♪♪ >>> IT DIDN'T BREATHE FIRE, BUT DRAGON HELPED BRING THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE TO THE GOLD DOME FOR A CELEBRATION.

GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS. "

I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

TONIGHT, WHAT THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IS ALL ABOUT.

PLUS, DID YOU KNOW GEORGIA BOASTS THE SECOND LARGEST ASIAN AMERICAN, PACIFIC ISLANDER CAUCUS IN THE NATION?

WE'LL HAVE TWO MEMBERS IN THE STUDIO TO SHARE THEIR INSIGHTS.

AND GEORGIA HAS ANOTHER DISTINCTION, THE SECOND LOWEST CIGARETTE TAX IN THE COUNTRY.

WE'LL CHAT WITH TWO LEGISLATORS EAGER TO CHANGE THAT.

AND THERE ARE SEVERAL FIREARMS SAFETY BILLS FILED BY BOTH SIDES.

AND FINALLY, SHOULD PETS HAVE THEIR OWN PROTECTIVE ORDERS IN CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

ONE LAWMAKER IS ADVOCATING FOR MEASURES TO KEEP THEM SAFE AND OUT OF HARM'S WAY DURING OFTEN VOLATILE SITUATIONS.

FIRST, LET'S GET OUR CAPITOL REPORT FROM SARAH.

>> Reporter: HI, DONNA.

LAWMAKERS MET TODAY FOR DAY EIGHT, AND LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES WERE THE MAIN ATTRACTION.

IT WAS A W CAUSE DAY AS PEOPLE GATHERED TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE.

BUT THE HOUSE WAS A LITTLE MORE QUIET, SINCE NO BILLS MADE IT TO THE HOUSE.

THE SPEAKER WAS ABSENT TODAY, TRAVELING TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO WATCH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SIGN THE LINCOLN RILEY ACT, A FEDERAL IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN BILL NAMED AFTER A GEORGIA NURSING STUDENT KILLED BY A MAN WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS.

SEVERAL LAWMAKERS ALSO WENT TO THE SIGNING.

JEN JONES PRESIDED OVER THE CHAMBER, AS THEY RECOGNIZED SELF-ASIAN AMERICANS IN GEORGIA.

MARY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST WOMEN TO COMPETE FOR INDIA IN THE 1952 OLYMPICS.

>> MARY COMPETED IN THE 1952 OLYMPICS IN HELSINKI IN THE 100 METER AND 200 METER RACES.

IN 1954, SHE COMPETED IN THE 4 X 100 RELAY AND BECAME ONE OF FIRST INDIAN WOMEN TO WIN A GOLD MEDAL ALONG WITH HER RELAY TEAMMATES.

>> Reporter: AND PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CENTER FOR ASIA PACIFIC AMERICAN WOMEN, SUANN HONG, SPOKE TO THE CHAMBER.

>> I MYSELF THIS YEAR IS MY 50 th ANNIVERSARY BEING IN THE UNITED STATES.

[ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

I FLEW TO THIS COUNTRY BY MYSELF AT THE AGE OF 8, AND I WAS ADOPTED BY MY AUNT, AND SHE KNEW I WOULD HAVE A BETTER LIFE AND THE AMERICAN DREAM.

>> Reporter: IN A VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON, HOUSE AND SENATE DEMOCRATS DISCUSSED HOW THEY ARE PREPARING TO REBUT GOVERNOR KEMP'S PROPOSED TORT REFORM PACKAGE.

>> THIS IS A BIG BUSINESS AND CORPORATE RELIEF FIRST, GEORGIANS LAST AGENDA.

TORT REFORM MEANS KEEPING GEORGIANS FROM SEEKING JUSTICE IN COURT AGAINST INSURANCE GIANTS WHEN THOSE CORPORATIONS HARM CONSUMERS.

THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT LIMITING YOUR RIGHT AS A CONSUMER WILL LOWER YOUR INSURANCE COSTS.

BUT THAT IS NOT ONLY A BAD IDEA FOR EVERYDAY CITIZENS, IT'S JUST NOT CORRECT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID PASSING MEANINGFUL LAW REFORM IS HIS TOP PRIORITY THIS YEAR.

>> THE SENATE ACKNOWLEDGED MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL.

