>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE LEGISLATURE WILL SOON BE BACK IN SESSION.

AFTER TAKING SPRING BREAK LAST WEEK, THE HOUSE AND SENATE WILL RECONVENE TOMORROW FOR THE HOME STRETCH OF THE REGULAR SESSION.

LAWMAKERS HAVE JUST SEVEN MORE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO MEET, WHICH THEY ARE LIKELY TO SPREAD OUT OVER THE NEXT TWO OR THREE WEEKS.

HOW QUICKLY THEY WILL MOVE IS STILL UNKNOWN.

WE'LL KNOW MORE AFTER THE HOUSE AND SENATE CAUCUS MEETINGS TOMORROW.

IN ANY CASE, THEIR PROVERBIAL PLATE IS FULL, WITH MANY OUTSTANDING ITEMS LEFT TO ADDRESS.

AT THE TOP OF THAT LIST ARE THE BUDGETS.

THE EDUCATION BUDGET IS IN A SENATE COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY.

THE $8.1 BILLION SPENDING PLAN WOULD BE A RECORD FOR THE STATE, WITH SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN FIRST CLASS PRE-K, THE ALABAMA READING INITIATIVE AND A NEW PROGRAM AIMED AT IMPROVING MATH LEARNING.

A FEW CHANGES ARE EXPECTED TO BE MADE TO THE BUDGET, INCLUDING TO SALARY STRUCTURES FOR TEACHERS.

CURRENTLY, PAY INCREASES ARE BUILT INTO TEACHERS' SALARIES EVERY THREE YEARS.

LAWMAKERS HAVE DISCUSSED MAKING THAT MORE FREQUENT IN ORDER TO OFFER MORE COMPETITIVE TEACHER SALARIES.

IF ADVANCED, THE EDUCATION BUDGET COULD BE IN POSITION FOR FINAL PASSAGE AS SOON AS THURSDAY, THOUGH NEXT WEEK IS MORE LIKELY.

MEANWHILE, THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET HAS BEEN SENT TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO WORK OUT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

LAWMAKERS IN THE TWO CHAMBERS HAVE BEEN IN AGREEMENT ABOUT MOST PROVISIONS IN THE $2.7 BILLION BUDGET THROUGHOUT THE SESSION.

A FINAL REPORT COULD HAPPEN ANY DAY NOW.

WE ARE LIKELY TO HEAR MORE ON THE ISSUE OF GAMBLING THIS WEEK AND WHETHER OR NOT TWO COMPETING PROPOSALS HAVE ANY CHANCE OF PASSING.

ONE BILL IN THE SENATE ALLOWS FOR A LOTTERY, EXPANDED CASINO GAMBLING AND SPORTS BETTING.

THEN, ANOTHER IN THE HOUSE ONLY ALLOWS FOR A LOTTERY.

BOTH BILLS FACE LONG ODDS WITH SO LITTLE TIME REMAINING.

THE HOUSE ON TUESDAY IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE UP SENATE BILL 220 FROM SENATOR ARTHUR ORR.

THE BILL AIMS TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S LAGGING MATH SCORES BY TARGETING MORE RESOURCES TO STRUGGLING SCHOOLS, DEPLOYING MATH COACHES TO HELP TEACHERS AND HOLDING SCHOOLS ACCOUNTABLE FOR CONTINUED FAILURE TO IMPROVE.

ANOTHER BILL MOVING LATE IN THE SESSION IS HOUSE BILL 50 FROM REPRESENTATIVE ROLANDA HOLLIS.

IT AIMS TO CONFRONT WHAT ADVOCATES CALL PERIOD POVERTY BY ENSURING THAT GIRLS IN TITLE ONE SCHOOLS HAVE ACCESS TO FREE FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

THAT BILL HAS PASSED THE HOUSE AND IS IN A SENATE COMMITTEE TUESDAY MORNING.

WITH SO MUCH LEGISLATION MOVING ACROSS SO LITTLE TIME, THINGS CAN GET PRETTY HECTIC IN THE STATE HOUSE, AND GET CHIPPY BETWEEN LAWMAKERS.

