07 LC 35
0637
Senate
Resolution 653
By:
Senators Hamrick of the 30th and Shafer of the 48th
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Senate Study Committee on Cigarette Tax Evasion; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
there is a growing problem in Georgia with untaxed cigarettes being brought into
the state; and
WHEREAS,
an infrastructure exists in which counterfeit stamps are being placed on
legitimate cigarette products; and
WHEREAS,
the State of Georgia is losing tobacco tax revenue because the tax is not being
paid as required on products being imported into this state; and
WHEREAS,
this loss has increased following the tax increase on cigarettes;
and
WHEREAS,
current policy and procedure makes the identification of counterfeit tax stamps
difficult to spot.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate Study
Committee on Cigarette Tax Evasion to be composed of not more than five members.
The President of the Senate shall appoint not more than five members of the
Senate as members of the committee and shall designate one of such members as
chairperson. 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 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. All funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution
shall come from funds appropriated to the Senate. The expenses and 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. 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, 2007. The committee shall stand abolished on January 31,
2008.