♪♪ >>> I SHARE WITH YOU THE OUTRAGE AND SHOCK AND GRIEF OVER THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE WHICH CLAIMED THE LIVES YESTERDAY AFTERNOON OF EIGHT PEOPLE.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID ROLFSON EXPRESSES THE SENTIMENTS OF SO MANY OVER THE SHOOTING DEATH IT WAS AT THREE METRO ATLANTA SPAS.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

SEVERAL LAWMAKERS TOOK TO THE FLOOR TO TALK ABOUT THE MURDERS IN CHEROKEE COUNTY AND THEZY OF ATLANTA YESTERDAY.

ALSO DISCUSSED, WHAT PART IF ANY WILL GEORGIA'S NEW HATE CRIMES LAW PLAY IN THE CHARGES AGAINST THE SUSPECT WOMEN TALK TO THE AUTHOR OF THE LAW.

AS LAWMAKERS LOOK AT THE HOUSE AND SENATE VERSIONS OF ELECTION BILLS I SPENT TIME WITH SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MIKE DUGAN TO ASK HIM A WIDE RANGE OF QUESTIONS.

AND HERE IN THE STUDIO, LAWMAKERS WILL TALK ABOUT BILLS FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND THE GAMBLING BILLS.

AND THE GOVERNOR WHO USHERED IN THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP IN GEORGIA WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL HONOR AT THE CAPITOL.

BUT AS ALWAYS WE START WITH YOU, BRENDA, OUR CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT RIGHT THERE AT THE CAPITOL.

HI, BRENDA.

>> HEY, DONNA.

WHAT LAWMAKERS WERE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, THE BRUTAL MURDER OF EIGHT PEOPLE AT THREE MASSAGE PARLORS.

SIX PEOPLE KILLED WERE ASIAN.

TWO OTHERS WERE WHITE.

WHETHER IT WAS A HATE CRIME OR NOT, WE DON'T KNOW, BUT MOST AGREE, IT WAS HATEFUL.

>> AS A SOCIETY WE CANNOT TOLERATE THIS LAWLESSNESS.

ONLY EVIL CAN WALK INTO A SMALL BUSINESS AND WANTONLY GUN DOWN INNOCENT PEOPLE.

THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO DETERMINE MOTIVE AND ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THESE HIDEOUS CRIMES.

HOUR JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL WORK.

BUT TODAY IS A DAY TO REMEMBER.

IT'S A DAY TO REMEMBER THE LIVES OF EIGHT PEOPLE, TO MOURN THEIR LOSS AND TO LIFT UP THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN PRAYER.

>> THIS IS HOW HOUSE SPEAKER OPENED THE SESSION THIS MORNING.

SEVERAL LAWMAKERS FOLLOWED WITH THE SAME SENTIMENTS ABOUT THE MURDERS.

REPRESENTATIVE NGUYEN SPOKE OUTSIDE HOUSE CHAMBERS.

>> IT'S A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY, AND YOU KNOW, BESIDES THE FEAR THAT AMERICANS HAVE FELT OVER THE LAST YEAR, YOU KNOW, I'M DEEPLY SADDENED BY IT.

I'M ALSO ANGER BY IT.

WE KNOW THAT WE'VE SEEN A RISE IN API HATE CRIMES OVER THE YEAR BEGINNING WITH THE PANDEMIC AND THE RHETORIC THAT THE MOST POWERFUL COUNTRY IN OUR LEADER USED TO BLAME AN ENTIRE COUNTRY FOR A PUBLIC PANDEMIC.

AND IT HAS CAUSED XENOPHOBIA, INCREASE IN HATE CRIMES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NGUYEN, WHO'S VIETNAMESE AMERICAN SAYS SHE TOO HAS FELT THREATENED.

>> I HAVE BEEN THREATENED IN MY ROLE AS AN OFFICIAL, SPECIFICALLY OVER WHAT HAPPENED WITH GEORGIA ELECTIONS AND HAVING TO AUDACITY TO TELL THE TRUTH IN COMMITTEE, THE AUDACITY TO QUESTION THE ALLEGED EXPERT WITNESSES THAT WERE BROUGHT BEFORE US.

