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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TODAY WAS THE FIFTH LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THE 2025 REGULAR SESSION AND IT STARTED EARLY.

THE HOUSE GAVELED IN AT 8:00 THE "WHAT IS A WOMAN ACT" SPONSORED BY SUSAN DUBOSE.

THE BILL WOULD DEFINE SEX-BASED TERMS LIKE MALE, FEMALE, MAN, WOMAN, MOTHER AND FATHER BASED ON BIOLOGY.

DUBOSE SAID THE BILL SIMPLY ACKNOWLEDGES BIOLOGICAL REALITY WHILE OPPONENTS ARGUED IT WAS DISCRIMINATORY.

>> WE HAVE HAD SIX PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THIS BILL AND THIS BILL HAS PASSED TWICE OUT OF THIS BODY.

WE DO NEED TO PASS THIS LAW FOR CLARITY, CERTAINTY, AND UNIFORMITY IN THE COURTS AND IN THE LAWS OF ALABAMA.

I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE A COUNTRY FOUNDED ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION NOT FREEDOM FROM RELIGION.

>> FREEDOM "OF."

IF I CHOOSE NOT TO, I'VE GOT THAT FREEDOM.

NOT TO.

SO YOU CAN'T FORCE YOUR BELIEFS ON ME.

AND THIS IS WHAT -- THIS IS NOT GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS RELIGION HERE.

THE BILL PASSED 77-8 AND NOW GOES TO GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S DESK.

LATER IN THE DAY, IVEY CELEBRATED THE BILL'S PASSAGE O SOCIAL MEDIA AND SAID SHE WOULD SIGN IT INTO LAW.

THE SENATE ALSO MET TODAY, BUT TOOK UP A PRETTY NON-CONTROVERSIAL AGENDA.

HERE'S WHAT THEY PASSED.

SENATE BILL 39 FROM STATE SENATOR KEITH KELLY WOULD REQUIRE MEMBERS OF CERTAIN BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO COMPLETE TRAINING.

SENATE BILL 36 FROM STATE SENATOR WES KITCHENS WOULD UPDATE THE PROCEDURES FOR COMPETITIVE BIDDING ON CONTRACT AND SENATE BILL 94 FROM SENATOR ARTHUR ORR WOULD MODERNIZE ALABAMA'S ADOPTION CODE, AIMING TO MAKE THE PROCESS MORE STREAMLINED AND FAIR.

ALL THOSE BILLS NOW GO TO THE HOUSE.

WE'VE REPORTED ON HOW ADDRESSIN CRIME IS THE TOP PRIORITY THIS SESSION FOR MOST STATE LEADERS, TODAY, MANY OF THOSE LEADERS GATHERED IN THE CAPITOL TO ROLL OUT THE "SAFE ALABAMA" PACKAGE THAT AIMS TO CRACK DOWN ON VIOLENT CRIME, SUPPORT POLICE OFFICERS AND TAKE DEADLY WEAPON OFF THE STREETS.

>> AMONG OF THE BILLS IN THE PACKAGE ARE THE "BACK THE BLUE PROTECTION ACT" THAT WOULD OFFER GREATER LIABILITY TO POLICE WHO DISCHARGE THEIR WEAPONS IN THE COURSE OF DUTY, OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHILDREN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO ENHANCE RECRUITMENT.

TIGHTENING LAWS ON GUN LOCATION IN INNER CITIES, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO FELONS, MORMON FORKING OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND BANNING GLOCK SWITCHES.

IVEY CALLED ON LAWMAKERS TO PASS THOSE BILLS AND SEND THEM TO HER DESK.

>> THIS PACKAGE IS AND IT'S IMPORTANT.

AS I HAVE SAID, PUBLIC SAFETY IS MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR THIS SESSION.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THESE BILLS TO MY DESK SO I CAN OFFICIALLY MAKE IT LAW AND CREATE A SAFER ALABAMA.

