♪♪ >>> I THINK THIS JUST SHOWS WHAT CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN DOING IN OUR STATE IN REGARDS TO OUR STATE BUDGET AND ALSO REFLECTING OUR PRIORITIES TO MAKE GEORGIA THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY.

>> GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP AND HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON WITH A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT FORM TODAY.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS LEGISLATIVE DAY 15.

I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

YOU'LL LEARN MORE IN OUR CAPITOL REPORT IN JUST A MOMENT.

THE GOVERNOR WENT TO MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TO TALK ABOUT VACCINES AND A HEARING ON DRAG RACING FROM HEARTBREAKING TESTIMONY FROM A FAMILY WHO LOST A LOVED ONE.

COMING UP, WE'LL DIG DEEPER INTO THE ISSUE OF BUSINESSES PROTECTED FROM CORONAVIRUS RELATED LAWSUITS AND TALK ABOUT GUN SAFETY, RED FLAG LAWS AND ME I CARE EXPANSION FOR NEW MOTHERS.

>>> BRENDA WATERS, YOU'VE HAD A BUSY DAY THERE.

>> WHAT A DAY IT WAS.

FRONT LINE WORKERS SHOWN APPRECIATION TODAY BY GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP AND LEGISLATORS AND IT MEANS MORE MONEY IN THEIR WALLETS.

IN THE NORTH WING OF THE CAPITOL, DAVID RALSTON SAID HE HAD AN EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE.

YOU MAY REMEMBER IN THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, HE PROPOSED GIVING TEACHERS $1,000.

TODAY THE SPEAKER SAID THEY WANT TO DO MORE BY EXTENDING THAT OFFER TO FRONT LINE WORKERS.

>> IN OUR AMENDED FY '2021 BUDGET, CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT, YOU'LL SEE AN ADDITIONAL $59.6 MILLION APPROPRIATED TO GIVE A ONE-TIME $1,000 BONUS TO STATE EMPLOYEES WHO MAKE LESS THAN $80,000 A YEAR.

THIS WILL COVER SOME $57,000 STATE EMPLOYEES ACROSS MOST STATE AGENCIES.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THOSE WORKERS INCLUDE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, STATE PATROL AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOOD INSPECTORS AND CASE WORKERS.

>> WITH THE $1,000 SUPPLEMENT FOR STATE EMPLOYEES WHO AS THE SPEAKER MENTIONED MAKE LESS THAN $80,000 A YEAR, I BELIEVE WE ARE DOING OUR PART AS STATE LEADERS TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE CDC, THOSE MOST HESITANT TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE ARE YOUNG ADULTS, WOMEN AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN PARTICULAR.

THERE IS A HISTORY OF DISTRUST AMONG BLACKS AND THE MEDICAL FIELD.

NOW THIS MORNING, GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP AND HOUSE COMMISSIONER DR. KATHLEEN TOOMEY AND OTHERS MET AT THE MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TO TAKE PART IN A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION.

MOREHOUSE IS A HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE.

THAT DISCUSSION FOCUSED ON IMPROVING ACCESS TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND WORKING TO ENSURE THE COVID-19 VACCINE REACHES AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

OFFICIALS SAY BARRIERS THAT CONTINUED TO IMPACT BLACK COMMUNITIES ARE HESITATION TO GET THE SHOT, THE SUPPLY OF THE VACCINE, AND ACCESS TO CLINICS.

>>> ILLEGAL DRAG RACING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN THE ATLANTA METRO AREA OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, LEADING TO DEATHS AND NUMEROUS ARRESTS BY POLICE.

ED IS SENATOR EMMANUEL JONES INTRODUCED SB 10 MAKING IT A HIGH AGGRESSION MISDEMEANOR TO PROMOTE, ADVERTISE OR ATTEND AN EVENT WHERE DRIVERS ARE LAYING DRAG OR ILLEGAL STREET RACING.

>> AS IT RELATES TO DRAG RACING, THE WHOLE INTENT WAS NOT JUST TO GO OUT TO THE DRIVERS AND ORGANIZERS BUT ALSO THOSE WHO BET ON THESE EVENTS AND THOSE THAT HAVE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED.

