♪♪ >>> THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF COMMENTS THAT COME ALONG DOWN HERE THAT SHOULD NEVER, EVER BE TOLERATED.

AT THIS POINT WE ARE FED UP AND TIME'S UP.

POLICY MAKERS HAVE TO WRITE POLICIES TO PROTECT ALL WORKPLACES.

LET'S START WITH OUR OWN.

>> FEMALE LAWMAKERS SAY THEY WILL FILE AN ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST A COLLEAGUE WHO THEY SAY MADE SEXIST COMMENTS ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS LEGISLATIVE DAY 33.

I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

MORE ON THAT ETHICS COMPLAINT COMING UP.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY GATHERED TO HEAR CHIEF JUSTICE HAROLD MILTON GIVE HIS FINAL STATE OF THE JUDICIARY ADDRESS BEFORE HE RETIRES IN A FEW MONTHS.

HE TALKED ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF REOPENING JURY TRIALS FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN.

HE SAYS IT COULD TAKE TWO OR THREE YEARS TO DIG OUT OF THE JURY BACKLOG.

HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT WHAT LAWMAKERS CAN DO TO HELP, ESPECIALLY WHEN DEFENDANTS FILE FOR A SPEEDY TRIAL.

WE HAVE FOUR ATTORNEYS WHO ARE LAWMAKERS ON OUR SHOW, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT JUDICIAL ISSUES, ELECTION BILLS AND MORE.

ALSO TODAY, THE GOVERNOR GAVE AN UPDATE ON VACCINE DISTRIBUTION AND HONORED THE STATE'S TEN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

LET'S GO NOW TO THE GOLD DOME AND CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS WITH THE LATEST ON ALL THE DAY'S NEWS.

BRENDA?

>> HEY, DONNA.

GEORGIA SUPREME COURT'S CHIEF JUSTICE HAROLD MELTON DELIVERED HIS THIRD AND FINAL STATE OF THE JUDICIARY ADDRESS TODAY.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE IS RETIRING JULY 1st.

THE ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE GEORGIA LEGISLATURE GOES OVER WHAT THE STATE'S COURT SYSTEM HAS DEALT WITH OVER THE PAST YEAR.

ONE SENATOR AND HIS BILL WERE NOTED.

>> WE'RE ALSO VERY GRATEFUL TO THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR HOUSE BILL SENATE -- FOR SENATE BILL 163, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION.

THIS LEGISLATION WOULD ALLOW TRIAL COURTS IN SOME COUNTIES TO CONTINUE TO SUSPEND STATUTORY SPEEDY TRIAL DEADLINES UNTIL THOSE DEADLINES COULD REASONABLY BE MET.

CONSTITUTIONAL SPEEDY TRIAL RIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED.

AND THIS LEGISLATION HAS A SUNSET DATE.

SO WE'RE TARGETING THIS LEGISLATION TO ALLOW TO US GET THROUGH THIS BACKLOG.

THIS LEGISLATION IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL AND THE GEORGIA COURTS IN GEORGIA SUPERIOR AND STATE COURTS.

>> SENATOR BRIAN STRICKLAND SPONSORED SB 163.

I SPOKE TO HIM RIGHT AFTER THE ADDRESS.

>> HAPPY TO GET THE SHOUT OUT.

OBVIOUSLY HE RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LEGISLATION.

>> WERE YOU SURPRISED YOU GOT THE SHOUT OUT?

>> I ACTUALLY WASN'T BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TOLD THE TOP PRIORITY COMING FROM OUR JUSTICES COME FROM OUR JUDICIAL COUNCIL.

SO I EXPECTED HIM TO HOPEFULLY MENTION THE BILL IN HIS SPEECH THIS MORNING.

>> SENATOR STRICKLAND TALKED SPECIFICALLY ABOUT WHAT HIS BILL WOULD DO.

>> INSTEAD OF HAVING SOMEONE BE ABLE TO GO AND JUST FILE A SPEEDY TRIAL DEMAND AND MAKE THE STATE TRY THAT CASE AT THAT TIME, THE STATE AND THE COURT CAN WORK TOGETHER WITH THE DEFENSE BAR AND ACTUALLY TRY THE CASES IN ORDER OF PRIORITY, LOOKING AT THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED.

OF COURSE THOSE STILL SITTING IN JAIL.

LOOKING AT OLDER CASES VERSUS NEWER CASES FIRST, MAKE SURE YOU CAN ORDERLY TRY CASES WITHOUT LETTING GAMESMANSHIP GET IN THE WAY.

>> SB 163 IS IN THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE.

REPRESENTATIVE CASEY CARPENTER APOLOGIZED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THIS MORNING FOR SOMETHING HE SAID YESTERDAY.