THAT ONLY INCREASES WHEN THE STAKES ARE HIGHER IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

HOUSE SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON SAID HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A PLAN FOR SMOOTH INTERACTION BETWEEN THE CHAMBERS IN THESE FINAL DAYS.

>> THE SENATE LEADERSHIP AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP HAS WORKED WELL TOGETHER FROM DAY ONE.

WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT.

I MEAN, YOU STOP TO LOOK.

HERE WE ARE, WITH SEVEN DAYS LEFT IN THE SESSION, AND WE'VE ALREADY GOT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SET UP ON THE GENERAL FUND AND THE EDUCATION BUDGET IS GOING WELL IN THE SENATE.

SO, WE'RE MOVING AND WORKING VERY WELL TOGETHER AND MOVING GOOD TOGETHER.

THE MEMBERS WORK VERY HARD.

THEY HAVE THEIR BILLS.

AND WHEN YOU GET INTO THOSE LAST COUPLE WEEKS OF THE SESSION, THEY WANT TO KNOW, WHERE'S MY BILL, DOES IT HAVE A CHANCE.

HOW MUCH TIME DO WE HAVE LEFT.

IS THE SENATE DOING THEIR PART.

THE SENATE WANTS TO KNOW, IS THE HOUSE DOING THEIR PART.

THESE ARE NORMAL DISCUSSIONS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE.

>> FINALLY, AN ITEM WE WEREN'T ABLE TO COVER LATE LAST WEEK.

ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL, STEVE MARSHALL, WAS ON CAPITOL HILL IN WASHINGTON TESTIFYING IN OPPOSITION TO PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S NOMINATION OF KETANJI BROWN JACKSON FOR THE SUPREME COURT.

MARSHALL'S OBJECTIONS WERE OVER VICTIMS' RIGHTS AND JACKSON'S RECORD ON RELATED ISSUES.

>> UPON THE PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF JACKSON'S NOMINATION, ONE SUPPORTER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THAT SUPPORTS DEFUNDING THE POLICE PRONOUNCED, WE'RE IN A MOMENT WHERE THERE'S AN ACTIVE THIS POINT CONSIDERS THE BROKEN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

THIS IS PURSUING CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL.

THOUGH I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THE ASSESSMENT THAT OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS BROKEN, I SHARED OBSERVATION THAT THIS APPOINTMENT MAY BE WELL INTENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO INITIATE A TRANSFORMATION OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OR AS JUDGE JACKSON DESCRIBED IT, A FUNDAMENTAL REDESIGN OF OUR SYSTEM.

AS WE KNOW FROM HISTORY, THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT CAN ABSOLUTELY TRANSFORM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE.

THE SENATE MUST DO DUE DILIGENCE THAT THE ANTI-INCARCERATION AND ANTIPOLICE MOVEMENT, VIEWS THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS SEEMED TO ENHANCE NEVER IS PERMITTED TO MAKE ITS WAY OP OUR SUPREME COURT.

>> THE TESTIMONY GOT HEATED AT TIMES, AS SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE OF RHODE ISLAND, ATTEMPTED TO PAINT MARSHALL INTO A CORNER OF SUPPORTING THE JANUARY 6 RIOT.

MARSHALL CONDEMNED THE VIOLENCE MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT ALSO WOULD NOT SAY JOE BIDEN IS DULY ELECTED AS PRESIDENT.

>> IS JOSEPH R. BIDEN, OF DELAWARE, IS HE THE DULY-ELECTED AND LAWFULLY-SELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> HE'S PRESIDENT OF OUR COUNTRY.

>> ARE YOU ANSWERING THAT, OMITTING THE LANGUAGE, DULY-ELECTED AND LAWFULLY SERVING PURPOSELY?

>> I AM ANSWERING THE QUESTION.

HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> AND YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OPINION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT HE'S DULY ELECTED OR LAWFULLY IS SERVING?

>> I'M TELLING YOU, HE'S THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> LIKE THE MORE FAMOUS OUTLAW JESSE JAMES, RUBEN HOUSTON BUREAU BETTER KNOWN AS BREWED, HEADED OFF TRAIN ROBBERS AND THEY WORKED FROM TEXAS TO ALABAMA.

