>>> THIS WILL BAN PUBERTY BLOCKERS IN MINORS AND THE REASON WE MADE THAT CHANGE IS WE FOUND THAT NUMBER ONE, PUBERTY BLOCKERS ALMOST 100% GO AHEAD TO MAKE SEX CHANGE IRREVERSIBLE CHANGES RELATED TO SEX HORMONES AND SEX CHANGE SURGERIES.

>> I AM DEEPLY DISTURBED BY THE ARGUMENT AND THIS NOTION THAT PUBERTY BLOCKERS ARE A PATHWAY DIRECTLY TO SEX CHANGES BECAUSE WE KNOW FOR A FACT THAT SEX CHANGES ARE NOT LEGAL IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA FOR MINORS.

>> THE HEATED DEBATE OVER NEW AMENDMENT BANNING PUBERTY BLOCKERS FOR MINORS SEEKING END JER TRANSITION.

GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWERY.

SHE WE WILL HAVE MORE DEALING WITH PUBERTY BLOCKERS COMING UP.

IT IS STILL LEGAL IN GEORGIA TO PAY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS LITTLE AS 22 CENTS AN HOUR AND THE LEGISLATION TO CHANGE THAT HAS GARNERED OVERWHELMING SUPPORT.

GOLD DOME IN THE AREA OF TORT REFORM.

THEY ARE LAWS THAT GOVERN PERSONAL INJURY CASES.

THE GOVERNOR'S LEADER TALKS ABOUT IT AND A FEW BUDGET ITEMS DEALING WITH EDUCATION INCLUDING MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR MORE CHILDREN TO HAVE ACCESS TO PRE-K. ALSO, SEVERAL BILLS ARE LOOKING TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR HOME FROM HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION TAXES TO PREVENTING REAL ESTATE FRAUD.

THE LAWMAKER JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT THOSE ISSUES AND ANOTHER LAWMAKER WILL EXPLAIN LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE PERSON ACCUSED TO HEAR EVIDENCE ABOUT THEM AS IT IS PRESENTED TO A GRAND JURY, BUT FIRST, LET'S GET THE LATEST FROM THE CAPITOL FROM OUR SARA CALAS.

>> THEY REACTED TO A CONTROVERSIAL AMENDMENT TO A BILL.

>> A COUPLE OF SPECIAL APPEARANCES IN THE SENATE THIS MORNING.

LONGTIME DEMOCRATIC HOUSE MEMBER AND FORMER SPEAKER LARRY WALKER AND THE GEORGIA STATE AMATEUR GOLF TROPHY.

WALKER WAS HERA A GUEST OF HIS SON.

>> IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE BEEN TO THE CAPITOL.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PLACE IT IS.

A LOT OF IMPROVEMENT'S BEEN MADE AND I'M GLAD TO BE HERE AND I'VE SEEN SO MANY OLD FRIENDS AND I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD COME UP HERE AND SEE A FELLOW THAT'S BEEN TRYING TO IMITATE ME OR DO SOMETHING.

HE CALLS HILLS, WHERE IS HE?

THERE HE IS BACK THERE.

THIS IS THE REAL LARRY WALKER RIGHT HERE.

>> THE TROPHY, WHICH WAS FIRST WON BY BOBBY JONES IN 1916 AT THE TENDER AGE OF 14 WAS THERE TO PROMOTE GOLF DAY AT THE CAPITOL.

>> GOLF ACTUALLY HAS A $5.3 BILLION TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT SUPPORTING 55,000 JOBS, 259 MILLION STATE AND LOCAL TAXES AND $2.7 BILLION IN LABOR INCOME FOR OUR STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> THEN IT WAS ON TO THE RULES CALENDAR WHERE SEVEN HOUSE BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS WERE PASSED ENCOMPASSING EVERYTHING FROM RETIREMENT FUND MANAGEMENT CREATING THE STATE'S HIGH DEMAND JOB LIST TO MAINTAINING SAFE FACILITIES AND HB-985.

THIS BILL WOULD DISSOLVE THE GEORGIA HIGHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE CORPORATION FROM THE STATE LEDGER.

