>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, WHILE LAWMAKERS TODAY WERE BUSY ADDRESSING ISSUES LIKE THE EDUCATION BUDGET, MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH AND RIOTING, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WAS PREPARING FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF BAD WEATHER TOMORROW.

SHE ISSUED A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR ALL OF ALABAMA THAT STARTED THIS EVENING.

IN A STATEMENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID, THE THREAT FOR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WEATHER IS RISING FOR MUCH OF ALABAMA TOMORROW.

OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, I HAVE ISSUED A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR ALL 67 COUNTIES TO ENSURE WE ARE READY TO ACT IN ANY WAY NEEDED FROM THE STATE LEVEL.

PLEASE MAKE PREPARATIONS NOW IN THE EVENT YOUR AREA IS IMPACTED IN SOME WAY.

FORECASTS FOR TOMORROW INDICATE THAT THE THREAT FOR BAD WEATHER WILL BE WIDESPREAD, WITH SOME OF THE MOST SEVERE WEATHER ANTICIPATED LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY MORNING.

GOVERNOR IVEY SAID TODAY THAT HER OFFICE WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORING THE WEATHER SYSTEM AND SHE ENCOURAGED THE PUBLIC TO DO THE SAME.

AS THE LEGISLATURE TODAY KICKED OFF A NEW WORK WEEK, IT WAS ANNOUNCED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THAT THREE REPRESENTATIVES HAD TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 IN RECENT DAYS.

MORE TESTING OF MEMBERS WAS CONDUCTED TODAY, BUT THERE WERE APPARENTLY NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS OF POSITIVE TESTS.

REPRESENTATIVES WERE URGED TO DOUBLE DOWN ON MASKING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING AS THEY SPREAD OUT ACROSS THE HOUSE FLOOR, THE GALLERY AND TWO OVERFLOW ROOMS.

THE SENATE FINANCE AND TAXATION, EDUCATION COMMITTEE TODAY APPROVED A $7.6 BILLION EDUCATION BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR.

IT INCLUDES A 2% ACROSS THE BOARD, COST-OF-LIVING RAISE FOR ALL EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

AND IT INCLUDES $110 MILLION TO HIRE MORE MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

EDUCATION BUDGET CHAIRMAN ARTHUR ORR OF DECATUR SAYS THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS WILL HELP ATTRACT MORE SUCH TEACHERS TO FILL POSITIONS CURRENTLY HELD BY NON-CREDENTIALED INDIVIDUALS.

>> OVER TIME, IT WILL EQUATE TO $7,000 TO $10,000 MORE THAN A TRADITIONAL TEACHER AND IF THEY ARE IN A HARD TO FILL AREA, PERHAPS IN THE RURAL BLACK BELT OR SOMEWHERE, THEY GET AN ADDITIONAL $5,000.

IF THEY HAVE THE NCBT CREDENTIAL, THEY GET ANOTHER $5,000.

SO, POTENTIALLY, YOU ARE LOOKING AT CLOSE TO $20,000 IF THEY RANG ALL OF THE BELLS FOR THESE MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

>> DON: TODAY'S COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF THE $7.6 BILLION EDUCATION BUDGET PUTS IT IN POSITION TO HEAD TO THE SENATE FLOOR ON THURSDAY.

THE HOUSE TODAY HAD ON ITS AGENDA A BILL TO BAN CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE.

ITS LEGISLATION SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE WES ALLEN OF TROY, A FORMER PIKE COUNTY PROBATE JUDGE, WHO SAYS HE FEELS CURBSIDE VOTING THREATENS BALLOT SECURITY.

>> ALABAMA DOES A VERY GOOD JOB WITH OUR ELECTIONS AND WE DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO BRING CHAOS AND CONFUSION INTO OUR PROCESSION SAYS.

ELECTION INTEGRITY IS WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT.

>> DON: THERE WAS A PUSH LAST YEAR TO ALLOW CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

PROPONENTS CONTEND IT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR MORE PEOPLE TO CAST BALLOTS DURING SUCH TIMES.

A BILL THAT WOULD BAN CERTAIN TRANSGENDER MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR MINORS CLEARED ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE HURDLE TODAY.

THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE APPROVED TRUSSVILLE SENATOR SHAY SHELNUTT'S LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BAR DOCTORS FROM ADMINISTERING PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND HORMONE TREATMENTS TO UNDERAGE TEENS.

