07 LC 28
3584
House
Resolution 511
By:
Representatives Scott of the
153rd,
Sheldon of the
105th,
Holt of the
112th,
Meadows of the
5th,
Fleming of the
117th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Joint Study Committee on Local Government; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
cities and counties are important partners to the State of Georgia in providing
a high quality of life for residents across the state; and
WHEREAS,
cities provide centers of commerce, a sense of place, a variety of municipal
services, and a government that is closest to the people; and
WHEREAS,
county governments within Georgia have traditionally provided constitutionally
mandated services and have served as administrative units for the provision of
state services; and
WHEREAS,
the role of cities and counties has evolved over the years as state and local
governments have struggled to accommodate Georgia´s swelling population;
and
WHEREAS,
actions of the General Assembly of Georgia have at times resulted in duplication
of services, competition for revenue, and confusion over the proper role of
cities and counties; and
WHEREAS,
the 2007 regular session of the General Assembly of Georgia has been faced with
legislation concerning annexation, deannexation, and incorporation of
municipalities; the creation of townships; and a variety of other issues that
demonstrate the very real conflict in how local governments should act, relate
to one another, and resolve conflicts; and
WHEREAS,
vibrant, prosperous, and responsive local governments working cooperatively with
one another and the state are vital to the future health and prosperity of
Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
the General Assembly needs to study these issues to determine the best course
for the future of local government in this
state.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that there is created the Joint Study Committee on Local Government to be composed of ten members. Five members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. One member appointed by the Speaker shall be the mayor of a municipality in Georgia, one member shall be the chairperson of a board of county commissioners in Georgia, and three members shall be members of the House of Representatives. The Speaker shall designate one of the members from the House of Representatives to serve as cochairperson of the committee. Five members shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. One member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor shall be the mayor of a municipality in Georgia, one member shall be the chairperson of a board of county commissioners in Georgia, and three members shall be members of the Senate. The Lieutenant Governor shall designate one of the members of the Senate to serve as cochairperson of the committee. The cochairpersons shall call all meetings of the committee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that there is created the Joint Study Committee on Local Government to be composed of ten members. Five members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. One member appointed by the Speaker shall be the mayor of a municipality in Georgia, one member shall be the chairperson of a board of county commissioners in Georgia, and three members shall be members of the House of Representatives. The Speaker shall designate one of the members from the House of Representatives to serve as cochairperson of the committee. Five members shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. One member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor shall be the mayor of a municipality in Georgia, one member shall be the chairperson of a board of county commissioners in Georgia, and three members shall be members of the Senate. The Lieutenant Governor shall designate one of the members of the Senate to serve as cochairperson of the committee. The cochairpersons 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 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 the services of the
Carl Vinson Institute of Government, the Association County Commissioners of
Georgia, and the Georgia Municipal Association for assistance in accomplishing
its tasks. The legislative 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 five days unless additional days
are authorized. The county and municipal members of the committee shall not
receive any compensation for their service on the committee but shall be
reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in serving on the committee. The
funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from
the funds appropriated to the House of Representatives and 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.