♪♪ >>> IT IS TIME TO TAKE A CHILL PILL, FOLKS.

IT'S TIME TO READ THE BILL.

DON'T JUST LISTEN TO WHAT YOU'RE BEING TOLD.

ACTUALLY READ THE BILL.

>> IT'S A SAD DAY IN GEORGIA FOR ALL THOSE WHO LOVE DEMOCRACY.

IT'S A SAD DAY FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE VOTED FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE, WHO HAVE WORKED HARD, DIED HARD AND DONE EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO GET EVERYBODY, ONE MAN, ONE PERSON ONE VOTE, AND THIS TAKES THAT AWAY.

>> PASSIONATE DEBATE FROM BOTH SIDES ON THE CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT WOULD LEAD TO SWEEPING CHANGES IN GEORGIA'S ELECTION LAW.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS LEGISLATIVE DAY 38.

WE HAVE A LOT ON THAT ELECTIONS BILL COMING UP.

THE LARGEST LEGISLATION TO COME OUT OF THIS SESSION, INCLUDING A LATE AFTERNOON PRESS CONFERENCE WITH THE GOVERNOR THAT BECAME EVEN MORE CONTROVERSIAL.

IN THE SENATE, THE BILL TO RESTRICT THE SO-CALLED DEFUNDING OF POLICE BILL PASSED BUT IT NEEDS TO RETURN TO THE HOUSE BECAUSE OF CHANGES.

AND WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST ON OTHER MAJOR LEGISLATION TO TREATING 17 YEAR OLDS AS JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

BUT FIRST LET'S HEAD TO THE GOLD DOME WHERE CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS HAS THE LATEST ON WHAT HAS HAPPENED THERE SINCE THE GOVERNOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE.

BRENDA.

>> Reporter: HEY, DONNA.

SOME TENSE AND INTENSE MOMENTS HERE UNDER THE GOLD DOME.

JUST ABOUT TEN MINUTES AGO THE GOVERNOR DECIDED TO SIGN SENATE BILL 202 IN HIS OFFICE RATHER THAN RIGHT BELOW ME ON THE SECOND FLOOR WHERE HE USUALLY HAS HIS PRESS CONFERENCES AND SIGNS BILLS.

HE THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE PROTESTERS, AND THERE WERE.

AND THEN WHILE HE WAS SIGNING SENATE BILL 202, STATE REPRESENTATIVE CLARK CANNON KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR TO TRY TO GET IN.

STATE OFFICERS TRIED TO STOP HER.

SHE WOULD NOT STOP KNOCKING.

THEY THEN TOOK HER ARM BEHIND HER BACK, ARRESTED HER AND TOOK HER OUT OF THE BUILDING.

SO, SHE HAS BEEN ARRESTED AS REPRESENTATIVE CLARK CANNON HAS BEEN ARRESTED.

NOW SENATE BILL 202 DID PASS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, AND THAT'S WHAT THE GOVERNOR WAS SIGNING TODAY.

THERE HAVE BEEN PROTESTERS ALL DAY INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, AND SOME OF THE REMARKS MADE ON THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE FLOOR WERE VERY INTENSE, VERY COMPASSIONATE, A LOT OF EMOTION FROM BOTH SIDES TODAY.

WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK A LITTLE BIT LATER ON MORE OF WHAT HAPPENED HERE UNDER THE GOLD DOME JUST ABOUT TEN MINUTES AGO.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, BRENDA.

I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN REALLY BUSY, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE FROM YOU.

IN THE MEANTIME WE WANT TO -- I RECENTLY SPENT TIME WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JEFF DUNCAN FOR AN EXTENDED INTERVIEW ON SEVERAL ISSUES.

EVEN BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGAN, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DIDN'T SHY AWAY FROM WHAT HE CALLED THE DIVISIVE TONE OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

I STARTED BY ASKING HIM ABOUT HIS COMMENTS ON "MEET THE PRESS," SAYING THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NEEDS A NEW FOCUS THAT HE CALLED GOP 2.0.

>> TO ME 2.0 IS A WAY TO CAPTURE AND PULL BACK TO THE CORNERSTONE POLICIES AND JUST REINFORCE THEM.

ALSO BE EFRP THETIC AND TO REALLY TRY TO REACH OUT TO A COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM AND UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THAT CERTAIN COMMUNITIES FACE OR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS FACE, A SINGLE MOM WITH THREE KIDS WORKING TWO JOBS, I DON'T KNOW HER ISSUES UNTIL I ASK HER HER ISSUES.

AND IF I WANT HER TO VOTE FOR US, I NEED TO UNDERSTAND THOSE ISSUES AND BE A SOLUTION.

