Bill Text: GA SB398 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: 'Georgia Africa Partnership Project Act'; create the Africa Partnership Division; provide personnel, operation, and powers and duties

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-07 - Senate Read and Referred [SB398 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-SB398-Introduced.html

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12 LC 25 6013

Senate Bill 398

By: Senators James of the 35th, Davenport of the 44th, Seay of the 34th, Fort of the 39th and Orrock of the 36th

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 Africa Partnership Division of the department; to provide a short title; to provide for personnel, operation, and powers and duties of the division; to authorize the operation of projects; to provide for the general purpose of the division in promoting partnership between Africa and the State of Georgia and to authorize specific activities to promote economic development, cultural exchange, and other beneficial activities; to provide for related matters; 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.

This article shall be known and may be cited as the 'Georgia Africa Partnership Project Act.'

50-7-91.

As used in this article the term:

(1) 'Director' means the director of the Africa Partnership Division of the Department of Economic Development.

(2) 'Division' means the Africa Partnership Division of the Department of Economic Development.

(3) 'Project' means one or more facilities suitable for use for one or more of the purposes stated in Code Section 50-7-94, regardless of whether such facilities are contiguous, including, by way of illustration and not limitation, the following facilities: exhibit halls; auditoriums; theaters; restaurants and other facilities for the purveying of foods, beverages, publications, souvenirs, novelties, and goods and services of all kinds, whether operated or purveyed directly or indirectly through concessionaires, licensees or lessees, or otherwise; parking facilities and parking areas in connection therewith; meeting room facilities, including meeting rooms providing for simultaneous translation capabilities for several languages; related lands, buildings, structures, fixtures, equipment, and personalty appurtenant or convenient to the foregoing; and extension, addition, and improvement of such facilities.

50-7-92.

(a) There is established within the Department of Economic Development the Africa Partnership Division.

(b) There shall be a director of the division who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the commissioner of economic development with the approval of the Board of Economic Development. The division shall have such other personnel as may be designated by the commissioner.

50-7-93.

Subject to the availability of funds and the approval of the Board of Economic Development, the division may establish and operate one or more projects appropriate to the purposes of the division as established under Code Section 50-7-94.

50-7-94.

The purposes of the division shall be to:

(1) Promote the State of Georgia and the Atlanta area as the gateway for business with Africa;

(2) Work in collaboration with the Africa Heritage Foundation in order to successfully execute the underlying objectives endorsed by the Africa Heritage Foundation and the Africa Union Commission;

(3) Promote, encourage, and facilitate the location of African consulates general in Georgia and the Atlanta area;

(4) Develop a partnership with historically black colleges to promote and create international studies programs, study abroad programs, and student exchange programs;

(5) Promote the port of Savannah as the main center for cargo shipment of goods between Africa and the United States;

(6) Promote Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as the main center for air passenger and cargo services between Africa and the United States;

(7) Encourage the Africa Village that represents 54 nations of Africa to locate in Georgia;

(8) Encourage the Africa Heritage Diaspora Radio and TV headquarters to locate in Georgia;

(9) Encourage and support the establishment of the Africa Heritage Foundation Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research in collaboration with the Georgia Ports Authority and Savannah State University;

(10) Encourage and support the establishment of the Africa Heritage Foundation's Institute of Ethics Leadership to provide human resources and related training in cooperation with the University System of Georgia for all of the 55 African nations;

(11) Encourage and support the establishment of the Africa Heritage Foundation's headquarters, titled the 'Africa House,' in the vicinity of the Centennial Olympic Park to house diaspora tourism and cultural programs for all of the 55 African nations as well as to serve as the headquarters of the foundation's global operations and its USAFRICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE;

(12) Encourage and support the establishment of the Africa Heritage Foundation's headquarters for the purpose of making the city of Atlanta and the State of Georgia the international headquarters of the foundation chapters in all the 55 nations of Africa and the Diaspora, including Brazil, Australia, and the Caribbean as well as the proposed chapters of the Foundation in all the 50 states in the United States;

(13) Encourage and support the establishment of the Africa Heritage Foundation Institute of African Nations Science and Technology to be located in the State of Georgia and work in collaboration and partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology;

(14) Encourage and support the launching of a monthly 'Africa Open for Business' forum and related networking, job creation, and investment opportunities;

(15) Establish or promote the establishment of an African world museum and center in the Atlanta area;

(16) Establish or promote the establishment of an African heritage world cultural and tourism festival to take place annually in Georgia to promote cultural diversity and tourism;

(17) Establish or promote the establishment of one or more African heritage research institutes in Georgia;

(18) Establish or promote the establishment of one or more African heritage foundations, chambers of commerce, economic conferences, and expositions in Georgia;

(19) Establish or promote the establishment of one or more African food culture festivals in Georgia;

(20) Generally promote economic development for Africa and the State of Georgia;

(21) Promote the education and training of doctors and other health care professionals to provide modern health care and facilities in Africa and Georgia; and

(22) Train and educate legislators about the policy making process in Africa and America."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.