>> IS IT NOT TRUE THAT THIS BILL WILL PROVIDE SAFETY MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT CARDI B.

'S BACK SIDE IMPLANTS WILL BE SAFE AND ENSURE A LIFETIME OF EFFECTIVENESS?

>> IT ALL STARTED WHEN REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER QUESTIONED REPRESENTATIVE LEE HAWKINS ABOUT SENATE BILL 5, A BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE PROTECTION MEASURES FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING SEDATION IN CERTAIN SETTINGS.

REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A JOKE ABOUT GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING RAPPER CARDI B.

'S BUTT IMPLANTS.

TODAY HE APOLOGIZED FOR HIS WORDS.

>> I JUST WANT TO COME TODAY AND APOLOGIZE.

I OFFENDED SOME MEMBERS IN THIS BODY YESTERDAY.

MOST OF YOU KNOW I ENJOY A GOOD LAUGH AND LOVE TO KEEP THINGS LAUGH IN SUCH A TENSE SOCIETY.

I CAN ASSURE YOU I NEVER WANTED TO COME ACROSS THAT WAY AND I APOLOGIZE IF MY WORDS OFFENDED YOU IN ANY WAY.

AND I HOPE YOU CAN FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO FORGIVE ME.

>> THAT APOLOGY FELL ON DEAF EARS AMONG SOME REPRESENTATIVES WHO WERE ALSO UPSET THAT THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE DID NOT GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THEIR OBJECTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.

>> LET ME BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR.

THERE'S NEVER A TIME THAT'S RIGHT FOR SEXISM.

THERE'S NEVER A TIME FOR MISOGYNISTIC BEHAVIOR TO BE ACCEPTED.

THERE'S NEVER A TIME FOR THE OFFENDER TO GET A CHANCE TO SPEAK, TO EVEN APOLOGIZE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE KIM SCOFIELD SAYS THEY PLAN TO FILE AN ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER.

SOME POSITIVE NUMBERS FROM GOVERNOR KEMP ON THE WAR AGAINST COVID.

THE NUMBER OF COVID CASES ARE DOWN IN THE STATE AS ARE HOSPITALIZATIONS.

BUT THE GOVERNOR HAD SOME PRETTY STRONG WORDS FOR THOSE PROVIDERS HOLDING ON TO DOSES.

>> THE STATE CONTINUES TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF PROVIDERS HOLDING DOSES FOR A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT REASONS INCLUDING TO ENSURE THEY HAVE ENOUGH SECOND DOSES ON HAND FOR THOSE APPOINTMENTS.

GIVEN THE DRASTICALLY INCREASED SUPPLY OF VACCINES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, PROVIDERS SHOULD BE GETTING THOSE SHOTS ADMINISTERED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

THAT'S WHY MY OFFICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TODAY IS SENDING A LETTER TO EVERY PROVIDER WHO SIGNED UP TO RECEIVE VACCINES FROM THE STATE.

WE EXPECT PROVIDERS TO BE UTILIZING NO LESS THAN 80% OF THEIR WEEKLY ALLOCATION OF FIRST DOSES WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF RECEIVING THOSE DOSES.

AND FINALLY, WE'RE ENCOURAGING EVERY ELIGIBLE GEORGIAN TO PLEASE MAKE THEIR APPOINTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THE DEMAND FOR VACCINE IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER SOUTH OF THE COLUMBUS MACON AUGUSTA LINE THAN IT IS IN METRO ATLANTA AND MUCH OF NORTH GEORGIA.

>> GOVERNOR KEMP SAYS BEGINNING THE WEEK OF MARCH 29th THE STATE WILL BE GETTING A LARGER SUPPLY OF THE VACCINE FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, ESPECIALLY THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

A SPECIAL SWEARING IN ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THIS MORNING.

ANGELA MOORE BECAME THE NEW REPRESENTATIVE FROM GEORGIA'S 90th HOUSE DISTRICT.

REPRESENTATIVE MOORE WON A RUNOFF LAST WEEK TO REPRESENT THE DISTRICT THAT INCLUDES PARTS OF DEKALB, HENRY AND ROCKDALE COUNTIES.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> OH, MY GOD.

I'M A GENERAL ASSEMBLYWOMAN, Y'ALL.

THANK YOU.

>> THE GEORGIA ASSEMBLY, THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NOW HAS ALL 236 MEMBERS SEATED.

WELL, A SHOUT OUT TO HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

SENATE RESOLUTION 244 RECOGNIZES TODAY, THAT IS, MARCH 16th, AS HBCU DAY, A DAY SET ASIDE TO HONOR THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THESE INSTITUTIONS.

10 OF THESE SCHOOLS ARE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

SIX OF THEM RIGHT HERE IN ATLANTA.

