>>> SMALL BUSINESS PERSON, YOU HEAR THIS TALK ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYEES, THEY'RE MY FAMILY.

I WENT THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

I WORKED MY BUTT OFF WITH MY EMPLOYEES FACING COVID, RISKING MY LIFE SO THAT I COULD KEEP MY EMPLOYEES WORKING.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT EMPLOYEES WANT TO DO?

THEY WANT TO FREAKING WORK.

>> STATE REPRESENT CASEY CARPENTER ON WHY HE FAVORS THE CONTINUATION OF A LAW THAT WHO GET THE CORONAVIRUS FROM SUING THE BUSINESSES WHERE THEY CONTRACT IT.

GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS," I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

ON THIS LEGISLATIVE DAY 14, WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OVER THAT LEGISLATION TO PROTECT BUSINESSES FROM LAWSUITS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ANOTHER BILL DEALING WITH THE VIRUS HAS GAINED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IF IN THE PAST YEAR YOU'VE HAD A LOVED ONE IN A NURSING HOME OR HOSPITAL WHETHER IT WAS FOR COVID-RELATED REASONS OR NOT, AND YOU WERE NOT ALLOWED TO VISIT THEM, YOU'LL WANT TO TUNE IN TO OUR INTERVIEW SEGMENT ON THAT TOPIC.

AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO TWO LAWMAKERS ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL STORIES AND THEIR SUPPORT OF THE RIGHT TO VISIT LEGISLATION.

>>> AND THE GOVERNOR REPORTED GOOD NEWS ON TAX REVENUES TODAY.

WE'LL DISCUSS WHETHER THE UPWARD TREND WILL CONTINUE.

BUT FIRST, WE GO TO THE GOLD DOME WITH CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS AND THE TOP STORIES, AND BRENDA, THAT BILL TO PROTECT BUSINESSES BROUGHT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY, DIDN'T IT?

>> HI, DONNA, INDEED A LOT OF PASSION.

HOUSE BILL 112 PASS TODAY, BUT NOT WITHOUT GETTING SOME PRETTY HEATED FEEDBACK.

>> IF YOU RECALL, HB-112 PROVIDES IMMUNITIES FOR BUSINESSES FROM LIABILITY CLAIMS REGARDING COVID-19.

>> IF YOU WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE WORKERS, YOU WILL VOTE NO ON THIS.

THERE'S NOT ONE TIME THAT THE AUTHOR SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THE WORKERS.

THE ONLY THING HE SAID WAS BUSINESS, BUSINESS, BUSINESS, BUSINESS, BUSINESS, BUSINESS, BUT HE DIDN'T SAY ONE THING ABOUT THE WORKING MEN AND WOMEN.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CASEY CARPENTER OWNS A RESTAURANT AND IS ONE OF THE SPONSORS OF THE BILL.

HE SAYS IT'S NEEDED FOR THE MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE HE EMPLOYS AND OTHERS LIKE THEM.

>> THIS BILL IS NOT ABOUT PROTECTING LARGE CORPORATIONS.

THIS IS ABOUT PROTECTING SMALL >> YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THE SIGNS IN RESTAURANTS AND SHOPPING AREAS STATING YOU ARE ASSUMING RISK BY ENTERING THE PROPERTY.

HB-112 IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE TREY KELLY.

>> ALL HOUSE BILL 112 DOES IS CHANGE ONE NUMBER ON ONE LINE IN GEORGIA'S CODE.

IT EXTENDS THE SUNSET ON THE COVID LIABILITY PROTECTIONS THAT THIS HOUSE PASSED IN JUNE.

BUT IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT, MR. SPEAKER, BECAUSE WE KNOW OUR STATE CONTINUES TO BE RAVAGED BY A PANDEMIC.

WE KNOW THAT OUR BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE TO STAY OPEN.

>> BUT MORE OPPOSITION CONTINUED TO COME FROM THE FLOOR.

>> THIS BILL DOES NOTHING FOR GEORGIA EMPLOYEES.

WE'VE GOT OVER 15,000 DEAD GEORGIANS AND A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ON THE BRINK OF COLLAPSE.

>> Reporter: HOUSE BILL 112 PASSED 99-68.

YEAR 2021 IS ON THE MOVE.

IT PASSED IN THE SENATE THIS MORNING WITHOUT A LOT OF -- WITH A LOT OF FINANCIAL ADDS.

IT NOW GOES BACK TO THE HOUSE.

