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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THERE WAS LOTS OF ACTIVITY IN THE STATE HOUSE TODAY AS LAWMAKERS MET FOR THE 20TH LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THE 30-DAY SESSION.

WE'LL START IN COMMITTEE, WHERE MUCH OF THE ACTION TOOK PLACE.

THE SENATE TOURISM COMMITTEE TOOK UP THE WIDE-RANGING GAMBLING BILL FROM SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON.

SENATE BILL 293 WOULD INSTITUTE A LOTTERY, LEGALIZE AND REGULATE CASINO GAMBLING AND LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING.

THE PLAN IS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD REQUIRE A STATEWIDE VOTE.

SEVERAL SPOKE AGAINST THE BILL, SOME WHO WERE OPPOSED TO LEGALIZED GAMBLING IN GENERAL AND OTHERS WHO SAY THE PLAN TREATS EXISTING OPERATIONS UNFAIRLY.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE KELVIN LAWRENCE SAID THE WAY THE BILL LIMITS THE WHITE HALL CASINO IS UNFAIR.

ALBRITTON SAID THAT'S NOT HIS INTENT.

>> IN OUR BILL, WE'RE NOT SHUTTING DOWN ANYTHING.

I THINK THE MARKET IS GOING TO SHUT DOWN SOME OF THOSE.

WE'RE LIMITING ON THE SIZE, AND FURTHER, WHETHER THEY INCORPORATE TOGETHER, BLEND IN TOGETHER, OR SOMETHING ALONG THAT LINE, THAT'S UP TO THE MARKET.

>> PRIOR TO TO THE FORMER GOVERNOR'S RACE, IT WAS ABOUT 1,700 GAMES OPERATING IN LOWNDES COUNTY AND SCALED BACK AND BEING RE-RATED THE AGAIN.

RIGHT NOW, 1200 MACHINES CURRENTLY OPERATING.

SO, GIVING US 300 IS A WHOLE LOT SMALLER CRY THAN WHAT WE'RE OPERATING WITH NOW.

VIRTUALLY, WE SAID, PROBABLY WOULD CLOSE IN THREE OR FOUR YEARS.

>> THE PROPOSAL PASSED COMMITTEE.

HOWEVER, IT WAS AMENDED TO DIRECT SOME OF THE CASINO REVENUE TO HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF THE UNINSURED MORE GENERALLY RATHER THAN SPECIFICALLY TO RURAL HEALTH CARE.

IT NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TOOK UP LEGISLATION LIMITING THE PERCENTAGE OF THE BUDGET OF REVENUE CITIES CAN BUDGET FROM TRAFFIC TICKET REVENUE.

SENATE BILL 282 WAS FILED BY SENATOR GARLAND GUDGER IN RESPONSE TO THE SPEED TRAP SITUATION IN BROOKSIDE, ALABAMA, THAT WAS REPORTED BY AL.COM.

THE BILL IS A PRIORITY OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH, WHOSE OFFICE DID A SURVEY SHOWING MOST CITIES' BUDGETS ARE LESS THAN 10% TRAFFIC FINES.

THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES SAID IT HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL'S IMPLICATIONS.

>> THAT BILL IS A BILL THAT PROVIDES THAT ONLY 10% OF THE MUNICIPALITY'S BUDGET MAY COME FROM FINES AND WHAT'S BEEN GENERATED.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON IN PARTICULAR COMMUNITIES, ONE IN PARTICULAR, THEY ARE GIVING OUT SIX VIOLATIONS AT ONE TIME, AND IF YOU ARE NOT ON TIME, THEY PUT YOU IN JAIL.

>> AND WHAT WE'RE AFTER IS DISCOURAGING POLICING-FOR-PROFIT WHICH IS AN ISSUE IN BROOKSIDE PARTICULARLY.

49-POINT-SOME-ODD-PERCENT OF THE OPERATING BUDGET CAME FROM THE MONEY THAT THEIR CITY COLLECTED ON TRAFFIC TICKETS.

