>> GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, AS LAWMAKERS PREPARE TO RETURN TO MONTGOMERY TOMORROW TO KICK OFF THE SECOND HALF OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WAS ON THE ROAD TODAY, TOURING DEVASTATION LEFT BEHIND BY LAST WEEK'S TORNADOES AND ASSURING THOSE AFFECTED THAT THE STATE WILL DO ALL IT CAN TO HELP IN THE AFTERMATH.

IVEY BEGAN HER TOUR IN OHATCHEE, IN CALHOUN COUNTY, WHERE FIVE PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN ONE OF THE TWISTERS.

>> ALABAMA IS NO STRANGER TO THE WRATH OF MOTHER NATURE.

IT COMES ALL TOO FREQUENTLY.

AND WHILE I STATE TO THE PUNCH, OUR STATE TOOK A BAD PUNCH AND MOURNS THE LOSS.

THIS IS THE TIME THAT ALABAMIANS SHOW WHAT WE'RE MADE OF.

WE'RE MADE OF GRIT, COMPASSION, AND RESILIENCY.

WE'RE A STATE WHERE NEIGHBORS HELP NEIGHBORS.

WE LOVE OUR PEOPLE AND WE LOVE OUR STATE.

IT IS TRULY REWARDING TO SEE NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.

WE KNOW WE HAVE A JOB TO DO AND WE'VE DONE IT BEFORE.

WE'LL DO IT AGAIN AND WE'LL BUILD BACK STRONGER.

AS GOVERNOR, I'M HERE TO SAY, I'VE GOT YOUR BACK.

>> THE GOVERNOR TODAY ALSO TOURED TORNADO DAMAGE IN HALE AND SHELBY COUNTIES.

SHE SAID STATE OFFICIALS ARE STILL GATHERING A TALLY OF DAMAGES TO SEEK FEDERAL ASSISTANCE, AND THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THOSE WHO SUFFERED DAMAGES TO REACH OUT TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND REPORT LOSSES.

US SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE AND CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS WERE ALSO AMONG THE DIGNITARIES WHO WERE OUT TODAY SURVEYING ALL OF THE STORM DAMAGE.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S OFFICE SAID TODAY THAT SHE DOES NOT PLAN TO CHANGE HER MIND ABOUT ENDING THE STATE'S MASK MANDATE NEXT MONTH.

THAT AFTER PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN REPORTEDLY SAID TODAY THAT MANY PEOPLE WERE LETTING DOWN THEIR GUARDS WHERE COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS ARE CONCERNED AND THAT THAT WAS A BAD THING.

BIDEN ALSO URGED GOVERNORS AND OTHER OFFICIALS TO REINSTATE MASK-WEARING REQUIREMENTS IF THEY HAVE EASED THEM, SAYING THIS IS NOT POLITICS.

IN A STATEMENT, GOVERNOR IVEY'S PRESS SECRETARY GINA MAIOLA SAID.

AS GOVERNOR IVEY HAS PREVIOUSLY STATED, ALABAMA'S MASK MANDATE ENDS APRIL 9TH.

WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS, AND WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMON SENSE, NOT ENDLESS GOVERNMENT MANDATES.

END QUOTE.

GOVERNOR IVEY HAS URGED ALABAMIANS TO CONTINUE TO WEAR MASKS IN PUBLIC, EVEN AFTER HER STATEWIDE ORDER ENDS.

THE HEAD OF THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY, TODAY ALSO SAID THAT SHE FEARED THE COUNTRY IS AT RISK OF A NEW SURGE IN COVID CASES IF PEOPLE PREMATURELY ABANDON SAFETY GUIDELINES.

THE SECOND HALF OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS TOMORROW WHEN LAWMAKERS RETURN TO THE STATEHOUSE FOLLOWING SPRING BREAK.

BOTH BUDGETS HAVE ALREADY MADE IT OUT OF THEIR HOUSES OF ORIGIN AND HOUSE SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON SAYS FINAL PASSAGE WILL BE AMONG THE TOP PRIORITIES.

>> WE'RE REALLY GOING TO FOCUS HARD ON GETTING THE BUDGETS OUT.

THE SENATE HAS AGREED TO WORK WITH US ON THAT.

SO WE'LL BE DOING THAT.

ANOTHER THING THAT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME WORK AND THAT IS, THE SENATE, YOU KNOW, HAS A LOTTERY BILL OUT OF COMMITTEE.

