HB1608: HB1608 Georgia Youth Advisory Council; create

26 LC 65 0097 House Bill 1608 By: Representatives Crawford of the 89th, McQueen of the 61st, Berry of the 56th, Ali of the 106th, and Barnes of the 86th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 12 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 commissions and other agencies of state government, so as to cr eate the Georgia Youth2 Advisory Council; to provide for appointment of members to the advisory council; to provide3 for criteria of the membership of the advisory council; to provide for terms of members; to4 provide for quarterly meetings; to provide for purpose and activities of the advisory council;5 to provide for annual reports; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to6 repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8 SECTION 1.9 Chapter 12 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commissions10 and other agencies of state government, is amended by adding a new article to read as11 follows:12 H. B. 1608 - 1 - 26 LC 65 0097 "ARTICLE 913 50-12-160.14 (a) As used in this article, the term 'youth' means an individual who is between the ages15 of 14 and 21.16 (b) There is created an advisory council to be known as the 'G eorgia Youth Advisory17 Council,' hereinafter referred to as the council. The council is created as an advisory body.18 (c) The council shall be composed of 15 members as follows:19 (1) One youth member from every congressional district in this state, appointed in the20 manner provided for in subsection (e) of this Code section; and21 (2) One at-large youth member appointed by the Governor.22 (d) The council shall elect a chairperson from among its members.23 (e) The Governor shall establish an application process for me mbership on the council,24 which shall be administered by the Office of the Governor. App lications shall be made25 available to youth across the state.26 (f) The members shall serve two-year terms and, if eligible, m ay be reappointed for27 subsequent two-year terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the sa me manner as the original28 appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.29 (g) All members of the council shall be residents of this state and shall be between the ages30 of 14 and 21 at the time of appointment.31 (h) The council shall meet upon the call of the chairperson or upon request of the Governor32 and shall meet no less than quarterly.33 (i) Members of the council shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be34 entitled to be reimbursed for actual expenses, including travel and any other expenses,35 incurred while in the performance of their duties.36 H. B. 1608 - 2 - 26 LC 65 0097 50-12-161.37 (a) The purpose of the council shall be to advise the Governor on issues of importance to38 young people including, but not limited to, education, employment, strategies to increase39 youth participation in state and municipal government, safe env ironments for youth,40 substance abuse, emotional and physical health, foster care, poverty, homelessness, youth41 access to services on a state-wide and municipal basis, and on other matters as requested42 by the Governor.43 (b) The council shall:44 (1) Identify and study issues of importance to youth in this state;45 (2) Develop and recommend policy and programmatic changes to improve outcomes for46 youth;47 (3) Provide a forum for youth to communicate with state leaders;48 (4) Form committees at the direction of the Governor or a majority of voting members49 which shall study, evaluate, and make recommendations in consul tation with subject50 matter experts regarding matters in which youth possess particular insight, including, but51 not limited to, technology, cyber fraud, online scams, and prot ection from digital52 predators on social media and gaming platforms. These committees shall report to the53 council, Governor, and members of the public on its findings and recommendations; and54 (5) Perform any other advisory duties requested by the Governo r or the General55 Assembly that are consistent with the purposes of this Code section.56 50-12-162.57 The council shall submit an annual report of its activities, findings, and recommendations58 no later than November 30 of each year to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the59 Speaker of the House of Representatives.60 H. B. 1608 - 3 - 26 LC 65 0097 50-12-163.61 Administrative support for the council, including but not limit ed to, staff support for62 meetings, facilitation of the application and appointment proce ss, and assistance with63 preparation and dissemination of the annual report, shall be provided by the Office of the64 Governor."65 SECTION 2.66 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.67 H. B. 1608 - 4 -