>> ONE OF THOSE CRIME BILLS SAW MOVEMENT IN COMMITTEE TODAY.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ADVANCED SB 116, A MEASURE TO BAN SO-CALLED GLOCK SWITCHES SPONSORED BY SEN. WILL BARFOOT.

THE BILL WOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL AT THE STATE LEVEL TO OWN OR POSSESS DEVICES THAT CONVERT SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOLS INTO FULLY AUTOMATIC FIREARMS, DRASTICALLY INCREASING THEIR RATE OF FIRE.

THESE DEVICES ARE ALREADY BANNE UNDER FEDERAL LAW, BUT BARFOOT SAYS ADDING A STATE PROHIBITION WILL HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT CRACK DOWN ON THEIR USE.

THE BILL RECEIVED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN COMMITTEE.

SENATORS ALSO HEARD EMOTIONAL TESTIMONY FROM BIRMINGHAM MAYOR RANDALL WOODFIN, WHOSE CITY WAS ROCKED BY A DEADLY MASS SHOOTIN LAST FALL--AN ATTACK THAT LEFT FOUR DEAD AND 17 OTHERS INJURED INVESTIGATORS SAY THE SHOOTER USED A GLOCK SWITCH.

>> THIS BILL GIVES OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT THE ABILITY, WHEN THEY PULL SOMEBODY OVER WHO HAS A GLOCK SWITCH -- AGAIN, COMMONLY CALLED A GLOCK SWITCH -- A CONVERSION KIT -- IN THEIR POSSESSION TO ARREST THEM ON A STATE STATUTE.

>> THEE GUNS WERE NOT BUILT FOR US AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL.

AND SO THE CITIZENSHIP YOU SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID OF GOING PLACES BECAUSE OF BEING INJURED KILLED OR SHOT.

>> WHAT ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE TODAY RELATED TO MACHINE GUN DEVICES WILL SAVE ALABAMA LIVES?

IN BIRMINGHAM AND ACROSS THE STATE, THERE ARE TOO MANY GRIEVING MOTHERS WHO LOST THEIR CHILD BECAUSE OF THE USE OF THESE MACHINE GUN DEVICES.

TOO MANY CHILDREN HAVE LOST PARENTS BECAUSE OF THESE MACHINE GUN CONVERSION DEVICES.

IN 2024 WE HAD TWO MASS SHOOTINGS, A MACHINE GUN CONVERSION DEVICES WERE USED IN BOTH.

INNOCENT LIVES WERE STOLEN FROM FAMILIES.

BIRMINGHAM WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS RECORD IF THESE CONVERSION DEVICES HAD NOT BEEN USED.

>> THAT LEGISLATION NOW MOVES T THE FULL SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.

AT THEIR WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE, THE HOUSE DEMOCRATI CAUCUS WAS ALSO TALKING ABOUT GUNS AND CRIME.

SPECIFICALLY THEY WERE HIGHLIGHTING A BILL FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND MEANT TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF CHILDREN.

>> THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE A CRIMINAL PENALTY AGAINST THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN WHEN HIS OR HER MINOR CHILD UNLAWFULLY POSSESSED A FIREARM ON THE PREMISES OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL AS A RESULT OF A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN'S FAILURE TO REASONABLY SECURE THE FIREARM.

LET'S BE CLEAR.

THIS BILL DOES NOT INFRINGE UPON SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE GUN STORAGE WILL HELP PREVENT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS AS WELL AS THE HIGH AMOUNT OF ACCIDENTAL GUN-RELATED TRAGEDIES.

>> ALSO IN COMMITTEE TODAY, A BILL AIMED AT PROTECTING ALABAMA'S PUBLIC-SCHOOL TEACHER WHO ARE INJURED ON THE JOB IS MOVING FORWARD.

SENATE BILL 1, SPONSORED BY SENATOR SAM GIVHAN, CLEARED THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE TODAY WITH UNANIMOUS, BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

THE LEGISLATION WOULD ESTABLISH A COMPENSATION PROGRAM SIMILAR TO WHAT STATE EMPLOYEES RECEIVE ENSURING EDUCATION EMPLOYEES AR INJURED ON THE JOB.