SHELNUTT SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> THE SCIENCE SHOWS THAT A LARGE MAJORITY OF THESE CHILDREN GROW OUT OF THAT PHASE AND CHANGE THEIR MIND.

THEY ARE FINE WITH THE SEX THEY WERE BORN WITH.

IT'S NOT DISCRIMINATORY.

IT'S PROTECTING CHILDREN.

AND WE ALL AGREE THESE CHILDREN ARE NOT ABLE TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE.

SO, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH WAIT AT LEAST UNTIL THEY ARE 19.

>> DON: OPPONENTS OF SENATOR SHELNUTT'S MEASURE CONTEND IT WOULD HURT TRANS YOUTH AND INFRINGE ON THE DECISIONS OF FAMILIES AND DOCTORS.

WITH TODAY'S COMMITTEE APPROVAL, IT NOW MOVES TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TODAY APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR RIOTING.

IT'S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY, A RETIRED ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF WHO WORKED LAST SUMMER'S VIOLENT RIOT IN BIRMINGHAM.

OPPONENTS LIKE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND OF TUSCALOOSA PUSHED BACK TODAY, SAYING THE MEASURE THREATENS FREE SPEECH, BUT TREADAWAY DEFENDED HIS LEGISLATION.

>> THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CONTROL OR CANNOT CONTROL THE CONTENT OF YOUR SPEECH AS LONG AS IT'S PEACEFUL.

BUT AT TIMES, WHEN PEOPLE ARE IGNORED OR FEEL LIKE INTERESTS OR CONCERNS ARE NOT VALIDATED BY THE MAJORITY, THEY PUSH THEIR PROTEST TO OTHER MEANS IN ORDER TO GENERATE THE ATTENTION NECESSARY TO CREATE CHANGE.

>> MANY OF THE ISSUES RAISED HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED, AND JUST IN THIS SUBCOMMITTEE ALONE, THERE WAS A NUMBER OF CHANGES AND REPRESENTATIVE ENGLAND HAD A CONCERN ABOUT THE DEFINITION AND IN BETWEEN THE TWO MEETINGS, WE MET WITH OUR ATTORNEYS.

YOU KNOW, I REMOVED THE LANGUAGE HE WAS OBJECTING TO BECAUSE IT DOESN'T CHANGE WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET AT AND THAT'S PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER, AS THEY HAVE STATED.

AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO HAVE A DETERRENT FOR THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR AND CRIME.

>> DON: TODAY'S COMMITTEE APPROVAL NEXT SENDS THE RIOTING BILL TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS TODAY URGED THE GOVERNOR TO CONSIDER A RENEWED PUSH FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION.

LAWMAKERS LIKE SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN MADISON OF BIRMINGHAM AND SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON OF GREENSBORO PROMOTED NEW INCENTIVES UNDER THE RECENT FEDERAL STIMULUS BILL THAT WOULD BENEFIT STATES LIKE ALABAMA THAT HAVEN'T YET EXPANDED MEDICAID.

>> WE DID NOT, THE GOVERNOR DID NOT SIGN TO EXPAND MEDICAID ON THE FIRST ROUND.

AND ONE OF THE ISSUES, AS ALWAYS, IS HOW CAN WE FUND IT?

WELL, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

>> WE'VE SEEN COVID RAVISH OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE'VE SEEN OUR LOCAL RURAL HOSPITALS SHUT DOWN.

WE'VE SEEN THE FACT THAT WE DON'T HAVE TELEMEDICINE IN COMMUNITIES.

WE'VE SEEN THE SHORTAGE OF NURSES IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A SECOND CHANCE.

>> DON: OPPONENTS HAVE PUSHED BACK AGAINST MEDICAID EXPANSION IN ALABAMA FOR YEARS, CITING THE ULTIMATE COST.

BUT SUPPORTERS LIKE THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CONTEND THE NEW INCENTIVES WOULD MAKE IT VERY WORTHWHILE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVES BARBARA DRUMMOND IS UP NEXT IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME BACK.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF BILLS YOU ARE CARRYING, ONE RAISING THE AGE FOR WHICH FOLKS CAN BUY NICOTINE PRODUCTS IN ALABAMA.

YOU WANT TO TAKE IT UP TO 21.