AND 10% NOT BEING HIGH ENOUGH TO NOT PUNISH GOOD ACTORS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE LOOK AT SPECIFICALLY, MOST MUNICIPALITIES WE LOOK AT, IT'S A SMALL PORTION.

AND THE TWO CONCERNS, IF YOU ARE A SMALLER TOWN AND YOU HAVE A DECREASING SALES TAX AND YOU HAVE THE TICKETS EXACT SAME AS LAST YEAR, THE PROPORTION OF YOUR BUDGET GOES UP.

>> NO VOTE WAS TAKEN.

THE BILL WAS CARRIED OVER FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION.

THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET WAS IN A HOUSE COMMITTEE TODAY.

THE $2.7 BILLION SPENDING PLAN WOULD BE A RECORD FOR ALABAMA.

A NEW PROVISION ADDED TO THE BUDGET WOULD ALLOW THE STATE TO EXTEND WOMEN'S POSTPARTUM MEDICAID COVERAGE FROM 60 DAYS TO ONE YEAR.

THE MOVE CAME AS ADVOCATES GATHERED AT THE STATE HOUSE TO RALLY IN SUPPORT OF EXTENDING CARE FOR NEW MOTHERS, WHICH THEY SAY WILL SAVE LIVES AND PREVENT OTHER BAD OUTCOMES.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE LAURA HALL HAS BEEN THE PRIMARY CHAMPION FOR THIS ISSUE IN THE HOUSE.

>> I'VE BEEN TOLD BY REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE, HE AND THE COMMISSIONER HAVE AGREED THAT THE POSTPARTUM BILL THAT I INTRODUCED WILL NOT BE NECESSARY AND THAT IT'S PART OF THE BUDGET.

SO, GIVE YOURSELVES A HAND.

[CHEERING] >> OUR BOTTOM LINE IS WE WANT ALL ALABAMIANS TO LIVE THEIR BEST LIFE.

AND SO GLAD, LAURA, OUR BILLS ARE NOT NECESSARY, THAT OUR CHAIRMAN SAW THIS WAS A NEED IN OUR STATE AND OF COURSE, STATISTICS HAVE SHOWN THAT WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM.

>> MOVING TO THE FLOOR, THE HOUSE PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD OFFER TAX RELIEF TO RETIREES.

HOUSE BILL 162 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GREER WOULD UNTAX 80% OF A RETIREE'S INCOME UP TO $30,000.

IT WOULD ALSO UNTAX 401K'S AND OTHER DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS.

>> WE GOT FOLKS IN ALABAMA MAKING OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR PAYING ZERO STATE INCOME TAX ON IT.

BUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS, THOSE PEOPLE LEFT OUT THROUGH THE YEARS AND THEY PAY ON EVERY PENNY THEY MAKE UNTIL THE DAY THEY DIE.

AND WE PASSED A LAW, DEFINED CONTRIBUTIONS GOING FORWARD WOULD BE EXEMPT.

AND I HAD A BILL SAYING THEY EXEMPT UP TO $30,000.

A COMMITTEE WAS PUT TOGETHER, AMENDED IT AND DROPPED IT TO $6,000 A YEAR.

>> THE HOUSE GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO A BILL ALLOWING THE POSSESSION OF FENTANYL TESTING STRIPS.

CURRENT STATE LAW CONSIDERS THE STRIPS ILLEGAL DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.

SENATE BILL 168 IS SPONSORED BY SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON.

HE SAYS THE INTENTION IS NOT TO ENCOURAGE DRUG USE, BUT RATHER TO PREVENT DEATH.

BY OVERDOSE.

ACCORDING TO ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, MORE THAN 1,027 ALABAMIANS DIED FROM OVERDOSES IN 2020, AND 614 OF THOSE INVOLVED THE USE OF FENTANYL-LACED OPIOIDS.

>> MANY TIMES, THESE PEOPLE BUYING THESE DRUGS ON THE STREET CORNER OR WHEREVER IT IS, NOT THROUGH LEGITIMATE OUTLETS, DON'T KNOW THEY ARE GETTING FENTANYL.