IT IS NOT MY INTENTION TO ENTRAP ANYONE WHO INNOCENTLY WALKS OUT OF THEIR HOUSE AND HAPPENS TO HAVE THEIR CELL PHONE AND THEY'RE RECORDING THIS EVENT.

>> Reporter: SENATOR JONES PROPOSES ANYONE FOUND GUILTY OF DRAG RACING BE FINED NO LESS THAN $2,500, AND THAT HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLES BE IMPOUNDED AND STORED AT THE OPERATOR'S RISK AND EXPENSE UNTIL THEY HAVE THEIR DAY IN COURT.

BOBBY KENNEDY SANFORD WHOSE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WAS KILLED IN A DRAG RACING INCIDENT IN DE KALB COUNTY AGREES.

>> THERE WERE GENTLEMEN RACING, IT WAS DRAG RACING OR STREET RACING DOWN COLUMBIA DRIVE, AND IN THE SPLIT OF A SECOND, MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW'S LIFE WAS TAKEN AND OUR 16-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS THERE TO WITNESS THAT.

WE MUST DO SOMETHING.

NO FAMILY IS IMMUNE TO THIS KIND OF VIOLENCE.

>> A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY DID NOT TAKE ACTION ON SB 10 TO GIVE SENATORS MORE TIME TO REVIEW THAT BILL.

>>> WHEN A REPRESENTATIVE GETS HIS OR HER FIRST BILL PASSED, THEY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A LITTLE RIBBING FROM THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THAT HAPPENED THIS MORNING TO FRESHMAN REPRESENTATIVE ROB LEVERETT, HIS BILL HB 97.

>> THE BILL DOES THREE THINGS, REQUIRES THE CHIEF CLERK OF A PROBATE COURT TO TAKE AN OATH, SETS OUT THE TEXT OF THE OATH, AND IT REQUIRES THAT THE OATH BE RECORDED UPON THE MINUTES OF THE COURT.

>> Reporter: PART OF THE FUN IS THAT LEGISLATORS FIRST VOTE NAY BEFORE CHANGING THEIR VOTES TO SUPPORT THE BILL, AND REPRESENTATIVE LEVERETT ALSO GOT TO EXPERIENCE A LITTLE LEVITY FROM THE SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.

>> YOU MUST NOT HAVE EXPLAINED THE BILL VERY WELL.

[ LAUGHTER ] BECAUSE THE BOARD LOOKS LIKE, JUST KEEPS POPPING.

>> Reporter: THE BOARD WAS LIGHTING UP.

FELLOW HOUSE MEMBERS WITH QUESTIONS LIKE REPRESENTTIVE PATTY BENTLEY >> IS IT NOT TRUE I'M I'M THE STRAWBERRY QUEEN OF THIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES?

WILL IT HELP THE FUNERAL DIRECTORS GET OUR DEATH CERTIFICATES IN A TIMELY MANNER SO WE CAN GET PAID BY THE INSURANCE COMPANIES?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> AS I'M ASSUMING THAT IS A MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN TO THE LADY, YES.

>> WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WILL VOTE FOR YOUR BILL.

THANK YOU, SIR.

>> Reporter: HOUSE SPEAKER RALSTON SAID IT TOOK HIM FOUR YEARS BEFORE HE GOT HIS FIRST BILL PASSED.

THAT'S MY CAPITOL REPORT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

>>> IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST HEATED DEBATES OF THE SESSION SO FAR.

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

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

ONLY THING HE SAID WAS BUSINESS, BUSINESS, BUSINESS, BUSINESS, BUSINESS, BUSINESS, BUSINESS.

BUT HE DIDN'T SAY ONE THING ABOUT THE WORKING MEN AND WOMEN.

>> AS A SMALL BUSINESS PERSON, YOU HEAR THIS TALK ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYEES, 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 FREAKIN' WORK.

>> THAT WAS TUESDAY'S DEBATE IN THE HOUSE ON EXTENDING GEORGIA'S COVID-19 PANDEMIC BUSINESS SAFETY ACT AND IT'S THE CONTINUATION OF A LAW THAT PREVENTS WORKERS OR CUSTOMERS WHO GET THE CORONAVIRUS FROM SUING BUSINESSES WHERE THEY CONTRACTED.

