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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

WE'RE IN THE HOMESTRETCH IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2025 REGULAR SESSION.

TODAY WAS THE 28TH DAY, LEAVING JUST TWO MORE REMAINING.

THAT SEEMED TO CONTRIBUTE TO A SENSE OF URGENCY TODAY, ESPECIALLY IN THE SENATE, WHICH BEGAN PASSING BILLS IN RAPID SUCCESSION THIS AFTERNOON.

LET'S HIT THE HIGH POINTS.

THE SENATE TODAY GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO LEGISLATION KNOWN AS THE SPEEDY TRIAL ACT.

HOUSE BILL 307 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE JIM HILL EMPOWER THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE ALABAM SUPREME COURT TO APPOINT VISITING JUDGES EITHER SITTING OR RETIRED CIRCUIT JUDGES, TO PRESIDE OVER SPECIFIC VIOLENT CRIME CASES UPON REQUEST FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR A DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

CHAMPIONED BY ATTORNEY STEVE MARSHALL, THE BILL MARKS A SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARD ADDRESSING THE STATE'S BACKLOG OF VIOLENT CRIME CASES.

MARSHALL'S CHIEF COUNSEL KATHERINE ROBERTSON EMPHASIZED THAT THE LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED IN RESPONSE TO PERSISTENT CONCERNS ABOUT CONTINUANCES IN VIOLENT CRIME CASES, WHICH HAVE LED TO SIGNIFICANT BOTTLENECKS IN CERTAIN JUDICIAL CIRCUITS AND MOUNTING FRUSTRATION AMONG VICTIMS.

>> WE DECIDED TO BRING IT BECAUSE OF REPEATED COMPLAINTS.

SPECIFICALLY ABOUT CONTINUANCES ON VIOLENT CRIMES CASES.

THERE ARE SPECIFIC BOTTLENECKS IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STATE AND THEY ARE NOT MOVING QUICKLY VICTIMS GET FRUSTRATED AND WE HAD A GLOBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MEETING LAST SUMMER IN BIRMINGHAM DISCUSSING ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THEY WERE FACING AND THAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR THIS.

HOW IT IMPACTS CRIME VICTIMS.

WHILE IT'S NOT GOING TO SOLVE EVERY CASE AND NOT MAKE EVERY CASE MOVE QUICKLY.

BUT ONES SITTING FOR A PARTICULARLY LONG TIME AND THE D.A.

OR ATTORNEY GENERAL HAVE O THEIR RADAR THIS MEANS THAT THE ARE GOING TO MOVE QUICKLY.

>> THAT BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY ANOTHER UNANIMOUS VOTE IN THE SENATE TODAY PAVED THE WAY FOR ANOTHER DROP IN THE STATE'S SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

HOUSE BILL 386 NOW HEADS TO GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S DESK AND, I SIGNED, WILL LOWER THE SALES TA ON FOOD FROM 3 PERCENT TO 2 PERCENT STARTING SEPTEMBER 1.

IT'S THE SECOND REDUCTION IN AS MANY YEARS, PART OF A BROADER BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO HELP FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH RISING GROCERY COSTS.

SENATOR ANDREW JONES, WHO'S BACKED THE MEASURE THROUGHOUT, EXPLAINED WHY LAWMAKERS FELT NO WAS THE RIGHT TIME TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> YOU MAY REMEMBER WE PASSED LEGISLATION, TWO YEARS AGO, TO BASICALLY TAKE IT DOWN A PENNY AT A TIME WHEN WE WERE GOING TO TAKE OFF ONE PENNY AND SECOND TIME WHEN WE HIT THE GROSS METRIC OF 3.5% AND WE'VE NOT MET THAT.

IT'S A BIG DEAL, BIG TAX CUT.

OUR BUDGET CHAIRMAN FEELING COMFORTABLE, MOVING FORWARD WIT TAKING THAT NEXT CENT OFF THE GROCERY TAX.

>> THE SENATE ALSO PASSED A SWEEPING BILL TO REGULATE CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS, RESPONDING TO WHAT LAWMAKERS CALL A GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT.

HOUSE BILL 445 FROM REPRESENTATIVE ANDY WHITT AND CARRIED IN THE SENATE BY SENATO TIM MELSON, PASSED BY A VOTE OF 19 TO 13.

