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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TODAY WAS THE 15TH DAY OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2025 REGULAR SESSION.

THAT BRINGS US TO THE HALFWAY POINT OF SESSION, AT LEAST IN TERMS OF LEGISLATIVE DAYS.

LAWMAKERS HAVE 15 MORE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO MEET BETWEE NOW AND MAY 19TH.

WE'LL START OUR COVERAGE IN COMMITTEE, WHERE MOST OF THE ACTION TOOK PLACE TODAY.

THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE HEL A PUBLIC HEARING OVER LEGISLATION MEANT TO TIGHTEN REGULATIONS ON MARIJUANA DERIVE PRODUCTS.

SENATE BILL 237 FROM STATE SENATOR TIM MELSON WOULD PLACE NEW RESTRICTIONS ON PSYCHOACTIV CANNABINOIDS FOUND IN HEMP, INCLUDING COMPOUNDS LIKE DELTA- THC.

IT WOULD ALSO PLACE THOSE PRODUCTS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL BOARD.

DURING A PUBLIC HEARING, SEVERA BUSINESS OWNERS AND HEMP GROWER VOICED STRONG OPPOSITION, ARGUING THAT THE BILL WOULD HAR SMALL BUSINESSES AND LIMIT CONSUMER ACCESS.

THE BILL FAILED TO ADVANCE ON A TIE VOTE.

SENATOR MELSON, WHO CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE, HAS THE AUTHORITY TO BRING THE BILL BAC FOR RECONSIDERATION BUT CURRENTLY HAS NO PLANS TO DO SO >> IT PUTS HUMP UNDER ADC WHICH OVERSEES LIQUOR NOT AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.

THIS RISKS PENALIZINGS AND CRIMINALIZING HEMP PRODUCTS MORE HARSHLY THAN ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO.

THESE PRODUCTS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE USED AS RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA AND THEY ARE GETTING PEOPLE HIGH.

ON MY WAY DOWN TODAY I DECIDED TO STOP AND GET SOME PRODUCTS AND I ASKED THE LADY IF IT WILL GET YOU HIGH AND SHE SAID OH, YEAH IT WILL DEFINITELY GET YOU HIGH.

>> THERE WERE SOME THAT WILL AGAINST THE BILL BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BAN IT AND SOME DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN.

THEY HAVE A MARKET OUT THERE THAT'S UNREGULATED.

I MEAN, THE 2018 HEMP BILL DID NOT INCLUDE FOR CONSUMPTION.

IT WAS ONLY FOR PAPER PRODUCTS, CLOTHING AND ROPE, AND IT WANTED TO GET A MARKET OUT THERE FOR HEMP NOTHING THAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AG WILL NOT GRADE IT FOR CONSUMPTION.

THAT WAS NOT THE INTENT OF THE BILL.

THESE INDIVIDUALS FOUND A LOOP WHOLE INDUSTRY THEY'RE TRYING TO EXPLOIT.

THEY KEEP BRINGING UP ALL OF THESE MEDICAL REASONS AND THOSE MOLE REASONS IN MY OPINION ARE EXCUSES TO GET A PRODUCT OUT THERE FOR PEOPLE TO -- I'LL JUST SAY ENJOY WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

THE SENATE AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION, AND FORESTRY COMMITTEE APPROVED A SEPARATE MARIJUANA BILL FROM MELSON, WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL SPONSOR OF ALABAMA'S MEDICAL CANNABIS LAW.

SENATE BILL 72 AIMS TO RESOLVE THE LEGAL CHALLENGES FACING THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF LICENSES FOR INTEGRATED FACILITIES--BUSINESSES THAT BOT GROW AND SELL MEDICAL CANNABIS AND HAVE BEEN AT THE HEART OF THE LAWSUITS.

IT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE AN INDEPENDENT FIRM TO OVERSEE THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR FUTURE LICENSES IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROV TRANSPARENCY.

DESPITE THE BILL PASSING IN COMMITTEE, MELSON HIMSELF EXPRESSED DOUBT ABOUT ITS FUTURE, CITING STRONG OPPOSITION, INCLUDING FROM THE COMMISSION ITSELF.