AND THERE'S DISCUSSION GOING ON ABOUT THE GAMING ISSUE.

IT'S STILL ON THE TABLE.

I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF WORK ON THAT GAMING ISSUE AGAIN.

>> THAT LOTTERY BILL'S NEXT STOP IS THE SENATE FLOOR, BUT NO SPECIFIC DATE FOR DEBATE WAS IMMEDIATELY SET.

IT WOULD ONLY CREATE A LOTTERY, BUT TALK OF REVIVING A MORE COMPREHENSIVE GAMING PLAN IS ALSO HEATING UP, AFTER SIMILAR LEGISLATION FAILED IN THE UPPER CHAMBER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

MEANTIME, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED OF JASPER SAYS HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES HAVE A LOT MORE TO CONSIDER IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SESSION.

>> WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON A PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXECUTIVE POWERS.

ALSO, YOU HAVE SOME OTHER ISSUES THAT I KNOW WERE COMING FOR SEVERAL SENATORS THAT ARE VERY INTERESTED IN SECOND AMENDMENT LEGISLATION, PIECES OF THAT COMING FORWARD.

NOT ONLY IS THAT TOPIC A PRIORITY BUT SOME IDEAS OF DETERMINING WHICH OF THOSE PIECES OF LEGISLATION ARE THE ONES THAT WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH.

>> ALSO HEADED TO THE SENATE AFTER RECEIVING HOUSE PASSAGE BEFORE SPRING BREAK IS A BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE PENALTIES FOR TAKING PART IN RIOTS.

IT WOULD REQUIRE MANDATORY JAIL TIME AND, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CREATE THE CRIME OF ASSAULT AGAINST A FIRST RESPONDER.

SENATOR RODGER SMITHERMAN OF BIRMINGHAM IS AMONG THE LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE SOME RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE RIOT BILL.

>> [LOUD SPEAKING] WHY DO YOU HAVE TO STICK ALL OF THAT IN THERE?

THAT'S UNNECESSARY!

SO, HERE AGAIN, ANOTHER BALL MAKING IT OVER A BODY TO TRY TO SUPPRESS, KEEP THE FOOT ON THE -- AND IN THIS CASE IT'S NOT THE NECK.

IT'S TO KEEP THE FOOT IN PEOPLE MOUTHS SO THEY CAN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE BEING SUPPRESSED ABOUT.

>> DEMOCRATS HAVE CONTENDED THAT THE RIOT BILL WOULD HAVE A LOT OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES ON FREE SPEECH AND PEACEFUL PROTESTS.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT WOULDN'T.

A LOT OF LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ACTION THIS WEEK, INCLUDING THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY BEING SET TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION THAT WOULD LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE.

THE MEASURE HAS ALREADY PASSED THE SENATE AND IS FACING THE UNUSUAL STEP OF BEING VETTED BY TWO HOUSE COMMITTEES.

IF IT PASSES THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THIS WEEK, IT WOULD THEN MOVE TO THE HEALTH COMMITTEE BEFORE COMING UP FOR A VOTE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, CITIES AND COUNTIES ACROSS ALABAMA WILL SOON SEE AN INFUSION OF COVID RELIEF.

HOW THAT MONEY MAY HELP ALABAMA IS OUR TOPIC.

WE HAVE GREG COCHRAN, AL LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES.

>> HELLO.

>> AND TODAY WE HAVE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SONNY BRASFIELD.

HOW ARE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NOW, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE STORMS THAT SWEPT ACROSS THE CITIES AND COUNTIES LAST WEEK, MANY ARE HURTING AND THERE'S MASSIVE CLEANUP.

I'M ASSUMING THAT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM THE COUNTIES ALREADY?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, IN ALABAMA, WE OUGHT TO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THIS BECAUSE WE FIND OUR SELF ON THE RECEIVING END OF BAD WEATHER MUCH, MUCH MORE THAN ANY OF US WOULD LIKE.

THE EVENTS LAST WEEK HAVE BEEN SPECIFICALLY AND INTERESTINGLY CHALLENGING PERHAPS MORE THAN SOME OTHER TORNADO EVENTS BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS MUCH MORE INSIDE URBAN AREAS.

AND FOR WHATEVER REASON, MOST OF THE TIME, THE SERIOUS DAMAGE IN ALABAMA IS NOT DIRECTLY INSIDE WHAT WE SAW IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

SO, YOU HAVE CITIES AND COUNTIES WORKING TOGETHER TRYING TO MEET THE CHALLENGES AND RESPOND.