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE THE FEDERAL LAW IN DECEMBER, THEY ARE ESTABLISHING A FEDERAL BILL AND MY BILL BRINGS ALABAMA INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL BILL, TAKING IT UP TO 21 AND REQUIRE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE WILL KEEP A REGISTRY.

RIGHT NOW, THE STATE OF ALABAMA DON'T KNOW, WE DON'T KNOW WHO THE FOLKS ARE SELLING E CIGARETTES OR THOSE PRODUCTS.

SO, NOW WITH THE REGISTRY, WHICH IS FEDERAL LAW, FEDERAL LAW IN SEPTEMBER, WE'LL NOW KNOW.

THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL WILL DO.

RAISE THE AGE TO 21, WHICH IS GREAT.

IT WILL KEEP THAT REQUIREMENT IN ON SOME LOCATIONS FOR MARKETING.

AND IT WILL ALSO REQUIRE THEM TO REGISTER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.

>> YOUR BILL HAS ALREADY PASSED COMMITTEE AND ON THE HOUSE FLOOR WE HOPE, FAIRLY SOON.

THIS HAS BEEN A PASSION OF YOURS, REPRESENTATIVE, FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

SMOKING AND NICOTINE RELATED ISSUES, ESPECIALLY RELATING TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> THAT'S WHERE MY PASSION HAS BEEN WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO TEACH THEM TO BE HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS.

AND WHEN I LEARNED OF THESE PRODUCTS AND I CAN TELL YOU, JUST WALKING INTO ANY RETAIL OUTLET AT A GAS STATION, YOU WALK IN, AND YOU SEE A YOUNG PERSON BUYING E CIGARETTES.

THAT'S NOT GOOD.

SO, THIS BILL WILL HELP US DO SEVERAL THINGS.

IT WILL NOT ONLY RAISE THAT AGE, BUT IT WILL ALSO CREATE SOME REVENUE THAT WE CAN PERHAPS DO ENFORCEMENT AND ALSO, SOME EDUCATION.

AND EDUCATION IS VERY PARAMOUNT TO EDUCATING THE YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE ROLE OF E CIGARETTES.

THERE'S A DEFICIT OF BEING A VAPOR.

>> YOU HAVE TO PUSH BACK AGAINST THE NOTION AND SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, E CIGARETTES ARE SOMEHOW BETTER FOR YOU, THERE'S A NOTION ABOUT THAT.

>> THAT'S BEEN A MISNOMER FOR MANY YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT.

IT ACTUALLY CAUSES YOU TO BEGIN SMOKING AND IT'S NOT HEALTHY.

RIGHT NOW, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH DATA TO SHOW WHAT THE VAPE DOES TO A YOUNG PERSON'S BODY.

WE'VE SEEN SOME RESIDUAL DATA THAT HAS NOT BEEN VERY GOOD.

AND I'M JUST SO HAPPY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NOW GOTTEN ON BOARD WITH THIS AND THEY ARE GETTING READY TO ENACT THE REGISTRY SO WE KNOW WHO THESE FOLKS ARE.

AND THEY ARE ALSO LOOKING AT WHERE THEY ARE MARKETING THE PRODUCTS.

AND ALL OF THIS IS DOB FOR THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> LET'S EXPAND FOR MAIN, THE REGISTRY THAT YOU KEEP REFERRING TO.

WHO MAKES THE REGISTRY.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE DOES THE REGISTRY.

SO, THE PERSON WHO OWNS THE VAPE SHOP OR SELLS E CIGARETTES, THEY MUST NOW REGISTER IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.

THERE'S A PENALTY PHASE IN THERE FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT.

WE WILL NOW HAVE AN ARM OF GOVERNMENT AND ALSO, IN THE BILL, YOU WILL SEE FUNDING IN THERE FOR ALEA, AND THE ABC BOARD.

AND THEY GO INTO THE ESTABLISHMENTS PERIODICALLY AND THEY ARE THERE MONITORING THE ALCOHOL PRODUCTS, THEY CAN ALSO MONITOR E CIGARETTES.

AND SO FORTH.

AND THE LAW ALSO REQUIRES THEM TO POST WHERE THE PRODUCT IS BEING SOLD, WHAT THE LAW IS.

NOW, YOU DON'T SEE THE LAW, YOU HAVE TO AX WHERE THE LAW IS.

