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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TODAY WAS THE 7TH LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THE 2025 REGULAR SESSION THAT LEAVES 23 POSSIBLE DAYS REMAINING BETWEEN NOW AND MAY 19TH.

OUR COVERAGE STARTS IN THE HOUS TONIGHT, WHERE LAWMAKERS TOOK U THE FIRST OF SEVERAL EXPECTED BILLS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF CRIME.

HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAY PASSING LEGISLATION TO REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME AND PROTECT CITIZENS IS THE TOP PRIORITY THIS SESSION.

AMONG THE BILLS THAT PASSED WER HOUSE BILL 188 FROM REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY.

IT WOULD CREATE A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

IT'S PART OF AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE RECRUITMENT OF POLICE.

HOUSE BILL 216 FROM REPRESENTATIVE RUSSELL BEDSOLE WOULD PROVIDE FOR FIREARM HOLDING AGREEMENTS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND OFFER CIVIL IMMUNITY FOR FIREARM HOLDING LICENSEES.

HOUSE BILL 137 FROM REPRESENTATIVE REX REYNOLDS WOULD REAUTHORIZE THE STATE'S WIRETAPPING PROGRAM AND ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HAVE AN INTERPRETER LISTEN IN ON WIRETAPS AUTHORIZED BY THE COURTS.

ALSO PASSING WAS HOUSE BILL 199 FROM REPRESENTATIVE TRAVIS HENDRIX.

IT WOULD ALLOW FOR THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF JUVENILES DELINQUENTS CONVICTED OF CRIMES.

THIS WAS A KEY COMPONENT TO THE SAFE ALABAMA CRIME PACKAGE AND IT WAS ALSO HENDRIX'S FIRST BIL TO PASS THE HOUSE.

>> THIS BILL WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE, BEING A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AT JACKSONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH A LOT OF KIDS, A LOT OF THE KIDS JUST WANT ATTENTION.

THEY WANT SOMEBODY SO SUPPORT THEM.

AS OFFICERS, WE SAID THAT WE DEAL WITH IT EVERY DAY.

THAT'S WHY THIS BILL WAS IMPORTANT TO ME TO HELP, YOU KNOW, JUVENILE JUSTICE AUTHORITIES, PROBATION OFFICERS AND LET THEM KNOW THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO ASSIST AND HELP YOU OUT.

AND LIKE TREADAWAY WAS SAYING THIS WAS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

IF IT WASN'T FOR THEM, WASN'T FOR MY COLLEAGUES THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.

SO THIS WAS A GREAT DEAL.

>> ALSO PASSING THE HOUSE TODAY WAS LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING A VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER THAT WILL OFFER ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES INCLUDING JOB PLACEMENT AND CONNECTING TO COUNSELING.

BILL SPONSOR REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER SAID IT WAS A TANGIBLE WAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR VETERANS.

>> THE ROLE OF THE AVRC, ALABAMA VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER, SERVES AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN A VETERAN'S LAST DAVE MILITARY SERVICE AND FIRST DAY IN THE PRIVATE SECTORS.

THE AVRC WOULD HELP LOWER VETERANS UNEMPLOYMENT RATES, SCREEN AND PROVIDE FOR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND ASSIST WITH VETERAN HOUSING OPTIONS.

KEY PROGRAM COMPONENTS WOULD BE SKILLS ASSESSMENT AND CAREER COACHING TO MATCH VETERANS WITH OPPORTUNITIES, CONNECTION TO RESOURCES FOR CAREER PREPARATION.

BY SUPPORTING VETERANS AND FINDING PURPOSE ALABAMIANS CAN SAVE LIVES AND FOSTER A STRONGER VETERANS COMMUNITY.

>> BECAUSE THAT WAS A SENATE BILL, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY SENT BACK UPSTAIRS AND RECEIVED FINA PASSAGE TONIGHT.

IT NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> A MORE CONTROVERSIAL VETERAN AFFAIRS BILL IN THE SENATE TODAY.