JOINING US TO TALK MORE ABOUT COVID-19 LIABILITY PROTECTION FOR GEORGIA BUSINESSES IS REPUBLICAN HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP TREY KELLEY OF CEDARTOWN AND MATTHEW WILSON OF BROOK HAVEN.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

REPRESENTATIVE KELLEY, YOU SPONSORED HOUSE BILL 112.

TELL US WHAT IT IS.

>> HOUSE BILL 112 WAS A SIMPLE EXTENSION OF SENATE BILL 359 WHICH WE PASSED IN THE JUNE SESSION WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IT FRANKLY JUST GAVE BUSINESSES AND OUR HEALTH CARE COMMUNITY THE CERTAINTY THEY NEED TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND SERVE GEORGIANS DURING THIS HORRIBLE PANDEMIC WHICH OUR STATE HAS GONE THROUGH AND CONTINUES TO GO THROUGH.

>> IS A SIMPLE ONE-YEAR EXTENSION ENOUGH?

>> I BELIEVE WHILE WE CONTINUE TO LEARN MORE AND MORE ABOUT COVID, WE NEED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT THIS, AND SO THE ONE-YEAR EXTENSION I BELIEVE GIVES US THAT OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT IT EVERY YEAR.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WILSON LAST YEAR YOU VOTED FOR IT, YESTERDAY HE DIDN'T.

TELL US WHY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, WELL IT'S ALL ABOUT WHAT'S CHANGED IN THE LAST YEAR, 15,000 GEORGIANS HAVE DIED, WE NOW HAVE CLOSE TO 1 MILLION GEORGIANS INFECTED WITH CORONAVIRUS AND WE'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT SAFETY PROTOCOLS THAT WE NEED TO PUT IN PLACE TO PROTECT PEOPLE.

WE'RE RIGHT NOW FILMING IN A COVID SAFE STUDIO.

WHEN WE'RE ON THE FLOOR OF HOUSE WE HAVE PLEXIGLASS PROTECTORS AND SPACED OUT AND HAVE TO WEAR MASKS.

WE KNOW THE SIMPLE THINGS PUT IN PLACE TO PROTECT PEOPLE AND THE REASON WHY WE'RE PUSHING BACK ON HOUSE BILL 112 AND WE DID YESTERDAY WAS BECAUSE WE NEED TO PROTECT THE WORKERS THAT WE'RE FORCING TO BE AT WORK SO THE REST OF US CAN CARRY ON WITH OUR LIVES.

>> SO YOU, NOW GOES OVER TO THE SENATE.

WELL ACTUALLY BEEN SIGNED TO A SENATE COMMITTEE AT THIS POINT.

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING?

>> I THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE SENATE DO WHAT THEY DID BACK IN JUNE.

I EXPECT THEM TO PASS IT, BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT AND I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR HERE.

NOTHING IN HOUSE BILL 112 AND NOTHING IN SENATE BILL 359 DID A SINGLE THING TO ERODE ANY RIGHT A WORKER HAS IN GEORGIA TODAY.

THE AFL-CIO AND THE UNION BOSSES OUT OF D.C.

SEND US TALKING POINTS DOWN TO MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES BUT THAT'S NOT TRUE.

IT EXPRESSLY SAID IN SENATE BILL 359 THAT THIS SHALL NOT IMPACT GEORGIA'S WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT AND THAT ARGUMENT, WHILE I UNDERSTAND BEING THE BEST ONE THAT CAN BE MADE FRANKLY ISN'T TRUE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WILSON, DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TALKING POINTS ON THIS OR ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

>> I'M HEARING FROM MY CONSTITUENTS AND GEORGIA WORKERS AND WE'VE SEEN THE STORIES.

I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOUR VIEWERS.

THEY PROBABLY EXPERIENCED THIS THEMSELVES OR KNOW FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN FORCED TO WORK WHILE THE REST OF US FEEL THE UNCERTAINTY FROM COVID.

AND LOOK, WE'RE ALL A YEAR INTO COVID NOW.

