JAMES BEVERLY ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT TO HIS COLLEAGUES THIS AFTERNOON.

>> YOU ALL ARE MY FAMILY.

I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU, AND YOU ALL CAN'T CHANGE IT.

YOU CAN'T REARRANGE IT.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

YOU ALL SIT DOWN.

>> DONNA, LATE THIS AFTERNOON THE SENATE PASSED HOUSE BILLS THAT WOULD HELP PROPERTY OWNERS REMOVE SQUATTERS MORE EASILY AND ALLOW COIN-OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES OR SLOT MACHINES IN CERTAIN CASES.

PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE LOTTERY EDUCATION FUND.

AND IN THE HOUSE A CONTROVERSIAL COSMETOLOGY BILL TO REMOVE LICENSES FOR CERTAIN SERVICES REMOVED AFTER MUCH DEBATE.

THAT'S ALL FOR MY CAPITAL REPORT.

DONNA?

>> BACK TO ME, SARAH.

SARAH, I KNOW IT'S BEEN A BUSY, BUSY DAY AND I KNOW YOU'LL GO BACK TO CHECK ON BILLS THAT PASSED TODAY SO THANK YOU.

>> LEGISLATIVELY, IT'S THE EVE TO SINE DIE ON THURSDAY, ON THIS DAY 39 WE WANTED TO TALK TO LEADERS ABOUT THE SESSION.

IN A MOMENT WE'LL HEAR FROM SOMEONE IN THE HOUSE.

FIRST, EARLIER TODAY, I SPOKE TO SENATE PRO THEM JOHN F. KENNEDY OF MACON AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER STEVE GOOCH OF MALONICA.

>> IT IS A LEADUP TO WHAT WE CALL LAND THE PLANE.

APPROACHING DAY 40, THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT AND A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT IN THE HALL THAT ARE FIGHTING TO GET THEIR BILLS ON THE CALENDAR.

SOME HAVEN'T BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE UP.

AS YOU KNOW, NOTHING IS DEAD UNTIL SINE DIE AT MIDNIGHT.

WHETHER THEY'RE TRYING TO AMEND SOMEONE ELSE'S BILL OR DESPERATION AT THIS POINT.

WE HAVE ABOUT 75 BILLS ON THE FLOOR TODAY IN THE SENATE AND WE CAN'T POSSIBLY GET TO ALL OF THOSE.

SO WE'LL WORK UNTIL LATE NIGHT, PROBABLY 9:00 OR 10:00 TONIGHT.

WE'LL GO HOME AND COME BACK ON THURSDAY AND THEN WE'LL FINISH THE DRILL.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THE HIGHLIGHTS HAVE BEEN DURING THE SESSION?

>> THERE HAVE BEEN SOME REALLY GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR GEORGIANS AND BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LOWERING TAXES ON EVERY GEORGIAN THIS YEAR.

INCOME TAX, PROPER TAX.

WE'RE DOING A LOT OF GREAT THINGS IN EDUCATION AND WE'RE WORKING ON LITERACY.

THAT'S BEEN A PRIORITY OF THE SENATE FOR TWO YEARS AND WE'RE IN THE SECOND YEAR OF A TWO-YEAR CYCLE AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON A LOT OF THE ELECTION REFORM AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN WORKED ON FOR FOUR YEARS NOW AND A LOT OF THOSE BILLS TOGETHER IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THERE'S A MERGE ARE OF ABOUT SIX DIFFERENT BILLS THAT WILL BE COMING TOGETHER TODAY AND THURSDAY AND SO I THINK THE VOTERS OF GEORGIA WILL HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA AND THEY'LL BE ABLE TO GO VOTE THIS FALL AND THEY'LL BE CONFIDENT THAT EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE AS THEY WANT IT TO BE.

>> ANY FRUSTRATIONS THIS SESSION?

>> YES.

THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE OF ISSUES.

OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE WORKED HERE FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS SOME OF US IN THE REPUBLICAN SENATE ON TORT REFORM.

THE LEGAL CLIMATE IN GEORGIA IS NOT AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD BE.

IN FACT, WE ARE LISTED AS THE NUMBER ONE STATE IN THE COUNTRY FOR LEGAL TORT REFORM NEEDS WHICH MEANS THAT OUR INSURANCE PREMIUMS HAVE GONE UP.