GOP 2.0 IS ABOUT A BETTER TONE, A WAY TO LOOK AHEAD AND BE AN ENCOURAGING VOICE AND NOT A CONDESCENDING VOICE.

>> LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE OBSTACLES YOU MIGHT SEE THE REPUBLICANS GETTING ELECTED AS YOU LOOK AT THAT LANDSCAPE.

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S JUST THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S CHAOS KIND OF ON THE BATTLEFIELD.

WE WATCHED THAT PLAY OUT IN THE ELECTION CYCLE.

WE HAD TO WATCH NINE OR TEN WEEKS WORTH OF MISINFORMATION PLAY OUT ON A NATIONAL STAGE.

I SPENT TIME ON THE BBC NETWORK A NUMBER OF NIGHTS TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO EUROPE WHAT WAS GOING ON IN SQUOR ARE JOR, WHAT WAS GOING ON IN AMERICA.

BUT I HOPE WE CAN MOVE PAST THIS MOMENT IN TIME.

I HOPE WE CAN REGAIN THE TRUST OF FOLKS ON THE BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE THAT RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT WE WANT TO REPRESENT FOLKS HERE IN GEORGIA WITH A CONSERVATIVE MINDSET.

GOVERNOR KEMP HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOB.

I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE HARDEST PARTS FOR ME TO SWALLOW DURING THIS WHOLE PERIOD OF TIME OF MISINFORMATION WAS THE FACT THAT GOVERNOR KEMP HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOB.

WE HAVE A STATE OPERATING ON ALL CYLINDERS EVEN DESPITE A PANDEMIC RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE BALANCING LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS IN A WAY THAT'S SAFE AND SECURE BUT ALSO RESPONSIBLE.

WE HAVE OVER $2 BILLION IN A RAINY DAY FUND.

WE'RE ADDING MONEY BACK TO THE BUDGET.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT I'M PROUD OF AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE GEORGIANS ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THAT.

>> THIS WEEK CONGRESSMAN JODY HICE ANNOUNCED HE WAS GOING TO RUN AGAINST BRAD RAFFENSPERGER FOR THAT OFFICE.

IS 2022 GOING TO BE TRUMP REPUBLICANS VERSUS NON-TRUMP REPUBLICANS?

>> I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT.

THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR ANYBODY IN OUR PARTY.

I THINK WE SHOULD PUT THE VOTERS AT THE CORNERSTONE.

THEY SHOULD BE THE FOCAL POINT.

WE TALKED ABOUT MAKING AMERICA GREAT.

WE NEED TO MAKE AMERICANS GREAT.

BY DOING THAT WE'RE NOT SELFISH WITH WHO SUPPORTED WHO BUT WHO REALLY COMES TO THE TABLE WITH THE BEST SOLUTIONS?

WHO CAN PUT THEIR OWN PERSONAL AGENDAS ASIDE AND FOCUS ON WHAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR POSITION?

HERE IN GEORGIA WE HAVE A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY.

THE WORLD IS WATCHING WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.

WE CONTINUE TO BE THE NUMBER ONE STATE TO DO BUSINESS IN.

WE CONTINUE TO BE A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND PLAY IN AND WORK IN.

WE CONTINUE TO SET STANDARDS ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AS WAYS TO INVITE INVESTMENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GREAT THINGS GOING ON HERE.

I HOPE WE DON'T HAVE PETTY INFIGHTING.

>> BUT WHOEVER WINS THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY, HOW DO YOU GET THEM TO COME BACK, THOUGH, IN NOVEMBER THAT SAME YEAR?

>> WELL, I THINK WE WATCH THIS PLAY OUT TO SOME EXTENT IN OUR MOST RECENT GENERAL ELECTION.

THEN WE HAD THE SENATE RUN OFF, THE U.S. SENATE RUNOFFS AND WE WATCHED THAT BACK AND FORTH KIND OF PLAY OUT.

AND UNFORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T WORK ON THE -- IN FAVOR OF REPUBLICANS.

BUT CERTAINLY, LOOK, I THINK IT'S A SLOW AND STEADY COURSE THAT WE NEED TO NAVIGATE HERE AND CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE THAT, LOOK, GEORGIA, ALL EIGHT STATEWIDE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS ARE REPUBLICANS.

WE HAVE REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE SENATE, THE STATE HOUSE.

I THINK IT'S BECAUSE AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF GEORGIANS THINK THAT A CONSERVATIVE STYLE OF LEADERSHIP BEST FITS THEIR FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS.

