SR482: SR482 Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC); create a study committee; urge

26 LC 56 0603S (SCS) Senate Resolution 482 By: Senators Bearden of the 30th, Cowsert of the 46th, Echols of the 49th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Albers of the 56th and others ADOPTED SENATE A RESOLUTION Creating the Senate Nuclear Power Study Committee; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, advanced nuclear reactors (ANRs) are capable of supporting Georgia's growing2 energy needs by providing clean, reliable power for urban centers, industrial facilities, data3 centers, and desalination plants; and4 WHEREAS, nuclear power is more reliable than coal, wind, and solar power, offering the5 resilience essential for everyday use and extreme weather conditions; and6 WHEREAS, researching the use of ANRs and creating a plan for future innovations in fusion7 power and radioactive waste for means of energy production could increase power generation8 and economic development in this state; and9 WHEREAS, Georgia has the chance to lead the national competitio n in advanced nuclear10 power, and an efficient ANR strategy can bring jobs, manufactur ing support, and supply11 chain gains to this state; and12 WHEREAS, the global nuclear market is projected to triple by 20 50, and establishing13 Georgia as the preferred supplier for American ANR technology c an open international14 S. R. 482 - 1 - 26 LC 56 0603S (SCS) opportunities and offer an alternative to Chinese and Russian nuclear reactor technology for15 allies and partners; and16 WHEREAS, with enhanced safety, scalability, and integration pot ential, ANRs are a key17 solution for Georgia's energy reliability and stability to meet the growing energy demands18 of this state; and19 WHEREAS, Georgia can gain competitive advantages by cutting red tape and establishing20 incentives to accelerate advanced nuclear deployment, overcome regulatory hurdles, and21 attract investment to solidify Georgia as the global nuclear energy hub.22 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE:23 (1) Creation of Senate study committee. There is created the Senate Nuclear Power24 Study Committee.25 (2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of 14 members:26 (A) Five members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate;27 (B) One member of the House of Representatives may be appointed by the Speaker of28 the House of Representatives;29 (C) Two representatives from Georgia Power;30 (D) Two representatives from electrical membership corporations located in Georgia;31 (E) Two representatives from the Public Service Commission; and32 (F) Two representatives from the Municipal Electrical Authority of Georgia.33 The President of the Senate shall designate a legislative membe r of the committee as34 chairperson of the committee.35 (3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,36 issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or37 legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.38 S. R. 482 - 2 - 26 LC 56 0603S (SCS) (4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee39 may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or40 convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and41 accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.42 (5) Allowances.43 (A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided44 for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.45 (B) Members of the committee who are state officials, other than legislative members,46 or who are state employees shall receive no compensation for th eir services on the47 committee, but they may be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in the48 performance of their duties as members of the committee in the same manner as they49 are reimbursed for expenses in their capacities as state officials or employees.50 (C) Members of the committee who are not legislators, state of ficials, or state51 employees shall receive a daily expense allowance in an amount the same as that52 specified in subsection (b) of Code Section 45-7-21 of the Offi cial Code of Georgia53 Annotated, as well as the mileage or transportation allowance a uthorized for state54 employees.55 (D) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member56 of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds57 necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds58 appropriated to the Senate.59 (6) Report.60 (A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that61 include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the62 same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolut ion, subject to63 subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.64 S. R. 482 - 3 - 26 LC 56 0603S (SCS) (B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not i nclude suggestions for65 proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C)66 of this paragraph.67 (C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of68 abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee.69 A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with70 the Secretary of the Senate.71 (D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Secretary72 of the Senate a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.73 (7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.74 S. R. 482 - 4 -