06 LC 36
0221
Senate
Resolution 1081
By:
Senators Seabaugh of the 28th, Balfour of the 9th, Hill of the 32nd, Shafer of
the 48th and Goggans of the 7th
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Georgia Broadband Education Task Force; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
technological advances such as broadband have the ability to substantially
enhance the daily lives of the citizens of Georgia, increasing their quality of
life; and
WHEREAS,
economic growth is maximized when business owners and citizens throughout the
state are aware of the benefits derived from the use of information and
communication technologies; and
WHEREAS,
increased awareness as to broadband technology and how it can be used will
better position Georgians to compete in the global market; and
WHEREAS,
the members of this body recognize that through education, the citizens of this
state may be able to better utilize broadband technology and enjoy the benefits
it is capable of providing to their lives at work, at home, and at
play.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Effective
July 1, 2006, the Georgia Broadband Education Task Force is established for the
purpose of educating the public on the benefits of broadband technology and to
improve the utilization of broadband technology within the State of
Georgia.
SECTION
2.
(a)
The task force shall be composed of 18 members to be appointed as
follows:
(1)
A member of the Georgia House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of
the House of Representatives;
(2)
A member of the Georgia Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the
Senate;
(3)
A representative of the Georgia Technology Authority, appointed by the Governor;
(4)
A representative of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia,
appointed by the Governor;
(5)
A representative from a university located in the state, appointed by the
Governor;
(6)
A representative from a public school located in the state, appointed by the
Governor;
(7)
A representative from the Georgia Department of Education, appointed by the
Governor;
(8)
A representative of a Tier I local exchange company, appointed by the
Governor;
(9)
A representative of a Tier II local exchange company, appointed by the
Governor;
(10)
A representative of a competitive local exchange carrier, appointed by the
Governor;
(11)
A representative from the cable television industry, appointed by the
Governor;
(12)
A representative of the Internet service provider industry, appointed by the
Governor;
(13)
A representative of the wireless service industry, appointed by the
Governor;
(14)
A representative from a large business who uses broadband technology, appointed
by the Governor;
(15)
A representative from a small business who uses broadband technology, appointed
by the Governor;
(16)
A representative of elderly users of broadband technology to serve as a
nonvoting member of the task force, appointed by the Governor;
(17)
A representative of family users of broadband technology to serve as a
nonvoting member of the task force, appointed by the Governor; and
(18)
A representative at large, appointed by the Governor.
(b)
The Governor shall designate a member to serve as chairperson of the task force,
which chairperson shall serve in that position at the pleasure of the Governor.
The task force may elect such other officers and appoint committees as it
considers appropriate. The task force shall meet at the call of the
chairperson.
(c)
The legislative members of the task force shall receive the allowance provided
for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. Citizen
members shall receive a daily expense allowance in the amount specified in
subsection (b) of Code Section 45-7-21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated
as well as the mileage or transportation allowance authorized for state
employees. Any member who is a public official or employee other than a member
of the General Assembly shall not receive a daily expense allowance but may be
reimbursed for actual expenses by his or her public employer. All funds
necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds
appropriated to the Senate and the House of Representatives. The expenses and
allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of
the committee for more than five days unless additional days are
authorized.
SECTION
3.
The
task force shall:
(1)
Receive and consider reports and testimony from individuals, companies,
departments, community-based organizations, and other public and private
organizations state wide to learn more about the benefits of broadband
technology and how it may be better utilized in this state;
(2)
Study the best practices for educating the public as to the benefits of
broadband technology; and
(3)
Develop a comprehensive plan for broadband education and utilization in Georgia
and present recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly for changes
in state programs, statutes, policies, budgets, and standards relating to the
education of the public as to the benefits of broadband technology and improving
utilization of broadband technology in this state.
SECTION
4.
The
task force shall present a report to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of
the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1 , 2007.
The task force shall stand abolished on January 1, 2007.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the public and the press.