09 LC 28
4754S(SCS)
Senate
Resolution 399
By:
Senator Thomas of the 54th
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Senate Study Committee on Georgia Nonprofit Organizations and Their
Governmental Partnerships; and for other purposes
WHEREAS,
Georgia has numerous nonprofit entities providing a wide array of goods and
services to Georgians; and
WHEREAS,
48.2 percent of Georgia cities and 76.5 percent of Georgia counties report that
they work side by side with nonprofit organizations to plan or deliver public
services; and
WHEREAS,
52 percent of nonreligious charitable organizations report that they work with
local governments in public-private partnerships; and
WHEREAS,
75 percent of the partnerships between local government and nonprofits are in
the three broad areas of social, health, and human services; public safety and
emergency response; or economic development; and
WHEREAS,
over 50 percent of the nonprofits in Georgia report an overall decline in
revenues for the first quarter of 2008 of between 10 to 15 percent; operating
reserves are down by an average of 30 percent; 60 percent of groups expect
further declines over the next three months; 52 percent of the entities reported
having less than three months of reserves left; 72 percent of nonprofits report
service demands are on the increase, averaging between 10 to 60 percent with the
average increase at 25 percent; and more than 50 percent report that they will
not be able to provide services to the increased demand for more than three
months; and
WHEREAS,
these facts reflect the intersection of state and local governments and the
nonprofit sector and their frequent operation as partners or joint venturers;
and
WHEREAS,
these facts also reflect the effects of the economic downturn on Georgia's
nonprofit organizations similar to the loss of revenue experienced by state and
local governments themselves; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia needs to study the impact of the economic downturn and survey Georgia
nonprofit organizations on the impact of this economic crisis, not only on state
and federal government budgets but also on the budgets of Georgia's nonprofit
organizations and their ability to provide goods and services in conjunction
with governments in the areas of health, welfare, safety, and community
services.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is hereby created the Senate
Study Committee on Georgia Nonprofit Organizations and Their Governmental
Partnerships to be composed of six members of the Senate who shall be appointed
by the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor shall designate a member of
the Senate who shall serve as chairperson of the committee. The committee shall
meet at the call of the chairperson.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the
conditions, needs, issues, and problems as described above and associated with
Georgia's nonprofit organizations and their interactions with state and local
governments in Georgia and recommend any actions or legislation that the
committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee shall hear from leaders
and executives from various Georgia nonprofit organizations and financial
experts including various economists who research these businesses and entities.
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 allowances
authorized for legislative members of interim legislative committees but shall
receive the same for not more than three days unless two additional days are
authorized by the Lieutenant Governor. 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, 2009. The committee shall stand
abolished on December 31, 2009.