sr298_As_introduced_LC_14_9146_2.html
05 LC 14 9146
Senate Resolution 298
By: Senators Seabaugh of the 28th, Balfour of the 9th and Johnson of the 1st

A RESOLUTION

Creating the Joint House and Senate Emerging Communications Technologies Study Committee; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, as the competitiveness of broadband, Voice Over Internet Protocol, and wireless services continues to increase; and

WHEREAS, these emerging technologies have prospered under a market based economy; and

WHEREAS, a favorable market for these emerging technologies in Georgia will aid economic development, help attract new jobs, and help secure existing jobs; and

WHEREAS, accordingly, investment in these emerging technologies should be encouraged and any disincentives to such investments resulting from unnecessary government regulation should be eliminated.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY that there is created the Joint House and Senate Emerging Communications Technologies Study Committee to be composed of three members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and three members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Assignments. The Speaker of the House shall designate a member of the committee as cochairperson of the committee, and the Senate Committee on Assignments shall designate a member of the committee as cochairperson of the committee. The cochairpersons shall call all meetings of the committee. The cochairpersons may appoint an advisory committee composed of, but not limited to, representatives of incumbent telecommunications companies, competitive telecommunications companies (both facilities based and nonfacilities based), cable companies, Internet service providers, power companies, wireless companies, consumer groups, and the Public Service Commission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the emerging technologies of broadband, Voice Over Internet Protocol, and wireless service and will consider what role, if any, the Public Service Commission should play in the growth and development of these competitive services, including the effect of state regulation of these services on economic development, job growth, and capital investment in the State of Georgia. Moreover, and separate and apart from the emerging technologies, the committee shall further consider the effect of state regulation on competitive local retail services. The committee shall develop and recommend legislation for the 2006 session which the committee deems necessary or appropriate to address such issues.

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 legislative members of interim legislative committees 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 members of any advisory committee shall serve without compensation. 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, such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2005. The committee shall be abolished on December 31, 2005.