>> THIS IS HOUSE BILL 80 BECAUSE IT ORIGINATED IN THE HOUSE.

SENATOR BLAKE TILLERY HELD IN HIS HAND THE FULL AMENDED BUDGET OF 178 PAGES.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CHANGES THE SENATE PROPOSES.

SENATOR TILLERY, THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE OUTLINED THEM.

>> THE AMENDED BUDGET FOR FY 21 IS LAYING BEFORE YOU NOW.

YOU'LL SEE IT INCLUDES INCREASED REVENUE OF ROUGHLY $674 MILLION.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADD $70 MILLION FULLY FUNDING THAT FORMULA AS WELL AS $3 MILLION FOR THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE FORMULA TO FUND GROWTH THERE AS WELL.

OUR NEXT BIGGEST ADD AREA REALLY COMES IN WITH PUBLIC HEALTH.

YOU'LL SEE THE SENATE HAS $27 MILLION TO ADD TO EPIDEMIOLOGY PROGRAMS.

WE'VE HEARD FROM YOU AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS THEY'RE HAVING ISSUES WITH SCHEDULING.

WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE $92 MILLION OUT OF CAPITAL MAINTENANCE AND MOVE THAT INTO CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION.

WHEN WE DO THAT IT HELPS US MOVE THINGS FASTER.

>> SENATOR TILLERY MENTIONED THERE IS A 98% TURNOVER RATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS.

THE SENATE WANTS MONEY TO GO THERE AS WELL.

>> IT ACTUALLY WOULD BE A SMARTER FINANCIAL MOVE TO ADD A 10% INCREASE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS TO GET THEIR PAY UP TO REDUCE THAT TURNOVER, IT WILL BE A SAVINGS IN THE LONG RUN.

>> ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL, THE YEAS ARE 52, THE NAYS ARE 0.

THIS RESOLUTION IS THEREFORE PASSED BY SUBSTITUTE.

>>> CHANCES ARE YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS A SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER OR MAYBE YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS IN REHAB.

SENATE BILL 4 SPONSORED BY SENATOR KAY KIRK PATRICK PROTECTS CITIZENS WHO ARE IN RECOVERY.

>> AND THIS BILL RELATES TO THE RECOVERY HOUSING INDUSTRY WHICH INVOLVES RECOVERY RESIDENCES FOR PEOPLE COMING OUT OF TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

MANY PEOPLE COMING OUT OF TREATMENT CANNOT RETURN HOME FOR VARIOUS REASONS AND RECOVERY RESIDENCES PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE.

DRUG TREATMENT FACILITIES ARE REGULATED BY DCH.

RECOVERY RESIDENCES ARE NOT CURRENTLY REGULATED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT PROVIDE TREATMENT.

>> ONE COMPONENT OF THE BILL PROTECTS THIS VULNERABLE POPULATION FROM HIGH-TECH DRUG TESTING ABUSE.

IT PASSED 52-0.

>>> ONE CHANGE WAS MADE TO HOUSE BILL 270 THIS AFTERNOON, AND IT PASSED OUT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY.

REPRESENTATIVE SHAW BLACKMAN TALKED ABOUT THE CHANGE.

>> THIS WAS AN AGREED CHANGE THAT WOULD ADJUST THIS FROM AN APPLICATION DATE DEADLINE, WHICH BEFORE WE HAD AN ISSUANCE DATE DEADLINE, AND THAT APPLICATION DEADLINE WOULD BE THAT SECOND FRIDAY, WHICH IS THE TENTH DAY PRIOR TO THE ELECTION, AND THEN IT WOULD CODIFY THE THREE-DAY RULE SUCH THAT THREE BUSINESS DAYS WOULD BE ALLOWED FOR THOSE APPLICATIONS TO BE MAILED.

>> REVVING THINGS UP HERE TODAY AT THE CAPITOL, SENATE BILL 140 WAS FILED THIS AFTERNOON.

IT PROPOSES A ERECTED OF FORMER GEORGIA GOVERNOR AND U.S.

SENATOR ZELL MILLER.

IT WILL STAND ON THE GROUNDS OF THE STATE CAPITOL.

JUST AS WE HIT AIR TONIGHT AT 7:00, THE POLLS CLOSED IN DISTRICT 90, WHICH INCLUDES PARTS OF DEKALB, HENRY, AND ROCKDALE COUNTIES.

SIX DEMOCRATS ARE RUNNING TO REPLACE FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAM STEVENSON.