AND I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS JUST CONTINUE TO REMIND THEM OF THAT, AND I THINK THAT'S A SAFE WINNING STRATEGY FOR US IN 2022.

BUT ANY SORT OF SIDE SHOWS OR MISINFORMATION IS NOT GOING TO BE PRODUCTIVE.

>> SO, YOU THINK VOTERS WILL BE ABLE TO CUT THROUGH ALL OF THAT AND COME BACK IN NOVEMBER?

>> WE HAVE WORKED HARD HERE IN THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO TRY TO WORK THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

WE'RE A BIG CONVERSATION AROUND ELECTION REFORM.

CERTAINLY MADE MY OPINION KNOWN ON SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.

THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT MAKES SENSE THAT I THINK 11 MILLION GEORGIANS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE THINK WE OUGHT TO DO AND MODERNIZE BASED ON THE INEFFICIENCIES THAT CAME TO LIGHT DURING THE LAST ELECTION CYCLE.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT FEEL LIKE AN OVERREACH OR A KNEE-JERK REACTION, AND THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING I SUPPORT.

AND HOPEFULLY WE GET TO A POSITION HERE IN THE FINAL FEW DAYS WHERE PEACEFUL LEGISLATION COMES FORWARD THAT WE CAN ALL GET ON BOARD WITH.

>> YOU WERE THERE AS THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THIS NEW FOSTER CARE LAW.

WHY HAVE YOU CARED SO MUCH ABOUT THAT ISSUE AND ADOPTION?

THOSE TWO ISSUES IN PARTICULAR?

>> SO, I WAS ONE OF THOSE FORTUNATE KIDS THAT WAS RAISED IN A LOVING FAMILY.

MY BIOLOGICAL MOM AND DAD WERE WITH ME ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND LIVE LESS THAN A MILE FROM ME.

I GREW UP IN AN OPPOSITE SETTING THAN A KID THAT HAD TO GO THROUGH THE ADOPTION AND FOSTER PROGRAMS.

I'VE HAD A NUMBER OF FOLKS ARRIVE IN MY LIFE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS THAT HAVE GOT FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE.

ONE OF THEM WORKS WITH ME THAT HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB OF FOSTERING TWO BEAUTIFUL GIRLS.

I SAID THIS YESTERDAY IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

I CAN THINK OF NO SCARIER MOMENT IN HAY CHILD'S LIFE THAN THE DAY THEY'RE DROPPED OFF INTO THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

DESPITE HOW WARM AND INVITING IT COULD BE AT THAT MOMENT, JUST IMAGINE -- JUST PUT YOURSELF IN THAT SETTING.

I THINK ONE OF THE -- AND I GET THIS THROUGH MY FAITH AND OTHERS THROUGH OTHER AVENUES.

IT MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE DO IS TAKE CARE OF FOSTER KIDS.

WE GIVE THEM EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.

WE GIVE THEM THE NURTURING FOUNDATION THEY NEED.

YESTERDAY WAS A HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH THE TAX CREDIT THAT COMES IN IN ALLOWING US TO REMOVE ANY SORT OF HURDLES IN A POTENTIAL FAMILY THAT HAS IT IN THEIR HEART TO HELP TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FOSTER SYSTEM BUT DOESN'T MAKES SENSE.

THIS HOPEFULLY TAKES A HUGE STEP IN THAT DIRECTION AND EXPANDS THE NUMBER OF LOVING FAMILIES.

THERE'S NO VALUE -- WE JUST CANNOT PUT A VALUE ON A LOVING FAMILY AND WHAT THAT CAN DO TO RAISE A CHILD AND TO HELP GET THEM TO THE NEXT STAGE IN LIFE.

>> YOU'VE BEEN A STRONG PROPONENT OF RURAL HOSPITALS.

HOW DOES MEDICAID EXPANSION SET IN, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STIMULUS COMING IN.

>> LOOK, I'VE CERTAINLY TACKLED THIS ISSUE WHEN I WAS IN THE HOUSE AND WAS GRATEFUL TO WORK WITH SO MANY FOLKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BUILDING AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO PASS THE RURAL TAX CARE BILL.

WE HAVE TRIED TO SOLVE HEALTH CARE ON A NATIONAL LEVEL AND STATE LEVEL FOR THE LAST TEN PLUS YEARS IN PARTISAN CORNERS.

WE'VE TRIED AS REPUBLICANS TO BRAND OUR STRATEGY AND DEMOCRATS TRY TO BRAND THEIR STRATEGY.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY I THINK SOLUTIONS TO HEALTH CARE ARE GOING TO SIT IN THE MIDDLE.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE BIPART SOORN NON-PARTISAN SOLUTIONS THAT COME FORWARD.