THEY ARE CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY, MOREHOUSE COLLEGE, MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE, SPELLMAN, AND ITC.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THAT IS MY CAPITOL REPORT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

TO GO ALONG WITH CHIEF JUSTICE MELTON'S STATE OF THE JUDICIARY ADDRESS THIS MORNING WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE DISCUSSING JUDICIAL ISSUES IN GEORGIA.

AS AN UPDATE ON MARCH 12th OF LAST YEAR THE CHIEF JUSTICE ISSUED AN EMERGENCY ORDER ENDING ALL BUT ESSENTIAL COURT FUNCTIONS.

IT PUT A HALT TO ALL JURY TRIALS.

HE LIFTED THAT SUSPENSION LAST WEEK.

HERE TO DISCUSS THAT AND OTHER JUDICIAL JUSTICE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES ARE TWO ATTORNEYS WHO ARE LAWMAKERS, SENATOR JEN JORDAN OF ATLANTA AND SENATOR JOHN KENNEDY OF MACON.

SO I WANT TO MENTION THAT SENATOR JORDAN IS CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE SPECIAL SQUURRY COMMITTEE AND SENATOR KENNEDY IS SECRETARY OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

I THINK I GOT ALL THAT STRAIGHT, RIGHT?

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE ON "LAWMAKERS."

LET'S BEGIN WITH WHAT YOUR CONCERNS ARE AS THE JURY TRIALS START TO RAMP UP IN A FEW WEEKS.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR KENNEDY.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US ON.

FIRST I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO JUSTICE MELTON FOR HIS STEADY HAND AND HIS MANY YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

HE I THINK IT'S KNOWN IS GOING TO BE RETIRING IN JULY.

AND HE HAS BEEN A BRIGHT SPOT AND SUCH AN INTELLECT TO GUIDE OUR JUDICIARY THROUGH THE LAST 12 MONTHS OF THIS DIFFICULT TIME.

SO THANK YOU TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY FOR HIS PUBLIC SERVICE.

I THINK HE'S PUT GOOD METRICS ON THE JUDICIARY SYSTEM WITH REGARD TO MAKING SURE THAT WE CONSTRAINED THE COURTHOUSE PROCESS IN A WAY THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE AND RESPECTFUL FOR PEOPLE'S SAFETY.

BUT HOPEFULLY WE'RE BEYOND THAT NOW AND HE'S GOING TO LET THE LOCAL CHIEF JUDGES OF THE CIRCUITS DECIDE WHAT WOULD BE THE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO GO FORWARD TO CONTINUE WITH COURT HEARINGS AND HOPEFULLY TRIALS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I THINK AS WE CONTINUE THE OF COURSE PARAMOUNT CONCERN IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

BUT WE DO HAVE A SERIOUS BACKLOG AS THE JUSTICE SPOKE OF TODAY AND ALL OF US THAT PRACTICE LAW KNOW THAT IT'S THERE.

I THINK WE UNDERSTAND THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE CRIMINAL BACKLOG FIRST AND THEN THE CIVIL WILL BE BEHIND THAT.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

BUT I'M GLAD WE GOT HIS STEADY HAND AND WE'LL ALL HAVE TO WORK ON IT TOGETHER GOING FORWARD.

>> AND THE THING IS GETTING JURIES TO EVEN WANT TO COME IN.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE BIG ISSUE, RIGHT?

BECAUSE A LOT OF FOLKS WILL SELF-SELECT OUT OF THE PROCESS.

I KNOW A LOT OF ATTORNEYS WHO PRACTICE ESPECIALLY IN THE CRIMINAL LAW AREA.

YOU GET A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED ABOUT A JURY OF ONE'S PEERS IF FOLKS DON'T SHOW UP FOR JURY DUTY.

SO I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE AS POSSIBLE AND IF WE EVEN NEED TO DO SOME MESSAGING AROUND THAT IN TERMS OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT THE BACKLOG.

LET'S HEAR WHAT CHIEF JUSTICE MELTON HAD TO SAY ABOUT THAT THIS MORNING.

>> AND ALTHOUGH WE NOW HAVE LIFTED THE SUSPENSION OF JURY TRIALS, IT COULD TAKE UP TO ONE AND POSSIBLY THREE YEARS TO DIG OUT OF THIS BACKLOG.

NOT ONLY WILL WE HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE CASES BUT THE PROCESS OF MOVING THOSE CASES THROUGH THE SYSTEM AT LEAST INITIALLY WILL GO MORE SLOWLY DUE TO THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

FULTON COUNTY HAS THE LARGEST COURT SYSTEM IN THIS STATE.

IN A TEN-MONTH PERIOD THE NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS IN JAIL WITHOUT BEING INDICTED GREW FROM 230 TO ROUGHLY 1,400.

>> 1,400.

THAT'S YOUR DISTRICT.