THIS IS THE ONLY VACANCY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IF NO ONE GETS MORE THAN 50% OF THE VOTE, THERE WILL BE A RUNOFF MARCH 9th.

THAT IS MY CAPITOL REPORT, DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, BRENDA, I'M SURE YOU'LL KEEP US UP TO DATE.

>>> THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS CHALLENGED NURSING HOMES, LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, AND HOSPITALS ON SO MANY LEVELS.

ONE INVOLVES THE DECISIONS BY FACILITIES TO SEPARATE RESIDENTS AND PATIENTS FROM THEIR FAMILIES.

IN AN EFFORT TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS, THOSE SEPARATIONS HAVE BEEN HEARTBREAKING.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL STORIES AND THE RIGHT TO VISIT LEGISLATION NOW IN THE HOUSE ARE DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE PATTY BENTLEY OF BUTLER, AND REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE BONNIE RI RICH OF SUWANEE.

YOU RECENTLY WENT THROUGH AN EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR SISTER, A VERY PERSONAL ONE, HOSPITALIZED WITH SOMETHING NOT COVID RELATED.

TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

HOSPITALIZED TWICE SINCE THE COVID RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN IN PLACE.

THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS NOT COVID RELATED, AND SHE WAS COMPLETELY ALONE BY HERSELF.

MY SISTER HAS BEEN -- HAS HAD A CHRONIC ILLNESS FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND HER CARE IS VERY COMPLICATED.

SHE HAS MULTIPLE SPECIALISTS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN HER CARE, AND SHE'S KIND OF COME TO RELY -- THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES SHE'S RELIED ON HER HUSBAND AND OUR MOTHER AND SOMETIMES ME TO BE THERE TO ADVOCATE FOR HER OR SOMETIMES JUST TO MAKE HER MORE COMFORTABLE WHILE SHE'S IN HER SITUATION.

WHEN SHE -- ACTUALLY, SHE HAD COVID LAST JULY, AND THAT WAS AN ESPECIALLY CONCERNING TIME.

IT WAS ACTUALLY WHAT WE WERE ALWAYS TERRIFIED OF, THAT SHE WOULD GET COVID.

SHE CAN GO DOWNHILL REALLY QUICKLY, AND WHEN THAT HAPPENED, WE WERE ALL VERY AFRAID, AND THEY STOPPED HER HUSBAND AT THE EMERGENCY ROOM DOOR.

SHE WENT IN.

SHE HAD TO SPEND TIME BY HERSELF.

SHE COULDN'T BREATHE, AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT WHEN THE HOSPITALIST CAME IN TO TALK WITH HER, I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH HER, AND SHE WANTED TO HANG UP.

SHE SAID, OH, THE DOCTOR'S HERE, LET ME HANG UP.

AND I SAID, NO, NO, NO, PUT THE PHONE DOWN.

LET ME HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY.

IT'S VERY GOOD THAT I DID BECAUSE SOME OF WHAT HE WAS RECOMMENDING COULD HAVE REALLY BEEN DETRIMENTAL.

SO I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TEXTING HER LUPUS DOCTOR WHAT THE HOSPITALIST WAS SUGGESTING WITH RESPECT TO HER CARE, AND HE CALLED AND TOOK OVER FROM THERE.

BUT IF I HAD NOT HEARD THAT, WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.

>> SO YOU WERE AN ADVOCATE FOR HER, AND THEN SHE WENT IN AGAIN THAT WASN'T COVID RELATED, I GUESS.

>> CORRECT.

>> THERE WAS A SECOND TIME AND YOU WEREN'T ABLE -- SHE WAS IN PAIN, AND WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG.

WITH LUPUS, IT REALLY -- SHE VERY OFTEN IS HOSPITALIZED, AND MORE THAN ONCE HAS ENDED UP IN ICU, AND SOMETHING SIMPLE CAN BECOME VERY COMPLICATED, AND THINGS CAN JUST GO DOWNHILL VERY, VERY FAST WITH HER.

>> SO NOW I'M GOING TO TALK WITH YOU REPRESENTATIVE BENTLEY, YOU HAVE A SITUATION WITH A HUSBAND WHO'S BEEN ILL. >> RIGHT.

>> THAT'S BEFORE COVID, PRE-COVID WHO WAS SICK, BUT THIS SITUATION WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE HIM DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME, TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT, AND WE'RE GOING TO SHOW HIS PICTURE.

WE SHOWED SHELBY A FEW MOMENTS AGO.