>> IT WAS CREATED IN STATUTE TO SUPPORT SOURCING OF FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PROGRAMS THAT HAVE NOW BEEN TERMINATED, ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR THE EXISTENCE OF THE CORPORATION.

>> AND THE DMV GOT SOME LOVE TODAY WITH HB-1100 WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO MAKE MANY OF ITS NOTIFICATIONS TO MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS THROUGH ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION POTENTIALLY SAVING THE STATE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AS WELL AS HB-1303 COMMEMORATING THE GATTISON FLAG, THE SANFORD UNIVERSITY ALUMNI AND THE DELTA CIGNA THETA SORORITY.

BEN WATSON ALSO SPOKE TO LAWMAKERS TODAY ABOUT AN AMENDMENT PASSED MONDAY IN HIS COMMITTEE.

THE UNRELATED AMENDMENT WOULD BAN PUBERTY BLOCKERS FOR TRANSGENDER PUBERTY BLOCKERS.

>> THEY ALMOST GO AHEAD TO MAKE SEX CHANGE IRREVERSIBLE CHANGES RELATED TO SIKHS HORMONES AND SEX CHANGE SURGERIES.

SO WE HAVE FOUND THAT IF THEY DON'T GET PUBERTY BLOCKERS THAT ABOUT HALF CHOOSE NOT TO, SO WE HAVE TO LET THE FRONTAL LOBES OF A YOUNG PERSON'S BRAIN TO MATURE AND THEY STILL NEED SERVICES FROM THAT STANDPOINT, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED SO THEY CAN HELP THEM MAKE A DECISION WHEN THEY ARE ADULTS.

>> CRITICS OF THE AMENDMENT SAY THEY WERE BLIND SIDED BY THE ADDITION.

>> LAST YEAR WE MADE IT A LAW IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA THAT NO MINOR CAN RECEIVE A SEX CHANGE NOR CROSS-CHANGE HORMONES.

ANY NOTION THAT A CHILD WILL BE PUT ON PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND THEN AROUND AND GET A SEX CHANGE THAT'S JUST NOT HAPPENING BECAUSE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

WE'VE ALREADY MADE THAT LAW, SO I'M DEEPLY DISTURBED BY THE ARGUMENT AND THIS NOTION THAT PUBERTY BLOCKERS ARE A PATHWAY DIRECTLY TO SEX CHANGES.

>> THE HOUSE ALSO TOOK UP A LAUNDRY LIST OF BILLS.

SB-430 WOULD KEEP COVID-19 LIABILITY LAWS IN PLACE FOR GEORGIA BUSINESSES AND WOULD REMOVE A NEED FOR A SIGN.

THE BILL PASSED 146-27.

ANOTHER BILL AIMS TO ALLOW INTERSTATE FOSTER CHILD PLACEMENT IN SOME SITUATIONS.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT HOW LONG IT TAKES.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BARRIERS TO ADOPTION.

I HOPE THAT YOU VOTE YES FOR THIS BILL, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO TELL YOU ABOUT ONE OF THE ICPC APPLICATIONS THAT I DID.

THERE WERE TWO CHILDREN IN CUSTODY IN GEORGIA AND THEY FOUND A GRANDMOTHER IN HAWAII.

I DID THE APPLICATION.

I LOBBIED TO TAKE THE CHILDREN MYSELF.

I WAS DENIED, BUT TO WATCH THOSE KIDS GO FROM FOSTER CARE TO A BEACH IN HAWAII WAS ONE OF HIELS OF MY CAREERS.

>> SB-483 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND A LONGTIME MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE ROGER BRUCE ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT TODAY.

HE'S REPRESENTED ATLANTA FOR OVER TWO DECADES.

>> WE'VE COME A LONG WAY, BUT WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> LATER IN THE DAY, THE FOURTH ANNUAL HBCU HERITAGE DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF GEORGIA'S NINE HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, NOT ONLY FOR THE STATE BUT FOR THE NATION.

>> TODAY OUR HBCUs ARE THE CAMPUS OF CHOICE FOR SO MANY ACROSS OUR STATE AND ALSO ACROSS OUR COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THEIR RICH LEGACY, CULTURE, BUT ALSO PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS.

