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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WEDNESDAYS ARE KNOWN AS COMMITTEE DAYS IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, WHEN MORE THAN TWO DOZEN HOUSE AND SENATE PANELS MEET TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION MOVING THROUGH THE PROCESS.

BUT, AS HAS BEEN THE NORM HERE LATELY, TODAY WAS ALSO A LEGISLATIVE DAY, WHEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE CONVENE TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION ON THE FLOOR.

THAT ALL MAKES FOR A VERY BUSY DAY WITH A LOT OF MOVING PARTS, SO LET'S DIVE RIGHT IN STARTING IN THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE, WHICH MET FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CODIFY THE BIOLOGICAL DEFINITIONS OF MEN AND WOMEN INTO STATE LAW.

HOUSE BILL 405 IS SPONSORED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN DUBOSE, WHO IS ALSO SPONSORING THE TRANSGENDER COLLEGE ATHLETES BILL.

SHE SAID THIS BILL, KNOWN AS THE WHAT IS A WOMAN ACT, IS ALSO PART OF PROTECTING WOMEN.

THE BILL DREW CRITICISM FROM LGBT ACTIVISTS WHO HELD A RALLY AT THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

SEVERAL SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE BILL CALLING IT DISCRIMINATORY.

>> I'M HERE TO PRESENT HB-405, WHICH IS THE WHAT IS A WOMAN BILL.

ALSO KNOWN AS THE WOMEN'S BILL OF RIGHTS.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO TO WOMEN'S BILL OF RIGHTS .COM YOU CAN READ ALL ABOUT DETAILS REGARDING THIS BILL WHICH IS MAKING A MOVEMENT AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO DEFINE AGE OLD TETERMS SUCH AS MALE, FEMALE, MOTHER AND FATHER.

BUT WHEN A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CANNOT DEFINE WHAT A WOMAN IS, THE TIME HAS COME TO DO SOMETHING.

WE KNOW COMMON SENSE AND SCIENCE MUST PREVAIL.

THE PURPOSE OF MY BILL IS TO CODIFY DEFINITIONS FOR SEX BASED TERMS INTO STATE LAW.

MALE, FEMALE, MALE, WOMAN, MOTHER, FATHER, SEX, ARE ALL DEFINED FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL.

COMMON SEX BASED WORDS ARE USED THOUSANDS OF TIMES IN STATE LAW.

EVENTUALLY ACTIVISTS HAVE SOUGHT TO REDEFINE THESE AND SEPARATE SEX FROM BIOLOGY.

WHY DO WE NEED THE BILL?

IF WE DON'T CODIFY THE COMMON SEX BASED TERMS LAWS THAT PROHIBIT SEX DISCRIMINATION WILL CEASE TO MEAN ANYTHING AT ALL AND SINGLE SEX PRIVATE SPACES WILL DISAPPEAR.

>> THERE WAS NO VOTE TAKEN ON THE BILL BUT THE COMMITTEE COULD TAKE IT UP AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK.

>> OVER IN THE SENATE COMMITTEE, LEGISLATION AIMED AT PREVENTING TEXTING WHILE DRIVING WAS ON THE AGENDA.

SENATE BILL 301 FROM SENATOR JABO WAGGONER WOULD PROHIBIT THE USE OF A CELL PHONE OR LAPTOP WHILE DRIVING.

WAGGONER WAS THE SPONSOR OF ALABAMA'S ORIGINAL SEAT BELT LAW.

HE SHARED THE TRAGIC FAMILY STORY THAT MAKES THIS AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE FOR HIM.

>> AND I'M GOING TO SHARE IT WITH YOU.

AND I DON'T TALK ABOUT THIS OFTEN.

BUT I HAD A YUCK SON, 18 YEARS OLD.

I BOUGHT HIM A JEEP FOR GRADUATION BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO JACKSONVILLE STATE ON A FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP.

AND HE WAS COMING HOME ONE NIGHT.

AND WE WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

BUT I LOST MY 18-YEAR-OLD SON.

AND THAT'S THE REASON THESE KINDS OF ISSUES HAVE BEEN IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> THAT BILL ADVANCED THROUGH COMMITTEE AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

ANOTHER VAPING BILL WAS UP IN SENATE JUDICIARY TODAY.