HOW WILL YOU SEE THIS HAPPENING, GETTING THROUGH ALL OF THAT?

>> WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO -- IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK.

IT LITERALLY IS.

I THINK WE SAW IT COMING BECAUSE WE DID HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THE COURTHOUSES AND AS JUSTICE MELTON TALKED ABOUT WE'VE LOST A LOT OF JUDGES AND COURT PERSONNEL BECAUSE ESPECIALLY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN MAYBE WE WEREN'T AS AWARE IN TERMS OF HOW INFECTIOUS CORONAVIRUS REALLY WAS.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN JUST TO DIG THROUGH IT.

FULTON COUNTY BEING THE LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF COURSE IT'S GOING TO HAVE THE LARGEST BACKLOG AND WE'VE GOT REALLY, REALLY GREAT JUDGES.

>> TALKING ABOUT TWO TO THREE YEARS TO GET THROUGH IT.

HOW ABOUT MACON?

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE DOWN THERE?

I'M THINKING THAT'S PRETTY BIG TOO.

>> IT IS.

WE'VE GOT A BACKLOG.

BUT WE'VE GOT GOOD JUDGES THAT ARE WORKING HARD AND TRYING TO BE CREATIVE AND ALSO LOOKING PROACTIVELY AS HOW WE CAN GET PAST THE BACKLOG.

BUT I THINK, DONNA, THERE'S SOME REAL REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC.

NUMBER ONE, WITH THE VACCINE ROLLOUT.

NUMBER TWO, AS SENATOR JORDAN ALLUDED TO, HOPEFULLY OUR PUBLIC WILL BE CONFIDENT THAT WHATEVER MEASURES ARE PUT INTO PLACE ARE TRULY GOING TO PUT SAFETY FIRST SO WHEN WE CALL UPON CITIZENS TO COME IN FOR JURY DUTY OR WHATEVER OTHER WAYS WE NEED THE PUBLIC TO INTERFACE WITH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM INCLUDING LITIGANTS AND LAWYERS AND STAFF, THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN COME IN, IT'LL BE SAFE AND IT WILL BE WELL THOUGHT OUT.

I KNOW OUR JUDGES ACROSS THE STATE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

AND IT'S A GOOD THING, AND I THOEP THE TIMING OF THIS UNDER JUSTICE MELTON'S LEADERSHIP I THINK IS RIGHT.

IT IS TIME TO GET THE COURTHOUSES BACK OPEN.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE CRIMINAL BACKLOG BUT WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF CIVIL CASE BACKLOG AS WELL.

AND THOSE ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO LITIGANTS IN THIS STATE THAT NEED TO HAVE THEIR ISSUES RESOLVED BY THE COURT SYSTEM.

>> I JUST WANT TO TALK BRIEFLY, THE SPEEDY TRIAL, THIS BILL THAT DEALS WITH THAT, DO YOU SUPPORT THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

AND I THINK ALL THE ADVOCATES, I KNOW THE JUDICIARY'S BEHIND IT, I KNOW THE DEFENSE BAR'S BEHIND IT.

I KNOW THE PROSECUTORS ARE BEHIND IT.

I THINK EVERYBODY CAME TOGETHER TO TRY TO COME UP WITH THE BEST SOLUTION POSSIBLE.

>> YEAH, COMPLETELY AGREE.

I THINK SENATOR STRICKLAND, OR CHAIRMAN STICKLAND DID A GREAT JOB WITH THAT WORK.

>> OKAY.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

I WANT TO SWITCH GEARS A LITTLE BIT AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ELECTIONS.

SENATOR JORDAN, YOU HAD THE SB 40, WHICH DEALT WITH ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT.

IT DID PASS OUT.

A LOT OF SUPPORT.

>> IT DID.

BECAUSE IT JUST MADE GOOD SENSE.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE DID THIS YEAR THROUGH AN EMERGENCY ORDER WAS TO ALLOW COUNTIES TO START PROCESSING ABSENTEE BALLOTS BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

CURRENTLY UNDER GEORGIA LAW THE LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS THEY CAN'T EVEN OPEN THE ENVELOPES UNTIL ELECTION DAY.

THAT'S WHY YOU REALLY SEE THE DELAY IN TERMS OF PROCESSING OR ACTUALLY GETTING THE RESULT.

AND ALSO WHY YOU SAW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND THEN IN TERMS OF THE RUNOFF IN JANUARY IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO GIVE KIND OF RESULTS A LOT MORE QUICKLY, BECAUSE OF WHAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE DID.

IT MAKES GOOD SENSE.

IT TAKES THE BURDEN OFF OF OUR ROQUE'LL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND I THINK IT'S A BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

>> AND YOU SUPPORTED THAT ONE.

>> I CERTAINLY DID.

