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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TODAY WAS THE 18TH LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THE SESSION, LEAVING 12 MEETING DAYS LEFT BETWEEN NOW AND EARLY JUNE.

AND IT WAS A CONSEQUENTIAL DAY, WITH BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE DEBATING FOR HOURS ON MAJOR LEGISLATION.

WE'LL START IN THE SENATE, WHERE LAWMAKERS TOOK UP THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET AND ALL ITS RELATED BILLS.

AS WE'VE REPORTED FOR WEEKS, THIS IS THE LARGEST EVER EDUCATION BUDGET AT 8.9 BILLION DOLLARS.

THE BILL FUNDS THE RANGE OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS, FROM PRE-K TO K-12 AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

IT INCLUDED A TWO PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER EDUCATION WORKERS, AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT FUNDING TARGETED TO REACH STRUGGLING SCHOOLS IN READING AND MATH.

LAST NIGHT, WE WALKED THROUGH THE CHANGES THE SENATE COMMITTEE MADE TO THE GOVERNOR'S ORIGINAL PROPOSED BUDGET.

TONIGHT WE'LL FOCUS ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL THAT TRAVELLED ALONG SIDE THE BUDGET.

IT TOTALS $2.8 BILLION AND CONTAINS FUNDING FOR A LITANY OF EDUCATION PROJECTS, FROM PREK TO HIGHER ED.

HOWEVER, THERE WERE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES MADE IN THE SENATE TO THE GOVERNOR'S ORIGINAL PROPOSAL.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE.

THE BIGGEST LINE ITEM CHANGE WAS THE TAX REBATE.

WHILE THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED $966 MILLION TO OFFER ALL TAX PAYERS A ONE TIME REBATE CHECK, THE SENATE REDUCED THAT TO $275 MILLION.

THAT MEANS THE ORIGINAL $400 TO $800 CHECKS WOULD BE REDUCED TO $100.

FUNDING FOR SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS WAS INCREASED FROM $10 MILLION TO $40 MILLION.

AND CLASSROOM MATERIALS GOT A $20 MILLION BUMP TO ALLOW TEACHERS TO GO AHEAD AND DRAW ON THAT MONEY BEFORE THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

SOME LINE ITEMS WERE CUT COMPLETELY OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.

$200 MILLION THAT WAS SLATED FOR THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM WAS DROPPED.

SO WAS $31 MILLION FOR THE MAGNET SCHOOL PROGRAM.

AND THREE NON-EDUCATION PROJECTS THAT RECEIVED SOME CRITICISM WERE ALSO DROPPED: $31 MILLION FOR THE MOBILE AIRPORT, $25 MILLION FOR A MONTGOMERY WATER PARK AND $25 MILLION FOR THE PORT OF MOBILE.

THERE WERE ALSO ADDITIONS TO THE BILL.

$200 MILLION IN PROJECTS AT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WAS ADDED.

$185 MILLION WAS ALLOCATED TO CREATE A K-12 CAPITAL GRANT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE LT.

GOVERNOR.

AND $500 MILLION WAS PUT TOWARD THE PROPOSED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES RESERVE FUND, WITH THE INTENT TO ENSURE THE EDUCATION BUDGET CAN WEATHER ANY FUTURE ECONOMIC STORM.

SENATOR ARTHUR ORR WHO CHAIRS THE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE EXPLAINED THE WHY HE FELT IT WAS PRUDENT TO REDUCE THE TAX REBATE AND SET THAT MONEY ASIDE.

>> ORR... WE ENDED UPTAKING HALF A BILLION DOLLARS AND PUTTING IT IN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE BILLS PRESS.

THEY'RE ALL PREDICTING AN ECONOMIC SLOW DOWN.

THAT MEANS REVENUES WILL DROP OFF.

WE'RE SEE SEEING THAT IN OUR INCOME TAX RETURNS AS FAR AS FILINGS THAT WE HAVE GOT: WE HAVE RECEIVE A DROP OFF OF THE 1ST SEVEN MONTHS OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

YEAR-OVER-YEAR WE'RE DOWN ON INCOME TAXES SO THE POINT BEING WE SEE A SLOW DOWN IN THE ECONOMIC.

WE BELIEVE WE NEED A SAVINGS ACCOUNT TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAMS THAT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FUNDS EACH YEAR LIKE THE NUMEROUS ACT, THE LITERACY ACT, THE SALARY MATRIX FOR EDUCATORS.

WE NEED TO KEEP THAT GROWTH GOING TO SPREAD ACROSS THE STATE AND THAT'S THE REASON WE WANTED TO STABILITY THE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

>> DOWN IN THE HOUSE, LAWMAKERS TOOK UP A CONTROVERSIAL BILL DEALING WITH ELECTIONS.

HOUSE BILL 209 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE KIEL WOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR A PERSON TO "“KNOWINGLY DISTRIBUTE, COLLECT, PREFILL, OR DELIVER AN ABSENTEE BALLOT OR BALLOT APPLICATION THAT IS NOT THEIR OWN.

AND THE CRIME WOULD COME WITH STRICT PENALTIES.

AN OFFENSE WOULD BE A CLASS D FELONY, PUNISHABLE BY UP TO 5 YEARS IN PRISON, AND THAT JUMPS TO A CLASS B FELONY SHOULD AN INDIVIDUAL PAY SOMEONE HANDLE ANOTHER PERSON'S ABSENTEE BALLOT.

THAT'S PUNISHABLE BY UP TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON.

KIEL SAID THE MEASURE WAS INTENDED TO ENSURE ELECTION INTEGRITY AND PREVENT BALLOT HARVESTING.

DEMOCRATS STRENUOUSLY OBJECTED, SAYING THE BILL AND ITS PENALTIES WENT TO FAR.

IT WAS PART OF A LENGTHY DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> HB-209 WOULD PROHIBIT ANY PERSON FROMDISTRIBUTING DISTRIBUTORRING ORDERING COLLECTING, PRE-FILLING OBTAINING OR DELIVERING ABOUT ABSENT TEE BALLOT APPLICATION TO ANOTHER PERSON AND ALSO PROHIBIT THE SAME FROM BEING PAID OR TO RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR THE SAME.

>> WHERE I'M FROM, THIS BILL WILL REALLY DEVASTATE MANY PEOPLE.

THE MAJORITY OF MY VOTERS ARE SENIOR CITIZENS.

MANY OF THEM DON'T GET AROUND.

AND REALLY, IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.

THIS IS A TRADITION THAT THESE PEOPLE KNOW THAT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY VOTE -- I HAVE OLDER PEOPLE CALLING ME, PEBBLIN, MAKE SURE I GET MY STUFF NOW, I'M DEPENDING OFTEN YOU TO GET ME TO VOTE!

AND THAT'S JUST -- IT'S JUST A PATRIOTS.

AND WHEN WHY YOU DO IT RIGHT, WHICH I ALWAYS FOLLOW THE LAW, I FEELS, THOUGH, I'VE HELPED THAT INDIVIDUAL, I'VE HELPED WHOEVER IS RUNNING FOR WHATEVER THEY'RE DEALING WITH.

SO I JUST FEEL AS THOUGH THIS IS REALLY GOING TO HURT A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I MEAN, WE HAVE TO MAKES SURE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.

BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE PLENTY OF PEOPLE NEXT YEAR DURING THE ELECTION THAT HAVE NO IDEA THAT WE PASSED THIS BILL HERE TODAY.

BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE PASSED.

BUT WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS OF ENSURING THAT EVERYBODY HAS A RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> HOUSE REPUBLICANS INVOKED CLOTURE AFTER A FEW HOURS OF DEBATE IN ORDER TO FORCE A FINAL VOTE ON THE BILL.

THE MEASURE PASSED BY A PARTY LINE VOTE OF 77-28.

IT NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE STATE'S TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS VISITED THE NATION'S SOUTHERN BORDER THE U.S.'S SOUTHERN BORDER EARLIER THIS WEEK TO SEE FIRST-HAND SECURITY ISSUES THERE, PARTICULARLY AS IT PERTAINS TO THE TRAFFICKING OF FENTANYL.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NATHANIEL LEDBETTER, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED, SENATOR LANCE BELL, ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL, ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY SECRETARY HAL TAYLOR AND SEVERAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS WERE ON THE TWO-DAY TRIP TO MCALLEN, TEXAS ALONG THE RIO GRANDE.

THEY MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AND TEXAS STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I'LL SPEAK WITH SENATOR BELL ABOUT THE TRIP LATER IN THE SHOW.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN DEBOSE OF HOOVER.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> YOU'RE A NEW LAWMAKER.

WE'RE TRYING TO HAVE NEW LAWMAKERS OPEN THE HOE TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO OUR AUDIENCE.

LET MEET ASK YOU, WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RUN FOR THE LEGISLATURE AND HAND YOU HAS IT GONE SO FAR.

>> I'M FROM HOOVER AND LIVE IN THE NORTH SHELBY COUNTY AREA AND I REPRESENT JEFF SOFTEN, SHELBY AND A LITTLE BIT OF ST. CLAIR.

I DECIDED TO RUN BECAUSE I FELT LIKE WE NEEDED BETTER REPRESENTATION IN OUR AREA.

I RAN AGAINST AN INCUMBENT.

I WORKED FOR ABOUT NINE MONTHS KNOCKING ON DOORS AND GETTING TO MEET EVERYBODY POSSIBLE NOT COMMUNITY, GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT WHAT I STAND FOR, WHICH AS A CONSERVATIVE, YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE OF COURSE INLY.ED GOVERNMENT AND LOW TAXES AND I INTERNED OF INTEND TO VOTE THAT WAY.

BUT I RAN JUST BECAUSE OF I FELT LIKE WE NEEDED SOMEBODY ACTIVE AND ENGAGED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT'S IT BEFORE THEN LIKE?

WE'RE MORE THAN HALFWAY THROUGH WITH OUR SESSION.

SO I WAS TELLING ONE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES IT'S NOT UNFAIR TO CALL YOU A FRESHMAN ANYMORE.

YOU HAVE PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE YOU SAID YOU ARE YOUR BELT BUT HOW HAS IT BEEN?

>> I WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH.

I LOVE EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT.

IT'S HARD WORK.

IT'S CHAOS AND HECTIC.

IT'S A LOT OF LEARNING RAPIDLY.

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR IT.

I THANK THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLICAN WOMEN, SO I WAS VERY COMFORTABLE WITH FOLLOWING ISSUES AND FOLLOWING BILLS -- I HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN THAT AREA SO I WAS COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

I HAD TO LEARN PROCEDURAL ISSUES BECAUSE I NOVEMBER WORKED IN GOVERNMENT OF IN I HAVE KIND BEFORE.

SO THAT WAS INTIMATE DAYLIGHTING AT 1ST, JUST LEARNING THE PROCEDURES OF THINGS.

BUT WE HAD GREAT TRAINING FROM OUR LEADERSHIP, FROM MENTORS WITHIN THE HOUSE.

THEY'VE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB PREPARING ALL OF US.

SO I HAVE TO SAY IT'S BEEN A JOY.

AND I HAVE LOVED REPRESENTING MY DISTRICT DOWN HERE IN MOMENT.

>> THE PROCESS REALLY DOES MATTER.

THAT'S THE KEY TO EVERYTHING.

WELL, YOU GOT A FAST START BECAUSE YOU HAVE SPONSORED THIS TRANS ATHLETE BILL AT THE COLLEGE L LAST YEAR THEY PASSED A LAW RESTRICTING BIOLOGICAL MALES FROM COMPETING IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS DESIGNATED FOR WOMEN AND VIOLENCE VERSA.

YOUR BILL EXTENDS THAT TO THE COLLEGE LEFT.

>> RIGHT.

>> TELL ME WHERE THIS BILL CAME FROM AND WHAT IT DOES.

>> RIGHT.

WELL, WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT PROTECTS WOMEN ATHLETES AND CALLS FOR ATHLETES TO PLAY ACCORDING TO THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX.

IF A "CAPITOL JOURNAL" IS A WOMENS TEAM THAT MEANS BIOLOGICAL FEMALES PLAY ON THAT TEAM.

SAME WITH MALES.

IT DOES NOT AFFECT ANY CO-ED TEAMS.

THAT IS STILL MIXED.

REMEMBER REILLY GAINS?

SHE'S BEEN IN THE NEWS A LOT LATELY.

SHE WAS DEFEATED BY A BIOLOGICAL MALE SWIMMER A YEAR AGO.

>> THAT THE LEAH THOMAS?

>> YES.

HE WAS THE MALE THAT HAD LOST FOR THREE YEARS -- HE WAS RANKED 400TH IN MALE SWIMMING.

THEN HE COMPETED IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT AND BEAT ALL OF THE WOMEN.

I MEAN THAT'S JUST NOT FAIR.

AND WE'RE SEEING THAT HAPPENING ACROSS THE NATION.

I WANTED FOB PROACTIVE IN ALABAMA AND PROTECT OUR FEMALE ATHLETES MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A SAFE AND LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.

SO IT'S ABOUT SAFETY A AS WELL AS FAIR COMPETITION.

>> AND SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES ASKED YOU ON THE FLOOR, IS THIS HAPPENING IN ALABAMA?

HAVE WE SEEN ANY INSTANCES OR IS IT MORE YOU'RE TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF ANY INSTANCES.

>> IS THAT RIGHT.

I HAVE NOT SEEN IT HAPPEN IN ALABAMA.

IN FACT, OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES ALREADY HAVE THIS RULE IN PLACE.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

YOU HAVE TO PLAY ACCORDING TO YOUR BIOLOGICAL CERTIFICATION IN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS, NO LAWSUITS NO PROBLEMS.

BUT I JUST WANTED TO GUARANTY THAT PROTECTION IN THE FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE LEVEL AS WELL.

THIS BILL HAS BEEN PASSED IN 16 STATES AT THE CLEANING COLLEGIATE LEFT OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY REPERCUSSIONS.

THERE'S BEEN NO PROTEST OR LAWSUITS.

IT'S SIMPLY WORKING EXACTLY LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO AND PROTECTING WOMEN'S SPORTS.

>> WHEN YOU MENTIONED THE NCAA, IT STRIKES ME THAT SHOULD STATES HAVE TO PASS LAWS LIKE THIS OR SHOULD THIS BE A POLICY THAT THE NCAA DOES IT ON ITS OWN SO THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T HAVE TO COME IN WITH ITS HAND -- >> I WOULD LOVE THAT FOR THE NCAA TO DO THAT.

THEY HAVE NOT.

THEY ALLOW FOR TRANSGENDER MEN TO PLAY ON WOMENS TEAMS IN CERTAIN CASES.

BUT THEY ALSO -- THEY LOOKS LIKE LAW ALLOW STATES TO PROTECT WOMEN'S RIGHTS IF THEY CHOOSE TO.

I WOULD LOVE IT IF THEY DID.

NATIONALLY WE PASSED THIS IN THE U.S. HOUSE.

THEY PASSED A VERY SIMILAR BILL PROTECTING WOMEN'S ATHLETES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IT PROBABLY WON'T PASS IN THE SENATE BUT AT LEAST WE ARE SEEING A TREND NATIONWIDE.

>> THERE ARE CRITICS OF YOUR BILL THAT SAY LOOK THIS IS JUST DISCRIMINATORY, TOWARDS TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS WHO JUST WANT TO COMPETE AS -- YOU KNOW WITH THE GENDER THEY IDENTIFY WITH.

AND OTHERS SAY WELT, LOOK, AS LONG AS THERE'S AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF TESTOSTERONE IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER ATHLETICALLY -- HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THOSE CREDIT SIMPLES.

>> YOU KNOW, SCIENCE TELLS US, NO MATTER HOW MUCH HORMONES YOU TAKE OR HORMONE SUPPRESSION YOU GO THROUGH, IT DOES NOT ELIMINATE MEN FROM BEING LARGER, FASTER, STRONGER, LARGER, DURING LUNG AND CARDIOVASCULAR ABILITY.

SO I'M REALLY NOT TRYING TO HARM ANYONE ELSE.

AND THIS SPECIFIC AREA THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, WOMEN'S ATHLETICS WE NEED TO KEEP WOMEN SAFE AND PROTECT THEM, ALLOW THEM TO BE PART OF THE TEAM AND ALLOW THEM TO COMPETE AND WIN, ALLOW THEM TO HAVE A SPOT ON THE BODY JUDGMENT.

AND IF THEY HAVE TO COMPETE AGAINST A BIOLOGICAL MALE IT MR.

RUIN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

WE HAVE SEEN SO MUCH PROGRESS WITH TITLE NINE SINCE IT STARTED IN 1972 WHICH WAS PROVIDED TO PROTECT WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN EDUCATION AND A BUY PRODUCT OF THAT HAS BEEN A HUGE GROWTH IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

WE HAD 17 -- NO, 15 PERCENT OF WOMEN ATHLETES OF COLLEGE ATHLETES FOR WOMEN IN 1972.

NOW 44 PERCENT OF WOMEN ATHLETES IN COLLEGE -- OF COLLEGES ATHLETES ARE WOMEN.

THAT'S A HUGE GROWTH.

AND WE WANT TO KEEP IT SAFE FOR WOMEN.

>> I WAS WATCHING THE FLORIDA DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.

IT PASSED THE SENATE 1ST.

BUT WHEN IT PASSED IT WAS NOT THE NORMAL SORT OF PARTY LINES BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOME DEMOCRATS SUPPORTING IT, AND YOUR COLLEAGUE FROM CAME DOWN, AND I THINK SURPRISED EVERYONE WHICH SAYING I'M SUPPORTING THIS BILL.

CAN THAT SURPRISE YOU?

>> IT DID.

I KNOW PATRICK SELLERS WELL.

HERE'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE.

AS FRESHMEN WE HAVE ALL ESTABLISH THE RELATIONSHIPS.

WE ARE BOTH ON THE JEFFERSON COUNTY DELEGATION TOGETHER.

AND I KNEW WHERE HE STOOD.

I KNEW THAT HE AGREED THAT IT'S ALL THE BASED ON SCIENCE AND BIOLOGY AND WE HAD SHARED THAT CONVERSATION.

I DIDN'T EXPECT HIM TO COME DOWN THE FLOOR AND I WAS HONORED HE D IT WAS AN AMAZING MOMENT.

HE GOT A STANDING OVATION.

HE CAME DOWN THERE AND SPOKE AS A FATHER.

AND HE SAID, LOOKS, I WANT MY GIRLS TO BE HE WENT KEPT SAFE.

I WANT THEM TO HAVE A FAIR CHANCE IN SPORTS AND I DON'T WANT MY GIRLS TO PLAY WITH BIOLOGICAL MALES.

HE WAS COMING FROM A DAD'S PERSPECTIVE BUT I THINK EVERYONE COULD RELATE TO IN THAT ROOM.

AND IT MEANT A LOT TO THE WHOLE HOUSE FOR US TO HAVE THAT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> DON'T SEE THAT EVERY DAY.

>> NO.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TO DO.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR LANCE BELL FROM PELL CITY.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TO DO FOR HAVING ME.

I'VE ENJOYED WATCHING THE SHOW AND GIVING ME EDUCATION OF WHAT I GOT MYSELF INTO HERE IN MOMENT.

>> WE HEAR THAT FEEDBACK A LOT THAT IT HELPS MEMBERS KEEP UP.

GLAD TO HEAR THAT AND GLAD THAT A VIEWER HAS BECOME A GUEST.

YOU ARE.

YOU'RE A NEW STATE SENATOR, LIKED LAST YEAR.

SO I LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY, YOU KNOW, HAVE YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THE AUDIENCE.

>> TELL US WHAT GOT YOU INTO THE RACE?

WHY DID YOU RUN?

HOW IS IT GOING SO FAR?

>> I'VE ALWAYS BEEN INVOLVED IN APPLICATION AROUND THE AREA.

AND WHEN DR. CLENDON DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO RETIRE, IT WAS LIKE, IF NOT ME, WHO?

I HAVE A 14-YEAR-OLD AND 11-YEAR-OLD.

AND WORRYING ABOUT THEIR FUTURE AND THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING IN OUR COUNTRY AND I HAVE NOTED TO MAKE SURE I PROTECTED MY CHILDREN AND OTHER CHILDREN GROWING UP.

AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL HAVE BETTER THINGS THAN I DID GROWING UP, CLEAR OPPORTUNITIES TO BE BETTER.

ONCE THEY GET THEIR EDUCATION WE CAN HAVE THINGS HERE FOR THEM TO STAY HERE AND KEEP OUR CHILDREN AT HOME.

>> WELL, WE'RE HALFWAY THROUGH SESSION.

SO YOU HAVE HAD PLENTY OF ADVERTISEMENT UNDER YOUR BELT IN THE UPPER CHAMBER.

WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE SO FAR?

I HAVE GUESS A LOT OF GETTING USED TO THINGS AND PROCESSING?

>> AS A FRESHMAN, LEARNING WHERE THE BATHROOMS ARE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I LEARNED THE RULES AND LEARNING HOW TO APPLY THE RULES AND THE GIVE AND TAKE -- IT'S NOT REALLY.

DIFFERENT THAN BEING IN A OKAY.

ON A PLAINTIFF'S SIDE OR DEFENSE SIDE IN MY PROFESSION AND LEARNING HOW TO COME TO A HAPPY MEDIUM AT TIMES.

A LOT OF TIMES WE'RE NOT HAPPY WITH THE END RESULT BUT WHERE IT WAS TO WHERE IT IS A LOT BETTER THAN WHERE WE STARTED AND GETTING THROUGH THAT NATURE.

>> I USED TO HEAR SENATOR SHELBY TALKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING THE RULES.

PERSON WHO KNOWS THE RULES IS GOING TO WENT WHATEVER EFFORT, YOU KNOW, SO THAT REALLY IS KEY.

>> WE HOPE.

>> WHAT I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IS THIS TRIP THAT Y'ALL TOOK.

WE REPORTED YESTERDAY THAT ALABAMA DAILY NEWS REPORTED YESTERDAY THAT YOU AND LEADER REED, OF THE SUPPORT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SOME DISTRICT ATTORNEYS WENT TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER IN TEXAS TO OBSERVE WHAT IS GOING ON THERE, ESPECIALLY AS IT HAS TO DO WITH ILLEGAL I'M TRYING TO THINK FENTANYL, THE TRACKING OF FENTANYL.

TELL ME HOW DID THIS TRIP COME ABOUT?

>> POLICE CHIEF IN PELL CITY PUT THIS TOGETHER.

HE IS A RETIRED OF THE DEA SUPERVISORY AGENT.

WHEN HE BROUGHT IT UP AND ASKED ABOUT THE TRIP, WE SEE -- WHAT WE SEE ON THE NEWS.

I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON WHAT CHANNEL YOU WATCH TO WHAT YOU REALLY SEE IS GOING ON THE BORDER.

AND I THOUGHT YEAH I WOULD LOVE TO GO.

AND HE INVITED AND SECRETARIAL OF ALEA WENT.

AND CONNIE ROW WITH THE LT.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

AND NOT REALLY KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT.

IT WAS A VERY EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE.

I FEEL SORRY FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TRYING TO LOCATE US.

WHAT OUR GOVERNMENT IS DOING RIGHT NOW AT THE BORDER SHOULD BE CRIMINAL.

IT'S THAT BAD.

THEY ARE ALLOWING PEOPLE TO WALK ACROSS THE BORDER AND I DID NOT HAVE A CLUE THAT THE CHINESE COMING ACROSS THE BORDER WARS BAGS BIG OF A DEAL AS IT IS.

THEY'RE FLOWING THROUGH DAILY.

WHAT HAPPENS, YOU GIVE THEM YOUR NAME.

THEY FILL OUT A FOR THE MOST PART.

AND THEY FINGER PRINT YOU AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE YOUR NAME -- UNLESS YOUR FINGERPRINTS SHOW UP AS SOMEBODY ELSE, THEY TELL HAVE TO TAKE IT AS YOU SAY AND YOU'RE GIVEN A FORM AND COURT DATE.

YOUR DATE MAY BE IN 2026 OR 2027 -- IT COULD BE IN ATLANTA, NEW ORLEANS OR NEW YORK.

AND YOUR HE TOLD YOU CAN GO.

WELL, GUESS WHAT YOU ALSO GET TO DO WITH THE FORM.

YOU COLLECT FEDERAL BENEFITS.

SO WE'RE SUPPORTING ILLEGALS COMING OVER-HERE.

THESE ARE DRUG DEALERS AND INTERESTING DRUG TRAFFICKERS THAT ARE COMING IN.

WE ALSO GOT TO TAKE A TOUR ON A BOAT, AND IT WAS THREE BOATS, FOUR TO A BOAT.

AND WE'RE SURROUNDED BY MACHINE GUNS, KEVLAR.

WE'RE WEARING KEVLAR VESTS AND GOING UP AND DOWN THE RIO GRANDE AND POINTING OUTDOOR THING THINGS WELL, SEE THAT FLOAT THERE, SOMEBODY IS COMING ACROSS NOT LONGS AGO BECAUSE THAT FLOAT WAS NOT OVER FROM AN HOUR AGO.

AND THEY'RE JUST COMING ACROSS THE BORDER.

YOU HAVE A SHERIFF IN ONE OF THE COUNTIES THAT HAD TO BUILD HIS OWN MORGUE BECAUSE OF SO.

BOATS THEY'RE FINDING THAT TRIED TO CROSS AND DIDN'T MAKE IT.

IT'S A HUMAN CRISES DOWN THERE AND ALSO AFFECTING THE SAFETY OF ALL OF US.

OUR CITIZENS ARE IN JEOPARDY.

WE'RE IN JEOPARDY EVERY DAY OF WHAT IS COMINGS ACROSS THERE THAT IS UNCHECKED.

>> IT'S SUCH A FRUSTRATING ISSUE.

IT'S POLITICALLY FRAUGHT OBVIOUSLY.

CONGRESS HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ACT FOR DECADES AS IT PERTAINS TO BORDER SECURITY.

BUT THAT'S CONGRATULATIONS.

AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE HERE IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

SO I'M CURIOUS IF Y'ALL LEARNED ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE APPLICABLE TO OUR STATE AND WHAT YOU COULD DO IN THE LEGISLATURE, CONSIDERING WE'RE NOT ON THE BORDER AND YOU DON'T HAVE FEDERAL AUTHORITY.

>> WE MET WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT PUBLIC SAFETY, THEIR PROSECUTORS AND WE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS AND WENT A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR GOING OVER THINGS THEY'RE DOING IN TEXAS THAT WE'RE GOING TO SIT DOWN WITH THE ATTORNEY, THE HOUSE, THE SENATE, AND TRY TO FOR THE MOST PART LATE PLANS.

AND BERRY MAXIMUM WAS ZERO ALSO ON THE TRIP.

AND WE HAVE IDEAS THEY GIVE US THAT THEY'RE SEEING IS MAKING DIFFERENCE SINCE THE FEDERAL AUTHORITY'S HANDS ARE TIED IT WILL CONTINUE TO GET WORSE.

WE ALSO LEARNED -- WE WERE AT MCALLEN AT THE RIO GRAND.

MOMENT ARE COMING INTO ALABAMA, TENNESSEE AND GEORGIA AND SOME ARE CONTINUING TO GO UP NORTH, OUT TO CALIFORNIA, THE EAST COAST -- THEY'RE TRAVELING EVERYWHERE.

WHAT CONCERNED ME WITH THE CHEESE WHO ARE BRINGING PRECURSORS IN FOR PLEA FENTANYL AND OUR DRUGS AND CHIMP AND HOME LAND SECURITY AND WATT THEY'RE SEEING ON A DAILY BASIS.

TEXAS, IN TWO YEARS, HAS CAUGHT OVER 70,000 ILLEGALS THAT HAD WARRANTS OR ISSUES ON THEM, CONVICTED FELONS AND RETURNED THEM.

THEY TURN AROUND AND COME RIGHT BACK.

JUST THAT ONE AGENCY BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT ALLOWED TO DO MUCH.

THEY HAVE RETURNED OVER 0000 TO THE BORDER, TEXAS HAS.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

BUT I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW TO SHARE WITH US, AND WE WILL BE FOLLOWING UP ON THIS IMMIGRATION ISSUE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW NOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 730 FOR OUR "WEEK IN REVIEW" SHOW.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM.

I'M TODD STACEY.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

♪