AND THEY THINK THEY ARE TAKING ONE DRUG, COCAINE OR HEROIN OR IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO STAY UP AND STUDY AT COLLEGE, AND ACTUALLY, THEY ARE GETTING FENTANYL AND DYING FROM IT.

HERE'S THE PROBLEM: THE TEST STRIPS FOR FENTANYL ARE IN THE PARAPHERNALIA LAW.

WE HAVE A LAW THAT SAYS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IS ILLEGAL TO POSSESS.

AND IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO HAVE THE TEST STRIPS TO SEE IF THERE IS FENTANYL IN THE DRUG THEY JUST BOUGHT IS ILLEGAL.

SO, WHAT THIS DOES IS EXEMPT THE FENTANYL TEST STRIPS FROM THE PARAPHERNALIA LAW SO THAT SOMEBODY DOING THIS IS TEST THE DRUG.

AND ALL YOU DO, TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF THE DRUG, PUT WATER ON IT AND STICK IT DOWN ON THE TEST STRIP AND IT TELLS YOU IF THERE IS FENTANYL IN IT.

THIS IS GOING TO PREVENT DEATHS, AND WE'RE HAVING DEATHS BY THE HUNDREDS.

>> SOME SAD NEWS TONIGHT, STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID WHEELER, OF VESTAVIA HILLS, DIED TODAY AT THE AGE OF 72.

HE WAS ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE IN 2018, AFTER RETIRING FROM THE ALABAMA POWER COMPANY.

HOUSE SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON SAID THE STATE HAS LOST A DEVOTED PUBLIC SERVANT AND THAT HE HAD LOST A GOOD FRIEND.

>> PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 47 AND ALL OF ALABAMA HAVE LOST A DEVOTED SERVANT AND I LOST A GOOD FRIEND.

IT WAS RARE THAT HE CAME TO THE MICROPHONE TO SPEAK ON LEGISLATION, BUT WHEN HE DID, HIS WORDS CARRIED A LOT OF WEIGHT.

AND WE COULD AGREE TO DISAGREE.

HE RESPECTED THE PROCESS.

HE WAS A HARD WORKER FOR HIS DISTRICT AND THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

AND HE WILL BE MISSED IN THIS HOUSE BODY.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY HAS ORDERED FLAGS TO HALF STAFF.

MR. WHEELER WAS ALSO A FRIEND TO ME AND ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL AND WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Todd Stacy: NEXT I'M JOINT BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE DEBBY WOOD FROM VALLEY.

MISS WOOD, THANKS FOR BEING ON THE PROGRAM.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW POSITION.

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN A BIG DAY FOR YOU AT THE STATE HOUSE, ONE OF THE SITUATIONS YOU ARE WORKING ON IS A PUSH TO EXPAND MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR MOTHERS BEYOND THAT 60 DAYS BEYOND THEY GIVE BIRTH.

HELP ME WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> WELL, THE INFORMATION WAS BROUGHT TO MY OFFICE, AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS, DIFFERENT ENTITIES OR ORGANIZATIONS BRING YOU INFORMATION AND THEY ASK YOU TO LOOK AT BILLS AND SUPPORT THEM.

WHEN THIS INFORMATION HIT MY DESK, IT WAS PERSONAL FOR ME.

I HAVE A DAUGHTER AND A SON.

I HAVE THREE BEAUTIFUL GRANDDAUGHTERS, IT'S ALL GIRLS.

I CANNOT EXPEL B-O-Y IN OUR FAMILY.

NOW, MY DAUGHTER WHEN SHE HAD A BABY, SHE WENT THROUGH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION.

I ALWAYS HEARD ABOUT IT BUT NEVER EXPERIENCED.

SEEING HER STRUGGLE AND HEARING THE STORY, REALLY MADE ME THINK ABOUT WHAT MOMS GO THROUGH.

AND HOW CAN YOU TAKE CARE OF A BABY IF YOU ARE NOT HEALTHY.

