House Bill 1608
By: Representatives Crawford of the 89th, McQueen of the 61st, Berry of the 56th, Ali of the
106th, and Barnes of the 86th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 12 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
commissions and other agencies of state government, so as to create the Georgia Youth
Advisory Council; to provide for appointment of members to the advisory council; to provide
for criteria of the membership of the advisory council; to provide for terms of members; to
provide for quarterly meetings; to provide for purpose and activities of the advisory council;
to provide for annual reports; to provide for a definition; 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 12 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commissions
and other agencies of state government, is amended by adding a new article to read as
follows:
<ins>"ARTICLE 9
50-12-160.
(a) As used in this article, the term 'youth' means an individual who is between the ages
of 14 and 21.
(b) There is created an advisory council to be known as the 'Georgia Youth Advisory
Council,' hereinafter referred to as the council. The council is created as an advisory body.
(c) The council shall be composed of 15 members as follows:
(1) One youth member from every congressional district in this state, appointed in the
manner provided for in subsection (e) of this Code section; and
(2) One at-large youth member appointed by the Governor.
(d) The council shall elect a chairperson from among its members.
(e) The Governor shall establish an application process for membership on the council,
which shall be administered by the Office of the Governor. Applications shall be made
available to youth across the state.
(f) The members shall serve two-year terms and, if eligible, may be reappointed for
subsequent two-year terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(g) All members of the council shall be residents of this state and shall be between the ages
of 14 and 21 at the time of appointment.
(h) The council shall meet upon the call of the chairperson or upon request of the Governor
and shall meet no less than quarterly.
(i) Members of the council shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be
entitled to be reimbursed for actual expenses, including travel and any other expenses,
incurred while in the performance of their duties.
</ins>
<ins>50-12-161.
(a) The purpose of the council shall be to advise the Governor on issues of importance to
young people including, but not limited to, education, employment, strategies to increase
youth participation in state and municipal government, safe environments for youth,
substance abuse, emotional and physical health, foster care, poverty, homelessness, youth
access to services on a state-wide and municipal basis, and on other matters as requested
by the Governor.
(b) The council shall:
(1) Identify and study issues of importance to youth in this state;
(2) Develop and recommend policy and programmatic changes to improve outcomes for
youth;
(3) Provide a forum for youth to communicate with state leaders;
(4) Form committees at the direction of the Governor or a majority of voting members
which shall study, evaluate, and make recommendations in consultation with subject
matter experts regarding matters in which youth possess particular insight, including, but
not limited to, technology, cyber fraud, online scams, and protection from digital
predators on social media and gaming platforms. These committees shall report to the
council, Governor, and members of the public on its findings and recommendations; and
(5) Perform any other advisory duties requested by the Governor or the General
Assembly that are consistent with the purposes of this Code section.
50-12-162.
The council shall submit an annual report of its activities, findings, and recommendations
no later than November 30 of each year to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
</ins>
<ins>50-12-163.
Administrative support for the council, including but not limited to, staff support for
meetings, facilitation of the application and appointment process, and assistance with
preparation and dissemination of the annual report, shall be provided by the Office of the
Governor."
</ins> SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.