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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WEDNESDAYS ARE COMMITTEE DAYS I THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, AND THAT WAS THE CASE TODAY AS SEVERAL PANELS CONVENED TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION AND HEAR FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC.

WE'LL START IN THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, WHERE A PACKED ROOM WATCHED LAWMAKERS DEBATE SOME PRETTY SERIOUS LEGISLATION.

FIRST ON THE ISSUE OF CRIME.

HOUSE BILL 202 FROM REPRESENTATIVE REX REYNOLDS WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR POLICE OFFICERS, ESPECIALLY AS IT CONCERNS INCIDENTS THAT OCCUR O DUTY.

DEMOCRATS HAVE CRITICIZED THE BILL AS GOING TOO FAR AND REYNOLDS SAYS HE IS WORKING WIT MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BILL.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THOUGH, REYNOLDS SAID THIS IS A KEY BIL TO HELP RECRUIT AND RETAIN POLICE OFFICERS AMID THE CURREN SHORTAGE.

>> IN MY OPINION, WHAT THIS BIL DOES IS REQUIRE US TO CREATE A SPECIAL CLASS BASED UPON THEIR EMPLOYMENT THAT REQUIRES THE COURT SYSTEM THAT IS SUPPOSED T BE BLIND TO THE IDENTITY, THE STATUS, THE SOCIOECONOMIC STATU OF THE DEFENDANT AND MAKE THE JURY IDENTIFY THAT FIRST.

TO THAT END, WHEN WE ARE PROSECUTING SOMEONE FOR VIOLATING A CRIMINAL OFFENSE, W GENERALLY TRY TO APPLY THE FACT TO THE LAW SO THE LAW GOES TO THE JUDGE -- EXCUSE ME -- THE LAW GOES TO THE JUDGED AND FACT GO TO THE JURY.

>> IF WE'RE AT THAT FIRST HEARING, AN OFFICER HAS ALREADY BEEN INDICTED; RIGHT?

SO THAT'S GONE TO A GRAND JURY.

I ASK YOU AS AN ATTORNEY IF THE CONSIDER ALL OF THOSE OPTIONS A THE GRAND JURY LEVEL WHEN THEY INDICTED OUR POLICE OFFICER AND ARRESTED HIM?

DO WE NOT OWE THAT POLICE OFFICER TO PAUSE AND HOLD THIS HEARING, A HEARING THAT CAN THE BE APPEALED ALL THE WAY TO THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT BEFORE WE CONTINUE CRIMINALLY.

>> YEAH.

NO PROBLEM THERE.

IT'S WHAT WE DO ALREADY.

>> NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ON THE BILL.

A SUBSTITUTE IS EXPECTED TO DRO SOON.

THE COMMITTEE ALSO HELD A PUBLI HEARING ON A KEY IMMIGRATION BILL.

HOUSE BILL 302 FROM REPRESENTATIVE BEN ROBBINS WOUL REQUIRE LABOR BROKERS WITH FIVE OR MORE FOREIGN WORKERS TO REGISTER THROUGH E-VERIFY TO CONFIRM STATUS.

ROBBINS CALLED IT A WAY TO CUT DOWN ON ILLEGAL WORKER SMUGGLING.

>> IF YOU HEARD THAT THE LABOR BROKERS -- I WAS INTERESTED THA WAS IN YOUR BILL BECAUSE I'VE HEARD THAT A LOT OF THESE LABOR BROKERS NOW ARE CONTROLLED BY THE CARTELS.

IS THAT TRUE YOUR RESEARCH?

HAVE YOU HEARD THAT?

>> WELL, YES.

THAT'S THE KIND OF TERM, IF YOU WANT TO GET REAL -- NOT TECHNICAL BUT WHAT YOU MIGHT HERE AND SOME OF YOU USE THE TERM CALLED COYOTE SOMETIMES, WHERE YOU MIGHT GET PEOPLE, BRING THEM HERE AND A STAFFING AGENCY MIGHT SAY, HEY, CAN YOU BRING ME A HUNDRED PEOPLE AND THAT LABOR BROKER WILL GO -- IS THE TERM WE'RE USING, FIND THE HUNDRED PEOPLE I BRING THEM HER AND THE AGENCY WILL SAY HERE IS YOUR MONEY FOR BRINGING ME PEOPLE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO ELIMINATE THA KIND OF KICK BACK THAT YOU MIGH GET PAID FOR IN ESSENCE TRAFFICKING AND MOVING HUMAN BEINGS.