SENATOR MATT BRASS' MOTHER, LINDA, WHO WAS INVOLVED WITH THE CAUSE AND TIFFANY VINCENT.

>> SHE WAS DIAGNOSED IN MAY OF 2006.

SHE'S EMBRACED HER JOURNEY WITH RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION TO HELP INSPIRE OTHERS.

SHE GREW UP FINDING INSPIRATION IN HER GRANDMOTHER, WHO WAS THE FIRST PERSON TIFFANY EVER SAW IN A WHEELCHAIR.

HER STRENGTH AND ACTIONS PLANTED SEEDS FOR TIFFANY'S MISSION TO CHALLENGE SOCIETAL NORMS ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE WITH CHALLENGES.

>> Reporter: VINCENT WAS THERE TO PROMOTE THE WORK DONE BY THE NATIONAL MS SOCIETY, AS WELL AS A HOUSE BILL, HB-100, SHE SAYS IS VITAL TO MANY OF THOSE THAT SUFFER FROM THE DEBILITATING DISEASE.

>> ONE CHANGE THAT'S NEEDED IS THE HB-100 BILL.

WHAT IS THAT YOU SAY?

THAT IS THE PHARMACEUTICAL BILL, TO KEEP THE PRESCRIPTIONS DOWN, THE COSTS.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITH THIS JOURNEY, AND THEY'RE DOING THIS BATTLE.

AND ONE ASPECT IS THAT FINANCIAL ASPECT OF MEDICATION.

I MYSELF RELY ON MEDICATION.

DIAGNOSED 19 YEARS, I DO BELIEVE IN GOD AND I BELIEVE IN RESTORING ALL IN HEALTH.

BUT IN HAVING THAT BELIEF, I ALSO HAVE TO HAVE MEDICATION TO GO ALONG WITH THAT.

I BELIEVE THAT DOCTORS, LAWYERS, SENATORS AND LEGISLATORS CAN HELP DO THAT.

SO, YOU MAKING AND PASSING THAT BILL WILL HELP THOSE WHO ARE LIVING WITH THIS DIAGNOSIS TO BE ABLE TO LIVE A LIFE WITH INTENTION.

>> Reporter: BUT OTHERWISE, IT WAS ANOTHER SHORT DAY.

AS WE CLOSE OUT THE SECOND WEEK OF THE SESSION, WAITING FOR THE CHAMBERS TO RAMP UP LEGISLATION.

TOMORROW, GOVERNOR KEMP IS EXPECTED TO UNVEIL HIS MUCH-ANTICIPATED TORT REFORM LEGISLATION, AND LAWMAKERS CONVENE FOR DAY NINE.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SARAH.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS NOW ON HEALTH AND SAFETY RELATED ISSUES WITH TWO PEOPLE WITH MEDICAL BACKGROUNDS.

FIRST, REPUBLICAN SHARON COOPER OF MARIETTA, A FORMER NURSE, AND CHAIR OF THE HOUSE COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE.

ALSO ON THAT COMMITTEE IS DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE MICHELLE OWL OF JOHNS CREEK.

SHE'S AN ANESTHESIOLOGIST AND SERVES ON THE BUDGET AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS," BOTH OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE -- YOU BOTH HAVE SEVERAL BILLS, SO LET'S GET TO THEM.

YOU HAVE TWO BILLS FOCUSED ON GUN SAFETY.

LET'S START WITH THE ONE INVOLVING CHILDREN.

WHAT IS THE SAFE STORAGE ACT ALL ABOUT?

I BELIEVE YOU HAVE INTRODUCED IT BEFORE.

>> RIGHT.

THIS BILL PROBABLY SOUNDS FAMILIAR TO PEOPLE, BUT THIS ACT IS A BIPARTISAN BILL.

IT SEEKS TO ADDRESS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH OF KIDS AND TEENAGERS IN THIS COUNTRY, AND THAT IS GUN VIOLENCE.

ALL THIS BILL DOES IS SAY THAT ANY GUN THAT CAN BE ACCESSED BY A MINOR BE STORED SECURELY.

>> YOU HAVE A DEAL THAT DEALS WITH A SAFE STORAGE FIREARMS STORAGE TAX CREDIT.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> THIS IS HB- 2, AND THIS MAY ALSO SOUND FAMILIAR TO WATCHERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS OFFERS UP TO $300 TAX CREDIT FOR PURCHASE OF SAFE STORAGE CREDIT.

