On Monday, January 11, 2021, the first session of the 156th Georgia General Assembly officially began. While every session brings with it new faces, new chairmen and new legislative priorities, we had a few additional changes that made House proceedings look a little different this year. Specifically, Georgia, and the world as a whole, is continuing to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to mitigate potential risks associated with the virus around our legislative session, General Assembly members and staff are being tested at the Capitol twice a week and a robust contact tracing program has been implemented when positive cases arise. Additionally, our committee rooms have been socially distanced and members are required to wear masks while in the House Chamber or during committee hearings. Even with these new precautions in place, the House will not be deterred in carrying out the people’s work.
On Thursday, Gov. Brian Kemp delivered his annual State of the State Address. His message was one of resilience and strength, even in the face of adversity. While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted economic activity across the state, we are on track to bounce back and rebound stronger than ever.