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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

TODAY WAS THE 18TH DAY OF THE REGULAR SESSION.

THAT MEANS THERE ARE 12 LEGISLATIVE DAYS REMAINING FOR LAWMAKERS TO DEBATE AND PASS BILLS.

THERE WAS ONLY ONE BILL ON THE AGENDA IN THE SENATE AND THAT WAS THE MUCH TALKED ABOUT CONCEALED CARRY BILL.

HOUSE BILL 272 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE SHANE STRINGER WOULD DO AWAY WITH THE REQUIREMENT THAT GUN OWNERS PURCHASE PERMITS TO CARRY CONCEALED HANDGUNS.

THE BILL HAS SEEN MULTIPLE REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS AND FINALLY MADE IT TO THE SENATE FLOOR WHERE DEMOCRATS BEGAN A FILIBUSTER TO DELAY ITS PASSAGE.

THE REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITY EVENTUALLY INVOKED CLOTURE, FORCING A VOTE, AND THE BILL PASSED 23-6.

STATE SENATOR GERALD ALLEN CARRIED THE BILL UPSTAIRS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE DEALT WITH WAS THE PERMIT ISSUE, AS FAR AS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICES LOSING SOME REVENUE, THAT'S SET UP ON A THREE YEAR PERIOD.

AND OF COURSE, AN AUDIT WOULD BE DONE AND END OF THE YEARS, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WOULD BE REIMBURSED ON ANY LOST REVENUE AND OF COURSE, THE OTHER THINGS, THE OTHER PIECE THAT WE DID, DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS INVOLVED IN STOPPING A VEHICLE TO CHECK A WEAPON IN THE VEHICLE, AND TO RUN SOME BACKGROUND CHECKS.

AND THEN, THE OUTCOME OF THAT, IF BY CHANCE, IF THAT WEAPON WAS A COURT-ORDERED ISSUE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT GOING ON, THEN THE OFFICER COULD RETAIN THAT WEAPON.

>> I'LL SPEAK WITH STRINGER ABOUT HIS BILL LATER IN THE SHOW.

THE HOUSE PASSED TWO BILLS AIMED AT EXPANDING AND IMPROVING BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS IN THE STATE.

SENATE BILL 123 REVISES LAST YEAR'S BROADBAND LAW TO SET A MEGABIT THRESHOLD TO IDENTIFY UNSERVED AREAS.

SENATE BILL 124 WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR CITIES AND TOWNS TO RECEIVE BROADBAND GRANTS BY REVISING THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND INCREASING THE MINIMUM INTERNET SPEED FOR AN AREA TO BE COUNTED AS HAVING BROADBAND ACCESS.

BOTH BILLS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND NOW GO TO THE GOVERNOR.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE RANDALL SHEDD WAS THE HOUSE SPONSOR.

>> MAKES SOME CHANGES TO THE MINIMUM SERVICE THRESHOLD AND AUTHORIZES THE ALABAMA DIGITAL EXPANSION AUTHORITY, DIVISION CHIEF TO ENTER INTO NON DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS AND REVISE THE EXPENDITURE OF THE FUND TO ALLOW ANNUAL REVISIONS OF THE PROGRAM FUNDS.

>> IT WOULDN'T BE A LEGISLATIVE SESSION IF THE ISSUE OF GAMBLING WASN'T DEBATED.

SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON TODAY INTRODUCED HIS LONG-ANTICIPATED GAMBLING LEGISLATION.

THE BILL IS SIMILAR IN SCOPE TO A PLAN PROPOSED LAST YEAR.

IT WOULD ESTABLISH A STATE LOTTERY, EXPAND AND REGULATE CASINO OPERATIONS, AND LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING.

THE REVENUE FROM THE LOTTERY WOULD GO TOWARD EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS, WHILE THE CASINO AND SPORTS BOOK REVENUE WOULD GO TOWARD OTHER NEEDS, SUCH AS BROADBAND INTERNET, MENTAL HEALTH, RURAL HEALTH CARE AND ROADS AND BRIDGES.

ALBRITTON HAS CALLED ALABAMA “THE WILD WEST” WHEN IT COMES TO GAMBLING BECAUSE OF THE UNEVEN ENFORCEMENT OF GAMMABLY LAWS IN RECENT YEARS.

