08 LC 25
5274
Senate
Resolution 1244
By:
Senators Orrock of the 36th, Harp of the 29th, Stoner of the 6th, Fort of the
39th, Hooks of the 14th and others
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Senate Accessibility Study Committee; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the 2000 United States Census stated that more than 600,000 individuals in
Georgia have physical disabilities, not including those persons residing in
institutions; and
WHEREAS,
there were 3/4 million individuals over age 65 living in Georgia in 2000; this
population is projected to reach nearly 2 million by 2030, and many of these
individuals will experience mobility impairment in their lifetime;
and
WHEREAS,
accessibility renovation is costly, and additionally, many Georgians must enter
assisted living facilities because they cannot return to their own inaccessible
homes after hospitalization; and
WHEREAS,
the majority of new houses built today are not accessible to individuals with
significant mobility impairments, and such houses impose barriers to individuals
within their own homes and also between these individuals and their communities;
and
WHEREAS,
recent research has shown that a minimum of one in four houses will at some time
have a resident with severe, long-term mobility impairment; and
WHEREAS,
advocates assert that minor adjustments to new home designs would allow
individuals with mobility impairments to enjoy access to the homes of their
friends and extended family as well as reducing the need for costly renovations
in the future, and such advocates propose mandates to bring about these
adjustments; and
WHEREAS,
the homebuilding industry is experiencing a serious loss of revenue at this time
due to a steep decline in new housing starts; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia homebuilding trade groups support voluntary responses to meet the
need for home access but in general oppose mandates to achieve this goal;
and
WHEREAS,
it would be beneficial for those who advocate for construction mandates and
those who oppose such mandates to reach mutually agreeable legislative
solutions; and
WHEREAS,
it is important for the Senate to receive and consider information relating to
the issue of a basic level of accessibility in new homes.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate
Accessibility Study Committee to be composed of five members of the Senate to be
appointed by the President of the Senate. The President 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, and issues mentioned above or related thereto and recommend
any action or legislation which 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 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 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 Senate. 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 1, 2008.
The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2008.