>> I WANT TO GET TO ONE OF YOUR BILLS BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME, AND THAT DEALS WITH PROBATION.

YOUR BILL DEALS WITH TRYING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ON PROBATION IN THE STATE.

200,000 PEOPLE?

>> YES.

I THINK YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SENATOR STRICKLAND'S BILL.

YES.

>> YOU'RE A CO-SPONSOR ON THAT BILL.

>> I AM.

AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.

AND IT'S NOT JUST DRIVEN OUT OF THE IDEA THAT COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE STRESS THAT'S PUT ON OUR SYSTEM BUT I THINK IT'S A CONTINUED RECOGNITION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

I THINK SENATOR STRICKLAND IS ON TO SOMETHING GOOD WITH THIS BILL, AND WE DO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN GEORGIA ON PROBATION.

AND WE'RE LOOKING AT AND THE BILL LOOKS TO CHANGE THOSE METRICS IN A WAY THAT IS FAIR BUT I THINK BALANCED.

>> WHY IS GEORGIA SO HIGH WHEN IT COMES TO PROBATION?

>> WELL, IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS HISTORICALLY, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN GEORGIA.

AND SO IT REALLY STEMS I THINK BEGINNING FROM THAT.

AND THEN OF COURSE THOSE THAT COME OUT OF INCARCERATION OR FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY'VE GONE INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THEY WIND UP ON PROBATION, I THINK JUDGES HAVE BEEN VERY WILLING HISTORICALLY IN GEORGIA TO ALLOW PROBATION BUT ALSO UNDERSTANDING THAT THE LENGTH OF THOSE TERMS CAN REALLY IMPACT THE ANALYSIS OF WHETHER OR NOT PROBATION IS APPROPRIATE.

>> YOU AGREE THIS IS A MOVE THAT SHOULD TAKE PLACE?

>> YES.

>> AND A PROBLEM 37.

>> IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM AND WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH IT A LONG TIME AGO.

BUT IT ALSO, GOING BACK TO KIND OF VOTING, IT IMPACTS PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO VOTE TOO BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET YOUR RIGHTS RESTORED IF YOU ARE STILL SERVING OUT YOUR SENTENCE, WHICH PROBATION IS KIND OF CONSIDERED PART OF THAT.

I THINK THE MORE PEOPLE WE CAN KIND OF MOVE OFF PROBATION AND GET THEIR RIGHTS RESTORED THE MORE PEOPLE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE VOTING.

>> WE DID LEAVE ELECTIONS FOR A LITTLE BIT BUT I WANTED TO GET BACK TO IT.

THE BIG BILL OF COURSE IS SB 241.

IT PASSED OUT.

YOU VOTED FOR IT.

YOU DID NOT VOTE FOR IT.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW AS IT GOES THROUGH THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE PROCESS WITH HB 531?

>> YEAH, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT 241 PROBABLY IS NOT GOING TO BE THE VEHICLE THAT GOES TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE BARRY FLEMING'S BILL, CHAIRMAN FLEMING'S BILL COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE, HB 531.

SO THAT'S WHAT I'M REALLY KIND OF FOCUSED ON RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT IS BEING VETTED THROUGH THE SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW, AS IS -- THERE'S NO WAY TO SUPPORT IT REALLY.

>> I WANTED TO GET -- ANY THOUGHTS?

>> SURE.

SENATOR JORDAN IS RIGHT.

THE HOUSE'S BILL IS BEING VETTED BY OUR ETHICS COMMITTEE, I THINK LITERALLY AS WE SPEAK IT'S BEING HEARD.

AND THE STATUS OF OUR BILL OF COURSE, SENATE BILL 241 PASSED OUT.

IT'S OVER AT THE HOUSE I THINK SENATOR JORDAN'S PROBABLY RIGHT WITH REGARD TO WHAT PATH IT WILL TAKE ULTIMATELY, WHICH BILL OR WHAT FINAL FORM IT TAKES REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

WE'VE GOT WHAT, SEVEN MORE DAYS LEFT, LEGISLATIVE DAYS.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> I INTERVIEWED SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MIKE DUGAN TODAY.

THAT INTERVIEW WILL BE ON TOMORROW.

AND HE SAID IT'S PART OF THE PROCESS.

YOU FEEL THAT'S PART OF THE PROCESS, JUST GOING THROUGH ALL OF THIS?

STARTS AT ONE PLACE AND ENDS SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> I'M NOT FOR THE BILL IN EITHER FORM.

I'M NOT SURE THAT THE PROCESS HAS NECESSARILY BEEN TRANSPARENT OR ADEQUATE.

BUT IN TERMS OF THE REPUBLICANS, IT IS THEIR PROCESS.

>> OKAY.

WELL, I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

I APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTS ON ALL OF THIS.