A NUMBER OF LEGEND GREW UP AROUND BURRO AS THE ALABAMA ROBIN HOOD BECAUSE HE ALLEGEDLY NEVER ROBBED THE POOR.

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY JONATHAN ARCHER, CHIEF OF THE DRIVER'S LICENSE DIVISION AT THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

THANKS FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TELL OUR AUDIENCE A LITTLE MORE WITH YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHAT YOU DO IN YOUR POSITION AT ALEA.

>> I'M CHIEF OF THE DRIVER'S LICENSE DIVISION AT ALEA.

I'VE BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR ABOUT 17 YEARS AND PART OF THE DRIVER'S LICENSE DIVISION FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN MOBILE COUNTY AND RELOCATED HERE TO CENTRAL ALABAMA ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO.

>> NOW, I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE GETTING READY TO UNDERTAKE A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT TRANSITION IN THE DRIVER'S LICENSE DIVISION.

IN FACT, THERE'S EXTRA MONEY FOR IT HERE IN THE STATE GENERAL FUND BUDGET HAVING TO DO WITH A TRANSITION IN THE SYSTEM THAT WE USE FOR DRIVER'S LICENSES.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THE CHANGE MEANS.

>> ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, MY OFFICE UNDERTOOK A PROJECT AT ALEA TO MODERNIZE THE DRIVER'S LICENSE SYSTEM.

THE CURRENT SYSTEM THAT OUR CUSTOMERS USE OR EMPLOYEES USE IS FROM 2004.

AND I ALWAYS RELATE TO FOLKS, THAT'S VERY OLD IN THE WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY.

WE WANTED TO MODERNIZE THE DRIVER'S LICENSE SYSTEM AND THERE'S AN ENTIRE SOFTWARE SYSTEM TO BE MOVED AND REMOVE DATA FROM EVERYBODY'S LICENSE TO BE MOVED OVER AND OF COURSE, YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE IS VERY IMPORTANT AND A NUMBER OF AGENCIES AND ENTITIES USE THAT INFORMATION AND WE HAD TO BE SURE THOSE INTERFACES WERE UPDATED AS WELL AS WELL AS THE DELAWARE, THE COMPUTERS -- HARDWARES THAT THE COMPUTERS COMPANIES USE TO DO THE DRIVER'S LICENSE TRANS SIX.

THOSE ARE FROM 2015 AND THEY ARE OVER 7-YEARS-OLD IT WAS TIME TO MODERNIZE ALL OF THE OPERATIONS AT THE DRIVER'S LICENSE DIVISION.

WE'RE EVER APPRECIATIVE TO THE MEMBERS FUNDING THIS PROJECT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GOING TO MEET OUR DEADLINE, APRIL 26, APRIL 2022.

>> NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT IT REQUIRES THE ENCLOSURE OF OFFICES AND WHAT'S IT MOON FOR FOLKS OUT THERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE CLOSURE, IN ORDER TO FACILITATE ALL OF THE HARDWARE, I HAVE 76 DRIVER'S LICENSE OFFICES ACROSS THE STATE PLUS EVERY COUNTY LICENSING OFFICIAL HAS A DRIVER'S LICENSE STATION MAYBE IN THEIR COUNTY BUILDING.

ALL OF THAT HARDWARE HAS TO BE REPLACED.

IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THAT, WE HAVE TO SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING DOWN FOR A WEEK, APRIL 18-22.

NOW, WE'VE SET OUT ABOUT 10,000 NOTICES TO THE IMPACTED CUSTOMERS, MOSTLY FOLKS THAT THE DRIVER'S LICENSE EXPIRES THAT WEEK.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT THAT WEEK, YOU CAN GO ONLINE TODAY AND RENEW YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE AND NOT BE IMPACTED AT ALL BY THE CLOSURE.

SO, WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SERVICES ANY CUSTOMERS OR ISSUE ANY CREDENTIALS OF THE WEEK OF APRIL 18-22.

