>> HELLO.

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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TODAY WAS THE 22ND LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE' 2025 REGULAR SESSION, LEAVING U JUST EIGHT MORE DAYS IN THE SESSION.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE WILL NOT CONVENE TOMORROW, ALLOWING WEDNESDAY TO JUST BE A COMMITTE DAY.

COMMITTEE WORK IS SO CRITICAL A THIS POINT IN THE SESSION AS LAWMAKERS ARE EAGER TO GET THEI BILLS THROUGH THE PROCESS.

ONTO LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS.

A BILL TO PROVIDE ALABAMA'S TEACHERS WITH WORKERS' COMPENSATION COVERAGE IS NOW HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

THE SENATE TODAY CONCURRED WITH THE HOUSE VERSION OF SENATE BIL 1, WHICH CREATES A LONG-AWAITED WORKERS' COMP PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION EMPLOYEES ACROSS THE STATE.

THE BILL WAS SPONSORED BY SENATOR SAM GIVHAN OF HUNTSVILLE, WHO CALLED IT AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD FOR ALABAMA EDUCATORS.

>> I JUST WANT TO THANK INCH FOR HELP ON THIS BILL.

WHEN I TALKED ABOUT BITS, THEY'RE LIKE, WHY DO YOU HAVE THIS BILL?

OUR TEACHERS AND EDUCATION EMPLOYEES DON'T HAVE WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE.

THEY CAN'T BELIEVE THAT HE DON'T HAVE THIS COVERAGE.

I APPRECIATE EVERYONE THAT WORKED WITH ME ON THIS.

I LOOKED TO SEEING THE GOVERNOR SIGN THIS SOON.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD FOR OUR TEACHERS.

>> IN THE HOUSE TODAY, A MAJOR STEP FORWARD FOR LEGISLATION AIMED AT CURBING TEEN VAPING.

HOUSE BILL 8 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND WOULD IMPOSE TIGHTER REGULATION ON VAPING PRODUCTS IN ALABAMA.

IT WOULD RESTRICT VAPING PRODUCTS FROM BEING SOLD FROM VENDING MACHINES AND GIVE THE ALABAMA BEVERAGE CONTROL BOARD THE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE THE SALE OF VAPE PRODUCTS.

DRUMMOND HAS BROUGHT THE BILL FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND IS HOPING THE THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM.

>> BUT WE FAILED TO GIVE ANY REVENUE TO ABC AND ALEA TO WHEN THEY GO -- I ADMIT IT NOW.

I THOUGHT THEY COULD GO IN WHEN THEY'RE DOING CIGARETTE ENFORCEMENT AND LOOK FOR STAMPS BY THE VAPE PRODUCTS ARE A LOT MORE COMPLICATED.

THIS IS BILL WILL REQUIRE $2.35 MILLION FOR ENFORCEMENT?

HOW IS THAT MONEY GOING TO BE RAISED?

>> I CAN'T HEAR YOU.

>> HOW IS THAT MONEY -- >> $2.5 MILLION DOLLARS WILL BE SPENT BUT MOST WILL GO TO ALEA FOR ENFORCEMENT?

>> NOW IS THAT RAISED?

>> I ACTUALLY WORK WITH THE CONVENIENCE STORES AND SO THE WHOLESALERS AND SO IS MONEY WILL COMEDY ARRIVED FROM ANNUAL FEES THAT HE WILL PAY AS WITH ONE TIME FEE BUT THEY'RE GOING TO PATHOS DOLLARS AND THAT'S HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO CREATE AND TO CREATE ENFORCEMENT.

AND THE FEES THAT ARE IN THE BILL FOR THE PUNITIVE SIDE THAT REPRESENTATIVE CULL VIN WAS TALK ABOUT THOSE WILL GO TO CREATE A CURRICULUM TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN ON HOW BAD THESE PRODUCTS ARE AND I THEIR PARENTS.

>> SOS THE INDUSTRY IS GOING TO PAY FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THEIR OWN INDUSTRY?

>> DEVIL THE BILL PASSED 89-9 AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

THINGS GOT A LITTLE CHIPPY TODA BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

IT STARTED IN THE SENATE, WHEN SENATOR ANDREW JONES WARNED HE WOULD FILIBUSTER AT LENGTH UNTI ALL HOUSE BILLS ON THE CALENDAR WERE SET ASIDE.