YOUR HUSBAND DARRELL.

>> YES, MY HUSBAND DARRELL, AND JUST FIRST I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO BE HERE, AND THANKS TO MY COLLEAGUE, REPRESENTATIVE RICH FOR SHARING THE STAGE WITH ME THIS EVENING.

BUT YES, MY HUSBAND DARRELL HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED SINCE DECEMBER 27th.

TWO HOSPITALS.

HE'S IN HIS THIRD FACILITY TONIGHT.

>> DECEMBER 27th OF 2019?

>> OF 2020.

DECEMBER 27th OF 2020.

HE TOO CONTRACTED COVID-19, MY WORST FEAR BECAME A REALITY BECAUSE I KNEW WITH HIS PRE-EXISTING CONDITION COVID-19 WOULD BE REALLY HARD ON HIM, AND ON DECEMBER 30th OF 2020, HE SPOKE HIS LAST WORDS WHEN THAT WAS HE WANTED TO GET OFF THE PHONE.

HE WANTED TO PRAY, AND HE'S BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL SINCE DECEMBER 27th.

WE LEFT MACON HOSPITAL ON DECEMBER 31st, GOING TO SAVANNAH, AND EVERYONE KNOW THE STORY ABOUT THE AMBULANCE BREAKING DOWN ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL IN SAVANNAH ON HIGHWAY 16, YES.

AND WE ARRIVED AT SAVANNAH HOSPITAL IN THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING ON JANUARY 1st, 2021, AND HE WAS RELEASED THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5th, 2021, FROM SAVANNAH MEMORIAL TO A SPECIALTY HOSPITAL TO WORK ON WEANING HIM OFF THE TRACH AND VENTILATOR.

WE'RE PLANNING THAT HOSPITAL WILL BE SUCCESSFUL GETTING HIM OFF THE TRACH AND VENTILATOR.

HE HAS A TRACH, VENTILATOR, DIALYSIS AND A FEEDING TUBE.

IF THEY ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL GETTING HIM WEANED OFF THAT TRACH AND VENTILATOR, THERE'S ONLY ONE FACILITY IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE HIS NEEDS WITH A TRACH, VENTILATOR, AND DIALYSIS, AND THAT IS IN MILLER COUNTY, WHICH IS SEVERAL HOURS AWAY FROM WHERE WE LIVE.

AND NOT BEING ABLE TO VISIT HIM IS ALREADY HARD ENOUGH RIGHT NOW THAT I CAN -- YESTERDAY, EARLIER TODAY ACTUALLY I GOT A CHANCE TO SEE HIM ON FACE TIME, BUT THAT'S NOTHING LIKE BEING IN THE HOSPITAL WITH HIM, HOLDING HIS HAND, TALKING WITH HIM.

HE HEARS MY VOICE.

I BELIEVE HE CAN HEAR MY VOICE BECAUSE OF SOME OF HIS FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, BUT HAVING THE IN THE HOSPITAL WITH THEIR LOVED ONES I THINK IS A WIN-WIN FOR THE PATIENT AND THE FAMILY BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT PATIENT HEARING THEIR FAMILY'S VOICE WILL GIVE THEM THAT MOTIVATION TO FIGHT HARDER TO GET WELL.

THE FAMILY BEING IN THE ROOM WITH THE PATIENT WILL MAKE THEM FEEL BETTER KNOWING THAT THEY ARE THERE IN THE ROOM WITH THEM.

THEY ARE SEEING EXACTLY THE CARE THAT'S BEING ADMINISTERED TO THEM, AND THEY CAN MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS BEING HANDLED PROPERLY, BEING THE ADVOCATE FOR THEIR LOVED ONE, SO I REALLY WANT LEGISLATION TO PASS TO GIVE PATIENTS, GIVE FAMILIES THE RIGHT TO VISIT.

>> AND YOU'VE BEEN COMING TO THE CAPITOL EVERY DAY AND DEALING WITH THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU ON THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION, THE RIGHT TO VISIT LEGISLATION THAT IS HOUSE BILL 290 AND LET ME -- TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT IT'S ABOUT FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, REPRESENTATIVE RICH.

>> WELL, THE LEGISLATION WILL ALLOW A PATIENT TO DESIGNATE ONE OR MAYBE MORE THAN ONE DEPENDING UPON WHAT THE NEEDS ARE IN THAT PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCE ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER TO BE PRESENT AT LEAST TWO HOURS A DAY.

