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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TIME IS WINDING DOWN IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2024 REGULAR SESSION.

THERE ARE JUST FOUR LEGISLATIVE DAYS LEFT, AND WORD IS THAT THE SESSION COULD BE DONE FOR GOOD BY NEXT THURSDAY.

IF YOU TUNED IN LAST NIGHT, YOU REMEMBER WE WERE ON THE AIR AS THE SENATE WAS STILL DEBATING THE GAMBLING LEGISLATION THAT EMERGED FROM CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

THAT DEBATE WENT ON PAST 11:00 AND THERE WERE PRETTY PASSIONAT ARGUMENTS ON BOTH SIDES.

HERE'S A SELECTION.

>> THIS IS IN THE THE STATE CONDONING, THIS IS NOT THE STATE PROVIDING ACCESS TO THINGS NOT THERE.

THIS IS A MATTER OF TRYING TO CONTROL MATTERS.

WE ALREADY HAVE LOTTERIES ALL AROUND US.

PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING TO PLAY IN THE LOTTERIES.

WE KNOW THAT.

WE ARE UNDER GREAT, I WOULD SUGGEST, PRESSURE FROM OUR POPULATION, OUR PEOPLE, WHO BRING AN ACTION SO WE CAN BE PARTICIPANTS IN THAT AND THAT WHICH THEY ARE ALREADY PARTICIPATING IN.

AND THAT I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF PUTTING THE STATE IN A POSITION WHERE WE ARE GOING TO OUR PEOPLE WHEN WE WORK SO HARD ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER ISSUES SO I CANNOT BE FAVORABLE ON THIS.

>> IT IS ILLEGAL ACTIVITY WE SHOULD ENFORCE OUR CURRENT LAWS.

>> I CONCUR.

WOULD YOU HAVE AN OBJECTION TO SETTLING UP AN ENFORCEMENT ARM THAT COULD PERFORM THOSE DUTIES?

>> WE HAVE AN ENFORCEMENT ARM THAT COULD ALREADY DO THAT.

THEY'RE CHOOSING NOT TO.

>> SO WE GOT THE BILL UP HERE.

ONCE WE GOT IT WE DECIDED WE WERE GOING TO TAKE THE BILL AND WE DEMOLISHED IT AND CERTAINTY IT DOWN.

WE GO TO CONFERENCE.

AND AGAIN TONIGHT, THE HOUSE SENDS US ANOTHER MANDATE ON THE CA AND ON THE ENABLING LEGISLATION.

>> EVENTUALLY IT WAS TIME TO VOTE.

AND THAT GOT A LITTLE TRICKY.

ON A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONFERENCE REPORT, 20 SENATORS VOTED YES AND 15 VOTED, NO.

THAT'S ENOUGH VOTES TO APPROVE THE REPORT BUT NOT THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

THAT TAKES 21 VOTES.

THIS ALL LED TO CONFUSION ON THE FLOOR AS TO WHAT CAME NEXT.

EVENTUALLY SENATORS VOTED TO CARRY OVER THE GAMBLING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, MEANING SET IT ASIDE TO POSSIBLY BRING IT UP LATER.

HERE IS HOW FAR THAT WENT DOWN ON THE FLOOR.

>> 20 AYES, 15 NAYS, THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FAILS.

>> ARE WE ABLE TO MAKE A MOTION TO CARRY THIS OVER?

>> ALL RIGHT THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED?

NO.

>> BILL IS CARRIED OVER.

>> PROCEDURAL WHAT WE HAVE IS WE HAD A CONFERENCE REPORT THAT WE HAD FROM THE HOUSE.

AND THAT CONFERENCE REPORT NEEDS MAJORITY TO VOTE TO ACCEPT THE CONFERENCE REPORT.

BECAUSE THIS WAS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NEEDS A 60 PERCENT VOTE IE21 PERCENT IN THE SENATE TO PASS.

WHEN WE TOOK THE MOTION TO CONCUR IN AND THAT PASSED OR THAT RECEIVED 20 VOTES THAT MEANT THAT THE CONFERENCE SUPPORT WAS ACCEPTED, WAS CONCURRED WITH, BUT THE CA HAD TO BE -- TO HAVE A SEPARATE VOTE SO THAT IT COULD FIND OUT IF WE HAD 21 VOTES.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

OKAY.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

AT THAT POINT THAT'S WHY WE MADE THE MOTION TO CARRY OVER SO THE CA REMAINS IN THE BASKET.

