>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, A CLOSELY-WATCHED BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE IS ON ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE, AFTER RECEIVING SENATE PASSAGE ON WEDNESDAY.

IT'S BEEN A CONTROVERSIAL BILL THROUGHOUT THE LAST COUPLE OF LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOUSE.

SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON SAID TODAY THAT THE LOWER CHAMBER WILL TAKE ITS TIME ON THE BILL, AND THAT IT WILL GO THROUGH AN EXTRA STEP IN THE HOUSE.

>> WE'RE GOING THROUGH THAT BILL NOW.

AND WE'VE ASSIGNED IT TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME LEGAL ISSUES IN THERE THAT WE WANT TO BE SURE ALL OF THE T'S ARE CROSSED AND THE I'S ARE DOTTED FROM THE LEGAL ASPECT.

THEN THE BILL GOES FROM JUDICIARY TO HEALTH.

AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OUR TIME.

WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE BILL PAGE BY PAGE.

>> DON: IT IS RARE FOR A BILL TO GO THROUGH MORE THAN ONE COMMITTEE BEFORE MAKING IT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION PASSED THE SENATE YESTERDAY AFTER VERY LITTLE DEBATE.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE TODAY TOOK UP MOSTLY NON-CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION BEFORE GOING HOME FOR THE WEEKEND.

IN THE HOUSE, A NEW DISTRACTED DRIVING BILL THAT WOULD PROHIBIT MOTORISTS FROM HOLDING A CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE MOST DEBATE, BUT IT WAS ULTIMATELY CARRIED OVER.

IN THE UPPER CHAMBER, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED OF JASPER SAYS HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES TOOK UP A NUMBER OF AGENCY BILLS.

>> WE'VE SAID WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN TO MOVE FORWARD AND WHAT YOU SAW TODAY WAS AGENCY LEGISLATION WHICH I THINK IS IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE STATE AGENCIES THAT HAVE WAITED TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF OUR ABBREVIATED SESSION TO BE IN IN A SPOT THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ALIGN THE STATE STATUTE WITH FEDERAL STATUTES AND SO ON.

THESE THINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

THEY ARE NOT A TOPIC THAT GETS LOTS OF NEWS COVERAGE BUT THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AND THE WAY THAT GOVERNMENT OPERATES.

>> MEANWHILE, THE SENATE SAW ITS FIRST FILIBUSTER OF THE SESSION.

AND TORNADO WATCHES OVER A DEMOCRATIC BILL VOTING RIGHTS FOR EX-FELONS AND MINORITY PARTY ON TUESDAY TOOK SOME PROPOSALS TO THE SENATE LEGISLATION.

AND CLAY SCOFIELD HAD THE POINT.

>> THE THING IS, BOTH PARTIES ARE WORK AMICABLY TOGETHER AND TRYING TO COME TO TOGETHER WITH A CONCLUSION, WITH A BILL WE ALL AGREE ON OR THE MAJORITY OF US AGREE ON.

OBVIOUSLY, THAT BILL HAS STRONG WITNESS ON BOTH SIDES.

AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, THINK IT'S GREAT THAT EVERY ONE IS WORKING WELL TOGETHER.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO COME OUT WITH A BILL.

>> DON: THE EX-FELONS VOTING BILL COULD COME BACK UP FOR CONSIDERATION ON THE SENATE FLOOR NEXT WEEK.

THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS HAS RELEASED ITS 2021 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND ITS HIGHLIGHTED BY COMBATTING COVID AND BY A PERENNIAL ISSUE FOR THE CAUCUS, EXPANDING MEDICAID IN ALABAMA.

ALSO ON THE MINORITY PARTY'S PRIORITY LIST ARE VOTING RIGHTS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

REPRESENTATIVE ADLINE CLARKE OF MOBILE HELPED UNVEIL THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC AGENDA.

>> WE COME AGAIN WITH A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO WORK WITH GOVERNOR IVEY TO COLLABORATE WITH COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE, TO PARTNER WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND SUPPORT STATE AGENCIES AND ASSOCIATIONS ALIKE AND TO BE RELENTLESS IN PURSUING RELIEF AND REMEDY THAT SERVES ALL ALABAMIANS.