AND WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'LL CONTINUE TALKING CRIMINAL JUSTICE WITH TWO MORE ATTORNEYS WHO ARE LAWMAKERS.

AMONG THE TOPICS, SHOULD 17-YEAR-OLD OFFENDERS BE CHARGED IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM OR THE ADULT SYSTEM?

YOU'RE WATCHING "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.

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THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITAL.

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 FRONTLINE DOCTORS AND NURSES TO EVERYONE STAYING HOME TO PROTECT OTHERS.

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

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.GEORGIAHUMANITIES.ORG.

>>> THIS MONTH IN "PASSPORT" ON THE PBS VIDEO APP, YOUR ON-DEMAND LIBRARY FOR THE BEST OF PBS.

>> IF I'M TO MAKE A NAME FOR MYSELF I NEED AS MUCH EXPERIENCE AS POSSIBLE.

>> BEING A DETECTIVE IS A JOB FOR A MAN.

>> AND YOU DO IT EVERY DAY, WILLIAM.

>> WHAT THE EXPERIENCE IS APOCALYPTIC.

>> WE'RE LEARNING THE LESSONS TO NOT GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN.

>> I'M GUSTAVO DUDE MEL.

JOIN ME IN CONCERT AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL.

>> THESE AND OTHER SHOWS ON YOUR PBS STATION ARE AVAILABLE WITH PASSPORT ON THE PBS VIDEO APP.

DOWNLOAD IT TODAY.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TALKING ABOUT JUDICIAL ISSUES WITH TWO MORE LAWMAKERS.

SENATOR HAROLD JONES II OF AUGUSTA AND REPRESENTATIVE CHUCK EFSTRATION OF DACULA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING ON HERE.

FIRST I WANT YOU TO LISTEN TO WHAT GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP SAID THIS AFTERNOON ABOUT THE JUDICIARY.

>> WORKING WITH CHIEF JUSTICE HAROLD MELTON AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, WE'LL ALSO BE ADDING JUDGES AND COURTROOM STAFF TO THE LIST OF ELIGIBLE GEORGIANS FOR VACCINATIONS O'.

THAT WILL BE EFFECTIVE TODAY.

GIVEN THE SIGNIFICANT CASE BACKLOG OUR COURTS ARE EXPERIENCING, WE BELIEVE IT IS VITAL TO GET THE THIRD BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT BACK OPERATING SMOOTHLY AND SAFELY.

>> SENATOR JONES, HOW WILL THIS HELP?

DO YOU THINK THIS WILL DO A LOT TOWARD WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, WHICH WAS OPENING UP THESE TRIALS FOR JURY TRIALS IN THE STATE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT SHOULD HELP.

I MEAN, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THE CLERK'S OFFICE HERE IN RICHMOND COUNTY, THEY'VE HAD TO SHUT DOWN.

OTHER COURT OPERATIONS HAD TO SHUT DOWN.

AND IT ONLY MAKES SENSE BECAUSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT THE COURT SYSTEM'S ALWAYS HAVING CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC.

SO REALLY QUITE FRANKLY THEY SHOULD HAVE PROBABLY BEEN ON THE FRONT LINE BECAUSE I KNOW BEING A LAWYER, AND YOU USED TO BE A SOLICITOR, YOU'RE HAVING CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC.

SO IT ONLY MAKES SENSE TO TRY TO PUT THESE PERSONS UP THERE TO START GETTING VACCINATED.

>> YEAH.

REPRESENTATIVE EFSTRATION, WE DON'T KNOW IF LAWYERS OVERALL ARE INCLUDED IN ALL OF THIS.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT I THINK REALLY SHOWS THE PRIORITY THAT IS THERE FOR COURTHOUSE PERSONNEL, THE IMPORTANT WORK THAT'S BEING DONE AT OUR COURTHOUSES ALL THE TIME ENSURING THAT WE CAN CONTINUE WITH PARTICULARLY JURY TRIALS SO THAT CASES, CRIMINAL CASES INITIALLY AND THEN CIVIL MATTERS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT ARE HANDLED IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO US ALL.

>> OKAY.

LET'S SWITCH AND TALK ABOUT ELECTION BILLS.

I WANTED TO TALK WITH YOU, SENATOR JONES, ABOUT IT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU SPOKE OUT ON THE FLOOR AGAINST SB 241.

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> YEAH, WITH SB 241 ONE OF THE MAJOR IMPACTS OF IT WAS ELIMINATING NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE BALLOTING.

AND OF COURSE THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE JUST COULD NOT ACCEPT.

QUITE FRANKLY, MANY PARTS OF THE BILL WE COULD NOT ACCEPT BUT THAT WAS ONE HUGE AREA OF THE BILL THAT CAUSES GRAVE CONCERN.