SENATE BILL 316 FROM SENATOR VIVIAN FIGURES MAKES IT A CRIME FOR ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 TO POSSESS A VAPING PRODUCT.

FIGURES SAID THE IDEA IS NOT TO BE PUNITIVE, BUT TO INVOLVE PARENTS AND GET YOUNG PEOPLE TO STOP VAPING.

>> THIS BILL IS TO BRING AWARENESS TO OUR COMMUNITY, AWARENESS TO THE PARENTS OF US GETTING TO AN EPIDEMIC STAGE OF OUR CHILDREN WHO ARE USING THESE VAPING DEVICES.

AND WE'RE LOSING OUR KIDS PREMATURELY.

IT'S ESTIMATED THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOSE OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND KIDS IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

PREMATURELY BECAUSE OF THEM VAPING AND HOW IT DAMAGES THEIR BRAINS, THEIR LUNGS, THEIR BODIES.

>> A REPORTED 20 PERCENT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ALABAMA ADMIT TO VAPING DAILY.

AND ALABAMA HAS THE NATION ALES 3RD HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO VAPE.

THE NUMBERS ARE RAPIDLY INCREASING AMONG MIDDLE SCHOOL AGED CHIRP, AND WE ARE EVEN SEEING CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS SEVEN AND EIGHT YEARS OLD BEGINNING TO VAPE.

>> THAT BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

ALSO IN SENATE JUDICIARY WAS A BILL TO CRIMINALIZE DOXING.

HOUSE BILL 287 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE SHANE STRINGER WOULD MAKE IT A CRIME TO USE ELECTRONIC MEANS TO PUBLICLY DISCLOSE SOMEONE'S PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH THE INTENT TO CAUSE HARM.

STRINGER TOLD THE STORY OF JUDGES AND OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS BEING TARGETED AND EVEN KILLED IN MAKING HIS CASE TO THE COMMITTEE.

>> APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO, MY SON IS A BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S COMPANY TEE.

MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT HE WAS DOING A REPORT OPEN HIS COMPUTER, HIS DISPATCH CALLED AND SAID HE NEEDED TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

SO HE LEFT.

HE ASKED HER WHAT WAS GOING ON.

FIND OUT THAT SOMEONE HAD POSTED ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE THAT THERE WAS A DEPUTY SITTING AT THIS SERVICE STATION IF SOMEONE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING.

AND WE GET TO RESEARCH AND LOOKING INTO THE GUY AND THE GUY WAS A RIGHT SUPREME SIFT OUT OF ESCAMBIA COUNTY AND PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE ON HIS PAGE WAS THE SAME.

>> CRIMES AND DIRECTED TO OFFICIALS AND PEOPLE OF AUTHORITY THAT THE RATE HAS GONE UP TO 400 PERCENT IN THE LAST SIX YEARS.

>> THAT BILL ALSO ADVANCED TO THE FULL SENATE.

50 THE SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL TO PREVENT CHINESE ENTITIES AND THEIR GOVERNMENT FROM PURCHASING LAND IN ALABAMA.

HOUSE BILL 379 IS SPONSORED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT STADHAGEN, WHO ARGUES THE MEASURE IS NEEDED FOR SECURITY REASONS.

SENATOR DAVID SESSIONS OFFERED A NEW VERSION OF THE BILL, WHICH THE COMMITTEE ADOPTED AND ADVANCED.

THE CHANGE IS MEANT TO FIX THE PERCEPTION THAT THE INTENT WAS TO TARGET A CERTAIN ETHIC GROUP.

CRITICS OF THE BILL SAID THEY STILL HAD CONCERNS ABOUT ITS IMPLICATIONS.

>> WE ARE PROHIBITING BASICALLY THE GOVERNMENT, THESE FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS OR THE STATE SPONSORED COMPANIES WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN.

THESE FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN ARE CHINA, IRAN, NORTH KOREA AND RUSSIA.

THAT'S JUST A FEW OF THEM -- NOT ALL OF THEM.

THIS TERM DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COUNTRY OF TAIWAN.

TAIWAN IS AN ALLY AND A FRIEND.

THEY ALREADY HAVE A FEDERAL OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL THAT HAS A DO-NOT-DO-BUSINESS-WITH LIST.

AND BASICALLY THIS LEGISLATION IS MIRRORING THAT LIST.

>> I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS YOU GUYS HAVE MADE TO THIS BILL.

I THINK IT'S MUCH, MUCH BETTER THAN IT WAS BEFORE.

AND I'M STILL AFRAID THAT, IT MIGHT LEAD TO SOME UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

NOT ONLY WILL PEOPLE THAT HAVE MOVE HERE TO ALABAMA BUT IT WILL DETER PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF ALABAMA TO COME AND MOVE HERE AND WE'RE MISSING THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE LOTS OF BRILLIANT MINDS INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> DESPITE OUR CONTRIBUTIONS, CHINESE AMERICANS CONTINUE TO FACE HARDSHIP AND INJUSTICE.

BILLS LIKE BILL 379, PARTICULARLY AS ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED PROMOTES XENOPHOBIA.

>> THE SENATE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TOOK UP LEGISLATION TO PUT A 98 CENT PER-MONTH FEE ON PHONE LINES TO FUND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CARE.

SENATE BILL 328 FROM SENATOR GARLAND GUDGER IS MEANT TO AUTHORIZE FUNDING FOR THE STATE'S 988 MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE AND EXPAND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE STATEWIDE.

THE COMMITTEE HEARD FROM SEVERAL ADVOCATES SHARED THE NEED FOR GREATER MENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE AND AN ALTERNATIVE TO 911 IN CRISIS SITUATIONS.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE FRANCIS HOLK JONES SHARED AN EMOTIONAL STORY ABOUT HER HUSBAND'S SUICIDE AND THE LACK OF OPTIONS WHEN THAT CRISIS HAPPENED.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TELECOM INDUSTRY WERE ON ALSO HAND, WITH ONE SAYING THEY SUPPORT THE IDEA BUT WANT A DIFFERENT WAY TO FUND IT.

>> 1 MONDAY MORNING, 5:30 IN THE MORNING, MY PHONE RANK.

IT WAS MY HUSBAND.

ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE, HE SAID, ARE YOU ASLEEP?

THEN HE SAID I JUST CALLED TO SAY GOODBYE.

AT THAT POINT IN TIME, YOU BECOME AN EXPERT.

YOU TELL IMMEDIATELY GO INTO CRISES MODE AND YOU DO THE BEST DARN SALES JOB THAT YOU'VE EVER DONE.

YOU TRY TO CONVINCE, IN MY CASE, MY HUSBAND, TO STAY ON THIS EARTH.

TALK ABOUT AN IMMEDIATE, UNTRAINED, EMOTIONAL PROFESSIONAL.

I DID THE BEST JOB THAT I COULD FOR 13 MINUTES.

AFTER MY HUSBAND SAID "I LOVE YOU, BYE" AT THAT POINT IN TIME, I HUNG UP THE PHONE.

AND FOR THE 1ST TIME IN MY LIFE, I DIALED 911.

THEY QUICKLY ANSWERED AND ASKED ME THE PURPOSE OF MY CALL.

WITH ALL OF THE COMPOSURE I COULD MUSTER UP I ATTEMPTED TO CALMLY, FACTUALLY TELL THEM WHERE I THOUGHT MY HUSBAND WAS AND WHAT I THOUGHT -- WHAT I KNEW -- WHAT MY HUSBAND MIGHT HAVE, WHAT HE PROBABLY HAD DONE.

AFTER MY STATEMENT, THE WORDS I HEARD NEXT, WHAT THE 911 DISPATCHER SAID TO ME ARE ETCHED IN MY BRAIN FOREVER.

THE 911 DISPATCHER SAID: "HOLD PLEASE."

988 WOULD NOT HAVE KEPT MY HUSBAND ON THIS EARTH.

HE HAD MADE HIS DECISION.

AND, YES, 988 COSTS MONEY.

IT'S A FEE.

IT'S A TAX.

CALL IT A USER FEE.

I DON'T REALLY CARE WHAT YOU CALL IT.

BUT IT'S THE BEST WAY TO HAVE A SOLID CASH FLOW INTO ALABAMA MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE FUNDING.

IT'S NOT THE ONLY ANSWER BUT IT'S A HECK OF A GOOD, SOLID FINANCIAL START.

>> THE PROPOSED FEE HERE IS 98-CENT.

FORTUNATELY, CHAIRMAN REYNOLDS LOWERED WHAT WAS INITIALLY PROPOSED WHICH WAS 98 AS A MINIMUM UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $3.

NOW, IT IS, AGAIN, AN ISSUE OF PUBLIC POLICY FOR YOU ALL TO DECIDE WHETHER THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING FROM THE WIRELESS INDUSTRY THAT, IF IT IS A LEVEL PRIORITY, AND IT IS, FUNDED THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND AS OPPOSED TO A SEPARATE FEE OR SEPARATE TAX.

>> THE 988 BILL ADVANCED.

BUT BECAUSE IT IS A REVENUE BILL, THE HOUSE VERSION WILL HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO ADVANCE THROUGH THE PROCESS IF IT IS TO BECOME LAW.

>> AS I MENTIONED, THE HOW AND SENATE ALSO MET IN CLAIM WERES TODAY TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION.

THE SENATE GOT CAUGHT UP IN A FILIBUSTER AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO PASS LOCAL BILLS BEFORE ADJOURNING.

THE HOUSE MADE IT ALMOST HALF WAY THROUGH ITS AGENDA.

HERE ARE SOME NOTABLE BILLS PASSED TODAY BY THAT CHAMBER.

HOUSE BILL 306 WOULD REQUIRE MAIL ORDER DENTAL SERVICES LIKE SMILE DIRECT OR INVISI-LINE TO HAVE PATIENTS SEE AN ORTHODONTIST IN PERSON AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.

IT PASSED 77-11 AND GOES TO THE SENATE.

HOUSE BILL 208 WOULD ALLOW INCOME TAX CREDITS FOR THOSE WHO DONATE TO PREGNANCY CRISIS CENTERS IN THE STATE.

THAT BILL PASSED 993 AND GOES TO THE SENATE.

HOUSE BILL 293 WOULD OFFER IN STATE COMPANIES ECONOMIC INCENTIVES FOR SHIPPING THEIR GOODS OUT OF THE PORT OF MOBILE.

IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND GOES TO THE SENATE.

AND HOUSE BILL 392 WOULD CLARIFY IN STATE LAW THAT ANYONE PROHIBITED FROM POSSESSING A FIREARM UNDER FEDERAL LAW IS ALSO PROHIBITED UNDER STATE LAW.

IT PASSED 64 TO 36 AND GOES TO THE SENATE.

WE LEARNED MORE ABOUT THE TIMING OF BOTH THE GROCERY TAX CUT LEGISLATION AND THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DANNY GARRETT SAID TO EXCEPT BOTH TO MOVE NEXT WEEK.

>> THE SENATE HAS NOT PASSED THE GROCERY TAX BUILT, THE ONE PASSED IN THE SENATE THAT IS HAS 35 SPONSORS.

THAT SENATE BILL NOW HAS A HUNDRED SPONSORS IN THE HOUSE YESTERDAY SO WE DROPPED IT IN THE HOUSE.

BILLS THAT AFFECT REVENUE HAVE TO ORANGE NATURE IN THE HOUSE.

SO YOU GET THE BOUGHT ROLLING WE HAVE TO DO THAT.

WE FILED THE BILL YESTERDAY.

WE WILL BE ON COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK AND ON THE FLOOR NEXT THURSDAY.

I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW BECAUSE WE HAD SO MUCH MONEY IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL, SENATOR ORR AND I HAVE WORKED CLOSELY THROUGH THE PROCESS SO LOT OF THE COMMENTS FROM HOUSE MEMBERS AND THE SPEAKER AND MYSELF WOULD HAVE WERE REFLECTED IN WHAT CAME DOWN FROM THE SENATE.

SO WE WILL MAKE SOME CHANGES OBVIOUSLY.

BUT FOR THE MOST PART, WHAT CAME DOWN FROM THE SENATE WAS NOT UNEXPECTED.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF BILLS AND THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT MONEY LEAVING THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

>> OUR NUMBER 1 PRIORITY IS TO PROTECT THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

SO I THINK YOU HAVE SEEN A SLOW DOWN OF ANY TAX CREDITS OFFER ANYTHING THAT WOULD WITHDRAW FROM THE EDUCATION BUDGET IN EITHER HOUSE OR THE SENATE FLOORS.

SO WE KIND OF PAUSED THAT.

IF THE GROCERY TAX IS A PRIORITY, AND IT CLEARLY IS, THEN WE HAVE TO PUT THAT AS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT WILL CAUSE US TO TAKE A PAUSE ON SOME OTHER ITEMS.

>> AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TODAY IN THE STATEHOUSE.

COMING UP NEXT I'LL SIT DOWN WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE JEREMY GRAY TO TALK ABOUT HIS LEGISLATION AIMED TO PREVENT CARDIAC ARREST IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

YOU.

>> JOINING US ME IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE JEREMY GRAY FROM OPELIKA.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODD.

>> YOU HAVE A BILL THAT IS -- THIS POINT IN THE SESSION NOT A LOT OF BILLS ACTUALLY MADE IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

YOURS HAS.

IT HAS TO DO WITH CARDIAC ARREST AND TRYING TO PREVENT AND TEACH HIGH SCHOOL FOLKS ABOUT CARDIAC ARREST ON ATHLETIC -- ON THE ATHLETIC BILL ON THE COURT ON THE FIELD.

WALK ME THROUGH HOW THIS STARTED AND WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN THIS.

>> A GROUP OUR PENNSYLVANIA, ASSUME MAN'S HEART THEY ADVOCATE FOR CARDIAC ISSUES.

SO THEY REACHED OUT AND BASICALLY SAID THAT ALABAMA CAN'T HAVE ANYTHING AS A PROTOCOL AS FAR AS SOUTHERN CARDIAC ARREST PREVENTION.

AND HE THOUGHT THAT A BILL COULD BE MODELED AFTER LEGISLATION IN TENNESSEE AND FLORIDA AND GEORGIA, AROUND EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS OF SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.

SO I DRAFTED A BILL THAT ESSENTIALLY DOES THREE THINGS.

IT REQUIRES THAT A COACH GETS TRAINED EVERY TWO YEARS.

BEFORE THIS, A COACH WOULD JUST GET TRAINED ONCE, RIGHT?

AND CHECKING THE BOXES AND COMING UP.

BEYOND THERE IT WAS FOR THE COACH TO GET THAT CONTINUAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION.

THIS BILL WOULD ESSENTIALLY ALIGN AD TRAINING, CPR AND SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST PREVENTION TRAINING ALL AT ONE TIME: I THINK AS THINGS START TO PROGRESS AND MORE RESEARCH AROUND SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ARE AVAILABLE ARE THINGS TO LOOKS FOR WITH CHANGE.

SO I THINK THIS WAS A GREAT EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT FOR THE COACHES.

BUST IT GOES A LITTLE STEP FURTHER.

BECAUSE IT'S ALSO REQUIRES THAT THE STUDENT ATHLETE GOES THROUGH EDUCATIONAL TRAINING SO THAT THEY CAN UNDERSTAND.

>> IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE CONCUSSION BILL.

IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE A CONCUSSION, YOU HAVE TO BE EDUCATED ON IT.

IN ORDER TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE HAVING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CARDIAC ARREST YOU HAVE TO BE EDUCATED ON THAT.

AND IT REQUIRES THEIR PARENTS TO SIGN A PARENTAL FORM.

AND JUST THE KNOWLEDGE THEY KNOW WHERE SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST IS, THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS AND THING THAN THE SO THAT THERE'S LIABILITY FROM EVERYONE.

EVERYONE IS LIABLE FOR THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF STUDENT ATHLETES.

ONE MORE THING IT DOES IS IF A STUDENT ATHLETE PRESENTS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS AND HE HAS TO BE PULLED FROM A GANG, HE CAN'T BE PULLED BACK INTO THE GANG UNTIL A PHYSICIAN APPROVES HIM BACK INTO IT.

SO I THINK THIS IS A GREAT BUFFER FOR -- SPORTS IS ALL ABOUT BEING RESILIENT, ALL ABOUT BEING TOUGH.

EVERYONE WANTS TO PLAY.

WHY WOULD YOU WANTED TO SIT OUT WHEN YOU CAN SEE HELP YOUR TEAM.

THIS GIVES, YOU KNOW, THE COACHES OR PHYSICIANS THE ABILITY TO SAY YOU CAN'T GO IN.

BECAUSE MOST STUDENTS, MOST STUDENT ATHLETES, IF THEY COULD GO IN AND THEY COULD PARTICIPATE IN ANY GEHRING, THIS HE WILL.

>> YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TELL THE COACH YOU'RE TRYING TO COMPETE.

>> WE WERE ALL OF WATCHING THAT PLAYOFF GAME WITH THE BILLS.

AND HE DEVOTION DOWN.

AND WE ARE ALL WATCHING IN SHOCK, THE WHOLE COUNTRY WAS WATCHING.

DID THAT GIVE BETTER AWARENESS TO THIS ISSUE?

I MEAN I WAS NEVER AWARE OF IT BEFORE THAT, SO I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAME AWARE OF SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST DOES THAT HELP YOU IN LEGISLATION LIKE THIS?

>> I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED WHAT I KNOW TO BE CARDIAC ARREST.

AND JUST ELECTRICAL CURRENT.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE A FREAK ACCIDENT SO IN MY MIND, IT'S LIKE, THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN THAT MUCH.

THEN YOU START DOING THE RESEARCH AND YOU SAY LIKE NO, THIS HAPPENS A LOT IN BASEBALL AND BED & BREADFAST AND FOOTBALL AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

SO FOR ME BEING A FORMER ATHLETE, I WANTED TO ADVOCATE FOR STUDENT ATHLETES AND THAT'S WHY I WAS KIND OF PASSIONATE ABOUT IT AND THEN I MET MS. DION MACK, WHOSE SON -- I NAMED A BILL AFTER HER, TERRELL SPENCER'S ACT, AND HE WAS A YOUNG KID AROUND 17, 18, HE PASSED AWAY 12 YEARS AGO FROM SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST AND HE HAD AN EPISODE.

AND NO ONE KNEW WHAT TO DO.

EVERYONE FROZE.

SO YOU ONLY HAVE ABOUT 8 MINUTES TO RESUSCITATE THIS PERSON AND BRING IT BACK TO LIFE.

AND HE ACTUALLY PASSED AWAY.

HE HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS.

ONCE I MET HER, I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE STATEHOUSE.

FOR ME IT WAS LIKE EXTRA PASSION BECAUSE I COULD PUT A NAME AND A FACE WITH THE BILL AS WELL.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

THE BEST MEDICAL CARE POSSIBILITY AROUND HIM.

YOU MENTIONED CONCUSSIONS AND THAT'S WHAT WE WERE TALK US ABOUT EARLIER.

I HAD CONCUSSIONS PLAYING BALL.

MUCH LOWER LEVEL THAN YOU, SIR.

MUCH LOWER LEVEL.

BUT IT MATTERS TO ME BECAUSE HAD I JUST KEPT ON PLAYING.

THE CONCUSSION PROTOCOL WASN'T THERE.

IT STARTED LIKE YOU MENTIONED, THERE WAS LEGISLATION.

IS THIS SORT OF THE NEXT STEP?

WE GOT THERE ON CONCUSSIONS.

DO WE NEED TO GET THERE ON CARDIAC ARRESTS?

>> WE HAVE TO GET THERE ON CARDIAC ARREST.

I THINK THIS IS A GREAT START.

WE ALSO HAVE TO KNOWLEDGE THAT WE NEED AED'S THROUGHOUT -- YOU KNOW, SPORTS VENUES.

AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE NFL IS PUSHING WITH THEIR COALITION THAT WE DON'T HAVE AD'S.

>> THE DEFIBRILLATOR.

>> YES, THE DEFIBRILLATOR.

IF YOU HAVE THREE OR FOUR SPRING SPORTS GOING ON AT ONE TIME AND YOU DON'T HAVE BUT TWO DEFIBRILLATORS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN EPISODE HAPPENS AND YOU DON'T HAVE THOSE IN A 3 MINUTE RETRIEVAL TIME.

YOU ONLY HAVE 8 MINUTES TO SAVE A STUDENT'S LIFE.

SO WE NEED MORE DEPLORABLES TO SAVE LIVES IN ALABAMA.

IT'S BIGGER PROBLEMS THAN SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST AND THIS IS A GREAT START.

AND WE CAN BUILD DEFIBRILLATORS IN AND SPORTING IRANS AND REALLY ENGAGE IN GETTING PHYSICAL TRAINERS AND ATHLETIC TRAINERS.

BECAUSE THAT WAS A PROFESSION THAT PEOPLE REALLY INDULGE IN AND NOW IT'S DECLINING.

>> WELL,, I WANT -- WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME LEFT BUT I WANTED TO GET TO MY OTHER BILL WITH -- CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THIS BILL DOES.

>> SO THE ALABAMA CODE REALLY REQUIRES JUVENILE AND ADULTS TO BE TREATED THE SAME.

SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT FINES AND FEES LAST YEAR I HAD A BILL AROUND FINES AND FEES WHERE IT WOULD BASICALLY GIVE AN INMATE COMING INTO SOCIETY A SIX MONTH GRACE PERIOD TO PAY FINES AND FEES.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TIME TO EARN SOME MONEY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO THINK ABOUT IT.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU'RE 13, 14, 15, 16 YEARS OLD AND YOU DON'T HAVE A JOB.

AND YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY THESE FINES AND FEES AND YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THESE AS WELL.

YOU'RE NOT EVEN OLD ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY GET A JOB SO WHAT WAS TO THOSE FINES AND FEES?

IT EXTENDS THE PROBATION PERIOD.

IT PUT HARDSHIPS ON THE MOTHER AND FATHER.

IT EVEN AFFECTS OTHER SIBLINGS.

SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE FOUR CHILDREN AND THREE OF YOUR CHILDREN ARE ANGELS AND YOU HAVE ONE THAT SEEMS TO GET IN A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE.

RIGHT.

THAT ONE AFFECTS THOSE THREE.

SO THIS IS JUST A WAY TO ABOLISH FIRINGS, AND FEES BECAUSE ALABAMA IS REALLY NOT RECOUPING A LOT OF THAT MONEY.

IT'S ONLY 5 PERCENT OF THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN RECOUPED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS SO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 500 TO $800,000 OVER A 10 YEAR RESPONSIBLE IT'S NOT DOING WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DOING SO IT'S CREATING A PIPELINE TO PRISON.

AND I THINK THIS IS A WAY OF CURBING THAT IS AND REALLY MAKING, YOU KNOW, YOUNG CHILDREN JUVENILE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

WE UNDERSTAND ONCE YOU GET HAD THE SYSTEM AND ONCE YOU HAVE TO KEEP PAYING THESE FINES AND FEES, THIS HARDSHIP, THAT SOMETIMES CAUSES YOU TO COMMIT CRIMES AND DO OTHER THINGS.

>> LIKE A CYCLE, YOU CAN TO BREAK THAT CYCLE, WHEN YOU TALK TO YOUR COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE, DO YOU SENSE ANY SUPPORT FOR THIS?

CAN YOU GTMO MEN AT SOME TIME?

>> WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO BALANCE ANYTHING WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM -- IT'S JUST TOUGH AND WITH THE GRACE PERIOD I HAVE LAST YEAR, I WAS ON THE FLOOR FOR TWO OR THREE HOURS DEBATING THE BILL AND THE ONLY THING IT WAS DOING WAS IT WAS DELAYING MONEY TO THE BUDGET: SO IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE A CUFF BATTLE.

I'M UP FOR THE CHALLENGE AND AT LEAST WE CAN HAVE SOMETHING ON THE BOOKS.

AND JUDGE HERE DOES A GREAT JOB OF BRINGING EVERYONE TO THE TABLE AND FIGURING OUT A COMPROMISE SO I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH HIM.

AND IF IT DOESN'T PASS THIS YEAR THAT'S FINE.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

REPRESENTATIVE GRAY, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> NO PROBLEM.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> ARE.

>> THE 375,000 ACRES THAT MAKE UP THE THREE RANGER DISTRICTS OF TALLADEGA NATIONAL FOREST WERE PURCHASED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 1986 AS PART OF THE EFFORT TO RESTORE FARM LANDS NO LONGER CAPABLE OF PRODUCING CROPS.

THE BEAUTIFUL RESERVE INCLUDES THE 102-MILE NATIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM AND ALABAMA'S HIGHEST AND SECOND HIGHEST POINTS.

MOUNT CHEAHA AND DUGGER MOUNTAIN.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 1030 WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM I'M TODD STACEY.