HR174.html

Creating the Joint Hazardous Sites Response Act Reauthorization Study Committee; creating the Joint Study Committee on Providing Drivers´ Licenses to Aliens; creating the Joint Study Committee on Limited Access for State Route 316/University Parkway; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the natural environment is a precious resource of this state and its protection is a crucial component to the future prosperity of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the protection of human health is of utmost concern to the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Division is charged with protecting human health and the environment from release of hazardous waste, hazardous constituents, and hazardous materials from hazardous sites; and

WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Division protects human health and the environment from releases at hazardous sites through the use of the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund which is funded by fees on hazardous waste, hazardous substances, and solid waste; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia Program Evaluation of the Sufficiency of the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund, prepared December, 1999, by the Department of Audits and Accounts, showed a $213.6 million shortfall in funding under the current fee structure; and

WHEREAS, the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund will not have enough funding to protect human health and the environment from releases at hazardous sites if additional funding is not obtained; and

WHEREAS, the fees will sunset on July 1, 2003, if they are not reauthorized by the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, an overall comprehensive study should be undertaken to assist the General Assembly in determining the need for additional funding for the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund; and

WHEREAS, significant economic growth has occurred and is continuing to occur along our state highway system, particularly along the University Parkway portion of State Route 316 that runs through portions of Barrow, Gwinnett, and Oconee counties; and

WHEREAS, the current traffic conditions along the University Parkway portion of State Route 316 need to be studied to determine whether it warrants status as a limited-access roadway.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that there is created the Joint Hazardous Sites Response Act Reauthorization Study Committee. The President of the Senate shall appoint three members of the Senate, one of whom shall serve as cochairperson of the committee. The President of the Senate shall also appoint three additional persons to the committee, one representing the interests of environmental groups, one representing the interests of business and industry, and one representing the interests of municipal corporations. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint three members of the House, one of whom shall serve as cochairperson of the committee. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall also appoint three additional persons to the committee, one representing the interests of environmental groups, one representing the interests of business and industry, and one representing the interests of counties. The director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources shall serve as a member of the committee and shall provide information as requested by the committee; provided, however, that the director shall have no vote on any matter before 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 regarding the funding shortfall mentioned above or related thereto, including a review of experience with the Hazardous Sites Response Act to date to determine what improvements might allow for more cost effective results, and recommend any actions 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 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 and the House of Representatives. 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, 2001. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2001.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that there is created the Joint Study Committee on Providing Drivers´ Licenses to Aliens. The President of the Senate shall appoint three members of the Senate, one of whom shall serve as cochairperson of the committee. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint three members of the House, one of whom shall 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 issues, needs, and problems regarding providing drivers´ licenses to aliens and recommend any legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct meetings at such places and times as it may deem necessary. 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 appropriate to the Senate and House of Representatives. 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, 2002. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2001.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there is created the Joint Study Committee on Limited Access for State Route 316/University Parkway to be composed of five members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and five members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate. The Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate shall each designate a member of the committee 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 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 Georgia Department of Transportation will provide staff, information, and assistance to the committee throughout its study. 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 ten 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 House of Representatives and 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 31, 2001. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2001.