THERE'S A LOT OF COVID FATIGUE BUT JUST THINK BACK A YEAR AGO, WHEN WE WERE HUNKERING DOWN AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE WERE GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS AND THEN THE STATE GOVERNMENT, GOVERNOR KEMP USED HIS EXTRAORDINARY POWERS TO SAY GEORGIA WORKERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO WORK AND ALL WE'RE SAYING IS NOW THAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A YEAR OF THAT, THOSE WORKERS HAVE BEEN LIVING EVERY DAY WITH DOUBLE FEARS.

NUMBER ONE, AM I GOING TO CONTRACT COVID, I MIGHT GET SICK, I MIGHT DIE AND 15,000 GEORGIANS HAVE DIED AND THE OTHER FEAR OF IF I DO GET SICK, EVEN IF IT'S MILD OR I'M ASYMPTOMATIC I HAVE TO BE OUT OF WORK FOR 14 DAYS.

MOST GEORGIANS CAN'T GO TWO WEEKS WITHOUT WORKING.

WE WANT THE BARE MINIMUM PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SAID MUST BE IN PLACE.

>> WHAT ABOUT THOSE BUSINESSES THAT STRUGGLED AND THIS MIGHT HURT THEM?

>> I UNDERSTAND THOSE CONCERNS.

I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER MYSELF AND THE COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON THE FLOOR YESTERDAY TALKING ABOUT THEIR EMPLOYEES BEING FAMILY, I GET THAT.

I REALLY DO.

BUT THOSE AREN'T THE BUSINESSES THAT WE'RE TRYING TO TARGET AND THOSE AREN'T THE BUSINESSES THAT WOULD BE SUED UNDER THE BILL THAT WE'RE PROPOSING.

WE WANT TO GO AFTER THE BAD ACTORS.

WE'VE SEEN INCIDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HAVE HEARD OF INCIDENTS IN GEORGIA WHERE WORKERS ARE WORKING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITHOUT MASKS, WHERE ONE WORKER POPS POSITIVE ON A TEST AND IS REMOVED EITHER THE LINE AND ANOTHER WORKER IS TOLD TO TAKE THAT PERSON'S PLACE WITHOUT ANY DISINFECTING TAKING PLACE OR SAFETY MEASURES.

THOSE ARE THE BAD ACTORS THAT SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND FOR THOSE GEORGIA WORKERS WHO ARE INJURED, THEY DESERVE LEGAL RECOURSE AND THE RIGHT TO THE COURTHOUSE.

>> OKAY, I WONDER REPRESENTATIVE KELLEY IF YOU EXPECT OTHER LIABILITY PROTECTION BILLS TO COME OUT FOR BUSINESSES FOR THIS SESSION.

>> I THINK RIGHT NOW WE'RE FOCUSED, AGAIN, ON GETTING COVID-19 LIABILITY ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OUR STATE ECONOMY CONTINUE TO GROW.

WE HEARD AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW THE FACT THAT UNDER CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP WE'RE NOW ABLE TO GIVE 57,000 STATE EMPLOYEES AN ADDITIONAL $1,000.

THAT'S BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP OUR ECONOMY OPEN, THAT'S BECAUSE OUR ECONOMY CONTINUES TO GROW.

THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE PUT FORTH A PLATFORM THAT ALLOWS BUSINESSES TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND EMPLOYEES TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO WORK AND EARN A PAYCHECK SO THAT THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO OUR SOCIETY.

ON MONDAY, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH SOME PEOPLE OUTSIDE OUR CAPITAL WHO WERE EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY HAD LOST THEIR JOB BECAUSE OF THE COVID CRISIS, AND I HEARD THE PAIN IN THEIR VOICE AND I HEARD THE SHAME AS THEY SPOKE.

THOSE PEOPLE, THEY DIDN'T WANT JUST THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

THEY WANTED AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK TO WORK, AND BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE THAT, THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WORK IN GEORGIA, THAT'S WHY OUR ECONOMY CONTINUES TO GROW AND WHY WE'RE ABLE TO FUND THEIR PRIORITIES LIKE WE ARE IN THIS UPCOMING AMENDED BUDGET.