THIS BILL PASSED THE SENATE LAS YEAR BUT STALLED IN THE HOUSE AFTER CONCERNS WERE RAISED ABOU ITS POTENTIAL COST TO THE STATE GIVHAN SAYS HE AND OTHER LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER TO ADDRESS CONCERNS AND GET THE MEASURE ACROSS THE FINISH LINE THIS SESSION.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF DEBATE.

THE SPEAKER PULLED A LOT OF US IN HIS CONFERENCE ROOM.

WE WORKED OUT A LOT OF THESE DETAILS.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM I WOULD GUESS AND WE MOVED MORE TO THE MODEL THE STATE EMPLOYEES HAVE IN TERMS OF LANGUAGE SET UP IN THEIR -- SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE -- AND I'M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD WITH HOUSE MEMBERS THAT WE WOULD GET THIS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.

>> IN MY CAPACITY AS HEAD START DIRECTOR WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF TEACHERS WHO ARE BEING HURT ON THE JOB BECAUSE OF A LOT OF BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES OUR BABIES HAVE.

SO THIS IS A VERY NECESSARY PIECE OF LEGISLATION FOR THE PEOPLE WE SAY WE, OUR TEACHERS TO HAVE BEEN PROTECTED IN THIS.

BECAUSE THE PROCESS AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW IS QUITE CONVOLUTED SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS LEGISLATION.

>> A BILL THAT COULD CHANGE WEIGHT LIMITS FOR LOGGING TRUCK IS MOVING FORWARD IN THE ALABAM SENATE.

SENATE BILL 110 WOULD INCREASE THE ALLOWABLE AXLE WEIGHT LIMIT FOR LOGGING TRUCKS, A MOVE THAT SUPPORTERS SAY IS NECESSARY TO REDUCE COSTLY FINES AND OPERATIONAL DISRUPTIONS IN THE INDUSTRY.

HOWEVER, STATE OFFICIALS FROM THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WARN THAT HEAVIE LOADS COULD LEAD TO LONG-TERM ROAD DAMAGE AND WEAKEN ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS.

THE BILL WAS IN THE SPOTLIGHT TODAY DURING A PUBLIC HEARING I THE AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION, AND FORESTRY COMMITTEE, WHERE INDUSTRY LEADERS AND STATE OFFICIALS TESTIFIED BOTH FOR AN AGAINST THE MEASURE.

>> WE NEED AN INCREASE IN THIS AXLE WEIGHT SO WE QUIT GETTING THESE TICKETS THAT PENALIZING US, COSTING US TIME AND EFFORT AND EVERYTHING ELSE WE HAVE TO TAKE A DRIVER OUT OF SERVICE OR AN OWNER OUT OF BUSINESS HAS TO SHOW UP IN THE COURT AND THERE'S NO SYSTEM WHERE THERE ARE CHECKS AND BALANCES.

>> GENTLEMEN HAVE TO GO TO COURT TO DISCUSS A TICKET, THEY HAVE TO -- THE OTHER THAN OF THE TRUCK HAS TO GO, THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK HAS TO GO, TROOPERS HAVE TO GO, BE OFF THE ROAD.

THEY HAVE TO GO FIGHT IT BECAUSE IT ACCRUES POINTS THAT IS FACTORED INTO THEIR ABILITY TO GET INSURANCE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THIS DANIEL IS THERE'S NO IMMEDIACY, MEANING THE FIRST TIME ON A STATE ROUTE -- I'M SPEAKING FOR STATE ROUTES -- WHERE THE WHOLE THING DOESN'T CRUMBLE.

IT DISTRESSES IT OVER TIME.

>> THIS BILL WOULD LIMIT ENFORCEMENT AND RESTRICT OUR TRUCKS, HOW MANY CAN WEIGH IN AT A TIME AND THAT COULD CLOG UP AND MAKE US WAVE THROUGH TRUCKS THAT NEED TO BE WEIGHED AND NEED TO BE INSPECTED.

