Georgia legislators are back at work to resume their session. District 117 Representative Houston Gaines describes their new normal during the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s certainly a historic time to be back at the Capitol, you know we’ve just returned after being suspended, everybody’s wearing a mask and socially distanced,” Gaines said. “Folks are spread out.”
While lawmakers are constitutionally bound to pass a budget, Gaines says other business is still being conducted.
“Not only to help folks during this time, but we have important measures to take up. I know that I’ve got several bills. On the first day got one through a Senate committee to fight human trafficking. So there are a lot of measures that we will be taking up over the next couple of weeks.”
One of those measures being considered is a hate crimes law for the state. Georgia is one of four states without such legislation.