>> WE HAVE THE ONLINE GAMING GOING ON.

WE HAVE SPORTS GAMING, AND WE HAVE LEGALIZED FANTASY GAMING.

THIS IS AN INDUSTRY THAT NEEDS TO BE REGULATED BY THE STATE.

THIS WAS AN INDUSTRY RUNNING RAMPANT IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

ALABAMA, THE STATE, HAS NO CONTROL OVER ANY OF THESE ACTIVITIES.

ALABAMA HAS NO BENEFIT FROM ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES.

WE NEED TO TAKE CONTROL OF THIS.

WE HAVE IN ALABAMA, 20 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, LOCAL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS WHICH REPORTEDLY GIVE AUTHORIZATION FOR SOME OF THESE TO BE FUNCTIONING AND OPERATING, YET NONE OF THESE LOCAL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS GIVE ANY GUIDANCE OR ANY REPORTS BEING MADE WHAT MONIES ARE COMING IN OR HOW IT'S BEING USED.

>> A BILL MOVING IN THE HOUSE WOULD KEEP THE TEST SCORES OF NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING STUDENTS FROM IMPACTING THE GRADES ASSIGNED TO SCHOOLS, AT LEAST IN THE SHORT TERM.

SUPPORTERS OF SENATE BILL 170 SAY SCHOOLS WITH LARGE POPULATIONS OF ENGLISH-LANGUAGE LEARNERS ARE UNFAIRLY IMPACTED IN THE STATE'S ANNUAL SCHOOL GRADING PROCESS.

THE BILL KEEPS SUCH STUDENTS FROM IMPACTING THE ASSESSMENT FOR FIVE YEARS.

IT PASSED THE HOUSE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE THIS WEEK AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE.

FINALLY, THE HOUSE THIS WEEK APPROVED A BILL REQUIRING STUDENTS TO ATTEND KINDERGARTEN OR TAKE A READINESS TEST BEFORE ENTERING FIRST GRADE.

CURRENT, MOST ALABAMA STUDENTS ATTEND KINDERGARTEN BUT ARE NOT REQUIRED TO.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE PEBBLIN WARREN SAID THE ONES WHO DON'T END UP FAR BEHIND WHEN THEY GO TO FIRST GRADE.

>> THIS IS NOT A MANDATORY BILL; IT'S A PREPARATORY BILL.

THIS IS A FOUNDATION BILL, A FIRST GRADE READINESS BILL.

THIS IS JUST A READINESS INSTRUMENT THAT WE'RE REQUIRING THAT THEY HAVE THE BASIC COMPETENCIES OF KINDERGARTEN.

AND IT CAN BE DONE AT PUBLIC KINDERGARTEN, HOMESCHOOL, PRIVATE.

IT'S JUST MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THOSE FOUNDATIONS.

AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF EDUCATIONAL PRESCHOOL EDUCATION, THEY WILL HAVE AN ASSESSMENT.

THE ASSESSMENT IS TO TEST COMMON LITTLE THINGS, COLORS, NUMBERS.

NOTHING THAT'S GOING TO BE COMPLICATED.

JUST A SIMPLE THING THAT THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE IF THE STUDENT CAN RECOGNIZE THEM.

AND IF THEY CAN'T, THEN THEY HAVE TO GO BACK AND DEAL WITH THE KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM FOR THOSE STUDENTS.

>> WE'LL HAVE MY FULL INTERVIEW WITH REPRESENTATIVE WARREN WHEN WE COME BACK.

>> Todd Stacy: NEXT, I'M JOINT BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE PEBBLIN WARREN.

THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> I THANK YOU FOR THE INVITE AND I ALWAYS ENJOY COMING TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS AND INFORMATION WITH THE PUBLIC.

>> MY PLEASURE.

YOU HAD A BILL ON THE FLOOR THIS WEEK, DEALING WITH KINDERGARTEN AND YOU HAD IT UP SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT IT DOES.

>> OKAY.

THERE'S A LITTLE CONFUSION AND I WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE RECORD IS SET STRAIGHT.

