Alabama Capitol

MONTGOMERY, Ala.  — Alabama lawmakers return to Montgomery today for the 2021 regular session, which will be conducted differently because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawmakers convene at noon. Republican lawmakers have said a top priority for the first weeks of the session will be legislation to shield companies and others from civil lawsuit liability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other key issues include gambling legislation, a state prison crisis and medical marijuana legislation.

Lawmakers this year will have to draw new congressional districts but that may occur in a special session later in the year.

Gov. Kay Ivey will give her annual State of the State address to lawmakers Tuesday night, but legislators will watch by remote feed.

The governor on Monday signed agreements to lease two new state prisons, an action that has raised the objections of some lawmakers.

Legislators plan to meet for two weeks and then take a break to review COVID-19 precautions.

Locally, Senator Garlan Gudger has been named to several senate committees. Gudger has been named vice-chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility & Economic Development Committee and will serve on the Finance & Taxation – Education Committee, Committee on Confirmations, Governmental Affairs Committee, Committee on Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, the Committee on Healthcare and the Tourism Committee.