YOU CAN DO ONLINE RENEWAL OF THE DRIVER'S LICENSE AND THAT SERVICE HAS TO BE TURNED OFF SO WE NOT ONLY MOVE ALL OF THE DATA OVER TO THE NEW SYSTEM BUT INSTALL ALL OF THE HARDWARE AND IT'S ABOUT 260 SITES TO GET TO ACROSS THE STATE TO REPLACE THE HARDWARE.

IT'S A MONUMENTAL EFFORT BY OUR AGENCY TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOAL AND TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT UPON THE PUBLIC.

WE DO WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE CUSTOMERS ARE AWARE, FOR ANYBODY THAT WANTS A SKILLS TEST OR WHAT YOU AND I KNOW AS A ROAD TEST.

IF YOU HAVE A CHILD TURNING 16 THAT WEEK, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO COME TO OUR OFFICES AND COMPLETE THE ROAD TEST.

YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO BE ISSUED YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE THAT DAY AND WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CIPHER THE CUSTOMERS, IF THEY ARE COMING JUST FOR A SKILLS TEST SAME AS FOR OUR COMMERCIAL DRIVERS THOSE SKILLS TEST WILL BE ABLE TO DO THOSE DURING THE WEEK.

AND THAT'S THE ONLY TWO SERVICES THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO OFFER.

NOT A STAR ID, OR IF YOU RECENTLY MOVED TO ALABAMA AND WANT TO TRANSITION INTO ALABAMA YOUR OUT OF STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE.

THOSE CUSTOMERS WILL BE CIPHERS HAD THE NEXT -- SERVICED THE NEXT WEEK.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE GAP IN TECHNOLOGY, 2004, THAT'S PRE iPHONE I THINK.

SO MAYBE THERE'S UPGRADES WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF?

>> RIGHT, A LOT OF NEW ONLINE SERVICES.

IT'S A VERY OLD OFFICE SUITE AND MODERNIZING THIS, GOING THROUGH THE PROJECT, IT'S GOING TO ALLOW TUESDAY OFFER A NUMBER OF ONLINE SERVICES WE'VE NEVER DONE IN THE PAST.

CURRENTLY, YOU CAN OF COURSE RENEW YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE OR GET A DUPLICATE ONLINE.

GOING FORWARD, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS ONLINE.

BY STATUTE, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO UPDATE YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE ADDRESS WITH US ANY TIME YOU MOVE.

THAT'S ALWAYS A CHALLENGE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THAT'S A PAPER PROCESS OR OFFICE VISIT.

GOING FORWARD, YOU ARE ABLE TO DO THAT ONLINE AND IF YOU WANT TO BUY A NEW DRIVER'S LICENSE OR ID CARD, YOU CAN DO ALL OF THAT ONLINE.

ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

YOU DON'T NEED TO VISIT A COUNTY OFFICE OR ONE OF MY OFFICES.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PRE APPLY FOR YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

SO, FOR THE 15-YEARS-OLD WHO IS GETTING THEIR PERMIT OR THE OUT OF STATE PERSON, YOU CAN GO ONLINE USING A SMART PHONE OR iPHONE AND PRE APPLY.

YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FILL OUT ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT MY STAFF SPENDS TIME TYPING IN.

IT'S GOING TO SAVE TIME IN THE OFFICE FOR THEM TO PROCESS.

AND YOU CAN PRE APPLY.

WE DO OFFER APPOINTMENTS ALREADY IN 20 PLUS LOCATION INS THE STATE.

THAT'S AN ONLINE SERVICE THAT WILL CONTINUE.

AND ANOTHER BIG ONE, ONLINE REASON STATEMENT.

AFTER YOU LOSE YOUR DRIVING PRIVILEGES, MAYBE YOU GOT A FEW TICKETS, POINTS, AND YOU LOST DRIVING PRIVILEGES BY SUSPENSION BY STATUTE.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S A MANUAL PROCESS WHERE YOU HAVE TO GO AND CLEAR UP THE PROBLEMS WITH THE COURT THAT ISSUED THE CITATIONS AND YOU BRING US CLEARANCE LETTERS.