>> I THINK IT WAS AN EFFORT BUT I DON'T THINK THERE WAS AN CREDIBLE EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THESE PEOPLE WERE RANKED IN PROPER ORDER.

TO HEAR SOMETHING THE JUDGES TALK ABOUT THE FACTORS USED TO INFLUENCE THEM, IT MAKES IT SUSPECT.

BUTTED I'D HATE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TO GO IN AND PRODUCE EXCESS PRODUCT THAT WILL NEVER BE OUT THERE.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL COME UP ON THE FLOOR.

A LOT OF OUTSIDE INFLUENCES A LOT OF DEEP POCKETS AND CONSTITUENTS IN DIFFERENT AREAS.

FIVE PART TIME WHO GOT LICENSED OR FIVE CORPORATIONS HAVE A LOT OF INFLUENCE AS WELL, AND SO IT'S GOING TO BE A STRUGGLE.

>> THE HOUSE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE MET TODAY AND CONSIDERED A NUMBER OF BILLS, INCLUDING LEGISLATION THAT WOUL OFFER WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE TO TEACHERS AND OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL WORKERS.

SENATE BILL 1 FROM STATE SENATO SAM GIVAN PASSED THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY, BUT FACED QUESTION IN HOUSE COMMITTEE ABOUT POTENTIAL COSTS TO STATE.

>> SO MANY PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT OUR EDUCATION EMPLOYEES DO NOT HAVE WORKERS' COMP INSURANCE.

HOUR STATE EMPLOYEES INVITE BUT NOT OUR EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

CLARIFICATIONS ON WHETHER OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES ARE COVERED AS THEY ARE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS POINTED OUT.

THERE WERE SOME THINGS LIKE JUST HOW THINGS ARE DONE IN PRACTICE AND GIVING NOTICE BY ELECTRONICALLY OR DIGITALLY AS OPPOSED TO CERTIFIED MAIL.

THEY DON'T DO CERTIFIED MAIL ANYMORE IN THAT WORLD.

>> THAT BILL WAS CARRIED OVER AND LAWMAKERS SAID THEY WOULD TAKE IT UP AGAIN AFTER NEXT WEEK'S BREAK.

ALSO CONSIDERED BY THE HOUSE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE WAS SENATE BILL 199 FROM STATE SENATOR VIVIAN FIGURES, WHICH WOULD OFFER PAID PARENTAL LEAVE TO PUBLIC SCHOOL WORKERS AND STATE EMPLOYEES.

THE BILL WOULD ALLOW EIGHT WEEK PAID LEAVE FOR NEW MOTHERS AND TWO WEEKS FOR NEW FATHERS.

RIGH NOW, THOSE EMPLOYEES MUST USE VACATION TIME OR UNPAID ANNUAL LEAVE, WHICH FIGURES SAID MAKES PUBLIC SERVICE LESS ATTRACTIVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> LAST YEAR REPRESENTATIVE SCHAFFER HAD INTRODUCED A BILL FOR STATE EMPLOYEES FOR PARENTAL LEAVE AND I HAD INTRODUCED A BILL FOR THE EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

AND SENATOR ORR SAID WHY DON'T WE PUT THEM TOGETHER, SO WE WORKED ON IT TOGETHER AND BROUGHT IT FORWARD AND I WAS HAPPY TO HAVE 23 OF THE SENATOR SIGN ON AS CO-SPONSORS THIS YEAR BUT IT WAS MY SON SHOMARI WHO BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION THAT EDUCATORS DIDN'T HAVE -- AND IT WAS MAYBE TEACHERS THAT TOLD HIM THAT -- THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PATERNITY LEAVE.

AND I WAS SHOCKED I HAD BEEN HERE AT 30 YEARS AND NOBODY TOLD ME THAT.

THEY NEVER HAD A COMPLAINT ABOUT THAT.

SO I HAVE TO GIVE HIM KUDOS FOR BRINGING IT TO MY ATTENTION AND I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

THAT BILL WAS APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE.

THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECONSIDERED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PLACE A PERCENT FEE ON OUTGOING INTERNATIONAL CASH TRANSFERS.

HOUSE BILL 297 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE JENNIFER FIDLER IS PART OF A PACKAGE OF BILLS RELATING TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION REVENUE FROM THE FEES WOULD BE SPLIT AMONG A SHERIFFS' FUND TO HELP OFFSET THE COST OF ENFORCING IMMIGRATION LAWS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR THE EDUCATIO OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS AN HOSPITALS FOR UNCOMPENSATED CAR EXPENSES.

THE BILL WAS HELD UP TWO WEEKS AGO AFTER CONCERNS WERE RAISED ABOUT THE NEW FEES, BUT THE BIL TODAY CLEARED COMMITTEE.

>> AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS CLEAR WHO IT AFFECTED AND WHO IT WASN'T IN THAT PAYMENT PROCESS DEFINITION.

SO WHO IT DOES NOT AFFECT MAY GO OVER THIS AGAIN.

>> PLEASE.

>> INDIVIDUAL WHO USE A PAYMENT PROCESSOR LIKE PAYPAL OR VENMO, ANY TRANSACTION ORIGINATING FROM A BANKING INSTITUTION, A BANK OAR CREDIT UNION PAYMENT PROCESSOR, ANYTHING THAT FACILITY TATE'S FUNDS THAT ORIGINATE FROM A BANK OR CREDIT CARD OR DEBIT CARD.

IT DOES NOT AFFECT ANY BANK OR CREDIT UNION WIRE OR SALE OF MONEY ORDER OR CHECK CASHING OR CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD TRANSACTIONS.

WHO IT DOES AFFECT WILL BE INDIVIDUALS WHO SEND CASH WIRED THROUGH COMPANIES THAT GENERALLY OFFER IN-PERSON SERVICES THAT INCLUDE CASH TRANSFERS LIKE PERSON UNION OR MONEY-GRAM OR INDIVIDUAL WHO SEND CASH TRANSFERS WHO ARE NOT LICENSED LEGITIMATE BANKS.

>> THE HOUSE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE MET TODAY TO CONSIDER MULTIPLE BILLS, INCLUDING ONE RELATED TO RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

HOUSE BILL 342 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN DUBOSE WOULD REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO ADOPT POLICIES ALLOWING STUDENTS ELECTIVE CREDITS FOR ATTENDING RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM.

DUBOSE SAYS THE MEASURE WOULD GET PARENTS MORE INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND PROMOTE VALUES LEARNING.

THE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE BILL AND SENT IT TO THE FULL HOUSE.

>> HB342 WHICH ALLOWS RELIGIOUS RELIEF TIME FOR STUDENTS, YOU HAVE TO HAVE PARENTAL CONSENT.

NO PUBLIC FUNDS CAN BE USED.

THERE HAS TO BE A NONPROFIT FAITH BASED ENTITY BEHIND IT THAT PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION AND TAKES LIABILITY FOR THE STUDENTS.

BUT THIS JUST GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FAITH BASED EDUCATION TO TAKE PLACE DURING THE DAY.

IT HAS TO BE DURING AN ELECTIVE AND IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO EXTEND THEIR LEARNING TIME INTO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

OTHER NOTABLE BILLS SAW MOVEMEN IN COMMITTEE TODAY.

SENATE BILL 252 FROM SENATOR BILLY BEASLEY IS THE NEW, UPDATED VERSION OF LEGISLATION AIMING TO REGULATE PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS AND PLACE TRANSACTION FEES ON PRESCRIPTIONS TO HELP PHARMACIE THAT ARE STRUGGLING UNDER WHAT THEY CALL UNFAIR COMPENSATION RATES.

SUPPORTERS SAID THIS BILL REPRESENTED A COMPROMISE WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND THE COMMITTEE ADVANCED IT TO THE SENATE FLOOR, WHERE IT IS LIKEL TO COME UP TOMORROW.