A LOT OF INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE DECIDED TO LEAVE GEORGIA WHICH LEAVES FEWER OPPORTUNITIES FOR GEORGIANS TO INSURE THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES AND THEIR AUTOMOBILES, THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE, OPTIONS ARE FEWER AND FAR BETWEEN AND SO THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT THE SENATE HAS BEEN WORKING ON FOR YEARS.

THE HOUSE JOINED US A LITTLE BIT THIS YEAR, BUT WE'RE NOT QUITE THERE YET.

WE DON'T HAVE A BILL THAT WE FEEL IS GOOD IN THE SENATE.

WE ARE WAITING FOR THE GOVERNOR TO COME FORWARD NEXT YEAR TO HELP US ON THAT.

HE HAS GIVEN US HIS WORD THAT HE WILL WORK ON THIS OVER THE SUMMER AND COLLECT DATA FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THEN COME JANUARY, WE BELIEVE THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN HANDS AND MOVE FORWARD ON SOME MEANINGFUL TORT REFORM.

>> I THINK THINGS ARE GOING WELL.

I THINK WE'RE LOOKING BACK ON A VERY SUCCESSFUL TWO-YEAR BIENNIAL, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR PRIORITIES TAKEN CARE OF LAST YEAR AND WE ARE WORKING TO FINISH THE DRILL THIS YEAR, AND WE HAVE SOME REALLY GOOD, COMMON SENSE LEGISLATION PASSED THAT WILL REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT FOR FOLKS BACK HOME AND DOING THE WORK THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS NEED US TO DO.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER THE HIGHLIGHTS?

>> YOU KNOW, FOR ME, THERE WERE A COUPLE OF BILLS THAT I WAS PARTICULARLY INVOLVED IN AND GEORGIA'S VERSION OF THE ANTISEMITISM BILL THAT PROVIDED A DEFINITION OF WHAT ANTISEMITISM IS SO THAT BEHAVIOR WHICH VIOLATES IT CAN NOW BE ENFORCED.

YOU HAVE AN ENFORCEABLE DEFINITION TO GO AFTER PEOPLE THAT DO HORRENDOUS THINGS AND UNFORTUNATELY, EACH IN MY HOME OF MACON WE SAW UNFORTUNATE THINGS OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND THAT GOES A LONG WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CAN FEEL MORE SAFE.

SOMETHING ELSE I AM PLEASED WITH IS THE SCHOOL CHOICE BILL THAT WE PASSED THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IN THE SENATE FOR MANY YEARS AND HAD A BILL FOR THREE YEARS RUNNING AND THE HOUSE TOOK IT UP AND MADE CHANGES TO IT.

WE HAVE A BILL AND A LAW WHEN IT HITS THE GOVERNOR'S DESK AND HE SIGNS IT, IT WILL LET FAMILIES HAVE A BETTER CONTROL AND CHOICE OVER HOW AND WHERE THEIR CHILD OUGHT TO BE EDUCATED.

IT'S SOMETHING PERSONAL FOR FAMILIES AND FAMILIES ARE INVESTEDED IN THAT WAY AND IT'S OFTEN SAID THAT YOUR ZIP CODE OUGHT NOT DETERMINE THE CHILD'S EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND WE KNOW AS THOSE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES GO, SO GO THAT CHILD'S FUTURE.

>> ANYTHING IN THE LAST FEW DAYS YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR?

>> GOSH, A LOT OF BILLS ARE FLYING BACK AND FORTH.

YOU, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THERE ARE STILL SOME TORT REFORM MEASURES THAT ARE THERE THAT I WISH WE -- AND HOPED WE COULD MAKE BIG STEPS FORWARD.

THIS IS -- A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HURTING WITH PERSONAL INSURANCE RATES AND ALL KINDS OF INSURANCE RATES.

WE JUST PASSED THE GOVERNOR'S BILL THAT I CARRIED FOR THE GOVERNOR THIS MORNING OFF THE SENATE FLOOR THAT'S GOING TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GET DATA AND FIND OUT WHAT IS DRIVING THESE INSURANCE RATES TO BE SO HIGH IN GEORGIA COMPARED TO MANY OTHER STATES.