IT DOES NOT PUNISH OR ANYTHING, IT INCENTIVIZES RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNING BEHAVIOR.

>> WE KNOW THAT REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE MARK NEWTON HAS A SIMILAR BILL.

IT'S ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND YOU ARE GOING TO SIGN BOTH OF THEM.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, I BELIEVE IN WORKING IN A BIPARTISAN WAY, AND MICHELLE AND I WORK TOGETHER.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US, AND WHICH EVER BILL MOVES, WE'LL SUPPORT THAT BILL BECAUSE WE WANT THAT SAFETY FACTOR.

I TAUGHT PEDIATRIC NURSING, AND I CAN TELL YOU, IT'S PRETTY TRAUMATIZING TO EVERYBODY WHEN YOU HAVE A CHILD THAT HAS GOTTEN AHOLD OF A GUN, AND HAS EITHER SHOT THEMSELVES OR SHOT A SIBLING, AND THEY END UP IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

AND IF I CAN PREVENT THAT FROM EVER HAPPENING, YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE A BETTER WORLD, SO WE'RE WORKING TOWARD TRYING TO PREVENT THAT KIND OF ACCIDENT.

>> SO WITH TWO BILLS, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE ONE OF THEM WILL PASS.

WE MIGHT SEE SOMETHING?

>> WE HOPE SO.

>> ALL RIGHT THEN.

LET'S MOVE ON WITH YOU.

YOU ARE ALSO SPONSORING LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE HEALTH CARE PROVIDE TOERS SUPPLY GEORGIA'S MATERNAL MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE WITH PSYCHIATRIC OR CLINICAL INFORMATION.

SO PLAIN ALL OF THAT AND WHY YOU WANT THAT.

>> WELL, MORE AND MORE WE'RE FINDING THAT MOTHERS ARE HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS, AND SOME OF THEM ARE TAKING THEIR LIVES.

AND PEOPLE SEE A PSYCHIATRIST OR A PSYCHOLOGIST, THAT INFORMATION HAS BEEN VERY CAREFULLY PROTECTED.

BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHY SOMEBODY HAS TAKEN THEIR LIFE, AND IF THE PREGNANCY CAUSED THEM TO MAYBE MOVE UP TO THAT POSITION BECAUSE OF THE STRESS OF BEING A NEW MOTHER, WE NEED TO HAVE THE PSYCHIATRIC INFORMATION TO MAKE THAT KIND OF DECISION, TO KNOW WHETHER THE PROBLEMS THEY HAD WERE CAUSED BY THE PREGNANCY OR IF IT HAD BEEN GOING ON BEFORE, AND SO WE NEED THAT INFORMATION.

AND IT WILL BE HEAVILY PROTECTED.

>> SO THIS MATERNAL MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE LOOKS AT EVERYTHING, AND NOT MAYBE JUST FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, BUT AS A WHOLE WHAT MAY BE HAPPENING.

>> WELL, WE WANT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN HELP PREVENT.

I DON'T WANT MOTHERS TO BE SCARED, AND I THINK PEOPLE HAVE OVEREXAGGERATED HOW MANY DEATHS WE HAVE A YEAR.

I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE A SINGLE ONE, BUT WE DON'T --WE HAVE ABOUT 120,000 DELIVERIES A YEAR IN GEORGIA.

SOMETIMES IT'S 110,000, SOMETIMES IT'S 130,000.

UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE 30 TO 40 MOTHERS THAT DIE.

SOMETIMES IT'S PUT OUT WHERE IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF MOTHERS DYING, AND WE HAVE SCARED A LOT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AND BROWN MOTHERS TO DEATH TO WHERE THEY'RE TRYING TO SEEK A DELIVERY SOMEWHERE THAT'S MUCH MORE RISKY.

AND I REALLY HOPE THAT WE CAN HELP LET THEM KNOW THAT IT IS SAFE TO HAVE A DOCTOR AND COME TO THE HOSPITAL, THAT IT'S NOT AS SCARY AS THEY'VE BEEN LED TO BELIEVE.

>> YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS BILL?