>> I WANT TO SWITCH GEARS AND TALK ABOUT SOME LEGISLATION YOU'RE WORKING ON.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOMETHING DEALING WITH AUTO INSURANCE RATES, ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT INTERESTS THE PUBLIC.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> I'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON DIFFERENT AREAS WHERE WE CAN HELP GEORGIANS LONG-TERM AS WE MOVE PAST COVID, THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS ESPECIALLY THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT AUTO INSURANCE RATES IN GEORGIA, IT'S EVERY YEAR FOR THE PAST DECADE PLUS, GEORGIA HAS BEEN ONE OF THE TOP, IF NOT THE TOP STATE FOR RATE INCREASES IN AUTO INSURANCE, SO I HAVE A BILL THAT WOULD TAKE US BACK TO THE PRE-2008 LAW THAT REQUIRES AUTO INSURERS TO GET RATE INCREASES APPROVED BY THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER BEFORE THEY GO INTO EFFECT.

RIGHT NOW, ALL THEY HAVE TO DO UNDER THE SO-CALLED FILE AND USE SYSTEM IS SIMPLY NOTIFY THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER THAT THEY'RE ABOUT TO JACK UP THE RATES AND THEN THEY GO INTO EFFECT AUTOMATICALLY.

>> HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT THAT ONE?

>> WE'LL SEE.

WE'LL SEE.

I'M AN OPTIMIST, DONNA.

>> ALL RIGHTY, I KNOW THAT.

I THINK YOU ALL ARE, TO BE LAWMAKERS.

I WANT -- YOU'RE PART OF THE BIPARTISAN BILL HELPING TAX CREDITS WHEN IT COMES TO FOSTER CARE, PEOPLE WHO ADOPT A FOSTER CHILD OR, YES, IN THE SYSTEM.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> FOSTER CARE REFORM AND ADOPTIONS REFORM HAS BEEN A PRIORITY OF THE HOUSE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, SOMETHING I'M PROUD TO GET TO WORK ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND BURT REEVES ON.

WE CONTINUE TO TRY AND HELP THE MOST VULNERABLE OF OUR GEORGIA CITIZENS AND I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT GOVERNOR KEMP'S TAX CREDIT AND INCREASED TAX CREDIT, $6,000 FOR PEOPLE WHO DECIDE TO ADOPT OUT OF OUR STATE'S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND GOT THAT THROUGH A SUBCOMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS AND LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING IT THROUGH THE FULL COMMITTEE AND ON THE FLOOR.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WILSON, YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT OPPOSING HOUSE BILL 27, PROHIBITS A MALE "AT BIRTH" FROM COMPETING IN GIRLS OR WOMEN'S SPORTS, ALLOWS GIRLS TO SUE IN SOME SITUATIONS.

YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT THAT BILL?

>> WELL, WE HAD A HEARING ON THAT BILL IN AN EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE YESTERDAY WHICH I SERVE ON, AND IT'S NOT JUST THAT BILL, THERE'S ANOTHER BILL INTRODUCED TODAY, HOUSE BILL 327 THAT IS SIMILAR TO THIS BILL, BUT GOES EVEN FURTHER AND ACTUALLY CALLS FOR GENDER REVIEW PANELS, WHERE ADULTS ARE GOING TO BE REVIEWING THE GENITALIA OF YOUNG CHILDREN TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY CAN PLAY SPORTS IN OUR SCHOOLS OR NOT AND THIS IS JUST HATEFUL, UNABASHED ANTI-TRANS LEGISLATION IS ALL THIS IS.

THIS IS ATTACKING TRANSGENDER CHILDREN FOR BEING DIFFERENT AND IT'S SHAMEFUL AND WE MUST STOP IT.

>> ANYTHING THAT YOU ARE LOOKING TO, ANY LEGISLATION TO KIND OF COUNTER THIS OR JUST -- >> WELL I DON'T THINK WE NEED LEGISLATION TO COUNTER IT.

THIS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THE SUPREME COURT IN BOSTOK V. CLAYTON COUNTY A FEW YEARS AGO RULED GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION ARE PROTECTED CATEGORIES UNDER FEDERAL LAW AND LAST YEAR THE 11th CIRCUIT HERE IN ATLANTA EXTENDED THAT TO TITLE IX WHICH THIS WOULD FALL UNDER.