IF YOU'RE A PERSON WHO'S SHOWN UP AT YOUR MAILBOX AND TRYING TO PAY YOUR PREMIUM AND YOU DON'T CARE IF A DEMOCRAT'S IN CHARGE OR A REPUBLICAN'S IN CHARGE, YOU JUST NEED A LOWER PREMIUM.

IF YOU'RE TRYING TO RUN A BUSINESS AND YOU'RE LOSING EMPLOYEES BECAUSE THERE'S NO HEALTH CARE AND YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS OR THE FOLKS IN YOUR COMMUNITY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO AWE HOSPITAL OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, YOU JUST NEED THAT PROBLEM SOLVED.

SO, FOR ME I THINK WE CONTINUE TO MAKE GREAT STRIDES HERE IN GEORGIA.

WE CONTINUE TO PUT GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITIES TO BE AT THE CENTER OF TRYING TO SOLVE THEIR HEALTH CARE PROBLEMS AND TRYING TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO WATCH THIS PLAY OUT IN THE COMING YEARS WHERE IT'S NOT GOING TO NECESSARILY BE, YOU KNOW, ONE PARTY SOLUTION OR ANOTHER PARTY SOLUTION.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY.

WE'RE GOING TO WACHTEL HEALTH.

WE'RE GOING TO WATCH -- THE PANDEMIC HAS CERTAINLY HELPED US ACCELERATE THAT IN COMMUNITIES ALL OVER.

WE'RE GOING TO WATCH TWO THINGS THAT BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS BIPARTISANLY UNANIMOUSLY AGREE ON, THAT'S THE TOP TWO ISSUES WITH HEALTH CARE.

THIS IS NOT EARTH SHATTERING INFORMATION, BUT WE ALL AGREE ON THE SAME THINGS.

WE NEED LOWER COST AND BETTER ACCESS.

AND I THINK EVERYTHING THAT WE DO HERE IN GEORGIA, THEY CAN ALLOW US TO LOWER THE COST AND HAVE BETTER ACCESS, THEN I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT WILL BE WHAT GEORGIANS SUPPORT.

MEDICAID EXPANSION IS A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION BECAUSE ON THE SURFACE IT LOOKS AND SOUNDS MAYBE EASIER THAN IT IS TO PULL OFF.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WE'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR IT.

AND I THINK THE BEST WAY TO TAKE GREAT STRIDES IS A COMMUNITY-CENTERED EFFORT.

AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO TAKE GREAT STRIDES IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING TWO YEARS AGO ON LAWMAKERS.

YOU ANNOUNCED YOU WANTED TO PUT TERM LIMITS IN.

AND FOR YOUR OFFICE IN PARTICULAR.

WHERE HAS THAT GONE IN THIS PERIOD OF TIME?

>> SO, THERE'S BEEN A NUMBER OF HEARINGS.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A NUMBER OF HEARINGS.

WE TRY TO PRESENT THAT.

I WENT AHEAD AND TOOK ANY ANGST THAT I TERM LIMITED MYSELF WHETHER IT PASSED OR NOT.

IT'S A COMPLICATED SUBJECT.

THERE ARE FOLKS SERVING FOR A LONG, LONG TIME THAT DO INCREDIBLE WORK.

I THINK OF THE LATE JACK HILL AND THE NUMBER OF YEARS HE SERVED, JUST SO HARD TO IMAGINE THAT HE'S NOT WITH US AND HE'S PASSED AWAY SO SUDDENLY.

BUT TO THINK ABOUT THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT HE SPENT AND THAT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

ALSO THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE NEW MEMBERS THAT COME IN.

THIS YEAR WE'VE GOT A NUMBER OF FRESHMEN IN.

AND THAT FRESH PERSPECTIVE THAT REALLY KIND OF SHOWS UP AND THAT ENERGY.

SO, LOOK, I'M JUST ONE OF THOSE THAT HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED TERM LIMITS.

I THINK IT MAKES SENSE.

I THINK IT ALLOWS US TO GET FRESH PERSPECTIVE AND NEW IDEAS AND ALSO ACCELERATES THE CONVERSATION.

I THINK IF EVERYBODY FEELS LIKE THEY'VE GOT A SHOT CLOCK ON THEM, IT MAYBE ACCELERATES THE CONVERSATION TO A COMMITTEE HEARING OR TO THE FLOOR.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL SEE THAT PASS BUT HOPEFULLY I'VE TAKEN THE AIR OUT OF THE ROOM AND TERM LIMITED MYSELF.

>> AS THE SESSION ENDS, HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT THIS SESSION IN PARTICULAR?