>> YES, I DO.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

I'M GOING TO TURN BACK TO YOU, REPRESENTATIVE OWL.

YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF BILLS, MORE BILLS ON FIREARMS.

SO YOU HAVE ONE ON BACKGROUND CHECKS, THREE-DAY WAITING PERIODS FOR PURCHASES.

THESE ARE BILLS THAT YOU'VE ALSO PUT OUT THERE BEFORE.

THEY DIDN'T GET MUCH TRACTION.

FEEL ANY DIFFERENTLY THIS YEAR?

>> WHETHER OR NOT A BILL GETS TRACTION OR PASSES IS NOT SOLELY UP TO ME.

AS A MEMBER OF THE POLITICAL MINORITY, I RECOGNIZE THAT.

IT IS UP TO THE MAJORITY PARTY TO DECIDE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE OR NOT MOVE.

WHAT I HOPE THE PEOPLE RECOGNIZE IS THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BUT FOR EVERYONE IN GEORGIA.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO THE MAJORITY OF GEORGIANS TO WORK ON.

SO I'M HOPING THAT IN OUR WORK, THE SESSION THAT WE ADDRESS THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.

>> YOU CAN TELL YOU HAVE THE PASSION FOR IT.

SO YOU HAVE TO KEEP INTRODUCING IT AND INTRODUCING IT, YOU WILL.

>> IT TAKES PATIENCE TO GET STUFF DONE IN THIS BUILDING.

>> WE'LL TURN BACK TO YOU.

YOU HAVE A BILL TO PROTECT PETS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS.

TALK ABOUT HOW THIS CAME TO YOU.

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT PETS HAVE BECOME FAMILY MEMBERS IN OUR SOCIETY.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENS WHEN A HUSBAND AND A WIFE ARE HAVING MARITAL PROBLEMS, OFTEN ONE WAY TO TRY TO GET YOUR SPOUSE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO IS TO THREATEN, TO HARM THE PET OF THE FAMILY.

AND IT'S TERRIBLE.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S CHILDREN INVOLVED, AND THE THREAT IS MADE IN FRONT OF THEM THAT THEY'RE GOING TO KILL THE FAMILY DOG OR TAKE THE FAMILY DOG AWAY.

IT IS REALLY TRAUMATIC, AND WE'RE HAVING PETS HARMED.

AND SO WHEN A WOMAN GOES TO GET A TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE ORDER, MOST OF THE PEOPLE A WOMAN -- OCCASIONALLY A MAN, THEN THE JUDGE DECIDES WHAT THE PERSON CAN'T DO AROUND THAT PERSON.

AND SO WE JUST WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT IF YOU CAN'T COME ON YOUR WIFE'S PROPERTY OR YOUR HUSBAND'S PROPERTY OR YOU CAN'T, YOU KNOW, PICK THE CHILDREN UP FROM SCHOOL, WHATEVER IT SAYS, THAT IT ALSO SAYS THAT YOU HAVE TO STAY AWAY FROM THE FAMILY PETS.

>> OKAY.

AND I KNOW YOU'VE --YOU HAVEN'T DROPPED IT YET, BUT YOU'RE STILL GETTING SIGNERS?

>> THAT ONE DOESN'T HAVE A NUMBER YET.

>> YESTERDAY YOU WERE GETTING SIGNERS ON THAT ONE.

I WANT TO ASK ABOUT ANOTHER ONE.

YOU WANT GRADUATES OF FOREIGN COLLEGES TO BE ABLE TO BECOME LICENSED AS VETERINARIANS SO THAT THEY, YOU KNOW, SO THAT THEY CAN -- I GUESS THEY CAN'T AT THIS POINT.

YOU WANT THEM TO BE.

>> CERTAIN ONES THAT ARE APPROVED CAN GET A LICENSE, BUT THIS IS NOT FOR JUST REGULAR VETS.

HERE, AGAIN, PETS HAVE BECOME FAMILY MEMBERS.

AND PEOPLE WANT THEIR DOG, IF HE HAS CARDIAC PROBLEMS, TO BE ABLE TO GO TO A CARDIAC SPECIALIST, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

OR TO A NEUROLOGIST, A VET THAT SPECIALIZES.

AND THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH OF THOSE.

THEY ARE VERY RARE.

