hr1560_LC_35_0291S_rcs

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06 LC 35 0291S

House Resolution 1560 (RULES COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

By: Representative Cox of the 102nd

A RESOLUTION

Creating the House Pandemic Preparedness and Response Study Committee and the House Study Committee on State Law Enforcement Salaries and Benefits; and for other purposes.

SECTION 1.

WHEREAS, it is essential to public health and safety that this state be prepared in the event of a public health emergency caused by either bioterrorism or the rapid transmission of a life-threatening disease; and

WHEREAS, a pandemic or epidemic has the potential of causing both devastating health consequences for the citizens of this state and the disruption of critical community services due to the incapacitation of essential human infrastructure and, to attempt to avoid such tragic consequences, there should be an evaluation of the statés preparedness and a consideration of the need for state and local contingency plans; and

WHEREAS, in the event of a public health emergency or disaster, state and local officials will be called upon to implement a response plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created the House Pandemic Preparedness and Response Study Committee to be composed of five members. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint the members of the committee and shall designate one of such members as 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 problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall review and consider the following concerns and issues as these relate to pandemic preparedness and response:

(1) The need for coordinated response plans on the regional, state-wide and national levels;

(2) Interagency cooperation and agreements between agencies and private entities on the local, regional, state, and national levels, including agreements with elected representatives, law enforcement, first responders, and the media;

(3) Agreements with health care insurers, Medicaid or other federal medical programs, and health care product, equipment, and services providers for cooperation with public health recommendations during an epidemic;

(4) The coordination, recruitment and training of medical and nonmedical volunteers;

(5) The identification of available facilities for the provision of medical care, decontamination, quarantine, training, and morgue services;

(6) The need to stockpile medications or medical equipment;

(7) The availability of communication and the need for developing communication procedures;

(8) The development of uniform and humane quarantine procedures; and

(9) Methods for filling critical infrastructure services such as police, fire, and EMT services as well as sanitation, water, and electrical services.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that 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 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 three 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.

SECTION 2.

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is served daily by the hundreds of state law enforcement officers who have dedicated themselves to the protection of the lives and property of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, it is largely upon the courage and commitment of these brave men and women that our fundamental liberties and well-being are built and secured; and

WHEREAS, in rendering essential public services professionally and selflessly, this statés law enforcement officers help to assure an orderly society and enhances the citizenrýs sense of security; and

WHEREAS, in placing the well-being of society above their personal concerns and, in some instances, risking their lives for the sake of others, the statés law enforcement officers exemplify the highest nobility and greatest commitment to humanitarian ideals; and

WHEREAS, it is essential that the salaries and benefits paid to state law enforcement officers state wide is at a level necessary to continue to attract and retain the best candidates and to ensure that a career as a state law enforcement officer remains an attractive employment opportunity in this state.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created the House Study Committee on State Law Enforcement Salaries and Benefits to be composed of five members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee. 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 problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee shall focus its attention on the salary and benefits of state law enforcement officers who have as a part of their routine duties and responsibilities the exercise of the power of arrest, such as agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and troopers with the Georgia State Patrol and also including without limitation any and all certified peace officers employed with any state law enforcement unit as defined by paragraphs (7) and (8) of Code Section 35-8-2. 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 members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than three 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. The committee shall make a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, on or before December 31, 2006. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2006.