Each year during the Legislative Session, many proposals for new laws come before each chamber of the General Assembly.  In some cases, a bill before the legislature could set forth such a dramatic change in existing state law that we need to study the impact of the bill before it passes.  In addition, many times a Senator or Representative will come upon an issue that is so important to Georgia citizens that it needs to be closely studied, and expert testimony must be heard.  For these reasons, we create study committees that meet during the interim to discuss important issues, hear testimony and file reports that could recommend legislative action.  Recently, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle announced the Senate appointments for the study committees created in the 2007 Session, and this week I’d like to provide an overview of the studies I feel are of great importance to our state. 

Joint Transportation Funding

I have been appointed to serve on this joint study committee alongside co-chairmen Sen. Jeff Mullis and Rep. Vance Smith.  The Transportation Funding Study Committee is tasked with developing sources and methods of funding new transportation projects in our state, as well as maintaining and improving our current transportation system.  Part of this study includes examining the way state transportation dollars are currently being spent, and looking at ways to maximize the efficiency of these funds.  The committee is already in action; it convened recently in Savannah for its second meeting.  

Joint State Stroke System of Care

Sen. Don Thomas of Dalton will co-chair this joint committee, which is dedicated to researching several areas of Georgia’s stroke care system, including stroke treatments, patient rehabilitation and the disparity of treatment in minority communities.  Over the last several years, statistics show that someone dies of a stroke every three minutes in our state.  This startling fact highlights the need for in-depth analysis of Georgia’s stroke care system. 

Small Business Initiative

As chairman of the Senate Economic Development Committee, I will lead a series of meetings across the state this summer, focusing primarily on small business.  During this Small Business Initiative, state legislators will hear directly from entrepreneurs and small business owners on how to improve Georgia’s climate for small business.  There is an incredible amount of data suggesting that small businesses are truly the backbone of our nation’s economy.  If there are too many obstacles that exist for small businesses, especially when it comes to policy, it is a big negative for our economy.  The Small Business Initiative meets again August 9 in Atlanta. 

Joint Indigent Defense

This Senate and House study committee will look into the reasons behind the budgetary shortfalls of the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council, created by the General Assembly in 2003 to provide the state with circuit-wide public defenders.  In its short existence, the council has experienced significant funding problems that this joint study committee, co-chaired by Sen. Mitch Seabaugh, seeks to address. 

Property and Casualty Rate Regulation

I have also been appointed to serve on the Property and Casualty Rate Regulation Study Committee.  Public policy should be designed to ensure that all lines of insurance are available and that prices should not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory.  This committee will study the various methods by which states regulate property and casualty insurance rates, the effect that the changes made by other states in the method of regulating property and casualty rates has had on the availability and affordability of insurance, and what changes in state law may be beneficial to Georgia consumers. 

Increasing Cargo Capacity at Georgia Ports

Georgia has two of the busiest ports in the world in Savannah and Brunswick.  This study will look at ways to improve capacity at our ports, including a look at the ramifications of taking cargo containers off ships and loading them onto rail transportation to be taken to off-site, inland loading areas in Georgia.  Sen. Joseph Carter of Tifton serves as chairman. 

Health Care Transformation Study

Sen. Judson Hill chairs this study committee that will examine the state’s current health care system and identify its shortcomings with regard to providing health care services to all Georgians.  The committee will also study models from other states, including the provision of health care services through a consumer-driven health care model. 

Diabetes and Childhood Obesity

The childhood obesity epidemic is creating a major health crisis in Georgia, as our obesity rates are notably higher than those in other states.  During the 2007 Session, the Study Committee on Diabetes and Childhood Obesity in Georgia was created to address the increasing prevalence of diabetes and obesity affecting children in this state and throughout the country.  Sen. Don Thomas will serve as chairman. 

Joint Fulton County Study

This joint committee was established by the House of Representatives, with Sen. Dan Moody serving as co-chair alongside Rep. Ed Lindsey.  With all of the Fulton County area now incorporated, the committee will look into the conditions, needs and issues of county’s government structure, including the transportation system, health and human services, sheriff’s office and library system. 

Several other Senate and House Study Committees will meet during the interim in 2007.  For a full list of these committees, the appointees and the legislation that created them, go to www.senate.ga.gov.  Remember to contact me in my office on the issues that are affecting you and your area.   

Please feel free to contact Sen. Chip Pearson at his office in Atlanta at 404.656.9221 or by email at chip.pearson@senate.ga.gov.