WE ARE PROUD GEORGEA HAS PLAYED SUCH A LARGE ROLE IN THAT LEGACY WITH GRADUATES OVER THE HBCUs TO OVERCOME LEADERS NOT ONLY IN POLITICS, BUT BUSINESS, THE ARTS, S.T.E.M., RELIGION AND EVERY WALK OF AMERICAN LIFE.

>> ALSO TODAY, DEMOCRATIC SENATORS ALINA PARENT AND SALLY HERALD HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ADVOCATE FOR DONNA'S LAW.

DONNA'S LAW NAMED AFTER A WOMAN WHO DIED BY SUICIDE, WILL ALLOW THEMSELVES TO PLACE THEMSELVES ON A VOLUNTARY NO-FLY LIST.

>> IT IS PREVENTION AND A LIFELINE TO THOSE THAT ARE VULNERABLE TO SELF-HARM AND IT GIVES THE INDIVIDUALS THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE TO HELP THEMSELVES SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE.

>> LAWMAKERS RETURNED TO THE CAPITOL TOMORROW FOR DAY 35 WHERE THEY WILL HONOR THE LATE SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON ON HIS BIRTHDAY.

THAT'S ALL FOR MY CAPITOL REPORT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SARAH, FOR THAT REPORT.

IT'S CRUNCH TEAM AT THE CAPITOL AND PUSH TIME FOR HEARINGS TO GET LEGISLATION FOR A COUPLE OF CHAMBERS.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENT OF SHARON COOPER OF MARRIETTA IS CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE AND GEORGE YNS ARE GETTING PENNIES AN HOUR AND SHE GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE BILL ESTABLISHED SERVE YEARS AGO THAT ESTABLISHED A NON-PROFIT FOR THE PHARMACY.

>> IT'S THE PHARMACY THAT HAS MEDICINES THAT WILL BE DETROYED, GOOD MEDICINES AND WE DISTRIBUTE THEM FOR PEOPLE IN NEED AND CAN'T AFFORD THEIR MEDICINES.

THEY HAVE NOW FOR SEVEN YEARS HAVE FILLED 800,000 PRESS CORRUPTIONS TO THE TUNE OF MEDICINES THAT WOULD HAVE COST $64 MILLION AND THEY HAVE GIVEN THEM TO PATIENTS IN NEED ACROSS GEORGIA FOR ABOUT $6 FOR A 90-DAY SUPPLY.

I AM SO PROUD OF THEM.

WE ARE EXPANDING BECAUSE THEY ARE EXPANDING AND IF PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THEM, IT'S AN HONOR SYSTEM, ABOUT FIVE MINUTES OF AN INTAKE THEN THEY WOULD GO TO GOODBUILD.ORG AND THEY'RE DOING TWO GOOD THINGS.

THEY'RE PUTTING MEDICINES THAT ARE PERFECTLY GOOD AND WOULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED TO USE AND THEY'RE HELPING GEORGIANS WHO CANNOT AFFORD THEIR PRESS CORRUPTIONS.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING ON THIS?

>> WELL, I WROTE THE BILL.

SEVEN YEARS AGO, AND THEY HAD TO MOVE TWICE FOR SPACE HERE BECAUSE IT'S ALL MAIL ORDER.

THEY DON'T DO IN-SERVICE, THEY'VE CONTACTED ALL, BUT THREE COUNTIES AND THEY JUST KEEP GROWING AND GROWING AND IT'S A NON-PROFIT, AND I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM AND I'M PLEASED BECAUSE I DID THE BILL.

>> YOU SHOULD BE.

YOU WORKED VERY HARD AND YOU'RE CHANGING LIVES.

YOU HAVE A BILL THAT WOULD CHANGE LIVES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, TOO, THAT IS MOVING THROUGH.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> WELL, I WAS APPALLED TO LEARN THAT THERE WAS A BILL THAT WAS SUPPORTED BY A FEDERAL LAW DONE IN 1938 THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO LET PEOPLE PAY SUDDEN MINIMUM WAGES TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHILE THEY CAME AND THESE GROUPS TAUGHT THEM HOW TO DO JOBS AND THEN SENT THEM OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY.