IT WOULD GIVE THE ALABAMA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL BOAR BROAD AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE THE MANUFACTURE, SALE, AND DISTRIBUTION OF HEMP-BASED ITEMS.

THE BILL BANS INHALABLE HEMP PRODUCTS LIKE VAPES, FLOWERS, AND BUDS.

IT LIMITS EDIBLE THC CONTENT TO FIVE MILLIGRAMS PER SERVING, AN IT RESTRICTS SALES TO THOSE OVE 21.

>> TWO YEARS AGO WE PUT AN AGE 21 LIMIT ON IT.

IT WAS NOT EXACTLY BEING FOLLOWED LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSED T BE.

AND WE WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH SUPERINTENDENTS HAVING A LOT OF STUDENTS OVERDOSE AND BEING CARRIES OFF TO THE HOSPITAL.

IT WAS TIME TO GET CONTROL OF IT AND GET IT OUT OF CONVENIENCE STORES.

AND MOST RULES ARE MADE FOR A FEW BAD ACTORS.

AND THIS IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE WHERE WE HAVE TO GET CONTROL OF IT FOR THE FEW BAD ACTORS.

THINK I HAD THREE OR FOUR WEEK AGO, OUR D.A.

ARRESTED SIX CONVENIENCE STORE OPERATORS IN ONE DAY AND SEVERAL MORE THAT ARE ON A WATCH LIST.

IT'S A PROBLEM.

AND IT'S AN UNNECESSARY PROBLEM AND WE KNOW THAT THE HEMP BILL WAS NOT INTENDED FOR CONCEPTION -- CONSUMPTION, BUT FOR PAPER, ROPE, CLOTHING.

>> THAT BILL WAS AMENDED IN THE SENATE AND WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR FINAL PASSAGE.

A NEW SHARK ALERT SYSTEM THAT WARNS BEACHGOERS WHEN A SHARK HAS BITTEN SOMEONE IN THE VICINITY WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN ALABAMA UNDER A BILL SIGNED TODAY BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

DUBBED LULU'S LAW, THE LEGISLATION WAS INSPIRED BY LUL GRIBBON, A MOUNTAIN BROOK TEENAGER WHO WAS ATTACKED BY A SHARK LAST YEAR, LOSING A LEG AND PART OF HER ARM.

THERE'S LULU RIGHT THERE WITH GOVERNOR IVEY AND BILL SPONSOR REPRESENTATIVE DAVID FAULKNER.

LULU HAS TURNED HER TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE INTO ADVOCACY, URGIN LAWMAKERS AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS TO TAKE ACTION.

THE STATE WILL SET UP AN ALERT SYSTEM SIMILAR TO AMBER ALERTS THAT WILL BUZZ THE PHONES OF AN BEACHGOERS IN THE VICINITY OF A RECENT SHARK ATTACK.

A MAJOR WIN TODAY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH ADVOCATES AT THE ALABAMA STATE HOUSE, AS THE SENATE PASSES A LONG-AWAITED VAPING REFORM BILL.

HOUSE BILL 8, SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIV BARBARA DRUMMOND OF MOBILE, HAS BEEN YEARS IN TH MAKING.

DRUMMOND HAS PUSHED REPEATEDLY FOR TOUGHER RESTRICTIONS ON VAP SALES, ESPECIALLY PRODUCTS MARKETED TOWARD MINORS.

THE MEASURE AIMS TO CRACK DOWN ON THE SALE OF NON-APPROVED VAP PRODUCTS AND TIGHTEN ENFORCEMEN ON RETAILERS SELLING TO UNDERAG USERS.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK AFTER CLEARING BOTH CHAMBERS.

SENATOR DAVID SESSIONS, WHO CARRIED THE BILL IN THE SENATE, SAYS THE LEGISLATION IS A NECESSARY RESPONSE TO A GROWING EPIDEMIC AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.

HE SPOKE PASSIONATELY TODAY ABOUT WHY THE STATE MUST ACT NOW.

>> WE HAVE AN EPIDEMIC GOING ON IN THIS STATE WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THEY ARE GETTING SICK.

I THINKING ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUE SAID THEY HAD SIX IN THEIR COUNTY, IN THEIR AREA THIS PAST WEEK THAT WENT TO THE HOSPITAL.

AND THEY HAD ALL HAD BAD EXPERIENCES WITH A VAPE PRODUCT THESE PRODUCTS ARE HARMING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE'RE NOT DEALING WITH SOMETHIN THAT'S HEALTHY.

