10 SB374/AP
Senate
Bill 374
By:
Senators Pearson of the 51st, Williams of the 19th, Rogers of the 21st, Hill of
the 4th, Balfour of the 9th and others
VETOED
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To
amend Chapter 7 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to the Department of Economic Development, so as to create the Legislative
Economic Development Council; to provide for legislative declarations; to
provide for a sunset date; to provide for definitions; to provide for the
council's duties; to provide for the council's powers; to provide for the
council's membership; to provide for annual report; to amend Chapter 8 of Title
50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of
Community Affairs, so as to create the Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council;
to provide for membership on the council; to provide for terms and duties of
members; to provide for an annual report; to provide for related matters; to
provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Chapter
7 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the
Department of Economic Development, is amended by adding a new article to read
as follows:
"ARTICLE
8
50-7-90.
The
General Assembly declares that the legislative branch needs a forum to evaluate
the state's overall economic development strategy and review all state funded
activities and expenditures that go into implementing such
strategy.
50-7-91.
There
is created the Legislative Economic Development Council whose purpose shall be
to evaluate the state's overall economic development strategy and to oversee the
effectiveness of such strategy during its implementation. Such council shall
exist and function pursuant to this article until July 1, 2014.
50-7-92.
(a)
As used in this article, the term 'council' means the Legislative Economic
Development Council created pursuant to Code Section 50-7-91.
(b)
The duties of the council shall include:
(1)
To review the state's current strategic goals regarding economic development,
job creation, and business formation and retention in Georgia and review its
progress towards meeting such goals;
(2)
To review the Department of Economic Development's annual activities and
expenditures and how they work to advance the state's overall strategic vision
for economic development;
(3)
To review the mission and performance of the economic development funds and
programs that the state provides resources for and how they work to advance the
state's overall strategic vision for economic development. Such programs may
include, but are not limited to, programs administered by the Department of
Community Affairs, OneGeorgia programs, the Georgia Research Alliance, and all
state funded or supported economic development programs within the University
System of Georgia;
(4)
To periodically review current tax exemptions and credits;
(5)
To analyze legislative proposals regarding economic development and make
recommendations to appropriate legislative committees for action;
(6)
To study the budgets, programs, and policies of state or local governing
entities involved in economic development;
(7)
To analyze legislation and policies from other states regarding economic
development; and
(8)
To review the laws of this state and the laws, policies, procedures, and
guidelines of this state's agencies to identify existing barriers to job
creation and economic development.
(c)
The council shall meet at least twice during each calendar year. Additional
meetings may be held upon the call of the chairperson or upon the call of a
majority of the members of the council. Eight members of the council shall
constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of a majority of those members
present at a meeting of the council, provided such members present constitute a
quorum, shall be necessary to transact business of the council. The chairperson
shall be entitled to vote on all matters requiring a vote of the
council.
50-7-93.
The
council shall have the power to:
(1)
Meet at such times and places as it may deem necessary;
(2)
Cooperate with and secure the cooperation of every department, agency, or
instrumentality in the state government or its political subdivisions in the
furtherance of the purposes of this article;
(3)
Appoint a citizens advisory committee to be made up of business and industry
leaders to provide input and guidance to the council;
(4)
Adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the purposes of
this article; and
(5)
Do any and all things necessary or convenient to enable it to perform wholly and
adequately its duties and to exercise the power granted to it.
50-7-94.
The
council shall be cochaired by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives. The Lieutenant Governor shall chair the council
meetings in the first year upon the effectiveness of this Act. Thereafter, the
Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker shall alternate years chairing the council
meetings. The council shall consist of:
(1)
The chairperson of the Senate Appropriations Committee;
(2)
The chairperson of the Senate Economic Development Committee;
(3)
The chairperson of the Senate Finance Committee;
(4)
The chairperson of the Senate Higher Education Committee;
(5)
A member of the Senate to be appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate;
(6)
A member of the Senate to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;
(7)
A member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House
of Representatives;
(8)
The chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations;
(9)
The chairperson of the House Committee on Economic Development and
Tourism;
(10)
The chairperson of the House Committee on Ways and Means;
(11)
The chairperson of the House Committee on Higher Education; and
(12)
A member of the House of Representatives appointed by the minority leader of the
House of Representatives.
50-7-95.
The
Department of Economic Development shall prepare a report on an annual basis
detailing the state's programs and activities related to job creation and
economic development in Georgia during the prior fiscal year. Such report shall
list all the tools and incentives that the state uses and how they were used
during the prior year to grow jobs and to recruit and retain business. With
respect to tax credits, the report shall, to the greatest extent possible,
detail how much of each credit was used and how many jobs were created as a
result of such credit. The report shall be submitted to each member of the
council and to the office of the Governor. The Department of Economic
Development shall prepare the report required pursuant to this Code section,
which shall be completed no later than July 31 of each
year."
SECTION
2.
Chapter
8 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the
Department of Community Affairs, is amended by adding a new article to read as
follows:
"ARTICLE
10
50-8-240.
(a)
There is created within the Department of Community Affairs the Martin Luther
King, Jr. Advisory Council.
(b)
The council shall consist of nine members as follows:
(1)
The commissioner of community affairs or his or her designee;
(2)
Six members to be appointed by the Governor, two of whom shall be between the
ages of 18 and 22 years;
(3)
One member to be appointed by the President of the Senate; and
(4)
One member to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
(c)
Members shall serve four-year terms. No member of the council serve more than
two consecutive terms.
(d)
Vacancies in the membership of the council shall be filled for the balance of
the unexpired term by the appointing authority.
(e)
The council shall select annually a chairperson from among its
membership.
(f)
Members of the council shall be subject to removal from office by the appointing
authority when the actions or condition of a member shall be considered as good
cause for removal.
(g)
A majority of the council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business.
(h)
Members of the council shall serve without compensation but, to the extent
moneys are appropriated therefor, shall be eligible to receive reimbursement for
mileage and other expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties
in accordance with the rates and standards for reimbursement of state
employees.
50-8-241.
The
Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council shall have the following
duties:
(1)
To promote racial harmony, understanding, respect, and good will among all
citizens;
(2)
To promote principles of nonviolence, peace, and social justice;
(3)
To promote among the people of Georgia, by appropriate activities, both
awareness and appreciation of the Civil Rights movement and advocacy of the
principles and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.;
(4)
To develop, coordinate, and advise the state of appropriate ceremonies and
activities relating to the observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King,
Jr., including, without limitation, providing advice and assistance to local
governments and private organizations with respect to the observance of the
birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.;
(5)
To enable the people of Georgia to reflect on the life and teachings of Martin
Luther King, Jr., through educational endeavors, cultural performances,
exhibitions, and events that are multiethnic and family oriented;
and
(6)
To prepare an annual report for the Governor and the General Assembly detailing
the actions taken to fulfill these responsibilities and duties.
50-8-242.
(a)
To the extent moneys are appropriated therefor, the council may employ staff and
consultants and fix their compensation, duties, authority, and
responsibilities.
(b)
The council is assigned to the Department of Community Affairs for
administrative
purposes."
SECTION
3.
This
Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its
becoming law without such approval.
SECTION
4.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.