>> DON: REPRESENTATIVE CLARKE AND OTHER HOUSE DEMOCRATS SAY LAW ENFORCEMENT REFORM AND FIGHTING FOR EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE WILL ALSO BE PRIORITIES FOR THEM IN THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

ALABAMA'S CURRENT STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE IS SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF NEXT WEEK.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS EXTENDED THE ORDER NUMEROUS TIMES DURING THE PANDEMIC AND SHE WAS ASKED TODAY ABOUT WHETHER SHE WOULD DO IT AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

>> WELL, THE MESSAGE IS, THANK GOODNESS, WE'VE PROVEN THAT THE MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING IS WORKING, THE NUMBERS ARE TRENDING DOWNWARD.

THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.

AND I HOPE THE NUMBERS WILL CONTINUE TO TREND DOWN AND FOLKS WILL CONTINUE TO WEAR THE MASKS.

MAYBE WE CAN LIFT THE MANDATE BEFORE TOO LONG AND RETURN TO A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

>> DON: STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS HAS SAID HE WILL CONSULT WITH THE GOVERNOR AS SHE DECIDES WHETHER TO EXTEND THE CURRENT MASK ORDER, BUT THAT HE HOPES THAT SHE WILL EXTEND IT.

WHILE THE MASK ISSUE PLAYS OUT, THE STATE IS ALSO BUSY TRYING TO VACCINATE AS MANY STATE RESIDENTS AS POSSIBLE.

DEMAND REMAINS HIGH, WHILE THE STATE'S VACCINE SUPPLY IS LIMITED.

GOVERNOR IVEY SAID TODAY THAT ALABAMA IS CURRENTLY GETTING ABOUT 90,000 DOSES A WEEK.

>> THAT'S AN IMPROVEMENT AND WE CERTAINLY CAN USE SOME MORE.

OUR FOLKS ARE WANT TO GO GET THE SHOT IN THE ARM AS SOON AS WE CAN GET THE VACCINATION.

THAT'S A GOOD THING.

AND GOOD TO KNOW THAT JOHNSON AND JOHNSON IS GETTING CLOSER TO ANNOUNCING THEIR FDA APPROVAL OF THE NEW VACCINE.

AND THAT REQUIRES ONLY ONE SHOT, HIGHLY EFFECTIVE, HIGHLY SAFE AND I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GET A SHOT JUST AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

>> DON: MEANTIME, WALMART PHARMACIES ARE EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF STORES IN ALABAMA WHERE RESIDENTS CAN MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO GET A SHOT FROM A FEDERAL VACCINE ALLOTMENT.

CVS PHARMACIES ARE NOW ALSO READYING TO RAMP UP VACCINATIONS IN UNDERSERVED AREAS OF OUR STATE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT STADTHAGEN OF HARTSELLE IS BACK IN THE STUDIO.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS.

YES.

>> AND HAVE YOU A BILL DEALING WITH HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS, AND THE BILL IS, THAT YOU HAVE TO PARTICIPATE ACCORDING TO THE GENDER ON YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE, RIGHT?

>> YES, SIR.

OF COURSE, THIS CAME TO ME THROUGH WHAT'S GOING ON THROUGHOUT OUR NATION AND THE DAUGHTERS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, WE NEED TO PROTECT THEM.

YOU HAVE THESE GIRLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT THEY ARE NOT BEING TREATED FAIRLY IN SPORTS, IN HIGH SCHOOL.

AND THIS IS GOING TO HELP THEM AND REASSURE THEM OF ALL OF THE WOMEN OF OUR STATE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE PROTECTED BY THIS, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> THE LEGISLATION, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, IS AN OUTGROWTH FROM AN EXECUTIVE ORDER BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND MANY WORRIED THAT THIS MAY MEAN THAT TRANS MEN COULD COMPETE AGAINST WOMEN IN SPORTS, RIGHT?

>> YES, SIR.

AND THAT'S WHY, SPECIFICALLY, IT SAYS, WHATEVER YOU ARE ON YOUR BIRTHDATE CERTIFICATE IS WHAT YOU PLAY.

AND IF YOU ARE A MALE WHEN YOU ARE BORN, THAT'S THE SPORTS THAT YOU PLAY IN, FEMALES AS WELL.