>> LOOK, THEY NEVER END THE WAY YOU THINK THEY'RE GOING TO END WHEN THEY START.

BUT CERTAINLY THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF HOT BUTTON ISSUES THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

WE CONTINUE TO BE IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT, BUT I'M PROUD OF THE WORK OF THE SENATE.

I'M PROUD OF, YOU KNOW, AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF THE BILLS WE PASS ARE BIPARTISAN.

THEY ARE FOLKS WORKING IN BIPARTISAN FORMATS IN COMMITTEE FORMS.

WE'RE WORKING ACROSS RURAL AND URBAN COUNTIES AND DISTRICTS.

I'M PROUD OF THE WORK WE'RE DOG HERE.

WE'VE GOT MORE WORK TO DO DOWN THE FINISH LINE HERE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY I THINK WE'RE DOING A LOT OF THINGS THAT GEORGIANS WANT US TO DO.

WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM A BALANCED, RESPONSIBLE BUNL.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GIVE THE GOVERNOR THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO BALANCE LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS.

WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON KIDS AND CREATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS.

I THINK WE'VE GOT A GREAT STAGE HERE THAT WE'VE BUILT THIS SESSION AND GOING TO HOPEFULLY CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH THE FINAL FEW DAYS.

>> I WANT TO THANK THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR THAT INTERVIEW.

WE RECORDED IT BEFORE THE EVENTS OF TODAY DEALING WITH THE ELECTION.

AND WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'LL GO BACK TO THE CAPITOL TO FIND OUT WHAT'S TAKING PLACE DOWN THERE.

WE'LL TALK TO OUR CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS.

YOU'RE WATCHING GPB.

>>> NEWS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

WITH OVER 80 YEARS OF HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE, AFTER ALL, AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER.

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

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWERY IN ATLANTA.

LET'S GO BACK TO THE GOLD DOME WITH BRENDA WATERS.

BRENDA, YOU HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

>> A LOT INDEED.

BEFORE OUR BREAKING NEWS EARLIER, THE ISSUE EARLIER TODAY WAS THE FOCUS OF HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID ROSSEN.

HE WAS TALKING ABOUT CRIME IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA.

AFTER QUOTING RECENT VIOLENT CRIME NUMBERS, HE TALKED ABOUT ACTIONS THE HOUSE WILL TAKE.

>> I HAVE TASKED REPRESENTATIVE JAKE HOLLINS, WHO IS HERE WITH ME THIS MORNING, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY TO HOLD HEARINGS OVER THE SUMMER TO INVESTIGATE THIS URGENT PROBLEM AND DETERMINE IF STATE INTERVENTION MAY BE NECESSARY.

IN THE PAST, I HAVE RESISTED CALLS FOR STATE OVERSIGHT OF A CITY'S OPERATIONS.

BUT THIS PANDEMIC OF LAWLESSNESS HAS NOW REACHED CRISIS PROPORTIONS.

>> SPEAKER ROSIN HAS SENT A SPEAKER TO MAYOR BOTTOMS ABOUT THE HEARINGS.

I HAVE THE LETTER IN MY HAND.

HE SAID THIS MORNING HE HAS NOT RECENTLY SPOKEN WITH THE MAYOR.

AND WE'VE REACHED OUT TO HER AS WELL, AND WE DID NOT HEAR BACK FROM THE MAYOR EITHER.

>>> THE BIG STORY TODAY WAS SENATE BILL 202.

HERE'S WHAT IT DOES.

IT ADDS ID REQUIREMENT TO ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

IT EXPANDS REQUIRED EARLY VOTING HOURS AND DAYS.

IT LIMITS DROPBOX LOCATIONS AND HOURS.

IT REMOVES SECRETARY OF STATE AS CHAIR OF THE HOUSE ELECTION BOARD.

IT SHORTENS RUNOFF PERIOD FROM NINE WEEKS TO FOUR WEEKS.

IT SHORTENS ABSENTEE REQUEST WINDOWS, AND IT COUNTS BALLOTS WITHOUT STOPPING AFTER POLLS CLOSE.

AND HERE'S THE PATHWAY SENATE BILL.

THAT'S 202.

IT TOOK UNDER THE GOLDEN GLOBE TODAY.

SB 202 PASSED 100-75 IN THE HOUSE AND THEN WENT OVER TO THE SENATE FLOOR FOR MORE INTENSE DEBATE.

LATE THIS AFTERNOON THE SENATE ALSO PASSED THAT VERSION OF THE BILL.

AND NOW IT WENT OVER TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS SIGNATURE TODAY.