>> THAT BILL PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE ON A VOICE VOTE AND NOW HEADS TO THE FULL SENATE FO FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

TODAY, CITY LEADERS FROM THROUGHOUT ALABAMA GATHERED IN THE CAPITAL CITY FOR THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES ADVOCACY DAY.

THE EVENT FEATURED A VARIETY OF ISSUE PANELS, INCLUDING ONE ON HOW HEALTHCARE COSTS ARE SQUEEZING COMMUNITIES.

>> TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING ADVOCACY DAY, A DAY FOR ALL OF US TO COME TOGETHER AND MAKE OUR VOTES HEARD ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO, YOU KNOW, CITIES AND TOWNS ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

ALSO EDUCATE OURSELVES ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

TODAY WE HAVE A HEALTH CARE SUMMIT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LEGISLATION THAT IMPACT LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAPPEN AT THE STATE GOVERNMENT THAT IMPACT US.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE STAY ENGAGED WITH OUR LOCAL DELEGATION WETS LEGISLATORS HERE AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THE LEAGUE THAT HELPS US DO THAT.

>> WE REPORTED LAST YEAR THAT ALABAMA'S LONGEST-SERVING STATE SENATOR IS BEING HONORED IN A NEW BOOK, CHRONICLING HIS MORE THAN FIVE DECADES IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

JABO WAGGONER, AN ALABAMA POLITICAL LEGEND IS WRITTEN BY FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND POLITICAL COLUMNIST STEVE FLOWERS.

THE TWO LONGTIME PUBLIC SERVANT WERE HERE IN THE CAPITAL CITY A SPECIAL BOOK SIGNING, WHERE EVE GOVERNOR KAY IVEY STOPPED BY TO GET HER COPY.

WAGGONER'S CAREER SPANS BACK TO 1967, WHEN HE FIRST TOOK OFFICE UNDER GOVERNOR LURLEEN WALLACE.

OVER THE YEARS, HE HAS PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN SHAPING ALABAMA POLITICS, PARTICULARLY IN THE BIRMINGHAM AREA.

>> HIS CAREER IN THE STATE SENATE IS ALMOST A DIRECT CORRELATION TO THE CHANGE OF BIRMINGHAM BEING A STEEL, BLUE COLLAR STEEL CITY TO THE BIGGEST MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN AMERICA.

HE HAS DONE SO MUCH CIVICALLY BUT WHEN THIS BOOK IS SETTLED IN THE ARCHIVES 50 YEARS FROM NOW AND SO ALL OF US ARE GONE, HE HAS A HISTORY OF THE LONGEST SERVING STATE SENATOR IN ALABAMA HISTORY.

>> YOU KNOW, I STARTED IN THIS PROCESS IN 1967 WITH LURLEEN WALLACE.

SHE WAS MY FIRST GOVERNOR.

I SERVED WITH A TOTAL OF 11 GOVERNORS, LURLEEN BEING THE FIRST ONE.

I GUESS YOU CAN SAY I GOT BOOKED ON THIS PROCESS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS PROPER BUT I HAVE BEEN SERVING 52 YEARS NOW.

TO LOOK BACK ON MY CAREER, I THINK STEVE DA REALLY GOOD JOB.

>> TODAY, FAITHFUL CITIZENS FRO THROUGHOUT ALABAMA GATHERED IN MONTGOMERY TO PRAY FOR THE STATE'S LEADERS AS THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS.

THE ALABAMA CITIZENS ACTION PROGRAM, BETTER KNOWN AS ALCAP PUT ON THE PRAYER RALLY.

AND THOUGH THE RAIN KEPT THE EVENT OFF THE STATE HOUSE STEPS IT DID NOT DAMPEN THEIR SPIRITS OR DETER THEIR MISSION.

>> WE WERE GLAD TO GATHER THIS IN THIS ROOM JUST TO PRAY FOR ALL THREE BRANCHES OF OUR GOVERNMENT, CALL OF NAMES OF THOSE ELECTED TO SUCH HIGH OFFICES AND JUST BRING TOGETHER BELIEVERS, CHRISTIANS, FROM ALL ACROSS THE STATE WHO BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER AND WHO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT GOES ON IN OUR GOVERNMENT, AND WE KNOW THAT PRAYER IS POWERFUL AND WE NEED MORE OF APPEAR EMPHASIS ON PRAYER.

SO IT'S OUR HONOR TO COORDINATE THIS AND TO WELCOME IN MANY OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE ELECTED TO OFFICE TO COME IN AND ALLOW US TO PRAY WITH THEM AND FOR THEM, SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S A GOOD DAY, AND IT'S BEEN A GREAT EVENT.

AFTER WE COME BACK, JEREMY WALKER OF THE ALABAMA REALTORS ASSOCIATION JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT REALTOR DAY AND ISSUES FACING THAT INDUSTRY.

STAY WITH US.

>> SINCE 1997 ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION HAS PROVIDED PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO CHILDCARE PROFESSIONALS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS.

VISIT APT.ORG/EDUCATION TO LEARN MORE.

>> FORMER BASKETBALL PLAYER AND HALL-OF-FAMER CHARLES BARKLEY IS ONE OF ALABAMA'S MOST RECOGNIZABLE SPORTS STARS, NICKNAMED THE ROUND MOUND OF REBOUND, AND SIR CHARLES, OF THE LEAGUE HAD A GREAT CAREER WITH THE AUBURN UNIVERSITY TIGERS BEFORE EMBARKING ON A CAREER IN THE NBA.

HE ALSO PLAYED FOR THE U.S. OLYMPICS BASKETBALL TEAM IN THE 1992 AND 1996 SUMMER GAMES.

SINCE HIS RETIREMENT IN 2000, BARKLEY CARVED OUT A NICHE AS BASKETBALL COMMENTATOR ON POLITICAL ISSUES.

BARKLEY'S NUMBER 34 JERSEY HAS BEEN RETIRED.

IN 2006, BARKLEY WAS INDUCTED INTO THE NEISMITH MEMORIAL HALL OF FAME IN SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

>> BACKS TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IN JEREMY WALKER, CEO OF THE ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> IT'S AN EXCITING WEEK.

IT WAS REALTOR DAY HERE IN THE CAPITOL CITY.

YOU HAD REALTORS AND THOSE FROM AROUND THE STATE GATHERED IN MONTGOMERY, COMING TO THE STATEHOUSE ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF THAT.

TELL ME WHAT ALL GOES INTO REALTORS DAY.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES INTO IT AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF MEMBERS THAT CARE ABOUT OUR ISSUES.

THAT'S SPECIAL BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR LEGISLATORS TO HEAR FROM THEM THAN FROM US SO THEY DONATE THEIR TIME AND COME DOWN AND WE HAD A WONDERFUL DAY.

WE'RE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR EVERYONE THAT MADE IT INCLUDING LEGISLATORS THAT PARTICIPATED.

>> IT WAS FUN.

I GOT TO BE PART OF A PANEL MODERATED THERE TALKING WITH SENATOR OR AND TALKING WITH SENATOR HATCHER ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES, BUT I DIDN'T GET TO SEE THE REST OF THE PROGRAM SO I'M CURIOUS HOW ALL OF THAT WENT.

ONE OF THE THINGS Y'ALL AS AN ORGANIZATION PUT OUT MONTHLY, IT'S ACTUALLY REALLY HELPFUL FOR US IN THE MEDIA IS A REPORT ON THE HOUSING SITUATION.

A LOT OF STATISTICS, DATA, ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE HOUSING MARKET BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF VOLATILITY HERE IN RECENT MONTHS.

LET ME ASK YOU: WHAT ARE WE SEEING TREND-WISE IN TERMS OF THE HOUSING SITUATION, CONSIDERING WE JUST CHANGED ADMINISTRATION AND THERE'S A LOT OF VOLATILITY OUT THERE?

>> A LOT.