WHEN PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH MY OPINIONS THE FIRST THING THEY DO IS THEY POINT OUT I DON'T BELONG IN THIS COUNTRY, EVEN THOUGH I WAS BORN HERE.

I'M AMERICAN.

>> HE SPONSORED GEORGIA'S FIRST HATE CRIME BILL WHICH WENT INTO LAW LAST SUMMER.

THE SUSPECT IN THE MURDERS REPORTEDLY TOLD INVESTIGATORS HE HAS A SEXUAL ADDICTION AND SPAS FOR TEMPTATION THEY WANTED TO ELIMINATE.

WILL GEORGIA'S HATE CRIME LAW STILL APPLY IF THAT IS DETERMINED TO BE TRUE?

>> THE GREAT THING ABOUT THE BILL WE PASSED LAST YEAR PROVIDES BOTH SEX AND GENDER AS PROTECTED CLASSES IN ADDITION TO RACE AND OTHER PROTECTIVE GROUPS, SO IF IT IS -- IF THAT IS PLAYED OUT, THERE WOULD STILL BE THE BASIS TO BRING AN ACTION UNDER THE HATE CRIMES ACT.

>> NOW, SEVERAL BILLS PASSED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TODAY AND ARE NOW HEADED TO THE GOVERN EAR'S DESK.

SENATE BILL 88 PASSED.

YOU MAY RECALL THIS IS GOVERNOR KEMP'S TEACHER PIPELINE LEGISLATION PACKAGE.

REPRESENTATIVE LARICCIA CARRIED THE BILL TODAY.

>> WITH THE HELP OF THIS LEGISLATURE, SINCE DAY ONE GOVERNOR KEMP CHAMPIONED RECRUITING IN THE AREA OF OUR TEACHERS.

THIS BILL HAS SIX PARTS.

IT WOULD ALLOW THE GEORGIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE GEORGIA BOARD OF EDUCATION.

-- OUR VETERANS TO BECOME CERTIFIED TEACHERS.

IT WILL UTILIZE RESOURCES IF FOR NEW TEACHERS OR TEACHERS WHO NEED A LITTLE EXTRA OBSERVATION.

IT ALSO IMPROVED DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION AND -- AND FINALLY THIS ENHANCES HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES' ROLE IN TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS.

>> THE HOUSE SPEAKER CAME DOWN TO PERSONALLY CARRY SENATE BILL 140, WHICH PASSED 172-1.

>> IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED BY OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE STATE SENATE.

SENATE BILL 140 WOULD ERECT A STATUE OR OTHER MONUMENT ON OUR CAPITOL GROUNDS IN MEMORY OF OUR 79th GOVERNOR AND FORMER UNITED STATES SENATE ZALE BRIAN MILLER.

FOR THOSE OF US FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE KNOWN HIM HE HAD THE HEART OF A LION AND AT THE SAME TIME THE STUBBORNNESS OF A MOUNTAIN MULE.

>> THE FORMER GOVERNOR AND STATE SENATOR MILLER DIED IN 2018.

SENATE BILL 112 EXTENDS COVID-19 BUSINESS LIABILITY THROUGH JULY 2022.

IT WAS CARRIED BY SENATOR BRIAN STRICKLAND.

>> AND ALL WE'RE DOING WITH HOUSE BILL 112 IS EXPAND THE SUNSET ON OUR COVID IMMUNITY LAW AS WE NAVIGATE ANOTHER YEAR OF COVID-19.

GEORGIA HAS OUTPERFORMED THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IN A LOT OF WAYS WITH OUR ECONOMY, AND THIS BILL CONTINUES THAT STABILITY.

>> SENATE BILL 112 PASSED 36-17.

AND VERY LATE THIS AFTERNOON, GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP'S DRAG RACING BILL PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

IT NOW HEADS TOT SENATE RULES COMMITTEE.