HE WAS FRUSTRATED THAT TOO FEW SENATE BILLS WERE BEING TAKEN U IN THE HOUSE, THOUGH HE DIDN'T OFFER SPECIFIC DETAILS.

THE MOVE UNDERSCORES WHAT SEEMS TO BE A YEARLY DISPUTE BETWEEN THE TWO CHAMBERS OVER WHOSE BILLS GET PASSED FIRST.

AND IT TENDS TO HAPPEN AROUND THIS TIME OF SESSION WHEN THE TIME IS STARTING TO RUN SHORT FOR BILLS TO GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

IN THE END, ALL HOUSE BILLS WER CARRIED OVER.

HERE'S WHAT JONES HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE STANDOFF.

>> LOOK.

WE HAVE PROCESSES AND SO COMMON COURTESIES BETWEEN THE TWO CHAMBERS THAT ARE TRADITION, THE WAY WE OPERATE.

WHEN THOSE PROCESSES PROSECUTE SUB VIRTUE ASKED OUT OF THE NORM THAT'S TIME TO CALL IN QUESTION WHAT IS OUT OF THE NORM AND SPEAK UP SO TODAY I HEALTH UP LOCAL BILLS AND L OF H B'S OWN THE CALENDAR SO WE CAN GET TOGETHER AND IRON IT OUT.

>> DO YOU THINK YOU CAN IRON IT OUT?

>> I HOPE SO.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD BILLS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

>> THURSDAY WE'RE BACK IN THE CHAMBER UNTIL IT'S RESOLVED.

BUT YOU KNOW, THINGS HAVE A WAY OF WORKING OUT AND I HOPE I LEADERSHIP CAN GET THIS STRAIGHTENED OUT.

>>> OF COURSE, THE SENATE'S MOV TO BLOCK HOUSE BILLS DIDN'T GO UNNOTICED IN THE LOWER CHAMBER.

THE HOUSE RESPONDED IN KIND, SETTING ASIDE THE TWO SENATE BILLS IT HAD ON THE AGENDA TODAY.

HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER RESPONDED BY POINTING OUT THE STATISTICS: ACCORDING T HIS COUNT, JUST 37 HOUSE BILLS HAVE RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE AND BEEN SENT TO THE GOVERNOR WHILE 49 SENATE BILLS HAVE BEEN SENT ACROSS THE STREET.

HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> LET ME GIVE YOU THE NUMBERS AND YOU HAVE MAKE MA DECISION.

891 BILLS OUT OF THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE HAS PASSED 277.

THE SENATE ONLY PASSED 119.

OUT OF THOSE PILLS THE HOUSE SPENT HOUSE BILL 978 TO THE GOVERNOR'S BILL AND THE -- WE HAVE DONE A LOT MORE WORK AND SO GOT FEWER TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK OF THE SENATE HAS US 37-49 TO THOSE SENT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

SO I WILL LET YOU MAKE THAT IS DECISION.

>> WELL, ANOTHER SENATE BILL GO SIGNED INTO LAW TODAY, THOUGH I THINK BOTH CHAMBERS WOULD AGREE THAT THIS ONE WAS A TEAM EFFORT GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS SIGNED SENATE BILL 252 FROM SENATOR BILLY BEASLEY AND SPONSORED IN THE HOUSE BY REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP RIGSBY.

>> THE NEW LAW REQUIRES PHARMAC BENEFIT MANAGERS TO PAY PHARMACIES MORE FOR THE DRUGS THEY SELL, INCLUDING A $10.64 CENT DISPENSING FEE - THE SAME AS MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT.

PHARMACISTS ACROSS THE STATE SA UNFAIR REIMBURSEMENT PRACTICES FROM PBMS ARE PUTTING HOMETOWN PHARMACIES OUT OF BUSINESS AND THIS REGULATION IS NEEDED TO STAY AFLOAT.

MANY IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAD OPPOSED THE BILL, SAYING IT WOULD RAISE HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS, BUT SEVERAL AMENDMENTS WERE ADDED ALONG THE WAY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS.

TURNING TO WASHINGTON FOR A MOMENT AS A KEY REPORT RELATED TO SPACE COMMAND WAS RELEASED TODAY.

YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT BACK IN 2021 UNDER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, THE U.S. AIR FORCE NAMED REDSTONE ARSENAL IN HUNTSVILLE AS THE PREFERRED LOCATION FOR U.S. SPACE COMMAND, WHICH HAD BEEN TEMPORARILY BASED IN COLORADO SPRINGS AS THE PENTAGO SEARCHED FOR A PERMANENT HOME.