THAT ENTIRE PROCESS CAN BE DONE ONLINE.

ALSO, AGAIN, I'M HOPING TO TRY TO LIMIT PEOPLE HAVING TO COME INTO THE OFFICES.

THAT'S A BIG ONE.

FOR OUR COMMERCIAL OPERATORS, YOUR COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE, YOU ARE ABLE TO SUBMIT YOUR D.O.T.

MEDICAL CARD IF YOU HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE COMMERCIAL DRIVING BUSINESS.

IT'S AN ANNUAL PROCESS WHERE YOU HAVE TO MAIL IN, THIS WAY THEY CAN SUBMIT THAT ONLINE AND MY STAFF REVIEWS IT AND GETS IT ADDED TO THE RECORDS SO THEY DON'T LOSE THE COMMERCIAL DRIVING PRIVILEGE.

SAME AS T.S.A.

BACKGROUND CHECK AND IT CARRIES HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

THEY CAN CHECK THE STATUS OF THAT.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF NEW, ONLINE SERVICES WE'RE OFFERING WITH OUR NEW DRIVER'S LICENSE SYSTEM.

>> Todd Stacy: WHILE I HAVE YOU, I KNOW THAT SOMETIME BACK THERE WAS A LOT OF CRITICISM FOR ALEA CLOSING DRIVER'S LICENSE OFFICES FOR PARTICULARLY IN THE RURAL AREAS, THE AREAS THAT SERVICE A LOT OF MINORITY RESIDENTS.

HAS THAT BEEN RESOLVED?

I BELIEVE IT WAS SIX OR SEVEN YEARS AGO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT HAS BEEN RESOLVED BUT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF LESSONS LEARNED.

AND WE MADE SURE THAT GOING FORWARD WITH THIS ENCLOSURE, WE'VE INFORMED THE PUBLIC, DONE QUITE A BIT OF OUTREACH THROUGH PRESS RELEASES AND HOLDING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

CONCERNED CITIZENS CAN COME IN AND SPEAK DIRECTLY TO VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT ENCLOSURES.

THE ENCLOSURES WILL BE STATEWIDE.

AND THE ENCLOSURES IN 2015 WERE TARGETED AT SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE STATE.

THIS ONE WILL BE A STATEWIDE ENCLOSURE AND EFFECT EVERY OFFICE EQUALLY.

WE HAVE TRIED TO LIMIT IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

AND TO GIVE PUBLIC NOTICE, IF YOU CAN GET SERVICE BEFORE THE CLOSURE, PLEASE, PLEASE, GO AHEAD AND COME IN.

LOTS OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT YOU CAN RENEW YOUR LICENSE BEFORE THE 180 DAYS IS UP.

YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND GET IT OUT OF THE WAY.

WE'RE VERY MINDFUL OF THAT.

AND I KNOW THAT I WAS RECENTLY ASKED, ARE THE FEES CHANGING.

THE PRICE OF THE DRIVER'S LICENSE IS NOT GOING UP BECAUSE OF THIS PROJECT OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE.

THAT WAS ANOTHER THING IN 2015, WHEN THAT CLOSURE OCCURRED, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN FEES.

NO, NO.

IT'S STILL $36.25 FOR RENEWAL.

>> I'M UP FOR RENEWAL.

THE QUESTION IS, CAN I STILL HAVE THE SAME PICTURE WHEN I WAS 25?

>> I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME IN AND GET YOUR PICTURE.

MUCH BETTER TECHNOLOGY, AND NO MORE FLASH TO BLIND YOU.

>> THANKS FOR COMING IN AND SHARING THE VALUABLE INFORMATION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT I'M PLEASED TO BE JOINED BY JUDGE JEAN BROWN, COMMISSIONERS OF THE ALABAMA SENIOR SERVICES.

>> THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> IT'S MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE AND WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR SERVICES DOES FOR ALABAMA.

>> SURE.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

WE'RE HERE TO SERVE NOT ONLY SENIOR ADULTS BUT DISABLED ALABAMIANS AS WELL.