SO I LOOK FORWARD FOR THAT INFORMATION COMING FORWARD, AND I HOPE THAT WILL INFORM US MOVING FORWARD ON WHAT KIND OF TORT REFORM, VERY SENSIBLE TORT REFORM MEASURES WE CAN HAVE GOING FORWARD SO BUSINESSES AREN'T AFRAID OF GOING OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE OF ONE LAWSUIT BEING FILED BECAUSE PROPERTY OWNERS AREN'T SCARED TO DEATH BECAUSE JUST BECAUSE THEY OWN SOME PROPERTY THAT THAT MEANS THEY ARE SUBJECT TO LOSING THEIR LIFE SAVINGS.

SENSIBLE MEASURES THAT WE'LL LOOK AT NEXT YEAR BASED ON THIS DATA AND WE HAVE TORT REFORM MEASURES THAT ARE STILL MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THIS YEAR.

>> I WANT TO THANK SENATE PRO THEM KENNEDY AND SENATE MINORITY GOOCH FOR THOSE INTERVIEWS.

NOW LET'S TURN TO THE HOUSE.

JOINING NOW FROM THE CAPITAL IS HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER JEFF STRACH OF AUBURN.

HOW ARE YOU, SIR?

WE APPRECIATE YOU GIVING US A MOMENT OF YOUR TIME.

>> BUSY TIME.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE DAY AND THE SESSION SO FAR?

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN A VERY PRODUCTIVE DAY.

WE'VE ALREADY PASSED MANY MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN OF REAL IMPORTANCE OVER THE PAST YEAR.

I THINK THAT WE'LL PROBABLY GO LATER INTO THIS EVENING AND THE BUDGET CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IS BEGINNING WORK NOW SO WE'LL BE TEED UP FOR ANOTHER BUSY DAY ON THURSDAY.

>> YEAH.

SO I KNOW THAT THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF THINGS AND WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2024 SESSION SO FAR?

>> WELL, WE'VE REALLY PRIORITIZED EDUCATION, PASSING IN OUR BUDGET A PAY RAISE FOR TEACHERS, $2500 PAY RAISE AS WELL AS OTHER PAY RAISES THAT I THINK WILL REFLECT THE PRIORITY OF ENSURING THAT GEORGIA HAS THE HIGHEST PAY FOR TEACHERS IN THE SOUTHEAST.

WE FOCUSED ON PUBLIC SAFETY WHICH CONTINUES TO BE OF TOP IMPORTANCE GEORGIANS DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE IN THEIR HOMES.

WE'VE ALSO VERY IMPORTANT FISCAL MEASURES THAT HAVE PASSED CUTTING TAX RATES FOR GEORGIANS AND PASSING A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUDGET.

THAT WAS A VERY PRODUCTIVE DAY TODAY, JUST TODAY WE PASS HOUSE BILL 404 WHICH WAS THE SAFE AT HOME ACT PROVIDING TENANT PROTECTIONS AND THE FIRST TIME A MAJOR TENANT RIGHTS BILL WAS PASSED IN GEORGIA FOR SOME TIME.

I PASSED A BILL CREATING A NEW ACCOUNT ABILITY PROGRAM TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS WHICH I'M EXCITED ABOUT.

IT WOULD BE A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM FOR THE HOMELESS WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR SAFE, SECURE HOUSING IMMEDIATELY, AND IT WAS PASSED ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY IN THE HOUSE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

FINALLY, WE HAD A BILL FOR PAID PARENTAL LEAVE, GIVING ALL STATE EMPLOYEES SIX WEEKS OF PAID PARENTAL LEAVE AND THAT PASSED IN THE HOUSE TODAY.

SO IT'S BEEN A VERY BUSY, PRODUCTIVE DAY, BUT AS YOU CAN TELL, IMPORTANT MEASURES THAT BEEN CONSIDERED.

>> WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT, AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE CHALLENGES OR FRUSTRATIONS OF THE SESSION?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS THINGS THAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO TO ADD ON.

OVERALL THINGS HAVE GONE VERY WELL.

WE HAVE, I THINK, A DESIRE TO TAKE ON SOME REALLY BIG ISSUES THAT STILL REMAIN OUT THERE IN OUR STATE, BUT LOOKING AT WHAT WE PASSED, I THINK THAT ALL LEGISLATORS ARE GOING TO SAY THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY THURSDAY THAT WE'VE HAD A VERY PRODUCTIVE SESSION THAT GEORGIANS' EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY AND THEIR POCKETBOOKS HAVE BEEN PRIORITIZED.