TWO YEARS LATER, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN REVERSED THAT DECISION SAYING THE HEADQUARTERS WOULD REMAIN IN COLORADO.

THAT SPARKED OUTRAGE FROM ALABAMA'S MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, WHO SAID THE DECISION REEKED OF POLITICS AND DEMANDED AN INVESTIGATION.

THAT INVESTIGATION, CONDUCTED B A DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSPECTOR GENERAL, WAS REPORTED OUT TODAY.

>> THE REPORT WAS HEAVILY REDACTED AS THESE THINGS WITH CLASSIFIED INFORMATION TEND TO BE, BUT WE DID LEARN SOME KEY DETAILS.

THE REPORT CONFIRMED THAT HUNTSVILLE'S REDSTONE ARSENAL WAS THE AIR FORCE'S PREFERRED LOCATION FOR SPACE COMMAND BASE ON ITS OWN SCORING.

INVESTIGATORS COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THAT DECISION WAS NOT FORMALLY ANNOUNCED BACK IN 2021.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT NEITHER FORMER AIR FORCE SECRETARY FRANK KENDALL OR FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN WERE INTERVIEWED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

THE WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL'S OFFIC REQUIRED THAT LAWYERS BE PRESEN FOR THOSE INTERVIEWS, CITING EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE.

THE IG CHOSE NOT TO COMPLY WITH THOSE DEMANDS AS IT COULD HAVE RESTRICTED ITS ACCESS TO CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

.

>> MOST OF THE MEMBERS OF ALABAMA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION HAD REACTIONS ABOUT THE REPORT TODAY, INCLUDING CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS WHO CHAIRS THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE.

HE ACTUALLY ASKED FOR THE INVESTIGATION TO BEGIN WITH, AN SAID THE REPORT SHOWS HOW POLITICS MOTIVATED THE WHITE HOUSE'S DECISION.

ROGERS SAID QUOTE, "THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT CONFIRMS THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS CORRECT IN SELECTING HUNTSVILLE, AL, AS TH SITE FOR SPACECOM HEADQUARTERS, AND REVEALS AN ASTOUNDING LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

AFTER YEARS OF PROMISES ABOUT 'DUE DILIGENCE' AND 'CAREFUL CONSIDERATION,' POLITICAL EMPLOYEES AT THE WHITE HOUSE CU OUT THE AIR FORCE AND SENIOR DEFENSE LEADERS TO SELECT COLORADO OVER ALABAMA AS THE SITE FOR SPACECOM HEADQUARTERS.

>> DELEGATION MEMBERS ARE CONFIDENT SPACE COMMAND WILL EVENTUALLY LAND IN HUNTSVILLE AND A DECISION IS EXPECTED ONCE THE SENATE CONFIRMS THE NEW AIR FORCE SECRETARY.

>> THE LEGISLATIVE PANEL OVERSEEING THE USE OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING MET TODAY AND HEARD AND UPDATE ON HOW THE STATE IS SPENDING ITS DOLLARS DEDICATED TO EXPANDING BROADBAND INTERNET INTO RURAL AREAS.

THERE WAS TALK OF SOME PRIVATE GRANTS POSSIBLY BEING UTILIZED, BUT COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE TOLD THOSE MONIES CAN'T INTERMINGLE WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS PER THE TREASURY'S RULES.

STILL, PROGRESS IS BEING MADE TO PUT ARPA FUNDING TO USE.

.

>> I PUT STILL COMMENT ABOUT THE WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

AND YOU KNOW, I WANT TO KNOW THAT DOLLARS FAME IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH NO WATCH TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND IT WAS DESIGNED TO GO OUT INTO IT RURAL POVERTY AREAS OR AREAS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SERVED AND WE GOT THE WE WERE TRYING TO PUT A MATCH ON THESE COMMUNITIES AND I HAVE BEEN FIGHTINGS TO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RURAL COMMUNITIES DIDN'T HAVE TO COME UP WITH A MATCH.

AND OF SOME OF IT, I'M ONE AND CAN'T BE ALL EASTER THE PLACES ARE SOME OF IT SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS AND THAT WAS THE QUESTIONS I HAD TODAY BECAUSE US CITIES I ASKED ABOUT TODAY HAVE BORN REQUIRED TO COULD A MATCH WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO DO A MATCH.

BUT-THE-WILL GET PROPER SERVICES AND IN THE COMMUNITY AND SOMETHING THEY DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE.