AND THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THAT.

WANT TO COVER THE REAL ESTATE STATISTICS AND THE PROUDER ECONOMY.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD NEWS TO REPORT THROUGH THIS WORK OF THE MOST RECENT DATA, THE STATE GREW 6 PERCENT IN THIS WORK, THE STATEWIDE GDP WHICH IS INCREDIBLE.

IT WAS TWICE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

SO ALABAMA IS GROWING.

THAT'S POSITIVE NEWS FOR THE STATE.

PEOPLE ARE COMING HERE, NET MIGRATION CONTINUES TO BE UP YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

WE'RE IN THE TOP 10 OVER THE PAST TWO TO THREE YEARS.

HOUSING FACED HEADWINDS LAST YEAR, PART APPLY DUE TO HIGHER INTEREST RATES, PART DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY OVER THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SO PEOPLE WERE KIND OF WAITING ON THE SIDELINES BUT WE'RE VERY OPTIMISTIC GOING INTO 2025 AND GETTING BACK TO NORMAL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HIGHER INTEREST RATES HAS TO BE A BUMMER ANY TIME YOU'RE IN THAT BUSINESS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME PEOPLE SOMETIMES HAVE TO BUY A HOUSE.

IT'S NOT CHOICE A LOT OF TIMES BUT PERHAPS HIGH INTEREST RATES DO PUT OFF THE MORE -- IF IT IS A CLOSE IN THAT REGARD.

>> WELL, ESPECIALLY IF SOMEBODY HAS A MORTGAGE RATE BELOW 5 PERCENT.

AND IN ALABAMA, 70 PERCENT OF YOUR EXISTING MORTGAGE HOLDERS HAVE A RATE BELOW 5 PERCENT.

THAT'S HARD TO TRADE THAT IN FOR A PERCENTAGE RATE.

>> IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

>> YEAH.

>> HOW DID IT GO WITH REALTOR DAY.

I WASN'T JUST GATHERING DOWNTOWN.

THEY CAME TO THE STATEHOUSE AND INTERACTED WITH THE LAWMAKERS.

I IMAGINE LAWMAKERS APPRECIATE SEEING PEOPLE FROM THEIR HOMETOWN COMING TO THEIR HOUSE.

>> THAT PART IS ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE DAYS OF THE AREA TO SEE OUR REACTION FROM THE MEMBERS.

THEY'RE SUPER ENGAGED FROM THE CITY COUNCIL TO THE STATE LEGISLATOR, EVEN IN CONGRESS.

AND IT'S REALLY SPECIAL, WHAT HELPS MAKE THE REALTOR ORGANIZATION VERY SPECIAL.

>> WELL, SPEAKING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHAT ARE THE ISSUES IMPACTING REALTORS, REAL ESTATE, THAT Y'ALL ARE FOLLOWING OR ADVOCATING FOR THIS SESSION?

>> WE WILL HAVE A COUPLE OF BILLS, ONE ON BUSINESS LICENSE TRANSPARENCY, THE LEADERSHIP UNDER GREG COCHRAN HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO WORK WITH AND WE THINK WE CAN WORK SOMETHING OUT ON THIS.

BUT IT WILL BE THE APPEALABILITY OF A BUSINESS LICENSE ISSUE TO THE ALABAMA TAX TRIBUNAL AND THAT'S REALLY A POSITIVE AND A TRANSPARENCY EFFORT TO BE SURE BEFORE YOU DO BUSINESS IN A CITY YOU REALLY NOW HOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE TAXED AS A SMALL BUSINESS.

COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT, LAND FRAUD HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE ACROSS THE STATE.

THESE IMPERSONATORS HAVE BECOME VERY GOOD WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND IT'S REALLY HURTING A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND HELP WORK WITH LAWMAKERS TO FILE A BILL TO PROTECT PROPERTY OWNERS.

>> SO WAIT.

THEY'RE TAKING A PROPERTY ON THE MARKET?

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT HAPPENS.

>> SO, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU'RE A HOMEOWNER, THEY MAY IMPERSONATE YOU.

AND PUT YOUR HOME FOR SALE.

SO TRADITIONALLY IT HAPPENS WITH VACANT LAND OR PROPERTY THAT IS NOT OCCUPIED.

SO IF YOU OWN LAND DOWN IN THE COUNTRY, THEY COULD PUT THAT LAND UP FOR SALE IN SOME CASES WITHOUT THE OWNER KNOWING ABOUT IT.

>> WOW.

THAT SOUNDS PRETTY SCARY.

>> VERY SCARY.

>> WHAT ELSE IS ON Y'ALL'S PLATE.

>> WE HAVE A REALLY IMPORTANT REAL ESTATE BILL THAT WE'RE PURSUING.

THERE WAS A NATIONWIDE CLASS ACTION AND SETTLEMENT ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO THAT FORCED BUYER AGREEMENTS ONTO CONSUMERS BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN LOOK AT A PROPERTY.

AND SO A NUMBER OF GROUPS HAVE COME OUT AND EXPRESSED A LOT OF CONCERN, CONSUMER GROUPS, INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

IT'S REALLY BEING AN UNFAIR AGREEMENT BEING FORCED ON CONSUMERS TOO EARLY.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO ASK THEM TO GET THE TIMING OF THAT WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.

>> SO IF I'M TRYING TO BUY A HOME, I TALK WITH THE REALTOR AND THEY NEED TO SIGN A CONTRACT BEFORE I EVEN GET THROUGH -- GET STARTED IN THE PROCESSING AND Y'ALL ARE TRYING TO REALLY NOT MAKE IT TO WHERE YOU HAVE TO DO THAT IN THE BEGINNING.

>> YEAH.

YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH A PROFESSIONAL.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS FROM A CONSUMER.

THEY MAY SEE A PROPERTY LISTED AND KNOW SOMEONE AND WANT TO SEE A PROPERTY BUT DON'T WANT TO BE FORCED INTO A BUYER AGREEMENT TOO SOON.

THEY WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOU BEFORE THEY SAY HEY, I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU AND THAT'S WHERE WE WANT TO GET THAT PART RIGHT.

THE UNFAIRNESS FOR ALABAMA IS ALABAMA WAS NOT A PARTY TO THAT LAWSUIT, NONE OF OUR MEMBERS WERE PARTY TO IT BUT OUR TRANSACTIONS ARE BEING AFFECTED DETRIMENTALLY BECAUSE OF THAT AND REALLY THE ONLY VOICE THAT WE WILL HAVE IN THAT PROCESS IS TO ASK THE LEGISLATURE TO GET IT RIGHT.

OUR LEGISLATURE CREATES LAWS FOR OUR LICENSEES.

NOT PEOPLE IN OTHER PLACES IN THE COUNTRY.

OUR ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VOICE.

>> I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT HAS -- IT STARTED TO COME UP LAST YEAR A LITTLE BIT BUT WENT AWAY.

IT GETS US TO THE END OF THE SESSION AND THAT'S TORT REFORM.

I THINK Y'ALL REFERRED TO IT AS LAWSUIT ABUSE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL BUSINESS GROUPS THAT HAVE EXPRESSED A DESIRE TO REVISIT ALABAMA LAW WHEN IT COMES TO COURTS AND JURY VERDICTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING THIS YEAR BUT THERE'S ALWAYS TALK.

WHAT ARE YOU INVOLVED IN HEARING?

WILL WE SEE ANYTHING ON THE TORT FRONT THIS SESSION?

>> WE THINK IT'S AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT ISSUE LIKE THE EXAMPLE BEFORE.

IT WASN'T A BAD BILL THAT PASSED IN CONGRESS THAT AFFECTED OUR MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

IT WAS ONE LEGAL SETTLEMENT THAT REDEFINED AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO THIS IS WHY EVERY BUSINESS GROUP IN THE STATE NEEDS TO BE AT THE TABLE ENGAGED ON THIS ISSUE ASSOCIATION WE'RE WORKING WITH A NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS.

WE EXPECT THERE WILL BE ONE OR TWO BILLS THIS YEAR.

IF YOU LOOK WHAT HAPPENED IN GEORGIA, GEORGIA HAS BECOME A JUDICIAL HELL HOLE AGAIN.

SO THERE'S A MAJORITY EFFORT BEING WAIVED BY GOVERNOR KEMP IN GEORGIA TO TRY TO GET GEORGIA BACK TO BEING A PRO BUSINESS STATE THAT TREATS PEOPLE FAIRLY, INCLUDING SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

AND SO WE HAVE SEEN SLIP ICK.

THERE WAS A MAJOR CASE IN NORTH CAROLINA AFFECTING ONE OF THE STATE'S LARGEST EMPLOYERS THAT WAS A WAKE-UP CALL.

IT WAS NUCLEAR VERDICT.

OVER IS $60 MILLION AGAINST DAIMLER, AND REALLY BAD FACTS BUT A NUCLEAR VERDICT THAT WAS REALLY EXCESSIVE AND HAS MAJOR IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE.

>> IS THE ARGUMENT THERE THAT IT KIND OF STYLES THE RECRUITMENT OR EXPANSION OF BUSINESSES BECAUSE PEOPLE MIGHT BE AFRAID OF JURY VERDICTS GOING AGAINST THEM?

>> YES.

SO WE -- THERE ARE NATIONAL GROUPS THAT MEASURE THE STATISTICS BUT WE'RE NOW IN THE TOP 10 PER CAPITA FOR NUCLEAR VERDICTS IN THE COUNTRY.

A NUCLEAR VERDICT IS DEFINED AS A VERDICT IN EXCESS OF $10 MILLION.

SO THAT DOES LIMIT WHO WANTS TO DO BUSINESS AND WHERE YOU WANT TO DO BUSINESS IN OUR STATE.

THERE ARE SOME PLACES IN OUR STATE THAT YOU CAN'T PUT A DOLLAR GENERAL STORE.

DOLLAR GENERAL IS A GREAT COMPANY.

BUT YOU CAN'T PUT ONE IN SOME COUNTIES AND JURISDICTIONS BECAUSE AN AVERAGE SLIP-AND-FALL COULD BE A LAWSUIT THAT PUTS YOU OUT OF BUSINESS.

THAT'S NOT TRUE HAVING A BUSINESS FRIENDLY STATE WHEN WE HAVE SOME PARTS OF THE STATE THAT WAY.

>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING TO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SESSION.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANKS AGAIN.

CONGRATULATIONS ON REALTOR DAY AND LOOK FORWARD TO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

>> THANK YOU!

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY IS THE SECOND OLD OF HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE IN ALABAMA AND ONE OF THE LARGEST IN OF THE UNITED STATES.

FOUNDED 1881 AS THE NORMAL SCHOOL FOR COLORED TEACHERS IN TUSKEGEE THE SCHOOL BECAME A DRIVING FORCE IN THE DEVELOPING INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION MOVEMENT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF NOTED EDUCATOR BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, IT'S FIRST PRESIDENT.

IN THE EARLY DECADES TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE NATURE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE AND IMPROVING THE LIVES OF BLACK FARMERS.

IT HAS PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN HISTORY AND EDUCATION.

IT PIONEERED THE MOVEABLE SCHOOL, SERVED AS TRAINING GROUND FOR THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN AND STUDENTS AND FACULTY WERE HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

IN ADDITION TO ITS NOTABLE ALUMNI AND ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENTS IT WAS THE FIRST HBCU TO HAVE A MARCHING BAND.

THE UNIVERSITY WAS RECENTLY RANKED AS THE TOP BLACK COLLEGE IN ALABAMA AND THE 6 NATIONALLY.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE SAME TIME RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, AND ESPECIALLY ROD RICHARDSON WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS TODAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROD.

I'M TODD STACIE.

SEE YOU HAD NEXT TIME.