THAT IS MY CAPITOL REPORT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

LAWMAKERS FLOODED THE GOLD DOME THIS SESSION WITH A HOST OF ELECTIONS BILLS.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MIKE DUGAN CREATED ONE OF THE MOST SWEEPING BILLS, SB 241.

I HAD A ONE-ON-ONE WITH HIM ON EVERYTHING FROM NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE BALLOT TO WHETHER DEMOCRATS SHOULD BE ON A COMMITTEE CONSIDERING LEGISLATION.

I BEGAN BY ASKING HIM WHY, WITH ALL THE DOZENS OF BILLS THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN FILED, WHY DID HE FILE HIS OWN BILL?

>> THERE WAS A COMPILATION OF A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT BILLS WE WERE LOOKING AT FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WE COMPARED ELECTION POLICIES AND LAWS IN ALL 50 STATES PLUS D.C. OVER THE LAST YEAR.

BECAUSE THEY'RE BASED OFF 18, BASED OFF 20.

YOU KNOW, GOING INTO -- WE SAID, THERE ARE SOME LOOPHOLES IN HERE WE REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS.

IF YOU LOOK AT 241, A VAST MAJORITY OF IT IS NOT CONTROVERSIAL STUFF.

IT'S CODIFYING ITEMS THAT WE ARE ALREADY DOING IN GEORGIA THAT WE HAVE TRADITION ON BUT NO LAWS FOR.

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE WHERE WE CAME TOGETHER AND SAID, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE LEADER OF OUR CAUCUS OUGHT TO -- THE LEADER OF OUR PARTY IN THE SENATE OUGHT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SAT OUT WHEN THE BELL WAS ON THE FLOOR?

>> THAT'S HIS CALL.

HE'S -- HE HAS NO VOTE IN THE SENATE.

HIS NAME'S NOT ON THE BOARD ANYWHERE.

IF HE WANTS TO -- WE KNEW HIS POSITION.

HE AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT TIMES BEFORE IT EVER MADE IT TO THE FLOOR.

IF HE WANTS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT HE IS OPPOSED TO IT, HE REALLY HAS LIMITED OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT OTHER THAN DOING WHAT HE DID, SO I'M NOT MAD AT HIM.

>> BUT AS ANOTHER STATE LEADER IT CERTAINLY SENDS A MESSAGE, DOESN'T IT?

>> I THINK THAT WAS HIS INTENT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ASPECT OF THE BILL, AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH WHO HAS THE POWER TO REMOVE LOCAL OFFICIALS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD HAVE THE POWER?

>> I THINK THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES SHOULD HAVE, AND THAT'S WHY WE WROTE IT THE WAY WE DID.

I'VE HEARD SOME PEOPLE GO, THE STATE BEING ABLE TO SWOOP IN AND TAKE OVER, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT THE 241 DOES.

THE STATE ELECTION BOARD CAN CALL AN UNDERPERFORMING BOARD -- WHEN I SAY BOARD, THAT COULD BE THE SUPERINTENDENT OR THE ENTIRE BOARD FOR A MEETING TO COME BEFORE THEM, AND THAT'S USUALLY -- I THINK IN THE BILL IT EVEN SPELLS OUT MALFEASANCE, INCOMPETENCE.

THERE'S A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS, THE MEASURES THEY WOULD HAVE TO REACH.

THE STATE ELECTION BOARD CAN'T REMOVE THEM.

THE STATE ELECTION BOARD, IF THEY DECIDE THERE SHOULD BE FURTHER ACTION TAKEN, GOES TO THE LOCAL DELEGATION.

LET'S SAY CARROLL COUNTY, FOR EXAMPLE.

CAROL COUNTY HAS TWO SENATORS THAT REPRESENT PART OF THE COUNTY AND I THINK FIVE REPRESENTATIVES.

SO IT WOULD BE ALL THE DELEGATION FROM CARROLL COUNTY WITHIN THE -- AND AMONGST THAT GROUP MAKE A DETERMINATION WHETHER THAT PERSON SHOULD BE TEMPORARILY REMOVED.