INSTEAD, A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE KEPT THEM INHOUSE WHERE IT WAS ALMOST LIKE SWEAT SHOTS AND PAID AS LOW AS 22 CENTS AN HOUR.

THERE USED TO BE 80 OR 90 OF THESE ACROSS GEORGIA AND WE ARE DOWN TO A FAUZ OUT AND THERE IS FEDERAL MONEY, AND PHASE IT OUT AND GET DISABLED PEOPLE BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

>>.

>> YOU HAVE THE 911 EMERGENCY BILL AND THAT WAS PASSED TEN YEARS AGO RMGS AND IF YOU FIND SOMEBODY THAT'S DOING DRUGS OR EVEN IF YOU'RE DOING DRUGS YOURSELF OR ALCOHOL DRINKING, CALL 911 AND STAY WITH THAT AMERICAN UNTIL HELP ARRIVES, WE WILL NOT CHARGE YOU EVEN THOUGH YOU WERE DOING DRUGS YOURSELF.

THAT DOES NOT COUNT FOR DRUG DEALERS.

THEY GET THE FULL RIDE, BUT IF YOU'RE JUST A COLLEGE STUDENT DOING DRUGS WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS AND I WOULD SAY TO ANYBODY DOING THIS, PLEASE TALK TO YOUR STUDENTS ABOUT THIS, START IN HIGH SCHOOL OR JUNIOR HIGH AND DRUGS ARE BECOMING SUCH A PROBLEM.

HALF OF THEM HAVE FENTANYL IN THEM AND IT'S SO DEADLY, BUT WE DO WANT TO KEEP THEM ALIVE AND BY HAVING THIS 911 AMNESTY BILL, IT'S A WAY THAT WE DO IT AND IT'S WORKING AND ONE GROUP THAT SEBDZS NARCAN ALL OVER THE STATE AND HAS RESPONSES FROM PEOPLE THEY SEND IT TO AND THEY'RE NOW GOING TO 11,000 PEOPLE AND THEY SAID THE NARCAN YOU SENT ME SAVED A LIFE.

MY SON, THIS OR THAT ORE ONE OF HIS FRIENDS AND KNOWING ABOUT THIS LAW.

>>Y I WANT TO THANK CHAIR COOPER AND SHE HAS THE SALE OF NARCAN IN VENDING MACHINES.

>> IT DID PASS TODAY IN THE INSURANCE AND SENATE COMMITTEE.

>> DAWSONVILLE ALSO PRESENTED ON INSURANCE AND LABOR THIS AFTERNOON.

HE'S ONE OF THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERS AND I TALKED TO HIM THIS MORNING ABOUT HIS BILL TO COLLECT DATA FROM SOME INSURERS TO HELP WITH TORT REFORM.

>> I'M EXCITED THAT I'M ABLE TO WORK WITH SOMETHING I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT.

SINCE THE COVIDEN FEKZ, WITH GEORGIA AS IT RELATES TO TORT AND LITIGATION, WE REALLY WANT TO TACKLE WHAT'S THE BEST INTEREST FOR HARDWORKING GEORGIANS RELATED TO, HOW DO WE FIGURE OUT WHAT COMPONENT OF THE PRICE INCREASES THAT GEORGIANS ARE EXPERIENCING ARE RELATED TO TORT ISSUES.

SO TODAY I'M PRESENTING AT 2:00 IN THE SENATE COMMITTEE.

HOUSE BILL 114 HAD PASSED ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY ON THE HOUSE SIDE TO WHERE WE'RE GOING TO EMPOWER THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO STUDY AND BIFURCATE THOSE COST COMPONENTS THAT ARE DRIVING UP INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND GIVE US GREAT IDEAS AND NOT JUST KAUNT TATIVE INFORMATION SO WE CAN MAKE REALLY GOOD COMPONENTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF TORT.

PED CAL MALPRACTICE, SLIP AND FALL AND ALL OF THOSE, HAVE DIFFERENT MANNERS SO WE HAVE DATA TO BACK THAT UP SO THAT THE TRIAL ATTORNEYS WANT TO DO TO PROTECT THE HARD CASE SITUATIONS AND ALSO TO ENSURE THAT CUSTOMERS BUYING INSURANCE CAN HAVE COVERAGE.