NOW, AT THIS POINT, ALL OF THE OFFICIALS ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN MAXIMIZE OUR ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL FUNDING TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD HOMES DAMAGED AND LOST EVERYTHING THAT THEY OWN AS WELL AS CITIES AND COUNTIES BEING ABLE TO RESPOND ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS THAT OCCURRED AS WELL.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY WAS IN HAIL AND CALHOUN COUNTY AND SHELBY COUNTY, AND ISN'T THIS A CRITICAL POINT WHERE THEY ARE GATHERING CRITICAL INFORMATION THAT THE STATE COULD USE IN AN ARGUMENT FOR FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN YOU HAVE A DISASTER LIKE THIS, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF THE OFFICIALS, AS SONNY POINTED OUT, TO WORK TOGETHER AND COLLABORATE STRENGTHS, COLLABORATE THEIR EFFORTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THEIR CITIES BACK OPEN, COUNTIES BACK OPEN, THE CITIZENS BACK TO A LEVEL OF NORMALCY.

AND THE FAST YOU CAN DO THAT THROUGH THAT COLLABORATION, THE BETTER IT IS FOR EVERYBODY.

>> TO SONNY'S POINT, THIS WAS LAST THURSDAY AND IN AT LOVE HEAVILY POPULATED AREAS WHERE THEY TOOK HITS OF THE STORMS.

CITIES CONCERNED, PELHAM, HELENA AND GREENSBORO OVER IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE.

IT WAS A SCARY DAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY IT WAS.

AND MY HATS OFF TO THE OFFICIALS AT THE COUNTY, STATE, AND THE LOCAL LEVEL FOR WORKING TOGETHER TO AGAIN TRYING TO BRING BACK NORMALCY, GETTING THE DEBRIS CLEANED UP AND REMOVED SO POWER IS RESTORED, INFRASTRUCTURE BACK IN PLACE AND BUSINESSES COMING BACK AND GETTING BACK TO THE EVERYDAY LIFE WE SO TREASURE.

>> SONNY, DOES THE ASSOCIATE HELP COUNTIES IN CONNECTING THEM WITH RESOURCES?

SURE, DON.

A COUPLE OF THINGS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, I THINK WE WERE THE SECOND STATE IN THE COUNTY -- COUNTRY, STATEWIDE DEBRIS AND MONITORING CONTRACTS FOR THEM TO ACCESS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, THEY BID ON AN ANNUAL BASIS BY REGION AND THERE ARE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE ON THE STANDBY TO COME.

SO, WE HAD PEOPLE ON THE GROUND WITHIN 36 HOURS BEGINNING TO REMOVE DEBRIS AND AS I SAY, WE WERE THE SECOND STATE THAT ENACTED THAT PROGRAM.

FEMA GIVES A DISCOUNT TO STATES THAT HAVE THIS PROGRAM IN PLACE.

SO, THAT'S HELPFUL.

DOESN'T TAKE AWAY THE HURT AND THE DAMAGE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST, AND LOSS OF LIVES FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST FAMILY MEMBERS AND OUR HEART GOES OUT TO THEM.

BUT IT DOES HELP TO GET STARTED ON THE REPAIR PROCESS MUCH MORE QUICKLY.

WE HAVE A BILL PENDING, CALLED SAFER PLACES, ENCOURAGING BUSINESSES AND PLACES LIKE THIS, TO OPEN THE DOORS, LAST THURSDAY, LIKE WE KNOW IT'S A HEAD OF TIME, A SEVERE RISK AND THOSE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO GO, CAN GO, AND HAVE A BETTER CHANCE TO RIDE OUT A STORM IN A BUILDING TO PROVIDE A SAFER PLACE FOR THEM.

>> PARTNERSHIPS LIKE THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN THE DEBRIS CLEANUP IS SO MASSIVE, IT CAN OVERWHELM CITIES AND COUNTIES.

>> YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY, IN 2011, WHEN IT OCCURRED, IT TOOK MONTHS TO GET ALL OF THE DEBRIS PUT AWAY, AND GET BACK TO A TIME OF NORMALCY.

IT'S ONE STEP AT A TIME, AND DAY AT A TIME TO GET THESE PEOPLE BACK TO NORMAL LIVES.

>> AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THE INFUSION OF MONEY IN CITIES AND COUNTIES AND BY THE RECENT COVID PACKAGE, BY PRESIDENT BIDEN.

AND I BELIEVE YOU SAID IT WAS TRANSFORMATIONAL?

>> WELL, IT'S ABOUT $960 MILLION AND I THINK THE CITY NUMBER IS BIGGER THAN THAT, BUT TOGETHER IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ALMOST $2 BILLION.

AND THE CHALLENGE IS, HOW DO WE SPEND THAT IN A WAY THAT CAN BE TRANSFORMING FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE FOUND.

WHEN THE CARES ACT WAS PASSED IN 2020 AND CITIES AND COUNTIES HAD MONIES AVAILABLE TO THEM, IT WAS THE OLD SUPPLY AND DEMAND IN REVERSE.

WE RECEIVED A SUPPLY OF FEDERAL FUNDING.

AND SUDDENLY, THERE WERE A LONG LIST OF PEOPLE WHO HAD GREAT IDEAS HOW TO SPEND THE MONEY.

SO, THE CHALLENGE FOR US AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, THINK, IS PROVIDING OUR OFFICIALS WITH SOME REALLY POSITIVE OPTIONS, HELPING THEM WITH THE RESEARCH AND HELPING THEM WITH BOOTS ON THE GROUND TO SAY, HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO USE THE MONEY IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

AND IT MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN THE COUNTY ACROSS THE INVISIBLE LINE NEXT DOOR BUT IN WAYS THAT HELPS YOU TO CHANGE YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> I KNOW THAT CITIES AND COUNTIES ARE WAITING FOR MORE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES HOW THE MONEY CAN BE SPENT.

GENERALLY SPEAKING, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS?

>> RIGHT, WEIGHS WATER, DRINKING WATER, BROADBAND AND IMPORTANT LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS TO MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION ON THE COMMUNITIES.

AND WE HAVE AREAS ACROSS THE STATE THAT NEED UPGRADED WATER SYSTEMS BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH THEY HAVE INCURRED OVER THE YEARS AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PUT THE RESOURCES INTO PLAY.

NOW, ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE HAVE RESOURCES AND LIKE SONNY POINTED OUT, WE HAVE TO BE SURE THEY ARE DONE THE RIGHT WAY AND TRANSFORMATIVE FOR THE COMMUNITIES AND CITIZENS.

THAT'S WHAT IT SHOULD BE ABOUT.

>> I WANT TO KEY IN WHAT'S REFER TO AS LIFETIME-TYPE RESOURCES.

CITY CITIES AND COUNTIES CAN FIGHT FOR A LIFETIME TO HAVE THIS MONEY THAT'S ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVING MONEY COMING.

>> BIRMINGHAM, IN JEFFERSON COUNTY IS GOING TO GET $150 MILLION.

THAT'S MONEY THAT CAN GO INTO SUBSTANTIAL PROJECTS THAT REALLY COULD START FROM A TO Z AND SEE IT THROUGH WITHOUT HAVING TO RELY ON ANYBODY ELSE TO HELP YOU GET THAT DONE.

WHEN YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF ABILITY, YOU CAN PUT A PROJECT IN THE GROUND THAT TRANSFORMS THE LIVES OF CITIZENS FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> Don: WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME, SONNY.

BUT YOU BROUGHT UP BROADBAND, FOR INSTANCE.

THAT'S A BIG BUZZ IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE HAVE LOTS OF BROADBAND NEEDS, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS AND THIS MONEY COULD GO A LONG WAY IN THAT ENDEAVOR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE LOOK AROUND THE COUNTIES WITH THE INDUSTRIAL PARKS THAT HAVE NO BROADBAND AVAILABILITY.

THOSE PARKS CAN'T COMPETE.

WE HAVE RURAL COUNTIES WITH INTERSTATES AND FOUR LANE HIGHWAYS, INTERSECTIONS WHERE THERE'S NO SEWAGE.

AND WITHOUT THAT, THEY HAVE NO ABILITY TO ATTRACTION TRACT BUSINESSES WHERE PEOPLE PASS THROUGH THE COMMUNITIES.

THE BROADBAND ISSUE IS ONE THAT I THINK IS GOING TO BE ON THE TABLE IN MANY, MANY COUNTIES.

AND OTHER THE OTHER COUNTIES, MAY BE WAIST WATER AND OTHER TYPE OF INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.

