08 LC 34
1596S
The
Senate Transportation Committee offered the following substitute to SR
428:
A
RESOLUTION
To
create the Senate Railroad Safety and Security Study Committee; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
rail transport is an energy efficient means of mechanized land transport that
can save energy compared with other forms of transportation; and
WHEREAS,
under the right circumstances, a train needs 50 to 70 percent less energy to
transport a given tonnage of freight or given number of passengers than does
road transport; and
WHEREAS,
much of today's shipping utilizes railroads to deliver goods through cargo
containers that combine railroads and trucks to get goods to their destinations;
and
WHEREAS,
this transportation mechanism contributes greatly to the American economy and
should be encouraged in light of the energy savings and efficiencies possible
with its use; and
WHEREAS,
since a significant amount of the goods in commerce move over the rails in our
state, we need to ensure the safety and security of such rail transport;
and
WHEREAS,
in addition to protecting the movement of freight in our state, railroads are
being viewed increasingly as a possible option for further alleviating traffic
congestion and commutes in our state and improving safety by reducing the number
of automobiles on our busiest highways; and
WHEREAS,
all of these factors create a need for a close examination of railroad safety
and security and to determine if legislation is needed to ensure the continued
safety and security of rail transport in Georgia.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate
Railroad Safety and Security Study Committee to be composed of five members of
the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor shall
designate one of the members of the committee to serve 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 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 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 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, 2008. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31,
2008.