THIS IS NOT A MANDATORY BILL.

THIS IS A PREPARATORY BILL.

THIS IS A FOUNDATION BILL.

THIS IS A FIRST-GRADE READINESS BILL.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN IN MANY INSTANCES AND TALKING TO THE FIRST GRADE TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS, WHEN A CHILD COMES TO SCHOOL WHO HAS NEVER BEEN IN A SCHOOL SETTING BEFORE AND HAD TO START AT FIRST GRADE, THEY ARE TOTALLY DISADVANTAGED.

BECAUSE NINE OUT OF 10 CASES, THE MAJORITY OF THE STUDENTS IN THE CLASS HAVE ATTENDED PRE-K OR KINDERGARTEN, MEANING THAT THOSE KIDS, 9 OUT OF 10 CASES, THEY ARE READING, KNOW THEIR ALPHABET AND KNOW THEIR NUMBERS.

AND FOR A KID TO WALK INTO THE CLASS WITH STUDENTS WHO DON'T KNOW A-B- OR 1, 2, 3 IT PUTS THE STUDENT IN A BAD SITUATION.

PUTTING THAT STUDENT AND OTHER STUDENTS IN THAT BAD SITUATION WHO ARE AT THE READINESS LEVEL BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE TEACHER TEACH WHAT SHE KNOWS THE KID DOESN'T HAVE.

AND I HEAR THAT FROM THE LITTLE KIDS THAT ARE SO BRIGHT.

I ALREADY KNOW THAT.

AND MY LITTLE GRANDDAUGHTER ASKED ME, CAN I JUST TEST OUT OF THERE AND MOVE ON.

BECAUSE I ALREADY KNOW EVERYTHING THEY ARE DOING.

AND YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL THEIR COMFORTABLE IN THE SETTING AND THEY END UP INSTANTLY BECOMING THE CLASS DUMMY.

>> AND THEY ARE TEACHING DOWN TO THE LEVEL?

>> RIGHT, AND IT'S UNFAIR TO THE TEACHER BECAUSE SHE'S DEALING WITH THAT STUDENT AND DEALING WITH THE STUDENT WHO ARE REALLY READY TO EXCEL IN THE FIRST GRADE.

THIS IS JUST A READINESS INSTRUMENT THAT WE'RE REQUIRING THAT THEY HAVE BASIC COMPETENCIES OF KINDERGARTEN.

AND THIS CAN BE DONE AT A PUBLIC KINDERGARTEN, HOMESCHOOL, PRIVATE.

IT'S JUST MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THOSE FOUNDATIONS.

AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY TYPE OF EDUCATIONAL, PRESCHOOL EDUCATION, THEY WOULD HAVE AN ASSESSMENT.

THE ASSESSMENT IS TO BE TESTING COMMON LITTLE THINGS.

COLORS, NUMBERS.

NOTHING THAT'S COMPLICATED.

IT'S THE SIMPLE THINGS THEY ARE GOING TO BE SURE THE STUDENT CAN RECOGNIZE.

IF THEY CAN'T, THEN THEY HAVE TO GO BACK AND DEAL WITH THE KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM FOR THE STUDENTS.

>> Todd Stacy: WE HEAR SO MUCH OF THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY LEARNING.

AND WE HEAR ABOUT IT IN THE LITERACY ACT.

NOW, THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IT IN THE NUMERALCY ACT, MATH EQUIVALENT.

AND NOW, HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO GET KIDS LEARNING EARLY ON, WHEN THEY ARE KIND OF SPONGES.

IS THAT WHAT YOUR GOAL IS HERE?

>> AGAIN, AND I TOLD PEOPLE, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT'S THE PRENATAL CARE THEY GET NOW, BUT THE KIDS ARE JUST DIFFERENT.

THEY ARE NOT -- WELL, I'M PROBABLY LITTLE OLDER THAN YOU ARE.

BUT THEY ARE NOT LIKE KIDS WERE IN THE PAST.

THEY COME HERE, THEY HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO TECHNOLOGY BEFORE THEY ARE 2-YEAR-OLD AND THEY ARE SITTING THERE WORKING AWAY AND THEY LIKE CHALLENGES.

AND FOR US NOT TO CHALLENGE THEM BUT TRY TO KEEP THE SAME LOWER STANDARDS IS NOT GOING TO MAKE THEM COMPETITIVE.

THEY NEED THAT CHALLENGE.

>> YOU PASSED THE BILL OUT OF THE HOUSE A COUPLE OF TIMES AND IT'S NOT PASSED THE SENATE YET.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE HOLD UP THERE?

>> WELL, WE HAD ONE SENATOR WHO FELT THE BILL WAS A RETENTION BILL.

BUT I THINK, AFTER TALKING TO HIM AND EXPLAINING IT TO HIM, AND ASKING HIM TO READ THE BILL, IT'S NOT A RETENTION BILL.

YOU CAN'T RETAIN ANYBODY WHO HAS NEVER BEEN IN SCHOOL.

HE THOUGHT THAT WE WERE GOING TO PUT THEM BACK.

I'M NOT PUTTING THEM BACK.

I'M JUST MAKING SURE WHEN THEY ENTER, THEY ARE READY.

>> SO, YOU THINK IT HAS A GOOD CHANCE UPSTAIRS?

>> I'M GOING TO BE VERY, VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT I CAN LET HIM.

YOU KNOW HOW THE SENATE RULES ARE.

ONE PERSON CAN KILL A BILL FOREVER.

SO, I'M JUST HOPING THIS TIME HE WILL BE MORE AMENABLE AND WORK WITH US AND ON THIS PROJECT.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE DATA, JUST LOOK AT IT.

ALABAMA CONTINUOUSLY, WE CAN'T GET RANKED ANY HIGHER THAN, WHAT, 47?

I THINK THAT'S THE HIGHEST WE'VE GOTTEN.

45 TO 50.

AND I SAW SOME DATA THAT WE WERE NUMBER 52 ONE TIME!

>> Todd Stacy: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND WE KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM.

I'M THIS WAY.

WE TALK AND WE TALK ABOUT RESOURCES AND THIS, THAT, AND TO BE IN A STATE WITH THE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE FOR EDUCATION, I DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN COMFORTABLY SAY THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD TO EDUCATE KIDS.

WHAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IS THAT PRE K IS AFFORDABLE TO EVERY FOUR-YEARS-OLD CHILD IN THE STATE.

WE GOT TO PUT THE MONEY INTO EDUCATION THAT'S NEEDED TO TAKE US AND TAKE OUR STUDENTS WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.

I JUST HATE IT AND I DON'T LIKE PEOPLE TO SAY, WE DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR EDUCATION.

WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS AND MAKE EDUCATION A HIGH PRIORITY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT CHILD CARE, AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES.

AND YOU PASSED THE ORIGINAL BILL IN 2018 DEALING WITH REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILD CARE FACILITY EMPLOYEES, BACKGROUND CHECKS.

THAT LAW HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS NOW.

HOW IS THAT WORKING?

ARE YOU HEARING FEEDBACK?

>> IT'S A COMFORT ZONE.

I HEAR MORE FROM PARENTS AND THEY SAY, THANK YOU FOR GETTING THAT KINDERGARTEN STUFF STRAIGHT.

MANY OF THEM WERE SEEING WHAT I WAS TRYING TO ELIMINATE.

BUT THEY HAD NO WAY OF DEALING WITH IT, BECAUSE THEY NEEDED TO SEND THE KIDS THERE.

AND ONCE YOU ENTRUST YOUR CHILD AT THAT AGE IN SOMEBODY'S CARE, YOU EXPECT THE BEST.

YOU WANT TO GET WHAT THEY WOULD GET AT HOME, YOU KNOW, FROM YOU.

SO, IT HAS REALLY BEEN POSITIVE.

IT HAS REALLY BEEN GREAT BECAUSE A LOT OF THE DAY CARES WHO WERE NOT CERTIFIED BEFORE I DID THE BILL WAS CERTIFIED AND HAD EVERYTHING IN ORDER.

SO, WHEN THE COVID MONEY CAME DOWN, THE PPE MONEY, THEY WERE ABLE TO QUALIFY.

THAT MADE ALL OF THOSE DAY CARES ELIGIBLE FOR THE MONEY.

AND IF NOTHING ELSE, THAT WAS A POSITIVE MOVE FOR THEM.

AND I SAY, LOOK, IF I DIDN'T PASS THE BILL, THEN YOU COULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN THE MONEY.

AND DAY CARES GOT NICE MONIES BECAUSE THEY HAD TO CLOSE AND GET THE KIDS OUT AND THEY HAD TO KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES THERE.

>> AND I KNOW YOU PASSED THE BROADBAND BILL AND MAKING SURE THAT THE ARPA MONEY IS SPENT IN BROADBAND RURAL AREAS.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE PLAN SO FAR?

>> RIGHT, YEAH, AS I SAID, I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE BROADBAND RURAL ISSUE EVER SINCE GOVERNOR RILEY WORKED ON IT AND I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO GO HOME FROM WORK AND CAN'T WORK BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE BROADBAND.

AND I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO DIAL UP AND GET YOUR INTERNET ON THE PHONE.

AND SO, SENATOR SCOFIELD AND SHEFFIELD, THEY HAVE COMMITTED SERIOUS TIME AND IF WE DON'T GET BROADBAND ACCESSIBLE IN OUR RURAL AREAS, OUR SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO BE DEFICIENT.

AND OUR OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARE GOING TO BE INSUFFICIENT, HEALTHCARE FACILITIES ARE GOING TO BE INSUFFICIENT.

SO, THIS LEGISLATION IS MORE OF AN OVERSIGHT TO INSURE THAT WHAT THEY ARE SAYING, THEY ARE DOING.

TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY IS USED WISELY.

JUST TO BE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE OVERSIGHT TO INSURE THE CONSUMER THAT THEY ARE GETTING THE BEST OF WHAT'S OUT THERE TO GET.

>> WELL, WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU BACK ON TO TALK ABOUT RURAL BROADBAND SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Todd Stacy: NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE SHANE STRINGER.

THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOUR NAME IS THE HOUSE, ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL BILLS, HOUSE BILL 272 DEALING WITH THE CONCEALED CARRY PERMITS, DOING AWAY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF THE CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT.

AND WALK ME THROUGH WHY THE BILL YOU THINK IS NECESSARY.

>> THIS IS A BILL BEING WORKED ON IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.

A LOT OF WORK HAS GONE INTO IT AND THROUGHOUT THE WORKING OF THE BILL, WE DISCOVERED A LOT OF ISSUES AND PROBLEMS WITH OUR PERMIT SYSTEM IN ALABAMA, UP TO THE POINT THAT THE ATL STOPPED ALLOWING ALABAMA CITIZENS USING THEM AS THEIR NEXT BACKGROUND CHECK IN PURCHASING WEAPONS.

SO, WE GOT TO LOOKING INTO IT.

LAST YEAR, REPRESENTATIVE PONSY ROBERTS PASSED A BILL WITH THE LIFETIME PERMIT, GIVING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, 24 HOUR, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK ACCESS TO WHO IS PROHIBITED FROM OWNING GUNS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS THAT.

THEY NEED TO KNOW WHO IS PROHIBITED, NOT A LIST OF THE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.

AND THROUGH A LOT OF WORK ON THOSE, THAT BILL AND THE PREVIOUS YEARS, YOU KNOW, I DECIDED THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT I WAS INTERESTED IN.

AND I STARTED LOOKING AT IT AND MY CONSTITUENTS ASKED ME TO CARRY IT.

I STARTED REACHING OUT TO THE SHERIFFS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE THIS.

AND EVERY SHERIFF THAT I TALKED TO, PERMITS DIDN'T DROP AND CRIME DIDN'T GO UP.

I KNEW IT WAS A LITTLE CHANGE.

AND I KNEW IT WAS NOT A DETRIMENTAL PROBLEM AS SOME OF THE SHERIFFS OR LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE SAYING.

SO, I DROPPED THE BILL AND I STARTED WORKING IT.

WE STARTED MEETING WITH ALL OF THE VESTED AND ALL OF THE INTERESTED PARTIES THAT HAVE AN INTEREST IN THIS.

AND WE TRIED TO WORK OUT ANY KINKS AND DETAILS.

WE WERE PRETTY MUCH ABLE TO DO THAT AND WE PUT TOGETHER A COMPREHENSIVE, VERY PUT-TOGETHER BILL FOR OUR CITIZENS.

>> I KNOW THAT THE BILL WAS AMENDED IN THE SENATE.

IT PASSED THE SENATE TODAY AND AMENDMENT HAD THERE TO ADD THE GRANT PROGRAM.

ONE OF THE BIG COMPLAINTS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS REVENUE.

THE PERMIT DOES GENERATE REVENUE FOR SHERIFFS.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THAT AMENDMENT ON THE BILL.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT THAT?

>> YEAH, I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THAT.

LIKE I SAID, I'VE BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT 30 YEARS.

MY SON IS A DEPUTY.

AND I SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT.

ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT I'M OKAY WITH.

>> THE DEMOCRATS HAD SOME PRETTY VOCAL OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL BOTH IN COMMITTEE AND ON THE FLOOR, THERE WAS A FILIBUSTER TODAY.

AND SOME SAY, IT'S JUST NOT NECESSARY.

MAYBE CAN YOU TALK ABOUT, YOU MENTIONED NOT ARM IN THE OTHER STATES BUT WHY DO WE BEGIN WITH.

IF IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING, WHY MESS AROUND WITH THE PERMITS?

>> WELL, THE SECOND AMENDMENT DOESN'T SAY, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CARRY A FIREARM AS LONG AS YOU GET PERMISSION FROM THE SHERIFF OR PAY A TAX IN THE FORM OF A PERMIT FEE.

IT IS THE ONLY RIGHT THAT'S TAXED AND IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE TAXED.

IF THIS PROHIBITIVE PERSON DATABASE REPLACES THE TOOL FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, INSTEAD OF HAVING A PERMIT, WHICH IS A SYSTEM OF LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE PROHIBITIVE PERSON DATABASE AND GIVES LAW ENFORCEMENT 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK, ACCESS TO WHO IS PROHIBITED FROM HAVING A GUN.

AND INSTEAD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRESTING SOMEBODY ON A MISDEMEANOR NO PISTOL PERMIT, THEY CAN NOW ARREST THAT PERSON ON A CERTAIN PERSON'S FORBIDDEN CARRYING A WEAPON.

AND THE CITIZENS WANT THIS.

SINCE I DROPPED THE BILL, I'M GETTING CALLS ALL OVER THE STATE, NOT JUST MY DISTRIBUTE, BUT THANKING ME FOR DROPPING THE BILL AND NOT CARRYING IT.

EVERYBODY SEEMS TO FEEL THE SAME WAY THAT I DO, THAT THIS IS A RIGHT AND WE SHOULDN'T BE TAXING A RIGHT.

>> Todd Stacy: SWITCHING GEARS.

I KNOW YOU HAVE A BILL DEALING WITH DOXING.

AND WHAT'S THAT, AND WHAT YOUR BILL ADDRESSES.

>> YEAH, I WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH IT UP UNTIL LAST YEAR.

LIKE I SAID, MY SON IS A DEPUTY.

HE WAS DOXED.

I GOT CHECKING INTO IT AND DISCOVERED DOXING AND IT'S USING THE FACT OF PUTTING OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH INTENT TO CAUSE PERSONAL HARM.

AND AS I DISCOVERED IT'S A BIG MOVEMENT GOING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ALABAMA DOESN'T HAVE ANY LAWS RELATING TO IT.

WE'RE HAVING IT WHERE THEY HAVE THESE PROTESTS GOING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THEY ARE TAKING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT ARE WORKING THESE PROTESTS AND THEY ARE PUTTING OUT THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION, WHERE THEY LIVE, WHERE THEIR WIVES WORK OR WHAT THEIR WIVES AND KIDS DRIVE, WHERE THEY GO TO SCHOOL.

AND JUST PUTTING THAT INFORMATION OUT WITH THE INTENT TO CAUSE THEM HARM, TO DISENCOURAGE THEM FROM WORKING THE PROTEST.

DOXING IS A MAJOR PROBLEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THERE'S A JUDGE KILLED IN CALIFORNIA, WHERE SOMEBODY HAD DOXED HIM AND PUT PERSONAL INFORMATION OUT ON THE WEB.