SO THINK ABOUT LIKE A SCHOOL BOARD THAT LOST ACCREDITATION.

THERE WOULD BE A TEMPORARY REMOVAL OF THAT SCHOOL BOARD UNTIL A NEW GROUP COULD BE PUT IN PLACE, AND THEN THE KEYS ARE TURNED BACK OVER.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT NO EXCUSE VOTING.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE LEADERS LIKE THE HOUSE SPEAKER IN SUPPORT OF NO-EXCUSE VOTING.

SO WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

WHAT'S THE FUTURE OF THAT IN THIS BILL GIVEN THE LEADERSHIP AND THE FEELING ABOUT IT, ESPECIALLY WHAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT IT?

>> THERE ARE TWO CHAMBERS.

IT IS A CONTINUUM PROCESS.

IF YOU ASK ME IN THE FINAL PRODUCT, DO I THINK THE REQUIRED EXCUSE WOULD BE IN A FINAL VERSION OF A BILL THAT CAME OUT?

NO, I DON'T.

THE SPEAKER HAS BEEN VERY VOCAL ABOUT IT.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS BEEN VOCAL ABOUT IT.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN VOCAL ABOUT IT.

THE 531 DID NOT INCLUDE IT.

THAT'S THE HOUSE BILL THAT -- THEIR EFFORT.

BUT JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE CHANGE -- WE PUT FORWARD WHAT WE THINK OUR IDEAS ARE AND EXPLAIN WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT TO US.

YEAH, I -- I THOUGHT IT WAS UNUSUAL THAT PEOPLE GO -- NOT AS MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO VOTE ABSENTEE BALLOT.

AT ONE POINT, 36 MEN THAT HAD THEIR ABSENTEE BALLOTS ACCEPTED.

WITH EXCUSES, IT'S 2.87 MILLION, SO NEARLY HALF THE ENTIRE VOTING POPULATION IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE -- TO GET AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

THE COUNTER WOULD BE, WELL, BEFORE, IT WAS 6 MILLION PLUS.

IF YOU GOT TO A POINT WHERE YOU WANT ALL PEOPLE TO VOTE MELON ABSENTEE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A SIGNIFICANT SHIFT TO OUR WHOLE METHODOLOGY OF VOTING.

YOU'RE TALKING MORE OF OREGON AND HAWAII RIGHT THERE.

BUT WHY?

WHAT IS MY CONCERNS WITH IT?

I HAVE THREE THAT JUMP OUT.

OTHERS HAVE THEIR OWN.

BUT ME, WITH THE MELON ABSENTEE THEY'RE RUNNING THREE ELECTIONS SIMULTANEOUSLY.

THE EARLY VOTING, THE MELON IN ADDITION TO THE MILITARY OVERSEAS BALLOTS WHICH ARE COVERED UNDER FEDERAL LAW, WHILE THEY'RE PREPPING FOR THE IN-PERSON DAY-OF VOTING.

THAT'S A LOT OF WORK FOR A -- BASICALLY A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS TO EXECUTE THAT GEORGIANS VOTIN.

I DON'T WANT THE NUMBER TO DECREASE.

I WANT IT TO INCREASE, BUT I WANT THEM TO DO THEIR JOB.

IT'S A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE TO THE COUNTIES TO SET UP THE MAIL-IN PIECE, THE EARLY PERSON PIECE AND THE DAY-OF PIECE, ESPECIALLY WHEN A SIGNIFICANT APT OF PEOPLE BROUGHT THEIR MAIL-IN BALLOTS BACK TO THE -- THEIR EARLY VOTING AREAS AND TURNED THEM BACK IN.

SO NOW YOU LOST THE COST, AND THE EFFORT THAT THEY HAVE ON, AND IT HOLDS UP THE LINES BECAUSE YOU'RE HAVING TO VOID THE OLD BALLOT AND START TO PROCESS AGAIN.

BUT THE THING THAT BOTHERED ME THE MOST OF IT IS THE SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF REJECTED BALLOTS ARE MAIL-IN ABSENTEES.

FAR MORE THAN WHETHER YOU'RE IN-PERSON EARLY OR DAY OF.