AND IT HAS TO BE POSTED IN A PROMINENT PLACE ADJACENT TO WHERE THE E CIGARETTE PRODUCT IS BEING SOLD.

>> GOOD LUCK WITH THIS.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE WONDERFUL BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE FALLEN PREY.

AND THEY THINK IT'S A HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE TO TOBACCO AND IT IS NOT.

>> AND ANOTHER BILL THAT YOU ARE CARRYING THIS YEAR, SENATOR, VERY INTERESTING, REFERRED TO AS THE MOBILE HAIR BILL.

TELL US WHAT YOU HAVE IN MIND HERE.

>> WELL, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

LET ME TELL YOU HOW THAT ALL CAME ABOUT.

DURING COVID, WE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT OURSELVES SINCE COVID.

AND YOU FOUND BARBERS AND HAIR DRESSERS AND ALL OF THOSE WHO WORK IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY, THEY WERE SOME OF THE HARDEST, HIT SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WHEN THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS CAME DOWN, IT WAS JUST BUSINESSES THAT HAD TO TOTALLY CLOSE.

THEY HAD NO OPTION OF TRYING TO STAY AFLOAT.

I KNOW THAT SOME OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE GONE UNDER TOTALLY.

AND ONE OF THE BARBERS IN MY DISTRICT CAME TO ME AND HE SAID, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS.

AND I CALLED THE DEPARTMENT OF COSMETOLOGY, AND I SAID, IF WE CAN RETROFIT A BUS OR A VAN TO SELL FOOD PRODUCTS OR EVEN TO GO GROOM YOUR ANIMAL OR DOG, WE CAN DO THE SAME THING WITH HAIR.

SO, UNDER MY BILL, IF YOU ARE A BARBER, A HAIR DRESSER, A SKIN PERSON, NAIL PERSON, ALL BEAUTY ITEMS, YOU CAN INVEST, AND YOU ARE STILL UNDER THE SAME REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF COSMETOLOGY.

AND YOU STILL HAVE TO BUY ALL OF YOUR PROPER LICENSES, HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THOSE AGENCIES THAT WILL MONITOR THOSE THINGS WILL STILL DO THAT.

BUT YOU HAVE THE ABILITY NOW.

AND I CALL IT CONVENIENCE.

THEY CAN TAKE THEIR SERVICES RIGHT TO THE CUSTOMER AND IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS AGAIN IN OUR SOCIETY, LIKE A PANDEMIC, THOSE INDIVIDUALS CAN COMPLY WITH THE EXECUTIVE ORDER AND KEEP THEIR BUSINESS GOING.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

I'VE HAD A NUMBER OF FOLKS IN THE INDUSTRY WHO HAVE JUST BEEN APPLAUDING IT.

AND I WAS SO HAPPY THAT I COULD WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COSMETOLOGY AND THAT BILL PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE, COMMITTEE, AND HOPEFULLY SIGNED BY THE SENATE AND THEN PLACED ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> SO MOBILE HAIR TRUCKS.

>> WELL, EVERYBODY IS CALLING IT.

YOU HAVE FOOD TRUCKS AND YOU CAN HAVE A BEAUTY TRUCK.

>> I LIKE THE IDEA!

>> CAN YOU JUST SEE IT COMING DOWN THE STREET?

AND I HAVE A LOCAL BUSINESSMAN WHO IS A BARBER WHO WAS HIT VERY HARD AFTER THE PANDEMIC COULD NOT QUALIFY NOR HAD ANY OF THE INFORMATION IN PLACE TO QUALIFY FOR PPE OR STIMULUS FUNDING.

SO, THIS IS ANOTHER OPTION THAT THAT INDUSTRY CAN FALL BACK ON AND STAY IN BUSINESS.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, THE PANDEMIC, WE'VE HAD CONCERNS AT THE STATE HOUSE, LIKE ANY OTHER PLACE IN THE STATE, WHERE COVID IS CONCERNED, KEEPING SAFE, AND ALL OF THE PERILS THAT LIE OUT THERE.

HAVE YOU BEEN VACCINATED AND HAVE YOU FELT SAFE?

>> YEAH, I HAVE, I RECEIVED PFIZER AND IT WAS TOTALLY SAFE, I HAD A LITTLE SORENESS ON MY ARM.