THERE WAS A JUDGE IN NEW JERSEY, WHERE THEY WERE DOXED AND IT'S A PROBLEM.

ALABAMA DOESN'T HAVE A LAW TO ADDRESS IT.

AND WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT AND GET IT ON THE BOOKS.

>> Todd Stacy: WHAT'S YOUR BILL DO TO ADDRESS IT.

>> MAKES IT A CRIME IN ALABAMA TO WHERE IF YOU PUT OUT THE INFORMATION, LIKE, IN MY SON'S CASE, SOMEBODY PUT OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHILE HE WAS ON DUTY THAT HE WAS AT A CERTAIN LOCATION IF SOMEBODY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING.

WELL, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE PERSON THAT DID IT WAS A RADICAL.

HE WAS NOT PUTTING IT OUT FOR SOMEBODY TO BRING HIM COFFEE.

SO, WE KNOW IT WAS MEANT FOR ILL INTENTIONS.

AND SO, THAT MAKES IT A CRIME IF THAT HAPPENS.

IT MAKES IT A CRIME ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND SOME OF THE HIGH PROFILE CASES THAT HAVE GONE ON WHERE THEY ARE DOXING JURORS, TRYING TO FORCE JURORS TO VOTE THE WAY THEY WANT THEM TO INSTEAD OF THE EVIDENCE IN THE CASE.

WE CAN'T ALLOW THAT NOR HAVE IT.

THIS ADDRESSES THAT AND PUTS ALABAMA IN LINE WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTRY AND THEIR DOXING LAWS.

>> Todd Stacy: REAL QUICK, I KNOW THAT A BIG ISSUE OR PRIORITY FOR YOU HAS BEEN HIGHWAY 45.

DEADLY HIGHWAY 45 GETTING IT FOUR-LANED.

WHAT'S THE LATEST PROGRESS ON IT.

>> STILL MEETING WITH ALDOT, AND WORKING ON IT.

MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

AND ATTEMPTING TO GET SOMETHING DOWN.

I REQUESTED OR PUSHED THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO CONSIDER PLEASE DOING THIS IN PROJECTS INSTEAD OF DOING THE 60-MILE STRETCH FROM PRICHARD TO ALABAMA STATE LINE.

CONSIDER DOING IT IN 15-20-MILE SEGMENTS AND THE AMOUNTS THAT THE STATE COULD AFFORD AND MAYBE ADDRESS THE MOST DANGEROUS SECTIONS FIRST.

AND SEE IF THAT DOESN'T HELP.

WE HAD A SIMILAR SITUATION WITH HIGHWAY 98, BLOODY 98 IN WILMER ALABAMA, IN MY DISTRICT.

AND THEY CAME IN AND DID ALL BUT 7 MILES AND SINCE THEY HAVE DONE THAT, VERY, VERY FEW ACCIDENTS.

AND SO, JUST CALL THE GOVERNOR AND ASK HER STAFF TO PLEASE CONSIDER THIS.

>> THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE CAHABA LILLY NAMED FOR THE RIVER IS AQUATIC PLANT NAMED FOR THE RIVER SYSTEMS IN ALABAMA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.

AND IT'S THE SHOALS OF THE CAHABA RIVER AND IT'S 3-INCH WIDE WHITE FLOWER AND SURROUNDS A THIN CORNEA AND CONNECTS THE LOWER STAMENS AND IT HAS A NAME MEANING CROWNLIKE CROWN.

AND IT'S A HABITAT NEEDING SWIFT-FLOWING WATER OVER ROCKS AND THE PLANTS BULBS AND SEEDS SPEND WINTER BURIED DOWN THERE AND THEN FLOWERING COMMENCES IN MID MAY REACHING PEAK IN LATE MAY AND EARLY JUNE.

THE SHOWY FLOUR IS A POLLINATOR AS WELL AS FOR LARGE NUMBER OF KAYAKERS VIEWING THESE DURING THE SPRING-BLOOMING PERIOD.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TOMORROW NIGHT FOR OUR WEEK IN REVIEW SHOW AT 7:30 HERE ON APT.

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