AND IN THE SURROUNDING STATES.

WE HAVE MISSISSIPPI, TENNESSEE, AND GEORGIA, ALSO FILING SIMILAR LEGISLATION AS WE ARE.

>> OUTSIDE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER ON THIS ISSUE, DID YOU HEAR A LOT FROM THOSE BACK HOME, ENOUGH SO THAT YOU DRAFTED THE LEGISLATION.

>> YES, SIR.

I HAD ACTUALLY A LOT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYORS THAT CALLED ME AND SOME PEOPLE THERE INVOLVING COACHING AND PARENTS AS WELL THAT HAD SERIOUS CONCERNS.

THESE GIRLS, THEY START YOUNG.

SAY, SOFTBALL OR TRACK, THEY PUT A LOT OF TIME INTO THIS.

AND THEN WHEN THEY GET TO HIGH SCHOOL, IF A MATURE MALE, WHO HAS THE UPPER HAND, WITH THE CHEMISTRY OF HIS BODY, THEN THAT'S NOT FAIR TO THEM.

SO, I WANT TO PREVENT THAT FOR THEM.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, THINK IT'S WORTH POINTING OUT BECAUSE TRANSGENDER ISSUES ARE DOMINANT IN THE SESSION, THAT YOUR LEGISLATION, YOUR PARTICULAR LEGISLATION IS NOT ABOUT TRANSGENDER.

IT'S ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHTS BECAUSE YOU FEEL THEY WOULD SUFFER UNDER THIS SCENARIO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S 100% ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

AND IF THIS KEEPS GOING LIKE IT IS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, IT'S GOING TO PUT US BACK DECADES.

WE NEED TO START RELYING ON TITLE 9, THE TRUE INTENTIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE UPHOLD IT.

>> YOU SAY IT WOULD PUT US BACK DECADES.

YOU ELUDED TO, AT THE OUTSET, CHALLENGES IN WOMEN HAVE FACED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND THE DECADES WORTH OF BATTLES TO MAINTAIN SOME SORT OF PARAGRAPH DEE WHERE THIS IS CONCERNED.

AND THIS WOULD ONLY ADD TO THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY FOUGHT SO HARD TO OVERCOME, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR.

AND RIGHT NOW, I DON'T HAVE ANY NOTES WITH ME, BUT THE WORLD WOMEN'S 400 RECORD METER IN THE WORLD COULD BE BE BEATEN BY 300 MALE TRACK RUNNERS AS OF RIGHT NOW.

SO, THAT IS TELLING YOU THE DIFFERENCE IN THE BODIES, IN ITSELF.

SO, THINK THAT IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DO.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, 10 YEARS AGO, WE NEVER DREAMED THAT WE WOULD BE DISCUSSING THIS.

BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS AND I'M GLAD TO BE THE ONE TO DO IT.

>> AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM THE PRESIDENT THAT KIND OF SPURRED THIS CONVERSATION, DO YOU THINK WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER OR DIRECT CONSEQUENCE?

IT'S HARD TO KNOW.

>> IT'S HARD TO KNOW.

I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN THE PRESIDENT'S MOUTH, FOR SURE.

>> WHERE GIRLS AND ATHLETICS ARE CONCERNED, HAVE YOU HEARD FROM THEM?

>> I HAVE.

AND LOTS OF PEOPLE FROM OUT OF STATE HAVE REACHED OUT TO US.

THERE'S AN INCIDENT IN CONNECTICUT WHERE A GIRLS TRACK STAR, HEMMED SOME RECORDS.

AND IN HER JUNIOR OR SENIOR JEER, TWO GUYS STARTED YEAR, TWO GUYS STARTED RUNNING TRACK AND SHE WAS SITTING ON THE SIDE AND WATCHING THEM TO WIN HER CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHIES THAT SHE WORKED VERY HARD FOR.

AND THIS IS JUST GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE COUNTRY THAT WE SEE THIS STUFF AND WHEN WE GET TO THE BRASS TACKS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, REPRESENTATIVE, IT'S ABOUT THE UNFAIR ADVANTAGE THAT TRANS PEOPLE COULD HAVE IN COMPETING AGAINST IN THE OPPOSITE SEX ATHLETES.

