hr1339_LC_18_5408ERS_hs

hr1339_LC_18_5408ERS_hs_4.html

06 LC 18 5408ERS

The House Committee on Ways and Means offers the following substitute to HR 1339:

A RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for the creation and comprehensive regulation of infrastructure development districts; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article IX of the Constitution is amended by adding a new section at the end thereof, to be designated Section VIII, to read as follows:

"SECTION VIII.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS

Paragraph I. Creation. The General Assembly may by general law provide for the creation of and comprehensive regulation of infrastructure development districts.

Paragraph II. Purposes. The purpose of an infrastructure development district shall be the creation, provision, and expansion of such infrastructure services and facilities as may be provided for by general law.

Paragraph III. Administration. (a) Any general law providing for the creation of infrastructure development districts shall provide for the establishment of an administrative or governing body for the infrastructure development district and the appointment or election, terms, and qualifications of the members of such body.

(b) The administrative or governing body of each infrastructure development district may be authorized to levy, impose, and collect such taxes, fees, and assessments within the district, or portion or portions of such district, under such conditions as shall be specified by general law.

Paragraph IV. Debt. The administrative or governing body of an infrastructure development district may incur debt, as authorized by general law, without regard to any of the provisions of Section V of this article, which debt may be backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the infrastructure development district but shall not be an obligation of the State of Georgia or any other unit of government of the State of Georgia.

Paragraph V. Cooperation with local governments. The provisions of this section shall in no way limit the authority of any county or municipality to provide services or facilities within any infrastructure development district; and any county or municipality shall retain full and complete authority and control over any of its facilities located within an infrastructure development district. Said control shall include but not be limited to the modification of, access to, and degree and type of services provided through or by facilities of the municipality or county. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to limit or preempt the application of any governmental laws, ordinances, resolutions, or regulations to any infrastructure development district or the services or facilities provided therein. No administrative or governing body of an infrastructure development district shall have or exercise the power of eminent domain, nor shall the state or any local government delegate such power to or exercise such power through any administrative or governing body of an infrastructure development district.

Paragraph VI. Regulation by general law. The General Assembly by general law shall provide for the powers, duties, and authority of infrastructure development districts and may regulate, restrict, and limit the creation of infrastructure development districts and the exercise of the powers of administrative or governing bodies of infrastructure development districts."

SECTION 2.

The above proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be published and submitted as provided in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution. The ballot submitting the above proposed amendment shall have written or printed thereon the following:

"( ) YES

( ) NO

Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for the creation and comprehensive regulation of infrastructure development districts for the purpose of building community projects consistent with local government comprehensive plans?"

All persons desiring to vote in favor of ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "Yes." All persons desiring to vote against ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "No." If such amendment shall be ratified as provided in said Paragraph of the Constitution, it shall become a part of the Constitution of this state.