EVEN WITH THE CURING PROCESS THAT WE HAVE NOW, IT'S -- IT IS A MUCH HIGHER RATE.

AND IF YOU'RE VOTING, YOU OUGHT TO BE ASSURED THAT YOU'RE VOTE ACTUALLY GOT COUNTED.

>> WOULD YOU BE DISAPPOINTED IF IT DIDN'T COME OUT -- IF THAT SECTION DIDN'T COME OUT OF THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE?

NO EXCUSES.

>> I'D BE DISAPPOINTED BUT IT'S NOT ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE I GO, I'M A FAILURE IN LIFE IF IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

I WOULDN'T PUT IT IN THERE IF I DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS MERIT TO US PUTTING IT IN THERE.

>> SHOULD DEMOCRAT BE ALLOWED ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE?

>> SURE.

I THINK THAT'S A FUNNY QUESTION.

SHOULD ANY ELECTED MEMBER OF THE SENATE BE ALLOWED TO BE ON A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE?

YES.

WE'RE ALL EQUAL PARTNERS IN THIS.

THIS IS NOT FALCONS VERSUS SAINTS.

IT'S NOT A GAME.

WE'RE ALL TRYING TO BETTER GEORGIA.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR POSITION ON WEEKEND VOTING.

>> MY POSITION IS YOU HAVE A START DATE, AN END DATE, YOU HAVE TWO MANDATORY DAYS ON WEEKENDS, THE OTHER ARE OPTIONAL.

UP TO COUNTIES WHETHER THEY WANT TO HOLD THEM ON THOSE DAYS OR NOT.

YOU GO, WHY DON'T YOU MAKE IT MANDATORY FOR ALL?

BECAUSE SOME OF OUR SMALLER COUNTIES THAT HAVE 3,000 PEOPLE IN IT, CAN YOU IMAGINE US MANDATING THAT THESE SMALL UNDERRESOURCES COUNTIES KEEP OPEN FOR ALL FOUR DAYS FOR MAYBE THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE?

THAT'S -- YOU CAN'T DO A ONE SIZE FITS ALL FOR THE STATE.

WHERE I HAVE BEEN PUSHING ON THIS THING IS LET'S SAY DeKALB, FULTON, GWINNETT, IF THEY'RE ELECTION OFFICE IS GOING TO HAVE ALL FOUR WEEKEND DAYS IN THAT EARLY VOTING PERIOD OPEN, DO IT.

THAT'S FINE WITH ME.

>> NO COOKIE CUTTER FOR EVERYBODY, JUST GIVE THEM FLEXIBILITY.

>> THE COOKIE CUTTER IS YOU CAN.

THE COOKIE CUTTER IS NOT YOU MUST.

SO FROM WHAT I'VE TALKED TO MY FRIENDS FROM THOSE COUNTIES I MENTIONED THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE THE SUNDAYS OPEN.

THE ONES THAT -- YOU KNOW, LET'S GO TO PICK A SOUTHWEST COULD BETY COUNTY IN A SOUTHWEST PART OF THE STATE THAT HAS A SIGNIFICANT POPULATION, THEY CAN MAKE THE NEEDS OF THEIRS WITHOUT HAVING ALL FOUR WEEKEND DAY OPEN.

>> THIS FALLS UNDER UNIFORMITY VERSUS LOCAL.

>> THE TRICK IS FINDING A WAY TO COMBINE THE TWO.

CREATE A LEVEL OF UNITY BUT STILL LET THE LOCALS MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THEIR ELECTION PROCESS IN A MANNER THAT IS BEST FOR THEM.

BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD.

>> ARE YOU WORKING WITH BARRY FLEMING ON HIS BILL SO YOU GUYS COME UP WITH SOMETHING COMPREHENSIVE TOGETHER?

>> I'M ON THE ETHIC COMMITTEE.

HIS BILL COMES THROUGH THE ETHICS COMMITTEE.

I SHARED MY CONCERNS, LIKE THE LAST ISSUE I JUST TALKED ABOUT, WITH HIM, BUT IT'S HIS BILL.