GRANTED IT'S ALREADY AGAINST TH LAW WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

BUT WE'RE JUST SAYING YOU CAN'T PAY SOMEONE AND ACT IN DENIAL LIKE OH, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE GOT THOSE PEOPLE.

IT'S NOT ON ME.

YOU CAN'T PAY THEM THAT FEE ANYMORE.

THE KICK BACK WITH THE LABOR BROKER, YES, SOMETIMES IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH A CRIMINAL ELEMENT.

>> AGAIN, NO ACTION WAS TAKEN O THE BILL.

A PUBLIC HEARING WAS ATTENDED B DOZENS OF IMMIGRANT ADVOCATES WHO SPENT THE DAY IN THE STATE HOUSE EXPRESSING THEIR OPPOSITION TO THIS AND OTHER IMMIGRATION MEASURES BEING CONSIDERED IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THE GROUP WAS ORGANIZED BY THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER.

>> TODAY WE'RE HERE FOR IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY DAY.

WE'RE TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO OUR LEGISLATORS AND MAK SURE WE'RE REPRESENTING THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THERE'S PLENTY OF BILLS THAT AR FOCUSED ON IMMIGRATION AND IMMIGRANTS SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DIALOGUE WITH OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS TO HOW THIS CAN POTENTIALLY HAVE RAMIFICATIONS FOR OUR ECONOMY, FOR OUR COMMUNITY SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A FULLY BALANCED PERSPECTIVE ON THE BILLS THEY ARE PROPOSING.

I THINK THERE'S PLENTY OF BILLS THAT WOULD REQUIRE US TO HAVE INPUT.

I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME BILLS THAT WOULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR ECONOMY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE AWARE OF -- IN TERMS OF WORKFORCE WE'RE IN A STATE WITH A LOW LABOR FORCE AND WE MAY HAVE PEOPLE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY SOME OF THESE BILLS AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE AWARE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF PASSING BILLS ESPECIALLY IF WE'RE TRYIN TO LIFT UP OUR STATE.

WE WANT TO BE PARTNERS WITH OUR LEGISLATORS IN CREATING OPPORTUNITIES AND PATHWAYS FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS.

>> THERE WAS ALSO ACTION IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TODAY.

A BILL THAT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY ALTER SENTENCING GUIDELINES FOR CERTAIN FELONIES WAS CONSIDERED HOUSE BILL 43 HAS ALREADY PASSE THE HOUSE.

CURRENTLY, ALABAMA LAW PERMITS JUDGES TO IMPOSE A "SPLIT SENTENCE" FOR CONVICTIONS CARRYING UP TO 20 YEARS.

ALLOWING A PORTION OF THE SENTENCE TO BE SERVED IN CONFINEMENT WITH THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION.

REPRESENTATIVE JIM HILL, A FORMER JUDGE HIMSELF, SEEKS TO EXTEND THIS PROVISION TO SENTENCES UP TO 30 YEARS.

IN A PUBLIC HEARING TODAY, PROPONENTS ARGUED THAT THIS CHANGE WOULD PROVIDE JUDGES WIT GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN TAILORIN SENTENCES.

HOWEVER, CRITICS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT IT COULD LEAD TO LONGER PERIODS OF INCARCERATION WITHOUT ADDRESSING UNDERLYING ISSUES SUCH AS REHABILITATION AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION.

ANGELA HARRIS, THE MOTHER OF ANIAH BLANCHARD, ALSO ADDRESSED LAWMAKERS.

HER DAUGHTER WAS KIDNAPPED AND MURDERED IN 2019, A CASE THAT LED TO THE PASSAGE OF ANIAH'S LAW.

THAT LAW ALLOWS JUDGES TO DENY BAIL TO INDIVIDUALS ACCUSED OF VIOLENT CRIMES.

>> IN ALABAMA WE DO 20 SPLIT FIVE.

THAT'S THE MOST WE CAN DO.

