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06 LC 36 0045

House Resolution 1113

By: Representative Ashe of the 56th

A RESOLUTION

Creating the Joint Study Committee on the Feasibility of a Children and Youth Cabinet; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Georgiás children are the statés most precious and valued resources; and

WHEREAS, many programs exist to support and help Georgiás youth and to address specific problems; and

WHEREAS, these programs may prove to be more effective if formally coordinated; and

WHEREAS, the problems facing some young Georgians may be better solved through coordination not only between the various agencies and departments of the executive branch but also among the three branches of government; and

WHEREAS, a children and youth cabinet established for the purpose of improving the well-being of Georgiás children through collaboration, coordination, and comprehensive planning may be a solution to streamlining services to children and to ensure that Georgia’s children and youth are safe, healthy, well educated, and ready for life.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY that there is created the Joint Study Committee on the Feasibility of a Children and Youth Cabinet to be composed of 15 members, as follows:

(1) Four members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, of whom one shall be a member of the Appropriations Committee, one shall be a member of the Children and Youth Committee, one shall be a member of the Education Committee, and one shall be a member of the Health and Human Services Committee;

and four members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Assignments, of whom one shall be a member of the Appropriations Committee, one shall be a member of the Education and Youth Committee, and one shall be a member of the Health and Human Service Committee. The Speaker of the House shall designate a member of the House of Representatives and the Senate Committee on Assignments shall designate a member of the Senate to be co-chairpersons of the committee. The committee shall meet at the call of the co-chairpersons; and

(2) Seven members consisting of department or division directors who administer services to children and youth to be appointed by the Governor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the committee shall undertake a study of the feasibility of establishing a children and youth cabinet including but not limited to:

(1) The role a children and youth cabinet might play in the ongoing planning and evaluation of programs related to the well-being of children and youth in Georgia;

(2) How the cabinet would be created;

(3) Creation of a children and youth budget; and

(4) Who should serve on the cabinet.

In fulfilling its duties, the committee shall consult with such individuals, experts, and organizations as it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, nonprofit organizations and state agencies serving the needs of children. The committee shall recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances authorized for legislative members of interim legislative committees but shall receive the same for not more than five days. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the House of Representatives and to the Senate. The committee shall make a report of its progress, findings, and recommendations, which may include suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, by December 31, 2006. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2006.