SO I WILL LET HIM PRESENT, AND WE WILL ASK QUESTIONS AND AT THE END WE'LL START MAKING ADJUSTMENTS IF WE DEEM THERE ARE SOME WE WOULD LIKE TO DO AND I'M SURE THEY'LL DO THAT TO MINE ON THE OTHER SIDE.

>> TODAY THE HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY MET AND DID NOT TAKE UP SENATE BILL 241, BUT CHAIRMAN BARRY FLEMING INTRODUCE ADD A THIRD BILL.

SB 202 IS 93 PAGES AND WE'LL HAVE MORE DETAILS ON THAT SOON.

>>> WELL, COMING UP, WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO TWO MORE LAWMAKERS ABOUT ELECTIONS BILLS, BUT WE'LL ALSO DISCUSS LEGISLATION DEALING WITH GAMBLING AND PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.

YOU'RE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>> Announcer: "LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, WITH OVER 80 YEAR OF HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE MANY OUR STATE.

AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER REPRESENTS OVER $70 BILLION OUTPUT.

THE GEORGIA TEACH WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCER ACROSS GEORGIA.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIANAS.

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

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

JOINING US TO CONTINUE OUR CONVERSATION ABOUT ELECTION LEGISLATION AND OTHER BILLS AT THE GOLD DOME REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR BURT JONES OF JACKSON AND WAYNE HOWARD OF AUGUSTA.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

THIS SESSION.

REPRESENTATIVE HOWARD, LET'S START WITH YOU.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE ELECTION BILLS THAT YOU'VE SEEN UP UNTIL THIS POINT?

>> WELL, NONE OF THEM MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IF THE SYSTEM WAS NOT BROKEN, WHAT ARE WE FIXING?

IS WHAT COMES TO MY MIND, AND IT ALL GOES BACK TO, WHAT ABOUT THE ELECTIONS THAT WE HAD PRIOR TO THIS?

WERE THEY FRAUDULENT?

WHAT ARE WE FIXING?

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING WE'RE FIXING.

>> YOU HEARD ABOUT THE CHANGES THEY MENTIONED, THE COMMITTEE MET TODAY.

ARE YOU THINKING THAT THINGS MAY BE BETTER WITH THIS BILL?

WHAT ARE YOU HEARD?

YOU HEARD THAT THERE HAD BEEN THIS NEW BILL.

>> WELL, I HEARD IT'S PLUS 90 PAGES, AND WHAT'S IN IT, NO ONE KNOWS YET OTHER THAN THE COMMITTEE AT THIS POINT.

SO THEY'VE COMPILED, MY UNDERSTANDING S A COMPILATION OF PAGES OF BILLS THAT HAVE COME FROM THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE AND COMPILED INTO ONE BILL.

SO WE'LL SEE.

>> YES, WE WILL SEE.

>> YEAH.

>> SENATOR JONES, YOU HAVEN'T EVEN -- YOU HAVEN'T REALLY LIKED TO PROCESS WITH THESE ELECTION BILLS.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, YEAH.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, TO REPRESENT THIS POINT, WE HAVE HAD THREE ELECTION CYCLES NOW, 2016, 2018 AND 2020 NOW, WHERE THE INTEGRITY OF THE VOTE HAS BEEN PUT INTO QUESTION.

IT'S RANGED FROM, YOU KNOW, FOREIGN INTERFERENCE BACK IN 2016 TO A PURGING OF THE VOTES IN 2018, AND NOW 2020, A LITANY OF THINGS HAVE BEEN PUT INTO QUESTION.

AND I THINK -- ANY TIME YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S NO GOVERNMENT OR BUSINESS, I THINK TOUGH IDENTIFY THAT PROBLEM FIRST AND THEN COME UP WITH THE SOLUTION AND HAVING 80 BILLS, I BELIEVE WE SEED THAT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS YEAR, IS REALLY NOT A FINE-TUNED FOCUS ON WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

SO A LOT OF US DURING THE 2020 PROCESS, WE'RE RESPONDING TO OUR CONSTITUENTS WITH ISSUES THAT THEY HAD HAD.

