hr1558_LC_29_2295_a_2.html
06 LC 29 2295
House Resolution 1558
By: Representatives Setzler of the 35th, Hill of the 21st, Loudermilk of the 14th, Lindsey of the 54th, May of the 111th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Creating the House Study Committee on Biological Privacy; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, emerging technology is rapidly advancing the capacity of governments and private organizations to physically monitor and biologically profile law abiding citizens; and

WHEREAS, the use of these technologies is being increasingly integrated into ordinary life both in the private and public sectors for purposes of personnel identification, access control, medical assessment, profiling, and for other purposes; and

WHEREAS, the uses of technologies such as DNA profiling, digital fingerprint recognition, and retinal scan utilize indelible physical characteristics that are unalterable; and

WHEREAS, radio frequency identification, global positioning systems, and emerging nanotechnology have the potential to provide public and private entities significant information regarding the whereabouts and behavioral history of citizens without their knowledge or consent; and

WHEREAS, no information that is collected and centrally maintained can be kept completely safe from theft or misuse by unauthorized parties; and

WHEREAS, theft of indelible biological information could be devastating to a citizeńs personal or financial future; and

WHEREAS, both the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Georgia provide "[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects . . . shall not be violated . . ."; and

WHEREAS, the government has a duty to address through its laws the basic protection and welfare of its citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created the House Study Committee on Biological Privacy. The committee shall consist of five members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as the chairperson. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and uses of biological information and technology by government and private entities and the problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee shall seek the advice and opinions of private, institutional, and law enforcement experts and officials. 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 its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances authorized for legislative members of interim legislative committees but shall not receive the same for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the House of Representatives. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2006. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2006.