THIS BILL IS 30 SPLIT 10.

SO IF A JUDGE GAVE AN INDIVIDUA 30 YEARS, HE CAN SPLIT THAT DOW TO 10, AND THAT INDIVIDUAL WOUL HAVE TO SERVE THAT 10 YEARS IN THE PENITENTIARY.

AT THE TIME HE GOT RELEASED, HE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE JUDGE.

OF COURSE HE WOULD BE ON PROBATION.

>> SPLITS, AS Y'ALL ARE WELL AWARE, MEAN DAY FOR DAY.

IF I GIVE SOMEBODY A 20-YEAR SENTENCE SPLIT FIVE YEARS, WITH FIVE YEARS PROBATION THEY'RE GOING TO SERVE FIVE CALENDAR YEARS DAY FOR DAY.

>> THINK ABOUT THE CRIME VICTIM AND THE JUSTICE.

IN MY OPINION, JUSTICE IS NOT BEING SERVED TO THESE VICTIMS, THE CRIME VICTIMS OF ALABAMA.

THEY'RE GETTING OUT SO TOON.

THERE'S NOT RESOURCES.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THE RESOURCES ARE THAT ARE TRYING T HELP REHABILITATE PEOPLE THAT CAN BE REHABILITATED.

I DON'T SEE THAT AND I PROMISE YOU I'M WORKING.

I WORK WITH VICTIMS.

I GET MESSAGES EVERY DAY.

PHONE CALLS -- I'M NOT LYING.

I GET THEM EVERY DAY.

THEY SEE ME USING MY VOICE AND ARE LIKE PLEASE HELP ME.

>> TODAY WE FINALLY SAW MUCH ANTICIPATED LEGISLATION ON THE ISSUE OF PARENTAL LEAVE.

SENATE BILL 199 WAS IN THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE, WHERE IT PASSED OUT UNANIMOUSLY WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

THE BILL, SPONSORED BY SENATOR VIVIAN FIGURES, WOULD GRANT PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES AND EDUCATION WORKERS, UP TO EIGHT WEEKS OF NEW MOTHERS AND TWO WEEKS FOR NEW FATHERS.

FIGURES BROUGHT UP SIMILAR LEGISLATION LAST YEAR, BUT THIS TIME, THE BILL IS GAINING MOMENTUM WITH BACKING FROM KEY LEADERS, INCLUDING GOVERNOR KAY IVEY, AND SUPPORT FROM THE ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

NOW, IT HEADS TO THE FULL SENAT FOR CONSIDERATION.

>> THE GOVERNOR SUPPORTING THIS BILL, AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT BILL, THE COMPROMISE WE HAVE ALL COME TO IS THAT THIS WOULD GIVE PARENTAL LEAVE TO BOTH THE MOTHERS FOR EIGHT WEEKS AND THE FATHERS FOR TWO WEEKS FOR NEWBORN BABIES, STILLBORN BABIES, WOMEN WHO HAVE HAD A MISCARRIAGE BUT WOULD BE -- IT WOULD BE CONFIRMED BY THE HEALTH CARE PROFILE THAT IT WAS NOT AN ABORTION, AND THE PREGNANCY HAS TO BE FOR AT LEAST 12 WEEKS OR MORE.

>> OUR EDUCATIONAL EMPLOYEES AND ANYONE HAVING A BABY IS A VERY, VERY SPECIAL TIME.

AND THIS WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY WHERE TEACHERS DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN FINANCIAL STABILITY OR WHETHER THEY WANT TO BE OFF TO BOND WITH THEIR CHILD.

THAT HE WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR BOTH.

AND IT'S A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE GIVE BACK TO THE VERY PEOPLE THAT ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL EVERY DAY.

>> I'LL SPEAK TO THE HOUSE SPONSOR OF THAT BILL, REPRESENTATIVE GINNY SHAVER, LATER IN THE SHOW.

>> A PUSH TO BAN CELL PHONES IN ALABAMA CLASSROOMS IS GAINING MOMENTUM.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY CALLED FOR TH CHANGE IN HER STATE OF THE STAT ADDRESS, AND NOW LAWMAKERS ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH LEGISLATION TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

TODAY, THE SENATE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE TOOK UP SENATE BILL 92 BY SENATOR DONNIE CHESTEEN.

THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOLS STATEWIDE TO KEEP CELL PHONES OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT'S ABOUT LETTING TEACHERS TEACH WITHOUT CONSTANT INTERRUPTIONS.

ONE PRINCIPAL WHO TESTIFIED TODAY, CHRISTY WRIGHT OF PIKE ROAD JUNIOR HIGH, SAYS HER SCHOOL IMPLEMENTED A BAN THIS YEAR, AND THEY'RE ALREADY SEEIN POSITIVE RESULTS.

>> WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE, BECAUSE I HAVE OUR CHILDREN, AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO BELL-TO-BELL WITHOUT ANY DEVICES IN FRONT OF THEM AND ALLOW THE TEACHERS TO TEACH, TO INSTRUCT, AND NOT HAVING TO BE POLICING THE CLASSROOM TO FIND OUT WHO IS ON THE CELL PHONE OR -- AND GET THEM TO PUT THEM UP BASICALLY.

>> IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT BECAUSE STUDENTS ARE VERY ADDICTED TO THEIR CELL PHONES, AS ARE YOU AND I.

YOU FIND YOURSELF PICKING YOU KNOW YOUR CELL PHONE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

BUT THE STUDENTS HAVE LEARNED WHAT IT IS THEIR EXPECTATIONS ARE SO WE HAVE NOTICED AN OVERALL INCREASE IN OUR ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT OF OUR LEARNERS.

WE HAVE ALSO NOTICED A LOT MORE "IN DEPTH" DISCUSSIONS.

IT EVEN GOES IN THE HALLWAYS WITH STUDENTS COMMUNICATING MORE WITH EACH OTHER.

SO OVER ALL JUST A GREAT POSITIVE -- >> THAT BILL WAS ADVANCED BY TH COMMITTEE AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

NEARLY FOUR YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW.

BUT PROCESS OF AWARDING LICENSE THROUGH THE ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION HAS BEEN TANGLED UP IN LEGAL DISPUTES EVER SINCE.

TODAY, THE SENATE AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION, AND FORESTRY COMMITTEE HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON A NEW BILL INTRODUCED BY SENATOR TIM MELSON, WHO ORIGINALLY CHAMPIONED THE MEDICAL CANNABIS LAW IN 2021.

MELSON'S SENATE BILL 72 AIMS TO ADDRESS THE ONGOING LITIGATION BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF LICENSES FOR INTEGRATED FACILITIES--BUSINESSES THAT HAV BEEN AT THE CENTER OF THE LEGAL BATTLE.

DURING THE HEARING, COMPANIES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN GRANTED LICENSES VOICED STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSAL.

NO VOTE WAS TAKEN TODAY, AND MELSON SAYS HE WANTS TO TAKE HI TIME TO WORK ON THE BILL TO MAK SURE LAWMAKERS GET IT RIGHT THI TIME AROUND.

>> WHY WE CHANGE THE PROCESS NOW OTHER THAN TO GIVE INDIVIDUALS MAKING THE MOST NOISE ANOTHER BITE AT THE APPLE IS BEYOND ME.

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT.

I DO APPLAUD, AGAIN, YOUR EFFORTS TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.

IT NEEDS TO PLAY OUT IN THE COURTS.

WE WILL HOPEFULLY SOON RECEIVE A VERY, VERY GOOD REPORT INTEREST THE APPELLATE COURT WHICH IS GOING TO BREAK THAT LOGJAM, LIKE STERLING MENTIONED, AND I THINK WE NEED TO LEAVE THIS PROCESS ALONE, SUPPORT THE COMMISSION AND GET MEDICINE TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> I HOPE WE CAN GET IT PASSED OUT OF THE STATE AND DOWN TO THE HOUSE AND AT LEAST HAVE IT IN POSITION IN CASE THE COURT DOES NOT SETTLE THIS ISSUE, WE COULD MOVE OUT OF THE HOUSE LATER.

SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE.

PATIENTS ARE HURTING AND IT'S TIME TO GET IT TO THEM.

FOUR YEARS?

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT IT'S MOVING AT A PACE AND I HAVE SEEN A SLUG WITH SALT ON ITS BACK MOVE FASTER THAN THEY HAVE AND SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE.

>> THAT WAS COMMITTEE DAY IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

B >> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS GINNY SHAVER FROM LEESBURG.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU FINALLY GOT YOUR BILL FOR PARENTAL LEAVE FOR STATE EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

IT'S BEEN A PROCESS.

THIS WAS A BIG TOPIC LAST YEAR, COMPETING BILLS, MAYBE NOT COMPETING BUT DIFFERENT KIND OF PROPOSALS.

WALK ME THROUGH THE HISTORY OF THIS AND WHAT YOUR BILL DOES.

>> WELL, LAST YEAR, I FILED A BILL TO OFFER PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, AND MOVED IT THROUGH THE HOUSE AND UP TO THE SENATE.

AND THEN SENATOR FIGURES ALSO FILED A BILL DOING THE SAME THING FOR TEACHERS.

SHE HAD STARTED MOVING THAT BILL UP THERE.

DEBBIE WOOD FILED A COMPANION BILL IN THE HOUSE.

ONCE MY BILL MADE IT TO THE SENATE AND SENATOR FIGURES BILL STARTED MOVING THE SENTIMENT IN THE SENATE WAS WE NEED TO GET THESE BILLS TOGETHER AND MIRROR THE BENEFIT FOR BOTH OF THOSE GROUPS OF EMPLOYEES.

WE DID THAT AND WE HAD A SUBSTITUTE BILL LAST YEAR MARRYING THE TWO AND GETTING THE BENEFITS THE SAME FOR EACH, AND THEN JUST RAN OUT OF TIME ON THE LAST DAY.

>> THAT TENDS TO HAPPEN SOMETIMES, ESPECIALLY WHEN BIG LEGISLATION IS STANDING IN THE WAY.

SO Y'ALL ARE COMBINED THIS YEAR >> YES.

WE WERE CONTACTED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

SHE CHOSE THIS TO BE A PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE PASSED BECAUSE SHE IS VERY PRO FAMILY, PRO TEACHER AND PRO STATE EMPLOYEE.

SO I WAS VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE SHE REALLY DOES WANT TO HELP THE FAMILY.

>> SHE MENTIONED THAT IN THE STATE OF THE STATE.

>> SHE DID.

>> THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

OKAY.

SO HOW WOULD IT WORK.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AS A STATE MOW OR EDUCATION EMPLOYEE HAS A CHILD, ADOPT'S CHILD OR IN TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE STILLBIRTH, WHAT WOULD THE POLICY BE?

>> IT PROVIDES EIGHT WEEKS OF PAID LEAVE FOR THE MOTHER AND TWO WEEKS FOR THE FATHER FOR BIRTH AND WE DEFINE MISCARRIAGE TO OR THIS BENEFIT AFTER 12 WEEKS AND THE PREGNANCY AND THEN STILLBIRTH AFTER 20 WEEKS IN THE PREGNANCY, AND SO IT WOULD ALSO BE OFFERED INTO THOSE TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND ALSO FOR ADOPTION.

SO FOR AN EMPLOYEE ELIGIBLE THAT ADOPT'S CHILD AGES 3 YEARS AND UNDER IT WOULD PROVIDE EIGHT WEEKS FOR ONE EMPLOYEE AND THEN TWO FOR ANOTHER EMPLOYEE, IF YOU HAVE TWO ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES.

>> IT'S CURIOUS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WORKERS' COMP FOR TEACHERS.

IT'S INTERESTING THESE POLICIES HAVE NOT BEEN IN PLACE.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

IF I'M A TEACHER OR STATE EMPLOYEE, HAVE A CHILD, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IN TERMS OF TAKING THAT NEEDED TIME?

YOU DO NEED THAT TAME OFF TO SPEND WITH YOUR -- >> WELL, IF THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH SICK LEAVE ACCRUED AND TEACHERS EARN ONE DAY EVERY MONTH, SO THEY WOULD HAVE 10 DAYS IN A YEAR, SO, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO BE ON FOR A REALLY LONG TIME AND SAVE THAT LEAVE UP.

SO IF THEY HAD THAT LEAVE AVAILABLE, THEY CAN TAKE THAT.

IF NOT THEN THEY WOULD FALL UNDER THE FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT, THE FEDERAL RULES TO TAKE UNPAID LEAVE UP TO 12 WEEKS.

AND THEN THIS REPLACES THE FAMILY LEAVE OF TWO WEEKS IN THERE FOR TEACHERS.

SO THIS IS PAID LEAVE WHERE THAT IS UNPAID LEAVE.

>> RIGHT.

WHICH YOU KNOW, I'M THINKING ABOUT YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING CHILDREN, THEY MAY NOT HAVE THAT LEAVE SO THAT COULD BE A HUGE FINANCIAL HIT.

YOU KNOW, TO THOSE YOUNG PARENTS.

>> AND NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO RISK THEIR FINANCIAL STABILITY IN ORDER TO START A FAMILY.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY THE REASON WHY WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN TEACHERS AND STATE EMPLOYEES AND MOST YOUNG FOLKS ARE, YOU KNOW, THINKING THEY MIGHT HAVE A FAMILY DOWN IN THE FUTURE AND SO THIS WOULD CERTAINLY BE A CARROT TO THEM TO ATTRACT THEM TO WANT TO BE AN EMPLOYEE IN THE STATE OR TEACHER AND TO KEEP THEM FOR THAT.

SO IT'S A -- WE WANT TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN EMPLOYEES AND TEACHERS.

>> I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES THIS WOULD BE A VERY NICE THING FOR EDUCATION AND STATE EMPLOYEES.

BUT LIKE ALL POLICIES LIKE THIS IT'S GOING TO COME WITH A PRICE TAG.

IT'S GOING TO COST THE STATE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY.

LOOKING AT THE PHYSICAL NOTE AND EVERYTHING, I KNOW THAT WILL BE DEBATED.

BUT ARE YOU CONFIDENT WITH YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, WITH LSA THAT WE CAN AFFORD THIS AS A STATE?

>> YES.

IT DOESN'T HAVE A PRICE TAG.

WE'RE CONSCIOUS OF THAT.

BASICALLY IF AN EMPLOYEE HAD BEEN TAKING UNPAID LEAVE PRIOR, THEIR SALARY HAS ALREADY BEEN BUDGETED.

SO THAT AMOUNT IS ALREADY GOING TO BE SPENT.

IF THEY TOOK THE UNPAID LEAVE AND WEREN'T BEING PAID THAT'S A POTENTIAL SAVINGS THAT WOULD BE LOST.

BUT ONLY IF AN EMPLOYEE IS ESSENTIAL AND THEY HAVE TO BACK-FILL THAT PERSON'S POSITION OR IN THE CASE OF A TEACHER, THE DAYS THEY WOULD NEED A SUBSTITUTE, THEN THERE'S A COST FOR THAT.

CALLER: AND IS SOME OF THAT ABSORBED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AS WELL?

>> YES.

THIS APPLIES TO LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION.

>> WELL, YOU HAVE GOT THE GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT, SENATOR FIGURES IN THE SENATE.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> I FEEL BETTER ABOUT IT THIS TIME.

WE JUST RAN OUT OF ADVERTISEMENT LAST TIME BUT WE HAVE GARNERED A LOT OF SUPPORT.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF HELP BEHIND THE SCENES, DIFFERENT GROUPS AND FOLKS HELPING WITH THIS BILL A LOT OF INTEREST.

WE ARE THE LAST -- WITH MISSISSIPPI, OF ALL OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES.

SO WE WANT TO HURRY UP AND LET MISSISSIPPI BE LAST AT SOMETHING AND NOT ALABAMA.

>> FAIR ENOUGH.

WE ONLY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME BUT I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TODAY IN YOUR COMMITTEE.

YOU HAD THIS BILL DEALING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA AND CHILDREN.

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT IT IN CONGRESS TOO.

KIND OF A COMPLICATED SUBJECT, BUT ONE THAT, I THINK, IS GOING TO BE HEATING UP AT THIS SESSION.

>> IT IS A COMPLICATED SUGGEST IN DEALING WE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL MEDIA AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT AVENUES THAT ARE AFFECTING HOW A CHILD IS REACHED, WHETHER IT BE THROUGH THE INTERNET, A PHONE APP ON THE PHONE, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> SO THE INTENT IS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM ONLINE PREDATORS OR INFORMATION OR MATERIAL THAT WOULD BE HARMFUL TO THEM.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE TRYING TO BALANCE THE FIRST AMENDMENT IN OUR RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH.

AND SO IT'S GOING TO BE A DELICATE BALANCE.

IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH TO REACH -- THE INTENT IS AND TO BE ABLE TO DO IT BECAUSE IT'S -- ON WHICH LEVEL DO WE APPLY THE REGULATION AND WHO KNEW WE REQUIRE WHETHER WE ENACT TO BE CHECKING SOMEONE'S AGE VERIFICATION OR, YOU KNOW, AT WHAT POINT DO WE HAVE THAT SAFEGUARD, THAT SAFETY RAIL SO -- >> AND YOU DON'T WANT TO PASS SOMETHING THAT EVENTUALLY GETS OVERTURNED OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WEAVER OUT OF TIME.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WILL BE FOLLOWING WITH PARENTAL LEAVE.

IT'S A BIG DEAL.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING UP >> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO .

APT.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON APT'S FREE MOBILE APP.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT ARE EMILY WEIKLE OF GENERATOR AND KAI FRAZIER OF KAI XR.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> YOU'RE IN TOWN TALKING ABOUT THE INNOVATING ALABAMA TAX CREDIT.

I WANT TO GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE.

EMILY CAN YOU REMIND OUR AUDIENCE ABOUT GENERATOR AND ITS ROLE IN THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPACE.

>> WE'RE A START UP ACCELERATOR PLATFORM.

WE RUN ACCELERATORS IN 46 COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HELP START-UPS GO FASTER.

THAT'S OUR IDEA.

WE INVEST IN THE START-UPS AND WE NOW HAVE A FUND BASED IN ALABAMA THAT INVESTS IN ALABAMA START-UPS.

ALABAMA IS OUR FASTEST GROWING MARKET FOR THE COMPANY.

WE'RE HEADQUARTERED IN THE MIDWEST BUT BECAUSE OF THE TAX PROGRAM WE RUN NINE ACCELERATORS ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND HAVE WORKED WITH ALMOST 2 HUNDRED START-UPS HERE SO IT'S A REALLY EXCITING THING TO SEE AND WE'RE EXCITED TO BE IN MONTGOMERY TO MAKE ILL POSSIBLE.

>> NOW, KAI TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND HOW IT GOT STARTED.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST I AM A TEACHER.

AS A TEACHER, I JUST FELT LIKE WE WEREN'T PREPARING KIDS FOR THE FUTURE SO I WANTED TO MAKE A LEARNING PLATFORM CALLED KAI-XR.

WE HAVE FILLED WITH VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS AND 3D PROGRAMS TO DO PROBLEM SOLVING AND ASSESSMENTS AND IT'S ALL BASED AROUND ALABAMA EDUCATION STANDARDS SO WE LAKE TO SAY THAT WE'RE NOT JUST TEACHING KIDS, WE'RE PREPARING THEM FOR THE FUTURE.

>> THAT'S SO IMPORTANT.

AND I'M GUESSING GENERATOR PLAYED A ROLE IN LOCATING HERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO I WAS BASED OUT IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA AND I MOVED TO BIRMINGHAM TO REALLY GROW THE BUSINESS AND I WAS ABLE TO DO SO THANKS TO THE INNOVATING ALABAMA TAX CREDIT.

>> TALK ABOUT THIS TAX CREDIT.

LOOK, AS INNOVATE ALABAMA GOT STARTED, YOU HAD THE COMMISSION AND SO MANY STEPS ALONG THE WAY.

I FEEL LIKE IT'S REALLY HIT ITS STRIDE IN THAT YOU'RE ACTUALLY PRODUCING AND SEEING RESULTS OF THAT AND FOLKS IN THIS BUILDING, LAWMAKERS, LIKE TO SEE THOSE RESULTS.

SO WHAT WAS THE FEEDBACK -- I KNOW YOU VISITED WITH A LOT OF LAWMAKERS.

HAS THERE BEEN POSITIVE TODAY BACK ABOUT HERE IS THE TAX CREDIT YOU PUT IN PLACE IS ACTUALLY DOING.

>> SO VENTURE CAPITAL IS KIND OF A LONG GAME.

SO SOMEWHAT EXCITING IS WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING ACCELERATOR SINCE 2020.

IT START UNDER THE GROWING ALABAMA PROGRAM.

AND WE STARTED RUNNING A PROGRAM IN BIRMINGHAM AND OUR CP IN HUNTSVILLE.

SINCE THEN, WE HAVE STARTED TO SEE THOSE COMPANIES REALLY HIT THAT YOU ARE TRIED, LIKE YOU SAID.

COMPANIES THAT WE SERVE THROUGH ACCELERATOR CREATED OVER A THOUSAND JOBS, AND THEY'VE GONE OVER TO RAISE OVER $80 MILLION DOLLARS IN CAPITAL, AND THOSE ARE DOLLARS INVESTED AND ALSO COMING OUT OF STATE FROM INVESTMENT IN THE COMPANIES THAT ARE BUILDING HERE.

AND YOU HEAR OF COMPANIES LIKE KAI'S WHERE, YOU KNOW, THEY MAY HAVE BEEN GROWING IN ONE OF THOSE START-UP HOTBEDS LIKE TEXAS OR CALIFORNIA OR BOSTON BUT REALIZE IF THEY COME TO ALABAMA THEY CAN FIND THE KINDS OF CUSTOMERS THEY'RE LOOKING FOR TO HELP THEIR BUSINESSES GROW LONG-TERM AND THE KIND OF CAPITAL THEY'RE LOOKING FOR AS WELL.

>> KAI, I STARTED A BUSINESS TOO.

IT'S SCARY.

IT CAN BE.

BUT TALK ABOUT THAT.

WHAT WOULD YOUR MESSAGE BE TO THOSE WHO MIGHT HAVE AN ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT, MAY WANT TO, YOU KNOW, VENTURE OUT IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES TO HAVE A PROGRAM LIKE THIS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO FOR A TECH COMPANY IT'S VERY HARD TO FIND THAT FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICT, THAT FIRST SCHOOL, AND WE RELOCATED TO BIRMINGHAM BECAUSE GENERATOR GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY.

SO BY WORKING WITH GENERATOR WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC INCOME FROM EVERYWHERE FROM BIRMINGHAM TO MONTGOMERY AND RURAL DISTRICTS IN THE BLACK BELT LIKE SELMA AND PERRY COUNTY.

SO WE'RE THANKFUL FOR OF THE OPPORTUNITY AND I WOULD SAY THAT IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO MAKE A LARGE IMPACT AND FIND A NEW CUSTOMER BASE THIS IS DEFINITELY A GREAT PATHWAY TO TAKE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU DON'T WANT HAVE YOU BACK ON AND BECAUSE DEEPER INTO THAT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH EXCITEMENT ON THE EDUCATION FRONT THESE DAYS.

SO MUCH WORK TO DO.

>> SO MUCH WORK TO DO BUT WE, AS A TEACHER, IT'S AN HONOR TO WATCH SO MANY STUDENTS THAT ARE READY AND EXCITED.

THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB AND SHAPING THEIR OWN FUTURE AND I'M THANKFUL, ALABAMA HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOR BEING ABLE TO WORK WOULD SO MANY AMAZING STUDENTS.

>> HOW DO PEOPLE LEARN MORE ABOUT GENERATOR.

>> YOU CAN GO TO GENERATOR.COM/ALABAMA TO SEE OUR ALABAMA IMPACT NUMBERS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF AS A STATE.

WE GET CALLS FROM OTHER STATES LOOKING TO REPLICATE A SIMILAR PROGRAM SO IT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD REALLY FEEL GOOD ABOUT HERE.

>> THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR.

WHEN YOU TALK AUNT BOSTON AND AUSTIN AND SAN FRANCISCO, THAT'S WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT START-UPS.

>> WE'RE ON TO SOMETHING.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING UP.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANY TIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE, WWW.APTV.ORG.

CLICK 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.

>> 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 STACEY.