AND ONE OF MY POINTS WAS INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO ACTUALLY RESTRICT PERSONS FROM EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE WE NEED TO BE EXPANDING THE FRAN CHISE.

AND CERTAINLY THAT DOES NOT DO IT.

>> ARE YOU FEELING HOPEFUL DURING THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE PROCESS?

>> WE'RE AGAINST BOTH BILLS FRANKLY.

WE THINK 531 MAY BE THE VEHICLE THAT'S GOING TO BE USED.

THAT DOES NOT HAVE ELIMINATION OF NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE BALLOTING.

BUT THERE ARE STILL MANY PROBLEMATIC ASPECTS OF 531.

QUITE FRANKLY WE REALLY SHOULDN'T BE HERE AT ALL.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE REASON THAT WE'RE HERE IN OUR OPINION IS JUST BECAUSE THE ELECTION DID NOT GO AS SOME PERSONS WANTED IT.

AND THAT'S THE WRONG REASON TO TRY TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE CHANGE AS FAR AS VOTING IS CONCERNED.

>> THERE'S STILL A HEAVY PUSH TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS GET SOME OF THE THINGS YOU WANT TAKEN OUT OF THOSE BILLS, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AND WE'RE STILL ALWAYS GOING TO BE IN THE POSTURE OF ALWAYS TALKING AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE REALIZE THAT WE ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS LEGISLATION AT ALL.

>> OKAY.

I WANT TO SWITCH GEARS A LITTLE BIT.

SENATOR EFSTRATION, YOU HAVE THE BILL THAT DEALS WITH 17-YEAR-OLDS AND HAVING THEM PUT BACK INTO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T RECOGNIZE -- REALIZE THAT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

THEY GO AUTOMATICALLY INTO THE ADULT SYSTEM.

>> SO CHAIRWOMAN MANDY BALLINGER OF THE HOUSE JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMITTEE HAS WORKED ON THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND I WAS PROUD TO CO-SPONSOR THIS BILL WITH HER.

GEORGIA'S ONE OF ONLY THREE STATES UNFORTUNATELY WHERE 17-YEAR-OLDS ARE CHARGED AS ADULTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND THIS LEGISLATION WOULD UPDATE THE LAW SO THAT ONLY 18-YEAR-OLDS WOULD BE CHARGED AS ADULTS.

17-YEAR-OLDS, THE FOCUS WOULD BE, AS IT IS IN JUVENILE COURT, MORE ON CHILD SOCIAL SERVICES, ENSURING THAT WHAT'S NEEDED FOR THE CHILD IS ADDRESSED.

THE BRAIN ISN'T FULLY DEVELOPED AT THAT POINT.

THESE KIDS SHOULDN'T BE CHARGED AS ADULTS.

>> IT PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE BUT WITH SOME REPUBLICANS AGAINST IT.

>> WELL, THERE HAS BEEN A ROBUST DEBATE ABOUT THE IMPACT TO COMMUNITIES AND THE CHANGES THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BUT I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT THERE'S A BIPARTISAN COALITION SUPPORTING THE BILL.

AND AS YOU NOTE, IT PASSED THE GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIS YEAR, WHICH WAS REALLY AN AMAZING THING AND A TESTAMENT TO CHAIRWOMAN BALLINGER'S WORK.

>> YOU'RE ON JUDICIARY SO, YOU'RE LIKELY TO SEE IT.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

>> ABSOLUTELY, I WANT TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT IT.

BUT CERTAINLY GEORGIA UNFORTUNATELY HAS BEEN AT THE TOP WHETHER IT'S INCARCERATION OR PROBATION AND ALSO THE WAY WE TREAT OUR JUVENILES.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD BILL BUT WE STILL WANT TO LOOK AT THE DETAILS OF IT TO MAKE SURE IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE ACCEPTABLE TO OUR CITIZENS.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER BILL THAT ACTUALLY DEALS WITH COVID AND THAT IS THE ONE, HB 112.

AND IT PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE, AND IT DEALS WITH LIABILITY CLAIMS THAT FOR BUSINESSES MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE -- THEY'RE NOT LIABLE IN LIABILITY CLAIMS FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

IT EXTENDS WHAT WE HAD BEFORE.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT IT?

>> IT EXTENDS WHAT WE ALREADY PUT INTO PLACE.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE'RE LOOK AT IS MAKING SURE THE LANGUAGE IS NOT CHANGED TO WHERE YOU'RE EXTENDTION IT TO WHERE BUSINESS CANS ACT IN A MANNER IN WHICH THEY REALLY SHOULD NOT.

IN OTHER WORDS, THERE'S BEEN SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT MAKING IT WILLFUL AND WANTON.

WE BASICALLY SHOULD JUST KEEP THE BILL AS IS.