AND IF YOU HAVE A MOTHER UNHEALTHY AND A BABY UNHEALTHY, ULTIMATELY, IT COSTS THE STATE MORE MONEY.

AND I STARTED LOOKING AT IT.

AND THEN, THE EMOTIONAL PART OF IT.

MY DAUGHTER, LIKE I SAID, HAD HEALTHCARE, HAD SUPPORT FROM FAMILY BUT IT WAS STILL HARD FOR HER TO SAY, LOOK, I'M STRUGGLING AND THIS IS WHAT I'M STRUGGLING WITH.

SO, IMAGINE A MOTHER WITH NO HEALTHCARE, NO OPTIONS AND SHE'S STRUGGLING.

WHAT DO YOU DO.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO HELP A MOTHER WITH A NEW BABY.

JUST MAKE IT THROUGH THAT.

WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT ONLY 60 DAYS COVERING A MOTHER FOR HEALTHCARE, AFTER YOU HAVE A BABY.

YOU KNOW, MOST MOTHERS ARE STILL NURSING PAST THAT TIME.

AND ALL YOUR ENERGY AND EVERYTHING IS GOING INTO YOUR CHILD.

SO, IF THERE'S HEALTH COMPLICATIONS, I FEEL LIKE, IN MOST OF THE RESEARCH THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME, SHOWING UP IN THE FIRST YEAR.

SO, WHY NOT EXPAND THAT TO TAKE CARE OF A MOTHER SO A MOTHER CAN TAKE CARE OF HER CHILD.

THAT WAS THE WHOLE REASONING FOR ME.

SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN I'VE BEEN HERE, I'M A FRESHMAN AND WE HEAR ALL OF THE INFORMATION ON BOTH SIDES ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THAT, WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES, I UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT WHAT I'M ADVOCATING FOR IS KEEPING A MOTHER HEALTHY.

SO, A MOTHER CAN KEEP HER BABY HEALTHY.

AND IT REALLY COSTS THE STATE LESS MONEY.

WE CAN SEE THAT FAMILY UNITS ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR STATE.

SO, THAT'S WHY I BECAME PART OF A TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT PUSHED FOR THIS.

AND REPRESENTATIVE LAURA HALL WAS THE CHAMPION.

SHE'S BEEN HERE MUCH LONGER THAN I.

AND STOOD FOR WOMEN FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

AND SO, I WAS VERY HONORED TO BE PART OF THAT.

>> Todd Stacy: WELL, I UNDERSTAND THE GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE MET TODAY, WE REPORTED IT EARLIER AND THEY INCLUDED THE FUNDING IN HALL'S BILL AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A POSITIVE STEP.

>> YEAH, VERY POSITIVE.

AND SOMETIMES WHEN THERE ARE OR THERE IS AN INFLUX OF DOLLARS, YOU CAN LOOK FOR POSITIVE WAYS TO USE THAT MONEY.

AND I THINK THAT ONCE WE GET THIS YEAR BEHIND US OF TAKING CARE OF OUR MOTHERS, AFTER DELIVERIES, I THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE SOME POSITIVE RESULTS FROM IT.

AND I'LL BE REALLY INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT THE DATA AFTER 12 MONTHS.

BUT REALLY NEED TO APPLAUD THE COMMITTEE, APPLAUD CHAIRMAN CLOUSE FOR ADMITTING THAT BILL.

>> NOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MILITARIES, HOW THEY REGISTER FOR SCHOOL.

AND YOU LIVE NEAR FORT BENING.

>> COLUMBUS, RIGHT THERE ON THE STATELINE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF MILITARY FAMILIES THAT TRANSITION TO ALABAMA.

THEY DO NOT TAX THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS.

SO, EVEN A LOT OF THEM JUST LIVE IN ALABAMA AND GO BACK AND FORTH.

THIS BILL, MILITARY FAMILY BILL, GIVES FAMILIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRE REGISTER THE CHILDREN IN SCHOOL WITH ONLY A MILITARY ORDER.