AND WE'RE WAITING ON THE GUIDANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF U.S. TREASURY WHAT THE MONEY CAN BE SPENT ON.

WE HAD A GREAT MEETING THIS AFTERNOON, VIRTUALLY WITH ABOUT 200 COUNTY OFFICIALS TO GET THE BALL MOVING FORWARD ON A PLAN THAT WE HOPE THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA CAN BE PROUD OF.

>> GREG, THIS MUST BE AB AN EXCITING TIME A TALKING TO THE LEAGUE AND THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSION, ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF THIS MONEY?

>> RIGHT, YOU LOOK AT MEDICAL DESERTS ACROSS THE STATE, HEALTHCARE IS AN ISSUE, WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE LOCAL PHYSICIANS, YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO BUILD A HEALTHCARE CLINIC.

AND THE BROAD BROADBAND IS SO IMPORTANT TO LINK IT WITH UAB AND OTHER AREAS TO HAVE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE.

OUR OFFICIALS ARE EXCITED.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE TELLING THEM TO TAKE A BREATH, PUT THE MONEY ASIDE.

LET'S LOOK AT THE BEST PRACTICES AND ATTACK THE PROBLEM BECAUSE WE HAVE UNTIL THE END OF 2024 TO SPEND THE MONEY.

WE GET IN IT TWO TRANCHES AS YOU ARE AWARE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE BUY IN FROM THE COMMUNITY AND MOVE AHEAD.

>> GREG COCHRAN, LEADER OF THE ALABAMA LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES.

>> AND SONNY BRASFIELD HERE AS HEAD OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

NICE TO HAVE YOU.

>> NICE TO BE HERE.

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

>> Don: NEXT UP, REPRESENTATIVE CHARLOTTE MEADOWS IS IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

>> GREAT, GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

I WANTED TO BEGIN WITH VOTING LEGISLATION IN THE CURRENT SESSION.

YOU HAVE SUCH A BILL RIGHT THERE.

AND I WANT TO START THERE.

DEALS WITH SETTING SPECIAL ELECTIONS.

>> YES, IT DOES.

IT WAS A BILL THAT PASSED THROUGH THE REGULAR SESSION IN 2019 THAT DID NOT INCLUDE SPECIAL ELECTIONS AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

AND THIS CARRIES IT SO IT HAS A FOUR WEEK RUN OFF.

IT'S A CLEANING UP BILL.

MY BILL, NOW SENATE BILL 131, HOUSE BILL 113.

IT WAS NOT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE PAST YEAR'S ELECTION CYCLE.

SO, HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET THAT DONE.

THINK IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE CALENDAR THIS NEXT WEEK AND I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT WE GET THAT PASSED.

>> TELL US WHAT IT DOES.

IT OUTLINES MORE OR LESS THAT A SPECIAL ELECTION, RUNOFF WOULD COME IN FOUR WEEKS.

>> RIGHT.

WHEN I WAS ELECTED, SPECIAL ELECTION 2019, START ANYTHING JUNE, THE RUNOFF WAS IN AUGUST, 11 WEEKS LATER AND NINE WEEKS AFTER THAT WAS THE GENERAL ELECTION.

SO, LITERALLY A 26 WEEK CYCLE.

MEANS FIRST OF ALL, THE PEOPLE ARE NOT BEING REPRESENTED.

DURING SOME OF THAT TIME, THE LEGISLATION LATE UR WAS IN SESSION.

AND THE SAME THING WITH MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, IF YOU ARE THERE, USUALLY BECAUSE SOMEBODY RESIGNED OR PASSED AWAY, LIKE WHAT WE SEE IN MONTGOMERY RIGHT NOW.

BUT IT MAKES SURE THERE'S REPRESENTATION.

IT BRINGS THE WHOLE PROCESS TOGETHER BETTER.

IT DOESN'T CHANGE WHO CAN RUN OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

JUST SAYS, FOUR WEEKS AFTER THE PRIMARY, YOU HAVE THE RUNOFF.

AND SOME POINT SOON AFTER, THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> STREAMLINING THE PROCESS AND NOT PROLONGING THE TIME WHERE THERE'S NO REPRESENTATION IN THE OFFICE, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

AND ALSO EASIER FOR THE CANDIDATE TO JUST GET IT OVER WITH.

>> AND YOU SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE.

