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03 LC 28 1035
House Bill 458
By: Representatives Casas of the 68th, Moraitakis of the 42nd, Post 4, Mosby of the 59th, Post 3, Burkhalter of the 36th, Stoner of the 34th, Post 1, and others
By: Representatives Casas of the 68th, Moraitakis of the 42nd, Post 4, Mosby of the 59th, Post 3, Burkhalter of the 36th, Stoner of the 34th, Post 1, and others
A BILL TO BE
ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 13 of Title 45 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to the Secretary of State, so as to create the
position of the director of protocol and international affairs; to provide for
the duties and functions of such director; to provide for related matters; to
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 13 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to the Secretary of State, is amended by adding a new
Article 6 to read as follows:
"ARTICLE
6
45_13_101.
There is created in the office of the Secretary of State the position of director of protocol and international affairs. The director shall be under the control and supervision of the Secretary of State. The director shall be appointed as are other employees in the office of the Secretary of State. The director may have such additional staff assigned as shall be determined by the Secretary of State.
45_13_102.
(a) The director of protocol and international affairs shall have the responsibility and duty:
(1) To serve as Georgia´s designated person for the enhancement and coordination of foreign affairs and diplomacy;
(2) To foster global relationships, provide a world class support system for Georgia´s international activities, promote international cultural and educational exchanges, and encourage international economic development;
(3) To ensure that Georgia remains competitive in the global economy by its use of diplomatic, educational, and cultural tools;
(4) To offer leadership, coordination, and direction to Georgia´s citizens and international counterparts;
(5) To assist in the development and implementation of consular and diplomatic programs, sister city and sister state programs, and international liaison programs to enable every region of Georgia to share and become involved in new international challenges;
(6) To serve as Georgia´s international contact for the Georgia congressional delegation and federal agencies;
(7) To serve as liaison for the state with all foreign consular and ambassadorial corps, as well as international organizations, that are consistent with the purposes of this article;
(8) To directly advise, assist, and support the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of State on official matters of national and international protocol and in the planning, hosting, and officiating of related ceremonial events and activities for visiting foreign dignitaries;
(9) To provide advice, when necessary, to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and General Assembly on matters related to protocol and ceremonial functions;
(10) To create and update the various diplomatic lists used by such office;
(11) To prepare and send invitations to the official acts of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and General Assembly to the various consulates and foreign dignitaries within the state;
(12) To act as a liaison between the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of State and the members of the consular corps in this state, along with their support staff and their families, on matters related to diplomatic privileges and immunities and assist in the registration of such individuals with government agencies as required; in the obtaining and renewing of visas; with tax exemptions; in obtaining diplomatic license plates, driver´s licenses, and work permits for family members; and in any unusual problems that the consulates encounter or may develop;
(13) To assist in customs clearance for the consular corps, for diplomats, and for foreign dignitaries;
(14) To keep the office of the Secretary of State informed of changes in the cabinets of governments of the consular corps and of other developments which might require the attention of the office of the Secretary of State;
(15) To cause to be published the Georgia Directory of Consulates once a year; and
(16) To be responsible for official correspondence announcing the appointment of new consul_generals and representatives to the various foreign consulates and for informing the appropriate state agencies and departments of such appointments."
There is created in the office of the Secretary of State the position of director of protocol and international affairs. The director shall be under the control and supervision of the Secretary of State. The director shall be appointed as are other employees in the office of the Secretary of State. The director may have such additional staff assigned as shall be determined by the Secretary of State.
45_13_102.
(a) The director of protocol and international affairs shall have the responsibility and duty:
(1) To serve as Georgia´s designated person for the enhancement and coordination of foreign affairs and diplomacy;
(2) To foster global relationships, provide a world class support system for Georgia´s international activities, promote international cultural and educational exchanges, and encourage international economic development;
(3) To ensure that Georgia remains competitive in the global economy by its use of diplomatic, educational, and cultural tools;
(4) To offer leadership, coordination, and direction to Georgia´s citizens and international counterparts;
(5) To assist in the development and implementation of consular and diplomatic programs, sister city and sister state programs, and international liaison programs to enable every region of Georgia to share and become involved in new international challenges;
(6) To serve as Georgia´s international contact for the Georgia congressional delegation and federal agencies;
(7) To serve as liaison for the state with all foreign consular and ambassadorial corps, as well as international organizations, that are consistent with the purposes of this article;
(8) To directly advise, assist, and support the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of State on official matters of national and international protocol and in the planning, hosting, and officiating of related ceremonial events and activities for visiting foreign dignitaries;
(9) To provide advice, when necessary, to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and General Assembly on matters related to protocol and ceremonial functions;
(10) To create and update the various diplomatic lists used by such office;
(11) To prepare and send invitations to the official acts of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and General Assembly to the various consulates and foreign dignitaries within the state;
(12) To act as a liaison between the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of State and the members of the consular corps in this state, along with their support staff and their families, on matters related to diplomatic privileges and immunities and assist in the registration of such individuals with government agencies as required; in the obtaining and renewing of visas; with tax exemptions; in obtaining diplomatic license plates, driver´s licenses, and work permits for family members; and in any unusual problems that the consulates encounter or may develop;
(13) To assist in customs clearance for the consular corps, for diplomats, and for foreign dignitaries;
(14) To keep the office of the Secretary of State informed of changes in the cabinets of governments of the consular corps and of other developments which might require the attention of the office of the Secretary of State;
(15) To cause to be published the Georgia Directory of Consulates once a year; and
(16) To be responsible for official correspondence announcing the appointment of new consul_generals and representatives to the various foreign consulates and for informing the appropriate state agencies and departments of such appointments."
SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are
repealed.