LEGISLATION TO BRING THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CLOSER IN LINE WITH STATE GOVERNMENT AND MAKE THE COMMISSIONER A CABINET OFFICIAL WAS BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR FOR TH SECOND TIME TODAY, THIS TIME WITH A SUBSTITUTE VERSION THAT MET MANY OF THE DEMANDS FROM VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT THE MAKEUP OF THE BOARD AND HOW THOSE APPOINTMENTS ARE MADE.

IN THE END, BILL SPONSOR SENATO ANDREW JONES SAID HE WAS PLEASE TO GET IT OVER THE FINISH LINE AND SEND IT TO THE HOUSE.

>> I KNEW WE HAD THE VOTES, AND I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE PHILOSOPHY WHEN YOU GOT THE VOTES YOU GO WITH IT.

I FEEL LIKE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME FOLKS, AS PART OF THE PROCESS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH ANY SORE OF CHANGE WHATSOEVER AND MANY OF THOSE FOLKS ARE VOCAL.

AT THE END THE DAY WE HAD A PROCESS AND INPUT WAS HEARD.

A SUPERMAJORITY, 21 OF THE SENATORS, VIEWED THAT THIS WAS A BILL THEY COULDN'T GO BACK AND SUPPORT WITH THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

WE SAID ALL ALONG WE WANT TO ELEVATE THE POSITION TO A CABINET LEVEL POSITION, SOMEONE FULLY IN STATE GOVERNMENT THAT HAS THE FULL RESOURCES TO BEAR STATE GOVERNMENT, SOMEONE THAT IS AT THE EAR OF THE GOVERNOR, HAS ACCESS TO ALL OF THE GOVERNOR'S TEAM AND CABINET, AND AS A CABINET OFFICIAL HIM OR HERSELF, THAT'S ESSENTIAL TO MOVING US FORWARD AND BECOMING THE MOST VETERAN FRIENDLY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> ALSO IN THE SENATE, LAWMAKER PASSED SENATE BILL 1 WHICH WOUL OFFER WORKERS COMP INSURANCE TO TEACHERS AND OTHER EDUCATION WORKERS.

SENATOR SAM GIVHAN SAID HE WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN A FEW YEARS AGO THAT EDUCATION EMPLOYEES DON'T HAVE WORKERS COMP AND HE BEGAN A PROCESS TO REMEDY THAT.

>> BUT WE DON'T REALIZE THAT WE ENTRUST OUR MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSIONS TO THOSE TEACHERS, THOSE ADMINISTRATORS IN THE CLASSROOM TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

AND OFTENTIMES TEACHERS ARE NOT SAFE.

AGAIN I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEFORE I GET THIS LEGISLATION.

IT IS MUCH NEEDED AND OVERVIEW.

>> HE WAS MAKING AN EFFORT TO GO AND TRY TO KEEP A STUDENT FROM HURTING HIMSELF OR HERSELF AND SHE ENDED UP COLLIDING WITH A METAL POST OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON THE PLAYGROUND, AND IS PERMANENTLY TOTALLY DISABLED.

AND BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, DIDN'T GET MUCH MORE THAN A WHOLE HANDFUL OF GRATITUDE FROM THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THIS SO SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO RECTIFY.

>> SOME POLITICAL NEWS TODAY, SECRETARY OF STATE WES ALLEN ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL RUN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

ALLEN HAS RISEN FAST IN ALABAMA POLITICS, FIRST ELECTED TO THE HOUSE FROM TROY IN 2018 THEN ELECTED STATEWIDE AS SECRETARY OF STATE IN 2022.

IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT, ALLEN SAID HE'S GAINED A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN BOTH OF THOSE OFFICES AND CANDIDATES ARE EXPECTED TO RUN.

SEVERAL CANDIDATES ARE EXPECTED TO RUN.

IN COMMITTEE TODAY WAS LEGISLATION REGARDING THE ALABAMA BOARD OF PHARMACY.