SO WE WANT A VET THAT HAS GONE TO AN INTERNSHIP IN AN AMERICAN APPROVED PROGRAM THAT HAS BECOME BOARD CERTIFIED IN VET CARDIOLOGY OR VET -- OKAY, LEGS, LUNGS, OR NEUROLOGY, WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO PRACTICE.

THE ASSOCIATION, THE VETERINARIAN ASSOCIATION.

AND THEY WOULD ONLY PRACTICE IN THEIR SPECIALTY AREA, WHICH WOULD BE LIKE CARDIOLOGY OR ORTHOPEDICS, SO IT'S THE ASSOCIATION WOULD LIKE THIS BILL TO MOVE, AND I WAS GLAD TO CARRY IT.

I HAVE A DEAR FRIEND THAT RUNS AN EMERGENCY ROOM, A VET SPECIALTY HOSPITAL, AND YOU CAN'T BELIEVE HOW BUSY THEY ARE.

AND LIKE I SAY, PETS ARE NOW FAMILY MEMBERS, AS WE SEE THEM.

WE WANT TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEM.

>> THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT GO TO ACCREDITED COLLEGES BUT CAN'T GET LICENSE IN THE FIELD.

>> NO, BECAUSE THEY DID GO TO A FOREIGN SCHOOL, BUT WHEN THEY COME INTO THE UNITED STATES, AND DO LIKE AN INTERNSHIP ATAT AMERICAN APPROVED SCHOOL, TO SPECIALIZE IN ONE AREA.

THEY CAN'T PRACTICE AS A REGULAR VET, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO ONLY PRACTICE AS A CERTIFIED AND BOARD CERTIFIED CARDIOLOGIST.

>> OKAY.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WE ARE NOT IGNORING YOU, YOU'RE STICKING AROUND WITH US.

I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND WE'LL KEEP UP WITH YOUR BILLS AND LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW THEY'RE DOING.

>> IT'S EARLY IN THE SESSION.

THERE ARE OTHER BILLS COMING.

>> I MAY HAVE YOU BACK ON THAT.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>>> COMING UP, WE'RE DEFENSIVING INTO THE HOT TOPIC OF RAISING TAXES ON CIGARETTES AND VAPING PRODUCTS.

PLUS, EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?

DON'T GO ANYWHERE.

YOU'RE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>>> THE LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT THE CAPITOL TODAY, AND TWO LAWMAKERS THAT WERE THERE JOIN ME NOW.

FIRST REPRESENTATIVE LONG TRAN.

ALSO BACK WITH US IS DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE MICHELLE AUL.

WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IN A MOMENT, BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF OTHER BILLS.

SO YOU BOTH ARE CO- SIGNERS, SPONSORS OF REPRESENTATIVE SAM PARKS' BILL THAT IS LEGISLATION TO INCREASE TAXES ON CIGARETTES AND VAPING PRODUCTS.

NOW, LET'S HEAR A FEW OF THE STATISTICS ON CIGARETTES, AND THESE ARE FROM THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION.

A TAX ON A PACK OF CIGARETTES NATIONALLY IS $1.98.

IN GEORGIA, IT'S JUST 37 CENTS.

AS A COMPARISON, IN NEW YORK, IT'S $5.

35, AND MISSOURI, WHICH IS THE ONLY STATE WITH LOWER RATE THAN GEORGIA, IT'S 17 CENTS.

AND SO LET'S START WITH YOU.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A CO-SPONSOR ON THIS?

>> WELL, AS YOU CAN SEE, GEORGIA HAS THE SECOND LOWEST TOBACCO TAX IN THE NATION.

SO ALL OF OUR STATES HAVE HIGHER TAXES.

AND ONE OF THE STATES THAT ADJUSTED TAXES MORE RECENTLY FOUND THAT THIS GENERATES MULTIPLE BENEFITS.

THE FIRST IS OBVIOUSLY IT GENERATES REVENUE FOR THE STATE TO BE REINVESTED IN PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CARE.

THE SECOND IS THAT IT DISINCENTIVIZES SMOKING.

WHEN THE PRICE GOES UP, IT MAKES IT LESS ATTRACTIVE TO PICK UP THIS BEHAVIOR.

