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Alabama lawmakers return for shortened session

File-This Jan. 9, 2018, file photo shows Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon slamming the gavel as the Alabama legislative session begins, in Montgomery, Ala. A state lawmaker apologized for an outburst on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives in which she repeatedly shouted at the House speaker.
Rep. Juandalynn Givan issued a statement over the weekend to "humbly express my apologies to my colleagues." The Birmingham Democrat said she also wanted to challenge fellow lawmakers "to avoid actions that encourage division and oppression." Video from Alabama Public Television showed Givan repeatedly shouting at House Speaker McCutcheon during Thursday, March 21, 2019, debate. The speaker said the outburst "included a stream of harassing statements and obscenities." (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File) — File-This Jan. 9, 2018, file photo shows Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon slamming the gavel as the Alabama legislative session begins, in Montgomery, Ala. A state lawmaker apologized for an outburst on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives in which she repeatedly shouted at the House speaker. Rep. Juandalynn Givan issued a statement over the weekend to "humbly express my apologies to my colleagues." The Birmingham Democrat said she also wanted to challenge fellow lawmakers "to avoid actions that encourage division and oppression." Video from Alabama Public Television showed Givan repeatedly shouting at House Speaker McCutcheon during Thursday, March 21, 2019, debate. The speaker said the outburst "included a stream of harassing statements and obscenities." (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File) File-This Jan. 9, 2018, file photo shows Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon slamming the gavel as the Alabama legislative session begins, in Montgomery, Ala. A state lawmaker apologized for an outburst on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives in which she repeatedly shouted at the House speaker. Rep. Juandalynn Givan issued a statement over the weekend to "humbly express my apologies to my colleagues." The Birmingham Democrat said she also wanted to challenge fellow lawmakers "to avoid actions that encourage division and oppression." Video from Alabama Public Television showed Givan repeatedly shouting at House Speaker McCutcheon during Thursday, March 21, 2019, debate. The speaker said the outburst "included a stream of harassing statements and obscenities." (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

By KIM CHANDLER /Associated Press May 5, 2020 2 min read

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Wearing face masks and sitting far apart, Alabama lawmakers on Monday resumed a legislative session that is being shortened because of coronavirus.

Legislators had taken a nearly two month break during the COVID-19 outbreak but returned to Montgomery to pass state budgets and a few other bills before the regular session concludes on May 18.

“I know this is a sacrifice you are making,” House Speaker Mac McCutcheon told members, asking them to comply with procedures set up to minimize close contact among them.

Legislators wore masks covering their mouths and noses. Members of the 105-member House of Representatives spaced themselves out over two floors at the Alabama Statehouse in order to keep distance between members. House members were called to the voting floors 10 members at a time in order to avoid a crowd in the hallways.

However, many lawmakers did not attend Monday. Only 60 members of the 105-member House answered roll. Some suggested it was futile to pass budgets before the state had a better estimate of the impact of the virus on state revenue and expenditures.