The Georgia General Assembly is suspending the 2020 legislative session indefinitely after Friday, March 13, out of an "abundance of caution and in the interest of health and safety" threatened by coronavirus.

The state House and Senate will finish out Crossover Day Thursday and then conduct legislative day 29 out of 40 before the hiatus.

House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) said in a statement that it was not an easy decision to make.

“We do not take this action lightly, but after discussions with Governor Kemp, we feel this is a prudent measure which will ensure an orderly legislative session,” Ralston said. “I appreciate very much the cooperation of Lt. Governor Duncan, and working together, our House and Senate stand ready to support the state’s response to the Coronavirus. We look forward to resuming the legislative session and returning to the people’s business.”

Gov. Brian Kemp announced in a press confrence Thursday afternoon the state's first death from COVID-19 and said state employees should telework if possible.

“We continue to urge calm and appropriate responses to the coronavirus situation. However, the current environment demands that we take additional preventative action,” Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan said. “Speaker Ralston and I are working diligently to ensure that, at the appropriate time, the General Assembly resumes its critically important work.”
 
The legislature approved an amended fiscal year 2020 budget Thursday morning that adds $100 million from the state's rainy day fund to help with state response to coronavirus.
 

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