THAT BOARD HAS COME UNDER SIGNIFICANT SCRUTINY OVER THE LAST YEAR AFTER THE EXAMINERS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS FOUND MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF NONCOMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW INCLUDING THROUGH AN INCREASED FEE SCHEME TO MEMBERS.

STATE LAWMAKERS ADVANCED LEGISLATION IN PART MEANT TO CLEAN UP THE BOARD.

>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES, AT ITS BASE IT'S A SUNSET BILL.

MEANING WE HAVE RENEWED THE BOARD FOR ONE YEAR BASED ON THEIR AUDIT FINDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC EXAMINER.

BUILT INTO THAT RENEWAL IS A LOT OF CHANGES IN HOW THE BOARD OPERATES, WHICH IS NOT A TYPICAL SUNSET RENEWAL.

TYPICALLY IT'S JUST A RENEWAL.

SO WE HAVE REALLY CHANGED A LOT IN HOW THE BOARD OPERATES, HOW THEY'RE STRUCTURED AND HOW THEY DEFINE FINES AND PENALTIES AND CIVIL PENALTIES AND SUCH.

SO IT IS A VERY COMPLICATED BILL WHEN IT COMES TO SUNSETS.

>> WE'RE NOT ALL THE WAY FINISHED WITH IT.

WE HAVE ANOTHER STEP TO TAKE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE AND THEN IT GOES TO THE SENATE WHERE SENATOR KELLY AND I WORKED HARD TOGETHER ON THIS, AND I FEEL LIKE WE'RE RIGHT WHERE WE NEED TO BE WITH IT.

TAKES BILL THAT DOES CHANGE A LOT IN HOW THE PHARMACY BOARD OPERATES.

BUT AT THIS POINT, YOU KNOW, THEIR GUIDANCE WAS VAGUE AND THIS CLEARS UP SO MUCH STUFF.

I HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THE PHARMACY INDUSTRY AND THE LEGALITIES OF HOW THEY OPERATE.

SO I AM BETTER FROM LEARNING ALL OF THAT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE BOARD HAD CLEAR GUIDANCE AND THAT THE PHARMACIST AND THE PRODUCERS AND THE MANUFACTURERS HAVE CLEAR GUIDANCE ON HOW TO OPERATE WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

SO IT WAS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ME.

>> SPEAKING OF PHARMACIES, THAT'S THE TOPIC WHEN WE COME BACK.

I'LL INTERVIEW SENATOR ANDREW JONES AND GREG RI-BOLD OF THE AMERICAN PHARMACY COOPERATIVE ABOUT THEIR BILL ON PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS.

AND LATER IN THE SHOW, SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN MADISON JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF HER LEGISLATION THIS SESSION.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR ANDRUW JONES AND GREG REYBOLD FROM THE AMERICAN PHARMACY COOPERATIVE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU TO DO.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS.

THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE A FEW YEARS.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHAT YOUR BILL DOES AND WHY?

>> WE'RE SEEING PHARMACIES ACROSS ALABAMA AND THE NATION CLOSE AT AN ALARMING; RIGHT.

AND THESE PBMS ARE MIDDLE MEN BETWEEN THE MANUFACTURERS AND THE PHARMACIES THAT ARE RAKING IN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PROFIT.

SO WE THINK THEY CAN AFFORD, CERTAINLY IF THEY'RE MAKING THAT MUCH MONEY, TO HELP KEEP THE DOORS ON AND LIGHTS ON FOR THESE PHARMACIES WHICH ARE CLOSING BECAUSE THEY'RE BEING UNFAIRLY REIMBURSED OR IN SOME CASES LESS THAN THE COST THEY ACTUALLY PAY FOR THE DRUGS.

THAT'S THE IMPETUS OF THE LEGISLATION TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE FAIRLY REIMBURSED.

ALSO TO ELIMINATE THE GAG CLAUSES THAT KEEP THEM FROM HAVING AN HONEST CONVERSATION WITH THEIR PATIENTS ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHAT THE CHEAPEST WAY FOR THEM TO ACQUIRE THE PRESCRIPTION IS.