I HAVE A CLIENT BACK HOME THAT'S A COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVER.

THEY HAVE TRUCKS AND HAVE BUSINESS IN INDIANA AND IT'S $900 PER TRUCK IN INDIANA.

THAT, IN MY OPINION, HAS BEEN DRIVEN BASED ON THE LITIGIOUSNESS GOING ON IN OUR STATE.

WE WANT TO ADDRESS GOVERNOR KEMP AND IT'S A PRIORITY FOR HIM AND I WANT IT PASSED IN THE SENATE.

>> FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND, THESE ARE THE MONETARY AWARDS THAT ARE GIVEN OUT AND PEOPLE SAY SO AND SO GOT A LOT OF MONEY, BUT IN THE END IT COMES BACK ON THE CONSUMER.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> ANY TIME THAT HAPPENS, IT BECOMES A RISK BY ACTUARIAL FIRMS TO DETERMINE HOW DO THEY PRICE THIS AND SO IF THERE'S A HUGE SUM THAT ENDS UP GETTING PRICED INTO THE MARKET FOR ANYBODY, AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT A DAMPER ON THAT SITUATION SO THAT GEORGIANS CAN HAVE SOMETHING THAT WILL BE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> THE OTHER SIDE IS WHEN PEOPLE ARE HURT OR INJURED THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE COMPENSATED.

THE INTENT IS THAT WE'RE SEPARATING THE TRUE SITUATIONS VERSUS THE FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS OR QUITE FRANKLY WHEN PEOPLE ARE DOING THINGS IN THE CAR THEY SHOULDN'T DO LIKE TEXTING AND DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE FORCED TO SETTLE.

THAT SETTLEMENT DRIVES UP COSTS FOR EVERYBODY SO WE HAVE TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO TURN THE TIDE ON THIS INCREASING BURDEN ON OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> SO SO FAR LET'S SWITCH GEARS A LITTLE BIT.

SO FAR THE HOUSE HAS PASSED THE FISCAL 2025 BUDGET.

>> YEAH.

>> AND THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN THERE THAT THE GOVERNOR WANTED.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> CERTAINLY, I APPRECIATE GOVERNOR KEMP AND HE'S NEAR AND DEAR TO ME AND HE IS A FORMER SCHOOL BOARD, AND IT WILL ADD $2500 THAT WILL TAKE US TO $9500 IN TEACHER RAISES.

OUR EDUCATORS ARE VALUED IN THIS STATE AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE STARTING SALARY THAT WILL BE THE HIGHEST IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES.

I AM JUST VERY THRILLED THAT GOVERNOR KEMP HAS LED ON THIS ISSUE AND SPEAKER BURNS AND THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN DUMNICK ON THE HOUSE EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS HAS BEEN SUPPORTEDED AND SO WE'RE DOING LOTS OF GREAT THING THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR IS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PRE-K TEACH TEACHERS ARE PAID A COMPARABLE SALARY TO'S KIND ERR GARDEN DIETCHER AND WE'LL THAT WITHIN THE CONFINES AND THEY'RE CURRENTLY IN SURPLUS THERE AND THAT WILL MAKE SURE WE CAN FILL IN THE GAP FOR PRE-Ks ACROSS THE STATE AND WE'LL PUT IN CAPITAL OUTLAY SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE THE PRIVATE PROVIDERS WORKING WITH DECAL WELL AS THOSE WITH PRE-K SPACE.

WE'LL PUT THE MONEY WHERE THE NEED IS TO CHANGE LIVES IN GEORGIA.

>> YOU'RE LOOKING TO REDUCE CLASS SIZES AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CLASSES.

>> BOTH.

IT'S NOT GOING TO JUST INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SPACES.

WE ARE GOING TO ALSO GET TO A SMALLER PER CLASS ENROLLMENT.

SO GO FROM 22 STUDENTS DOWN TO 20 WHICH IS WHAT IT WAS BEFORE GREAT RECESSION.

>> MY THANKS TO REPRESENTATIVE WILL LEAD FOR THAT INTERVIEW.

THE DATA ANALYSIS FOR TORT REFORM ACT, IT PASSED ALONG THIS AFTERNOON ALSO IN THE SENATE INSURANCE AND LABOR COMMITTEE.

