HR1790: HR1790 House Study Committee on Long COVID (Coronavirus Disease); create

26 LC 65 0096 House Resolution 1790 By: Representatives Lupton of the 83rd, Lim of the 98th, Barnes of the 86th, and Beckles of the 96th A RESOLUTION Creating the House Study Committee on Long COVID (Coronavirus Disease); and for other1 purposes.2 WHEREAS, Long COVID (Coronavirus Disease) is a serious, chronic , disabling, and3 potentially fatal condition that can occur following infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus4 that causes COVID-19; and5 WHEREAS, research and surveillance data from federal public health agencies indicate that6 approximately ten to 30 percent of individuals infected with SA RS-CoV-2 may develop7 Long COVID (Coronavirus Disease), meaning tens of millions of A mericans have been8 affected; and9 WHEREAS, Long COVID (Coronavirus Disease) has been associated w ith immune10 dysregulation and a wide range of serious hea lth conditions, in cluding cardiovascular11 disease, neurological impairment, cognitive dysfunction, autonomic disorders, autoimmune12 disease, and organ damage; and13 H. R. 1790 - 1 - 26 LC 65 0096 WHEREAS, national disability data show a substantial increase in the number of Americans14 living with disabilities since the onset of the COVID-19 pandem ic, reflecting the lasting15 health impacts of the pandemic era; and16 WHEREAS, Long COVID (Coronavirus Disease) affects both adults and children and can17 interfere with individuals' ability to work, attend school, and participate fully in daily life;18 and19 WHEREAS, the long-term health, workforce, economic, and educational impacts of Long20 COVID (Coronavirus Disease) continue to emerge and present sign ificant challenges for21 families, health care systems, employers, and state governments; and22 WHEREAS, further study would help the General Assembly better u nderstand the23 prevalence, impacts, and policy considerations related to Long COVID (Coronavirus24 Disease) and identify strategies to improve prevention, access to care, workforce25 participation, disability support, and public health response within this state.26 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:27 (1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee28 on Long COVID (Coronavirus Disease).29 (2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of 11 members of the30 House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of31 Representatives. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson32 of the committee.33 (3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,34 issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or35 legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.36 H. R. 1790 - 2 - 26 LC 65 0096 (4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee37 may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or38 convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and39 accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.40 (5) Allowances and funding.41 (A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided42 for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.43 (B) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member44 of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds45 necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds46 appropriated to the House of Representatives.47 (6) Report.48 (A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that49 include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the50 same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolut ion, subject to51 subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.52 (B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not i nclude suggestions for53 proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C)54 of this paragraph.55 (C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of56 abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee.57 A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with58 the Clerk of the House of Representatives.59 (D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Clerk of the60 House of Representatives a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu61 thereof.62 (7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.63 H. R. 1790 - 3 -