>> ALABAMA IS THE WINNER.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TO FIND THOSE OF US GETTING IN THE GROUND, THERE'S ANY PARTICULAR WASTE.

NO ONE HAS HIRED ADDITIONAL PEOPLE.

IT'S PALE DONE WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE GOT.

NOT TAKING ANY MONEY OUT OF THE OFFICE.

ALL OF THAT IS EXCELLENT.

IT'S ONE CONFIRM OF HOW BOOM THAT'S DONE CALLED QUITE WELL.

>> THE ALABAMA SENATE WELCOMED SPECIAL GUEST TODAY--DIRECTOR GENERAL ELLIOT WANG, TAIWAN'S TOP DIPLOMAT IN THE SOUTHEASTER UNITED STATES.

WANG LEADS THE TAIPEI ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL OFFICE IN ATLANTA.

HE SPOKE TO LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE GROWING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TAIWAN AND ALABAMA, HIGHLIGHTIN BOTH ECONOMIC AND MILITARY TIES WANG POINTED TO TAIWAN'S INTEREST IN HIGH-TECH INVESTMEN IN ALABAMA AND THE STATE'S ROLE IN PRODUCING U.S. DEFENSE EQUIPMENT PURCHASED BY TAIWAN.

HIS REMARKS COME AMID RISING GLOBAL CONCERN OVER CHINA'S INTENTIONS TO RECLAIM TAIWAN AS ITS TERRITORY.

>> TAIWAN ESEMI CONDUCT I EDUCATION IS PAYING A VISITED HIRE IN MAY.

WE RAIL LIKE TO SEE MAJORITY HIGH PARTICULAR INVESTMENT SETTLED IN ALABAMA AS SOON AS RESPONSIBLE.

LAST MONTH A DELL GATES OF HIGH RANKINGS OFFICIALS AND THE TAIWANESE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ATTENDED THE FIGHTER F17 JETS GREENVILLE SOUTH CAROLINA.

A NUMBER OF THEM STARTED THE AIR -- WE SEE OFFICIALS IN HUNTSVILLE AND OTHER LOCATIONS IN YOUR STATES.

MOREOVER, THE OTHER EVENTS ATTACK AND OF THE STINGER MISSILES TAIWAN PURCHASED FROM THE UNITED STATES ARE ALSO MANUFACTURED IN ALABAMA.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> WELCOME BACK.

JOINING ME IS JEFF SORELS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> IT JUST OCCURRED AS WE TALKED, YOU HAVE NOT OPINION ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" BEFORE SO I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR DISTRICT IN SOUTH PAM.

>> I REPRESENT DISTRICT 8 IN GENEVA COUNTY AND HOUSTON COUNTY INTO DOTHAN.

MOST OF MY COUNTY IS RURAL.

WE HAVE A WONDERFUL PLACE, A LOT OF FARMING, HUNTING AND FISHING AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

>> WE HAVE TOMATOES AND THE MAYOR OF SLOCUMB IS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, AND I'D KNOW HE IS GOING TO APPRECIATE OF THE PLUG.

>> WE APPRECIATE WHEN, YOU KNOW, YOUR DELEGATION COMES UP WITH THE TOMATOES.

I REMEMBER BEFORE YOU TIME IT WAS HARRIET SMITH THAT WOULD BRING UP THE TOTES.

IT WAS NOTHING QUITE LIKE THAT.

SPEAKING OF RURAL ALABAMA THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GETTING TO BECAUSE YOU WILL LEGISLATION DEALING WITH WHAT SOMETIMES FROM CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN DEER AND REGULATIONS AROUND THAT.

CAN YOU BARK US UP AND TELL US WHAT ISSUES LET UP TO THE BILL BEING NECESSARY?

>> WELL, I STARTED ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO FOR ME AND KIND OF DIGGING INTO THE CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE AND THE CONSERVATION RULES THEY HAD ESTABLISHED.

AND I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THESE DEER BREEDERS.

THERE'S A BREEDING FACILITY AND THEN A HIGH FENCE HUNTING FACILITY.

THE BREEDING FACILITY OR SMILE ONE TO TWO ACRE AREAS THEY KEEP THEIR LIVESTOCK IN.

AND THE OTHER AREAS ARE HIGH FENCED WHERE OF THE ANIMALS ARE A TURNED LOOSE FOR HUNTING AREAS SO THAT I'VE BEEN GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO ESCAPE OR WHATEVER.

IT'S NOT SMALL FACILITY YOU CAN JUST GO SHOOT AN ANIMAL.

SO I GOT INVOLVED WITH THIS.

AND RECENTLY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS CURVES HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TESTING ON WILD DEER POPULATIONS AND THEY HAVE FOUND A COUPLE OF POSITIVES IN UP THE NORTHWEST QUADRANT OF ALABAMA AND THEY DREW A 25-MILE RADIUS AROUND THAT POSITIVE TEST.

AT THAT TIME THAT POINT IN TIME THEIR RULES SPECIFIED THEY COULD THESE BREEDING FACILITIES AND TAKE OUT 10 PERCENT OF THEIR ANIMALS JUST TO TEST.

I HAVE SEEN AND I HAVE READ INFORMATION AND DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON DEER BREEDERS.

WHEN A DEER BREEDER HAS AN ANIMAL THAT IS 12 MONTHS OLD OR OLDER DIE IN ITS FACILITY, IT IS TESTED.

>> FOR CWD?

>> YES.

THAT'S THE PRIMARY DISEASE WITH THESE ANIMALS.

THEY HAVE THAT DONE.

IN THE 23 YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN TESTING THESE THEY HAVE HAD ZERO FOR AS.

SO IT TROUBLES ME WHEN I SAW THAT CONSERVATION WAS TRYING TO COME IN AND GO INTO THESE FACILITIES TO TAKE OUT ANIMALS FORWARD THE SOLE PURPOSE OF TESTING.

>> WHAT DOES YOUR LEGISLATION DO TO ADDRESS THAT.

>> MY LEGISLATION STOPS THE ABILITY TO GO INTO A DEER BREEDING FACILITY AND TAKE OUT THE ANIMALS, IF YOU FIND IT IN THE WILD.

SHOULD IT BE DETECTED INSIDE THE FACILITY THERE'S A WHOLE NEW SET 67 RULES TO DO SOMETHING WITH THAT.

PUT I WOULD STOP THEM FROM GOING IN AND TAKING OUT 10 PERCENT OF THE BREEDING STOCK TO KILL TO TEST FOR DWC.

>> I SEE.

IT MAY NOT HAVE ORIGINATED AT THE BREEDING FIT BUT THEIR BILL SAYS THEY COULD GO IN AND YOUR BILL SAYS NO, NECESSITY COULD NOT GO INTO THE PRIVATELY OWNED FACILITY.

>> YES.

UP UNTIL WE PASSED THIS BILL, CONSERVATION FELT LIKE THEY OWNED THESE PEOPLE, BOUGHT, PAID FOR AND CARED FOR AND BREED INSIDE OF THESE FACILITIES.

THEY SAID THAT THE STATE OWNED THOSE ANIMALS.

THIS BILL PRIVATIZED OWNERSHIP TO THE DEER BREED HE OR SHE SO THEY ACTUALLY OWN THE ANIMALS AND THAT WAS SOMETHING ELSE WE WANTED TO SEE TAKE MACE AND HAPPEN SO THEY HAD THE OWNERSHIP.

THESE ARE KNOT 2 HUNDRED DOLLARS ANIMALS.

THESE ARE EXPENSIVE ANIMALS THEY'RE BREEDING.

THE WAY IN THEY DO IT IS THEY'RE TRYING TO BREED OUT WWD BECAUSE SHE LOCATED GENETIC MARKS THAT ENABLED THEM TO BREED DEER THAT ARE NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO DWC.

IT'S THE SAME AS WHEN SHEEP HAD SCABIES.

THEY BREAD THE SHEEP TO BE RESISTANT TO AND YOU RARELY HEAR ABOUT THAT ANYMORE.

BUST THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE DOING NOW.

I'M NOT AWARE OF GOING IN AND GENETICALLY THE ANTIS TO BE RESISTANT TO DWD.

>> IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU DO YOU KNOW WHO BREED IT AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ANTI THAT: THE DEPARTMENT PUSHED BACK.

I SAW AN EMAIL THAT SAID IT MIGHT JEOPARDIZE THAT I READ TO EMPLOYMENT HUNTING AND PHISHING AND TESTING WHICH WILL KEEP CD DW FROM EXPANDING.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THE CRITICISM?

>> THE BILL DOESN'T DEAL HUNTING OR FISHING PERIOD.

THERE'S NO MENTION OF HUNTING ORR FISHING IN THE BILL.

AND AS FAR AS THE TESTING OR GOING IN AND INSPECTING THESE FACILITIES, THEY STILL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO GO IN AND TEST.

THEY STILL RECEIVE THE POLITICAL SCIENCE FEES OFF OF THESE FACILITIES.

SO IT'S NOT RENDERING THEM IN ANY WAY EXCEPT FROM STOPPING FRESHMEN FROM GOING IN AND KILLING THESE DEER.

I PUT AN AMENDMENT ALONE THE BILL TEED WHICH WAS TROUBLESOME TO SOME PEOPLE, AND I UNDERSTOOD THAT DEALT WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THESE DEER.

>> IS THIS A COMPROMISE OF SORTS?

>> IT WAS A COMPROMISE BETWEEN ME AND CONSTITUENTS.

IT WASN'T A COMPROMISE BETWEEN ME AND CONSERVATION.

>> WHAT DOES IT TO BEGIN?

>> WHEN YOU HAVE THE AMENDMENTS BREEDING AND THINK GET UP TO THE AGE YOU WANTED TO SELL THEY MEAN TO EAT THAT WANTS TO BREED THE APPLES AND YOU'RE INSIDE OF A CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT AREA, WHICH IS THE 25-MILE MANAGEMENT AREA, CONSERVATION SAYS YOU CAN'T MOVE THAT ARMY OUTSIDE OF THAT ZONE.

WHAT THE LEGISLATION DID IS SAY THAT YOU CAN.

BUT THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE DONE BEFORE YOU CAN.

>> THEY HAVE TO BE, YOU KNOW, SPECIFICALLY NOT HAVE THE DISEASE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> THE ANIMAL HAS TO TEST NEGATIVE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE ANOTHER THING WAS THAT, IF YOU DOUBLE FENCE, THEN I LIKE MOVE THOSE ANIMALS, IF I HAVE A DOUBLE IF SOMEBODY IN YOUR FACILITY, I'D LIKE MOVE THOSE ANIMALS BACK.

BECAUSE THE ARMIES THAT ARE BRED IN THESE FACILITIES ARE NEVER RELEASED IN THE WILD.

THEY'RE INSIDE CLOSURES.

WITH THE DOUBLE FENCING, IT HELPED TO KEEP THE CQD FROM COMING FROM OF THE INSIDE INTO THE INSIDE.

>> IT GOES UPSTAIRS TOOT SENATE WE'RE GETTING IN THE CRUNCH SOMETIME IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS?

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> I THINK IT'S VERY GOOD.

WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THIS BILL AND HAVE PUT A LO LOT OF EFFORT INTO OF THE BILL.

ONE THING I HAVE TRIED TO DO IN MONTGOMERY IS DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

I FEEL LIKE IF I DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

>> THINGS WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.

I THINK THIS IS RIGHT.

AND I FEEL VERY MUCH LIKE THIS THING WILL END UP GETTING THROUGH THE FINAL HEARDAL.

>> ONE QUESTION, AND I THINK THIS CAME UP ON THE FLOOR AND I THOUGHT THAT'S A GOOD POINT TO LINED OF VIEWERS OF.

IF A DEER HAS WASTING DISEASE AND YOU DON'T KNOW IT AND YOU SHOOT AND CONSUME THAT DEER, IS THERE ANY HARM THAT MEAT WOULD DO IF IT HAS THAT WWD?

>> NO.

IT'S DETERMINED THE MEAT IS FINE.

THE DISEASE TAKES ABOUT FIVE YEARS TO RUN COURSE BECAUSE IT STARTS IN THE DEER'S BRAIN AND WORKS ITS WAY PACK.

AS FAR AS THE MEAT IS CONCERNED THERE'S NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

IT'S BEEN TESTED TO MAKE SURE.

>> SO IT'S A PROBLEM TO DEER POPULATIONS NOT TO HUMANS OR ANYTHING.

>> ?

WELL, I'M NOT A HUNTER, AS YOU CAN TELLING SO I'M ASKING ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS BUT MY MAYBE; JACKIE BUSHMAN; SO I FEEL LIKE I LEARN A LOT OF FROM THAT.

WE WILL WATCH OF THE BILL COMING FORWARD AND IT APPRECIATE YOUR TIME ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

APPRECIATE BEING HERE.

>> WEST WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUT SHOW FOR SURE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

BACK TOMORROW NIGHT WITH MORE COVERAGE FROM THE PAM LEGISLATURE AT THE SAME TIME HIRE ON APT.

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