WELL, COMING UP, MORE BILLS THAT WILL AFFECT YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE.

TWO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE JOIN US IN THE STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT THEIR LEGISLATION.

SO STAY WITH US.

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

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

AFTER ALL, AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER 74 BILLION IN OUTPUT IN GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY AND THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT GEORGIA ACROSS THE STATE CAPITAL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWERY.

WE WILL DIG RIGHT IN TO A VARIETY OF ISSUES WITH OUR GUEST SO LET'S GET TO IT.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE PATTY MARIE STENSON OF BUTLER IS JOINING US.

SHE'S THE VICE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING AND STATE AFFAIRS.

ALSO REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE MATT REEVES OF DULUQUE.

HE'S VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE REEVES, YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF BILLS THAT FOCUS ON THE HOMESTEAD EXTENSION TAX.

TELL US ABOUT THEM.

>> HOME OWNERSHIP AND THE AMERICAN DREAM IN GEORGIA SHE HAS A PROUD HISTORY OF HOME OWNERSHIP AND I'M IN GWINNETT COUNTY AND WE HAVE 125,000 UNOCCUPIED HOMES AND AS I WAS OUT IN SUGAR HILL RUNNING FOR THE HOUSE, FOLKS SAID THEY WANTED SOME TAX RELIEF.

I GOT STARTED LAST YEAR AND WORKING WITH DEMOCRATS AND WE PUT TOGETHER AND OTHER 20 REPRESENTATIVES AND I GOT THIS ENACTED LAST YEAR.

THERE WAS A BALLOT QUESTION, TWO OF THEM IN GWINNETT THIS YEAR AND THE FIRST WOULD DOUBLE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IN GWINNETT AND THE FIRST TIME IT'S BEEN INCREASED SINCE THE 1980s.

THE SECOND GIVES ADDITIONAL MONEY TO NURSES AND THOSE WHO WORK IN THE HOSPITAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL AND THOSE MIDDLE INCOME HOMEOWNERS AND WORKING PEOPLE WHO WERE REALLY FEELING THE HEAT WITH THE HOME OWNERSHIP COST INCREASES THAT WE HAVE WHEN WE KEEP THE AMERICAN DREAM ALIVE AND WELL AND THE SECOND BIGGEST COUNTY IN GEORGIA AND THE COUNTY WITH THE MOST KIDS IN SCHOOL.

WE HAVE 200,000 KIDS IN SCHOOL AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE OF FAMILIES AND TEACHERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR YEARS TO COME IN GWINNETT COUNTY.

>> DON'T YOU HAVE A BILL STATEWIDE, TOO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THANK SPEAKER BURNS TO HELP ME TO WORK ON THIS.

IT'S IN THE SENATE.

HOUSE BILL 1019 WOULD INCREASE THE STATEWIDE HOMESTEAD EXTENSION FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1978.

>> WOW.

>> NEARLY 50 YEARS SINCE THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE AND THIS WILL RAISE THE BAR FOR TAX HOMEOWNERS STATEWIDE.

>> PEOPLE LIKE TO HEAR TAX RELIEF.

>> REPRESENTATIVE STENSON, YOU HAVE HOUSE BILL 1417 THAT WOULD ALLOW THE ACCUSED PERSON TO BE IN THE GRAND JURY ROOM WHEN THE EVIDENCE IS PRESENTED IN THEIR CASE.

SO TALK ABOUT THIS.

BEGIN WITH HOW YOU BECAME INVOLVED IN THIS.

WHAT INTERESTED YOU?

>> WHAT INTERESTED ME, LAST SPRING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SESSION I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN A COURTROOM IN MY DISTRICT AND THERE WERE JUST SEVERAL THINGS THAT I OBSERVED THAT WAS VERY CONCERNING TO ME, AND SO I STARTED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND ASKED QUESTIONS AND THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS THAT I RECEIVED LED ME TO INTRODUCE THIS BILL.

HOUSE BILL 1417 WHICH MAINLY JUST STATES BEFORE THE GRAND JURY CAN MOVE ON INDICTING THE CASE OR NOT TO INDICT A CASE THAT THEY WILL HEAR FROM THE DEFENSE BECAUSE CURRENTLY IN GEORGIA, GRAND JURIES ARE ONLY HEARING FROM PROSECUTION.