NOW, HAVE YOU TO HAVE RESIDENCE AND UTILITY BILL.

SO, THIS ALLOWS FAMILY, GO AHEAD WITH THE MILITARY ORDERS, GET ALL OF THE PAPERWORK COMPLETED, SHOT RECORDS AND EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED, PRE REGISTER THE CHILD AND THEY KNOW THEY ARE READY TO GO TO THAT SCHOOL, ONCE THEY COME TO THE STATE, THEY HAVE TO PROVE RESIDENCY BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO WAIT.

LOTS OF TIMES THEY TRANSITION WITH FAMILY MEMBERS OR LOVED ONES AND WAITING ON MILITARY HOUSING.

AND THIS MAKES THE HOUSING MUCH EASIER FOR MILITARY FAMILIES AND IT'S A GOOD BILL.

>> I'M SURE THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IT INTO LAW.

>> IT PASSED THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

IT'S SITTING ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK, LET ME SAY THAT.

>> PROBABLY A GOOD CHANCE.

>> YES.

>> AND HAVE YOU A BILL DEALING WITH ELECTIONS AND VOTING.

ELECTION INTEGRITY, YOU CALL IT.

EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THE BILL DOES.

>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR ELECTION PROCESS AND THEY WANT TO KNOW THAT EVERY VOTE, EVERY ONE THAT'S LEGAL HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE AND THAT THESE VOTES COUNT.

THAT'S HOW I FILL.

NOBODY CAN PRE FILL OUT VOTER REGISTRATION CARD OR APPLICATION FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT, PRE FILL OUT THE BLANKS AND SEND IT OFF TO SOMEONE OR TAKE IT TO SOMEONE TO SIGN.

WE HAVE FOUND THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THE ROLLS THAT ARE DECEASED AND THEY ARE STILL VOTING.

WE DON'T WANT THAT.

WE FOUND SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED.

LET ME SAY IT THAT WAY.

AND WORKING WITH THEIR OFFICE, WE CAME UP WITH THE BILL THAT SAYS, IF YOU PRE FILL OUT THAT APPLICATION FOR EITHER THE VOTER REGISTRATION OR THE ABSENTEE BALLOT WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE VOTER, NOW THAT'S IT.

BECAUSE SOME VOTERS ACTUALLY DO NEED YOUR HELP.

SOME VOTERS ASK YOU, WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME FILL THIS OUT.

THAT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BALLOT HARVESTING AND BALLOT HARVESTING AND THEY TARGET A NURSING HOME.

>> CORRECT.

ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

AND IF SOMEBODY IS FOUND DOING THAT, IT'S A CLASS C FELONY.

>> AND PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE ELECTION STUFF AND THESE KIND OF THINGS.

OFTENTIMES, PEOPLE ACCUSE YOU OF SUPPRESSING THE VOTE.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THOSE ARGUMENTS?

>> I THINK WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE INFORMATION FOR THE VOTER IS CORRECT.

IF THE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT AND THE PERSON COMES TO VOTE IN PERSON, THEY CAN'T VOTE.

SO, WE SHOULDN'T ALLOW SOMEBODY TO FILL OUT INFORMATION THAT'S INCORRECT.

AND THEN, IF THE INFORMATION COMES IN FOR ABSENTEE AND WHOEVER IS CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY IN OUR COUNTY IT'S THE CIRCUIT CLERK.

SO, THAT PERSON HAS TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS APPROVING WHETHER OR NOT IT'S A GOOD BALLOT.

AND IN MOST CASES, IT IS NOT.

YOU HAVE TO SEND IN IDENTIFICATION WITH THAT BALLOT.

AND THEN, IN SOME CASES, THERE IS IDENTIFICATION.

MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR.

SHE HASN'T BEEN REMOVED FROM THE VOTER ROLLS YET.

IF SOMEBODY USED HER NAME AND SOMEHOW THEY WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN HER DRIVER'S LICENSE, IT WOULD COUNT.

