PHOTOS: Georgia lawmakers return to Capitol for legislative session

Politics

PHOTOS: Georgia lawmakers return to Capitol for legislative session

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Rep. Kim Schofiled, D- Atlanta, wears a face mask, face shield and gloves as she mingles with her colleagues in the House chambers before the start of the 2021 legislate session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Signs strongly suggesting but not mandating face masks to be worn at all times are displayed inside the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of the 2021 session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia House members mingle in the House chambers before the start of the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Rep. Shelly Hutchinson (left), D-Snellville, greets Rep. Debra Bazemore, D-South Fulton, in the House chambers before the start of the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia Representative-elect Sharon Henderson, D-Conyers, walks toward the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of the 2021 legislative session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. Henderson will be sworn today as a state representative for the 113th District. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — A police officer and his K9 partner check the perimeter of the Georgia State Capitol building ion the first day of the 2021 legislative session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 7, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Lawmakers and staff make their way inside the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of the 2021 session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Lawmakers and staff participate in a COVID-19 testing on the second floor of the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of the 2021 legislative session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Lawmakers and staff make their way inside the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of the 2021 session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Construction work continues on the fence outside of the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of the 2021 legislative session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Lawmakers and staff participate in a COVID-19 testing on the second floor of the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of the 2021 legislative session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia State Trooper vehicles are parked in front of the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of 2021 legislative session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia State Trooper stand guard outside of the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of the 2021 session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia State Trooper vehicles are parked in front of the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of 2021 legislative session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia —Chairs that had to be removed from the House Chambers to adhere to social distancing policies line the second floor of the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of 2021 legislative session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Lawmakers, lobbyist and guests roam the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of 2021 legislative session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston (left), R-Blue Ridge, enters the House Chambers with his guest Sheree Bradburn (right) after being re-elected to his leadership role in the House Chambers during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Speaker Pro Tempore of the Georgia House of Representatives Jan Jones, R-Milton, is welcomed by members of the House after being re-elected to her leadership role in the House Chambers during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Speaker Pro Tempore of the Georgia House of Representatives Jan Jones, R-Milton, gives remarks after being re-elected to her leadership role in the House Chambers during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston (right), R-Blue Ridge, gives s fist bumps to Speaker Pro Tempore of the Georgia House of Representatives Jan Jones, R-Milton, before she makes remarks during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Speaker Pro Tempore of the Georgia House of Representatives Jan Jones, R-Milton, is welcomed by members of the House after being re-elected to her leadership role in the House Chambers during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Members of the Georgia House of Representatives applaud the re-election of Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, gives remarks after being re-elected to his seat in the House Chambers during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, gives remarks after being re-elected to his seat in the House Chambers during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, is welcomed by members of the House after being re-elected to his leadership role in the House Chambers during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Members of the Georgia House of Representatives stand for the pledge of allegiance during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia Rep. Mack Jackson, D-Sandersville, wears a face mask and a face shield during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia Rep. Timothy Barr (right), R-Lawrenceville, participates in a swearing-in, as his daughter Liberty Barr, holds a Bible in the House Chambers during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia Rep. Calvin Smyre, D-Columbus, is sworn in inside the House Chambers during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. Rep. Smyre is also known as the “Dean” of the House because of his long service to the House of Representatives. He has served more than 45 years as a lawmaker (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia Rep. J. Collins, R-Villa Rica, participates in a swearing-in as his daughter J.J. Collins, 9, holds a Bible inside the House Chambers during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Members of the Georgia House of Representatives and their guests wait patiently in the hallway before being sworn in inside the House Chambers during the first day of legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. The Georgia House swore in 4 batches of members in order to remain socially distant. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia Rep. Park Cannon (second from right), D-Atlanta, participates in a swearing-in with her partner Toni Watkins (right) by her side inside the House Chambers during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Re-elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the Georgia House of Representatives Jan Jones, R-Milton, participates in a swearing-in inside the House Chambers during the first day of the 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Members of the Georgia House of Representatives and their guests wait patiently in the hallway before being sworn in inside the House Chambers during the first day of legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. The Georgia House swore in 4 batches of members in order to remain socially distant. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Rep. Eric Thomas, D-Austell, participates in a swearing-in inside the House Chambers during the first day of 2021 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Members of the Georgia House of Representatives and their guests wait patiently in the hallway before being sworn in inside the House Chambers during the first day of legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. The Georgia House swore in 4 batches of members in order to remain socially distant. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Re-elected Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston (right), R-Blue Ridge, participates in a swearing-in inside the House Chambers during the first day of the legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

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Credit: Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com

01/11/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Rep. Kim Schofiled, D- Atlanta, wears a face mask, face shield and gloves as she mingles with her colleagues in the House chambers before the start of the 2021 legislate session at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

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