SENATOR RANDY ROBERTSON CARRIED THE BILL, AND HE TALKS ABOUT HE HAD SOME SUPPORT OF THE BILL AS WELL.

THAT WAS 286.

>> IT FORBIDS ANY COUNTY OR CITY GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS ESTABLISHED A POLICE FORCE FROM INCREASING THE BUDGET OF THE POLICE FORCE BY MORE THAN 5% OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S BUDGET EXCEPT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> THAT WAS AN OUTCRY DURING THE SUMMER DURING BLACK LIVES MATTER.

IS THIS A REACTION TO THAT?

>> NO, SIR.

THIS BILL IS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE IN TWO MUNICIPALITIES HERE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA WHERE SOME RADICAL COMMISSIONERS ATTEMPTED TO DEFUND LAW ENFORCEMENT WITHOUT ANY CITIZEN INPUT.

>> I AM A LIFE LONG DEMOCRAT, AND I CAN UNEQUIVOCALLY SAY THAT I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY OF MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES SPEAK OF DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

WE NEED AND WE SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS THAT ARE WELL-TRAINED TO RESPECT AND MANAGE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS AS BEST THEY CAN.

>> HB 286 PASSED BY SUBSTITUTE, 36-15 AND GOES BACK TO THE HOUSE.

DONNA.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

AND THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING RAH WUL BECAUSE HE'S SITTING HERE.

RAHUL BALI IS ON THE TEAM WITH US RIGHT HERE AND WITH "LAWMAKERS."

HE'S JOINING ME TONIGHT.

LET'S GO OVER SOME OF THE THINGS BRENDA TALKED ABOUT BEGINNING WITH SPEAKER ROLL STON AND COMING DOWN HARD ON THE CITY OF ATLANTA WHEN IT COMES TO VIOLENCE AND SAYING THE STATE MIGHT TAKE OVER AND HAVE HEARINGS THIS SUMMER.

>> LET'S START WITH AN IMPORTANT BIT OF CONTEXT.

THERE HAVE BEEN BILLS IN THE PAST AIMED AT THE CITY OF ATLANTA.

AND PROBABLY THE MOST WELL-KNOWN OF THOSE WAS THE AIRPORT TAKEOVER BILL.

IT REALLY WAS THE SPEAKER STANDING NEXT TO MAYOR BOTTOMS IN THE GEORGIA LEGISLATURE BASICALLY SAYING NO, THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO, FOR THE SPEAKER TO TAKE THIS STEP IS ABSOLUTELY NOTABLE.

IT'S SOMEBODY WHO'S BEEN AN ALLY OF THE PAST OF THE MAYOR, THEN COMING OUT SAYING WE NEED TO DO THESE HEARINGS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT, WE REACHED OUT TO THE MAYOR.

WE DID GET A RESPONSE AND YOU HAVE THAT RESPONSE.

>> THIS CAME IN PRETTY LATE THIS EVENING.

IT CAME FROM THE PRESS SECRETARY FOR MAYOR BOTTOMS.

QUOTE, FIGHTING THE COVID CRIME WAVE IS OUR TOP PRIORITY.

ATLANTA AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE STATE AND COUNTRY HAS FACED HISTORIC INCREASE IN GUN VIOLENCE OVER THE LAST YEAR.

IF LAWMAKERS HAVE SOLUTIONS STEMMING FROM THE ACCESS TO GUNS BY CRIMINALS AND ADDRESSING GANG VIOLENCE THAT WE HAVE NOT ALREADY ENACTED BY THE CITY, WE WELCOME THEIR INPUT.

UNQUOTE.

SO, THAT'S COMING FROM THE PRESS SECRETARY FOR MAYOR BOTTOMS.

>> WE HAVE NOT HEARD THE LAST OF THIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>>> LET'S GET TO THE ELECTION BILL THAT WAS MASSED TODAY, THE MASSIVE OMNIBUS BILL 202.

WE EXPECT LAWSUITS OUT OF THIS, DON'T WE?

THE DEMOCRATS HAVE SAID THERE WILL BE LAWSUITS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN YOU LOOK ON TWITTER, THE PEOPLE WHO COME FROM DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, THEY'VE MADE CLEAR THAT LAWSUITS ARE GOING TO BE COMING -- THE GOVERNOR HAS NOW SIGNED IT.

IT PROBABLY ONLY IS A MATTER OF TIME.

WHETHER IT'S WHEN THE BILLS TAKE EFFECT OR BEFORE THEN, YOU'LL START SEEING LAWSUITS FROM NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS VERY MUCH LIKE ALL THE LAWSUITS THAT WE SAW LAST YEAR AFTER THE ELECTION, WE'RE GOING TO PROBABLY -- WE AS REPORTERS ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT A LOT OF DOCKETS AGAIN.