ALONG WITH 152.

AND AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, THOSE CAN BE BROUGHT BACK OUT OF THE BASKET TO ACHIEVE AND SEE WHERE WE GO FROM THERE.

>> THE SENATE COULD BRING THE GAMBLING PACKAGE BACK UP AS SOON AS TOMORROW.

AND JUST AS A REMINDER, THE HOUSE HAS ALREADY PASSED THE PACKAGE, SO IT'S ALL IN THE SENATE'S HANDS.

TODAY WAS COMMITTEE DAY IN THE LEGISLATURE.

PERHAPS THE LAST MEANINGFUL ONE OF THE SESSION.

WE WILL START ON THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE WHICH TOOK UP A LONG LIST OF BILLS AIMING TO OFFER TAX CREDITS FOR VARIOUS REASONS.

CHAIRMAN ARTHUR ORR HAS WARNED WHILE TAX CREDITS MIGHT BE FOR WORTHY GOALS THEY ULTIMATELY RESULT IN LESS REVENUE FOR THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

TWO CREDITS IN PARTICULAR WERE APPROVED.

THE CHILDCARE TAX CREDIT AND THE HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

BOTH OF WHICH ARE A PART OF THE WORKING FOR MOBILE, ALABAMA, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EFFORT.

>> LISTEN TO THIS WHOLE DISCUSSION.

IT'S BEEN ONGOING FOREVER.

PEOPLE ARE SAYING DON'T TAKE MONEY FROM THE ETF.

WHERE DOES MOST OF THE MONEY COME FROM?

IT COMES FROM WORKERS.

IT COMES FROM THEM HAVING HOUSING.

FROM US HAVING WORK QUESTIONS AND HAVING CHILDCARE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

SO IT'S EASY TO SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO THEY ANY MONEY FROM THE ETF AND TAKE THE APPLE OFF THE TREE BUT IF THE TREE IS WILTING AWAY, THEN ALL OF THE APPLES ARE GONE.

YOU HAVE TO INVEST AND THIS IS A BILLS SO THAT YOU CAN INVEST THIS MONEY INTO THE FUTURE SO NOW YOU DON'T HAVE ONE APPLE, YOU A WHOLE TREE THAT IS VIBRANT AND A WHOLE BUSHEL OF THEM.

THAT'S MY PERSONAL OPINION.

>> THOSE BILLS COULD BE ON THE SENATE FLOOR AS SOON AS TOMORROW.

>> THE SENATE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TODAY CONSIDERED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE SMARTPHONE MANUFACTURERS TO ENABLE OBSCENITY FILTERS ON DEVICES SOLD IN ALABAMA TO HELP MINORS FROM INADVERTENTLY BEING EXPOSED TO PORNOGRAPHY.

SOME HAD RESERVES ABOUT PUTTING THE ONUS ON MANUFACTURERS RATHER THAN PARENTS BUT ULTIMATELY THE BILL ADVANCED TO THE FULL SENATE.

>> THE DID I WITH THIS -- THE DIFFICULTY WITH THIS BILL IS THAT THE ONUS IS ON THE DEVICE MANUFACTURERS WHO MANUFACTURER THE PHONE BUT NOT THE CONTENT.

SO I GET -- I GET WHERE IT'S GOING AND I DEFINITELY CAN APPRECIATE THE IDEAS HERE BUT I JUST THINK THE RESPONSIBILITY WE PLACE ON THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BASICALLY SAY THAT IF A PERSON -- DOING THIS FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AND I DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION THAT LETS ME KNOW HOW COSTLY THAT WOULD BE.

>> I JUST SIMPLY WANT TO SAY I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THE LEGISLATION BUT I REALLY, REALLY WISH THAT WE WENT AFTER THE PEOPLE AND THE ENTITIES THAT ARE DOING THE BAD DEED.

>> THE SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE TODAY ADVANCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CLARIFY A LAW THAT THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REGULATING THE LICENSING AND CULTIVATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTS AND THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES IS TO COOPERATE IN CARRYING OUT THOSE FUNCTIONS.

>> BASICALLY 390 DEALS WITH CHANGES IN THE MEDICAL CANNABIS BILL.