AND I'VE BEEN ENCOURAGING EVERYBODY TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

THERE'S SO MUCH MISINFORMATION OUT THERE, AND SO MUCH HESITANCY, BUT THIS IS A SAFE PROCESS.

I HAD SOMEONE WALK UP TO ME AND SAYS, OH, I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT BECAUSE I HEARD THAT IT MAKES YOU SICK.

AND I LOOKED AT THEM AND I SAID, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE OTHER OPTION IS.

AND THEY SAID, WHAT?

THE VIRUS IS KILLING PEOPLE.

I MEAN, THIS HAS BEEN TESTED.

YEAH, IT'S BEEN ON A FAST TRACK AND ON A FAST TRACK TO BE SURE THAT IT SAVES LIVES.

SO, I HAVE ENCOURAGED EVERYBODY WHO HAS COME WITHIN MY MIDST, MY CONSTITUENTS THAT THIS IS SAFE.

AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO DO IT.

ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE IN THE STATE HOUSE.

WE NEED TO DO IT BECAUSE WE'RE IN A VERY CONFINED ENVIRONMENT RIGHT NOW.

>> DESPITE SOME BUMPS IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, SO FAR WHERE COVID IS CONCERNED, HAVE YOU FELT GENERALLY SAFE GIVEN ALL OF THE PROTOCOLS PUT IN PLACE.

>> YEAH, WITH THE PROTOCOLS.

AND I'LL BE HONEST, NOT JUST THE STATE HOUSE BUT I HAVEN'T FELT SAFE SINCE THE PANDEMIC HAS HIT.

I AM A CAUTIOUS PERSON AND I HAVE LOST 23 FRIENDS SINCE LAST SATURDAY.

I WAS AT A VISITATION BECAUSE I'VE NOT GONE TO A FUNERAL OF ANOTHER FRIEND WHO DIED, IN ATLANTA, AND THEY BROUGHT HIS BODY HOME.

HE AND HIS WIFE BOTH HAVE DIED OF COVID-19.

SO, WHEN YOU SAY FEEL SAFE.

I FEEL SAFER NOW THAT I HAVE GOTTEN THE VACCINE.

BUT I THINK THAT WE STILL HAVE TO EXERCISE RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT RESPONSIBILITY COMES NOT ONLY WITH THE VACCINE, EVERYBODY SHOULD TAKE THE VACCINE, BUT WE STILL SHOULD EXERCISE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND WASH OUR HANDS.

AND WE SHOULD STILL DO THOSE THINGS THAT THE MEDICAL FOLKS ARE TELLING US TO DO, WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

IT IS ON US NOW.

WE HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THIS VIRUS AND ALL OF US NEED TO EXERCISE THAT RESPONSIBILITY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND OF MOBILE, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, DON, I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME.

>> OF COURSE.

AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, SHANE STRINGER OF CITRONELLE, WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

WE JUST TALKED TO YOUR COLLEAGUE, BARBARA DRUMMOND, AND ALL OF THE HEALTH PROTOCOLS BEING A NECESSITY HERE AT THE STATE HOUSE IN THE MIDST OF THE PANDEMIC.

HAVE YOU FELT AS SAFE AS YOU COULD GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH?

>> YES, SIR, THINK THEY HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF POSITIVE MEASURES TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYBODY HERE TO BE SURE THAT WE'RE SAFE.

IT'S BEEN A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT, NOT HAVING AS MANY PEOPLE AROUND AND HAVING SOME OF THE DIFFERENT GROUPS TO GET ADVICE FROM SOME OF THESE BILLS.

WE'RE ADJUSTING, AND LEARNING AND I DEFINITELY FEEL SAFE.

>> IT'S NOT SMOOTH SAILING BUT GONE BETTER I SUPPOSE THAN IT MIGHT COULD HAVE.

>> AND WE'RE GETTING USED TO THE NEW NORM AND USED TO HOW WE'RE DOING THINGS.

A LOT OF IT IS, WHENEVER WE'RE VOTING ON ISSUES, ITS TAKEN A LITTLE LONGER TO CONFIRM THAT EVERYBODY VOTED AND WHENEVER ANYBODY IS WANTING TO SPEAK ON A BILL WE WAIT FOR THEM TO COME TO THE MICS AVAILABLE IN THE DIFFERENT AREA.