>> LET'S GO TO THE OTHER THING BRENDA TALKED ABOUT.

THAT WAS DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

THAT BILL DID PASS, BUT STILL VERY CONTROVERSIAL.

IT LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOU CAN TAKE OUT OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET IN GEORGIA.

>> WHAT'S REALLY GOING TO BE IMPORTANT WITH THIS BILL IS THE PRACTICE, HOW IT'S GOING TO BE ENFORCED.

AN EXAMPLE I'VE GIVEN IN THE PAST -- I COVER EAST GEORGIA AND YOU HAD -- YOU HAD UNION POINT POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY BASICALLY SHUT DOWN, LET THE COUNTY TAKE OVER.

WOULD THAT BE ALLOWED?

NOW EVERYONE'S TOLD ME THERE'S A LOT IN THE END.

WHAT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT WITH THAT BILL IS HEALTH IMPLEMENTED AND PRACTICE AND WE'VE SAID BEFORE THE LAW OF UNINEND THEED CONSEQUENCES.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OTHER BILLS.

LET'S START WITH THE BILL TO TREAT 17 YEARS OLD AS JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

>> RAISE THE JUVENILE COURT JURISDICTION TO INCLUDE 17 YEAR OLDS.

RIGHT NOW OUR 17 YEAR OLDS IF YOU'RE ARRESTED FOR SHOPLIFTING, INDECENT EXPOSURE, SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA, THAT SORT OF THING, CHILDISH THINGS, YOU GO TO GROWN UP COURT, YOU HAVE AN ARREST RECORD FOREVER, YOU HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE SYSTEM.

YOU'RE IN JAIL WITH GROWN UPS.

EVERYTHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR KIDS.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN IF A CHILD IS ADJUDICATED, THEY ARE 37 TIMES LESS LIKELY TO REOFFEND, WHICH IS GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS FOR THE STATE OWNED JAIL.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT THE LEGISLATION.

IT'S NOT AS MUCH ABOUT POLICY, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE ABOUT ANCILLARY THINGS, PROCESS.

ADDRESS ONE OR TWO OF THOSE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT THE BILL.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT A LOT OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY HAS A CONCERN ABOUT IS TRANSPORTATION.

TRANSPORTATION.

WE HAVE YBCs AND RYBCs THAT HOUSE OUR JUVENILE OFFENDERS HERE IN GEORGIA.

THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE FACILITIES.

THEY'RE NOT LOCAL COUNTY JAIL.

123 OF OUR COUNTIES HAVE LESS THAN 50 OF THESE ARRESTS.

OF THOSE, PROBABLY ABOUT 75% ARE GOING TO BE MISDEMEANORS.

SO, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 25 ARRESTS A YEAR IN THESE COUNTIES.

BUT WHENEVER WE PARSE THOSE NUMBERS AND WE START LOOKING AT WE HAVE A JUVENILE DETENTION INSTRUMENT THAT WE USE TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT A JUVENILE NEEDS TO BE DETAINED.

SO, THOSE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO BE PAUSED DRAMATICALLY WHENEVER WE TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AS WELL AS FAR AS NUMBER OF JUVENILES DETAINED VERSUS NOW WHERE IT'S JUST KIND OF AN AUTOMATIC THING.

YOU GET ARRESTED, YOU GET BOOKED IN, YOU POST BAIL.

>> OKAY, WHERE IS THE BILL NOW?

>> THE BILL IS IN SENATE RULES AND REALLY IT'S A QUESTION OF IS THERE GOING TO BE ENOUGH TIME TO GET IT TO THE SENATE FLOOR AND BACK TO THE HOUSE.

>> ANOTHER BILL THAT APPEARS TO HAVE LOTS OF SUPPORT IS THE SO-CALLED GRANNY CAM IN LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES.

IT'S A MISUNDERSTOOD BILL, SHE SAYS, WHETHER TO HAVE HIDDEN CAMERAS OR CAMERAS OUT IN THE OPEN.

>> CAMERAS OUT IN THE OPEN WHERE PEOPLE KNOW THEY'RE BEING WATCHED, THEY PREVENT PROBLEMS.

HIDDEN CAMERAS ARE SORT OF A GOT YOU, AND YOU USE THEM AFTER SOMEBODY HAS BEEN INJURED.

AND I'M A NURSE.

I WANT PEOPLE TO BE PROTECTED.

I WANT US TO NOT HAVE HORRIBLE INCIDENTS WHERE PEOPLE ARE INJURED IN NURSING HOMES AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES.

