HR1749: HR1749 House Study Committee on the Impact of Multiplayer Online Gaming Platforms; create

26 LC 63 0145 House Resolution 1749 By: Representatives Clifton of the 131st, Persinger of the 119th, New of the 40th, Camp of the 135th, Smith of the 18th, and others A RESOLUTION Creating the House Study Committee on the Impact of Multiplayer Online Gaming1 Platforms; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, in the 21st century, children regularly engage in game s online using various3 platforms, including multiplayer online gaming platforms that provide access to a vast library4 of games created by users around the world and that enable direct communication with other5 users; and6 WHEREAS, such online games are complex and immersive, and they may allow children7 to access violent and graphic imagery and content; and8 WHEREAS, online gaming platforms extend beyond mere gaming and promote socialization9 on other online platforms that enable children to communicate d irectly with unknown10 persons; and 11 WHEREAS, children undergo rapid and evolving physical, mental, and emotional12 development, rendering them more susceptible to the allure of p eer pressure, novelty, and13 rewards inherent in the usage of online gaming and private communication platforms; and14 H. R. 1749 - 1 - 26 LC 63 0145 WHEREAS, utilizing online gaming platforms can expose children to significant privacy and15 safety risks; and16 WHEREAS, existing online protections addressing children may be outdated and ineffective17 at preventing young children from accessing content that is not age-appropriate; and18 WHEREAS, study is needed to evaluate the impact of multiplayer online gaming platforms19 on children, including evaluation of the risks and benefits of such platforms, consideration20 of how existing online access and privacy protections may be improved and strengthened to21 ensure safer access to such platforms, and to determine whether regulation is needed.22 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:23 (1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee24 on the Impact of Multiplayer Online Gaming Platforms.25 (2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of five members of the26 House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of27 Representatives. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson28 of the committee.29 (3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,30 issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or31 legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.32 (4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee33 may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or34 convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and35 accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.36 (5) Allowances and funding. The legislative members of the committee shall receive37 the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Offic ial Code of Georgia38 H. R. 1749 - 2 - 26 LC 63 0145 Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any39 member of the committee for more than four days unless additional days are authorized.40 Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds41 appropriated to the House of Representatives.42 (6) Report.43 (A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that44 include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the45 same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolut ion, subject to46 subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.47 (B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not i nclude suggestions for48 proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C)49 of this paragraph.50 (C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of51 abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee.52 A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with53 the Clerk of the House of Representatives.54 (D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Clerk of the55 House of Representatives a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu56 thereof.57 (7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.58 H. R. 1749 - 3 -