09 LC
25 5483
Senate
Resolution 184
By:
Senators Tolleson of the 20th, Hudgens of the 47th, Hawkins of the 49th and
Grant of the 25th
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Senate Study Committee on Boating Safety; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
the State of Georgia has abundant waterways which are invaluable to the health,
economic viability, and quality of life for all citizens and visitors;
and
WHEREAS,
our state waters include more than 100,000 miles of flowing streams, greater
than 500,000 acres of impounded waters, and about 100 linear miles of Atlantic
Ocean coastline; and
WHEREAS,
in addition to serving as a vital economic conduit for our state, these
waterways provide numerous recreational opportunities for a growing population
of citizens and visitors; and
WHEREAS,
the economic impact of recreational boating to the state totals $1.3 billion
annually, or $3.5 million per day, and provides over 9,000 jobs;
and
WHEREAS,
recreational boating has experienced significant growth over the past 20 years,
nation wide and in the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
in 1986, there were 9.9 million registered vessels in the United States, and
that number increased to 13 million in 2006; and
WHEREAS,
in 1986 there were 225,812 registered vessels in Georgia and that number
increased to 337,569 in 2006; and
WHEREAS,
in addition to the increased number of vessels, the population growth in Georgia
has resulted in rapid development of waterfront properties, including some of
the most valuable real estate in our state; and
WHEREAS,
the five-year average in boating fatalities increased by 42 percent from 2003 to
2008; and
WHEREAS,
recreational boating safety concerns have grown at a parallel rate with the
growth in population and numbers of boaters utilizing state waterways;
and
WHEREAS,
continued economic prosperity from use of our state waterways depends upon
providing citizens and visitors with a safe and secure outdoor recreational
experience.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate Study
Committee on Boating Safety to be composed of five members of the Senate
appointed by the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall
designate a member of the committee as chairperson. The chairperson shall call
all meetings.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of boating safety
issues, including but not limited to speed limits, boater education and
outreach, vessel titling and registration, use of personal flotation devices,
charter boat requirements, and boating safety enforcement. Furthermore, the
committee may recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems
necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct its meetings at places and
times it deems necessary or convenient to enable it to address fully and
effectively its responsibilities and accomplish the objectives and purposes of
this resolution. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances
provided in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
Members of the committee shall not receive the allowances authorized by this
resolution for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. All
funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from
funds appropriated to 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 15, 2009. The committee
shall stand abolished on December 15, 2009.