OF COURSE THAT PERSON WOULD HAVE TO COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE HOSPITAL RULES AND REGULATIONS WITH RESPECT TO HEALTH SCREENINGS, WEARING PPE EQUIPMENT, AND FOLLOWING OTHER GUIDELINES THAT THE HOSPITAL HAS IN PLACE SO AS TO PROTECT THE STAFF AND OTHER PATIENTS.

>> YEAH.

TWO HOURS A DAY ISN'T MUCH, BUT YOU LIKE THAT YOU'RE A CO-SPONSOR TOO.

>> YES, I AM A CO-SPONSOR.

TWO HOURS PER DAY BETTER THAN NOTHING.

SO I WILL TAKE THOSE TWO HOURS IF I CAN HAVE TWO HOURS TO SPEND WITH MY HUSBAND, IF HIS CHILDREN CAN HAVE TWO HOURS TO SPEND WITH THEIR DAD, YES, WE WILL TAKE THOSE TWO HOURS.

>> SO RIGHT NOW WE KNOW THAT THERE IS SOME CONCERN ABOUT THIS BILL FROM THE GEORGIA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, AND THEY SENT US A STATEMENT, WHICH IN PART SAYS THAT FAMILY-CENTERED CARE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF WELLNESS AND RECOVERY AND HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE FOLLOW CAREFULLY DRAFTED POLICIES TO ASSURE IN-PATIENT HOSPITALIZATION IS AVAILABLE AND APPROPRIATE FOR BOTH THE PATIENT AND OUR STAFF.

WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE RE-EVALUAING THINGS.

I JUST WANT TO GET YOUR REACTION TO THEIR POINT OF VIEW ON ALL OF THIS.

REPRESENTATIVE RICH?

>> WELL, WE HAVE HEARD -- I KNOW REPRESENTATIVE BENTLEY HAS, I HAVE, THE OTHER CO-SPONSORS.

WE HAVE RECEIVED SO MANY EMAIL MESSAGES AND TELEPHONE CALLS FROM PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE WHO HAVE BEEN DENIED ACCESS TO THEIR LOVED ONES.

THEY'VE SHARED PICTURES WITH ME, PICTURES OF THEIR LOVED ONES FROM A YEAR AGO AND PICTURES NOW THAT CLEARLY SHOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A FAILURE TO THRIVE, A VERY, VERY RAPID DECLINE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ADULTS, PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM DEMENTIA WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEIR LOVED ONE MISSED THEIR BIRTHDAY OR MISSED CHRISTMAS, AND FOR THESE PEOPLE, HUMAN TOUCH IS IMPORTANT, AND HAVING THE FAMILY THERE WILL ACTUALLY HELP THE NURSES.

I KNOW FROM BEING IN THE HOSPITAL MYSELF IF THERE'S A FAMILY MEMBER THERE, THEN THE FAMILY MEMBER IS GOING TO PICK UP THE STRAW OR READJUST THE PILLOWS OR GO GET ME MORE ICE.

I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE TO BOTHER THE NURSE WITH THAT.

SO THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY ARE AWARE NOW OF THE HUGE, HUGE PUBLIC SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE FOR THIS.

MY EMAIL BOX HAS FILLED UP, AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE SINGLE EMAIL AGAINST IT, WHICH I CAN TELL YOU IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL WITH PROPOSED LEGISLATION.

>> WE'RE HEARING THAT THERE MAY BE SOME CHANGES IN THE WORKS THE HUMAN RELATIONS AND AGING COMMITTEE, SUBCOMMITTEE WILL LOOK A LITTLE BIT AT THIS.

YOU'RE SAYING YOU THINK ANYTHING THEY CAN DO WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> YES, ANYTHING THEY CAN DO WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND AS REPRESENTATIVE RICH STATED, I TOO HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS FROM CONSTITUENTS WANTING TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH THEIR LOVED ONES IN THE HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOMES.

I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY MESSAGES IN OPPOSITION TO THIS LEGISLATION, AND I AM LIVING THIS EVERY DAY, EVERY DAY AS A LAWMAKER IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

I CANNOT BE WITH MY HUSBAND RIGHT NOW.

I HAVE TO SEE HIM VIA FACE TIME, AND THAT IS NOTHING COMPARED TO BEING IN THE ROOM WITH HIM, HOLDING HIS HAND, BEING ABLE TO BEND DOWN AND WHISPER IN HIS EAR.