THIS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL FROM THE GET-GO, YET HERE WE ARE AGAIN FIGHTING CULTURE WARS AND PUTTING TRANSGENDER KIDS IN THE MIDDLE AND POINTING AT THEM SAYING YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE.

>> SO EXPECT LAWSUITS OUT OF THIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> ALL RIGHTY.

I HAVE ENJOYED HAVING YOU BOTH HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE ON "LAWMAKERS."

YOU'RE GOING TO STICK AROUND WITH US.

COMING UP ON "LAWMAKERS," WE'LL TALK MEDICAID EXPANSION, GUN SAFETY, FLAG LAWS, WHEN MORE OF "LAWMAKERS" CONTINUES ON GPB.

STAY WITH US.

.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWERY.

WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THE NEXT FEW MINUTES TALKING ABOUT A VARIETY OF ISSUE, BILLS IMPORTANT TO THE LAWMAKERS JOINING US, REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE BUCKNER OF JUNCTION CITY AND MATT WILSON WE'RE PLEASED HE CONTINUES WITH US.

REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER, LAST YEAR A LEGISLATION PASSED TO EXTEND MEDICAID TO NEW MOTHERS SIX MONTHS AFTER BIRTH.

YOU'RE COSPOON ARING A BILL TO EXTEND THAT TO A YEAR.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CAROLYN HUGELY AND I REPRESENT COLUMBUS.

HOW MANY AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN ARE DYING AFTER GIVING BIRTH, GENERALLY IN THE SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THE BIRTH OF THE BABY.

MEDICAID IN GEORGIA UP UNTIL LAST YEAR ONLY COVERED SIX WEEKS AFTER BIRTH.

WE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF AN EXTENSION BUT WE REALLY NEED FOR THAT COVERAGE TO GO UP THROUGH THE FIRST YEAR OF THE LIFE OF THE CHILD AFTER IT'S BORN.

WE SHOULD NOT HAVE MOTHERS DYING IN GEORGIA.

>> IT'S PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> SOME OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THEY HAVE DIFFICULTY GETTING MEDICAL CARE IN GENERAL.

WHEN THEY BECOME PREGNANT, THEY ARE ABLE TO GET RIGHT FROM THE START MEDICAID, RIGHT FROM THE START OF THE PREGNANCY, THROUGH THE SIX WEEKS AFTERWARDS.

SO IF THEY'VE HAD ANY UNDERLYING HEALTH ISSUES LIKE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION OR ANY OF THOSE KINDS OF PROBLEMS, MANY TIMES THEY ARE EXACERBATED BY THE PREGNANCY AND THEY DON'T GO AWAY AFTERWARDS.

THOSE CAUSE SOME PROBLEMS FOR THEM.

ALSO, I'VE HEARD TESTIMONY THAT SOME OF THE WOMEN DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY'RE OFTEN HEARD WHEN THEY GO TO THE DOCTOR'S OR THEY GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WITH A MEDICAL PROBLEM.

THEIR VOICES ARE JUST NOT BEING HEARD AND THEN WHEN THEY COME BACK AND AFTER VISIT AFTER VISIT AFTER VISIT, THEY ARE TOO SICK TO SAVE SOMETIMES.

>> AND THERE'S POSTPARTUM, OTHER ISSUES.

SO YOU GOT THE SIX MONTHS AND YOU THINK A YEAR IS JUST GOING TO JUST BE EVEN BETTER FOR THEM?

>> THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO WORK NICELY IN OTHER STATES.

WE NEED TO DO THAT ARE FOR GEORGIA'S WOMEN.

>> WE'LL SWITCH GEARS, SPOON ORRING HOUSE BILL 309 THE RED FLAG PROTECTIVE ORDER ACT.

TELL US WHAT RED FLAGS ARE.

>> YOU'LL REMEMBER THIS, DONNA, THIS IS A BILL I BROUGHT LAST SESSION AS WELL AND ALL THIS IS DESIGNED TO DO IS PREVENT TRAGEDIES BEFORE THEY OCCUR.