>> NOW, YOU CAN GO THROUGH BONE STRUCTURE, WITH MALES, AND MUSCLES, THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE BODY, WE'RE DIFFERENT THAN THE FEMALES.

AND WE HAVE AN ADVANTAGE.

AND THIS IS NOT FAIR TO THEM WHATSOEVER.

>> Don: REPRESENTATIVE, WE'VE BEEN CONDUCTING THE OPENING WEEKS OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC.

WE'VE TAKEN A LOT OF EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE AND HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE.

I'M WONDERING HOW YOU ARE FEELING CONCERNING HAD PANDEMIC?

WHERE THAT IS CONCERNED.

>> FEELING GOOD.

THEY DID ALL OF THE TESTS AND ALL OF US WERE NERVOUS ABOUT THAT.

AND ALL OF US GOT THE TESTS AND ONE MEMBER UNFORTUNATELY, HAD TO GO HOME.

BUT ONCE WE GOT HERE, WE FELT SAFE RIGHT FROM THE START.

SPEAKER McCUTCHEON HAS DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB, KEEPING EVERYTHING ORGANIZED, STAFF CLEAN, AND SAFE.

I'M SITTING IN THE GALLERY AND UNFORTUNATELY, I CAN'T SEE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

WE'VE GOTTEN USED TO THAT.

WE'RE VOTING OFF THE iPADS.

THAT'S DIFFERENT.

IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THE BILL FROM THE GALLERY, YOU HAVE TO DO IT FROM THE GALLERY ON A MICROPHONE.

WE'VE GOTTEN USED TO THE ROUTINE.

THEY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB.

AND I FEEL SAFE.

I WAS WORRIED ABOUT IT COMING DOWN, ESPECIALLY WITH 105 MEMBERS AND STAFF AND ALL OF US BEING AND TRYING TO CONDUCT BUSINESS FOR THE STATE.

MY WORRIES ARE GONE NOW.

I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU ARE SITTING IN THE GALLERY AND I MENTION TO THE VIEWERS, THAT THE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND 105 MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, YOU ARE SPED SPREAD OUT IN THE MAIN FLOOR WHERE THE PUBLIC SITS AND ALSO IN AN OVERFLOW ROOM.

SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE LOGISTIC CHALLENGES BUT IT'S RUNNING WELL, THOUGH, ISN'T IT?

>> VERY WELL.

IT'S FRUSTRATING TO SOME, I'M SURE, AS CERTAIN TIMES.

BUT YOU GOT TO DO WHAT YOU GOT TO DO TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.

AND WE'VE MADE IT.

IT'S ACTUALLY RUNNING PRETTY SMOOTH.

>> ARE YOU ENCOURAGED WITH THE DIRECTION WE'RE RUNNING IN THE STATE, WITH THE PANDEMIC AND I ASK THAT IN A BROAD SENSE WITH THE VACCINES AND OTHER THINGS.

>> WELL, WE COULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB WITH THE VACCINES.

OUR NUMBERS ARE GOING DOWN, AND TWO TO THREE MONTHS WE SHOULD BE BACK TO HERD IMMUNITY AND BACK ON TRACK.

THAT'S REASSURING BECAUSE I THINK THAT EVERYBODY IS READY TO START LIVING LIFE WITHOUT MASK ON THEIR FACE.

>> AND THE MASK HAS BEEN A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.

DO YOU HEAR A LOT ABOUT THAT BACK HOME?

>> YES, A WHOLE LOT.

MY WIFE IS A CANCER SURVIVOR AND WE TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY AND PROBABLY DO A LITTLE MORE THAN WHAT'S REQUIRED.

BUT HAND SANITIZING, OUR HANDS ARE ROUGH FROM THE SANITIZING, AND THE MASK.

BUT I MEAN, IT'S A FINE LINE TELLING SOMEBODY WHAT TO DO.

IF THE GOVERNMENT IS TELLING YOU TO WEAR A MASK, THEN THAT'S QUESTIONABLE.

>> YEAH, IT'S COME DOWN TO A LOT OF ISSUE FOR A LOT OF FOLKS.

NOT THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE SAFE, BUT THE MATTER OF A GOVERNMENT MANDATE.