HE CAN HEAR MY VOICE.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT, AND THAT'S WHY I'M GOING TO PUSH HARD TOMORROW DURING THE COMMITTEE MEETING TO ENCOURAGE THE MEMBERS OF THAT COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT >> WE'RE SO GLAD THAT BOTH OF YOU ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND THAT YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR US IN SPITE OF WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH PERSONALLY, AND I'M THRILLED THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO STICK WITH US.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE HAVING YOU HERE WITH US AS COMING UP, WE'RE GOING TO TALK TAX REVENUES.

THERE'S SOME GOOD NEWS ON THAT FRONT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TODAY, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT MORE.

THIS IS "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>>> "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 OF GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITOL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> WE'RE ALL IN THIS FIGHT, ALL THE WAY FROM THE 7,000 CIGNA CLINICIANS SUPPORTING FRONT LINE DOCTORS AND NURSES TO EVERYONE STAYING HOME TO PROTECT OTHERS.

FIND ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST PRESSING QUESTIONS AT CIGNA.COM/COVID-19.

>>> GEORGIA HUMANITIES CONNECTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS GEORGIA TO ENCOURAGE CONVERSATION, EDUCATION, AND UNDERSTANDING.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.GEORGIAHUMANITIES.ORG.

>>> JOIN GPB AS WE CELEBRATE AMERICAN PORTRAIT.

>> I HAVE A GREAT TRADITION IN MY FAMILY.

WE GO TO STAR WARS MOVIES EVERY YEAR WHEN THEY COME OUT.

>> I'M HALF AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HALF SOUTH ASIAN EDUCATED INDIVIDUAL, I'VE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME RETHINKING MY CHOICE TO CELEBRATE THIS HOLIDAY.

>> WHEN THIS IS ALL OVER, I HOPE TO GO BACK TO SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY.

>> SHARE YOUR STORY AT GPB.ORG/AMERICANPORTRAIT.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB, I'M DONNA LOWRY.

I WANT TO GIVE REPRESENTATIVE BENTLEY A CHANCE TO SAY SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T GET O'A CHANCE TO SAY IN THE LAST SEGMENT.

>> I JUST WANT TO PAUSE AND THANK GOD ALMIGHTY FOR BRINGING MY HUSBAND AS FAR AS HE'S COME TODAY AND THANK EVERYONE ACROSS THIS STATE THAT HAS BEEN PRAYING FOR HIM AND PRAYING FOR ME, ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SENATE, ALL OF MY HUSBAND'S FRATERNITY BROTHERS, MEMBERS OF HIS COLLEGE BUDDIES, AND EVERYONE ACROSS THE STATE.

I JUST THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT AND ASK YOU TO CONTINUE PRAYING.

>> SO THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE IN THE CHAMBERS, IT'S LIKE A FAMILY.

>> YES.

>> AND EVERY DAY WE HEAR ABOUT FAMILY ISSUES.

SO IT REALLY IS TRUE THAT YOU'RE HAVING PEOPLE ALL OVER THE STATE PRAYING FOR YOU.

GLAD YOU GOT A CHANCE TO GET THAT IN.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH GEARS A LITTLE BIT.

GEORGIA'S ECONOMY CONTINUES TO DESPITE THE SPIKE IN COVID-19 CASES.

THE GOVERNOR ANUNSED LATEST NEWS TODAY, GEORGIA'S NET TAX COLLECTION TOTALED MORE THAN 2.5 BILLION.

THAT'S UP 7.5% COMPARED TO JANUARY A YEAR AGO.

YEAR-TO-DATE TAX COLLECTIONS TOTALED MORE THAN $15 BILLION.

THAT'S UP 6.3% COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR, AND TO BREAK THAT DOWN EVEN FURTHER, INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX COLLECTIONS FOR JANUARY ARE UP 6.3% COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AND GROSS SALES AND USE TAX COLLECTIONS ARE FOR THIS MONTH ARE ALSO UP 8.8% FROM LAST YEAR.

AND WE'RE PLEASED TO HAVE YOU BOTH BACK HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

JUST OVERALL, YOUR REACTIONS TO HEARING THAT NEWS, AND IS IT A SURPRISE THAT WE'RE DOING SO WELL?

>> IT IS NOT A SURPRISE TO ME.

IT DOES GO SHOW THE RESILIENCE OF GEORGIANS AND THE DETERMINATION TO SURVIVE AND TO THRIVE.