THEY ARE INDICTING CASES SOLELY OFF THE INFORMATION THAT THEY ARE RECEIVING FROM THE PROSECUTION, AND I JUST BELIEVE HOUSE BILL 1417 WILL -- IS A METHOD OF FAIRNESS.

IT WOULD GIVE EVERY PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THEIR CASE BEFORE THE GRAND JURY.

SO THE GRAND JURY WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM BOTH SIDES SO THEY CAN MAKE A VERY INFORMED, WELL-EDUCATED DECISION ON WHETHER TO TRUE BILL THIS CASE OR NO BILL.

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR ANYONE IN PARTICULAR.

IT'S JUST A METHOD OF FAIRNESS FOR ME FOR ALL OF GEORGIA.

THE GRAND JURY NEEDS TO HEAR FROM BOTH SIDES BEFORE THEY MAKE A VERY IMPORTANT DECISION ON SOMEONE'S FUTURE, SOMEONE'S LIFE, YOU KNOW.

THEIR FAMILY'S FUTURE, YOU KNOW?

IT'S JUST THE PURPOSE OF HOUSE BILL 1417.

>> OKAY.

I'M GLAD YOU TOLD US ABOUT IT AND WE'LL KEEP UP WITH WHERE IT GOES ON THAT.

>> SURE.

>> I WANT TO GET BACK TO SO MUCH WITH YOU GUYS.

I'M SWITCHING BACK TO YOU, YOU HAVE RAY BILL THAT YOU CO-SPONSORED, THE BIPARTISAN CALLED THE REAL ESTATE FRAUD PREVENTION BILL WHEN SOMEONE CAN ILLEGALLY OBTAIN A DEED.

SO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT'S ALL ABOUT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

HOUSE BILL 1292 REPRESENTATIVE GABE McCOY WAS WORKING ON THIS.

HE FIGHTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE CAUCUS LEADER BRUCE WILLIAMS ASKED ME TO WORK WITH HIM AND WE GOT WITH THE SUPERIOR COURT CLERKS AND THEY'RE THE ONES WHO RECEIVE THE DEEDS.

WE FOUND A LOT OF FRAUDULENT DEEDS WERE COMING IN THE MAIL.

LAWYERS, BANKERS AND REALTORS, PEOPLE WITH A LICENSE, THEY CAN CONTINUE TO FILE DEEDS EITHER IN THE MAIL OR AT THE COUNTER, BUT THESE FOLKS WHO WERE DOING THESE FRAUDULENT DEEDS, THEY HAVE TO E-FILE WHERE THEY HAVE TO GIVE A BUNCH OF INFORMATION TO CLERKS AND THAT WILL GIVE A PAPER TRAIL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO INVESTIGATE AND APPREHEND THESE FRAUDSTERS WHO ARE PREYING ON OUR SENIOR CITIZENS AND I THINK IT WILL HELP GET REAL ESTATE FRAUD OUT OF GEORGIA.

>> WE'VE HAD SOME BIG NEWS STORIES DONE ABOUT THAT.

I WILL TURN BACK TO YOU.

IS THERE A BILL THAT DEALS WITH LICENSE PLATES.

ESPECIALLY FOR THE SHEP END CENTER AND I WAS ABLE TO AUTHOR THE LEGISLATION AND TAKE IT THROUGH THE PROCESS TO THE SHEPHERD CENTER TO COMMEMORATE THEIR 50th ANNIVERSARY.

THEY DO GREAT WORK HERE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND WE HAVE FAMILIES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY COMING TO ATLANTA, GEORGIA TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SERVICES THAT THE SHEPHERD CENTER PROVIDES FOR SPINAL CORD INJURY PATIENTS AND I AM JUST REALLY EXCITED AND ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PURCHASE A SHEPHERD CENTER'S LICENSE PLATE ONCE IT'S ALL COMPLETE.

>> THEY'RE DEFINITELY KNOWN WORLDWIDE.

>> WORLDWIDE.

>> YEAH.