IT WAS EITHER GOING TO THE POLLS AND BEING TOLD THEY'D ALREADY BEEN VOTED ABSENTEE OR HAVING SOME SORT OF ISSUE WITH THE MACHINERY AT THE TIME, AND SO YOU KNOW, THE MACHINES, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A BIG TOPIC BACK IN 2018, HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN PUT INTO THE QUESTION.

>> PAPER BALLOTS USED FOR FIRST TIME.

>> I OFFERED SOME LANGUAGE ON THE SENATE SIDE THAT WOULD GIVE COUNTIES AND CITIES, MUNICIPALITIES THE OPTIONS FOR A PAPER BALLOT.

I'VE YET TO SEE WHERE THAT'S GETTING ANY TRACTION, AT LEAST ON OUR SIDE OF THE CHAMBER.

SO I HAVE BEEN KIND OF FRUSTRATED, BECAUSE I THINK WE COULD END UP MAKING SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN WHAT IT NEEDED TO BE THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE PROCESS HERE.

>> YOU DID CHALLENGE SOME OF THE ELECTION RESULTS.

>> I DID.

>> THEN YOU WENT AHEAD AND VOTED FOR SB 241.

>> I VOTED FOR IT -- IT'S LIKE A LOT OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

YOU GET SOME OF -- SOMETIMES YOU GET SOME OF WHAT YOU WANT AND NOT ALL OF IT.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS I LIKE ABOUT 241 THAT OUR LEADER DUGAN THAT YOU JUST SAW ON HERE EARLIER INCLUDED INTO THE BILL.

SO THERE'S PORTIONS OF IT I DID LIKE.

WASN'T 100% OF IT, BUT THERE WAS ENOUGH THERE FOR ME TO VOTE FOR IT AND MOVE IT FORWARD.

BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, IT'S -- IF THE INTEGRITY OF THE VOTE IS PUT INTO QUESTION I THINK WE'VE ALL BEEN ON THE LOSING SIDE, SPEAKING OF THE LAST THREE ELECTION CYCLES THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT, AND WHEN THE INTEGRITY OF THE VOTE IS PUT INTO QUESTION, YOU KNOW, YOU -- THAT'S A DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE AS A DEMOCRACY.

>> OKAY, LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OTHER PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

REPRESENTATIVE HOWARD YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT TWO BILLS THAT ARE VERY PERSONAL TO YOU.

THE FIRST ONE IS RELATING TO YOU BEING IN A WHEELCHAIR SINCE 2017, AND IT IS HOUSE BILL 437.

TALK ABOUT THAT WHEN IT COME TOSSER VIS STATIONS.

>> HOUSE BILL 437 WOULD ALLOW PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO DRIVE UP TO A PUMP, A SERVICE STATION, AND THE SERVICE STATION WILL HAVE TO PUT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WILL PUT SIGNS ON PUMPS ACROSS THE STATE WITH A PHONE NUMBER ON IT FOR THE PERSON WITH THE DISABILITY TO CALL INTO THE STATION AND REQUEST ASSISTANCE.

NOW, IF THE STATION HAS -- DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH ATTENDANTS IN THERE TO ASSIST, THEN THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED TO DO IT, BUT THIS WOULD FILL A BIG GAP, I BELIEVE, FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO BE ABLE TO GET GAS AND CONTINUE THE MOVE ON FROM POINT "A" TO POINT "B" TO SEE WHATEVER.

>> I UNDERSTAND SOME BUSINESSES ARE ALREADY DOING THAT.

>> YES, BECAUSE WE STARTED THIS INITIATIVE BACK IN 2018, AND I WAS INVITED TO THE CONVENIENCE STORE ASSOCIATION GATHERING DOWN IN SOUTH GEORGIA.

AND THEY WERE VERY RECEPTIVE OF IT, SO I IMAGINE THAT THIS IS GOING TO REALLY BE SOMETHING THAT WILL BE RECEIVED BY MOST CONVENIENCE STORES.