>> HOUSE BILL 280 FROM REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA ALMOND WOULD GIVE MUNICIPALITIES AND UNIVERSITIES GREATER AUTHORITY TO DEAL WITH PUBLIC NUISANCES, PARTICULARLY THOSE INVOLVING ALCOHOL.

IT ADVANCED THROUGH A SENATE COMMITTEE AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

AND HOUSE BILL 298 FROM REPRESENTATIVE BROCK COLVIN WOULD ALLOW HIGH SCHOOLS TO NOT COUNT ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS TOWARD THEIR ATHLETIC CLASSIFICATIONS NUMBER.

THAT BILL ADVANCED THROUGH COMMITTEE AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE.

>> DOZENS TURNED OUT TO THE STATE HOUSE TODAY AS PART OF A DEMONSTRATION PROTESTING IMMIGRATION MEASURES BEING CONSIDERED IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL IMMIGRATION RELATED BILLS MOVING THIS YEAR, INCLUDING SOME ATTEMPTING TO ALIGN STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT WIT THE RAMPED UP DEPORTATION EFFORTS OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

ORGANIZED BY THE ALABAMA COALITION FOR IMMIGRATION JUSTICE, THE RALLY WAS MEANT TO DEMONSTRATE HOW CRITICAL IMMIGRANTS ARE TO THE ALABAMA ECONOMY.

>> TODAY WE STAND TOGETHER TO DEFEND THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS.

LOOK AROUND YOU.

SO HE MANY PEOPLE FROM EVERY CORNER OF OUR STATE FORECLOSURES RUSSELLVILLE TO FORT PAYNE, HUNTSVILLE TO MOBILE, FROM CULLMAN TO BIRMINGHAM, AND FROM TUSCALOOSA TO DOTHAN.

WE ALL CONVERGE HERE IN MONTGOMERY, OUR CAPITOL STATE TOO.

WE ARE TEACHERS, WE ARE DOCTORS, BUSINESS OWNERS, WE ARE COOKS, SERVICE WORKERS, WE ARE COMMUNITY LEADERS.

WE ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE BACKBONE OF THIS STATE.

AND WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE REFUSE TO STAY SILENT WHILE IMMIGRANTS ARE BEING TARGETED BY HARMFUL LAWS.

>> WE WANT ALL OF THE LEGISLATORS NOT BUILDING TO UNDERSTAND THE REAL IMPACT OF PASSING THESE KINDS OF LAWS ON ALABAMA'S ECONOMY, ON ITS WORKFORCE.

WE KNOW THAT IMMIGRANTS ARE A HUGE PIECE OF ALABAMA'S ECONOMY.

AND THESE BILLS WOULD BE EXTREMELY DAMAGING TO ALL OF THE SECTORS IN ALABAMA'S WORKFORCE.

>> THE ALABAMA SENATE HAD A SPECIAL GUEST TODAY.

CONGRESSMAN SHOMARI FIGURES WAS BACK FROM WASHINGTON AND MADE A BRIEF VISIT TO THE STATE HOUSE.

IT WAS AN EMOTIONAL MOMENT FOR FIGURES, WHO OF COURSE IS THE SON OF CURRENT STATE SENATOR VIVIAN FIGURES AND FORMER STATE SENATOR MICHAEL FIGURES.

HE TALKED ABOUT THAT SPECIAL TI TO THE STATE HOUSE AND SHARED WHAT'S HE SEES AS THE UPCOMING PRIORITIES WHEN CONGRESS RECONVENES.

>> THAT PODIUM WHERE MY MOTHER SPEAKS FROM NOW WHO WHERE MY FATHER SPOKE FROM 20 YEARS OR SO AND IT'S JUST A REQUIRED OF HOW YOU GOT HERE AND THE SACRIFICES MADE FOR YOU TO BE HERE.

I'M STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN KEEP OUR RURAL HOSPITALS AND STATE HEALTH CARE HERE IN ALABAMA NUMBER ONE.

WE MET THIS MORNING WITH THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION ON GETTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THAT ISSUE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY COMMUNITIES THAT ARE LOSING HOSPITALS ARE TRYING UP.