AND YOUNGER SMOKERS ARE MOST SENSITIVE TO PRICE, MOST LIKELY TO FEEL IF A PRICE GOES UP, IT WILL DISSUADE THEM FOR PICKING UP THIS COSTLY BEHAVIOR.

SO WE GAIN A LOT OF LIFE YEARS, QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THESE PATIENTS WHO MAY ASSUME DECADES OF HARMFUL BEHAVIOR.

>> THE THING ABOUT THIS, WHEN YOU SEE NEW YORK, $5.

35, YOU KIND OF GET IT WHY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE A DETERRENT TO SOME PEOPLE.

SO YOU ARE ALSO A CO-SPONSOR ON A BILL DEALING WITH VAPING PRODUCTS, TOO.

I THINK YOU'RE BOTH MAYBE ON THAT ONE, TOO.

AND IT DEALS WITH --WE REALLY WANT --IT'S ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY GOES.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

THE MONEY RIGHT NOW GOES INTO THE ING BUDGET FOR THE STATE WHEN IT COMES TO CIGARETTES AND VAPING.

BUT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT GO ELSEWHERE, RIGHT?

>> I THINK WHAT MAKES SENSE AND WHAT HAS AN INTERNAL LOGIC IS IF WE ARE GENERATING INCREASED REVENUE FROM RAISING THIS TAX, THAT IT WILL REINVESTED INTO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM AND PREVENTATIVE HEALTH.

THAT SPEAKS TO PEOPLE IN TERMS OF WHY WE WOULD DO IT.

OF COURSE, I DON'T WANT TO FOCUS TOO MUCH ON THE REVENUE, BECAUSE THE GOAL IS NOT TO GENERATE REVENUE, IT'S TO HELP PEOPLE STOP SMOKING.

SO IN MY PERFECT WORLD, WE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PEOPLE SMOKING.

HOWEVER, WHEN WE DRAFT THESE BILLS, WE WANT TO MAKE IT AS PALPABLE AS POSSIBLE FOR STATES LIKE GEORGIA TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING WHICH CAN BE HARD IN THE POLITICAL SETTING, WHICH IS RAISING A TAX.

>> SO THERE'S TWO PARTS OF THIS.

ONE IS JUST LOOKING AT RAISING IT, ANOTHER IS LOOKING AT WHERE THE MONEY GOES, AND NOT INTO THE JEB FUND.

I WANT YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS.

WHY YOU WANTED TO BE A CO-SPONSOR.

>> SO WE NEED TO DETER OUR YOUNGER GENERATION.

THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW DANGEROUS VAPING IS.

THEY HAVE THIS MISCONCEPTION BECAUSE IT SMELLS AND TASTES SWEET, IT'S HEALTHY FOR YOU.

BUT IT'S WORSE.

THE NICOTINE STICKS TO YOUR LUNG AND CREATES A HIGHER LEVEL OF ADDICTION.

WE REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS THAT, BECAUSE IT'S A PROBLEM.

>> I KNOW YOU HAVE INTRODUCED THESE BILLS.

ANY TRACTION YOU THINK THIS YEAR?

>> I'M HOPING SO.

WE HAVE SEVERAL VERSIONS OH OF THIS BILL OUT.

REPRESENTATIVE PARK HAS A STRONG VERSION THAT I LIKE AND WE HAVE SUPPORTED IT.

WE ALSO HAVE A VERSION THAT IS HB-83 THAT DEALS WITH THE CIGARETTE TAX THAT HAS A BIPARTISAN ROSTER OR SPONSORS.

MOST OF THEM HAVE A HEALTH CARE BACKGROUND, SO THEY RECOGNIZE WHY THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

MOST OF THOSE OTHER SIGNERS ARE REPUBLICANS.

SO WE JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE BUT SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE AND WILL SAVE THE STATE A LOT OF MONEY.

>> OKAY.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP UP WITH THOSE BILLS.

LET'S GET INTO THE FUN STUFF.

YOU'RE LOOKING REALLY GOOD, AND I FEEL LIKE I'M REALLY UNDERDRESSED NEXT TO BOTH OF YOU.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT THE CAPITOL TODAY.

FOR PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT, EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED.

>> SO WE HAD OUR SECOND ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT THE CAPITOL.