THIS IS A PRODUCT THAT WE SHOUL NOT BE INGESTING INTO OUR LUNGS WE'RE JUST TRYING TO PROTECT OU CHILDREN.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE 21-YEARS-OLD, AND YOU ARE OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS, IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING BAD FOR YOUR BODY, THAT'S YOUR CHOICE.

HEY, I'M GOOD WITH THAT.

BUT THIS IS ABOUT OUR CHILDREN.

I HAVE FIVE HUGE REASONS, FIVE HUGE REASONS TO PASS THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

GRANDCHILDREN.

SO, LIKE I SAID, IT'S AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO DRAW UP THIS BILL >> THE BOARD THAT GOVERNS THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY MAY BE CHANGING IN THE FUTURE.

THE HOUSE TODAY TOOK UP AND PASSED SENATE BILL 5 FROM STATE SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT.

IT WOULD CHANGE THE BOARD FROM ITS CURRENT SELF-PERPETUATING STRUCTURE TO BEING APPOINTED BY VARIOUS STATE LEADERS, SIMILAR TO OTHER STATE BOARDS.

ELLIOTT'S EFFORT BEGAN TWO YEAR AGO AFTER THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY HOSTED A LUNCH EVENT FOCUSED ON THE HISTORY OF GAY AND LESBIAN ALABAMIANS.

>> WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS BOARD THAT SAYS WE NEED THE GOVERNOR TO SIT ON THIS BOARD AS A VOTIN MEMBER?

>> I THINKING IT JUST MAKES IT LIKE THE OTHER BOARDS.

LIKE I SAID A WHILE AGO, THERE' THREE FLAGSHIP MUSEUMS IN THE STATE.

ONE IS THE BATTLESHIP, IN YOUR AREA ,AND THE ROCKET CENTER IN NORTH ALABAMA AND THE ARCHIVES.

IT BRINGS THEM ALL IN LINE.

>> SO, IF I GO LOOK UP THE BATTLESHIP THEN THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO BE A SIT IN, VOTE IN BOARD.

>> WELL, I'M NOT SURE.

SOMEBODY CAN LOOK IT UP FOR US.

>> WELL, I FEEL LIKE THAT'S WHA WE'RE SAYING, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT LIKE THE HUNTSVILLE AND MOBILE BOARD.

>> WE DID IT THE ROCKET CENTER, WE RECONSTITUTED IT EARLIER IN THE SESSION JUST LIKE THIS ONE.

AND WHEN WE DID THE ROCKET CENTER BOARD, SHE WAS ADDED AS THE 18TH MEMBER.

THAT WAS THE BILL THAT REPRESENTATIVE LOVERN PASSED.

>> THAT BILL WAS AMENDED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR SO IT WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE SENATE FOR FINAL PASSAGE.

THE HOUSE ALSO TOOK UP MULTIPLE IMMIGRATION RELATED BILLS TODAY SENATE BILL 53 FROM STATE SENATOR WES KITCHENS WOULD ESTABLISH THE CRIME OF HUMAN SMUGGLING AND PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR HARBORING OR TRANSPORTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

IT WAS CARRIED IN THE HOUSE BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE BEN ROBBINS.

>> TO CODIFY AS A PRACTICE, THE JAIL ADMINISTRATORS ARE ALREADY BAR NOW AS FAR AS REPORTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION STATUS.

AND NOW, AS FAR AS REPORTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION DETAINEES AND IMMIGRATION STATUS.

AND IT CREATES THE CRIME OF TRAFFICKING OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

I HAVE A SUB.

SORRY.

THAT SUB AMENDS EXCEPTIONS WHIC ALLOWS FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND ANY PERSON OPERATING FOR A COMMERCIAL AND RELIGIOUS PURPOSES.

THEY ARE NOT GUILTY OF COMMITTING THE CRIME OF HUMAN SMUGGLING.

>> AND I'M EVEN USING MY OWN PERSONAL CAR, THAT WOULD STILL BE CONSIDERED COMMERCIAL?

IF I WAS TRANSPORTING SOMEBODY THAT WAS ILLEGAL?

>> IF YOU KNOW THAT PERSON IS ILLEGAL, AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT, YES, IT WOULD BE.

>> HOW WOULD THAT PERSON KNOW?

YOU ARE SAYING, IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, IF YOU ARE HELPING SOMEONE, YOU CHECK AND SAY, BEFORE YOU GET IN MY CAR, ARE YOU LEGAL?

>> NO, BECAUSE YOU ARE HELPING THAT PERSON, BAR IT FOR CHARITABLE OR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES, NOT FOR A COMMERCIAL MOTIVE.

>> BIG NEWS TODAY FOR THE LONG AWAITED MOBILE RIVER BRIDGE AND BAYWAY PROJECT.

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TODAY ANNOUNCED IT WAS FORMALLY MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT WITH THE FIRM KIEWIT MASSMAN TRAYLOR.

THAT MARKS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE FOR GETTING THE PROJECT UNDERWAY.

BUT JUST A FEW HOURS AFTER THAT ANNOUNCEMENT, THE NEWS GOT EVEN BETTER.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ANNOUNCED THAT I WILL RELEASE THE $550 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT THAT WAS AWARDED LAST YEAR TO FUND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT.

THAT WAS A KEY PIECE OF THE PUZZLE THE STATE WAS WAITING FOR.

TONY HARRIS OF ALDOT SAID, "WE APPRECIATE THE COMMITMENT OF SECRETARY DUFFY AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO EXPEDITE THE COMPLETION OF THE FUNDING PROCESS FOR THE $550 MILLION GRANT FOR THE MOBILE RIVER BRIDGE.

"WITH THIS COMMITMENT, THIS IS ANOTHER POSITIVE STEP TOWARD TH COMPLETION OF THE MOBILE RIVER BRIDGE AND BAYWAY PROJECT."

WHEN WE COME BACK, I'LL SIT DOW AND TALK WITH SENATOR LANCE AND TALK WITH SENATOR LANCE BEL ON TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.

STAY WITH US.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT, STATE SENATOR LANCE BELL FROM PELL CITY.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> WELL, WHAT TIME IS IT?

WE'RE GETTING LOST IN THE FOG OF THE SESSION.

AFTER TODAY, ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT LOTS GOING ON.

SENATE AND HOUSE ARE STARTING TO MOVE ON SOME PRIORITY BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND THE WHOLE SESSION.

SPECIFICALLY, IMMIGRATION.

AND YOU WERE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" BACK LAST SUMMER AFTER YOU RETURNED FROM THE BORDER IN TEXAS, SAW SOME OF THE ACTIONS THAT THE TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT WERE TAKING.

AND I BELIEVE YOU WENT BACK A COUPLE OF TIMES.

AND THE BILL WAS KIND OF BORN OUT OF THAT.

SO, BRING ME INTO THAT, BRING ME BACK TO THE BEGINNING AND TELL ME WHY THE LEGISLATURE IS ACTING ON THIS ISSUE BASED ON WHAT YOU SAW AT THE BORDER.

>> WELL, FROM THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, THE BORDER WAS WIDE OPEN.

NOT ONLY IS TEXAS A BORDER STATE BUT ALABAMA IS TOO.

AND YOU TALK TO THE SHERIFFS AND POLICE AND YOU SEE THE INFLUX OF ILLEGALS COMING IN AND COMMITTING CRIMES.

SO THAT'S HOW IT STARTED AND LAW ENFORCEMENT GETTING OUR ATTENTION, TALKING TO US, AND SPEAKER, PRO TEM READ AT THE TIME, WE TOOK A TRIP TO THE BORDER, SECRETARY TAILOR.

AND IT BLEW US A WAY HOW OPEN THE BORDERS WERE.

I WENT BACK THE NEXT YEAR WITH A LITTLE GROUP, WENT THROUGH POLICY ISSUES, TEXAS BORDER CZAR AND THEN, IT WAS WIDE OPEN.

THE THOUGHT PROCESS WAS AT THAT TIME, NOVEMBER HAD NOT GOT HERE AND WE DIDN'T KNOW WHO THE PRESIDENT WAS GOING TO BE.

BUT IF IT STAYS WHERE IT'S AT WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS AND WE SAT DOWN AND LOOKED AT WHAT OTHER STATES WERE BAR AND TRYING TO MODEL AFTER THEM.

>> SPECIFICALLY, YOUR BILL DEALS WITH COLLECTING D.N.C.

FROM IMMIGRANTS.

THE BILL HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A FEW YEARS.

EXPLAIN WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO COLLECT DNA DURING THOSE ARRESTS.

>> BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, YOU COMMIT A FELONY, YOUR D.N.C.

IS BEING COLLECTED AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOU ARE BOOKED IN JAIL.

SO, THIS TAKES IT AND WE HAVE A GRADE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM THROUGH THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC SCIENCES.

THERE'S A LOT OF COLD CASES BEING SOLVED BASED ON THAT.

I HAD A DISTRICT ATTORNEY REACH OUT TO ME AND SAY, LET ME GIVE YOU A LITTLE HINT OF SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO US.

WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TRIAL ON MY CASE IN CHIEF.

AND A LADY SAYS TO ME, THAT'S NOT REALLY HIS NAME, HE'S REALLY SO AND SO AND HE'S WANTED IN CALIFORNIA FOR MURDER.

SO, WE CONVICT HIM HERE IN THE COUNTY.

GET HIS DNA AND SENT IT OUT THERE, AND LO AND BEHOLD HE WAS OUT THERE, THE DNA THEY HAD OUT THERE, AND THEY MATCHED HIM AND ALSO WERE ABLE TO PROSECUTE HIM IN CALIFORNIA FOR THE MURDER.

AND THEN TALKING TO THE FORENSICS HERE, ANGELO DEL MONEA, ONE OF THE BEST FORENSIC SCIENCES IN THE STATES AND WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE HIM IN ALABAMA.

AND THIS GETS THE DNA TO HIM, PUT IT IN THE SYSTEM EARLIER RATHER THAN GOING TO THE FBI AND PUT IN, MONTHS AND MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD.

WE CAN HAVE IT IN OUR SYSTEM WITHIN THREE DAYS AND TRACKING PEOPLE UNDER THE DIFFERENT NAMES.

IT'S THE IDENTIFICATION CHANGES AND THE PERSON TRYING TO LINK THAT CRIME TO THE PERSON.

>> HOW DOES IT WORK IN PRACTICE IS IT A CHEAP SWAB OR WHEN?

AFTER AN ARREST?

>> IT'S AFTER ARREST, AND THE FORENSIC PROVIDES THE TEST SWAB, IT'S IN THE JAILS.

IF YOU COMMIT SEX OR ANY KIND OF FELONY CRIME, ITS TAKEN AND PUT IN THE CODEX.

THIS BILL MAKES IT FASTER TO PROCESS IT AND GET IT IN THE SYSTEM THERE.

>> AND WE'LL SEE WHAT GETS TO THE FINISH LINE.

I'M ASSUMING MOST OF THESE BILLS ARE GOING TO PASS.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT, YOU SEE THE IMMIGRATION PLAYING OUT IN THE COURTS BEFORE AND WE SEE IT FEDERALLY PLAYING OUT NOW, ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THAT NOW IN TERMS OF LAWSUITS OVERTURNING THESE?

OR ARE YOU CONFIDENT.

>> I'M CONFIDENT ON THE DNA BILL AND WE'RE ALREADY SWABBING.

THE COURTS SAY YOU CAN SWAB THAT AND HOLD IT AS IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM.

SO I'M CONFIDENT ABOUT THAT.

I WENT BACK TO THE BORDER IN MARCH.

IT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT BORDER, COMPLETELY CHANGED.

IF THE BILLS DO STALL OUT, IT'S NOT AS BIG OF A DEAL WHEN WE STARTED INTRODUCING THEM AND GETTING THAT.

>> JUST BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE.

YEAH, EVERYBODY CAN SEE THAT.

SWITCHING GEARS, YOU ARE THE SPONSOR FOR THE BACK THE BLUE BILL, POLICE SPONGER.

AND THAT WAS A TOUGH COMMITTEE HEARING ON THAT IN THE HOUSE.

IS THIS GOING TO PASS?

HOUSE BILL 202, REX HAS WORKED ON THIS BILL A LOT, YOU HAVE WORKED ON IT TOGETHER AND IT'S BEEN THROUGH THE WRINGER FOR THE DEBATE.

AND DO YOU THINK THEY WILL GET TO THE BILL KNOWING THERE'S A GOOD FILIBUSTER GOING TO HAPPEN PROBABLY.

>> WELL, PROBABLY A CLOTURE PETITION, YOU KNOW BASED ON COMMITTEE, WHAT HAPPENED THERE, IT WAS ROUGH FOR TWO WEEKS THERE.

IF WE DON'T GIVE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PROTECTION, IN FIVE OR 10 YEARS, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

AND THEY ARE NOT RESPECTED NOW, YOU HAVE CELL PHONES POINTED IN THEIR CASE FACE, BEING CUSSED AT DAILY.

AND SO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE CAN DO.

I WOULD LOVE TO PROTECT THEM AND THE HOURS THAT REPRESENTATIVE HAS PUT IN THIS BILL IS UNBELIEVABLE AND DETAIL.

WORKING WITH EVERY GROUP YOU CAN THINK OF.

I HOPE WE CAN GET THAT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> IT'S AN ISSUE, WHENEVER IT DOES COME UP, THINGS WILL GRIND TO A HALT THAT DAY.

>> UNRAVEL.

>> SO, MAYBE THAT'S WHY THEY ARE WAITING UNTIL THE VERY END.

>> BEYOND MY PAY GRADE.

>> I UNDERSTAND.

WHILE I HAVE YOU, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE BILL HAVING TO DO WITH THE ALABAMA FILM OFFICE.

IT'S BEING RENAMED.

NUMBER ONE, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

I FOUND IT INTERESTING.

READING A STORY IN GEORGIA, 10-15 YEARS AGO THEY REALLY VESTED IN FILM AND NOW IT'S A BOOMING INDUSTRY THERE.

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUR FILM OFFICE DOES.

>> I GOT CONTACTED BY CLAINE CRAWFORD, HE PLAYED ON THE FOX SHOW LETHAL WEAPON.

PHENOMENAL INDIVIDUAL.

HE'S FROM CLAY ALABAMA, JUST DOWN THE ROAD FOR ME AND NOW HE'S PRODUCING FILMS.

HE'S HAVING TO GO TO GEORGIA TO DO A LOT OF HIS FILM WORK.

TRYING TO BRING SOME OF THAT WORK HERE TO ALABAMA ON THE TAX INCENTIVES.

IF THEY COME HERE AND SHOOT A PROJECT, THE HOTEL ROOMS, CATERING, MEALS, GASOLINE, WE'LL BE LIKE GEORGIA, OFF SETTING OTHER TAXES AND WE'LL COME OUT AHEAD BY GIVING A LITTLE BREAK ON THE FRONT END WE'LL COME OUT OF THE BACK END.

>> AND INCENTIVES FOR ALL KINDS OF PROJECTS.

>> RIGHT, JUST TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE CLAY AND SOMEONE ELSE BUYING FORT MCCLELLAN.

AND WHEN SELMA WAS MADE, THAT WAS FILMED IN GEORGIA.

HOW GOOD WOULD THAT HAVE BEEN TO THE FILM IN SELMA, ALABAMA.

>> "FOREST GUMP'" WAS THE SAME WAY.

>> THEY ARE ALL THAT WAY.

YEAH, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT.

WE HAD A $30 MILLION CAP ON THE FILMING AND $2 MILLION ON THE MUSIC VIDEOS.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF THAT HERE IN ALABAMA.

BUT THE HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSED IT OUT.

REDUCED THE CAP ON IT, UNDER 20 ON THE FILMING AND 2 ON THE MUSIC.

SO, WE'LL SEE WHERE IT ENDS UP.

IT'S ON THE CALENDAR TODAY.

WHILE WE'RE FILMING IT'S ON THE CALENDAR.

AND I'D LOVE TO GET A FEW FILMS GOING AND GET STARTED AND SEE WHERE WE COULD GO NEXT YEAR.

>> AND IT WOULD BE GREAT 10-15 YEARS, YOU KNOW, IT TAKES THAT LONG, BOOMING FILM INDUSTRY WHICH GEORGIA, WHAT THEY DID.

THAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT CAT WILLIAMS AND MCCLELLAN AND THAT WOULD BE A HUGE DEAL FOR ANNISTON.

>> IT WOULD BE BEAUTIFUL TO SEE OUR BEAUTIFUL STATE IN PICTURES.

INSTEAD OF CALLING IT ONE THING, LIKE, SELMA AND TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE REAL SELMA ON FILM.

>> RIGHT, THEY HAVE A HANDFUL OF FILMS HERE, BIG FISH.

BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE A HANDFUL, IT SHOULD BE A LOT.

WE'LL WATCH THAT BILL AND ALL OF THE OTHER ONES YOU HAVE.

THANK YOU, SENATOR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

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

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