AND STUDIES SHOW THAT BEING OUT IN THE OPEN, THAT WHEN PEOPLE KNOW THEY'RE BEING WATCHED, IT'S LIKE CHEATING.

PEOPLE CHEAT LESS WHEN THEY KNOW THEY'RE BEING WATCHED.

BUT THE BILL DOES HAVE A PART WHERE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT A HIDDEN CAMERA CAN BE USED AND THAT FOOTAGE CAN BE USED IN CRIMINAL CASES.

>> SO, THE PEOPLE WHO WERE REALLY UPSET ABOUT THIS BILL ARE TRIAL LAWYERS, WHO FEEL THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT GET A FAIR SHAKE WHEN IT COMES TO ANY ABUSE THAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

>> THIS REALLY COMES DOWN TO THE USE OF THOSE CAMERAS IN A HIDDEN WAY.

YOU KNOW, AND IF THERE'S THE SUSPICION OF SOMETHING HAPPENING TO A FAMILY MEMBER, THEN CAN THEY DO A HIDDEN CAMERA?

SO, REALLY SHARON COOPER'S BEEN TRYING TO GET THE TRIAL LAWYERS ON BOARD WITH THIS BILL.

>> AND SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO GET IT INTO THE BILL.

THE OTHER BILL SHE HAS -- I HOPE WE HAVE TIME TO GET THIS IN -- IT'S AIMED AT PREVENTING THE TYPE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT THAT THE WOMEN ENDURED, THE FEMALE OLYMPIC TEAM DID BY A DOCTOR.

LET'S HEAR HER TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> TO HAVE DOCTORS KNOW MORE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT SEXUAL BOUNDARIES.

AND MANY OF OUR DOCTORS PROBABLY WON'T LIKE ME SAYING THIS, ARE GRAY HEADED.

AND THAT'S WHEN YOU CAN SAY THINGS AND THINGS WERE MORE SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE, THAN THEY ARE NOW.

AND THEY NEED TO LEARN THE DIFFERENCE IN THE CHANGES AND WHAT THOSE SEXUAL BOUNDARIES ARE.

AND THERE COULD BE A PENALTY FOR OVERSTEPPING THOSE BOUNDARIES.

AND THEY NEED TO TEACH THIS IN OUR MEDICAL SCHOOL AND BE OUT FRONT ABOUT THIS.

AND SO WE PUT A PENALTY IN.

IF A DOCTOR'S PARTNER OR ANOTHER DOCTOR KNOWS, ACTUALLY KNOWS THAT A DOCTOR IS OVERSTEPPING THESE BOUNDARIES AND IS NOT TREATING PEOPLE RIGHT, THERE ARE REAL SIGNIFICANT PUNISHMENTS IN THE BILL IF THEY DO NOT REPORT THAT PERSON TO THE MEDICAL BOARD.

>> THE BIG THING WITH THIS ONE IS THE DOCTORS KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS TAKING PLACE, THAT THEY HAVE TO REPORT IT.

>> AND NOT ONLY -- THAT'S WITH OTHER DOCTORS.

THAT'S KIND OF THE KEY IS THEY'RE LEARNING THAT THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING EVEN IF IT'S REPORTING ONE OF THEIR OWN.

THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO.

AND IN THE END THE FOCUS IS GOING TO BE ON THE ONE-TIME TWO-HOUR TRAINING THAT COMES WITH THIS.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE SAW HAPPEN WITH THE U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM WITH THE GYMNASTS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET.

YOU'VE GOT LATE BREAKING NEWS.

>> THEY'RE STILL TRYING TO PUT THE FINISHING TOUCHES, THE 2022 BUDGET WHICH KICKS OFF JULY 1st, IS STILL IN THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WITH SIX REPUBLICANS, JUST GOT SOME MESSAGES FROM THE TWO APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR, BLAKE TILLERY AND TERRY ENGLAND.

AND BASICALLY THEY'RE GOING A FEW MORE ROUNDS.

THERE'S A LOT GOING ON BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT ARE COMING IN, ALSO BECAUSE OF CHANGING REVENUE NUMBERS.

THOSE ARE KIND OF -- THERE'S A LOT OF WORK STILL TO DO AND ONLY TWO LEGISLATIVE DAYS LEFT TO DO IT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE REACHING THE END.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE CAN SEE IT.

>> THANKS RAHUL FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY.

HE WORKS SO HARD AND WE'RE GLAD YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO JOIN US TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT FOR "LAWMAKERS."

PLEASE JOIN US ON MONDAY FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY 39.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.