GEORGIA LEADS THE COUNTRY IN GUN DEATHS FOR MANY YEARS AND WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO IS SIMILAR TO A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH, WOULD SET UP A PROCESS WHERE A PERSON WHO HAS A LOVED ONE OR SOMEONE CLOSE TO THEM WHO IS EXHIBITING IMMINENT THREAT TO THEMSELVES, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR TO OTHERS IN THE WORKPLACE, FOR EXAMPLE, GO TO A COURT AND IF THEY CAN SHOW, THEY CAN MEET THE EVIDENTIARY BURDEN AND SHOW A PERSON IS A THREAT TO THEMSELVES AND CRISIS A JUDGE CAN OFFER A TEMPORARY ORDER TO REMOVE THAT PERSON FROM THEIR WEAPONS SO THEY CAN SEEK THE HELP THAT THEY NEED.

>> I KNOW A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS IS PEOPLE WHO ARE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS AND I'VE HEARD SOME TESTIMONY THAT IT'S HEARTBREAKING ON THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

THERE IS A SIMILAR BILL TO THIS THAT WAS INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE LAST YEAR, SENATOR JEN JERDEN, SHE PARTNERED WITH A LOT OF OUR PROSECUTORS WHO PROVIDED TESTIMONY AND WE HAD WITNESSES TESTIFY, JUST HEARTBREAKING TESTIMONY OF BEING TRAPPED AND FEELING LIKE THERE WAS NO WAY TO PREVENT THIS TRAGEDY THAT THEY COULD SEE COMING DOWN THE TRACK.

THIS JUST PROVIDES THE COMMUNITY WITH MORE OPTIONS TO STOP TRAGEDIES BEFORE THEY OCCUR.

>> OKAY.

THAT'S SWITCHING GEARS AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO TALK EDUCATION AND HIGHER EDUCATION IN PARTICULAR, AS YOU'RE A COSPONSOR ON A BILL THAT WOULD EXTEND THE ZELL MILLER SCHOLARSHIPS.

RIGHT NOW ONLY AS A FRESHMAN.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THAT DESIGNATION IS GIVEN TO YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL AND BASED ON YOUR S.A.T.

SCORE AND YOUR GRADE POINT AVERAGE, BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE GET TO COLLEGE OR TECHNICAL COLLEGES OR TO THE UNIVERSITIES AND THEY DO REALLY, REALLY WELL, AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVER BE A ZELL MILLER SCHOLAR AND HAVING ALL OF THEIR COURSES PAID FOR BY THAT SCHOLARSHIP AND IT CAN BE A DETERRENT TO THEM BEING ABLE TO FINISH THEIR COLLEGE CAREER, SO THE BILL WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE DOING REALLY REALLY AND YOU'VE GOT A 4.0 GRADE POINT AVERAGE, YOU SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT FULL SCHOLARSHIP, AND TO HELP PEOPLE GET THEIR, YOU KNOW, LIVES BACK ON TRACK OR ON TRACK TO SUCCESS.

>> I THINK THAT WILL MAKE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAPPY.

DEALING WITH THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP THAT YOU'RE SPONSORING HAS TO DO WITH MAKING SURE IT COVERS FULL TUITION.

>> YES.

>> I THOUGHT IT DID.

>> IT'S A PERCENTAGE AND IT'S BASED ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT I REALLY FEEL LIKE ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW IN THE CLIMATE THAT WE'RE IN, WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE FULL TUITION IS PROVIDED TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING REALLY HARD TO EITHER MAKE LIFE CHANGES, SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO REENGINEER OURSELVES BECAUSE THE JOB WE HAVE IS GONE OR EITHER WE ARE YOUNG AND WE CHANGE OUR MIND, WE WANT TO GET A DEGREE AND GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, SO IF YOU'RE MAKING THE GRADES AND YOU'RE WORKING HARD, IT SEEMS LIKE THAT FULL SCHOLARSHIP TO PAY FOR THE ENTIRE COST OF THE COLLEGE EDUCATION SHOULD BE THERE FOR THEM.

>> WE WORRIED A WHILE BACK ABOUT BEING ABLE TO COVER, YOU THINK YOU'LL BE ABLE TO COVER?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THE RESERVES ARE PRETTY HEALTHY.