>> I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR OTHER BILL, WHICH TALKS ABOUT THE ABUSE OF THE DISABLED PARKING PERMITS.

>> THAT BILL WE PUT IN, AND WE'RE WAITING FOR SOME RESULTS ON THAT ONE.

IT'S GOING -- IT'S BEEN ASSIGNED TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

SO HOUSE STUDY COMMITTEE THAT WOULD GO OUT AND LOOK AT DISABLED PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO PARK AND HOW MUCH ABUSE IS BEING ATTRIBUTED TO LACK OF PARKING OR AVAILABILITY OF PARKING.

WHERE, IF A PERSON THAT'S USING THEIR MOTHER'S OR THEIR DAD'S OR AUNT'S OR UNCLE'S LITTLE CARD THAT HANGS ON THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR.

BUT THEY ARE NOT DISABLED.

AND THEY ARE TAKING UP A DISABLED SPACE.

SO WHEN A DISABLED PERSON REALLY NEEDS THAT SPACE AND YOU'RE TAKING IT UP AND YOU'RE NOT DISABLED, YOU'RE USING YOUR PARENT'S OR WHOEVER'S DISABLED CARD, THEN -- I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT THAT WAS UNTIL I BEGAN TO SEE WHEN I GOT TO A GROCERY STORE OR WHEREVER IT MAY BE, AND YOU -- I END UP DRIVING AROUND, WAITING FOR A SPACE.

AND YOU'VE GOT TO GO ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND, AND YOU SEE PEOPLE COMING OUT OF THE STORE, AND YOU WONDER, ARE THEY DISABLED?

AND YOU CAN'T TAKE ASSUMPTIONS THAT A PERSON IS NOT DISABLED JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE WALKING.

SO -- >> IT'S GOOD YOU'RE DRAWING ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM.

IT'S MORE OF A PROBLEM THAN I THINK PEOPLE RECOGNIZE, AND THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE THAT PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF STILL NEED TO FIND A PLACE.

>> RIGHT, YES.

>> THEY DO.

I DO WANT TO GET TO YOU, SENATOR JONES, REALLY QUICKLY, AND TALK ABOUT GAMBLING A LITTLE BIT.

LAST YEAR YOU WERE THE LEAD SPONSOR OF THE ONLINE SPORTS BETTING LEGISLATION.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS YEAR'S VERSION AND WHAT'S DIFFERENT.

>> WELL, I'M NOTSPONSORING IT THIS YEAR.

I WAS THE LEAD SPONSOR LAST YEAR.

I THINK OF ALL THE PROPOSALS OUT THERE AS FAR AS GAMBLING IS CONCERNED, THE ONLINE BETTING HAS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY OF PASSING, GETTING FULL PASSAGE.

IT'S ALREADY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE JUST MISSING OUT AS A STATE ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLECT SIGNIFICANT REVENUE DOLLARS ON SOMETHING THAT IS A MULTIBILLION DOLLARS INDUSTRY THAT'S ALREADY GOING ON, AND I THINK IT'S NOT VERY WELL THOUGHT THROUGH, US NOT CAPITALIZING ON THAT.

I KNOW OUR SPORTS TEAMS HAVE WEIGHED IN AND REALLY BACK THE INITIATIVE.

AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL GET FULL PASSAGE THIS YEAR.

I KNOW IT'S SITTING OH IN THE HOUSE.

>> IT MAY BE DOWN TO THE WIRE.

>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE DOWN TO THE WIRE ONE GETTING THROUGH, BUT -- >> WE'LL SEE.

UNFORTUNATELY WE'RE DOWN TO THE WIRE ON THIS SHOW.

I WANT TO THANK BOTH BOTH OF YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT ON "LAWMAKERS."

WE'LL RETURN TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY 35.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> THANKS, DONNA.

>>> WELCOME TO THE 2021 GEORGIA TECH INVENTURE PRIZE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

I KNOW THIS YEAR HAS BEEN A HUGE CHALLENGE, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU