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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

BREAKING NEWS TODAY: THE STATE' TWO BUDGETS THAT LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON ALL SESSION ARE NOW LAW.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY TODAY SIGNED THE GENERAL FUND AND THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGETS AS WELL AS THE RAISE ACT.

THE GOVERNOR SAID, "THESE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN CORE FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT AND OUR STUDENTS' EDUCATION ARE POSSIBL THROUGH OUR TRACK RECORD OF CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING AND STRONG LEADERSHIP."

THE GOVERNOR WENT ON TO ADD ABOUT THE ETF, "THE BUDGETS WE MADE OFFICIAL THIS MORNING WILL CONTINUE INVESTING IN PROVEN PROGRAMS LIKE THE LITERACY AND NUMERACY ACTS.

"IT WILL SUPPORT OUR TURNAROUND SCHOOLS INITIATIVE TO TARGET SOME OF OUR LOWEST PERFORMING SCHOOLS."

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE HIGH POINTS OF THE BUDGETS THAT ARE NOW LAW, STARTING WITH THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND, WHICH PAY FOR THE RANGE OF EDUCATION EXPENSES FROM PRE-K TO HIGHER ED.

THAT CAME OUT TO A $9.9 BILLION BASE BUDGET, WHICH IS A SIX PERCENT INCREASE OVER THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

PLUS THERE IS A $524 MILLION SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION THAT'S ONE TIME TAX MONEY, $1.25 BILLION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT & TECHNOLOGY FUND.

THAT PAYS FOR ONE TIME EXPENSES LIKE COMPUTER UPGRADES OR FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS, AND $350 MILLION TO FUND THE RAISE ACT.

THAT'S THE BILL THAT TRAVELING ALONG WITH THE BUDGET THE GOVERNOR SIGNED TODAY, MODERNIZING THE WAY THE STATE FUNDS K-12 SCHOOLS.

ADDED ALL UP AND THAT'S A $12 BILLION EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET.

AND THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH TOTALS $3.8 BILLION.

THAT'S A RECORD AND AN INCREASE OF $348 MILLION OVER THE CURREN FISCAL YEAR.

ALL AGENCIES SAW INCREASED FUNDING, AND LAWMAKERS MADE ADDITIONAL FUNDING AVAILABLE FO BROADBAND INTERNET EXPANSION, PORT AUTHORITY CAPITAL PROJECTS PUBLIC HEALTH AND RURAL ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE.

GOVERNOR IVEY ALSO SIGNED INTO LAW SENATE BILL 119, WHICH IS A KEY PLANK IN HER SAFE ALABAMA CRIME PREVENTION PLATFORM.

IT DOES A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

FIRST, IT CREATES NEW PROHIBITIONS ON THE POSSESSION OF A FIREARM.

IT WILL NOW BE A CLASS C FELONY FOR SOMEONE TO POSSESS A FIREAR IF THEY HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF, A, ANY FELONY OFFENSE WITHIN TH PAST FIVE YEARS; OR, B, THREE FELONY OFFENSES AT ANY TIME.

IT WILL NOW BE A CLASS C FELONY FOR SOMEONE TO POSSESS A FIREAR WHILE OUT ON BAIL AWAITING TRIA FOR VIOLENT OFFENSES.

IT ALSO INCREASES PENALTIES FOR SHOOTING INTO HOMES.

IT WILL NOW BE A CLASS A FELONY FOR SOMEONE TO SHOOT INTO AN OCCUPIED DWELLING.

AND IT HAS STRICTER RULES FOR PAROLEES WHEN IT COMES TO FIREARMS.

IT WILL BE EASIER TO SANCTION PROBATIONERS AND PAROLEES FOUND IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM.

AND IT INCLUDES AN EXPANSION OF ANIAH'S LAW.

THAT'S THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ALLOWING JUDGES TO DENY BAIL OF THOSE ACCUSED OF VIOLENT CRIMES.

THAT WOULD BE EXPANDED INCLUDE SHOOTING INTO AN OCCUPIED DWELLING AND SOLICITATION, ATTEMPT, OR CONSPIRACY TO COMMI MURDER.

I'LL TALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE BILLS WITH STATE SENATOR WILL BARFOOT LATER IN THE SHOW.

SO, HERE WE ARE IN THE HOME STRETCH OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH JUST THREE LEGISLATIVE DAYS LEFT.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE SCHEDULE WILL PLAY OUT.

THIS WEEK WILL SEE TWO LEGISLATIVE DAYS: TUESDAY, MAY AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 7.

THEY'LL THEN BREAK FOR A WEEK AND COME BACK FOR THE 30TH LEGISLATIVE DAY ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 EVENTUALLY ADJOURNING SINE DIE.

THERE HAD BEEN TALKS OF ADJOURNING NEXT WEEK, BUT THE SLOW PACE IN THE SENATE AND THE BACKLOG OF LOCAL BILLS WILL REQUIRE ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE DAY IT WILL ALSO ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO OVERTURN ANY POTENTIAL VETOS FROM THE GOVERNOR AND AVOID ANY POCKET VETO SITUATIONS.

WHEN LAWMAKERS RETURN TO THE STATE HOUSE ON TUESDAY, SENATE LEADERS SAY THEY'RE BRACING FOR A PACKED AGENDA IN THE FINAL THREE DAYS OF THE SESSION.

BEFORE ADJOURNING LAST WEEK, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GARLAN GUDGER LAID OUT HIS PRIORITIES, HIGHLIGHTING SEVERAL BILLS THAT FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, HAVEN'T YET MADE IT TO A FULL VOTE ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> THE BILL WE'VE HAD ONGOING IN THE AGENDA, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS IN LINE FOR THAT AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT OVER THE WEEKEND.

>> SO, THE PAST TWO DAYS WE'VE TALKED AND WE'LL GET THERE.

>> SPEEDY TRIAL HAS BEEN ON THEIR FOUR TIMES AND MAYBE WE PUT IT AT THE TOP RATHER THAN BOTTOM.

I LIKE TO GIVE SENATOR BARFOOT A HARD TIME.

>> AND POLITICS ARE LOCAL, WE HAVE A LOT OF BILLS THAT CAME UP FROM THE HOUSE THAT WE HAVE TO FINISH UP, CONFIRMATIONS IN THE SENATE THAT WE HAVE TO FINISH UP AND HAVE TO GET OUT FIRST.

ANY SENATE BILL AND SPECULATION TRYING TO HANDLE THE THC OR HEMP BILL WE'LL BE HANDLING.

>> AND THE HOUSE WILL BE BUSY A WELL WHEN LAWMAKERS CONVENE ON TUESDAY.

HERE'S A TASTE OF WHAT THEY HAV ON THEIR AGENDA.

SENATE BILL 5 FROM STATE SENATO CHRIS ELLIOTT WOULD CHANGE THE STATE ARCHIVES AND HISTORY BOAR FROM SELF PERPETUATING TO POLITICALLY APPOINTED.

SENATE BILL 53 FROM STATE SENATOR WES KITCHENS WOULD CREATE THE CRIME OF HUMAN SMUGGLING AND SET PENALTIES FOR THOSE CAUGHT HARBORING OR TRAFFICKING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

SENATE BILL 280 FROM STATE SENATOR ARTHUR ORR IS DUBBED TH TEACHER PAPERWORK STREAMLINING ACT, AND IT DOES EXACTLY THAT.

CUTS OUT UNNECESSARY AND DUPLICATIVE PAPERWORK FOR TEACHERS.

SENATE BILL 196, ALSO FROM ORR, WOULD SET POLICY FOR WHEN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE READY TO MOVE ON TO COLLEGE.

AND SENATE BILL 253, FROM STATE SENATOR GARLAN GUDGER, WHICH WOULD TEMPORARILY PUT THE MASSAGE THERAPISTS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE NURSING BOARD WHILE THE ISSUES WITH THE MASSAGE THERAPY BOARD ARE WORKED OUT.

THAT'S A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

ON THURSDAY, APT WILL AIR A SPECIAL PROGRAM CALLED HIGHER EDUCATION MATTERS.

IT'S A NEW, QUARTERLY PROGRAM FOCUSED ON HIGHLIGHTING THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES IT OFFERS FOR STUDENTS SEEKING SUCCESSFUL CAREERS.

THIS INAUGURAL EPISODE WILL FEATURE CONVERSATIONS WITH SYSTEM AND COLLEGE LEADERS DISCUSSING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMEN AND DUAL ENROLLMENT.

HERE'S A CLIP.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.

FOR THOSE MAYBE WHO HAVE HEARD OF IT, KNOW THE NAME, BUT THEY ARE NOT REALLY FAMILIAR OF YOUR MISSION.

TALK ABOUT IT AND GIVE US AN ORAL VIEW OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND THE ROLE IT HAS IN SERVING THE STATE.

>> EVERY SCHOOL IS OUT AND LOCATED AROUND THE STATE IN THE BUSINESS OF DEVELOPING THE COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS DEVELOPING A WORK FORCE.

A WORK FORCE THAT IS SKILLED AND CAPABLE OF WALKING INTO A BUSINESS AND BECOMING A PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYEE FOR THAT BUSINESS.

>> YOU MENTIONED HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNOR TO THE LEGISLATURE TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> IT'S RARE THAT I GO AND VISIT IN A COMMUNITY THAT I DON'T SIT DOWN WITH A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE, OR A MAYOR, OR SOMEONE WHO IS WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSION OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.

OUR MISSION IS TO HELP IMPROVE THIS STATE TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY BY COMMUNITY WHERE WE ARE LOCATED.

AND WE CAN'T DO IT UNLESS WE JOIN HANDS WITH THE LEADERSHIP IN THAT AREA.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WE WANT EVERY MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE, AS WELL AS MAYORS AND CITY COUNCILMEN, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND OTHER LEADERS TO BE A PART OF WORKING WITH US TO GROW THE QUALITY THAT WE NEED IN THE HOMES, IN THE COMMUNITIES.

>> EVEN IN EDUCATION, MOST OF YOUR ENTIRE ADULT LIFE, WHAT IS IT THAT GETS TO GET UP, COME INTO THE OFFICE, WORKING FOR THE TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

>> THE PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH HERE IN THIS OFFICE, AND SCATTERED ACROSS THE STATE IN ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS HAVE A COMMON GOAL TO PROVE TO THE STATE THAT WE ARE BETTER THAN WE MAY THINK WE ARE.

WE'RE DOING THINGS THAT NO ONE ELSE IS IN THIS NATION.

>> AND AGAIN, THAT'S GOING TO AIR THURSDAY NIGHT, 8:00 HERE ON APT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH STATE SENATOR WILL BARFOOT.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WELCOME WITH ME CHAIRMAN STATE SENATOR WILL BARFOOT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'RE ON THE HOME SYSTEM, TWO DAYS THIS WEEK AND FINAL WEDNESDAY.

I WANT TO GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE.

BUT YOU HAVE HAD REAL SUCCESS ON YOUR LEGISLATION THIS TIME AROUND.

I WANT TO KIND OF GO THROUGH THOSE AND HAVE YOU EXPLAIN, THERE'S A LOT OF BILLS WAITING TO PASS THESE DAYS AND YOU HAVE HAD EARLY SUCCESS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BLOCK SWITCHES, YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUE HERE IN MONTGOMERY, SPONSORED THAT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

WHAT GOT THAT OVER THE FINISH LINE?

WAS WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT WAS THAT PART OF IT?

Y'ALL SEEMED TO BE BANDED TOGETHER.

>> YEAH, FIRST OF ALL GOES OUT TO REPRESENTATIVE PHIL ENSLER, COUPLE OF YEARS HE'S WORKED VERY HARD TO TRY TO MOVE THE BILL ALONG.

AND CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

AND THE GOVERNOR GETTING BEHIND THE BILL WAS A MOTIVATING FACTOR AND GLAD TO CARRY THAT.

AND ALONG WITH THE GOVERNOR'S PUSH AND REPRESENTATIVE ENSLER TO GET THAT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, TERMED GLOCK SWITCHES BUT TERMED TO MAKE A SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL A FULLY AUTOMATIC PISTOL ARE ALREADY THERE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND IT'S TO GIVE OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT THE AUTHORITY TO TAKE ONE INTO CUSTODY AND HAVE STATE CHARGES FOR THAT.

>> ANY TIME YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT GUNS AND SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

BUT WITH THIS, SEEMS OBVIOUS WITH ALL OF THE SHOOTINGS AND YOU CAN HEAR IT SOMETIMES RIGHT HERE IN MONTGOMERY, I GUESS, WHY YOU AND REPRESENTATIVE ENSLER COMBINED FOR THE SUPPORT FOR THAT.

>> I THINKING THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE ARE.

THIS IS NOT CREATING NEW LAW.

THERE'S A LAW ALREADY IN PLACE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

AND I CERTAINLY THING THAT A LOT OF THE GUN GROUPS THAT I SUPPORT SAW THE BENEFIT OF THAT LEGISLATION TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE TOOLS THEY NEEDED TO GET THOSE CONVERSION DEVICES OFF THE STREET.

AS I STAYED, ALREADY ILLEGAL UNDER THE FEDERAL LAW.

>> AND IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THERE'S ALREADY BEEN ARRESTS MADE HERE IN MONTGOMERY AND IN BIRMINGHAM.

>> YEAH.

>> IT'S SOMETHING ALREADY BEING UTILIZED.

>> IT IS.

>> AND LATELY, THERE WAS LEGISLATION HAVING TO DO WITH CRIME SUPPRESSION UNITS, GROUPS STARTING HERE IN MONTGOMERY, STATE CAME IN, PARTNERED WITH THE CITY, COUNTY AND FEDERAL FOLKS AS WELL.

BUT TO CRACK DOWN AND ALLOW, THEY HAD A MANPOWER SHORTAGE HERE IN MONTGOMERY AND OTHER CITIES.

SO, IT WAS TO COMPENSATE FOR THAT AND ALLOW COPS TO GET OUT THERE AND DO THE WORK THEY DO.

AND IT'S A SUCCESSFUL THING IN MONTGOMERY AND YOU PUT MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO TAKE ADVANTAGE FOR OTHER THINGS.

>> HATS OFF TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL MARSHALL'S OFFICE AND FOR THEIR PART IN IT AND SECRETARY TAYLOR HOWELL AND ALEA.

SHERIFF DERRICK CUNNINGHAM, ALL HAVE DONE A JOB TO ADDRESS THE JOB HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

MCAS IS THE METRO CRIME AREA SUPPRESSION AND SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS MONTGOMERY CRIME SUPPRESSION UNIT, ALTHOUGH WE WERE THE FIRST TO UTILIZE IT.

BUT YOU ARE RIGHT, WE HAVE FUNDED IT AND CONTINUE TO FUND IT IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET NOT ONLY MONTGOMERY BUT IN OTHER HIGH AREAS OF CRIME IN THE STATE.

>> I WANT TO GET BACK TO THE ISSUE IN A MINUTE.

BUT YOU PASSED AN UPDATE TO ANIAH'S LAW, AND DOES IT HAVE TO GO BACK?

>> THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, IF YOU REMEMBER, 2019, REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN DID A GREAT JOB WORKING WITH ANIAH, YOUNG LADY OVER IN BREWTON KIDNAPPED AND MURDERED, AND WORKING WITH THE FAMILY WHAT WE CALL AS ANIAH'S LAW.

AND SENATOR SESSIONS SEVERAL YEARS AGO CARRIED THAT IN THE SENATE.

I WAS ASKED THIS YEAR IN THE SENATE TO CARRY AN UPDATE AND WAS GLAD TO DO SO.

THE UPDATE BASICALLY PUT IN TWO OTHER CRIMES.

AND THAT WOULD BE DISCHARGING A FIREARM INTO AN OCCUPIED BUILDING AS BEING THE STATUTE THAT INCLUDES BUILDING AND CARS.

BUT AN OCCUPIED BUILDING OR VEHICLE.

ALSO, THE, IF SOLICITATION OR CONSPIRACY TO MURDER SOMEONE.

SO THAT WOULD, IS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND GO BACK TO THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA AND WILL BE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION OF 2026.

>> THIS HAS TO DO WITH GETTING OUT ON BAIL, BOND, AND MEANING VIOLENT FOLKS THAT ARE ACCUSED OF VIOLENT CRIMES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHO MURDERED ANIAH BLANCHE CHARRED, SOMEBODY THAT WAS OUT ON BAIL.

>> RIGHT, IT'S NOT AN AUTOMATIC DENIAL OF BAND.

BUT BEFORE ANIAH'S LAW, THE ONLY OFFENSE THAT THEY COULD RESTRICT AND KEEP YOU IN JAIL WAS ON CAPITAL MURDER CHARGES.

NOW, THERE WERE EIGHT OR 10 DIFFERENT FESTIVAL OF IN THERE, ROBBERY FIRST, RAPE FIRST, AND MURDER INCLUDED.

SINCE THEN, WE'VE NEEDED TO INCLUDE AS I SAID, A COUPLE OF OTHER OFFENSES AS DESCRIBED EARLIER.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE OTHER ONES THAT HAVEN'T MADE ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

FOREIGN DRIVER'S LICENSE, HAS TO DO WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

TALK ABOUT THE BILL AND WHERE IT STANDS AND DO YOU THINK IT HAS TIME TO PASS.

>> YEAH, I THINK SO.

IN ESSENCE, ALABAMA ISSUES WHAT IS CALLED FOREIGN NATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE.

FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU COME OVER HERE FROM OVERSEAS, LEGITIMATELY HERE.

>> MAYBE WORK AT HYUNDAI.

>> RIGHT.

HAVING A DRIVER'S LICENSE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY, YOU CAN GET A FOREIGN DRIVER'S LICENSE ISSUED TO YOU BY THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN THE ID'S, IT HAS DENOTED AT THE TOP OF THE DRIVER'S LICENSE THAT YOU ARE A FOREIGN NATIONAL.

WELL, IT BECOMES, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IF YOU ARE NOT A CITIZEN.

BUT ONCE YOU BECOME A CITIZEN, THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO DO TAKE PROPER STEPS TO BECOME CITIZENS.

SOME MAINTAIN THEIR FOREIGN NATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE.

YOU CAN IMAGINE, YOU ARE NOW A CITIZEN, TAKEN THE PROPER STEPS TO REGISTER TO VOTE, YOU SHOW UP TO VOTE AND SOMETIMES THOSE FOLKS, THE POLL WORKERS, THEY SEE THE LICENSE THAT THEY WERE GIVEN, SAYS FOREIGN NATIONAL AND THEY SAY, SHOULD I ALLOW THIS PERSON TO VOTE.

AND THIS JUST CLEARS UP SOME OF THAT CONFUSION.

>> HOW DOES IT CLEAR IT UP.

>> MANDATES WITHIN A CERTAIN TIME-FRAME OF BECOMING A CITIZEN TO HAVE A SEPARATE ALABAMA DRIVER'S LICENSE THAT DOESN'T HAVE FOREIGN NATIONAL ON IT.

>> WELL, I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE CRIME PACKAGE IN GENERAL, CRIME SAFE ALABAMA.

SOME OF IT HAS PASSED AN SOME OF IT YOU SPONSORED.

BUT THERE WAS A HOLDUP ON SOME OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL PARTS.

Y'ALL HAD A HECK OF A HEARING THE OTHER DAY IN SENATE JUDICIARY.

HARSH WORDS, REAL DISAGREEMENT OVER THAT POLICE IMMUNITY BILL.

I KNOW THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO AT SOME POINT COME UP IN THE SENATE.

TALK ABOUT WHAT IT TOOK TO GET IT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF COMMITTEE.

>> FIRST OF ALL, A LOT OF CREDIT GOES TO REX REYNOLDS, HOUSE MEMBER.

SPONSORED THE BILL IN THE HOUSE THE PROCESS IN THE HOUSE, I THINK, INVOLVED SEVERAL DIFFERENT TWEAKS AND CHANGES ALONG THE WAY.

ROBUST DEBATE, I BELIEVE, ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

IT'S BEEN SITTING IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

AS YOU SAID, WE HAD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT.

AND THEN TWO WEEKS AGO.

LAST WEEK, WE ACTUALLY VOTED ON THAT.

REPRESENTATIVE REYNOLDS IS EXTREMELY WILLING TO WORK WITH FOLKS AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, THERE WERE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT HE SAW A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE HEARING AND THAT WAS CONFUSING AND WE WERE ABLE TO ADOPT THE AMENDMENTS.

AND IN HIS WORDS, THOSE AMENDMENTS MAKE THE BILL A LITTLE STRONGER.

>> MY FAMILY WAS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

MY DAD WAS A LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND UNCLE AND COUPLE OF UNCLES AND ONE KILLED IN DUTY.

AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DESERVES OUR RESPECT AND TO HAVE A SET PATTERN OR SET OF GUIDELINES WHICH THEY NEED TO FOLLOW.

THAT'S WHAT CHAIRMAN REYNOLDS HAS TRIED TO DO.

AND THE WORD IMMUNITY HAS BEEN THROWN AROUND, BUT IT PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHERE THERE'S A DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY AND PUTS TOGETHER A FRAMEWORK SO THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN GET, WE KNOW WHAT'S LEGAL OR NOT LEGAL.

AND IF WIN THE COLOR OF THEIR OFFICE, OR THEIR JOB, IF THEY PERFORM A DUTY AND IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, THERE'S STILL A LIABILITY.

>> I WAS TRYING TO DESCRIBE IT THE OTHER DAY AS THERE IS THAT EXTRA STEP WHERE A JUDGE REVIEWS WHATEVER HAPPENS AND DECIDES WHETHER IT'S CONSTITUTIONAL OR LAWFUL OR NOT.

AND THE WAY I SAW IT, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A LAWSUIT DOES COME OR PROSECUTION DOES COME.

YOU CAN HAVE A D.A.

THAT COULD BENEFIT POLITICALLY BY BEING TOUGH ON COPS.

OR YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER AGGRESSIVE LAWYER THERE.

SO THERE'S THAT EXTRA STEP.

AND WITHOUT THAT EXTRA STEP THAT HAPPENS WITHOUT A JUDGE'S REVIEW.

>> THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD SUMMARY I TELL YOU, TODD, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYBODY FOR THOSE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE ABLE TO GO AND RAMBUNCTIOUSLY TAKING MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS.

BUT I THINKING THAT SOCIETY IN GENERAL HAS SHOWN A LACK OF RESPECT OVER THE YEARS AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE FOR THOSE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND WHEN YOU WERE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BEFORE, PUT ON THE BADGE, THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU MIGHT NOT COME HOME.

THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS SINCE WYATT EARP.

SO, TODAY, YOU GO TO A SCENE, THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS GATHERED AROUND, VIDEOING YOU, CAN YOU SAYING YOU AND TELLING -- CUSSING YOU AND TELLING YOU WHAT A LAWLESS PERSON, YOU ARE AND CERTAINLY THE MEDIA HAS GOTTEN BAD CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> AND ON THE SENATE FLOOR YOU THINK.

>> YEAH, PROBABLY THE NEXT THREE DAYS AND THIS WEEK PROBABLY WILL SEE IT.

CHAIRMAN REYNOLDS HAS TAKEN AND PUT AMENDMENTS TO MAKE IT A BETTER PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

AND IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY I DON'T BELIEVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING OPPOSITE OF WHAT WAS TRYING TO BE ACCOMPLISHED ACCOMPLISHED.

>> THE ACTUAL BILL.

>> RIGHT, WE NEED GUIDELINES AND ROAD MAP, WHAT IS LEGAL AND LAWFUL FORCE AND WHAT IS NOT.

CERTAINLY, THIS BILL GIVES BETTER CLARITY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SENATE WHILE I HAVE YOU FOR JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

THAT'S WHERE ALL OF THE FOCUS HAS BEEN, WHERE THE HOLDUP WAS.

I HAD SENATOR SMITHERMAN ON THE OTHER NIGHT TO EXPLAIN, WHY SLOW THINGS DOWN THIS MUCH.

IT'S UP TO THE POINT WHERE IT'S BECOMING A REAL PROBLEM.

SO, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?

I KNOW THAT'S A TOUGH QUESTION TO ANSWER BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET INSIDE SENATOR SMITHERMAN'S HEAD.

BUT DO YOU SEE A BREAKING POINT WHEN YOU DECIDE TO GO FAST, YOU CAN REALLY GO FAST AND BREAK THE BACKLOG.

>> NO, YOU ARE RIGHT.

AND TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, I THINKING THAT SENATOR SMITHERMAN, THE TOOLS THAT WE GIVE HIM OR TO EACH OTHER, TO OPERATE, HE'S USING THE TOOLS AND AS I SAID ON THE SENATE FLOOR THE OTHER DAY, AS A LAWYER, I APPRECIATE THAT, RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND I DIDN'T INITIALLY MAKE THE RULES BUT HERE'S THE RULES WE HAVE TO USE.

AND I RESPECT SENATOR SMITHERMAN FOR HIS ABILITY TO USE THE RULES.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK THERE'S LEGISLATION THAT MAY NOT GET UP FOR A VOTE.

I HATE THAT.

A LOT OF TIME, ENERGY, AND EFFORT HAS GONE INTO SOME OF THE LEGISLATION OUT THERE.

I THINKING THAT PRO TEM GUDGER IS DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER TWO PRO TEMS THAT I HAVE SERVED WITH.

HE IS WILLING TO USE THE TOOLS AND RULES THAT WE HAVE.

>> CLOTURE SHUTTING DOWN THE DEBATE.

>> YEAH, AND I'M APPRECIATIVE OF THAT AND HIS COLLEAGUES ARE TOO.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE DOESN'T USE THE HEAVY HAND ALL THE TIME JUST BECAUSE HE CAN.

HE CONTINUES TO TRY TO WORK WITH EVERY MEMBER OF THE SENATE, THOSE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE AND THE DEMOCRAT SIDE.

>> WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE.

GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING LAST THREE DAYS OF THE SESSION.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON AND EXPLAINING THIS.

GOOD LUCK.

HOPEFULLY GET SOME GOOD SLEEP BEFORE THIS IS ALL OVER.

THANK YOU, SENATOR.

>> THANKS, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

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

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