SO THAT'S IT IN A NUTSHELL.

>> GREG, I KNOW THAT YOU ARE ENGAGED ON THIS ISSUE ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL AS WELL BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD ABOUT SIMILAR BILLS AND THINGS IN CONGRESS.

FROM THE COOPERATIVE ANGLE PUSHING THIS LEGISLATION.

WHY IS THERE STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATION NEEDED?

WHY THE NEED FOR BOTH.

>> WHAT I WOULD SAY, AS FAR AS PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS ARE AMONGST THE BIGGEST COMPANIES MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF.

THESE ARE AMONGST THE BIGGEST COMPANIES ON EARTH, FORTUNE SO, FORTUNE 20, FORTUNE 30 COMPANIES WITHIN THE FORTUNE 500 SO THESE WILL MONSTER COMPANIES AND THEY TOUCH ALMOST EVERY PRESCRIPTION DRUG CLAIM THAT GETS PROCESSED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

AND THERE'S CERTAINLY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LARGE PAYER, YOU HAVE MEDICARE, TRY CARE, FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.

BUT YOU ALSO HAVE A LARGE SWATH OF CLAIMS TAKING PLACE RATE HERE IN ALABAMA, FROM ALABAMA EMPLOYERS, FROM STATE AGENCIES, FROM ST. PAUL EMPLOYERS AND SO THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT REALLY WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS STATES LEAD ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICING AND TRYING TO REIGN IN THESE EGREGIOUS PACKAGES BUT WE'RE FINALLY AT A TIME IN THIS COUNTRY WHERE EYES ARE WIDE ON AND FOLKS ARE REALIZING PHARMACY MANAGERS ARE UTILIZING THEIR POSITION AND THE PHARMACIES THAT HE OWN AND THEY'RE USING THAT POSITION TO UNDER REIMBURSE THEIR COMPETITORS, SO OFTEN COMMUNITY PHARMACIES AND ALSO USING IT TO DRIVE PRESCRIPTIONS SO THE SICKEST PATIENTS IN ALABAMA INTO THEIR PHARMACIES AND MARK THE DRUGS UP HUNDREDS OF PERCENT AND SOMETIMES THOUSANDS OF PERCENT.

AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS REALLY WELL POSITIONED TO LEAD AND REIGN THOSE PRACTICES IN FOR THEIR CITIZENS AND CONSTITUENTS.

>> NOW, THE OPPONENT -- THERE ARE OPPONENTS TO THE BILL WITHIN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY SAYING IT ESSENTIALLY AMOUNTS TO A TAX, THAT IS, YAWN, IT'S A 10 DOLLAR OR WHAT HAVE YOU FEE ON PRESCRIPTIONS.

AND A TAX OF 10 10 BUCKS FOR EVERY PRESCRIPTION FILLED.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THEIR CRITICISMS OF THAT.

>> DATA HAS SHOWN THAT PROCESS ACTUAL GO DOWN AND ARE COMPETITIVE WHEN YOU HAVE LEGISLATION LIKE THIS AND THAT'S FROM OUR SURROUNDING STATES.

I WOULD SAY THAT IF THEY'RE SPEAKING OF THE PBMS MAKING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PROFIT, THEN AFFORDING TO FAIRLY COMPENSATE PHARMACIES FOR THEIR COST OF -- IT'S NOT JUST THE DRUG.

THE BOTTLE, THE LABEL, THE BAG, THE EMPLOYEE, THE LIGHTS, THE RENT ON THE BUILDING.

ALL OF THAT HAS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR.

THEY CAN'T JUST -- NO BUSINESS IN THE STATE COULD SELL SOMETHING FOR THE SAME PRICE THEY BOUGHT IT AT.

THE MATH DOESN'T WORK.

AND WE EVEN SEE THAT PHARMACIES ARE PAID LESS SOMETIMES THAN THE ACTUAL COST OF THE DRUG SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE FAIRLY COMPENSATED.

THESE JUST SCARE TACTICS TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE THEIR COSTS ARE GOING TO GO UP.

BECAUSE AGAIN WHEN A CORPORATION MAKES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, THEY CAN AFFORD 10.64 DOLLARS TO COMPENSATE THESE PHARMACIES.

>> IS THAT AN ARGUMENT WHERE YOU HAVE HEARD IN OTHER STATES AND NATIONALLY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S AN ARGUMENT THAT THAT HE RAISE.

WOULD I MAKE TWO POINTS HERE.

FIRST, THE THING THE PBMS DON'T WANT LEGISLATORS TO KNOW IS THAT WHAT BILL DOES IS IT CAPS THE INGREDIENT COST OF PRICES.

ALABAMA HAS ONE OF THE MOST ROBUST INDEX ELSE IN THE NATION THAT REFLECTS WHAT IS THE PRICE OF A DRUG.

AND WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT CAPS THE ABILITY OF PBMS TO MARK THOSE UP.

SO THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT AN 11 DOLLARS DISPENSING FEE BUT WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING FOLKS AND CITIZENS AND LEGISLATORS IS THAT IT CAPS THE INGREDIENT COST.

WE HAVE EXAMPLE AFTER EXAMPLE, THE FTC, THREE ACTIVE ADVISOR STUDIES, AND THERE ARE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA THAT SHOWS THAT PBMS ARE NOT ONLY STEERING THE SICKEST PATIENTS TO THE CHANNELS BUT MARKING THE DRUG PRICES UP AS HIGH AS 25 THOUSAND PERCENT, 11 THOUSAND PERCENT.

WE SAW ONE A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT WAS 46 THOUSAND MARK UP.

SO A DRUG MAY HAVE AN INDEX PRICE OF, SAY, 11 DOLLARS.

UNDER OUR BILL IT WOULD CAP IT AT 11 COLLARS PLUS A FAIR DISPENSING FEE BUT IT WOULD PROHIBIT THE PBM FROM MARKING IT UP AND CHARGING CITIZENS AND EMPLOYERS WITHIN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, 2 THOUSAND, 3 THOUSAND, 4 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

AND WE HAVE HAVE JUST -- EVERY TIME YOU HOOK UNDER A ROCK WHERE DO YOU FIND THOSE EXAMPLE SO HE IS WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT CAPS THE ABILITY OF THE PBMS AND THEIR AFFILIATED INSURER TO MAKE THOSE DRUGS UP BY A THOUSAND PERCENT.

THE OTHER THING IN THE BILL THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS THERE ARE PROVISIONS THAT PROHIBIT PBMS FROM PASSION THE DISPENSING FEE ONTO PATIENTS AT THE DRUG COUNTER.

>> WELL, AS I MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING, THIS BILL -- THIS ISSUE, IT HAS BEEN AROUND A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW AND IT ENDS UP BEING A BIG FIGHT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

BUT IT'S EARLY YET.

DO YOU EXPECT THIS IS THE YEAR THAT YOU CAN GET THIS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE?

UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU MAY HAVE TO DO SOME COMPROMISING?

>> I DO.

I THINK THERE'S SUCH A MOW PEN ITEM THIS YEAR.

WE CONTINUE TO SEE THAT BECAUSE OF THE CLOSURE OF LOCAL PHARMACIES AROUND THE STATE AND WE ALSO HAVE A SITUATION WHERE CONSTITUENTS HAVE BEEN HEARING FOR YEARS FROM THAT YOU ARE PHARMACIES THEY NEED HELP, A LIFELINE.

THEY'RE NOT GOING FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN TO BE TREATED FAIRLY LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IN THE STATE SO I THINK IT LOOKS LIKE GOING TO BE SOME MOMENTUM AND WE HAVE A GOOD SHOT OF GETTING THE FINAL PRODUCT OUT.

>> IT'S AN ISSUE WE WILL BE FOLLOWING.