WE OFFER MANY SERVICES SUCH AS PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE UNDER SENIOR R.X.

AND THINGS TO HELP PREVENT MEDICARE FRAUD.

A WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES FOR ALABAMIANS.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW THIS WEEK, LAST WEEK, THE GOVERNOR SIGNED INTO LAW A BILL THAT CREATES AN ELDER ABUSE REGISTRY.

THIS IS A REGISTRY OF THOSE CONVICTED OF OFFENSES AGAINST THE ELDERLY.

TELL ME WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT?

>> FIRST OF ALL, IT MAKES US A NATIONAL LEADER.

AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND IT, ALABAMA IS THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO HAVE THIS KIND OF REGISTRY INCLUDING PEOPLE NOT ONLY PEOPLE CONVICTED OF ELDER ABUSE, BUT IF YOU HAVE HAD AN ORDER ISSUED AGAINST YOU FOR ELDER ABUSE OR FINDING FOR ELDER ABUSE, YOU ARE GOING TO BE LISTED ON THE REGISTRY.

AND THE WONDERFUL THING, IT NOW REQUIRES DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDERS, HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES.

ONCE THE ACT BECOMES EFFECTIVE, THEY WILL HAVE TO CHECK THE LIST IN THE REGISTRY TO MAKE SURE NOT ONLY CURRENT EMPLOYEES BUT FUTURE EMPLOYEES ARE NOT LISTED AS AN OFFENDER OF THAT TYPE.

>> SO, IF YOU AM RUNNING A NURSING HOME AND LOOKING FOR STAFF, I BASICALLY HAVE TO DO A BACKGROUND CHECK AND MAKE SURE THAT THE STAFF I HIRE IS NOT WITH A HISTORY OF ABUSING ELDERLY.

>> RIGHT NOT ONLY FUTURE, BUT CURRENT STAFF AS WELL.

>> RECENTLY, YOU HELPED TO IMPLEMENT THE ELDER ABUSE CENTER, RIGHT THERE IN SHELBY COUNTY.

I BELIEVE ALSO IT WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THIS WILL DO.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE STATE.

TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE'S ONLY ABOUT 16 IN THE ENTIRE NATION.

SO, AGAIN, AS WITH THE ELDER ABUSE REGISTRY, THIS IS GOING TO MAKE ALABAMA A LEADER IN PROTECTING OUR SENIOR ADULTS WHO SUFFER FROM ABUSE.

>> THIS IS A PHYSICAL LOCATION, WHERE SOMEBODY EXPERIENCING ABUSE CAN SEEK SHELTER AND REFUGE.

>> RIGHT, TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SHELTER, OPENED NOT ONLY TO THE PEOPLE IN SHELBY COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS, BUT ANYBODY IN THE STATE.

THAT'S THE PLAN FOR THE SHELTER.

>> DO YOU THINK WE'LL SEE MORE OF THESE CENTERS OPEN UP?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

AS SOON AS THE STORY OF THE SHELBY COUNTY FACILITY BEING OPENED, I HAD A CALLED FROM A LEGISLATOR WHO WANTED TO KNOW ALL ABOUT IT AND HE WANTED ONE IN HIS AREA.

THINK WE CAN VERY WELL SEE THEM SPREAD.

THIS COULD BE A MODEL FOR THE STATE AND WORKING ALREADY TO DO ONE IN WALKER COUNTY.

>> I WOULD IMAGINE SOME OF THESE INVOLVE LEVERAGING LOCAL FUNDS, NOT JUST COMPLETELY STATE FUNDED.

>> NO, THERE'S A NUMBER OF FEDERAL GRANTS AND IT'S THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING THAT HAD THE VISION FOR THIS IN ALABAMA.

THEY ARE APPLYING FOR ALL KINDS OF FEDERAL AND PRIVATE STATE GRANTS ANYTHING THEY CAN FIND TO HELP MAKE THIS DREAM COME TRUE.

>> I'VE GOT TO SAY, YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE, THE MIND SET OF SOMEBODY TO ABUSE SOMEBODY VULNERABLE LIKE CHILDREN OR THE ELDERLY.