AND SHE'S NOT EVEN AROUND.

SO, THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT IN OUR STATE TO VOTE, THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO VOTE.

AND THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT, THEY DON'T VOTE.

AND THE PEOPLE WHO OBTAIN THAT INFORMATION AND PUSHING THIS, THAT THEY ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

>> Todd Stacy: WE'LL CERTAINLY WATCH THAT GOING FORWARD.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

>> Todd Stacy: AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Todd Stacy: NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROLANDA HOLLIS.

THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON, TODD.

>> I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON BECAUSE YOU PASSED A BILL, HB 50, HAVING TO DO WITH PERIOD POVERTY.

>> RIGHT, WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS PRE VEND PERIOD POVERTY.

WHAT THAT IS, MAKING SURE THAT FEMALES IN THE GRADES 5-12, ARE GIVEN MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS WITHOUT A COST.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG FEMALES THAT CAN'T AFFORD THESE PRODUCTS.

WE'VE DONE SURVEYS SHOWING THAT THE TEACHERS, THE COUNSELORS, NURSES, SOME SPORTS COACHES ARE PAYING FOR THESE ITEMS OUT OF THEIR POCKET AND WE KNOW THAT OUR TEACHERS DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.

SO, WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO WAS TO GET $200,000 IN THE BILL FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THEY ARE ABLE TO ADMINISTER A GRANT AND ISSUE IT TO SCHOOL, TITLE ONE SCHOOLS BECAUSE THAT WAS THE MOST SCHOOLS THAT WERE IN THE IMPOVERISHED AREA.

SO, WITH THIS BILL, WE'RE ABLE TO GET THESE PRODUCTS TO OUR FEMALES IN THE SCHOOLS.

AND GOING INTO THE SCHOOLS, SITTING DOWN AND TALKING TO A LOT OF FEMALES, WE HAVE FEMALES THAT WERE USING FACE RAGS, MAKING TAMPONS AND OF COURSE, IF YOU ARE MAKING A TAMPON AND PUT IT IN, AND LEAVING THE RESIDUE OF THE COTTON BALANCES INSIDE WHICH CAUSED BACTERIA OR OTHER SYNDROMES AND OTHER PROBLEMS.

THIS BILL WAS MOTIVATED BY WHO I CALL MY SHE-ROES, AND BROOK AND BRIANNA BENNETT, WHEN WE STARTED ON THE BILL THEY WERE 12-YEARS-OLD AND NOW 14.

THESE LITTLE GIRLS HAS BEEN GIVEN OUT PRODUCTS SINCE DAY 1 AND ESTABLISHED A PRODUCT CALLED WOMEN IN TRAINING.

I'M SO PROUD FOR THEM, WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND THEY SAW AT AN EARLY AGE IT WAS A NEED.

WE HAD FEMALES THAT SKIP SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THIS, EITHER THEY SKIP SCHOOL, TODD, OR THEY CHECK OUT OF SCHOOL.

BECAUSE IT CAN BE AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION FOR A YOUNG FEMALE.

AND ESPECIALLY, WHAT WE CALL SOIL THEIR CLOTHES, MESS UP THEIR CLOTHES.

AND YOUNG MEN DO NOT GET IT AND THEY MAKE FUN.

AND IT PUTS THE YOUNG LADY IN A DIFFERENT MIND SPACE BECAUSE OF THE EMBARRASSMENT.

AND YOU HAVE HAD SOME GIRLS JUST DROP OUT OF SCHOOL FOR THAT ISSUE RIGHT THERE.

SO, THIS BILL HELPS TO PREVENT THOSE THINGS AS HAPPENING TO OUR YOUNG LADIES.

AND ONE THING THAT I DO WANT TO SAY, I STARTED GIVING MEN PASSES BECAUSE THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND, WE'VE HAD TO EDUCATE QUITE A FEW MEN.

THAT'S BECAUSE AS YOUNG WOMEN, WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO US, 98% OF US GO TO OUR MOTHER.