THAT'S A RECIPE FOR DISASTER ECONOMICALLY FROM A HEALTH CARE STANDPOINT AND BUILDING UP THE LOCAL TAX BASE.

SO GETTING THAT BACK UP THERE AND WORKING ON THAT ISSUE IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE ALREADY DONE.

AND WE'RE STANDING UP TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE FEDERAL INTERESTS THAT WE HAVE IN THE DISTRICT MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE CALLING ATTENTION TO FEDERAL CUTS THAT WILL DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTING US IN THE BUDGET FIND, STANDING UP FOR MEDICAID, SOCIAL SECURITY, SNAP BENEFITS ALL OF WHICH THE PEOPLE IN THIS STATE PARTICIPATE IN AT A HIGHER RATE IN THIS STATE THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, SO THERE'S A LOT OF PRIORITIES BUT THOSE ARE SOME OF THE ONES AT THE TOP.

>>IT WAS BUY ALABAMA'S BEST DAY HERE AT THE CAPITOL COMPLEX.

SPONSORED BY THE ALABAMA GROCER ASSOCIATION, THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES AND THE ALABAMA FOOD MANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION, THE EVENT FEATURED ALABAMA-MADE PRODUCTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, ALLOWING PASSERS BY TO SAMPLE THE FARES.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ALSO PAID A VISIT AND HIGHLIGHTED THESE PRODUCERS $2 BILLION DOLLAR IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY.

>> HOPE FLEE WE CAN DISAGREE OVER WHO HAS THE BEST BASKETBALL TEAM BUT WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD, THERE'S NO DISPUTE THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAS THE BEST.

IT'S BEEN SAID GOOD FOOD BRINGS FOLKS TOGETHER.

THAT'S TRUE NOT ONLY AT THE DINNER TABLE BUT ALSO FOR OUR GROWING ECONOMY.

1888 THOUSAND ALABAMIANS WORK IN FOOD MANUFACTURING AS WELL AS WHOLESALE AND RETAIL FOOD JOBS ALL OVER THE STATE.

IN JUST THE LAST 13 MONTHS I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN CEREMONIES LAUNCHING MAJOR NEW FOOD MANUFACTURING PLANTS IN NORTH BOOM AND SOUTH ALABAMA.

THE ALABAMA FOOD INDUSTRY JOB GENERATES MORE THAN 6.8 BILLION DOLLARS IN WAGES WITH A STAGGERING 18 BILLION DOLLARS IN TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT.

ALABAMA'S FOOD PRODUCERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ALABAMA GROWERS ASSOCIATION AND THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF AG AND INDUSTRIES ALSO PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING CHARITIES THAT GIVE BACK TO OUR STATE COLLIDING CHILDREN OF ALABAMA.

FROM CONECUH SAUSAGE AND MILOS AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN, ALABAMA IS HOME TO THE VERY BEST.

I CAN'T WAIT TO GET IN LINE TO SAMPLE SOME OF THESE GREAT EATS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT TO JOIN US TODAY AND HONORING ALABAMA'S FOOD INDUSTRY.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND THE GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUEST.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR APE WEAVER FROM BIB COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THE SHOW.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU.

>> ONE OF YOUR BILLS IS MOVING PAST THE HOUSE THIS MORNING HAVING TO DO WITH WHAT ARE COLLOQUIALLY CALLED WHIP ITS, THESE DRUGS REALLY THAT HAVE PROLIFERATED IN GROCERY STORES OR CONVENIENCE STORES WHERE YOU CAN GET NITROUS OXIDE HIGH, AND YOU INTRODUCED THIS LEGISLATION AT THE BEGINNING.

TALK ABOUT WHAT IT DOES AND HOW THESE THINGS MIGHT BE MORE TIGHTLY REGULATED.

>> IT'S BEEN INTERESTING FOR ME, THE WHOLE JOURNEY I HAVE HAD WITH THE NITROUS OXIDE BILL.

AT THANKSGIVING OR THE HOLD DIE SEASON, I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT NITROUS OXIDE.

I'M A CHILD OF THE '80S AND WAS IN COLLEGE IN THE 90S AND WE AILS HEARD ABOUT WHIP ITS FROM THAT ERA BUT THIS WAS A WHOLE DIFFERENT SITUATION.

I HAD A MOTHER FROM SHELBY COUNTY WHO ANONYMOUSLY SENT ME A GALLON OF GALAXY GAS THROUGH A THIRD-PARTY BECAUSE THEIR FAMILY WAS GOING THROUGH A LOT OF ADDICTION TREATMENT FOR THEIR DAUGHTER.

IT WAS A VERY SENSITIVE TIME FOR THEM SO SHE PREFERRED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS AND CERTAINLY RESPECT THAT.

BUT THE THIRD-PARTY BROUGHT TO IT ME WITH HER STORY OF HOW GALAXY GAS HAD AFFECTED THEIR FAMILY.

THEIR DAUGHTER HAD AN ADDICTION OR HAS AN ADDICTION AND IS CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH ADDICTION THERAPY.

THEIR FAMILY HAS SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN THE BEGINNING, THE PARENT ASKED WHAT IT WAS, AND THEY HAD SEEN THE CANISTERS.

AND THE CHILD SAID, YOU KNOW, BUY IT AT THE GAS STATION.

>> IT'S LIKE CANDY.

SO WHEN THE PARENTS STARTED DOING THE INVESTIGATION, WHICH IS REALLY EASY TO DO, AND I WOULD HAVE ANY PARENT, IF YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS THAT YOUR THAILAND IS INVOLVED WITH THIS, IF YOU SEE THE CANISTERS, PLEASE EDUCATE YOURSELF.

THE BEST THING THAT I DID TO EDUCATE MYSELF WAS I TYPED GALAXY GAS IN INSTAGRAM AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE VIDEOS RELATED TO GALAXY GAS YOU SHOULD GOOGLE THAT BECAUSE IT'S REALLY SCARY.

>> KIDS ARE TAKING THE CANISTERS -- I HAVE SEEN THEM.

I WAS IN THE CONVENIENCE STORE THE OTHER DAY AND SAW THE CANISTERS RIGHT THERE BY THE COUNTER.

I GUESS THEY'RE BEHIND THE COUNTER.

I ALMOST TOOK A PICTURE.

I DIDN'T WANT TO BE CREEPY BUT I ALMOST TOOK A PICTURE AND SENT IT TO YOU.

THEY'RE ADVERTISED AS CANDY-ISH SORT OF THINGS.

I GUESS YOU TAKE IT AND HUFF IT AND IT'S LIKE GETTING NITROUS OXIDE AT THE DENTIST OR SOMETHING.

>> RIGHT.

FOR ME I ALWAYS PAY AT THE PUMP AND I HAD NOT SEEN THESE UNTIL THEY BROUGHT TO IT MY ATTENTION.

IT'S LABELED DO NOT INHALE BUT IT'S SITTING BESIDE THE VAPES.

>> WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU DO WITH IT.

>> BUT IT'S LABELED DO NOT INHALE.

>> THAT'S TO GET AROUND RESTRICTIONS.

>> THERE'S NO AGE RESTRICTION SO YOUR CHIRP CAN GO BUY THIS NOW WITH NO AGE TRICKS WHICH IS WHAT MAKES IT SO SCARY.

YOU CAN ALSO BUY IT ONLINE AT AMAZON OR OTHER THINGS AND HAVE IT SHIPPED TO YOUR HOUSE.

>> WHAT WOULD YOUR LEGISLATION DO.

>> THE ORIGINAL LEGISLATION IS WE HAD IT ON THE SENATE FLOOR AND THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION RELATED TO WAS THIS BILL STRONG ENOUGH TO?

WE ORIGINALLY HAD THE DISCUSSION WE WOULD BAN IT FROM 21 AND UNDER TO KEEP IT AWAY FROM OUR CHILDREN.

THEN WE HAD THE DISCUSSION OF WELL, IF IT'S BAD FOR OUR CHILDREN, YOU KNOW, IT'S BAD FOR EVERYONE TOO.

I HAD ANOTHER PERSON REACH OUT TO ME, HER SON HAD DONE TWO TOURS IN IRAQ AND DIED BECAUSE OF NITROUS OXIDE, AND SHE REALLY SAID,INE, HERE IS MY STORY, AND IT'S BAD FOR ADULTS TOO.

SO IN THE HOUSE WE HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

THE BILL DID CHANGE IN THE HOUSE SO NOW IT WOULD BE A BAN FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST CHILDREN UNDER 21, AND IT WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE SENATE, AND I HOPE THAT WE WILL CONCUR VERY QUICKLY AND GET THAT STUFF OUT OF THE HANDS OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUT OF OUR STATE.

>> SO THAT CONCURRENCE COULD HAPPEN TODAY OR TOMORROW.

IT WOULD BE AT THE GOVERNOR'S DESK THIS WEEK.

>> IT COULD.

>> LET ME ASK YOU, THE REASON IT'S CALLED WHIP ITS BECAUSE YOU HAD THE WHIP -- READY WHIP CANS OF WHIPPED CREAM.

AND IF YOU INHALE IT THERE'S NITROUS OXIDE AND YOU CAN GET A LITTLE HIGH FRIT, THUS THE WHIP ITS.

WHAT ABOUT THAT?

ARE THOSE GOING TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS?

CAN I STILL GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND GET A CAN OF READY WHIP?

>> YES.

IT'S SPECIFICALLY FOR NITROUS OXIDE.

WE HAVE FOUR EXCEPTIONS.

THERE'S A MEDICAL EXCEPTION.

BECAUSE THERE'S A LEGITIMATE USE FOR IT IN DENTAL OFFICES AND HEALTH CARE SETTINGS BUT IT'S HIGHLY REGULATED AND YOU HAVE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS MONITORING YOU DURING THE TIME THEY'RE ADMINISTERING THE NITROUS OXIDE SO THERE'S AN EXCEPTION FOR MEDICAL, AN EXCEPTION FOR MANUFACTURING, ONE FOR AUTOMOTIVE AND ONE FOR CULINARY BUT EVEN IN THOSE EXCEPTIONS THE PERSON WHO HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE NITROUS OXIDE WILL HAVE TO BE 21 OR OVER.

>> I SEE.

YOU MENTIONED THE DENTIST OFFICE.

THERE'S A REASON THEY DON'T LET YOU DRIVE HOME WHILE YOU'RE STILL ON LAYOFFING GAS.

YOU HAVE TO WAIT A GOOD LONG TIME OR HAVE SEEN PICK YOU UP.

THAT'S ANOTHER BIG HAZARD TO THE NITROUS OXIDE PRODUCTS IS MAYBE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW YOU'RE SERIOUSLY IMPAIRED.

I GUESS IT'S A PRETTY BIG RISK IN TERMS OF IMPAIRED DRIVING.

>> THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT SO DANGEROUS.

NITROUS OXIDE IS NITROGEN AND OXYGEN DEPRIVATION.

IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

NOT ONLY DOES IT HAVE SHORT-TERM EFFECTS BUT LONG-TERM EFFECTS TOO.

THERE WERE DANGERS THAT CAME OUT FROM THE FDA THIS WEEK RELATED TO IT THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE DISCUSSION, SO IT'S JUST REALLY BAD STUFF AND WE NEED TO GET IT OUT OF THE HANDS OF NOT ONLY OUR CHILDREN BUT THE GENERAL POPULATION.

>> INTERESTING LEGISLATION.

I'M ASSUMING THIS IS GOING TO PASS BUT IT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING TO ME BECAUSE WHAT COMES FROM CONSTITUENTS; RIGHT?

AND YOU NEED THAT FEEDBACK AND IT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING TO SEE SOMETHING BUBBLE UP FROM WHAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS FEEDBACK TO YOU.

WHILE I HAVE YOU HERE, YOU LEGISLATION DEALING WITH WIRE TRANSFERS INTERNATIONALLY, IT'S REALLY AN IMMIGRATION ISSUE.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER IN THE SESSION AS Y'ALL HAD COME BACK FROM THE BORDER.

YOUR BORDER TRIP HAD INFORMED SOME OF THE LEGISLATION SO THIS WIRE TRANSFER BILL PASSED THE SENATE PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO IT STARTED OVER IN THE HOUSE AND RAN INTO SOME TROUBLE EARLY, SOME TAX IMPLICATIONS THERE.

WHAT CAN YOU SEE ABOUT THAT?

WHERE ARE WE WITH THE WIRE TRANSFER BILL AND WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT.

>> LIKE YOU SAID IT WAS A BILL THAT WAS CREATED AFTER OUR TRIP TO THE BORDER.

WE WORKED WITH THE SHERIFF WHILE WE WERE ON THE TRIP AND WE CAME UP WITH THIS WIRE TRANSFER BILL THAT ADDRESSED THAT HUGE ISSUE THAT WE'RE HAVING ABOUT THE CASH TRANSFERS GOING BACK TO INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS.

>> SO WESTERNINE AND EVERYBODY CAN UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF SOMEBODY COMES HERE TO THIS COUNTRY, GETS A JOB, WANTS TO SEND MONEY PACK HOME VIA WESTERN UNION.

>> SO IT'S NOT A BANK.

IT'S A CASH TRANSFER TO AN INTERNATIONAL LOCATION.

>> HAS A FEE ON IT.

AND THEN A PERCENTAGE FEE OVER 500 DOLLARS, MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION VERSION IN THE SENATE.

AGAIN IT DOESN'T TOUCH ANY LEGITIMATE TRANSFERS FROM BANKS AND THE BILL ALSO HAS AN EXCEPTION IN IT, IF YOU ARE FILING ALABAMA INCOME TAX YOU GET TO TAKE THAT FEE AS A TAX CREDIT ON YOUR FORECLOSE TAX.

SO IF YOU'RE ALREADY PAYING TAX ON THE MONEY YOU GET IT BACK.

IF YOU'RE DOING IT LEGITIMATELY >> WHEN I MENTIONED THE TROUBLE IN THE HOUSE YOU HAD SOMEONE COME OUT AND WRITE A LETTER AND SAY THIS IS A TAX AND HE IS A BIG NO TAX GUY AND HE IS SAYING THIS COULD BE PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE IT'S AN INNER INFLATIONARY PERIOD AND THIS IS AN INFLATIONARY POLICY.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE FEEDBACK FROM THAT.

>> I HAVE NOT HAD ANY FEEDBACK FROM THAT.

I THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, AS LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS YOU AND I PAY LOTS OF TAXES ON THE DOLLARS THAT WE MAKE.

BUT THESE CASH TRANSACTIONS ARE UNTAXED.

A LOT OF TIMES IT'S ILLEGAL DRUG MONEY.

THERE'S LOTS OF DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.

AND MOST OF THE TIME THE TAXES HAVEN'T BEEN PAID ON THESE CASH TRANSFERS.

SO AGAIN, I HAD IT IN THE SENATE, PASSED THE SENATE VERY, VERY QUICKLY.

I HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT UP THERE AND THEN WE HAD A DISCUSSION WITH IT AS A REVENUE BILL.

IT NEEDED TO START IN THE HOUSE SO I GAVE THE BILL TO REPRESENTATIVE BIDLER AND SHE STARTED IT IN THE HOUSE.

I KNOW IT HAS HAD SOME CHANGES TO IT.

IT'S NOT THE SAME BILL THAT I GAVE HER ORIGINALLY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAME OUT OF COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE TODAY BECAUSE IT'S JUST PASSED VERY RECENTLY BUT I HAVE BEEN HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH HER TO SEE WHERE WE ARE IN REGARDS TO THE BILL THAT I SENT DOWN TO HER.

>> JUST ONE OF THE MANY PIECES OF IMMIGRATION RELATED IMMIGRATION MOVING THIS SESSION.

THAT'S BECOME A MAJOR TOPIC.

SENATOR WEAVER I KNOW YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S HOUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT THAT I THINK FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE PACK TOMORROW NIGHT WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.