IT'S DEFINITELY SLOWED THE PROCESS DOWN A LITTLE BIT BUT NOT TOO BAD.

>> YOU VACCINATED AND YOU HAD COVID LAST SUMMER?

>> YEAH, LAST JULY.

AND I DIDN'T HAVE VERY SEVERE SYMPTOMS, IT WAS RATHER MILD.

I GOT THROUGH THAT, YEAH, AND WHEN WE CAME BACK UP HERE, THEY OFFERED THE VACCINATION.

I TOOK THAT.

AND I JUST FINISHED MY SECOND SHOT.

REALLY, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ADVERSE REACTION TO SAY ANYTHING.

GLAD I WENT AHEAD AND DID THAT.

>> GOOD TO HEAR.

NOW, LET'S TURN TO A PIECE OF LEGISLATION YOU ARE CARRYING THIS YEAR.

CARRYING A FAIR AMOUNT OF ATTENTION, PASSED THE HOUSE.

IT PROVIDES PENALTIES FOR DOXING.

I HAD TO LOOK UP THE TERM WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT.

BUT I THINK THEY CAN IDENTIFY, MOST PEOPLE CAN WITH WHAT IT MEANS.

DOXING IS WHEN OFFICIALS, WHETHER THEY BE PUBLIC SERVANTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS ARE DELIBERATELY TARGETED WITH THE RELEASE OF PRIVATE INFORMATION ABOUT THEM OR THEIR FAMILY, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AND DOXING STARTED IN THE 1990s, DOXING, REALLY BIG ON THE INTERNET AND RELEASING PERSONAL INFORMATION ON PEOPLE THAT PEOPLE OPPOSED OR DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME VIEWS.

WE'RE STARTING TO SEE IT MORE NOW THAN I HAVE EVER SEEN IT.

AND IT'S MORE BEEN RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, AND A LOT OF PROTEST SITUATIONS WHERE THEY ARE GETTING ON A BULLHORN AND CALLING OUT THE INFORMATION OF WHERE THEIR CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL, WHERE THEIR WIVES WORK, WHERE THE VEHICLES ARE THAT THEY DRIVE, THEIR HOME ADDRESS AND PERSONAL INFORMATION THAT COULD CAUSE THEM HARM.

THAT'S WHAT'S BROUGHT MY ATTENTION TO IT.

ITS BASICALLY BEING CALLED THE NEW WEAPON OF OUR TIME.

>> YOU HAVE A LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND YOURSELF AND I ASSUME THIS IS NEAR AND DEAR TO YOUR OWN HEART.

>> YES, SIR.

HOW THE BILL CAME TO MY ATTENTION, A BALDWIN COUNTY DEPUTY WAS PUT, INFORMATION WAS PUT OUT 3:00 IN THE MORNING WHERE HE WAS PARKED DOING A REPORT AND IT WAS PUT IF A DEPUTY WAS PARKED AT THIS LOCATION IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO DO SOMETHING.

AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TOOK THAT, AS HE WAS TRYING TO SOLICIT SOMEBODY TO HARM THE DEPUTY.

AND YOU KNOW, THEY GOT TO LOOKING INTO IT.

THE GUY, OF COURSE, IS ANTI-LAW ENFORCEMENT.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE ON HIS SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE WAS ANTI-LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SOMEBODY COULD HAVE VERY EASILY TOOK THAT INFORMATION AND WENT TO THAT LOCATION AND HARMED THE DEPUTY.

WE GOT TO LOOKING INTO IT AND THERE WAS NO LAW AGAINST THIS.

SO, THAT'S HOW I GOT INVOLVED AND GOT TO LOOKING INTO IT AND DID NOT REALIZE JUST HOW WIDESPREAD THIS PROBLEM IS AND HOW IT'S BECOMING MORE AND MORE OF A PROBLEM.

>> WE MENTIONED LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS BUT CAN EXTEND TO LEGISLATORS, JUDGES, SAY, OTHERS?

>> RIGHT, LEGISLATORS, PROSECUTORS, JUDGES.

THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL SITUATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, A SITUATION IN NEW JERSEY YEARS AGO WHERE A JUDGE GOT DOXED AND A PERSON WENT TO HER HOUSE AND WHEN HER SON OPENED THE DOOR, HE SHOT HER SON AND THEN SHOT HER HUSBAND.

YOU HAD THAT SITUATION.