IT WAS WELL ATTENDED AND WE BROUGHT OUT A LION DANCE TO WELCOME IN A BRAND NEW YEAR, AND WHEN YOU DO THIS DANCE, YOU BRING IN THE NEXT ANIMAL SIGN.

SO LAST YEAR WAS THE DRAGON, THIS YEAR'S THE SNAKE.

AND THE SNAKE'S CHARACTERISTICS ARE VERY GOOD VISION, THEY'RE VERY INTELLIGENT AND THEY MOVE VERY QUICKLY.

BUT WE HAVE FIVE ELEMENTS, AS WELL.

SO THIS YEAR IS THE WOOD SNAKE.

SO PART OF THAT IS SNAKES SHED THEIR SKIN, BECAUSE IT'S A WOOD SKIN, TREES SHED THEIR LEAVES THEY COME INTO THE NEW SEASON WITH NEW SKIN, NEW LEAVES AND READY TO BRING LOTS OF LUCK, HEALTH AND PROSPERITY.

>> SO I DIDN'T REALIZE SNAKES WERE SO SMART AND HAD SUCH GOOD VISION.

>> YEAH.

>> AND THEY ARE CALCULATING, RIGHT?

I HEAR THEY'RE A LOT MORE LOGICAL, THEY THINK, THEY DON'T POUNCE RIGHT AWAY.

>> CORRECT.

>> THOSE ARE ALL QUALITIES, RIGHT?

>> THOSE ARE QUALITIES I HOPE WE HAVE IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.

>> EXPLAIN ABOUT THE CHINESE CALENDAR FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND.

>> SO IT'S NOT BASED ON SAY THE GREGARIAN CALENDAR THAT THE BEST USES, BUT IT'S BASED ON THE LUNAR CYCLE.

IT'S ALL ABOUT HARVEST.

SO WHEN YOU HARVEST ALL THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, YOU KIND OF CELEBRATE WITH FAMILY.

YOU BRING EVERYONE IN.

SO YOU SPEND A WEEK WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN CELEBRATING THAT HARVEST.

THEN YOU KICK OFF THE NEXT CYCLE OF FARMING.

>> OKAY.

ARE THERE CERTAIN FOODS OR OTHER TRADITIONS?

>> I THINK EVERY ASIAN CULTURE HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT TRADITION.

I'M CHINESE, AND OFTENTIMES FOR NEW YEAR, WE EAT DUMPLINGS, WHICH SORT OF RESEMBLE BITS OF GOLD.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF WHAT WE TALK ABOUT IN THE NEW YEAR HAS TO DO WITH PROSPERITY AND WEALTH AND STOKING THAT FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

ANOTHER THING WE OFTEN EAT DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IS NOODLES, BECAUSE IT SYMBOLIZES A LONG LIFE.

SO IT'S BAD LUCK TO CUT THE NOODLES IN HALF.

>> I LOVE THAT.

I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT THE DUMPLINGS LOOKING LIKE GOLD.

>> THE VIETNAMESE AND CHINESE CULTURE SHARE A LOT OF SIMILARITIES.

ONE OF THE THINGS I FIND INTRIGUING, WHEN IT COMES TO THE FISH ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, YOU CANNOT FINISH THE FISH.

YOU HAVE TO CARRY IT TO THE NEXT YEAR.

>> HOW DO YOU NOT FINISH THE FISH?

>> EVERYONE HAS TO JUST LIKE -- >> LEAVE A LITTLE BIT.

>> LEAVE A LITTLE BIT.

>> YOU DON'T SAVE, SAVE IT.

THAT'S FASCINATING.

AND A LOT OF ASIAN CULTURES CELEBRATE THE LIEU UNAR NEW YEAR.

DID YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?

>> THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF THE AAPI CAUCUS THAT WE HAVE IN THE LEGISLATOR, BECAUSE WE ARE A VERY DIVERSE CAUCUS.

WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT ASIAN BACKGROUNDS.

SO IT'S NICE TO COME TOGETHER FROM ALL THESE DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND CELEBRATE SOMETHING COMMON TO MANY ASIAN CULTURES.

>> OMAHA NLY HAWAII HAS A LARGER APPI CAUCUS.

>> CALIFORNIA, AFTER THIS LAST CYCLE -- >> OH, REALLY?

SO THAT CHANGED.