I THINK WE CAN DO THAT AND IT SEEMS LIKE I SAY, NOW OF ALL TIMES, WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE LOST THEIR JOBS AND SUCH AN UNCERTAIN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY OR ATMOSPHERE THAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM.

>> OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO TALK GUNS AGAIN WITH YOU, THE GUN SAFETY ACT THAT YOU HAVE, HB 310.

>> THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE RED FLAG BILL I ALSO INTRODUCED THIS BILL LAST SESSION AND ANOTHER COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO SOLVING OUR EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE.

THIS WOULD CLOSE THE SO-CALLED GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE AND REQUIRE BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR WEAPONS PURCHASED AT GUN SHOWS.

>> OKAY, A LOT OF SUPPORT ON THAT AT THIS POINT.

I NOTICE BY DEMOCRATS ON THAT ONE.

AND THEN ONE OTHER THING YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY ACT.

TELL US WHAT THAT IS.

>> YEAH, GEORGIA HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER HAS BEEN A LEADER IN THIS FOR A LONG TIME BUT MENTAL HEALTH CARE PARITY IS ALL ABOUT PUTTING MENTAL HEALTH CARE ON PAR WITH HEALTH CARE AND SAYS THAT IF YOUR INSURANCE PLAN ALLOWS YOU UNLIMITED DOCTOR VISITS FOR EXAMPLE FOR A CHRONIC CONDITION LIKE DIABETES OR HYPERTENSION, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, THAT IT WOULD ALSO HAVE TO DO THE SAME FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE, FOR MENTAL ISSUES AND MENTAL ILLNESSES.

SO THAT THERE'S THE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

>> YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

WE'VE NEEDED THIS FOR YEARS.

GEORGIA HAS ONE OF THE WORST SITUATIONS WHERE WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND PART OF THE REASON WE DON'T HAVE THE PROVIDERS IS THEY DON'T SEE A WAY TO GET PAID.

THEY WANT TO TAKE CARE OF PATIENTS.

I'M NOT DISCOUNTING THAT AT ALL, BUT THE PAYMENT SYSTEM IS NOT IN PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO GET THE TREATMENT THAT THEY NEED AND TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OUTCOME BECAUSE OF NO COVERAGE.

OR LITTLE COVERAGE.

>> I'M THINKING RIGHT NOW THE PANDEMIC IT'S NEEDED MORE THAN EVER.

>> IT IS.

IT IS.

IT'S NEEDED MORE THAN EVER.

>> LAST THING WE'LL TALK ABOUT IS THE FOSTER CARE BILL WE REPR KELLEY.

IT'S BIPARTISAN, TAX CREDITS FOR THOSE WHO ADOPT FOSTER CHILDREN.

SXL THAT'S WHAT THE BILL DOES.

IF YOU'RE A FOSTER PARENT AND ADOPT THE CHILD INSTEAD OF THE USUAL $2,000 INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS YOU HAVE THE CHILD AS AN ADOPTED CHILD IN YOUR FAMILY, YOU GET A LARGER DEDUCTION.

IT GOES AWAY AT THE END OF THE FIVE YEARS AND GOES BACK TO THE $2,000 BUT SOMETIMES WHEN YOU FIRST ADOPT A CHILD, YOU'VE BEEN RECEIVING THE FOSTER CARE PAYMENTS AND THE FAMILY BUDGET MAY NEED THAT HELP.

IT'S NOT ANY KIND OF ENTICEMENT OR PAYOFF OR ANYTHING.

IT'S JUST A WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'VE GOT THE FUNDS THEY NEED TO ACCEPT THIS NEW FAMILY MEMBER AND TO MAKE A SMOOTH TRANSITION.

IT PASSED THE HOUSE LAST YEAR AND IT JUST DIDN'T GET THROUGH THE PROCESS, IN THE SENATE, BECAUSE OF THE SHUTTING DOWN QUICKLY FOR COVID BUT HOPEFULLY IT WILL GO ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AND HELP FAMILIES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY HELP CHILDREN.

>> I THINK IT HAS A LOT OF SUPPORT.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

YOU STAYED FOR TWO SEGMENTS, I APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT FOR "LAWMAKERS."

BE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "LAWMAKERS" TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY 16.

GOOD NIGHT.