>> REPRESENTATIVE REEVES, YOU ARE AMONG A TWO-DOZEN SENATORS WHO SUPPORT THE BILL THAT DEALS WITH SWATTING, THIS IS WHEN SOMEBODY MAKES A PRANK CALL AND HAS LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOW UP AT THIS.

CLINT AND I ARE WORKING ON THIS AND HE REPRESENTS SWANNY AND HE ASKED ME TO WORK ON IT AND IT PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND WE AD DED A MEASURE FOR DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS.

IT WILL MAKE NEIGHBORHOODS SAFER FROM THESE TWO THINGS AND ALSO HOUSES OF WORSHIP AND THE CAPITAL.

THEY HAVE THE SWATTING LAW AND THE TERRIBLE CRIME WHERE IT'S A FALSE ALARM AND PUTTING LAW ENFORCEMENT IN DANGER AND WE NEED TO STOP THAT IN GEORGIA.

>> WE HAVE SENATORS AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AS WE WRAP UP, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU THIS SUMMER AND THAT IS YOU GOT MARRIED.

WE'LL SHOW VIDEO OF IT AND IT HAPPENED AT THE CAPITOL.

TELL US WHY THAT HAPPENED.

>> I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER FOR 12 YEARS AND THE CAPITOL IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE FOR ME AND SO MANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT THE CAPITOL, AND MY HUSBAND AND I DECIDED TO HOST THE WEDDING THERE AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THE WEDDING TO SEE THEIR STATE CAPITOL.

SO I WAS SO EXCITED THAT SO MANY PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO BE PRESENT.

>> THE THING I LOVE SIDE THE PEOPLE WHO WERE DRIVING IN FROM YOUR DISTRICT WHO CAME AROUND AND LOOKED AT EVERYTHING AND YOU HAD THE CEREMONY RIGHT THERE AT THE MLK STATUE.

>> RIGHT THERE.

RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF THE DR. KING STATUE.

>> AT THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

>> AT THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANKS FOR SHARING THAT WITH US AND THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW, BOTH OF YOU AND THE DAYS ARE COUNTING DOWN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THESE LAST FINAL -- THESE FINAL DAYS?

>> SECOND-CHANCE WORKFORCE ACT.

THAT WILL KEEP DRIVER'S LICENSE IN PEOPLE'S HANDS.

IF THEY DON'T HAVE A DUI OR A CHILD SUPPORT ISSUE AND IF IT'S A LOW-LEVEL MISDEMEANOR AND ALSO, PEND TENDING THE SAFER HOSPITALS ACT IN HOUSE BILL 926 THAT GEORGIA NURSES LOVED THE SAFER HOSPITALS ACT THAT I SPONSORED LAST YEAR AND THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, AND THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE.

THEY WANT TO GET PROTECTION FROM THE SAFER HOSPITAL'S ACT AND THAT'S INCLUDED IN HOUSE BILL 926 FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORKFORCE.

>> IT PASSED LAST YEAR, BUT YOU ADDED MORE TO IT.

>> YES.

>> AND THAT WILL DO WHAT?

>> IT MAKE SURE THAT THE LARGE CAMPUS THAT THE CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE IS BUILT ON 285 AND EGGELSTON THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROTECTIONS THAT HOSPITALS THAT SERVE ADULTS DO.

>> IT'S BEEN PRETTY SCARY.

WE'VE HAD SOME INCIDENTS WHERE IT'S BEEN SCARY.

>> TEACHERS ARE PROTECTED, LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUS DRIVERS, BUT THOSE DOCTORS AND NURSES WHO ARE CARING FOR PEOPLE AT THE HOSPITAL, THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR SAFETY AND THE SAFER HOSPITALS ACT IS KEEPING THEM SAFE.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEGISLATION AND BEING HERE.

THAT DOES IT TONIGHT FOR "LAWMAKERS."

TOMORROW ON THE SHOW MY SITDOWN INTERVIEW WITH GEORGIA AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER TYLER HARPER.

HE TALKS ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM FORTIFYING THE STATE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN TO HEMP FARMING AND MORE AND HE'LL TALK ABOUT AI, TOO.

UNTIL THEN, GOOD NIGHT.