AND IN SOME FOLKS' MIND, CROSSES THE LINE.

MAYBE WE CAN GET OUT FROM SOME OF THESE ORDERS, OUT FROM UNDER THE ORDERS.

>> I'M READY FOR A GREAT SUMMER WITHOUT A MASK ON MY FACE.

>> I THINK WE ALL ARE.

SCOTT STADTHAGEN, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> YOU BET.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> BACK UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE ANDREW SORRELL IS HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

I ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME ON.

>> AND YOU ALWAYS HAVE INTERESTING BILLS AND THAT TREND CONTINUES THIS YEAR.

BEFORE WE CONTINUE ON, I KNOW YOU PRESS THE NO BUTTON IN THE HOUSE MUCH MORE THAN ANYONE IN THE HOUSE.

YOU SEEM TO WEAR THE MANTLE.

>> WELL, I DON'T VOTE NO BECAUSE IT'S FUN.

I DON'T WANT GOVERNMENT INFRINGEMENT.

I RAN ON A SMALL GOVERNMENT RECORD AND I WANT TO CONTINUE THAT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY BILL.

AND IT'S CLOSELY WATCHED, AS ALABAMA BEING A STAUNCH SECOND AMENDMENT STATE.

CONSTITUTIONAL BILL GOT THE ENDORSEMENT OF MEL BROOKS IN HUNTSVILLE.

>> RIGHT.

I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM CHIEF OF STAFF AND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I ASKED CONGRESSMAN BROOKS TO DO.

BUT THEY CALLED ME AND THEY SAID, WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS BILL HASN'T MOVED.

WE'RE FOR IT.

AND THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN IN CHARGE OF THIS AND WHY HAVEN'T WE PASSED CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY.

17 OTHER STATES HAVE.

AND WHY DO WE THINK THAT IT'S NECESSARY FOR GOVERNMENT TO SELL A PERMIT.

>> NOW, WHEN WE SAY CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY, LET'S GET TO THE BRASS TACKS.

WHAT THAT IS THAT MEAN.

>> IF YOU WANT TO CARRY UNDER YOUR JACKSON COUNTY OR IN YOUR CAR, YOU ARE A CRIMINAL IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT.

IF YOU DON'T GO TO THE SHERIFF AND GET HIM TO SIGN OFF ON IT AND PAY 10, $20 A YEAR, THEN YOU CAN'T CARRY THE PISTOL LEGALLY.

>> Don: AND IS IT YOUR VIEW THAT THE MAJORITY OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS, THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU TALKED TO ABOUT THIS ISSUE WISH IT WERE OTHERWISE.

>> THE POLLING IS OVERWHELMING.

UNDENIABLE.

AS YOU SAID, ALABAMA, WE'RE A SECOND AMENDMENT STATE.

>> WHAT GOOD IS IT IF YOU DON'T CARRY A GUN, AND IF YOU CAN'T CARRY IT ON YOU AS A PERSON.

I CAN WALK AROUND WITH A PISTOL ON MY HIP, AS LONG AS IT'S OPEN.

AND THEN, IF IT'S COLD OUT AND I HAVE IT UNDER THE JACKSON COUNTY, THEN THAT'S THE LAW AND I'M A CRIMINAL.

I ONLY HAVE 5 COSPONSORS IN 2019 AND THIS YEAR, I HAVE 20 COSPONSORS, INCLUDING LEADERSHIP.

>> NOW, YOU POSED THE RHETORICAL QUESTION WHY HASN'T THIS COME ABOUT UNTIL THIS POINT.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> WELL, THE ANSWER I WAS GIVEN, NO SUPPORT AMONGST THE CAUCUS.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S TRUE ANY MORE.

IN ADDITION TO THE 25 OF US WHO HAVE SPONSORED OR COSPONSORED, MANY OTHER LEGISLATORS SAY, I WILL VOTE FOR THAT BILL IF WE GET IT TO THE FLOOR.

>> SO, YOU ARE AS OPTIMISTIC AS YOU HAVE EVER BEEN?

>> THIS IS THE CLOSEST THAT WE'VE HAD.

IT'S ABLE TO CLEAR THE SENATE COMMITTEES, SENATE BODY SOMETIMES.

IT ALWAYS DIES IN THE HOUSE.

>> SPEAKING OF SENATOR ALLEN, HE HAS CARRIED PERENNIALLY, THE PERMITTING OF HANDGUNS AND BEEN CONTROVERSIAL AND RECEIVED A LOT OF PUSH BACK FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.

DO YOU FEEL THAT SOMEHOW THAT'S BEING TIED IN HERE?

>> WELL, I THINK SO.

AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS A COUPLE OF CONCERNS.

BUT I DON'T THINK THEY ARE THAT WELL FOUNDED.

THEY MAKE A PUBLIC SAFETY ARGUMENT AND IN THE 17 OTHER STATES WHERE YOU SEE THAT, THERE'S NOT AN INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME.

THEY ARE WORRIED THAT THE PISTOL PERMIT WILL GO DOWN.

I'VE HEARD THAT'S ABOUT $20 MILLION.

AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE IN ANY STATE BUT ALASKA.

AND YOU NEED THE PERMIT FOR RECIPROCITY IF YOU TRAVEL OUT OF STATE.

>> I MENTION THAT HAD YOU HAVE SEVERAL INTERESTING BILLS THIS YEAR.

I WANT TO TOUCH ON SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS.

I WANT TO MOVE NOW TO THE BILL DEALING WITH THE STATE AUDITORS OFFICE.

YOU ARE FLIPPING A BILL FROM LAST YEAR ON ITS HEAD SO TO SPEAK.

A MOVE PREVIOUSLY TO DO AWAY WITH THE STATE AUDITOR'S POSITION AND FOLD THOSE INTO THE OFFICE OF EXAMINERS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.

NOW, WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING IS THAT THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PROPOSE THOSE DUTIES.

>> EXACTLY.

YOU PHRASED THAT WELL.

I FLIPPED THE CONVERSATION ON ITS HEAD BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD GET RID OF THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

IN THE PAST, IT HAS PERFORMS IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS AND STILL THINK IT DOES.

KEEPING TRACK OF STATE PROPERTY WORTH $500 OR MORE, NOR DO I THINK IF WE PASS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND I DON'T THINK THE PUBLIC WOULD VOTE TO ELIMINATE THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

WHY DON'T WE MAKE IT MORE WORTHWHILE, GIVE HIM MORE DUTIES AND WHAT BETTER THAN TO ASSIGN THE STATE AUDITOR THAN TO PUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EXAMINERS UNDER THAT.

>> STATE AUDITOR JIM ZIGLER WAS VOCAL ABOUT DOING AWAY HIS POSITION.

HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO HIM.

>> YEAH, I ABSOLUTELY HAVE.

I CONSIDERED HIM A FRIEND.

AND OBVIOUSLY, HE SUPPORTS THE LEGISLATION, WOE LIKE TO SEE IT AS WELL.

BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR, HE DIDN'T ASK ME AND I DIDN'T DO IT FOR HIM.

I BELIEVE IN THE POSITION AND I BELIEVE THAT MY PEOPLE IN THE STATEHOUSE AND THE REST OF THE PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE SUPPORT HAVING STATE AUDITOR'S POSITION.

>> AND THE STATE EXAMINERS OFFICE HAS CONCERNS, I IMAGINE, OR HAVE THEY?

>> WELL, I HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO THEM I DON'T ASSUME THEY ARE IN FAVOR.

BUT I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

IN MISSISSIPPI, HE HAS DONE LOTS TO LIGHT BRINGING FRAUD TO LIGHT AND RECOVERED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

AND PERHAPS WE CAN DO THAT GIVING THE STATE AUDITOR MORE DUTIES.

>> IN THE PREVIOUS REINCARNATION OF THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION, DOING AWAY WITH THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND HAD TO DO WITH THE PERSONALITY OF JIM ZIGLER, AND YOU ARE FLIPPING THE POSITION.

>> WELL, THAT'S A SHAME.

WE SHOULD NEVER DO IT WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO GET RID OF A PERSON TO GET RID OF THE POSITION.

DO I THINK IT PLAYED A ROLE IN THAT DECISION, I HAVE HAD PEOPLE TELL ME IN MAKING THAT DECISION.