HEALTH CARE IT TURNS OUT IS A PRETTY BIG ISSUE THIS TIME AROUND BUT EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT THE RISING COSTS OF PHARMACEUTICALS AND IT CONTINUES TO RISE SO I THINK PEOPLE WILL BE PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME BUT I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS TO DO.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I DO NOT ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITES, APTV.ORG.

CLIQUE ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN MADISON FROM BIRMINGHAM.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT BUT I WANT TO START WITH THE ISSUE OF TRANSIT.

YOU ARE BRINGING BACK A BILL ON TRYING TO FIND SOME RESOURCES FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, AND IT REALLY HAS A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT TO IT.

TELL ME ABOUT IT.

>> WELL, SENATE BILL 11, SB-11 IS A BILL THAT FUNDS -- WE HAVE A TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND THAT WAS NEVER FUNDED, ESTABLISHED IN 2018.

AND THAT WAS IN CASE WE EVER GOT ANY FEDERAL DOLLARS, WHERE WOULD WE PUT IT.

SO WE KNOW THAT ALL OF THE GASOLINE TAX MONEY THAT WE GET GOES TO ROADS AND BRIDGES.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS VITAL AND EXPENSIVE, ESPECIALLY WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

THAT'S THE BUZZ WORD RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU CAN'T GET TO A JOB, YOU KNOW, OR A JOB INTERVIEW FOR THAT MATTER.

>> EXACTLY.

AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE TRYING WITH PRISON REFORM AND EVERYTHING ELSE, PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION.

SO THIS BILL IS A -- I CALL IT A SIMPLE BILL.

IT SIMPLY ADDS FIVE DOLLARS FEE TO YOUR TAG.

PEOPLE SAY YOU KNOW, ALL CARS ARE NOT THE SAME.

THEY DON'T COST THE SAME.

WHY DON'T YOU CHARGE MORE BECAUSE CARS COST DIFFERENT.

BUT I THINK FIVE DOLLARS -- IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT YOU CAN'T EVEN GET A STAR BUCKS FOR FIVE DOLLARS, SO FIVE DOLLARS ONCE A YEAR AS A FEE WOULD GENERATE IN ALABAMA, BASED ON 2024 FIGURES OF THE CARS THAT ARE PRIVATELY OWNED OF 26 MILLION DOLLARS.

THAT'S A STATEWIDE POOL.

NOW, BASED ON THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT YOU CAN PULL DOWN, WHICH IS 4 TO 1, YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO REALLY MAXIMIZE WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH THAT, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE OVER ALL THE MUCH THE YEARS TO PULL DO YOU NOT DOLLARS.

OTHER STATES HAVE BEEN EATING OUR BREAKFAST LUNCH AND DINNER BECAUSE WHEN WE CAN'T PULL DOWN ON THE DOLLARS FOR PAM, THE OTHER STATES ARE PULLING DOWN ON THEM.

BUT THIS WILL ALLOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND IT IS ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, TO BE ABLE TO DESIGN AND FASHION THEIR SYSTEM.

AND YOU HAVE MANY PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT IT BUT IF HAVE YOU A PARATRANSIT, DISABLED PERSON'S TRANSPORT -- THAT'S PUBLIC TRANSIT, AND WE HAVE 12 REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT IS REALLY CHARGED TO WORK WITH THOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

OF COURSE, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY.

SO THIS BILL CREATES A FUNDING SOURCE STATEWIDE FOR A PUBLIC TRANSIT TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND THAT ALLOWS ALL COUNTIES TO PULL DOWN ON IT.

AND THERE IS AN OPT OUT FOR THE COUNTIES WHO SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO BE A PART OF IT.

BUT I COULD NOT SEE WHY.

BECAUSE IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, MOST PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS, YOU'RE WORKING NOT NECESSARILY IN YOUR COUNTY BUT IN THE ADJACENT COUNTY, BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION THAT'S A DISCONNECT AND SO THIS DOES SO MUCH MORE.

IT ALSO ENHANCES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER THINGS.

SO I THINK IT'S VERY -- A GREAT >> I WILL ANY TIME YOU TALK FEES OR TAXES, EVEN IF IT'S JUST FIVE BUCKS YOU MIGHT GET SOME PUSHBACK SO WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR COLLEAGUES.

IS THERE A CHANCE FOR THIS BILL THIS SESSION?

>> I THINK THERE'S A CHANCE.

I'M GETTING A LOT OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK.

THE MAIN REASON IS BECAUSE THE WIND BENEATH MY WINDS IS THE STATEWIDE TRANSIT COALITION.

AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS NOW, I WOULD SAY, ALMOST THREE DECADES.

WE STARTED WITH THIS IN THE HOUSE MY FORMER PREDECESSOR, GEORGE PURDUE, HE WAS ALWAYS A TRANSIT OWE POSSIBILITY.

AND EVERY YEAR IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN PUSHED AS AN URBANIZED ISSUE.

MORE AND MORE RURAL COUNTIES ARE UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSIT.

AND AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN DOWN HERE, I BEGAN TO REALIZE IT'S NOT GOING TO PASS UNLESS PEOPLE IN THE RURAL AREAS UNDERSTAND.

>> CAN'T JUST BE LIKE A BIRMINGHAM THING OR BIRMINGHAM THING?

>> I CAN'T.

AND WE HAD, THIS PAST SUMMER, A MEETING OF ALL OF THOSE ENTITIES THAT CAME TOGETHER AT THE BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART AND THE AUDITORIUM WAS FILLED.

90 PERCENT OF THOSE PEOPLE CAME FROM RURAL ALABAMA.

THEY FINALLY GET IT.

BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND HOSPITALS ARE CLOSING.

WE NEED A CONNECT WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET TO WORK.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S AN ECONOMIC ISSUE BECAUSE TRANSPORTATION GETS PEOPLE NOT ONLY TO JOBS BUT TO WORK IN BUSINESSES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO ALL OF THIS IS RELATED.

AND I'M SO GLAD THAT THE SUPERB NOW COMING FROM THEM.

>> WE WILL DEFINITELY BE FOLLOWING THAT AGAIN THIS YEAR.

ANOTHER BILL I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT, BECAUSE WE'RE GETTING INTO CAMPAIGN SEASON.

2026 IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER TO SAY NOTHING OF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

BUT YOU HAVE A BILL KIND OF CLEANING UP LEGAL LANGUAGE ABOUT STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC INTEREST.

EVERY CANDIDATE HAS TO FILE ONE OF THESE, EVERY STATE EMPLOYEE HAS TO FILE ONE OF THESE.

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUR BILL DOES AND WHY.

>> FIRST OF ALL LET ME JUST SAY THIS BILL WAS BROUGHT TO ME BY THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THIS IS WHERE OF COURSE -- THIS IS WHERE ALL OF YOUR BATTLES AND EVERYTHING, YOUR REGISTRAR.

THEY SEE THIS HAS AN IMPACT ON THEIR COUNTIES.

RIGHT NOW, THE BILL -- THE LAW AS IT IS WRITTEN NEEDS CLARITY TO IT BECAUSE THERE'S DIFFERENT TATE'S THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO QUALIFY FOR.

FOR INSTANCE IF ARE YOU AN INDEPENDENT, YOU HAVE FIVE DAYS PRIOR TO THE ELECTION TO QUALIFY.

BUT IF YOU ARE ONE -- A CANDIDATE FOR ONE OF THE MAJOR PARTIES THEN YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT YOURS BEFORE YOU QUALIFY, EARLIER BEFORE YOU QUALIFY.

BUT THERE ARE THOSE OTHER PERSONS THAT HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED.

I CAME OUT OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, CITY OF BIRMINGHAM.

WE HAD TO FILE A STATEMENT EVERY YEAR JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

AND SO THOSE CANDIDATES ALREADY FILED BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO FILE ANYWAY.

BUT THIS BILL CLEANS IT UP AND 39-S EVERYBODY ON BASICALLY A SCHEDULE SO THAT THOSE CANDIDATES THAT ARE FILING TO QUALIFY -- IF YOU'RE INDEPENDENT YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT FIVE TAKES PRIOR TO THE PRIMARY BECAUSE REALLY, THEY DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHEN YOU HAVE THE TWO CANDIDATES THAT ARE RUNNING.

ONLY WHEN YOU GET TO THE PRIMARY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE THIRD PERSON IN THERE.

SO THEY HAVE UP UNTIL THAT TIME TO QUALIFY.

BUT OTHER CANDIDATES WHO ARE FROM THE MAJOR PARTIES AND SUBMIT UP TO FIVE DAYS REQUIRED TO THEM QUALIFYING.

AND SO THIS MAKES IT EASIER.

AND IF YOU ARE A PERSON THAT CAME OUT OF GOVERNMENT AND YOU HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED, ALL YOU DO IS PROVIDE PROOF THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED THAT AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO FILE AGAIN.

SO THAT SAVES A LOT OF TIME BECAUSE IT MAY BE RIGHT THE DAY BEFORE.

I HAVE NOPE PEOPLE TO WAIT UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE TO QUALIFY.

>> RIGHT THERE AT THE RUSH AT THE END.

I KNOW ANY KIND OF CLARITY AND TREATMENT LINE PROCESS WILL BE APPRECIATED.

WE ONLY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME BUT I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT A BILL THAT YOU HAVE HAD FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS ABOUT RESTORING VOTING RIGHTS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED BUT DIDN'T FOLLOW THE RULES IN TERMS OF HAVING THEIR VOTE RESTORED.

QUICKLY WHAT DOES YOUR BILL DO?

>> SENATE BILL 153 HAS TAKEN ON SO MANY NUMBERS BUT SENATE BILL 153, BASICALLY A PERSON WHO HAS LOST THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE BECAUSE OF A CONVICTION HAS TO GO THROUGH A TICKET OF ELIGIBILITY THROUGH PARDONS AND PAROLES.

THAT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE FULFILLED ALL 6 YOUR OBLIGATIONS.

IN WORKING THIS THIS BILL IN THE PAST AND THE SAME BILL THAT WE HAVE FILED AND IT MADE IT THROUGH THE SENATE, I MIGHT ADD, TWICE, BASICALLY WITH ALMOST 100% OF SUPPORT FROM THIS BIPARTISAN.

SO COMMISSIONER WARD HAS ALREADY SAID THEY HAVE A DATABASE OF ALL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS AND CRITERIA THAT HAVE BEEN MET BY EACH PERSON SO IT'S EASY FOR THEM TO PULL THIS UP.

WHAT THIS BILL REQUIRES THEM TO DO IS ONCE THAT PERSON HAS MET ALL OF THEIR REQUIREMENTS, THEY WILL POST IT.

IT HAS TO BE ONLINE.

THEY WILL SEND A NOTIFICATION TO TO THE COUNTY THAT THE PERSON LIVED IN OR LAST VOTED IN TO BE REINSTATED, PUT THEM BACK ON THE ROLES.

NOW IF YOU HAVE NEVER REGISTERED TO VOTE BEFORE YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS LIKE ANYONE ELSE.

BUT IF I'M A PERSON THAT JUST GOT OUT OF PRISON, I'M THINKING ABOUT WHERE AM I GOING TO BE THE GOING TO GET A JOB, WHERE TO LIVE, TRYING TO GET MY FAMILY TOGETHER, JUST AHEAD THINGS IN LIFE SO YOU WOULD NOT HAVE TIME TO RUN THIS DOWN AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHETHER THEY HAVE MET ALL OF THE CRITERIA OR NOT.

>> THOSE ARE THREE BILLS TO WATCH.

WE'RE STILL EARLY IN THE SESSION.

SENATOR, I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON AND TAKING THE TIME.

>> THANKS TODD.

GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK >> 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, I'M TODD STACIE.