THEN, THERE WAS A SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA WHERE A JUDGE GOT DOXED OUT THERE, AND SOMEBODY WENT TO HIS HOUSE AND SHOT AND KILLED HIM.

IT GOES ON A LOT MORE THAN WE REALIZE.

AND OF COURSE, WITH EVERYBODY BEING ON SOCIAL MEDIA NOW, IT'S BEING USED MORE AND MORE.

NOW, IT SEEMS TO BE THAT PEOPLE ARE USING IT AS A TOOL AGAINST THEM THAT OPPOSE THEM OR DISAGREES WITH THEM.

>> LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TOO, COULD BE INCLUDED, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CITY COUNCIL AND THAT TOO?

WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC SERVANTS.

>> YES, SIR, YES.

AND THE DEFINITION OF PUBLIC SERVANT COVERS ALL OF THAT.

AND WE MAY NEED TO EVEN GO BACK AND LOOK AT IT THROUGHOUT DEVELOPING THIS BILL, THERE TOWARD THE END, IT GOT BROUGHT UP, MAYBE THIS JUST NEEDS TO BE A BILL FOR EVERYBODY.

WE MAY NEED TO LOOK FOR DOING IT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

EVERYBODY IS GETTING DOXED AND HARASSED ONLINE.

>> TELL US ABOUT THE PENALTIES IT WOULD CREATE.

>> A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE.

THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT THAT WAS ADDED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THAT MADE IT A CLASS B FELONY FOR THE SECOND OFFENSE WHICH DOESN'T CARRY ANY JAILTIME, NO MORE THAN CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.

PRETTY MUCH, IT COULD PROVIDE UP TO A YEAR IN JAIL IF THE JUDGE CHOSE TO DO SO.

BUT YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ABOUT THE BILL AND THERE WAS A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR IT.

YOU KNOW, THIS HAS BECOME AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT PROCESS IN TRYING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES WITHOUT A LAW ON THE BOOKS.

SO, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

THERE ARE AND IN THERE.

>> ALSO, IT'S SENDING A MESSAGE, EVEN IF SOME OF THE PENALTIES AREN'T STRICTLY ENFORCED, THE MESSAGE IS YOU CAN'T GET AWAY WITH THIS WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE.

SOCIAL MEDIA, EVERYBODY HAS A PLATFORM AND THEY ARE ABLE TO PUT.

THERE'S MORE INFORMATION GOING OUT AND WITH ALL OF THE ATTENTION GOING ON BETWEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS, DIFFERENT COMPANIES AND REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, THERE'S A LOT OF OPPOSING VIEWS OUT THERE.

AND PEOPLE ARE USING THIS TO ATTACK EACH OTHER.

THAT SHOULDN'T BE THE CASE.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH ISSUES, PROBLEMS, AND OTHER MANNERS.

HOPEFULLY THIS SENDS A MESSAGE THAT WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS IT AND DEAL WITH IT, IF IT HAPPENS.

>> AND IT'S OUT OF THE HOUSE, NEXT STOP IS THE SENATE COMMITTEE.

YOU ARE OPTIMISTIC.

>> YES, SIR, I FEEL CONFIDENT.

THERE WERE SOME GROUPS THAT WERE AGAINST THIS THAT HAD SOME CONCERNS.

AND I HOPE THAT WE HAVE ADDRESSED THEIR CONCERNS AND ISSUES.

I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN GET IT THROUGH THE COMMITTEE AND HOPEFULLY THROUGH THE SENATE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE SHANE STRINGER, CITRONELLE, GLAD TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> YES, SIR.

THANK YOU.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING EXPECTED HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION ON A SENATE-PASSED BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE.

AND OUR GUESTS ARE SCHEDULED TO INCLUDE MAJOR GENERAL JERRY MARTIN, THE ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE ALABAMA NATIONAL GUARD.

HE'LL DISCUSS WORKING WITH THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT STARTING NEXT WEEK TO ADMINISTER CORONAVIRUS VACCINATIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

AND REPRESENTATIVE STEVE MCMILLAN OF FOLEY WILL BE WITH US TO DISCUSS HIS BILL THAT WOULD GIVE RESTAURANTS THE OPTION TO ALLOW CUSTOMERS WITH DOGS TO BRING THEM ALONG WHILE EATING OUTSIDE.

FOR ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.