>> RIGHT, SENATOR HATCHER JUST WENT THROUGH A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TO WIN HIS SENATE SEAT.

AND THAT MEANS THE SENATE SEAT WAS EMPTY UP UNTIL JUST A WEEK OR SO AGO.

>> Don: AND I WANTED TO CLARIFY FOR THE STATEWIDE AUDIT, REFERRING TO THE DEATH OF A MONTGOMERY CITY COUNCILMAN, WHAT WAS TRAGIC BUT JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHAT NECESSITATES WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO STREAMLINE.

>> WELL, WE'VE HAD TWO CITY COUNCILMAN.

JUST HAD THE FIRST ELECTION, THERE'S GOING TO BE A RUNOFF.

AND THEN GENERAL ELECTION.

PROBABLY WON'T BE A GENERAL ELECTION.

IT'S NOT PARTISAN, SO, IT'S JUST STRAIGHT MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

STILL, IT'S A PROCESS AND IT TAKES TIME.

IT MEANS THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT REPRESENTED DURING THOSE WEEKS AND MONTHS.

>> AND YOUR BILL SAYS FOUR WEEKS?

>> RIGHT, FOUR WEEKS FROM THE DATE OF THE PRIMARY IS THE RUNOFF.

>> AND THEN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> RIGHT.

GENERAL ELECTION IF THERE IS ONE.

COULD BE, COULD BE NOT.

>> AND IT'S A GREATER STREAMLINING OF THE PROCESS.

>> YEAH.

THINK SO.

AND I CHECKED CAREFULLY WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHERE THERE IS A PROCESS FOR THE MILITARY OVERSEAS, THEY CAN VOTE ELECTRONICALLY FOR A GREAT SYSTEM SET UP FOR THEM.

IT DOESN'T DISENFRANCHISE ANYBODY FROM BEING ABLE TO VOTE AT ALL.

IT JUST MAKES IT CLEAN.

>> Don: I WANT TO TURN TO WHAT'S BEEN A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE IN THE SESSION, THE BILL THAT BANS CERTAIN TRANSGENDER MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR MINORS IN THIS STATE.

YOU SIT ON THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE WHICH RECENTLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

AND YOU SUCCESSFULLY PASSED AN AMENDMENT TO THE BILL, PSYCHOLOGISTS AND MEDICAL HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE NOT PENALIZED BY THAT.

>> CORRECT.

AND THE ORIGINAL BILL SAYS IT'S ILLEGAL FOR A DOCTOR TO WRITE PUBERTY-BLOCKING DRUGS OR TO DO SURGERY ON A CHILD LESS THAN, CALLING THEM A YOUNG CHILD, WHATEVER THE AGE.

LESS THAN 19, YOU CAN'T DO IT.

AND IT SAYS THAT THE CRIMINAL PENALTY APPLIES TO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND STARTED GETTING THEM FROM THE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AROUND THE STATE DON'T CRIMINALIZE WHAT WE DO.

SO I WENT TO THE SPONSOR AND I SAID, WHAT'S YOUR INTENT.

HIS INTENT IS NOT TO CRIMINALIZE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND RECOGNIZING PEOPLE THAT HAVE A GENDER ISSUE, DYSPHORIA NEED COUNSELING.

THAT'S THE BASIS OF WHAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE.

THEY NEED SUPPORT FROM THEIR FAMILIES, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND SPECIFIC COUNSELING FROM THE PEOPLE TRAINED IN THAT AREA.

THIS IS NOT, IT'S NOT LIKE A PEDIATRICIAN GOING TO THE DOCTOR AND GETTING THE BANDAID ON YOUR LEG.

THIS IS LIKE GOING TO THE PEDIATRICIAN AND HAVING LUPES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IT'S A SERIOUS TRANSGENDER DYSPHORIA ISSUE.

THEY DEFINITELY NEED TO HAVE THE RIGHT KIND OF TRAINED COUNSELOR WORKING WITH THEM.

SO, I WORKED WITH THE ATTORNEY FOR THE EAGLE FORUM WHO HELPED WRITE THE LANGUAGE FOR THE BILL AND SHE AND I GOT THE LANGUAGE CORRECT AND I GOT IT ALSO FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTALAL HEALTH AND WE GOT IT ON THERE.

IT WAS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

AND I WAS PLEASED THAT THE COMMITTEE SAW IT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

AND IT WAS PASSED, I BELIEVE, CLOSE TO A FULL VOTE.