AND THE PART OF THE BILL THERE'S SOME SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES THROUGH THE CANNABIS COMMISSION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF AG AND INDUSTRIES.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS TAKE THE AG AND INDUSTRY OUT OF THAT AND GIVES ALL OF THE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CANNABIS COMMISSION AND THEN THE AG WILL WORK WITH THEM OR WHATEVER THEIR NEEDS ARE AND THEN BE COMPENSATED FOR THOSE AND WON'T HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITIES IN LICENSING OR ENFORCEMENT OR ANYTHING.

>> THE JUDGE IN THE COMMISSION CASE JUST RULED THAT THOSE LICENSES THAT WERE AWARDED WILL NOT BE AWARDED.

THERE'S STILL A STAY IN PLACE, SO IT'S GOING TO GO ON FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER.

>> THAT'S WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> I DO BELIEVE THERE MAY NOT BE SOME OTHER LEGISLATIVE FIX.

BUT IN THE INTEREST OF TRYING TO GET THIS TOWN TO JUST ONE PARTICULAR ENTITY RESPONSIBLE, I THINK I'M GOING TO ACCEPT THIS MOTION AS SECOND AND ASK FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.

>> 10-0, THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTATIVE.

GOOD LUCK GOING FORWARD.

>> THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HAD ANOTHER SPIRITED MEETING TODAY, IT WOULD HAVE THEM FACT.

MEMBERS DEBATED COMPLETION THAT WOULD ALLOW IN NIGHTS PARTICIPATE IN PAROLE HEARINGS VIRTUALLY.

THAT SET UP DEBATE ABOUT HOW THAT MIGHT IMPACT VICTIMS AND VICTIMS' FAMILIES.

OF I UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE DOING TO ALLOW TELEPHONE FIRST TO GIVE AN EXTENSION OF TIME TO OCTOBER 1.

2000 2025.

I SUPPORT ALL OF THOSE TO CREATE THE TECHNOLOGY TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN.

BUST THERE IS A RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO BE PRESENT IN COURT PROCEEDINGS.

I APPRECIATE WHAT HE HAS DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VICTIMS FAMILIES AND CRIME VICTIMS WILL NOT BE SEEN.

I THINK THE PAROLE BOARD CAN MAKE SURE THAT THE CAMERA IS FOCUSED ONLY ON THE PAROLE BOARD AND THAT WAY THE INMATE IS ONLY LOOKING AT WHAT THE PAROLE BOARD SAID SO THERE'S NO REQUIRED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE VICTIM AND THE INMATE AT THIS TIME: I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH WHAT HE HAS DONE TO GIVE MORE TIME TO IMPLEMENT THIS SESSION.

HOWEVER, THERE'S JUST A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR VOICE AND BE PRESENT ON SOMETHING THAT INVOLVES THEIR RIGHT, THEIR LIFE.

SO AT THAT POINT, IF WE ADOPT THE SUBSTITUTE I WOULD MAKE A MOTION FOR AN AMENDMENT FROM MAY -- >> MR. CHAIRMAN, I WOULD BE OPPOSED TO THAT AMENDMENT AND WOULD NOT CONSIDER IT FRIENDLY.

AS I DISCUSSED IN ANNOUNCING THE SUB THAT IS THE KEY TO THIS.

IF I PUT IN THE WORD SHALL, WE THEN HAVE TO GO AND COVER WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT DOES NOT OPERATE BECAUSE NOW YOU'RE BESTOWING A RIGHT ON SOMEONE AND YOU HAVE TO PLAN FOR THOSE CONTINGENCIES.

>> THE BILL WAS CARRIED OVER AND IS SET TO COME BACK UP TOMORROW.

ALSO TODAY, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MET AND GOT AN UPDATE O THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW STATE HOUSE.

LAWMAKERS GOT TO SEE NEW RENDERINGS OF WHAT THAT BUILDIN WILL LOOK LIKE, INSIDE AND OUT.

HERE ARE A FEW.

THIS IS AN AERIAL VIEW SHOWING HOW IT WILL FIT INTO THE CAPITO COMPLEX.

YOU'LL NOTICE THE CURRENT STATE HOUSE ISN'T THERE BECAUSE IT WILL EVENTUALLY BE DEMOLISHED AND TURNED INTO A PARK.

HERE IS A VIEW OF THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING WHERE THE PUBLIC WOULD ENTER.

PRETTY NICE LOOK, ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO THE CURRENT BUILDING, HERE'S A LOOK AT SOME OF THE PLANNED COMMITTEE ROOMS WHICH ARE GOING TO OFFER A LOT MORE SPACE FOR THE PUBLIC, AND HERE'S A LOOK A THE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBERS WHICH WILL BE LOCATED ON THE SAME FLOOR, WHIC IS GOING TO SAVE A LOT OF US FROM GOING UP AND DOWN THE STAIRS EVERYDAY.

LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY DIRECTOR OTHNI LATHRAM SAID THE PLAN IS TO HAVE THE NEW STATE HOUSE OPERATIONAL FOR THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION IN 2027.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE NOT LEAVE HERE WITH A FALSE ACCEPTANCE OF HOPE OF WHEN THE LEGISLATURE FUNCTIONING IN THE BUILD MUCH.

THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE FUNCTIONING IN THE BUILDING JANUARY OF 27 FOR THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION OF THE NEXT QUADRENNIUM AND THAT'S BEEN OUR COMMITMENT FROM DAY ONE AND OUR GOAL FROM DAY ONE SO IT'S EXCITING THAT THE CONSTRUCTION IS MOVING AT A QUICKER PACE BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT PIECE OF IT.

>> IT MIGHT BE THAT SOMEDAY IT'S ABOUT A 50/50 SO THE SIZE OF THE MINORITY CAUCUS ROOM, YOU KNOW THINGS LIKE THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BECAUSE THE IDEA THIS IS GOING TO BE HERE FOR A LONGS TIME.

AND YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT, WHAT IF ROLES WERE REVERSED YOU KNOW?

SO THOSE THINGS ARE BEING DISCUSSED AND HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED.

COMING UP NEXT, I'LL SPEAK IN MORE DETAIL ABOUT THE STATE HOUSE PROJECTS WITH LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN SAM GIVAN.

IS WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME IS STATE SENATOR SAM GIVEN FROM HUNTSVILLE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE SHOW >> GLAD TO BE WITH YOU TODAY.

>> YOU ARE ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH IS AN INTERNAL -- MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE OF -- LOTS OF DUTIES BUT ONE OF THE THINGS Y'ALL HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH IS FIGURING OUT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW STATEHOUSE.

WE TALKED ABOUT A NEED FOR A NEW STATEHOUSE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

IT'S FINALLY GOING.

WE'RE SEEING THAT GREAT CONSTRUCTION SITE NEXT DOOR.

YOU HAD AN UPDATED COMMITTEE TODAY WITH RENDERINGS FROM THE ARCHITECT.

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU HEARD FROM THE ARCHITECTURE AND ETHNI AND THE COMMITTEE?

WE MET WITH THE ARCHITECTS AND THE ONES FROM NEW YORK THAT CAME TOWN AND MET WITH A NUMBER OF US ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL AND OTHER LEGISLATORS AS WELL AND GOING OVER SOME OF THE ISSUES.

I THOUGHT WE HAD -- YOU KNOW WE HAD A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WERE FAIRLY WELL LAID OUT AND THERE WERE COMMENTS IN THERE.

ONE OF THE COMMENTS I HAD FROM LOOKING AT IT AND I ACTUALLY WENT TO VIRGINIA AND WE WERE DOING ANOTHER -- KIND OF GOT A TWO FOR ONE TRIP.

WE WERE LOOKING AT A POLICEMAN AT VIRGINIA TECH THAT WE WANTED AUBURN TO TAKE UP WITH SOUTHERN UNION AND THAT'S IN THE WORKS RIGHT NOW.

BUT GREAT AG TECH PROGRAM.

I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.

BUT WE ALSO WENT AND LOOKED AT THE STATEHOUSE TO SEE WHAT THEY DID IN VIRGINIA.

THEY'RE DIFFERENT THERE BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE JEFFERSON CAPITAL IS WHAT THEY CALL IT, THE HISTORIC CAPITAL.

THEY HAVE A TUNNEL WALKING TO IT BUT THE STATEHOUSE WILL BE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT VIRGINIA DID.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS I NOTICE IS THAT THE HEAD SECRETARIES WERE SITTING IN THE HALL AND RIGHT NOW THE SECRETARIES ARE IN OUR SUITES WITH US.

AND YOU KNOW, I'M JUST SITTING THERE THINKING OKAY, MY SECRETARY IS TRYING TO DEAL WITH A PHONE CALL FROM A CONSTITUENT AND TRYING TO RELATE WHAT THOSE ISSUES ARE.

SHE MIGHT BE TALKING TO A SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND THEN YOU HAVE GOT PEOPLE MILLING THE HALLS, LOBBYISTS SITTING RIGHT THERE AND LEANINGS OVER THEM AND I.

THOUGHT THAT'S NOT WHERE WE WANT THEM.

SO SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS IS BEING PUT IN THE MIX AND CHANGING SOME THINGS.

WE HAD TO WORK AROUND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW WE WERE GOING TO DO THE MINORITY AND CAUCUS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME AND IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS IT WAS MADE CLEAR TO ME IN VIRGINIA BECAUSE VIRGINIA IS VERY BALANCED BETWEEN THE HOUSE OR AT LEAST THE SENATE THERE.

I DON'T WORK WITH THE HOUSE SPECIFICALLY BUT AS FAR AS OF THE CAUCUSES IT'S SORT OF A BACK-AND-FORTH THERE BETWEEN REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT SO I'M THINKING YOU KNOW WE NEED TO HAVE THE ROOMS THAT ARE BIG ENOUGH TO -- IF WE GET TO A 50/50 STATUS OR THEREABOUTS WE NEED TO HAVE A COMPARABLE ROOMS.

YOU KNOW YOU GOT TO THINK ABOUT WHETHER THE SHOE IS ON THE OTHER-FOOT, BEING FAIR ABOUT THINGS.

SO THOSE FINE-TUNING THINGS ARE BEING WORKED ON.

>> CAN'T HAVE THE MAJORITY HAVE A TAJ MAHAL AND MINORITY STUCK IN THE CLASSEST.

AND I HEARD SOME OF THOSE COMMENTS TODAY.

WELL, FIST EXCITING TO SEE SOME OF THE RENDERINGS ABOUT JUST MORE SPACE, MORE THOUGHT OUT SPACE.

OBVIOUSLY THIS BUILDING WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE A STATEHOUSE.

IT'S ALL RETROFITTED.

>> I WENT IN A ROOM YESTERDAY THAT I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW EXISTED AND I WAS LIKE OH, MY GOODNESS.

THERE'S SO MUCH WASTED SPACE AND SO MUCH DEAD SPACE BUT JUST THE WAY THE BUILDING HAS DETERIORATED, THE PLUMBING ISSUES THAT WE WE HAVE HAD, THE PLUMBING, THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, ELEVATORS IN TERMS OF YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE TO GET PARTS, HOW MUCH LONGER CAN WE GET PARTS AND ALSO FOR THE HVAC SYSTEM AND NOT TO MENTION THE MOLD THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING.

>> WE'RE SITTING HERE IN THE BASEMENT.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT IT'S ALSO SOMETHING THAT THE STATE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE PROUD OF.

AND YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME AND TALK TO YOU, TALK TO YOUR COLLEAGUES, SEE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

AND IT IS GOING TO BE EXCITING TO HAVE A PLACE THAT, YOU KNOW, ALABAMA CAN BE PROUD OF.

ALSO IT SEEMS MORE FUNCTIONAL.

MEAN I WAS HERE AND I'M TALKING ABOUT THE LARGER CHAMBER ROOMS, LARGER HOUSE CHAMBER, LARGER SENATE CHAMBER, ROOM FOR STAFF, ROOM FOR THINGS LIKE THAT BECAUSE THINGS TEND TO BE ON TOP OF EACH OTHER IN TODAY'S STATEHOUSE.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

I'M ACTUAL MORE EXCITED ABOUT THE COMMITTEE ROOMS AND HOW THEY'RE MORE ACCESSIBLE AND PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO OBSERVE THINGS.

I MADE THE STATEMENT BEFORE.

WE HAVE INVEST SMALL COMMUNITY ROOMS AND AND SOME HOT BUTTON ISSUES.

WELL, THE LOBBYISTS KNOW WHERE THE ROOMS ARE.

MANY OF OUR CONSTITUENTS DON'T HAVE A CLUE AND BY THE TIME THEY GET THERE THE ROOM IS FULL, STANDING ROOM ONLY.

AND SOMETIMES FOR SECURITY REASONS THEY HAVE TO GOING INTO AN OVERFLOW ROOM WHERE THEY CAN ONLY SEE.

HAVING SOMETHING THAT THE STATE IS PROUD OF AND WHEN WE HAVE PEOPLE COME IN, WE MIGHT HAVE, YOU KNOW, DIGNITARIES COMING FROM FROM OTHER STATES.

THEY WOULD BE MUCH BETTER TAKE THEM STRAIGHT TO JORDAN-HARE OR BRYANT-DENNY.

>> WERE YOU PLEASED AND SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRESS SO FAR?

I KNOW THERE'S A FUNCTIONAL DATE OF JANUARY 2027.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT WE CAN MEET THAT IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE WITH THE PROGRESS FAR?

>> I THINK THAT WE COULD MEET THAT DAY.

I HOPE TO MOVE OFFICES IN BEFORE THAT DATE.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR SOME OF THE MEMBERS THAT ARE NOT LIKELY TO RUN AGAIN THAT THEY WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE IN THIS NEW BUILDING FOR AT LEAST A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME.

I DON'T KNOW IN THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY PRACTICAL.

I DON'T WANT TO OVERPROMISE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING OH, YEAH WE CAN DO THAT.

BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN ONE TO OVERPROMISE THE THAT.

I SO HE IN DIFFERENT TRANSACTIONS HOW WE RUN INTO DIFFERENT DELAYS ON PROJECTS.

IT COULD BE WEATHER, COULD BE LABOR, COULD BE MATERIALS.

I. MANE WE RAN INTO A TERRIBLE SITUATION ON MATERIALS OF AVAILABILITY OR LACK THEREOF IN THE COVID PRICE.

I JUST AM VERY PLEASED WITH WHERE YOU'RE GOING AND THE WORK THE ARCHITECTS HAVE COME UP WITH SO FAR.

>> AND YOU HAVE TO MOVE OUT OF THIS BUILDING AND SET UP EVERYTHING THERE SO IT'S NOT JUST FLIPPING A SWITCH.

>> A LOT HAS TO GO ON.

>> SWITCHING GEARS LET'S TALK ABOUT LEGISLATION.

FOR THERE WE MIGHT AS WELL TALK ABOUT THE GORILLA IN THE ROOM -- GAMBLING.

THIS BIG VOTE LAST NIGHT LATE AT NIGHT.

YOU WERE A NO VOTE.

I THINK CONSISTENTLY YOU HAVE BEEN AGAINST MOST GAMBLING LEGISLATION.

IS THIS BILL GOING TO COME BACK THERE'S TALKING OF IT REEMERGING.

THEY NEED JUST ONE MORE VOTE TO KEEP THAT?

WHAT IS THE MOOD OF THE CAUSE CUSHION?

DO YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO COME BACK?

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD LOVE TO BET ON THAT.

BUT WE'RE -- I JUST PERSONAL DON'T SEE THE NO VOTES CHANGING.

SO THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WAS ADOPTED BY THE 20 VOTES THAT WERE TAKEN WHEN THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CAME OUT OF THE BASKET AND IF THERE WERE 21 VOTES THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR ANOTHER VOTE BUT IF THE INITIAL VOTE DOES NOT YIELD A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF VOTES FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THERE CAN BE A SECOND VOTE.

THIS IS MY PRESUMPTION THAT THEY FELT LIKE THE VOTES WEREN'T THERE AT THE MOMENT SO THERE WERE THEY WANTED TO REGROUP AND TALK ABOUT IT SO, YES, IT COULD EASILY COME BACK TOMORROW.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL OR NOT.

>> WE WILL SEE.

ALL EYES ARE ON THE SENATE AND SEEING IF IT'S GOING TO COME BACK OUT OF THE BASKET.

OTHER ISSUES: YOU HAVE THIS WORKERS' COMP BILL PROVIDING EDUCATION EMPLOYEES WITH WORKERS' COMP INSURANCE I SUPPOSE.

I GUESS A LOT PEOPLE MAY NOT REALIZE THIS HAS NEVER EXISTED BEFORE.

TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR THIS BILL AND WHERE IT IS IN THE PROCESS.

>> IT'S SO SHOCKING TO MANY LEGISLATORS TO FIND OUT THAT OUR EDUCATORS DO NOT HAVE WORKERS' COMP INSURANCE.

OR PROGRAM.

OUR STATE EMPLOYEES DO.

IT'S DIFFERENT AND I WON'T GET TO THE NUANCES BECAUSE -- NOT OBVIOUSLY BUT I DON'T DO WORKERS' COMPENSATION WORK SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE NUANCES THERE BECAUSE IT IS A SPECIALTY.

BECAUSE I WILL WHEN AN EMPLOYEE IS INJURED THERE'S A PROCEDURE TO BE COMPENSATED.

THAT HAPPENS WITH STATE EMPLOYEES BUT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN WITH OUR TEACHERS.

THE FIGURE TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS WHICH REALLY ISN'T SET UP TO HANDLE THOSE TYPE OF CLAIMS.

THAT'S THE THREE MEMBER PANEL THAT CONSISTS OF THE TREASURER, THE FINANCE DIRECTOR AND THE AUDITOR.

SO YOU KNOW, MOST PEOPLE ACKNOWLEDGE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS KNOWLEDGE THERE NEEDS TO BE A PROGRAM LIKE THIS.

THE DEVIL HAS SORT OF BEEN IN THE DETAILS AND WE'RE KIND OF FINE TUNING THE DETAILS BUT I'M VERY PLEASED WHERE WE ARE.

IT'S A BIG MOVEMENT FORWARD.

I MEAN, THERE WAS A TRACK ICK CASE AND I DON'T REMEMBER THE LADY'S NAME FROM TUSCALOOSA THAT WAS INJURED ON THE JOB.

IS GOING TO BE MAIMED FOR LIFE AND BASICALLY DIDN'T GET ANYTHING.

THERE'S THINGS LIKE THAT ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE 10 YEARS IN AND CAN'T TAKE ESSENTIALLY WHAT I'M GOING TO CALL EARLY RETIREMENT.

THAT MAY NOT BE THE TECHNICAL TERM.

BUT YOU KNOW, YOU'RE JUST NOT TAKING CARE OF THOSE PEOPLE PROPERLY AND WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR FOCUS.

>> TALK ABOUT THE COST, THOUGH.

BECAUSE EVERY TIME -- NOW THAT ALL OF THESE -- YOU SAW IT TODAY IN COMMITTEE WITH ALL OF THESE WORKFORCE CREDITS AND TAX CREDITS AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND CHAIRMAN ORR SAYING LOOK WE CAN'T GIVE EVERYTHING, EVERY TIME YOU HAVE A TAX CRITICAL IT TAKES AWAY FROM THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

SO WHAT ABOUT THIS IS?

IT SEEMS TO ME WORKERS COMP COULD BE ANOTHER ADDITIONAL COST SO IS THERE AN ESTIMATE.

>> IT IS 14.9 MILLION.

AND I THINK THEY'RE BASING THAT ON A PART OF WHAT -- IT'S BY RISK CATEGORIES.

OBVIOUSLY YOU DON'T EXPECT A TEACHER TO GET HAD HURT ON THE SAME LEVEL AS YOU DO, SOMEONE WORKING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

SO YOU KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS SOME OF THE MORE DANGEROUS JOBS IN THE STATE.

>> SURE.

>> BUT THEY HAVE TO DO BASICALLY A RISK ANALYSIS OF -- YOU KNOW, LIKE I WORK IN A LAW FIRM.

WE DON'T GET MANY PEOPLE HURT IN A LAW FIRM SO OUR RISK IS VERY LOW.

SO YOU HAVE TO ANALYZE IT LIKE THAT.

WHILE THERE ARE ROUGHLY -- IF I RECALL THERE'S FIVE TIMES AS MANY EDUCATION EMPLOYEES AS THERE ARE STATE EMPLOYEES.

SO YOU KNOW -- BUT OUR PROJECTED NUMBER I THINK IS NOT -- IT'S CERTAINLY NOT FIVE TIMES THE COST OF STATE EMPLOYEES WHICH IS USUALLY LIVE A RULE OF THUMB.

>> BECAUSE THERE'S MORE; RIGHT.

>> YEAH.

SO MANY MORE.

BUT WHICH YOU WOULD SEE HERE IS, I THINK, ABOUT A THREE TO ONE RATIO OR SO AND IT'S BECAUSE THE RISK IS LESS.

>> WELL, THAT'S SOMETHING TO FOLLOW UP ON AGAIN.

AND I BRING UP THIS BECAUSE THAT'S THE WATCH WORD IN HOW ALL OF THESE BILLS HAVE COME ABOUT.

THAT IS IN THE HOUSE NOW.

>> IT HAS GONE THROUGH THE COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE SO I EXPECT IT WILL BE ON THE FLOOR NEXT WEEK.

>> OK. JUST A FEW DAYS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SO WE'RE HERE IN THE HOME STRETCH.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WE WILL SEE YOU UPSTAIRS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FROM OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACEY.