07 LC 34
1224
Senate
Resolution 480
By:
Senators Carter of the 13th, Johnson of the 1st, Hooks of the 14th, Meyer von
Bremen of the 12th, Mullis of the 53rd and others
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Senate Study Committee on Increasing Cargo Capacity at Georgia Ports; and
for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the state-wide economic impact of Georgia ports is reflected in the following
figures: sales of $35.4 billion (7 percent of Georgia's total sales); gross
state product: $17.1 billion (6 percent of Georgia's total GSP); income: $10.8
billion (4 percent of Georgia's total personal income); state and local taxes:
$1.4 billion; federal taxes: $3.2 billion; state-wide employment: full and
part-time jobs 275,968 (7 percent of Georgia's total employment);
and
WHEREAS,
any viable processes to increase the capacity at Georgia ports while reducing
congestion around the ports would increase the economic development and
efficiency of the ports; and
WHEREAS,
some experts have concluded in studies that the method of unloading ships
currently utilized in Georgia ports could be improved by taking cargo containers
off ships and loading them onto rail transportation to be taken to off-site
loading areas; and
WHEREAS,
upon arrival at the off-site loading area, the containers could be transferred
to trucks or other transportation for shipment to the intended destination;
and
WHEREAS,
some studies suggest this process would increase the capacity at Georgia ports
and thereby further fuel economic development in the ports; and
WHEREAS,
some studies suggest the decreased congestion around port areas would be
substantial under this process; and
WHEREAS,
some of the infrastructure necessary to implement this plan already is in place;
and
WHEREAS,
it is in the best interests of the state to create a system that will increase
Georgia ports' ability to quickly and efficiently move freight containers
through our ports and onto our highway system.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate Study
Committee on Increasing Cargo Capacity at Georgia Ports to be composed of seven
members of the Senate to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. The
Lieutenant Governor shall designate one of the appointees as chairperson of the
committee. The committee shall meet at the call of the
chairperson.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the
conditions, needs, issues, problems, and opportunities as mentioned above or
related thereto and recommend any action or legislation that 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 committee may call upon
persons with expertise in moving freight containers through ports and upon
members of the business community or persons and organizations as deemed
necessary by the committee to fully explore the 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 Senate. In the event that 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, 2007.
The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2007.