HR 1704: House Study Committee on Dangerous Animal Attacks and Animal Control Resources in Rural Georgia; create

House Resolution 1704

By: Representative Stinson of the 150th

A RESOLUTION

Creating the House Study Committee on Dangerous Animal Attacks and Animal Control Resources in Rural Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Georgia's "Responsible Dog Ownership Law" governs classification of dangerous and vicious dogs, as well as procedure for their seizure and impoundment and the rights and penalties of such a dog's owner; and

WHEREAS, Code Section 4-8-23 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated addresses protocols and procedures in circumstances where the owner of a classified dog cannot be identified; and

WHEREAS, local government officials are shielded from civil liability for damages from a dog attack where no owner can be found; and

WHEREAS, Georgia has not established a system for liability when a person is attacked by a stray dog or a dog whose owner cannot be identified and, in such situations, the dog will most likely be euthanized; and

WHEREAS, Georgia has also not established a system to compensate victims of an attack by a stray dog or a dog whose owner cannot be identified; and

WHEREAS, a study committee is needed to thoroughly evaluate what additional resources may be needed by rural areas without animal control resources within the state to effectively and efficiently combat dangerous animal attacks.

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

(1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee on Dangerous Animal Attacks and Animal Control Resources in Rural Georgia.

(2) Members and officers. The committee shall comprise 11 members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker of the House of Representatives 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.

(A) 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.

(B) 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 a 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.