WE'RE USUALLY AGAINST THESE TYPE OF BILLS, BUT EVEN WE UNDERSTAND AS DEMOCRATS THAT THERE'S A NEED FOR IT UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCE.

>> EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS, ON THE FLOOR THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE -- WHO GET COVID WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE ANY ACTION.

>> I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING TO RECOGNIZE IS BUSINESS THAT'S ARE FOLLOWING ALL THE GUIDELINES ARE DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO TO STAY OPEN REALLY NEED SOME GUIDANCE FROM THE STATE.

AND PROVIDING THE GUIDANCE PROVIDED IN THIS LEGISLATION INCLUDING THE DISCLAIMER AND THE LIABILITY PROTECTIONS IF ALL THOSE GUIDELINES ARE BEING FOLLOWED I THINK IS APPROPRIATE.

IT WAS A MEASURED BILL.

I HOPE IT PASSES WHEN IT'S HEARD IN THE SENATE TOMORROW.

>> SO YOU'RE FEELING PRETTY GOOD ABOUT IT.

ARE THERE SOME OTHER BILLS THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN RIGHT NOW IN THESE LAST FEW DAYS?

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.

BUT WHICH YOU'D LIKE TO SEE REALLY PUSHED.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE BILLS, ONE OF MINE ACTUALLY IS SB 78 THAT WE WERE TRYING TO LOOK AT TRYING TO PUSH, WAS AN ANTI-IMAGE SEXUAL ABUSE BILL.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.

OF COURSE RIGHT NOW QUITE FRANKLY MOST OF OUR TIME IS DEDICATED TO THESE ELECTION BILLS.

THAT'S WHAT'S BEEN CONSUMING MY TIME QUITE FRANKLY.

>> AND WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT IS IMPORTANT.

VOTERS HAVE TRUST WHEN THEY KNOW THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE USING CAMPAIGN RESOURCES APPROPRIATELY.

I HAVE A CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM BILL THAT'S MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW.

IT'S PENDING IN THE SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE AND REALLY ADDRESSES SOME IMPORTANT GAPS WE HAVE IN THE ETHICS LAW.

THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION REQUESTED MANY OF THE CHANGES AND I'M PROUD TO SAY WE HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

PASSED THE HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY.

>> ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU COULD TELL US ABOUT THAT WOULD HELP WITH THIS BILL, THIS BILL WOULD HELP?

>> BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THERE'S AMBIGUITY IN THE LAW RIGHT NOW AS TO HOW LONG YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR CAMPAIGN RECORDS, HOW LONG THE ETHICS COMMISSION HAS TO BRING A CLAIM, AND IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION HOW YOU CAN SPEND YOUR REMAINING CAMPAIGN FUNDS, HOW THEY'RE TO BE DISPOSED OF.

THESE ARE BIG IMPORTANT ISSUES.

WE DON'T NEED AMBIGUIAMBIGUITIE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT'S COMPLETELY CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT FOR THE PUBLIC.

>> HOW DO YOU -- I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU BOTH ARE FEELING IN THESE LAST FEW DAYS.

HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE THE SESSION TO PAST SESSIONS?

I KNOW IT'S DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF THE FACT WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC.

>> I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTENTIOUS THAN NORMAL.

AND I THINK A LOT OF THAT STEMS FROM THE ELECTION BILLS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

WE SEE THIS BEING A BIT MORE PARTISAN.

IT'S ALWAYS PARTISAN ON SOME LEVEL BUT IT'S RATCHETED UP A LITTLE BIT.

TO ME IT'S BEEN ONE OF MY MORE TRYING SESSIONS QUITE FRANKLY AS FAR AS GETTING THROUGH IT.

>> HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

>> I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN VERY OPTIMISTIC, PARTICULARLY LATELY P THE PASSAGE OF THE REPEAL OF THE CITIZEN'S ARREST LAW IN THE STATE HOUSE WITH A UNANIMOUS VOTE WAS AN INCREDIBLE FOLLOW-UP TO OUR BIPARTISAN WORK LAST SESSION, SENATOR JONES IN PASSING THE HISTORIC HATE CRIMES ACT.

I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN SOME REAL BRIGHT SPOTS.

>> OKAY, THEN.

I APPRECIATE BOTH OF YOU, ALL THE WORK YOU DO.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE STATE AND ALL THE HARD WORK.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT FOR "LAWMAKERS."

BE SURE TO JOIN US TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY 34.

YOU CAN TRACK US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER @GPBNEWS.

USE THE HASHTAG GPBLAWMAKERS TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION AND FEED YOUR POLITICAL APPETITE THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON OUR POLITICS PAGE, GPB.ORG/POLITICS.

TUNE IN TO POLITICAL REWIND HOSTED BY BILL TOMORROW MORNING AT 9:00.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪♪