>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, MEDICAL MARIJUANA, CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS AND A NEW GAMING BILL HEADING TO THE HOUSE WERE ALL BIG TOPICS ON THIS LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE DAY.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE HEARD TESTIMONY TODAY FOR AND AGAINST A MEASURE THAT WOULD LEGALIZE AND REGULATE THE USE OF THE DRUG FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES.

ITS SPONSOR, SENATOR TIM MELSON OF FLORENCE, IS HAVING TO VET HIS BILL THROUGH TWO HOUSE COMMITTEES.

IT'S ALREADY PASSED ONE AND WAS THE SUBJECT OF A HEALTH COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING TODAY.

MELSON WAS ASKED TODAY ABOUT SURVIVING THESE EXTRA STEPS.

>> I DID MY HOMEWORK YOU KNOW.

IT ISN'T LIKE CAME DOWN HERE AND SAID THIS IS A GREAT BILL, LET'S PASS IT.

THIS IS THREE YEARS.

WE DID THE CANNABIS COMMITTEE WHICH WAS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE BILL AND LAST YEAR COVID GOT US.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE MEDICAL CANNABIS BILL HAS MADE THE TO THE HOUSE AS FAR AS THE COMMITTEES AND I THINK WE WILL GET OUT OF THIS TOMORROW.

I THINK MOST OF Y'ALL HEARD THE COMMENTS AND THEY SEEM TO BE MORE FAVORABLE THAN NEGATIVE.

>> THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE TODAY MADE SOME CHANGES TO MELSON'S BILL DEALING WITH COVERED CONDITIONS AND THE FLAVORS OF EDIBLES, BUT THE SENATOR SAYS NEITHER AFFECTS THE GENESIS OF HIS LEGISLATION.

FOUR PEOPLE SPOKE AGAINST THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL DURING TODAY'S PUBLIC HEARING.

ONE OF THEM WAS CHRISTINE CARR, A CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETIST FROM PELHAM.

.

>> THIS CURRENT BILL IS A BUSINESS PLAN DESIGNED AS HEALTH CARE BILL AND FULL OF INACCURACIES, FAULTY KNOWLEDGE BASE, BAD POLICIES THAT WILL INCREASE RISK OF HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY WHILE IT PLACES PROFIT BEFORE THE PATIENT.

DON: THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE WILL VOTE ON THE BILL TOMORROW MORNING.

DON: THE HOUSE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TODAY HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR MOVING HISTORICAL MONUMENTS.

IT PROPOSES FINES OF $10,000 A DAY AGAINST PUBLIC OFFICIALS OR OTHERS WHO MOVE OR RENAME SUCH MONUMENTS, UNTIL THE VIOLATION IS RECTIFIED.

THE CURRENT FINE IS A FLAT $25,000.

THE LEGISLATION IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE MIKE HOLMES OF WETUMPKA, WHO PREVIOUSLY TOLD CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HE WAS WELL AWARE THAT HIS PLAN HAS ITS CRITICS.

>> SOME OF THOSE MONUMENTS THEY SEE AS RACIST.

I DON'T.

THEY'RE IN RECOGNITION OF A HERO OR AN EVENT THAT IS HISTORY, WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH IT OR DISAGREE WITH IT.

YOU CAN WALK BY AND IGNORE IT OR WALK BY AND CURSE IT OR WALK BY AND LEAVE IT ALONE AND THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL IS ASKING.

LET'S JUST LEAVE THEM ALONE.

DON: HOLMES' BILL COMES AFTER A SEPARATE MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE REPEALED THE MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT WAS DEFEATED IN COMMITTEE EARLIER IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

DON: THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TODAY APPROVED A SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS BILL OF RIGHTS.

IT'S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN OF HOLLINGER'S ISLAND, AND IT WOULD ESTABLISH THAT RAPE VICTIMS DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A RAPE KIT AND THAT RAPE EVIDENCE MUST BE KEPT FOR 20 YEARS.

>> AND AT THE END OF THAT 20 YEARS, THE VICTIM IS SENT A LETTER AND THEY CAN RE-UP IT IF THEY WANT TO.

IF THEY'RE A MINOR IT HAS TO BE KEPT UNTIL THEY'RE AGE 406789 SAME THING.

THEY WILL BE NOTIFIED IF THEY WANT TO KEEP IT FOR ANOTHER 20 YEARS, THEY CAN.

AND WHAT THAT DOES IS -- THAT WILL HELP SOLVE SOME OF THESE COLD CASES.

BECAUSE YOU SEE THAT ALL THE TIME NOW WITH MODERN DNA THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE SOLVING CRIMES THAT HAPPENED 20, 30 YEARS AGO BUT WE DON'T HAVE A STANDARD OF KEEPING EVIDENCE IN ALABAMA.

DON: WITH TODAY'S COMMITTEE APPROVAL, BROWN'S BILL OF RIGHTS LEGISLATION NEXT HEADS TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

DON: THE NEXT STOP IS THE HOUSE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN THAT PASSED THE SENATE ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

IT WOULD NOT ONLY SET UP A STATE LOTTERY, BUT WOULD ALSO ALLOW FOR CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING, SOMETHING THE UPPER CHAMBER REJECTED EARLIER IN THE SESSION.

HOUSE MEMBERS LIKE REPRESENTATIVE GIL ISBELL OF GADSDEN TELL CAPITOL JOURNAL SAY TIME IS SHORT TO GET THE GAMING BILL TO POSSIBLE FINAL PASSAGE.

>> IT IS A FULL, COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE THAT MOST OF US HAVE NOT READ.

SO WE WILL BE READING IT OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.

BUT WE ONLY HAVE SEVEN LEGISLATIVE DAYS LEFT TO MEET TO DISCUSS IT, WORK ON AMENDMENTS, AND SEND IT BACK TO THE SENATE, WHICH WILL PROBABLY BE UNLIKELY TO DO IT IN THOSE SEVEN DAYS.

BUT TIME WILL TELL AND THE LEADERSHIP WILL GUIDE IT THROUGH.

DON: ISBELL WILL JOIN US ON THE BROADCAST SHORTLY TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN WAS ADDED ON TO A LOTTERY-ONLY BILL IN THE SENATE ON TUESDAY, AFTER SUPPORT FOR THE LATTER WAS LACKING.

LOTTERY SPONSOR, SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE, SAID HE WAS WILLING TO COMPROMISE TO GET A LOTTERY VOTE TO THE PEOPLE.

>> THERE'S MILLIONS AND I WOULD SAY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT ARE BEING PROCESSED, AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS NOT GETTING ANY BENEFIT FROM THAT.

WELL, IF THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA VOTE FOR AND SUPPORT THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE REVENUE COMING IN WE'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE.

IT'S SUCH AN IDEAL WAY TO GO ABOUT RAISING REVENUE.

DON: THE GAMING ASPECT OF THE LEGISLATION HAS BEEN CHAMPIONED BY SENATOR DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON, WHO HAS SAID HE WANTED THE OPTION TO REMAIN ON THE TABLE IN CASE LAWMAKERS WANTED TO RECONSIDER IT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE GIL GILMORE OF GADSDEN IS IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

REPRESENTATIVE, WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.

IT'S A PLEASURE.

>> I WANT TO GYP WITH THE HOT TOPIC IN THE HALLS OF IT STATEHOUSE THE SENATE PASSED COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING BILL.

IT NEXT MOVES TO THE HOUSE WHERE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES WILL CONSIDER.

THIS IS A HUGE PACKAGE AND THERE'S A LOT ON THE TABLE.

WOULD YOU AGREE?

>> I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THAT.

IT'S A FULL COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE THAT WE HAVE NOT OR MOST OF US HAVE NOT READ SO WE WILL BE READING IT OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.

BUT WE ONLY HAVE SEVEN LEGISLATIVE DAYS LEFT WHICH TO MEET TO DISCUSS IT, WORK ON AMENDMENTS AND THEN SEND IT BACK TO THE SENATE, WHICH WILL PROBABLY BE UNLIKELY TO DO IT IN THOSE SEVEN DAYS BUT TIME WILL TELL AND THE LEADERSHIP WILL GUIDE IT THROUGH.

>> WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT A NEW COMPREHENSIVE BILL GOT OUT OF THE SENATE AFTER FAILING IN THE UPPER CHAMBER ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

>> WELL, I WON'T SAY I WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOME PEOPLE IN THE SENATE THAT HAVE BEEN PUSHING THE COMPREHENSIVE ENCOMPASSING LEGISLATION WHERE I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SEEN A LOTTERY.

BECAUSE THAT'S THE FIRST STEP.

HOWEVER, THE SENATORS WENT BACK, THEY GOT THE VOTES AND GOT IT DOWN TO US AND WE WILL JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

>> IT'S NOT ONLY LOTTERY, IT'S ALSO CASINOS WHICH SEEM TO BE THE STICKING POINT ABOUT A MOO AGO WHEN THE SENATORS REJECTED THAT.

DO YOU THINK THAT MIGHT BE A STICKING POINT FOR SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES IN THE LOWER CHAMBER.

>> I THINK IT WILL.

BUT IT INCLUDES PARAMUTUAL BETTING.

AGAIN SINCE THIS IS ALL NEW AND IT'S VERY "IN DEPTH" TOPIC WHICH WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE GOVERNOR MIGHT CALL A SPECIAL SESSION PARTICULARLY IF SHE FEELS IT WOULD BE NECESSARY OR IF SHE WOULD WANT TO DO THAT.

>> WELL, THE GOVERNOR AT LEAST HAS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF EFFORT INVESTED IN THIS ISSUE GIVEN THAT SHE PUT TOGETHER THE GAMBLING TASK FORCE LAST YEAR WHICH SPENT THE BETTER PART OF THE YEAR MEETING AND COMPILING A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE BENEFITS OF EXPANDED GAMBLING IN THE STATE.

THAT REPORT HAS BEEN USED IN THIS ARGUMENT.

AND I HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL COLLEAGUES THAT PERHAPS A SPECIAL SESSION MIGHT BE ON THE HORIZON IF THIS DOESN'T GET OUT OF THIS REGULAR SESSION.

WHERE LETTING THE PEOPLE AT HOME VOTE ON THIS ISSUE IS CONCERNED ARE YOU IN THE CAMP THAT YOU WANT THAT IF NOTHING ELSE?

I HAVE HEARD LEADERS SAY THEY MAY NOT PERSONALLY SUPPORT THIS EFFORT BUT THINK SUPPORT GIVING THEIR CONSTITUENTS A VOTE.

>> I DO AGREE WITH THAT.

OUR CONSTITUENTS PUT US IN OFFICE.

HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC HAS THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

AND AGAIN I WISH IT WAS A SIMPLER BILL.

HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN FROM THE SENATE.

AND I WILL HAVE TO COMMEND GOV.

IVEY PUTTING THE TASK FORCE TOGETHER AND IT HAS DELAYED THINGS HOWEVER I THINK THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THEM UNDERSTANDING MORE WHETHER IT'S THE PARAMUTUAL GAMBLING OR CASINO GAMBLING AND ALSO A LOTTERY BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF VARIABLES AND MOVING PARTS AS PART OF THIS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT AND SEE IF HE WE CAN PIN IT DOWN OR NEED TO AMEND ANYTHING.

BUT I THINK IT IS THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> AND AGAIN, FINAL ANALYSIS, YOU'RE WORRIED THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TIME LEFT IN THE SESSION TO GET THIS DONE?

>> THAT'S MY OPINION.

OF COURSE SEVEN DAYS, YOU KNOW, WE START -- IT WILL GO INTO COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK SO THAT'S, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THURSDAY -- TUESDAY AND THURSDAY.

THERE'S THREE OF THE DAYS RIGHT THERE THAT ARE USED UP SO I THINK IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULTY FOR IT TO MAKE IT THROUGH FOR A VOTE.

AND IF ANYTHING HAS CHANGED, ANY AMENDMENTS, IT WILL HAVE TO GO BACK UP STAIRS TO THE SENATE SO I THINK THAT'S WHY THE GOVERNOR HAS THE RIGHT TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION, AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE BEST THING.

WE COULD EDUCATE OURSELVES A LOT BETTER ON THIS OVER TIME AS WELL.

>> AND THE FOCUS WOULD BE PRIMARILY ON THIS ISSUE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT!

DO YOU THINK IT PROBABLY MERITS THAT ULTIMATELY.

>> I DO.

IT'S A VERY "IN DEPTH" AND COMPREHENSIVE SUBJECT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ALABAMIANS THAT DON'T WANT CERTAIN PARTS OF IT.

MOST PEOPLE WANT A LOTTERY.

THE NUMBERS HAVE GONE UP EVERY YEAR.

ON THE COMPREHENSIVE WE HAVE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.

JUST LIKE IN TENNESSEE.

THEY HAVE PARAMUTUAL GAMBLING THAT YOU DO ON YOUR PHONE BUT YOU HAVE TO BE INSIDE OF THE BOUNDARIES OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE AND HAVE AN ACCOUNT SET UP, AND I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFICS BUT THAT WOULD BE A POSSIBILITY AS WELL.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, LET'S SPEND THE LAST FEW MINUTES TALKING ABOUT HOME DELIVERY OF ALCOHOL.

YOU SPONSORED THIS BILL IN THE HOUSE.

GOVERNOR IVEY SIGNED IT INTO LAW ON MONDAY.

WHAT IT SAYS IS THAT BEER, WINE AND SPIRITS CAN BE DELIVERED TO HOMES IN ALABAMA.

NOW, THERE IS -- IT'S A SIX-MONTH PERIOD WHERE THE RULES AND REGS WILL BE WRITTEN AND THEN THIS WILL GO INTO EFFECT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT WILL BE IN OCTOBER.

AND I THINK.ABC BOARD IS WORKING ON PUTTING ALL OF THE PARTS TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO OVERSEE THIS.

WHETHER IT'S THE TRAINING MANUALS THAT HAVE TO BE PRESENTED FOR THEM, THEY HAVE TO PRESENTED FOR THAT.

THE LICENSING FEE, THERE'S A $200 COUPLE OF MINUTES BACKGROUND CHECKS -- SO IT PUTS MORE WORK ON THE ABC BOARD BUT WE APPRECIATE THEM STEPPING UP AND THEY HAVE BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS.

>> WE HAD MACK GIBSON ON THE SHOW ON MONDAY NIGHT AND HE SAID THEY WERE GOING TO WORK IMMEDIATELY ON ALL OF THIS.

AS YOU MENTIONED, THEY WILL BE IN CHARGE OF LICENSING THESE COMPANIES THAT WANT TO DELIVER BEER, WINE AND SPIRITS.

AND THEY WILL HAVE TO OVERSEE THE BACKGROUND CHECKS ON THE DRIVERS AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF PREPARATION THAT WILL HAVE TO BE DONE BEFORE THIS ACTUALLY GOES INTO EFFECT.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

NOT GOING TO, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE A COMPANY OR -- A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS HAVE CONTACTED ME AND SAID HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED.

BASICALLY I SAID YOU CONTACT ABC BUT IT WILL HAVE TO BE AFTER OCTOBER BUT YOU HAVE COMPANIES LIKE SHIPT, WHICH DELIVER GROCERIES FOR OTHER BUSINESSES AND THEY'RE SET UP TO DO SO BECAUSE THEY DO IT IN OTHER STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

BUT I OPENS THE DOOR FOR SMALL DELIVERY COMPANIES AS WELL.

FROM ONE TO THREE PEOPLE.

YOUR LIABILITY INSURANCE IS LIKE $2 MILLION REQUIRED WHERE IF IT'S FOUR OR GREATER YOU HAVE TO HAVE $5 MILLION WORTH OF LIABILITY INSURANCE.

SO THOSE NUMBERS NEVER CHANGED.

NOW, THE ORIGINAL LICENSING WAS MUCH HIGHER BUST IT ALLOWS A SMALL BUSINESS THAT CAN GET STARTED TO DO THIS.

>> THIS ISSUE OF HOME DELIVERY OF ALCOHOL HIT ITS PEEK DURING THE PANDEMIC BUT THIS EFFORT BEHIND THIS BILL BEGAN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC DID IT NOT.

>> THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR THAT WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS.

HOWEVER, ONCE WE WENT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, THE ABC TOOK A DIFFERENT VIEW OF HOW THINGS SHOULD BE.

ORIGINALLY IT WAS JUST WINE AND BEER.

BUT BECAUSE OF COVID AND THE PANDEMIC, THEY'VE CHANGED THEIR THOUGHT PROCESS, AND I THINK THEY'RE VERY METHODICAL AND LOGICAL ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING BECAUSE THEY HAVE A BUSINESS PLAN AND THEY TRY TO STAY IN THE PARAMETERS OF THAT.

HOWEVER THEY SAW THAT SPIRITS, BEER, WINE, IF YOU CAN GET THAT DELIVERED, IT WOULD KEEP MORE PEOPLE OFF THE ROAD BUT IT ALSO, YOU KNOW, WE ACTUALLY DID HAVE A PARTICULAR REPRESENTATIVE, AND HE WAS CONCERNED WITH THE ALCOHOLISM BUT AGAIN IT COMES DOWN TO PERSONAL CHOICE AND SPECIAL, YOU KNOW, TAKING CARE OF WHAT YOUR DECISIONS ARE YOURSELF.

>> YOU SAID ON THE FLOOR WHEN THE HOUSE WAS DEBATING THIS ISSUE THAT THIS WAS ALL ABOUT CONVENIENCE, CONVENIENCE TO THE CONSUMER.

WE LIVE IN AN AGE WHERE HOME DELIVERY IS MORE POPULAR THAN IT EVER HAS BEEN.

>> WELL, HOME DELIVERY IS PREVALENT WHETHER IT'S GROCERIES, WHETHER IT'S FROM A RESTAURANT, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE AM SON, YOU HAVE EBAY, EVERYTHING GETS SHIPPED IN TO YOU.

THIS IS ONLY FOR DELIVERY WITHIN A 75-MILE RADIUS INSIDE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AS WE SPOKE EARLIER THERE'S ANOTHER BILL THAT IS ALMOST LIKE A MAIL ORDER WINE BUT IT'S A DELIVERY OR A SHIPPING IN FROM OUT OF STATE.

SO IT ALSO INCLUDES THE LOCAL WINERIES THAT THEY CAN SHIP THIS -- THEIR PRODUCT THROUGHOUT THE STATE, HOWEVER, PEOPLE GET THE TWO CONFUSED.

THIS BILL WAS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE OTHER IS STILL GOING THROUGH DISCUSSION.

>> IT MIGHT BE SIMPLER IF WE REFER TO THE WINE SHIPMENT BILL AS THE MAIL ORDER WINE SHIPMENT BILL BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT WINDS DOWN TO.

>> THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO TERM IT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE,, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE TODAY.

>> APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

HE.

>> NEXT UP, MERIKA COLEMAN IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SEVERAL BILLS THAT YOU'RE CARRYING THIS YEAR I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT.

BUT BEFORE WE GO THERE, AS WE DID IN THE FIRST SETTING I WANT TO BEGIN WITH THE HOT TOPIC AT THE MOMENT, THAT'S LOTTERY AND GAMING.

THE SENATE PASSED A NEW SCOTCH HENCE I HAVE GAMBLING BILL YESTERDAY.

IT COMES TO YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES NEXT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, I DO LIKE THE FACT THAT FINALLY WE ARE LOOKING AT IT COMPREHENSIVELY INSTEAD OF PIECEMEALING IT.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE FULL VERSION YET IN THE HOUSE.

I'VE BEEN A SUPPORTER OF GAMING THROUGHOUT THE YEARS BUT IT HAS TO LOOK RIGHT.

AND ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAVE ALWAYS SAID IS THAT THE REVENUE NEEDS TO BE TIED TO EDUCATION AND MEDICAID IN MANY CASES SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE REVENUE IS GOING WHERE WE NEED IT TO IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> SO YOU NEED TO SEE MORE OF THE FINE PRINT.

>> I JUST NEED TO SEE THE FINE PRINT.

THE DEVIL IS ALWAYS IN THE DETAIL.

IN THIS GAME, YOU KNOW THAT ONE WORD, A "MAY" VERSUS A "SHALL" CAN MAKE A MAJOR IMPACT IN THE DIFFERENCE IN A PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> YOUR COLLEAGUE IN THE HOUSE GIL GILMORE WAS OUR PREVIOUS GUEST AND HE SAID HE IS WORRIED HOW MUCH TIME IS LEFT IN THE SESSION TO GET THIS PASSED.

>> SURE.

WE ONLY HAVE SEVEN DAYS ROUGHLY OF THE SESSION LEFT.

I KNOW THAT PEOPLE WILL WANT TO HAVE AMENDMENTS.

THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE VARIOUS LOCATIONS.

IN THE EVENT WE DON'T GET IT DONE WE'RE HEARING THERE'S HAD A POSSIBILITY OF A SPECIAL SESSION JUST AROUND THE GAMING BILL.

>> ARE YOU OF THE ILK AS MANY OF YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN THROUGHOUT THIS DEBATE AS YOU WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS TO VOTE ON THIS ISSUE.

>> WHEN PERCENT.

I THINK THE NUMBERS HAVE SHOWN US THROUGHOUT THE YEARS -- I HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE 2002.

SOMETIMES IT'S AMAZING TO ME THAT I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO SERVE THAT LONG BUT 60 PLUS PERCENT OF ALABAMIANS FOR MANY YEARS HAVE SUPPORTED IT AS LONG AS ITS TIED TO EDUCATION.

AND SO, SURE, IF THEY ARE BRILLIANT ENOUGH TO ELECT US WE NEED TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THIS AS WELL.

>> YOU MENTIONED MEDICAID IN YOUR OPENING REMARKS THERE.

THERE'S A RENEWED PUSH FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION IN MEDICAID GIVEN THE NEW INCENTIVES THAT ARE COMING DOWN FROM WASHINGTON.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROSPECTS?

>> I'M HOPEFUL, BUT I HAVE BEEN HOPEFUL FOR A WHILE.

WE ACTUALLY IN JUDICIARY HAD A DEBATE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

AND WHEN I WAS LISTENING TO MY COLLEAGUES FROM THE RURAL AREAS TALK ABOUT THEIR HOSPITALS CLOSING AND LACK OF ACCESS FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS, I SAID, THAT IS THE PERFECT ARGUMENT FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION.

SO I'M HOPING NOW WITH THE NEW REGULATIONS AND NEW MONEY POSSIBILITIES FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA THAT WE TAKE A REAL HARD LOOK AND WE ACTUALLY DO MOVE FORWARD AND EX MANNED MEDICAID IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> YOUR CAUCUS IN THE HOUSE HAS REPEATEDLY SAID THIS IS A RARE SECOND CHANCE FOR ALABAMA TO TAKE PART IN MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> YES.

AND I'M GOING TO SAY THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, YES.

WE HAVE BEEN SCREAMING FOR YEARS.

BUT NOW, BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, US NOT HAVING TO COME UP WITH ALL OF THE MATCH THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE IN THE PAST THAT ARGUMENT IS OUT OF THE DOOR RIGHT NOW.

SO THIS IS A RENEWED PUSH AND A RENEWED OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT OVER 300 PLUS THOUSAND PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA THAT ARE CURRENTLY NOT INSURED, THAT THEY HAVE THAT INSURANCE.

>> WE SHALL SEE.

LET'S TURN TO SOME OF YOUR BILLS.

I WANT TO BEGIN WITH ONE THAT DEALS WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

YOU WANT TO SET UP AN EXTREME RISK PROTECTIVE ORDER.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> I HAVE TWO BILLS THAT ARE VERY SIMILAR.

AND THESE HAVE BEEN PAPACY INDEED OTHER STATES PRIMARILY AROUND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHEN SOMEONE HAS THREATENED WHICH IS' LIFE.

THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY.

AND NOW WE DO ALSO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY THROUGH PFA'S FOR THAT PERSON TO SURRENDER THOSE GUNS FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.

AND SO I'M A GUN OWNER AND I ALWAYS WANT TO TELL PEOPLE WHEN I HAVE THESE TYPES OF BILLS, THIS IS NOT ABOUT TAKING GUNS AWAY FROM LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.

THAT'S NOT WHAT IT IS.

IT IS TRYING TO PREVENT SOME TYPE OF TRAGEDY AND IN THOSE SITUATIONS WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHERE SOMEONE HAS THREATENED SOMEONE'S LIFE, IF WE CAN GET THAT GUN AWAY THAT COULD SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.

>> YOU MENTIONED YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF BILLS IN THIS VEIN.

THE GUN VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDER ACT IS IT SORT OF A COMPANION BILL.

>> IT'S REALLY AN EXPANSION.

ARE RED FLAG IS THE TERM WE HEAR NATIONALLY AND ESPECIALLY AFTER THE LAST SHOOTING IN COLORADO WHERE THE FAMILY MEMBERS SAID THAT SHOOTER, THE ALLEGED SHOOTER HAD MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

WITH THESE TYPES OF LEGISLATION RED FLAG BILLS IT GIVES LAW ENFORCEMENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY, OR WHEN SOMEONE HAS ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, LET LAW ENFORCEMENT KNOW THIS PERSON IS A THREAT TO THEMSELVES OR TO OTHERS, BUT WHY THEMSELVES?

THERE ARE CERTAIN TIMES WHEN PEOPLE HAVE THREATENED SUICIDE.

AND IF THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE -- THAT'S WHAT THE GUN VIOLENCE PROTECTION OCTOBER IS ABOUT, GETTING PASSED IN OTHER STATES AND IT'S BIPARTISAN.

OTHER THAN STATES HAVE PASSED THIS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SUPPORTS RED FLAG BILLS AND MANY OTHER DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS SUPPORT THESE MEASURES AND I HOPE WE CAN GET ONE PASSED IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AS WELL.

>> BRIEFLY, HUMAN TRAFFICKING HAT BEEN A PARTICULAR ISSUE FOR YOU FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND YOU HAVE TWO RELATED BILLS.

>> THIS YEAR THE ONE THAT WE HAVE POSITIONED TO PASS IS THE ONE WHERE WE ACTUALLY EXPOSE THE JOHNS.

I MEAN -- OR SOMEBODY ELSE IN THE COMMITTEE SAID OR THE JONES.

>> THOSE WHO SOLICIT PROSTITUTES.

THERE'S HAD A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN PROSTITUTION AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

AND ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE CURTAIL HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS TO WORK ON THE DEMAND SIDE.

AND AGAIN THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT ARE SOLICITING PROSTITUTES.

AND WHAT MY BILL SAYS IS THAT NOW YOUR PICTURE WILL BE OUT THERE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE THAT YOU WERE THAT PERSON.

NOW, I'M FROM JEFFERSON.

IN LARGER COUNTIES THEY'RE ALREADY SHOWING THOSE PICTURES.

WE HAVE HAD LARGE BUSTS.

I REMEMBER THE LAST ONE WE HAD IN SHELBY COUNTY AREA THERE WERE LIKE 13 PEOPLE'S PICTURES BUT THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN AROUND THE STATE OF ALABAMA SO WE'RE USING IT AS A DETERRENT.

THAT'S WHAT WE HOPE IT IS, THAT AGAIN WHEN SOMEONE SOLICITS A PROSTITUTE IT DOES TWO THINGS.

WE SHOW WHO THE JOHN IS.

AND WE ALSO PROTECT THE IDENTITY OF THE PERSON THAT WAS POTENTIALLY TRAFFICKED.

>> BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE INVOLVED IN PROSTITUTES, WHO WORK IN THE SEX TRADE BUSINESS MAY BE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

>> THEY MAY BE VICTIMS THEMSELVES YES.

I'M VERY PROUD SEVERAL YEARS AGO I WORKED ALONGSIDE ONE OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES AND IT'S NONPARTISAN, BUT FORMER REPRESENTATIVE JACK WILLIAMS WHERE WE SET UP SOME OF THOSE SAFE HARBORS.

NOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS, THE 1-800 NUMBERERS THAT PEOPLE CAN CALL AND GETTING THE SERVICES THAT THOSE VICTIMS ACTUAL NEED SO THEY CAN GO BACK AND LEARN LIFE SKILLS AND REUNITE WITH FAMILIES AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS OF NOT.

>> BY UNMASKING THE SO-CALLED JOHNS, THE PEOPLE THAT SOLICIT PROSTITUTION, THIS TAKES THIS A STEP FURTHER.

THAT I HAVE AVENUE BEEN ABLE TO BE PROSECUTED BUT WITH THEIR FACE OUT THERE, IT MAY CHANGE THE BALLGAME.

>> IT MAY CHANGE THE BALLGAME.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CLIFFED IN THE LEGISLATION BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY PASSED IT LAST YEAR, BUT THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT PUT ON THE BILL IN THE SENATE.

THEN I WORKED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO VETO IT SO WE COULD START BACK OVER AGAIN.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT WAS TAKING THE PICTURES AND EXPOSING NOT JUST SOMEONE ON THE STREET THAT MAY IDENTIFY A PERSON, PUT THEIR PICTURE OUT THERE, CALL THEM, YOU KNOW, A SEX TRAFFICKER AND THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE IN OUR LEGISLATION THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALLOWED TO EXPOSE THESE JOHNS OR JONES ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

>> AND REMIND US BEFORE WE CLOSE WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THAT BILL?

>> WE PASSED IT OUT OF THE HOUSE.

IT IS IN THE SENATE RIGHT NOW.

LAST YEAR MY SPONSOR IN THE SENATE WAS CAM WARD, WHO HAS GONE ON NOW AND DOING GREAT NOT THAT I CAN THINK SO NOW I NEED ANOTHER SENATE SPONSOR TO HELP PUSH IT THROUGH THE SENATE AND MORE THAN LIKELY IT WILL BE LINDA COLEMAN MADISON.

>> ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC.

>> VERY.

WE GOT IT PASSED LAST YEAR.

EVEN THOUGH WEEP DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DAYS LEFT BUT I'M OPTIMISTIC WE CAN GET THAT TON.

>> MERIKA COLEMAN, IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> YOU BET.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

DON: AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING EXPECTED HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION ON A BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE.

AND OUR GUESTS ARE SET TO INCLUDE ROBBIE MCGHEE WITH THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS, WHO WILL DISCUSS THE TRIBE'S SUPPORT OF A NEW COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN THAT WOULD GIVE STATE RESIDENTS A VOTE ON THE ISSUE.

WE ARE ALSO SCHEDULED TO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE ROD SCOTT OF FAIRFIELD, WHO WILL DISCUSS HIS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BILL AND HIS EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ACT, WHICH WOULD MANDATE CREDIT FOR LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF THE TYPICAL K-12 CLASSROOM.

FOR ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

I'M DON DAILEY.