THAT'S A SHAME.

IT SHOULDN'T EVEN CROSS OUR MINDS.

>> FINALLY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER OF YOUR BILLS THIS YEAR AND DEALING WITH BIT COIN.

I THINK, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, YOU ARE THE FIRST LEGISLATOR, BRINGING LEGISLATION FOR CRYPTO CURRENCY.

>> AS FAR AS I KNOW, IT'S TRUE.

I HAD THE BILL LAST YEAR, GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE AND I BRAN INTO PROBLEMS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK ANYBODY UNDERSTOOD THE BILL.

AND I WENT AND SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH JIM BORING OVER AT SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE AND HE UNDERSTOOD WELL.

THEY REGULATE CRYPTO CURRENCY IN ALABAMA.

AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT BACK AND GET IT VOTED OUT OF GENERAL FUND AND I HOPE TO HAVE THAT IN THE FLOOR IN A COUPLE WEEKS.

RIGHT NOW, IF YOU HAVE CASH IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT OR PESOS, SAY, YOU ARE NOT TAXED BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE MONEY SITTING IN A BANK ACCOUNT.

AND NEITHER SHOULD YOU BE TAXED IF YOU HOLD CRYPTO CURRENCY IN YOUR DIGITAL WALLET.

I JUST WANT TO PUT IT ON THE SAME PLAYING FIELD FOR CURRENCY.

I DON'T THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TELL YOU WHAT KIND OF TYPE OF THE CURRENCY YOU TRANSACT BUSINESS IN.

AND I MAKE IT CLEAR, IF YOU MAKE A CAPITAL GAIN ON IT, YOU STILL PAY THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX.

AND IF YOU USE IT TO PURCHASE A GOODS OR SERVICE, YOU PAY SALES TAX.

THIS IS NOT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

I'M SIMPLY SAYING WE'RE EXEMPTING CRYPTO CURRENCY FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION, YOUNG OR OLD, WHOEVER OWNS IT, FEEL COMFORTABLE OWNING IT IN THEIR DIGITAL WALLET KNOWING THE STATE IS NOT GOING TO TAX THAT.

>> NOW, DO YOU FIND THAT BIT COIN IS CONTROVERSIAL, MOVING TO THE PAPERLESS SOCIETY, WHERE MONEY IS CONCERNED AND WHAT IT MEANS IN THE LONG RUN.

DOES THAT WEIGH IN TO THE DEBATE FOR YOU AT ALL?

>> WELL, THE DOLLAR IS DIGITAL ONLY 1% OR 2% IS DIGITAL AND ALL OF THE WHOLE REST OF THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM AND THEY SAY, THE BIT COIN IS NOT BACKED.

WELL, EVER SINCE WE WENT OFF THE GOLD STANDARD, AND TOOK THE COPPER OUT OF OUR PENNIES, THE SILVER HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT, SO WHAT'S THE DOLLAR BACKED BY.

>> ALWAYS INTERESTING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT YOUR REGULATION.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> YOU BET.

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

>> CREATED BY THE U.S. CONGRESS ON MAY 18, 1933, THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY OR TVA IS THE NATION'S LARGEST POWER COMPANY IN A WORLD RENOWNED REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

IT OPERATES HYDROELECTRIC DAMS AND COLD-FIRED NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN NORTHERN ALABAMA AND OTHER SOUTHERN STATES.

TVA MANAGES THE TENNESSEE RIVER FOR RECREATION, NAVIGATION AND WATER QUALITY.

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

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:30 ON CAPITOL JOURNAL: WEEK IN REVIEW.

WE'LL HAVE A COMPLETE WRAP-UP OF THE LEGISLATIVE WEEK.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY SENATOR JABO WAGGONER OF VESTAVIA HILLS, WHO WILL REFLECT ON THE UPPER CHAMBER APPROVING A MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL, WHILE A BIG GAMBLING BILL WAS DELAYED.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS OF HUNTSVILLE, WHO WILL TALK WITH US ABOUT HIS CAUCUS' LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE NEW YEAR.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE BACK WITH US TO DISCUSS VIRUS VACCINATION EFFORTS AND ABOUT THE STATEWIDE MASK MANDATING EXPIRING NEXT WEEK.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.