HR 1669: House Study Committee on End of Life Issues; create

House Resolution 1669

By: Representatives Westbrook of the 163rd, Jackson of the 165th, Evans of the 57th, Frye of the 122nd, and Campbell of the 35th

A RESOLUTION

Creating the House Study Committee on End of Life Issues; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, end of life issues affect all residents of this state; and

WHEREAS, end of life decisions and planning have significant impacts, both emotionally and financially, on persons nearing end of life and on the family members and caregivers of such persons; and

WHEREAS, some states authorize assisted death for certain individuals who are terminally ill; and

WHEREAS, it would be beneficial to undertake a study to evaluate end of life issues in this state, including long-term care costs and other financial burdens associated with end of life planning, opportunities for family members to give compassion and agency to their loved ones who are facing end of life decisions, and the burdens and challenges of the caregivers of persons who are nearing end of life; and

WHEREAS, study of other states' death with dignity and assisted death laws should be undertaken to consider whether any changes to current law may be warranted.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

(1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee on End of Life Issues.

(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of five members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee.

(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.

(5) Allowances and funding. The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds appropriated to the House of Representatives.

(6) Report.

(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

(D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Clerk of the House of Representatives a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.

(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.