HR1704: HR1704 House Study Committee on Dangerous Animal Attacks and Animal Control Resources in Rural Georgia; create

26 LC 48 1765 House Resolution 1704 By: Representative Stinson of the 150th A RESOLUTION Creating the House Study Committee on Dangerous Animal Attacks and Animal Control1 Resources in Rural Georgia; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Georgia's "Responsible Dog Ownership Law" governs clas sification of3 dangerous and vicious dogs, as well as procedure for their seizure and impoundment and the4 rights and penalties of such a dog's owner; and5 WHEREAS, Code Section 4-8-23 of the Official Code of Georgia An notated addresses6 protocols and procedures in circumstances where the owner of a classified dog cannot be7 identified; and8 WHEREAS, local government officials are shielded from civil liability for damages from a9 dog attack where no owner can be found; and10 WHEREAS, Georgia has not established a system for liability when a person is attacked by11 a stray dog or a dog whose owner cannot be identified and, in such situations, the dog will12 most likely be euthanized; and13 H. R. 1704 - 1 - 26 LC 48 1765 WHEREAS, Georgia has also not established a system to compensate victims of an attack14 by a stray dog or a dog whose owner cannot be identified; and15 WHEREAS, a study committee is needed to thoroughly evaluate what additional resources16 may be needed by rural areas without animal control resources within the state to effectively17 and efficiently combat dangerous animal attacks.18 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:19 (1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee20 on Dangerous Animal Attacks and Animal Control Resources in Rural Georgia.21 (2) Members and officers. The committee shall comprise 11 members of the House of22 Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The23 Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate a member of the committee as24 chairperson of the committee.25 (3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,26 issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or27 legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.28 (4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee29 may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or30 convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and31 accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.32 (5) Allowances and funding.33 (A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided34 for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. 35 (B) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member36 of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds37 H. R. 1704 - 2 - 26 LC 48 1765 necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds38 appropriated to the House of Representatives.39 (6) Report.40 (A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that41 include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the42 same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolut ion, subject to43 subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.44 (B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not i nclude suggestions for45 proposed legislation the chairperson shall file a report subject to subparagraph (C) of46 this paragraph.47 (C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of48 abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee.49 A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with50 the Clerk of the House of Representatives.51 (D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Clerk of the52 House of Representatives a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu53 thereof.54 (7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.55 H. R. 1704 - 3 -