IT WAS MADE POSSIBLE, TOO, BY THE LEADERSHIP FROM OUR GOVERNOR IN PROVIDING A WAY, A VERY THOUGHTFUL WAY THAT HE WORKED OUT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND DR. TOOMEY FOR US TO OPEN UP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES IN A SAFE WAY TO PROTECT PEOPLE, TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO GO BACK TO WORK, TO BE ABLE TO EARN A LIVING, TO GENERATE THE INCOME THAT GENERATED THE INCOME TAX AND THE SALES AND THE RESTAURANTS AND THE SHOPS IN ORDER TO GENERATE THE SALES AND USE TAX.

SO IT'S NOT A SURPRISE.

I FEEL LIKE IT'S GREAT VINDICATION FOR WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN WORKING THROUGH.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BENTLEY.

>> AND I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE.

THAT'S CORRECT, THE GOVERNOR AS WELL AS ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE WORKING WELL TOGETHER SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD TO KNOW THAT OUR ECONOMY'S DOING WELL HERE IN GEORGIA.

>> IS IT SUSTAINABLE?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

I BELIEVE IT IS.

>> SO YOU THINK THE FIRST QUARTER IS GOING TO BE A GOOD ESPECIALLY WHAT'S GOING ON NOW AT A FEDERAL LEVEL WITH THE STIMULUS FUNDING THAT'S BEEN COMING TO THE STATE AND GEORGIANS GETTING MONEY THAT THEY CAN PUT BACK INTO THE ECONOMY, SO YES, I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO SUSTAIN.

>> YEAH, DO YOU AGREE?

>> I DO.

I BELIEVE IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET BETTER.

AS SOON AS WE CAN UP THE VOLUME OF THE VACCINATIONS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH AND WE CAN OPEN UP BUSINESSES EVEN MORE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE EVEN MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH.

>> OKAY.

SO I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME BILLS THAT ARE PERSONAL TO EACH ONE OF YOU.

YOU AND I TALKED LAST YEAR ABOUT YOUR VAPING BILL.

IT DID WELL.

YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING ADDED TO THAT THIS YEAR.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> YES, I DO.

THANK YOU.

JUST TODAY I WAS ABLE TO PRESENT THIS BILL IN THE EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE.

THIS BILL WILL PROVIDE FOR VAPE AND TOBACCO EDUCATION IN OUR K THROUGH 12 SCHOOLS.

IT'S NOT REALLY A BRAND NEW LAW BECAUSE ALREADY IN THE CODE WE PROVIDE FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL INSTRUCTION.

SO THIS JUST ADDED VAPE AND TOBACCO TO THAT INSTRUCTION.

AND IT HAD OVERWHELMING SUPPORT.

IT PASSED OUT OF THE COMMITTEE, THE SUBCOMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY.

>> RIGHT, AND LAST YEAR YOU DEALT WITH A TAX ON THOSE PRODUCTS, RIGHT?

>> YES, I DEALT WITH A TAX AND ALSO JUST THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF THE RETAILERS WHO SELL THIS PRODUCT.

IT WAS THE WILD WEST BEFORE THAT.

WE REGULATE VERY CLOSELY AND CAREFULLY TOBACCO SALES, AND THESE RETAILERS AND MANUFACTURERS WERE ABLE TO SKIRT THAT BY SELLING THE CONSUMPTION DEVICES FOR VAPE PRODUCTS.

SO WE CLOSED THAT LOOPHOLE.

>> WELL, WE'RE GLAD TO HEAR THAT.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT ANOTHER BILL WITH YOU IN A MOMENT, BUT REPRESENTATIVE BENTLEY, YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND OWN A FUNERAL HOME BUSINESS, AND YOU HAVE LEGISLATION DEALING WITH KIND OF CRACKING DOWN ON FRAUD IN THAT BUSINESS.

>> RIGHT, I AM A CO-AUTHOR ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVE RICK WILLIAMS.

MY HUSBAND IS A FOURTH GENERATION FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND ALSO SERVES ON THE STATE FUNERAL BOARD, AND THIS BILL WILL BRING BACK INTEGRITY IN THE FUNERAL INDUSTRY AS IT RELATES TO PRENEEDS.