>> WE UNFORTUNATELY DROPPED FROM 11 TO 10.

>> OKAY.

>> THEY'RE AHEAD OF US.

>> WE'LL GET THEM BACK.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT SAYS ABOUT GEORGIA, THAT --EVEN THIRD, THAT WE HAVE SUCH A LARGE ASIAN POPULATION?

>> I THINK IT SHOWS THE RAPIDLY CHANGING DEMOGRAPHIC OF GEORGIA.

BUT ALSO IT SHOWS THE FOUNDATION OF THE AAPI COMMUNITY THAT'S BEEN IN GEORGIA FOR DECADES.

YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN VISITING GEORGIA BEFORE I MOVED TO GEORGIA FROM OHIO SINCE THE MID '80s, BECAUSE I HAVE FAMILY LIVING HERE.

AND WE GOT TO A POINT WHERE OUR COMMUNITIES BECAME STABLE AND ENOUGH TO SUPPORT CANDIDATES AND GET THEM ELECTED.

>> YOU'RE FROM DONE UNWITTY, SO THAT'S DeKALB COUNTY.

>> IT'S OFTENTIME WHERE IS COMMUNITIES ARE CLUSTERED.

>> WHAT DOES IT SAY THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OF YOU THAT WANT TO BE A PART OF WHAT HAPPENS IN TERMS OF THE LAWS IN THIS STATE AND HOW THIS --THE STATE IS GOVERNED?

>> I THINK THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

OFTENTIMES WHEN PEOPLE SEE ASIAN LEGISLATORS, THEY -- IT'S UNUSUAL STILL, EVEN IN A STATE LIKE GEORGIA THAT IS SO DIVERSE.

AND PEOPLE OFTEN WILL QUESTION IF WE BELONG IN THIS COUNTRY OR IF WE ARE AS AMERICAN AS OTHER LEGISLATORS.

BUT WHAT COULD BE MORE AMERICAN THAN TAKING PART IN THIS MOST AMERICAN PROCESS, WHICH IS OUR GOVERNMENT.

SO WE WANT TO NOT ONLY REPRESENT OUR COMMUNITIES AS WE SERVE, BUT TO SHOW OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT THEY CAN DO THIS, TOO.

>> ANY THOUGHTS FROM YOU?

>> I WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE.

WE HAVE CONTINUED TO GROW AS A COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY WITH SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH GENERATIONS LIKE MICHELLE AND I.

WE WANT TO DO MORE THAN JUST WORK THE 9:00 TO 5:00 AND GET HOME.

WE WANT TO BE A PART OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY AND WHAT BETTER WAY THAN TO SERVE AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

>> I LOVE THAT.

I WONDER WHAT YOU BOTH ARE GOING TO BE DOING TO CELEBRATE THE REST OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, OR ARE YOU JUST EXHAUSTED?

>> I'M GOING TO CALL MY PARENTS, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO.

>> ALL ABOUT FAMILY.

>> AND I'M GOING TO DO SOME OF THE TRADITIONS WITH MY KIDS WHEN I GET HOME.

>> ARE YOU COOKING?

>> LET'S NOT GO NUTS.

>> OKAY.

AND WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> I'M NOT COOKING.

USUALLY I COOK FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR, BUT I YOUNGEST SON IS READY TO RUN AROUND AND COLLECT RED POCKETS AND HE WANTS TO GO TO THE FESTIVALS.

SO WE'LL GO TO THE FESTIVALS IN THE VIETNAMESE AND CHINESE COMMUNITIES.

>> TALK ABOUT THE RED POCKETS.

WE SAW THAT AT THE CAPITOL TODAY.

WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

>> IT HAS A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY IN IT TO BRING LUCK AND PROSPERITY.

SO YOU USUALLY, AS OLDER GENERATION, YOU GIVE IT TO THE KIDS, TO YOUR NIECES.

WISH THEM LUCK.

>> ALL RIGHTY.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR ALREADY.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT'S SHOW.

TOMORROW, OUR GUESTS WILL TALK ABOUT THE BILL TO KEEP TRANSGENDER GIRLS OUT OF GIRL'S SPORTS IS.

BUT ENJOY, ENJOY THE EVENING, AND THESE BEAUTIFUL PICTURES OF WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CAPITOL TODAY.