>> AND WE'LL BE PAYING ATTENTION TO HOW LONG YOU WILL STAY TODAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> COMING UP, THE LEGISLATIVE DAY IS STILL UNDER WAY AT THE GOLD DOME, AS WE SAY AND A LAWMAKER WILL JOIN US FROM THE CAPITAL, TOO.

HERE IN THE STUDIO ANOTHER LAWMAKER WILL TALK ABOUT THE 2024 SESSION AS IT WINDS DOWN.

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

WITH OVER 80 YEARS OF MAKING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE OF OUR STATE.

AFTER ALL, AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IT REPRESENTS 75 BILLION IN OUTPUT IN THE ECONOMY.

THE IT WORK AT THE STATE CAPITAL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>> PEOPLE PUT THEIR FAITH IN PBS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT IT IS CONSTANTLY DELIVERING QUALITY.

IT COVERS THE WHOLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S A FREE AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA.

>> WE GO WHERE THE VIEWERS ARE.

>> WHAT ARE THE CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?

>> WE FEEL THAT CIVIL DISCOURSE IS A CIVIC RESPONSIBLITY.

WHAT WE DO IS AUTHENTIC REPORTING THAT PEOPLE CAN TRUST.

>> WE GIVE ALL SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

>> THIS IS THE PLACE THAT PEOPLE TURN TO FOR STORIES THAT MATTER AND THEY KNOW THAT WHEN THEY WALK AWAY THEY WOULD HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

>> THAT'S WHY THIS MAKES PBS IMPORTANT FOR DAILY LIFE AND IN OUR WORLD.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWERY.

JOINING ME FROM THE CAPITAL NOW IS A FRESHMAN LAWMAKER, REPRESENTATIVE KAREN LUPKIN OF SHAM PLEA AND AMONG HER COMMIT AMS ARE OVERSIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR STEPPING AWAY FROM THE HOUSE FOR A BIT FOR US.

>> IT'S MY PLEASURE.

WE'RE ON A BIT OF A PIZZA BREAK SO THIS IS PERFECT TIMING.

>> LET'S GET STARTED.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATION YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF AND ONE IS FUNDING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTERS.

>> YES.

I'M A 26 NF YEAR SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL ASSAULT MYSELF AND WHEN I WENT VISITING SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTERS AROUND THE STATE THIS PAST YEAR I REALIZED HOW LITTLE FUNDING THEY WERE ACTUALLY GETTING FROM THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

EVERY SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTER IN GEORGIA, THERE ARE 28 OF THEM ONLY RECEIVES $54,290 A YEAR.

PERIOD, FROM THE STATE.

THAT IS NOT ENOUGH TO DO THE VITAL WORK THAT THEY DO.

SO AFTER A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS, AFTER A LOT OF TALKING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES TO ALL ABOUT TALKING TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME EXTRA FUNDS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTERS AND FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTERS TO MEET STATE STANDARDS AND DO THEIR WORK AT THE HIGH LEVEL THAT THEY WANT TO DO IT AND SAVE WOMEN WHO ARE IN THESE HORRIBLE SITUATIONS.

>> CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT ESPECIALLY AS YOU ARE IN YOUR FIRST TERM.

ANOTHER BIPARTISAN BILL IS SOMETHING THAT THE REGISTRATION JUST TALKED ABOUT, THE SAFE HOME ACT.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

I WAS IN CITY GOVERNMENT BEFORE I CAME HERE TO THE STATE HOUSE, AND PART OF MY DISTRICT COMES THROUGH BUFORD HIGHWAY WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING.

I HAVE SEEN WITH MY OWN EYES WHAT UNFETTERED ACCESS TO -- WITH WHAT DO THEY CALL, THEIR LANDLORDS.

I'VE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN LANDLORDS HAVE NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

I'VE SEEN THE CONDITIONS THAT PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO LIVE IN BECAUSE OUR LAWS DON'T KEEP THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO MAKE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITHIN THEIR HOUSING SAFE.

I'M THRILLED THAT CASEY CARPENTER AND EVERYONE WHO WORKED ON THIS BILL FINALLY GOT IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE SO THAT WE CAN START TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR LANDLORDSES AND SOME ASSURED SAFETY FOR CITIZENS.

>> SO I KNOW THIS IS -- AS I MENTIONED, THIS IS YOUR FIRST TWO-YEAR TOMORROW.

WHAT ARE YOUR OVERALL THOUGHTS ABOUT THINGS?

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE A REALLY INTERESTING TIME ASKING -- ANSWERING THAT QUESTION.

PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK, HOW IS IT GOING, AND I WANT TO SAY, WELL, IT'S HORRIBLE AND IT'S GREAT AND IT'S FRUSTRATING, BUT EXHILARATING.

IT'S DEPRESSING, BUT ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.

IT'S AN AWE TO BE HERE.

I LOVE THIS JOB.

I HOPE THAT MY VOTERS KEEP SENDING ME BACK AS LONG AS I CAN TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM, TO REPRESENT THEM HERE.

IT IS INDESCRIBABLE WHAT HAPPENS HERE BETWEEN WHAT'S REPRESENTED IN THE PAPER AS A LOT OF PARTISAN FIGHTING AND A LOT OF UGLY STUFF THAT GOES ON.

AND IT'S NOT THAT THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN, BUT BY AND LARGE WHAT HAPPENS IS WE MAKE RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER.

WE TRY TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE AND GET THINGS DONE FOR OUR CITIZENS.

WE WANT THE SAME THINGS, JUST SOMETIMES WE HAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO IT.

>> I'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO START TO MAKE CONNECTIONS ACROSS THE AISLE AND HOPEFULLY TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE FOR MY CONSTITUENTS IN THE LONG RUN.

I LOVE IT HERE.

I REALLY DO.

>> IT'S GOOD TO HEAR THAT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING TO TALK TO US ON THIS BUSY DAY AND I HOPE YOU DO GET SOMETHING TO EAT BEFORE YOU START BACK AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS.

>>> NOW WE ARE GOING TO TURN TO OUR GUEST IN THE STUDIO, SENATOR DONZELLA JAMES.

SHE HAS SERVED TWO TERM IN THE SENATE, SHE DID ONE FROM 1995 THROUGH 2002 AND SWORN IN AGAIN IN A SPECIAL ELECTION IN 2009.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU'VE SEEN THESE SINE DIE DAYS TWICE BEFORE, AND IT'S QUITE SOMETHING.

FIRST, I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY YOU HAVE THIS AROUND YOU.

YOU LOOK, I DON'T KNOW, VERY SCHOLARLY.

>> WELL, I WAS SO BLESSED TODAY TO BE INVITED TO AN AWARDS PROGRAM AT THE CAPITAL WHERE THE TRINITY UNIVERSITY FROM PENSACOLA GAVE ME A DOCTORATE.

>> YOU ARE AN HONORARY DOCTORATE.

>> THAT'S VERY COOL.

IT LOOKS GOOD ON YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT WAS AN AMBASSADOR'S PROGRAM THAT THEY HAD, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT CLEARLY I HAD BEEN AN AMBASSADOR FOR OUR STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> I LOVE THAT.

LET'S GET TO SOME OF YOUR BILLS.

YOU HAVE SEVERAL BILLS DEALING WITH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION.

>> CORRECT.

>> LET'S SEPARATE THEM.

ONE IS THE OMBUDSMAN BILL, SB-356.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> AFTER HAVING FOUR OR MORE HEARINGS LAST YEAR ON HOAs AND COAs AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS FOR TRAILER PARKS, ET CETERA, THEN I FOUND OUT THAT WE REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE ASSOCIATIONS THAT PEOPLE THINK MISTREATING THE FOLK THAT ARE THERE.

SO MANY OF THEM DON'T PAY THEIR HOMEOWNER'S FEES OR WHATEVER AND THEN THEY GET LIENS AGAINST THEM OR CONDOMINIUM FEES THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE WATER'S NOT RUNNING RIGHT OR WHATEVER AND DON'T PAY IT AND THEN IF YOU GET UP TO $2,000 WORTH OF LIENS ON YOUR PROPER, THEY CAN SELL YOUR HOUSE ON THE COURTHOUSE STEPS.

THEY CAN TAKE YOUR PROPERTY.

SO WHO WILL THESE PEOPLE GO TO IF THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO EVEN GET A LAWYER?

SO THEY NEED AN OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM, THEY NEED SOMEONE THAT CAN GO AND ADVISE THEM SO THAT THEY WON'T HAVE TO INCUR MORE COST IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE SITUATION.

SOME PEOPLE ALREADY OWN THEIR HOMES.

THEY JUST PAY IN FEES AND THEN THE FEES -- THE LATE FEES ADDED TO THEM AND IT'S OUTRAGEOUS.

>> THEY OWN THEIR HOMES, BUT THEY'RE PAYING THESE FEES.