I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY.

>> AND DO YOU AGREE THAT THE GENERAL DECISION, PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND HORMONE BLOCKERS CAN WAIT AND SHOULD WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE AGED 19.

>> OBVIOUSLY, I NEVER GAIT GAVE IT A LOT OF THOUGHT BEFORE THE LEGISLATION.

I STARTED GETTING EMAILS FROM PEOPLE AND THERE WAS GOOD INFORMATION, STUDIES DONE IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

AND I REALLY HAD TO PUT ASIDE ANY PERSONAL FEELINGS AND THINK ABOUT WHAT'S BEST FOR THE CHILDREN IN ALABAMA.

FOR OUR STATE, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT PUBLIC POLICY, THAT WE DO NOT NEED TO ALLOW DOCTORS TO DO LIFE-ALTERING SURGERY ON PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE A FULLY DEVELOPED MENTAL SYSTEM.

THE BRAIN IS NOT FULLY DEVELOPED UNTIL YOU ARE 25.

SO, IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME THAT YOU ALLOW PEOPLE TO DO THAT, ONLY AFTER THEY ARE ABLE TO THINK THROUGH THE RAMIFICATIONS, THE DECISION THAT THEY ARE MAKING.

AND THAT MAY SEEM HARSH TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PLANNING TO DO IT WHEN THEY ARE 14, 15, 16.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, THE RESEARCH SEEMS TO SHOW THAT MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT TRANS AT A TEENAGE AGE COME BACK AND TRANS BACK -- OR THEY TRY TO TRANS BACK.

I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF THAT'S A WORD TO BE USED.

BUT THAT'S WHAT THE RESEARCH COMING OUT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM SHOWS.

AND ALSO, IN THE INTEREST OF WE DON'T REALLY KNOW YET, THE FULL SCALE OF THIS, I JUST DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD ALLOW THIS TO GO ON UNTIL WE HAVE MORE DATA, MORE RESEARCH THAT SHOWS THAT PEOPLE WHO TRANSGENDER AT AGE 17 ARE HAPPY AND CONTENT AND STAY THAT WAY.

THE OTHER THING, I'VE SEEN RESEARCH THAT PEOPLE THAT TRANSGENDER ARE STILL AS LIKELY TO HAVE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND SUICIDAL ACTIONS.

SO, THINK THAT COULD BE A SIDE EFFECT OF JUST THAT PROCESS.

>> LOTS OF PUSH BACK ON THIS ONE.

BUT DO YOU THINK ULTIMATELY THIS WILL SEE FINAL PASSAGE.

I'M ASKING YOU TO LOOK IN YOUR CRYSTAL BALL.

>> IT'S INTERESTING, WHATEVER MAKES IT TO THE FLOOR, I'M FAIRLY SURE IT'S GOING TO GET TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, AND PASSED THROUGH.

HOW IN THE WORLD IT WILL GET TO THE SENATE AND TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK, I CAN'T PREDICT THAT.

YOU ARE RIGHT, IT'S CONTROVERSIAL AND THINK FROM A PUBLIC POLICY STANDPOINT, FOR ALABAMA, IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE NEAR AS MANY PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA THAT ARE REALLY DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES THAT WOULD INDICATE BY THE NUMBER OF EMAILS THAT I HAVE GOTTEN.

I THINK THE EMAILS HAVE COME FROM OTHER STATES AND CERTAINLY NOT DISTRICT 74.

BUT IT'S AN ISSUE THAT'S COMING UP FAIRLY RAPIDLY AROUND OTHER STATES.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD IGNORE IT.

I THINK WE NEED TO DEAL WITH IT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CHARLOTTE MEADOWS GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW TODAY.

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

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, AS LAWMAKERS RETURN TO WORK AFTER SPRING BREAK.

AND WE HOPE TO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE K. L. BROWN OF JACKSONVILLE, WHO WILL TALK WITH US ABOUT PARTS OF HIS DISTRICT BEING AMONG THE HARDEST HIT IN THE STATE FOLLOWING LAST WEEK'S RASH OF TORNADOES.

WE ALSO HOPE TO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE RALPH HOWARD OF GREENSBORO, WHO WILL TALK ABOUT TORNADO DAMAGE IN HIS DISTRICT, AND ABOUT HIS OPPOSITION TO A CONTROVERSIAL RIOT BILL THAT'S ALREADY PASSED THE HOUSE.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.