THERE WAS AN ISSUE THAT TOOK PLACE DOWN IN ONE OF THE COUNTIES DOWN BELOW MACON, GEORGIA, VERY UNFORTUNATE SITUATION THAT HAPPENED WITH A FAMILY THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN A FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND THAT FUNERAL DIRECTOR UNFORTUNATELY ABUSED THAT FAMILY'S TRUST BY ABUSING THEIR FUNDS THAT THEY HAD ALREADY PAID IN ADVANCE FOR A FUNERAL, AND SO WE JUST WANT TO ENSURE REPRESENTATIVE RICK WILLIAMS AND MYSELF WANT TO ENSURE THAT NO OTHER FAMILY ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA HAVE TO ENDURE WHAT THAT FAMILY DID, AND WE WANT PEOPLE IN THIS STATE TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN TRUST THEIR FUNERAL DIRECTORS.

FUNERAL HOMES ARE, YOU KNOW, REALLY STRONG IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THEY'VE BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES, AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN TRUST THEIR FUNERAL DIRECTOR, AND WE WANT THEM TO PREPLAN.

PREPLANNING IS VERY IMPORTANT.

THAT GIVES FAMILIES TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT AS IT RELATES TO FUNERALS AND ALL THE IMPORTANT DETAILS THAT REQUIRES PLANNING A FUNERAL.

SO IF THEY HAVE TIME TO PREPLAN, THAT'S VERY GOOD FOR THE FAMILY AND FOR THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR, AND WE JUST WANT INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE STATE TO KNOW THEY CAN TRUST THEIR FUNERAL HOMES.

AND THIS BILL WOULD GIVE MORE POWER TO THE STATE FUNERAL BOARD AS WELL TO CRACK DOWN ON WHEN ABUSE IS TAKING PLACE FROM PREPLANNED BURIALS.

SO THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THAT BILL.

>> IT'S A HARD ENOUGH TIME FOR FAMILIES.

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

>> WITHOUT THEM HAVING TO DEAL WITH SOME FRAUD.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE RICH, YOU ALSO HAVE A BILL THAT DEALS WITH SOMETHING A LOT OF US ARE WORRIED ABOUT, AND THAT'S PORCH PIRACY.

YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE YOUR PACKAGES AND THAT KIND OF THING.

SO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE >> THE BILL HAS TWO PARTS.

ONE PART IS THE CLASSIC PORCH PIRACY, WHICH WILL ELEVATE THE CRIME OF GOING UP ONTO SOMEONE'S PORCH RIGHT AT THEIR FRONT DOOR AND TAKING PACKAGES.

IT WILL ELEVATE IT TO A FELONY.

REGARDLESS OF THE VALUE OF WHAT IS TAKEN, AND THE THOUGHT BEHIND THAT IS THAT IT TAKES A BRAZEN INDIVIDUAL TO WALK ALL THE WAY UP ONTO SOMEBODY'S PORCH AND TAKE A PACKAGE.

WE HAVE PACKAGES DELIVERED TO OUR HOME ALMOST EVERY DAY, AND IF MY YOUNG DAUGHTER HAPPENED TO BE GOING TO THE FRONT DOOR WHEN SOMEONE CAME UP AND STOLE THE PACKAGE, I REALLY -- WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD HAPPEN.

SO THAT'S THE FIRST PART OF THAT BILL.

AND THEN THE SECOND PART IS MEANT TO ADDRESS MAIL THEFT.

CURRENTLY -- THIS IS REQUESTED BY THE U.S.

POSTAL INSPECTOR.

>> NO KIDDING?

>> CURRENTLY IT NEEDS TO BE PROSECUTED BY THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES, AND THEY REALLY NEED FOR THE STATE TO BE ABLE TO PROSECUTE THESE, SO IT CREATES BASICALLY A NEW CRIME IF AN INDIVIDUAL IS CAUGHT WITH MULTIPLE PIECES OF MAIL FROM MULTIPLE DIFFERENT ADDRESSES AT THE SAME TIME, THEN THAT CAN ALSO BE PROSECUTED AS A FELONY AND IS MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE PURSUED BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

>> I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE A FEDERAL CRIME.

THEY NEED SOMETHING AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> THEY DO NEED SOMETHING AT THE STATE LEVEL BECAUSE THEY JUST REALLY DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PROSECUTE THOSE CRIMES, AND THEY HAVE REQUESTED SOME HELP FROM THE STATE LEVEL.

>> WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON ALL OF THESE BILLS.

I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF YOU LADIES, GIRL POWER, FOR BEING HERE WITH ME TODAY.

I APPRECIATE IT, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT FOR "LAWMAKERS."

BE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "LAWMAKERS" TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE SESSION DAY 15.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

♪♪