>> WHERE ARE THESE RIGHT NOW?

>> THE OM BUNDSMAN BILL IS IN COMMITTEE.

IT DID NOT MAKE IT.

HOWEVER, I HAD OTHER HOA BILLS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THEM.

SO YOU HAD THREE AND THERE WERE PORTIONS OF THEM IN ANOTHER BILL THAT SENATOR MATT BRASS HAS AND IT'S NOW HB-200.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

TODAY I WAS REALLY EXCITED ON DAY 39 THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PUT AN AMENDMENT ON ANOTHER BILL AND IT WAS THROUGH MATT GRASS AND MYSELF TO PUSH FORWARD AND WE PUT THREE OF THOSE BILLS THAT HOA BILLS THAT WE HAD BEEN PUSHING AND THEY HAD NOT MOVED VERY FAR.

WE PUT THEM ON THAT BILL, THAT 200, THAT HB-200 AND IT PASSED.

ONLY TWO PEOPLE VOTED AGAINST IT.

>> I KNOW PART OF IT IS THIS PREVENTS HOAs FROM FILING CLAIMS AGAINST A HOM OWNER THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY IN GOOD STANDING.

I WANTED IT.

>> MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO LOSE THEIR HOMES AND HAVE THESE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF FEES ATTACHED TO SOME DISAGREEMENT, SOME PEOPLE WILL SAY YOU'VE NOT PAID AND THEY CAN PULL OUT ALL OF THEIR CERTIFICATES.

THEY'RE LIKE A RECEIPT, BUT IT'S BETTER THAN THAT, AND SO THAT WAY THEY CANNOT BE ACCUSED OF NOT ALWAYS BEING A GOOD OWNER.

MANY HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATIONS ARE OUTSTANDING AND THEY'RE GREAT.

PEOPLE TRY TO GO THROUGH THE COVENANT THAT THEY HAVE SIGNED AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO EVERYTHING, BUT IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK.

>> YOU WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE A STEADY COMMITTEE OF HOAs.

>> AND I AM SO EXCITED THAT TODAY ONE OF THE FIRST BILLS THAT WE PASSED ON THE SENATE SIDE WAS THE HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION STUDY COMMITTEE SO THAT WE CAN TAKE A REAL LOOK AT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT HOAs AND COAs AND OTHERS ARE HAVING AND MAKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MAKE FAIR AND JUST LAWS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT HAPPENING.

SO WE DEFINITELY NEED BETTER.

>> I WANT TO GIVE YOU A FEW MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT IT.

YOU HAVE A RENT CONTROL BILL, SB-125.

>> YES, THAT'S BEEN THE MOST POPULAR AND WE DID MOVE IT A LITTLE, BUT IT WAS STUCK ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

>> WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO LIFT THAT PROHIBITION.

IT WAS 1984 WHEN THE STATE OF GEORGIA HAD A BILL THAT PROHIBITS ANY RENT CONTROL MEANING CITIES, MUNICIPALITIES, COUNTIES, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY SAY SO SO NOW THE INCREASE OF RENT IS DOUBLING, TRIPLING, QUADRUPLING EVEN.

MOST OF THEM, AT LEAST 30% FROM THE YEAR BEFORE, AND SO WHAT THIS -- WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO WITH RENT CONTROL IS AND PROHIBITION IS LIFT IT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE CONTROL SO THAT ALL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE DIFFERENT COUNTIES OR CITIES WOULD HAVE SAY SO AND LISTEN TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THEY CAN BAN IT IF THEY WANT TO OR THEY CAN PUT A CAP ON IT.

WE NEED ON PUT A CAP ON SOME OF THESE OUTRAGEOUS PAGE.

THE STUDENTS ARE UPSET BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND HOUSING AND THE VETERANS ARE UPSET.

>> YOU ARE VERY UPSET.

>> I AM FOR THE PEOPLE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND CONGRATULATION AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I AM VERY HONORED.

>> YOU DESERVE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT DOES IT TODAY FOR "LAWMAKERS."

WE ARE OFF TOMORROW AND WE HAVE ONE MORE SHOW AND IT'S A WHOPPER.

IT'S SINE DIE IN A SPECIAL ONE-HOUR "LAWMAKERS AND" SARAH KALAS WILL BRING ANALYSIS FROM THE GOLD DOME.

WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US.

FOR NOW, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

♪♪