AND OUR MOTHER TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT PRODUCTS TO USE AND WHERE THEY ARE.

SO, IF A FEMALE IS LAYING IN THE BED, NOT FEELING WELL AND THE FATHER COMES IN, WHAT'S WRONG WITH HER.

AND SHE SAID, SHE HAS CRAMPS.

AND THEN MEN GO THE OTHER WAY.

SO, I HAD TO EDUCATE AND IF YOU HAVE A TIGHT BOYFRIEND OR YOU KNOW, MAYBE YOU BOUGHT THOSE PRODUCTS ONCE OR TWICE.

>> SWITCHING GEARS, I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT ANOTHER BILL.

HB-230, PREGNANT WOMEN AND SHACKLING IN PRISON.

WHAT'S THIS BILL DO?

>> THIS RELATES TO ASTRONAUTS, EXAMINATIONS, LABOR AND DELIVERY AND TRANSFER OF FEMALE INMATES.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES, WHAT'S THE FEMALE IS INCARCERATED, WITHIN 48 HOURS, THEY TAKE A PREGNANCY TEST.

AND IF THEY ARE PREGNANT, AND THIS BILL PROHIBITS THEM TO SHACKLE WOMEN.

AND WHEN I SAY, SHACKLE, PUTTING IT ON THE WRIST AND ANKLES AND WE'VE HAD SOME WOMEN MISCARRY BECAUSE OF THIS.

DUE TO THE POSITION.

AND IF WE'RE GOING TO BE A PRO STATE, THEN WE NEED TO EXERCISE THAT AND THE BABY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

SO, IF THE FEMALE IS PREGNANT, NOT TO SHACKLE HER.

YOU CAN HANDCUFF HER WITH HER HANDS IN FRONT OF HER.

AND ALSO, IF SHE HAVE TO BE EXAMINED FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER.

MAKE SURE IT'S A PROFESSIONAL DOCTOR TO DO THESE THINGS.

>> Todd Stacy: REAL QUICK, I KNOW THERE WAS SOME DRAMA IN THE COMMITTEE TODAY OVER THE DIVISIVE CONCEPTS BILL.

DIVISIVENESS ABOUT THE DECISIVE CONCEPTS BILL BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE MOVING ON AS IT DID IN THE SENATE.

AND YOU HAD HARSH WORDS FOR THE PEOPLE PROMOTING THE BILL.

DOESN'T SAY CRITICAL RACE THEORY, BUT IT IS ATTEMPTING TO CUT THAT OUT AND BAN THAT FROM THE CURRICULUM.

WALK ME THROUGH THE BILL.

>> WELL, I WOULDN'T SAY HARSH WORDS.

I WOULD SAY IT'S TRUTH.

AND NUMBER ONE, I REALLY WANTED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S THE DEFINITION OF DIVISIVE CONCEPT.

AND OMISSION OF HISTORY, IS THE DIVISIVE CONCEPT TO ME.

AND I WAS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, WHAT WAS THE REASONING FOR THIS, WHY DO WE NEED A REASON FOR THIS BILL.

I SEE IT AS CAUSING OTHER DISCREPANCIES.

IT PUT ME IN THE MIND SET OF, WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME TELLING MY CHILDREN OR MY GRANDCHILDREN OR MY GREAT GRANDCHILDREN HISTORY AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST.

AND ARE WE GOING TO LISTEN TO IT.

LET'S LISTEN TO ALL OF IT.

IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BIPARTISAN BILL.

LET'S HAVE A BIPARTISAN BILL.

I DON'T MIND HELPING HIM WITH THAT SO BOTH PARTIES, BOTH PEOPLE CAN BE HAPPY.

BUT YOU TALK ABOUT OMITTING HISTORY, WHAT IS THAT.

THAT'S DIVISIVE.

>> Todd Stacy: WELL, SOMETHING TO WATCH.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

AND I HOPE YOU COME BACK AND TALK MORE TO US ABOUT THIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Todd Stacy: AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30 ON APT WITH MORE COVERAGE FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

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