AND YOU WERE A JUDGE ON THE SUPREME COURT HERE IN ALABAMA, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS.

YOU HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT ROLES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT INCLUDING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

SO, YOU UNDERSTAND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO PROSECUTE THOSE WHO, TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF THOSE WHO ABUSE THE ELDERLY.

>> WELL, I THINK YOU SAID IT WELL.

WE HAVE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHO WOULD TREAT SENIOR ADULTS THIS WAY.

WE'RE COMING AFTER THEM -- NOT ME PERSONAL -- BUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.

I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT GOES ON IN THE MIND OF SOMEONE WHO WOULD PHYSICALLY ABUSE A SENIOR ADULT, EMOTIONALLY ABUSE OR STEAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES.

LAST YEAR IN ALABAMA ALONE, OVER 11,000 CASES WERE REPORTED TO DHR AND WE KNOW FOR EVERY ONE CASE REPORTED, THERE ARE ABOUT 23 CASES THAT ARE NEVER REPORTED.

AND IN ONE IN 10 SENIOR ADULTS IS AN ABUSE VICTIM.

AND IF YOU SUFFER FROM DEMENTIA, IT'S ONE OUT OF EVERY 2, 50% ARE ABUSE VICTIMS.

>> IS THERE A WEB SITE FOR YOUR AGENCY THAT FOLKS AT HOME CAN GO AND CHECK OUT ALL YOU ARE DOING?

>> YEAH, ALABAMA AGE LINE.GOV.

>> AND YOU CAN DO ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS, WHETHER YOU NEED HELP WITH RESPITE CARE FOR CARE PROVIDERS OR ANY OTHER SERVICES THAT PERTAINS TO SENIOR ADULTS AND DISABLED ALABAMIANS.

IT'S ALL THERE.

AND YOU CAN CALL OUR NUMBER, AGE LINE, 800, AGE LINE.

AND WE'LL DIRECT YOU TO YOUR COUNTY IF YOU NEED LOCAL SERVICES.

>> NOW, ALSO, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT RUNS THE SENIOR CITIZENS HALL OF FAME AND THERE MAY BE DEADLINES COMING UP.

>> SENIOR CITIZENS HALL OF FAME AND NOMINATIONS CAN BE MADE UNTIL MAY 1.

THAT'S THE DEADLINE.

>> SO THEY CAN GO ON THE WEB SITE?

>> THEY CAN, GO ONLINE AND IT'S FILLABLE ONLINE OR FILL IT OUT AND MAIL IT IN IF YOU PRINT IT OUT.

>> WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SENIORS HALL OF FAME.

>> THIS IS AN AWARD AND CELEBRATION THAT RECOGNIZES PEOPLE OF 06-YEARS-OLD OLDER, MAKING AN OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF SENIOR ADULT ALABAMIANS.

>> IT WILL BE CENTERING TO SEE WHO LET'S NAMED TO THE HALL OF FAME.

COMMISSIONER, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

ABOUT SINGER MR. PICKETT WAS ENERGETIC AND GREAT PERFORMER FROM PRATTVILLE.

HE BECAME ONE OF THE BIGGEST MUSIC STARS OF THE 1960S AND 1970S.

REMAINING ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE AND SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS OF THE SOUL ERA.

JERRY WECHSLER ENCOURAGED HIM TO RECORD RECORDS MERGING THE GOSPEL BLUES AND THE STRUTTING RHYTHM.

HE WAS CROSSING OVER TO THE POP CHARTS.

IN EARLY 1966, WECHSLER TOOK HIM TO THE FAMED STUDIOS IN MUSCLE SHOALS WHICH WAS A PLACE OF HIT RECORDS.

THEY RECORDED CELEBRATORY, LAND OF A THOUSAND DANCES AND MUSTANG SALE.

WILSON PICKETT WAS INDUCTED IN THE HALL OF FAME IN 1991.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW HERE ON APT AND ALSO ON OUR PODCAST WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

FOR OUR CAPITOL JOURNAL TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.